Imagine an old fisherman's hospital that faces the sea in a small village in Iceland — where the floorboards tell a story of where hospital beds and bedside tables used to rest, and where stairs and windows are in abundance. It sounds unnerving, but a careful and thorough renovation of the building has brought a place of unique beauty and timeless architecture back to life.
I originally came across the home of Svala and David Pitt through Kim at Desire to Inspire (who had found the new online magazine Home & Delicious through SF Girl by Bay.) I'm so grateful to have stumbled upon this new magazine, with beautiful photography and intriguing subjects. The Pitts' home, however, piqued my interest the most — they managed to take a run-down building that was in danger of decay and dilapidation and turn it into a beautiful, cheerful family home.
The Pitts were committed to reusing as much as they could from the building, and when this was impossible, they either sought out secondhand materials from the surrounding town, or commissioned the construction of identical elements based on old photographs and documents.
The flood of natural light combined with the stark whiteness of the walls balances out the dark wood beams, dark countertops, and ample texture and natural elements. David and Svala host lots of friends for dinner parties, and describe their cozy winters and spirited summers where they do a lot of people-watching. It strikes me as fitting for an old hospital — the beauty and bones remain, but the spirit of the place has changed to suit its new purpose — as a timeless joy to David and Svala and the family and friends that surround them.
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(Images: Gunnar Sverrisson, Home & Delicious)
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I'd be worried that it would be haunted.
Bless them for saving such a great piece of history.
Haunted? I lol'd at that. It's always your imagination that is the worst thing. I think it's lovely. and I love those doors!!
This would have made a great home tour!
If it's haunted that just means they get free nightly entertainment :)
I agree on the home tour! Wonderful windows and love the high coffee table and table under the window, too. *swoon*
My sis and I took a haunted tour of the Haight a few years back. Even though some of it was questionable and hokum, the one thing the tour guide mentioned is that hospitals were some of the most haunted places because of those who died. I'd be too spooked to live there and my dad who's kind of an spiritual home reader would forbid it. He's been able to detect odd things in some of my relatives' homes before some sad things happened. Nice place though.
This is so cool. It has always been a secret desire of mine to live in a house that used to be something else.
Our old house was haunted. It was kind of creepy, at times, but mostly not bad. It was always interesting to hear about experiences our visitors had.
it's absolutely beautiful, but I'd have to have someone come in and rid the place of any bad juju before moving in.
Absolutely gorgeous! I agree with the house tour comments! And to add to it I really wish there was some "before" pics!
I think of hospitals as places of healing & rest, so it doesn't bother me at all. It's beautiful, what they have done with it.
Now, the old jail in Boston that was turned into a luxury hotel....that one I cannot wrap my mind around, no matter how nice it is. I'm glad the building was saved because it was historically very interesting, but I could never stay there.