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.

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.

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.”

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.

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 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.

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.

To inquire about booking a stay at Mezi Lukami, please visit the Mezi Lukami website.

Related Reading:

13 Brilliant Barn Conversions That Merge Past and Present

The Dramatic Transformation of This 100-Year-Old Barn Leads a Couple to Reconsider its Use

Project Credits:

Lead Designer: Daniela Hradilová

Landscape Design: Daniela Hradilová

Lighting Design: Daniela Hradilová

Interior Design: Daniela Hradilová

Photography: Romana Bennet / @romana.bennet

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