See how a tiny city apartment in Rome packs in statement interiors

A compact 1950s apartment in Rome's Appio Latino district, just a few steps from the Caffarella Park, has received a strikingly bold transformation.

The owners, a young couple, asked Rome-based duo La Macchina Studio to preserve the original Venetian terrazzo flooring, while also disrupting tradition with a wholly new look.

The architects gave the 75 sqm, one bedroom apartment a surreal and theatrical edge, while keeping furnishings relatively minimal. The end look is a celebration graphic lines, bold colours and minimalism.

(Image credit: ©Paolo Fusco)

As the apartment is long and narrow, it's divided into three sections. At the far left end is a small living room area, in the middle is a kitchen and dining area, while the bedroom and bathroom is at the other end to the right.

The living room is zoned by a yellow curtain which replaced a former partition wall. The curtain acts as a softer border, separating the kitchen and living area while giving a bigger sense of space.

(Image credit: ©Paolo Fusco)

(Image credit: ©Paolo Fusco)

The apartment is punctuated by an arched, lacquered wood blue door which leads to the bedroom.

(Image credit: ©Paolo Fusco)

(Image credit: ©Paolo Fusco)

The door, with its wooden profile that juts out 70cm towards the dining room, is the centrepiece of the open-plan living space and hides the kitchen furniture from view of the bedroom.

(Image credit: ©Paolo Fusco)

(Image credit: ©Paolo Fusco)

Meanwhile the bedroom features a softer colour palette of pinks and dusty reds, with velvety curtains and a microcement floor.

(Image credit: ©Paolo Fusco)

The white mosaic tiled bathroom features a striking grey-blue, flush-to-the-wall arch that seems drawn on, framing a view to the freestanding washbasin and blue enamel wall.

This blending of shapes, designs and colours creates a “collage” effect when placed next to and in front of each other like this.

(Image credit: ©Paolo Fusco)

(Image credit: ©Paolo Fusco)

(Image credit: ©Paolo Fusco)

The narrow corridor hides built-in storage. The white lacquered bridge wardrobe also hides a small study, creating an isolated area tucked away from the rest of the apartment, making it easier to work from home.

(Image credit: ©Paolo Fusco)

(Image credit: ©Paolo Fusco)

Materials

Venetian terrazzo floors

Microcement floors

Furniture and craftsmanship in lacquered wood

Ceramic mosaic and wall enamel coverings

Architecture: La Macchina Studio (Gianni Puri, Enrica Siracusa)

Photography: Paolo Fusco