Architect Achille Salvagni’s Rome Apartment

all photos by Eric Laignel [via Interior Design magazine]

Guess what? I'm in Italy! You may not be hearing from me much in the next couple of weeks as I eat my way through Venice, Florence, Tuscany and Rome, but take a look at this to-die-for Roman apartment in the meantime. Renovated and decorated by architect Achille Salvagni for his most exacting client—himself—the apartment combines modern art and furnishings with antique family heirlooms.

Salvagni tells Interior Design magazine of renovating the 2,600-square-foot space for his family of four. The district in which it is located is named for architect Gino Coppedè, who built dozens of art nouveau apartment buildings in the area. Salvagni repainted most of the pale yellow walls in white to offset the vibrant Roman sunsets (“If you have colored walls, they become really psychedelic,” he says.), though he chose a teal silk for the windowless central hall.

Salvagni tore down walls to connect various small rooms, leaving him with a patchwork of clashing marble floors. Out of respect for the past, he decided against tearing out most of the marble and instead covered it with oak planks. It was only in the kitchen and master bath that Salvagni entirely replaced the original flooring, creating a striking striped pattern of black and white marble.

I don't expect I'll be staying anywhere near as glamorous during by Italian travels, but I'm sure I'll have plenty to report when I return. You can also check out my Instagram for periodic updates. Ciao!