The untamed beauty of the Scottish island of Skye has been famed since the early 1800s, when the first hikers described its wild valleys and impregnable mountains.
Now connected to terra firma by a long bridge, this magnificent island is also known as one of the places in which Gaelic language and culture are most jealously guarded.
The largest island in the Inner Hebrides archipelago, the Isle of Skye falls within Scotland's Highland region for administrative purposes, and has just over 9000 inhabitants. Population density is therefore sparse, and nature is left to prosper undisturbed throughout the island. The most numerous animal species are seals, eagles and otters.
The main centres of human habitation are Portree (with its characteristic port area dotted with colourful houses), Sconser and Broadford.
On an island like this, nature could only ever be the real star of a recent residential project involving indoor flooring by Ceramiche Keope.
The building in question is a detached, cliff-top house, designed by Mary Arnold-Forster, with an incredible view over the Bay of Dunvegan.
Blending seamlessly into the surrounding environment, the design draws inspiration from the area's typical agricultural buildings, and features an exterior cladding made entirely of wood. Next to the main living area, a shed accommodates the house's technical installations and stock of fire-wood.
Large windows and skylights maximise the amount of natural light that illuminates the minimalist interiors. The shapes are pure and simple, and the starring role definitely goes to the elegant flooring, made with the Life collection by Ceramiche Keope, in the refined 60x60cm Lava finish.
"Life" is designed for people who want a relaxed, informal habitat. It is a top-quality material offering high resistance to impact, abrasion, chemical attack and stains, as well as high flexural strength. Like all Keope products, it is also non-absorbent, frost-resistant, simple to lay and easy to maintain.
Created with the aid of the most advanced technology, the refined character of the Life collection is accentuated by luminescent colours which, mixed with reflective particles, imbue the product with a special charm and an attractive three-dimensional look.
