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Collection by Emma Marsano

Modern Historical Home Renovations in Italy

In compliance with strict regulations on historical renovations, these five Italian homes deftly incorporate original structure into modern remodels.

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When Guido and Sabrina Chiavelli left their tiny apartment in Asolo to begin their family life in the northern Italian countryside, they chose to renovate a crumbling sandstone farmhouse. The desire to preserve the building's original structure while adding a modern aesthetic led the couple to augment the stone walls with teak panels and wide windows. Photo by Helenio Barbetta.
When Guido and Sabrina Chiavelli left their tiny apartment in Asolo to begin their family life in the northern Italian countryside, they chose to renovate a crumbling sandstone farmhouse. The desire to preserve the building's original structure while adding a modern aesthetic led the couple to augment the stone walls with teak panels and wide windows. Photo by Helenio Barbetta.
Ludovica Serafini and Roberto Palomba, who work as Ludovica+Roberto Palomba, commissioned a dining table of their own design from Exteta and paired it with Abanica chairs by Oscar Tusquets for Driade. The ceramic centerpiece is by Emilia Palomba, Roberto’s aunt.
Ludovica Serafini and Roberto Palomba, who work as Ludovica+Roberto Palomba, commissioned a dining table of their own design from Exteta and paired it with Abanica chairs by Oscar Tusquets for Driade. The ceramic centerpiece is by Emilia Palomba, Roberto’s aunt.
This 1930s farmhouse on the coast of Tuscany is sited on a podere, land claimed from the low-lying salt marshes by the Fascist government in the early decades of the 20th century. The Dutch technique of “podering” the landscape refers to the process of creating a grid of levees and then draining the squares, which leaves a gridded farmscape with low, even ridges dividing it.
This 1930s farmhouse on the coast of Tuscany is sited on a podere, land claimed from the low-lying salt marshes by the Fascist government in the early decades of the 20th century. The Dutch technique of “podering” the landscape refers to the process of creating a grid of levees and then draining the squares, which leaves a gridded farmscape with low, even ridges dividing it.
Designer Paola Navone transformed a 200-year-old factory in Umbria into an inviting home for Andrea Falkner-Campi and her husband. Once a tobacco-drying plant, and before that a silkworm farm, the home sits 90 miles north of Rome.
Designer Paola Navone transformed a 200-year-old factory in Umbria into an inviting home for Andrea Falkner-Campi and her husband. Once a tobacco-drying plant, and before that a silkworm farm, the home sits 90 miles north of Rome.
Syracuse, Italy, has architectural history dating back to the ancient Greeks. So, architect Francesco Moncada carefully preserved his home's 18th-century facade to fit in with the historical surroundings, but modernized the interior into a contemporary classic. Photos by Gunnar Knechtel.
Syracuse, Italy, has architectural history dating back to the ancient Greeks. So, architect Francesco Moncada carefully preserved his home's 18th-century facade to fit in with the historical surroundings, but modernized the interior into a contemporary classic. Photos by Gunnar Knechtel.