In the heart of Rome's prestigious Parioli neighborhood, a stunning contemporary apartment lies concealed within an early 20th-century Art Nouveau building. This 2,580-square-foot residence has been transformed by interior architect Antonio Girardi into a sophisticated urban retreat that redefines the concept of a pied-à-terre for a cosmopolitan Roman who lives abroad but maintains deep ties to his native city.
The client's vision was clear from the start. "The client wanted a Roman terrace, not a house," explains Antonio Girardi. This concept led to the introduction of Rome's rooftop atmosphere, beginning with the most symbolic material: travertine stone. However, this natural stone wasn't used in its traditional canonical form, but rather worked with an "open slit" technique that preserves the natural edges.
The travertine surfaces were carefully crafted to frame openings, doors, and portals throughout the apartment. "It was an unusual choice, even risky in terms of maintenance, but we wanted the material to speak – raw, imperfect, living," the designer explains. This unconventional approach reflects the project's commitment to authenticity and natural beauty over conventional perfection.
The renovation completely transformed the apartment's original layout, which had been poorly redesigned in the 1960s without any spatial logic. The kitchen was relocated to take better advantage of natural light, and the entire flow of the space was reconsidered. "We deconstructed the apartment to rebuild its identity, freeing it from rooms within rooms and dead-end corridors," Girardi notes. This process proved complex due to the building's protected status under Italy's fine arts regulations.
Upon entering, visitors encounter a powerful opening statement: a patchwork of marble, wood, brass, and travertine forms a scenographic carpet in the foyer. "This entrance is a manifesto, a statement. The chosen materials are found everywhere, from the brass handles to the kitchen marble. It's as if the entrance were a mirror of the entire house," Antonio Girardi explains. The entrance features a mosaic floor composed of brass tiles, parquet, travertine, and Portoro marble, with a custom brass pedestal displaying a horse statue purchased from Flair in Florence.
Throughout the apartment, green dominates the color palette, evoking an exotic garden atmosphere. This verdant theme appears in both modern and vintage elements, including armchairs placed in front of the built-in bookshelf that were recovered from Florence, and 1960s bamboo chairs by Lyda Levi in the dining room. A monumental custom-made mirror by artist Marco Scaccia dominates the dining room, featuring the figure of a horse – an animal particularly beloved by the owner.
The apartment unfolds as a succession of luminous, material, and expressive spaces. In the modern office area, a 1970s chair by Lyda Levi for McGuire sits before a contemporary desk, while a Luigi Galligani statue graces the floor. The master bedroom features a headboard designed by Girardi Architect in velvet, mirror, and brass, complemented by a lamp from VC Gallery.
"There's a colonial soul that often returns in my projects," reveals Antonio Girardi. "Not so much as a decorative style, but as an attitude: the house is like a walled garden, a sort of terrace that ideally extends toward the outside." This philosophy permeates every design decision, creating spaces that feel both enclosed and expansive.
The designer's approach celebrates the contrast between raw materials and refined finishes. On the travertine console purchased from Flair in Florence, the sculpture "Nzuri" by Aude Herledan from 2021 adds an artistic focal point. These carefully curated pieces reflect the owner's sophisticated taste and global perspective.
Rooted yet nomadic, Roman yet worldly, sophisticated yet authentic, this apartment truly reflects those who inhabit it. The space successfully balances the weight of its historic Art Nouveau shell with contemporary living needs, creating a unique urban sanctuary that honors both Rome's architectural heritage and modern design sensibilities. Through Girardi's masterful intervention, the apartment has reclaimed its identity while serving as a perfect retreat for its globe-trotting owner.
