A hidden Liberty-style jewel nestled in the courtyard of a late 19th-century structure along Viale di Trastevere in the center of Rome's Trastevere neighborhood has been revitalized by Rome-based architecture and design studio STUDIOTAMAT. 

The Liberty-style villino in the courtyard on Viale di Trastevere. Vintage chair and side table. Blanket by l’Opificio

This abandoned villino has been transformed into a chic urban retreat for two. It was either the caretaker's residence for the former train station, or, depending on who you ask, a local doctor's office.

Living area: Falkland pendant lights by Bruno Munari for Danese Milano. Dema sofa. Unbranded coffee table

The project started with meticulously maintaining the home's most unique features, which are spread across three small, stacked floors totaling 80 square meters and ending in a beautiful, green patio. 

It required a combination of artistic skill and technical accuracy to restore the front veranda with its beautiful cathedral glass in gentle shades of pink, yellow, and green. 

Living area: Falkland pendant lights by Bruno Munari for Danese Milano. Dema sofa. Cushions by l’Opificio. Throw by Stay. Unbranded coffee table. Vintage red glass ashtray

The frame was reconstructed using steel and solar-control glass, although the original colors and rhythm were preserved. 

The veranda now extends into the interior after the ancient French door that separated it from the house was removed, letting in natural light that gradually changes in tone throughout the day.

The interior layout, which was previously broken up by a narrow spiral staircase, and how the rooms are perceived are the main goals of the intervention. 

The kitchenette has been moved to the veranda, creating room for a stunning alternating-tread staircase made of chestnut wood. The makeover is bold in gesture yet sensitive in execution. 

Its first step, which is made of Verde Alpi marble, serves as the sculptured foundation for a specially designed bookshelf that is integrated into the basement. A mirrored chestnut storage unit nearby adds to the spaciousness while hiding the clothes.

Living area: Falkland pendant lights by Bruno Munari for Danese Milano. Dema sofa. Cushions by l’Opificio. Throw by Stay. Unbranded coffee table. Vintage red glass ashtray

Munari's famous Falkland pendant lamps provide a subtle harmony with the living room's new depth, which is framed by a lofty double-height window that overlooks the surrounding gardens. 

Kitchen (custom-made): Foster sink, Quadro Design faucet, 523 wall light by VIPP, Olimpia lamp by Zaven, courtesy of Secondome Gallery. Wall paint: Slaked Lime, mezzanine structure in Normandy Grey, service block in Woad by Little Greene via Bludirpussia

A linear base capped with Verde Alpi marble and shaded drawers that go from black to terracotta, matching the exquisitely preserved original terracotta floors, define the custom kitchen, which has been freed from overhead cabinetry. 

The ground floor's amenities are arranged in a deep blue volume, with a discrete powder room on one side and a pantry and refrigerator on the other.

Kitchen (custom-made): Bowl on Alpi green marble shelves, Savoy Aalto by Iittala. Foster sink. Quadro Design faucet. 523 wall light by VIPP

The main bathroom on the top floor, where Nouveau furniture by Ex.t meet the textured surfaces of Patricia Urquiola's Mater tiles for Mutina and fixtures by Formafantasma for Quadro Design, is defined by this striking color block that extends upward through the mezzanine. 

Service block: Unbranded coffee table

A double-height gap has been introduced by partially opening the mezzanine to let in light and create a feeling of airiness. While mirrored panels below bounce reflections upward, seemingly enlarging the space and boosting the blue volume, glass floor panels provide glances across levels.

Service block: Sky, Cloud, and Umbrella throws by Lanificio Leo. CH327 chair by Carl Hansen & Son. Woad paint by Little Greene via Bludirpussia

In homage to the cobblestone streets of ancient Rome and 19th-century Paris, Oscar Ono Paris completed the remaining floors with Foret parquet, which was created by Raphael Navot and consists of preassembled oak slats with visible end grain. 

A bespoke bed with an integrated headboard and drawer base creates visual continuity across the levels by echoing the color gradient of the kitchen.

View of the living area from the bathroom: Falkland pendant lights by Bruno Munari for Danese Milano. Dema sofa. Cushions by l’Opificio. Unbranded coffee table. Vintage red glass ashtray

The bedroom area is connected to the upper floor by a second spiral staircase made of bare iron with cherry wood treads, which serves as the studio's sculptured focal point. 

View from the living room toward the entrance and veranda: "Lettere a Balla" (2021) by Leonardo Sonnoli. Olimpia lamp by Zaven, courtesy of Secondome Gallery. Moroccan white ceramic candelabra. Stay sofa fabric. Vintage Thonet chairs. Glass structure by Mogs. Unbranded cement table. Slaked Lime paint by Little Greene via Bludirpussia

The bathroom is tastefully screened by a glass partition that mimics the rhythm of the veranda with alternating clear and ribbed panels. 

The door serves as a backdrop for the shower, and a Verde Alpi marble sink cuts through the glass to create a shared counter surface. The terrace's outside has two-tone green compacted stone paving that complements the surrounding greenery and reflects the color scheme.

"Lettere a Balla" (2021) by Leonardo Sonnoli. Olimpia lamp by Zaven, courtesy of Secondome Gallery. Moroccan white ceramic candelabra. Slaked Lime paint by Little Greene via Bludirpussia

"The first step was subtraction—to give breathing room to these compact floors. We preserved the essential structure and original terracotta floors, but played with pure volumes, reflected surfaces, and a strong material thread," said Matteo Soddu, Co-Founder of STUDIOTAMAT.

"The mirrored ceiling above the blue volume creates a sense of vertical infinity. It was about amplifying spatial dynamism while keeping a coherent language throughout," Soddu added.

Veranda: Vintage Thonet chairs. Glass structure by Mogs. Koinè pendant lamp by Mandalaki Studio for Luceplan. Savoy Aalto green vase by Iittala. Unbranded cement table. Slaked Lime paint by Little Greene via Bludirpussia

The peaceful beauty of Trastevere is captured in this intervention, which is discreetly tucked away in one of Rome's most distinctive areas. 

This project unveils the hidden beauty of a dilapidated home, much like the neighborhood itself, where unassuming exteriors frequently conceal hidden gems. 

Veranda: Vintage Thonet chairs. Glass structure by Mogs. Koinè pendant lamp by Mandalaki Studio for Luceplan. Savoy Aalto green vase by Iittala. Unbranded cement table

By fusing history with modern sensibility and memory with material, STUDIOTAMAT has produced an urban haven that is both remarkably modern and deeply entrenched.

View of the living room from the mezzanine: Falkland pendant lights by Bruno Munari for Danese Milano. Dema sofa. Cushions by l’Opificio. Throw by Stay. Unbranded coffee table. Vintage red glass ashtray

Main bedroom: Throw and pillowcases by Stay. Vintage Thonet chair. Vintage mechanic’s iron stool. Throw on chair by l’Opificio. Forét Collection parquet by Oscar Ono, via Ravasini. 523 wall lights by VIPP. Muse wall light by AXOLIGHT

Main bedroom: Throw and pillowcases by Stay Forét Collection parquet by Oscar Ono, via Ravasini. 523 wall lights by VIPP

Main bedroom: Throw and pillowcases by Stay. Forét Collection parquet by Oscar Ono, via Ravasini. 523 wall lights by VIPP

Main bathroom: Nouveau mirror + vanity unit by Bernhardt&Vella for EX.T via Ravasini. Forét Collection parquet by Oscar Ono via Ravasini. Dioscuri wall light by Michele de Lucchi for Artemide. Mater shower tiles by Patricia Urquiola for Mutina via Ravasini. FFQT shower and sink fixtures by Formafantasma for Quadro Design. T.B.T. heated towel rail by Tubes. Towels by Stay

View of the spiral staircase from the bedroom

Study and bathroom area: Unbranded chair. Custom-made desk, glazed partition, and staircase

Previously, STUDIOTAMAT completed the renovation of an apartment with raw, unfinished interiors, geometric tailor-made interventions in Tor de' Cenci, in the southern suburbs of Rome, Italy. 

In addition, the studio renovated an old apartment unit with a contemporary look, featuring industrial looking interiors, cold shades and modern furnitures and fixtures in the heart of Trastevere, one of the busiest neighborhoods in Rome, Italy.

Project facts

Project name: Liberty villa in Trastevere

Architecture: STUDIOTAMAT (Tommaso Amato, Matteo Soddu e Valentina Paiola)

Project team: Silvia D’Alessandro, Alice Patrizi, Sara Costanzo

Location: Rome, Italy

Completion year: 2025

GFA: Interior surface 80 sqm / Outside surface 30 sqm

Contractor: Ediltel B

The top image: View of the kitchen and living area from the veranda: Foster sink, Quadro Design faucet, 523 wall light by VIPP, Olimpia lamp by Zaven, courtesy of Secondome Gallery, Wall paint: Slaked Lime, mezzanine structure in Normandy Grey, service block in Woad by Little Greene via Bludirpussia, Falkland pendant lights by Bruno Munari for Danese Milano, Dema sofa, Cushions by l’Opificio, Throw by Stay, Unbranded coffee table, Vintage red glass ashtray.

All images © Serena Eller / Ellerstudio.

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