At La Villa de Vic, the outdoor spaces are fully part of the home. Between the old façades, iron gateway and green shutters, the courtyard already has a strong presence. Timber, plants and places to sit enrich this setting. The pergola and terrace give it a new role in everyday life.
Begin with the courtyard’s charm
The walls bear traces of time. Stone appears around the openings and at the base of the façades; ivy climbs the house. At the far end, the gateway and its pillars close the view. These are the elements that give the courtyard its character and shape the placement of the new features.
The eye can still travel through the courtyard towards the gateway. Plants line this passage, while sheltered spaces sit to the side. This arrangement leaves the façades room to breathe and creates more intimate corners.
Timber brings warmth
I use Douglas fir for the pergola and terrace. Its warm colour complements the render, stone and green shutters. Timber introduces a welcoming material among the old walls: its lines and grain remain visible, giving the new features a simple presence.
The pergola defines a space of its own, open to the courtyard. Its beams give rhythm to the view, and reed screening adds a lighter texture overhead. Beneath it, the furniture fits in without losing its connection to the flowers and façades. The terrace extends the timber onto the ground and supports time spent outdoors.
Flowers soften the lines
The plants connect the different spaces. At the foot of the house they follow the walls, and around the timber structures they soften the edges. Pink flowers add touches of colour, while foliage forms a quieter backdrop. Pots placed near the seats give the whole setting a lived-in character.
Here, the garden is experienced at eye level: a plant beside a door, a bed along the passage, ivy against a façade. These details link the house and courtyard, allowing greenery to take its place among stone and timber.
A courtyard to pause in
The sheltered sitting area, seats and surrounding plants create a welcoming space. The courtyard now offers several moods: the open passage to the gateway, the pergola’s timber, flowers in the foreground and old walls behind. Each part keeps its place in the whole.
String lights stretched between the buildings add a light line above the courtyard. Their small bulbs and the globe lights near the gateway contribute to a familiar atmosphere, like a courtyard where people gather to make the day last a little longer.
The villa’s character, outdoors too
The outdoor spaces tell the same story as the interior renovation: an old house finding new uses, with visible materials and places to live. Stone, timber, flowers and furniture form a setting that belongs to the villa. The photographs show this meeting of elements and the spaces as they are today.