Tuscan Apartment in San Frediano, Pierattelli, Architecture

An apartment, located in a fifteenth-century palazzo in Florence, Tuscany, Italy had its interiors restyled with bold colors, tailor-made solutions, natural materials, and designer pieces to preserve the charm of the location and its history.

Local materials and ornate frescoed ceilings blend with contemporary reworkings that feature signature photos and designer pieces. Borgo San Frediano, the district in Florence, is voted one of the coolest in the world with its narrow streets, small artisan workshops, new bars, boutiques, bistros, and restaurants. Spanning 240 sq. m., the apartment reflects both the identity and eclecticism of this location. Existing coffered ceilings and frescoes testify to its long history. This home has a large living area, featuring a living room connected to the kitchen and dining room, and a sleeping area. The entrance hall, created from scratch during the restyling, is defined by a curved panel with a brass base and a ribbed oak structure. This curved line continues throughout the living area, which includes the semi-circular modular sofa designed by Gabriele & Oscar Buratti for Lema, and the two Archibald armchairs designed by Jean Marie Massaud for Poltrona Frau. The bookcase was designed by the architects and handcrafted in Canaletto walnut and honey oak, while the suspended TV cabinet is by Lema. To give a sense of warmth, the architects designed a circular rug made in Pakistan, with various shades of blue, orange, and light beige.

The two openings of the living room lead into the dining room with an open kitchen and is furnished with the oval, marble-topped Tulip dining table designed by Eero Saarinen, surrounded by Warren Platner's Platner Chair, both produced by Knoll. The dining area is lit by the golden Skygarden hanging lamp by Marcel Wanders for Flos and two black IC Lights by Michael Anastassiades in the kitchen. The Canaletto walnut headboard designed by Pierattelli Architetture remains the highlight of both the master and guest bedrooms. The apartment ends with a study and two bathrooms that feature different types of travertine completely renovated by the architects. A Turkish bath on the second floor is accessed via a spiral staircase in Pietra Serena, an original element of the apartment. Original flooring in Tuscan terracotta, one of the oldest and most traditional materials, has been preserved and is retained. Its reddish color lends warmth to the rooms, and there are artistic photographs by the Hervé Saint Hélier hung on the walls.