Foulard, an inspiration of style
Here is the project "4 Foulard Suites" in Florence, followed by the Isaproject studio
for a hospitality structure
It has been part of the collections of numerous renowned fashion houses. It is the foulard, an authentic touch of class in the fashion world, which arrived in the West in the 2nd century AD. Its use has evolved from military personnel using it to protect their throats to peasant women using it to cover their heads when working in the fields. Over time, its use has changed and refined, until in the 1930s it became an indispensable item in the wardrobe, a true style accessory. The first fashion house to commercialize it was Hermès.
And it is precisely this refined style that inspired the 4 Foulard Suites in Florence. This accommodation facility, located 300 meters from the San Marco convent (at 29 Via Alfonso la Marmora), stands out not only for its central location but also for its charm and design. One detail above all: each foulard corresponds to a room, furnished thematically.
The project was handled by architects Marco Ducci and Alessandra Corrado. Collaborating with them, overseeing the selection and supply of furnishings, was the Isaproject studio.
The architects' intervention carried out on '4 Foulard Suites
"The '4 Foulard Suites' is an apartment in the center of Florence that has been redesigned to accommodate a guesthouse rental business. Architects Marco Ducci and Alessandra Corrado, who oversaw the design phases, explain how this was made possible.
«This structure is the result of a project combining practical-functional intentions with formal refinement in line with the refined tastes of the client," explain the architects. "Equipped with an elegant and spacious living area, carefully equipped for meal preparation, consumption, and relaxation, the '4 Foulard Suites' nurtures and seduces the customer by offering services and equipment in a context embellished by deliberate attention to the details of architectural-formal language. Among these, the guiding theme of the journey, which from the entrance accompanies the guest to the rooms (4 in total, all equipped with private bathrooms and custom furnishings), is the material characterization elicited by chromatic contrasts in the alternating use of porcelain stoneware, in dark and grey colors, for floors and coatings. The uninterrupted visibility of the dark implanted surfaces, raised by a step for specific technological needs and predominantly used to emphasize shared spaces, engages in vigorous contrast with the discreet white wainscoting of the hallway and the light-colored floors of the rooms flooded with light from the large windows, offering pleasant views of the city. Harmonies of tones and contrasts run through the fabrics, generous curtains, and the use of comfortable headboards consisting of a monobloc of porcelain stoneware bordered by a rich perimeter frame. Four designer scarves on the walls, one per room, unexpectedly break the rhythm of the bicromia. The intervention – conclude the architects – has thus achieved the goal of optimizing the typical functions of a guest accommodation through the careful use of materials and furnishings designed to make the Florentine stay even more enjoyable».
Supplier Selection: The Details That Make the Difference
Isaproject has further enriched the project of the "4 Foulard Suites". The choice of furnishings was very accurate: from the frames of the paintings, bed headboards, and mirrors selected among the proposals of skilled Florentine artisans to the high-quality bathroom accessories, from the 1930s-style furniture to the custom kitchen, from the wooden doors to the windows, from the black granite to the porcelain floor tiles.
Headboard made from a single porcelain tile
For the "4 Foulard Suites," Isaproject designed and had custom-made bed headboards crafted from a single pearl gray porcelain tile (240×120 cm), framed with artisanal wooden trim. The height of the frame, overlapping the porcelain tile (9 mm), is 15 mm. The inner part of the frame's three 5-millimeter pieces, made of natural wood, was planed. After the three pieces were glued together, the cut edges were finished with paint and putty. To get an idea of the costs involved, for a custom-made frame consisting of a 120×240 cm porcelain tile and an artisanal frame, the price is approximately 1000 euros including VAT (transportation and assembly excluded). In detail, around 600 euros for the frame and around 400 euros for the porcelain tile.
For those in need of furnishing a hospitality facility or seeking personalized service, you can contact Isa Project at +39 055.4252054 or via email by clicking here.
