CEMENTTILE FLOORING
Exceptional catches from the castle
WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY: BEATRIX TORMA
Learning the history of Graefl Major in Kétútköz, it is hard to imagine that the familys and estates tumultuous past could be followed by an even more exciting present. The building, which was ravaged by war and nationalized by the socialist regime, was rebuilt from its shattered fate by a couple who know how to dream and how to make those dreams come true.
GRAEFL CASTLE
CEMENT TILE FLOORING
The countrys only Art Nouveau castle, restored to its original state a few years ago, is part of a self-sustaining organic farm where food, interiors and animals are equally valued. In researching the history of the estate, the owners recognized the intellectual and cultural values that the Graefl family, even unknowingly, left behind for them. They knew that they would adapt these values to modern needs with historical accuracy and a value-preserving approach. The success of this bold initiative was due not only to the humble work of the hosts and professionals but also to the unquenchable thirst for knowledge of the small community formed around the rescue efforts. The restaurant operating on the estate is part of this tireless and carefully built project driven by dreams. The owners high level of commitment to sustainable gastronomy has been recognized with a Michelin Green Star. One of the completed ground-floor spaces of the castle is a kitchen that serves both private and restaurant purposes.
Cement tile flooring designed for the location
During the redesign and renovation of the interior spaces of the historic property, efforts were made to use period-appropriate or closely resembling materials and techniques, with a similar approach to the interior design. In many cases, the changes of regime, which have not spared the property, have not allowed the original materials and surfaces to be recovered, just as documentation of the former kitchen in the servants wing has not survived. While original cement tile and terrazzo flooring were found in other areas of the castle, the kitchen flooring could not be identified.
Iamart reconstructed the missing corridor tiles based on the original flooring of the corridors leading to the kitchen. As a result of a joint decision with the owners, the manufactory produced the kitchens cement tile flooring in the same colour tone as the corridor tiles, but with a simpler, site-specific design.
The interior designer shaped the character of the space and designed its unique furnishings based on the expressed needs and inspirations from period castle furniture, aligning with the colour scheme of the cement tile flooring.
Interior design by Péter Pintér, Dr. Beatrix Torma
