Beautiful Virgin Islands

Wednesday, Apr 01, 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

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
King Charles Plans US State Visit as UK Strengthens Ties with Trump Leadership
UK Regulator Launches Investigation Into Microsoft’s Business Software Practices
Kanye West Set for High-Profile Return to UK Stage at Wireless Festival
Trump Presses Europe to Strengthen Commitment as Iran Conflict Escalates
UK to Deploy Additional Troops to Middle East Amid Rising Regional Tensions
UK Authorities Face Claims of Heavy-Handed Measures in Monitoring Released Pro-Palestine Activists
Trump Calls on UK to Secure Its Own Energy as Iran Conflict Intensifies
Nigel Farage Declines Invitation to UK Conservative Conference Led by Liz Truss
Trump Warns Allies to Take Responsibility as Rift Deepens with UK and France Over Iran Conflict
How Britain’s Prime Minister Controls U.S. Bomber Access in Escalating Iran Conflict
Trump Urges Allies to Secure Their Own Oil Supplies as Hormuz Crisis Disrupts Global Energy
Russia Expels British Diplomat as UK Pushes Back Against Pressure
White House App Faces Scrutiny After Claims of Continuous User Location Tracking
BBC Faces Scrutiny Over Allegations of Paid Content Linked to Saudi Arabia
UK-France Coastal Patrol Agreement Nears Breakdown Amid Migration Pressures
UK Police Detain Pro-Palestine Activist Again Weeks After Bail Release
FTSE 100 Advances as Energy and Mining Shares Gain Amid Middle East Tensions
Eli Lilly Seeks UK Pricing Deal to Unlock Renewed Pharmaceutical Investment
Three Arrested in UK After Massive Cocaine Haul Discovered Hidden in Banana Shipment
UK Fuel Prices Poised for Further Surge Amid Global Energy Pressures
Apple Subsidiary Penalized by UK Authorities for Breach of Moscow Sanctions
Western Allies Intensify Coordinated Sanctions Strategy Against Russia
UK Lawmakers Face Criticism Over Renewed Push for Social Media Restrictions
Starmer Signals UK Crackdown on Addictive Social Media Features
Rising Costs Push One in Five UK Hospitality Businesses to the Brink of Closure
Man Arrested on Suspicion of Attempted Murder After Car Strikes Pedestrians in UK, Injuring Seven
Escalating Conflict Involving Iran Tightens Fiscal Pressures and Highlights UK Economic Vulnerabilities
UK Moves to Confront Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Operating in Its Waters
UK Housing Divide Deepens as Older Owners Hold Wealth While Under-30s Face Mounting Barriers
London Demonstration Calls on UK to Recognize Iranian Opposition’s Provisional Government
UK Green Party Vote on ‘Zionism is Racism’ Motion Collapses Amid Internal Disputes and Technical Failures
SNL UK Ignites Debate with Sharp Royal Satire Targeting Prince Andrew and Prince William
EU Proposes ‘Emergency Brake’ to Resolve Deadlock in UK Youth Mobility Talks
Thousands Rally in London to Oppose Rise of Far-Right Movements
Hong Kong Official Rejects Allegations of Surveillance Orders Targeting UK-Based Dissidents
PayPal Expands Cryptocurrency Services to Allow UK Users to Buy and Sell Bitcoin
UK Minister Challenges Reform Party’s ‘Pro-Family’ Agenda as Debate Intensifies
Concerns Grow Over Meningitis Risk Among UK Students Amid Warning Signs of New Outbreaks
Japanese Grand Prix 2026: Schedule, UK Start Times and Full Broadcast Details
Electric Vehicles Seen as Strategic Solution to UK Fuel Reserve Concerns
Rise of Lone-Actor Threats and Online Radicalisation Drives New Wave of Antisemitic Attacks in the UK
Canada Advances Plan to Ban Cryptocurrency Donations in Election Campaigns
UK Faces Looming Medicine Shortages as Iran Conflict Threatens Supply Chains
Deadly Meningitis Outbreak in the U.K. Highlights Urgent Need for Vaccination
Fresh Claims Emerge Over Harry and Meghan’s Australia Visit as Insider Speaks Out
NATO Assessment Indicates UK Defence Spending Has Fallen Below Alliance Average
FTSE 100 Slips as Middle East Tensions Weigh on Investor Sentiment
UK Economy Begins to Feel Early Impact of Iran Conflict as Policy Challenges Intensify
Russian National Jailed in UK After Assault Case Linked to Barron Trump’s Alert
Energy Price Surge Accelerates Shift Away from Fossil Fuels in UK Homes
×