Throughout the house, textural and chromatic coherence is built on a palette of neutral tones, inspired by the home’s location; Doodesign built in Bolognese reds while still respecting the owners’ desire to avoid colors that are too bright. Beiges, earthy, and burnt tones create a soft range that imbues the room with a light warmth. The most colorful notes are found in the dining room, where deep blue cyanotypes by Irene Fiestas Contreras pick up tones from the ceiling frescoes. The collection is a powerful addition to the space, engaging in a discreet dialogue with the building’s past without being overwhelmed by it. Other colorful accents include the houseplants in Atelier Vierkant ceramic pots, Niccolò Morgan Gandolfi’s photographs, the pink fossil stone of the coffee table, the burgundy bouclé by Pierre Frey, and the Dedar fabrics on the bed. The result is a harmony in which each element finds its natural place: a maintenance of historic identity despite a young and contemporary makeover.
New beginnings
“Almost all of the furniture is new, with a few items brought from the owners’ previous home (including a sideboard and a bed), and a few custom items by the studio,” says Commendatore, such as ceramic stools, a small table made with cast-iron rods and a marble top, and the Scrana coffee table in the living area. The owners and designers were in almost total agreement with this furnishing. “It may be hard to believe, but everything went smoothly,” Commendatore says with a smile. There were no conflicts (the only small exception was around the somewhat dated sideboard) and no need to pressure the owners. The home, once a stately residence, is now a place that is lived in and used on a daily basis. Considering they often work from home, the couple wanted a comfortable, spacious, and familiar environment. Even the sleeping area, where the children’s bedrooms, playroom, and a bathroom are located, was left deliberately understated, a plain backdrop for this home where the couple’s children can grow up.
This neoclassical palazzo renovation was originally published in AD Italy.
