apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Their two-bedroom, two-level, 65m2 flat has a ground floor entry and a private garden that make it feel like a country house. The flat has signature Tuscan features like beautiful wooden doors, massive beams, Siena-colored bricks and warm terracotta-colored tile floors. Thick 70 cm walls keep out the heat of summer.

Alberto and Consuelo have brightened up the cozy ground floor with a bright yellow couch and walls painted in two shades of lemon that bring light and warmth to the space. The refrigerator is hidden behind a lovely dark wooden door, and the charming open kitchen has an inviting feel, especially as the early evening sun streams through the windows. One of their favorite elements is the charming porthole window in the master bedroom, which is painted a soothing pale green and has a soaring sloped brick and beam-covered ceiling.

Alberto moved in with Consuelo this year, and they are planning a few joint furniture purchases starting with a set of dark red Arne Jacobsen 7 Series chairs for the kitchen (they also plan to change the table). Theyve picked out these shelves to put over the couch, so that Alberto can bring the rest of his books from the apartment he owns with his sister in Florence.

- Kristin Hohenadel blogging from rue Vieille du Temple, Paris, France. If you have an idea for a European house tour, please write to kristinh @ apartmenttherapy . com