Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Wednesday, Mar 25, 2026

A 19th-Century Barn Is Revived as a Cozy Mountain Retreat in the Czech Republic

A 19th-Century Barn Is Revived as a Cozy Mountain Retreat in the Czech Republic

A Czech designer partners with local stonemasons and carpenters to convert a tattered structure into a boutique guesthouse in the Carpathian Mountains.

At the foot of the Western Carpathians in the Czech Republic sits an inviting, two-story holiday home that dates back to the 1800s. Known as Mezi Lukami-which is Czech for "between meadows"-the historic barn was restored by Czech designer Daniela Hradilová and her partner, Petr Hradil, to serve as the fifth guesthouse for their nearby boutique hotel, Mezi Plutky, which the duo opened in 2017.



Set in the village of Čeladná in the Beskydy Mountains (which are part of the Western Carpathians), the restored Czech guesthouse was originally built to serve as a house and barn.

The 19th-century building, which was originally built in the typical vernacular of the Moravian Wallachia region, had fallen into ruins when the previous owners approached Hradilová and Hradil to rescue it. After getting a proper sense of the structure’s storied past as one of the oldest buildings in the area, the designer and her husband were eager to revive it.



As part of the renovation, the former entrance hall was converted into the main living room.

Hradilová placed great emphasis on the building’s history to influence not only the new design, but also the surrounding setting. "An essential aspect that all my projects have in common is that they are created with great care and calm," she explains to Urlaubsarchitektur, Europe’s leading platform for architecture-focused holiday homes. "I approach them with respect and humility for the buildings and the people who lived there."



Hradilová decorated the home with simple pieces that emphasize the interior’s original details. In the living room, a gray sofa complements the stone floors, while wooden chairs and storage consoles contrast with the whitewashed walls.

With the help of experienced local carpenters and stonemasons, Hradilová relied on "ingredients" found on-site-such as natural stone and wood-to reconstruct the volume into an inviting space that encourages visitors to linger.



An oven that resembles a wood-burning stove infuses the kitchen with warm, cozy vibes.

Now, the converted guesthouse spreads across nearly 2,800 square feet in the alpine village of Čeladná, which is located in the Beskydy Mountains within the Western Carpathians. Timber walls and beamed ceilings pay homage to the structure’s past, while also complementing the restored, stone-clad walls and floors. Sliding glass doors and large picture windows imbue the moody interiors with a natural glow.



The former barn’s small, yet fully functional kitchen offers all new appliances. A dark-blue cabinet unit adds a bold pop of color to the room’s neutral palette.

The Mezi Lukami guesthouse comfortably sleeps four guests, with one bedroom located on the main floor and another on the upper level-both fitted with original floorboards and whitewashed wooden walls.



The dining area is located in what used to be the passageway between the house and the barn. Lighting designer Davide Groppi’s Moon luminaire hangs above the table near tall, sliding glass doors that extend the space to the enclosed yard.

According to Hradilová, the detailed renovation wouldn’t have been possible without the help she and her husband received from local people who work in various trades. "At a time when traditional craftsmanship is disappearing, their art and passion is a kind of miracle," she states.



The bedroom on the main level is fitted with wide-plank floorboards, whitewashed walls, and exposed beam ceilings, which presents a similar aesthetic to the primary living spaces.



Blue hues continue into the guesthouse’s bathroom, where an elegant, oversize sink is controlled by a black faucet handle carved into the stone wall.



Upstairs, a loft awaits with picture windows that overlook the alpine landscape. The deliberately placed lighting enhances the moody ambience of the space.



The loft also features a gallery above the dining area, which connects to the additional bedroom.



The dark, timber-clad walls and ceilings recall the structure’s pastoral heritage while presenting a calming oasis for guests to sleep, read, and unwind.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Saudi Arabia Expands Regional Trade Links by Opening New Land and Sea Routes to UAE
World Economic Forum Delays Saudi Conference as Regional Conflict Disrupts Global Agenda
Saudi Arabia and UAE Signal Potential Entry into Iran Conflict if Critical Infrastructure Is Targeted
Global Firms Accelerate Expansion into Saudi Arabia as Economic Reforms Gain Momentum
Global Labour Pressure Mounts as ILO Faces Calls to Reject Saudi Bid to Dismiss Migrant Worker Complaint
Gulf Powers Move Closer to Entering Iran Conflict as Regional Pressure Intensifies
Saudi Arabia Breaks Ranks with Regional Allies Over Response to Iran Escalation
Saudi Arabia Moves Closer to Direct Role as Iran Conflict Intensifies
World Economic Forum Postpones Jeddah Meeting Amid Escalating Regional Tensions
Trump to Deliver Keynote Address at Saudi-Backed Investment Summit in Miami Beach
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Press Ahead With Energy Agreements Despite Regional Conflict
Can Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu Port Replace Hormuz? Capacity Limits Test Critical Oil Lifeline
Saudi Arabia Detects Ballistic Missiles as Regional Tensions Escalate in Gulf
Saudi Aramco Reduces Oil Shipments to Asia for Second Consecutive Month
Saudi Aramco Reduces Oil Shipments to Asia for Second Consecutive Month
Saudi Arabia and UAE Push Ahead With Major Deals Despite Iran-Related Uncertainty
Formula One Cancels Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix Amid Escalating Regional Tensions
Pakistan Signals Strategic Realignment Toward Saudi Arabia Amid Regional Tensions
Saudi Arabia Cuts Oil Shipments to Asia as Regional Conflict Disrupts Key Export Routes
Saudi Arabia Moves to Contain Regional Escalation as Houthis Signal Readiness to Join Conflict
Saudi Arabia Signals Independent Nuclear Strategy Unaffected by Iran Tensions
Saudi Arabia Signals Independent Nuclear Strategy Unaffected by Iran Tensions
Egypt Reaffirms Strong Support for Saudi Arabia as Sisi Condemns Iran’s Gulf Attacks
Saudi Stocks Close Higher as Tadawul Index Gains 0.55% on Broad Sector Strength
Iran Fires Ballistic Missiles Toward Riyadh as Gulf Conflict Intensifies
Barcelona Midfielder Marc Casadó Attracts €40 Million Interest from Saudi Clubs
Strait of Hormuz Tensions Rise as Saudi Arabia Opens Key Air Base to US Forces
Saudi Arabia Confronts Strategic Turning Point as Iran Conflict Redefines Regional Alliances
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Missile as Two Others Land in Remote Area Without Casualties
Saudi Expulsion of Iranian Military Attaché Raises Doubts Over Fragile Riyadh–Tehran Rapprochement
Saudi Arabia’s Strategic East–West Pipeline Gains Global Attention as Energy Routes Face Growing Risks
Iran Reportedly Reduces Strikes on Saudi Arabia Amid Concerns Over Strong Retaliation
Saudi Arabia Criticises Israeli Strikes in Southern Syria Amid Rising Regional Tensions
Egypt and Saudi Arabia Warn Iran’s Actions Threaten Stability Across the Gulf
Egypt and Saudi Arabia Warn Iran’s Actions Threaten Stability Across the Gulf
Saudi Arabia Unveils Comprehensive 2026 Roadmap to Streamline Company Formation
Saudi-UAE Tensions Reveal Emerging Rivalry at the Heart of Gulf Power Dynamics
Saudi Arabia Launches Gulf Maritime Support Initiative to Safeguard Shipping
Saudi Arabia Expands US Military Access as UAE Braces for Prolonged Iran Conflict
Saudi Arabia Expels Iranian Diplomats Amid Escalating Regional Tensions
Saudi Arabia’s Edarat Wins Major Data Centre Deal with Regional Bank
Iran Intensifies Gulf Offensive as Saudi Arabia Intercepts Dozens of Drones
Regional Powers Hold Security Talks as Turkey Seeks New Strategic Pact
Asian Refiners Urge Saudi Arabia to Revise Oil Pricing Mechanism Amid War-Driven Volatility
Gulf States Weigh US Base Access and Military Alignment as Iran War Intensifies
IRGC Claims Strikes on Israel, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia as Conflict Widens
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Multiple Drones Amid Continued Iranian-Linked Attacks
Remains of Fallen Soldier Repatriated Following Death in Saudi Arabia
Iran Tensions Challenge Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Shift to Red Sea Oil Exports
Saudi Arabia Turns to Alternative Export Routes as Hormuz Disruption Strains Oil Flows
×