Interior painting in Bernex: from the hilltop village of Vieux-Bernex to the eco-neighbourhoods of Les Cherpines, craftsmanship tailored to every home
Azzo Peinture has been operating in Bernex since 2018, specialising in the renovation and painting of new flats, older houses and villas. Two CFC-qualified plasterers and painters, each with over 25 years’ experience in the trade. Whether it’s a house in the historic village at the top of the hill, a converted farmhouse in Lully or a flat to be personalised in a new development in Les Cherpines, each project requires different products and methods.
Bernex, the only municipality in the canton where a historic hilltop village stands alongside one of the largest eco-neighbourhoods currently under construction
Bernex is a town undergoing transformation. At the top of the hill, Vieux-Bernex retains its historic village character. All around, Lully and Sézenove preserve their rural and wine-growing identity. And further down, the Bernex-Nord / Cherpines area is seeing the emergence of one of the canton’s largest eco-neighbourhoods — new-build developments delivered in phases, customisable flats and contemporary villas. Three distinct worlds, three different approaches to construction.
Bernex-Village and Vieux-Bernex: interiors of historic houses at the top of the hill
Vieux-Bernex, perched atop its hill with a panoramic view of the Lake Geneva basin, is home to a well-preserved historic built environment: village houses clustered around the church, former bourgeois mansions and converted outbuildings. These interiors bear witness to the history of the village prior to the major contemporary transformation. Original plasterwork, exposed-beam ceilings, thick stone walls clad in timber: each room requires an approach tailored to its age.
Our approach to this historic building:
- Assessment of older media : original lime render, traditional plaster, clad stone walls. Modern paint that is too impermeable traps moisture within these walls and eventually causes damage. We will identify the right system during our visit.
- Breathable paints and lime : On preserved historic surfaces, we favour breathable mineral-based paints or lime washes. These finishes complement the building without restricting it and maintain a visual appearance consistent with the village’s character.
- Colour advice tailored to the location : From Bernex-Village, the light is bright and the view stretches out wide. Colour choices must take this into account — a white that works in town may appear too harsh at this altitude. Professional colour charts were brought to the site and approved in situ.
Bernex-Nord, Cherpines, Vailly and Robert Hainard: personalising a new flat that has just been handed over by the developer
For several years now, the Bernex-Nord and Les Cherpines areas have been home to one of the canton’s largest urban development projects — an eco-neighbourhood designed around energy efficiency, sensible density and sustainable transport. Homes are being handed over in phases, and more and more buyers are taking possession of new flats which they wish to personalise either before or after moving in.
Our approach to these new-build homes:
- Customisation following delivery by the developer : New flats are handed over with the developer’s standard finish. Many buyers then wish to change the colours, add an accent wall or apply a decorative finish in one or more rooms. We can carry out this work as soon as the keys are handed over, or immediately after you’ve moved in.
- Paints with very low VOC content for application on new surfaces : Our new developments are designed to ensure high airtightness and controlled ventilation. We use only very low-emission, odourless paints that comply with these modern energy standards.
- Decorative finishes on feature walls : marmorino stucco, lime plaster, polished concrete for walls — decorative finishes are particularly popular on the smooth surfaces of new-build properties, where they are ideally suited.
- A swift and efficient response : With a new-build flat, there is often little time between receiving the keys and moving in. We can complete the work within a few days on a standard two- or three-bedroom flat, using a cleaning procedure tailored to a property that is still brand new.
Lully, Sézenove and rural hamlets: wine-growing farms and hamlet houses
Lully and Sézenove retain their unspoilt rural character, set apart from the urban development of Bernex-Nord. Former wine-growing farms converted into family homes, hamlet houses with traditional shutters, farm outbuildings transformed into lofts: these interiors retain the spirit of the agricultural Bernex that existed before urban development took hold. Homeowners here often seek renovations that respect the character of the buildings.
Our approach to this rural building:
- Preserving the rustic character : exposed beams treated with a natural wood stain, white walls finished with lime wash to preserve the light in the interiors, and original woodwork restored rather than painted with opaque paint.
- Products suitable for old substrates : On stone walls and traditional render, breathable paints remain the only sustainable option. We always avoid modern coatings that trap damp within old walls.
- Work that respects living spaces : Whether it’s a converted farm or an occupied cottage in a hamlet, we work room by room whilst the property is occupied, without causing any odours, and we clean up at the end of each day.
The interior renovation projects we regularly carry out in Bernex
Four types of building site are a regular feature in the municipality, reflecting the diversity of the Bernic region.
Customising a new-build flat in Les Cherpines or Bernex-Nord
For a two- or three-bedroom flat delivered new by the developer (60 to 110 m²): 4 to 7 working days to customise the property to the buyers’ taste — changing colour schemes, adding one or two feature walls, and ensuring high-quality finishes. If a decorative finish is requested (calce cruda, stucco), allow an additional 2 to 4 days. Work can be carried out before you move in to ensure the flat is handed over ready to move into.
Renovation of an old house in Vieux-Bernex
For a village house or a historic property measuring between 130 and 220 m²: 10 to 18 working days, depending on the condition of the existing surfaces and the level of finish required. Assessment of plaster and lime render, breathable paints, treatment of woodwork and exposed beams. Can be combined with traditional decorative finishes (lime wash, stucco) to preserve the character of the building.
Renovation of a farmhouse or country house in Lully or Sézenove
For a former wine-growing farmhouse or hamlet house (150 to 250 m²): 12 to 18 days, depending on the renovation programme. Specialist work on stone walls, exposed beams and old render — using breathable products exclusively, colour advice tailored to the rural character of the property, and coordination with other trades if several are working on the project at the same time.
Decorative finishes on new builds in the latest developments
The smooth, well-finished surfaces in the new developments at Bernex-Nord and Les Cherpines provide the ideal canvas for decorative finishes: marmorino stucco on an entrance wall, calce cruda in a master bedroom, and polished concrete on the walls of a shower room. Allow 2 to 6 days depending on the surface area and the technique chosen. Sample approved on site before installation, with a transparent quote.
Why new buyers and homeowners in Bernex entrust us with their interiors
Three tangible differences that are particularly noticeable in Bernex, where the old and the new coexist.
The ability to work on both older buildings and new-build properties
Working on a house in Old Bernex with its lime-washed walls and exposed beams in the morning, then personalising a new-build flat in Les Cherpines in the afternoon: this is the reality for a tradesperson working in Bernex. This versatility requires knowledge of both traditional breathable products and very low-VOC paints suitable for new surfaces. We offer both.
A prompt response for buyers of new-build properties
With a new flat handed over in Les Cherpines or Bernex-Nord, there is often little time between receiving the keys and moving in. We adapt to this timeframe — a quick site visit, a quote within a few days, and work carried out over 4 to 7 days to personalise the flat before you bring in your furniture. We aim to complete this before you move in where possible, or room by room once you’ve moved in.
A single point of contact from quotation to handover
On a new-build or heritage renovation project, seeing different teams working on site can lead to confusion over decisions and undermine trust. At Azzo, Aureliano or Harald oversees every project in the Bern region, from the quotation stage right through to handover. This continuity of contact is just as important for a first-time buyer as it is for the owner of an old house in Vieux-Bernex.
An interior painting project in Bernex, step by step
Five clear steps, tailored to the nature of the property — whether it’s an old house, a rural farmhouse or a new-build flat to be personalised.
- Technical inspection and assessment : on-site visit to Bernex, assessment of the surfaces (old or new), identification of requirements (family life, quick installation, decorative finish), precise measurements, colour advice if requested.
- Detailed estimate : preparation, materials, application, cleaning — itemised quote, tailored to the recipient (first-time buyer, owner of an older property, owner of a recently built block of flats).
- Validation and planning : date confirmed in writing, adjustments to the move-in schedule for new buyers, defined time slots for renovations whilst the property is occupied.
- Work carried out by CFC craftsmen : Aureliano or Harald on site, low-VOC paints used on new-build properties, breathable paints used on older buildings, and cleaning at the end of each day.
- Joint acceptance visit room by room, validation of finishes, list of rework if necessary, signature of acceptance report, photo report if requested.
Our customers say it best
Your interior painting project in Bernex begins with a site visit
A house to renovate in Vieux-Bernex? A new flat to personalise in Les Cherpines or Bernex-Nord? A farmhouse to convert in Lully or Sézenove? Decorative finishing touches on an accent wall? Every interior in the Berne region deserves an on-site assessment.
Contact Azzo for a no-obligation technical visit and a detailed quotation.