HOUSE 12
Giacomo Totti’s apartment – like his design style – is a magical mix of the historical and decoration that is full of wonder
Interior architect Giacomo Totti’s apartment epitomises the bold and unexpected both inside and out. Situated in the charming historic city of Thiene in northern Italy, his home stands in marked contrast to the period buildings that surround it, with its Brutalist exterior resembling the renowned Torre Velasca, a 1950s skyscraper in Milan. ‘I was attracted to the building’s exterior, which was a significant architectural feat.
The building epitomises the early Brutalist architecture that very few designers in the 1950s achieved,’ explains Giacomo. ‘When it came to the apartment’s interior, I was captivated by its abundant natural light and mid-century finishes, especially the Palladian marble flooring.’
A passion for the past, and in particular vintage furniture, is in Giacomo’s genes – his father was an antiques dealer, regularly taking him to fairs and markets throughout Europe as a boy. Giacomo’s renovation of the apartment involved removing the inappropriate alterations made by the previous owners, while keeping the 1950s finishes and materials, restoring them where necessary, and rearranging the floor plan to one more in keeping with mid-century style. The open-plan kitchen, for instance, was reconfigured into a separate room, while the second bedroom was transformed into a dining room and studio.
Giacomo’s inspiration came from renowned designers such as Carlo Scarpa, Gio Ponti and Le Cor
