Move Over Paris: The World’s Most Beautiful Homes are in Italy

I have long had a bit of an obsession with Paris apartments, but now I have a new love: Italian palazzos. Besides high ceilings and gorgeous detailing, they also have a certain storied look, the beauty and character that age can bring to a grand building. Here are four Italian apartments that are not quite like any apartments you’ve seen before.

When Italian architect and sculptor Vincenzo de Cotiis first saw this apartment in an 18th-century Milanese palazzo, “It was love at first sight.” He stripped back years of paint, wallpaper and floor coverings to reveal the beautifully worn frescoes and floors underneath, and filled the space with a gorgeous mix of antiques, art and more modern pieces, including some of his own designs. See more at Vogue Living.

Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, who calls this 17th-century palazzo home, brings the same lush style to his decorating that he does to his movies. The living room is painted in a rich navy that, at times, seems almost black. See more at T Magazine.

This 16th-century Sicilian palazzo is decorated with a light, even cheeky touch. Leaving the moldings unrestored makes the building’s age something to be celebrated—a special feature of the space. See more at Seventeen Doors.

And finally, there’s this beautiful apartment in an old Venetian building bordering the Grand Canal. The building can be accessed from the street side, or, more romantically, by water, from the canal. The apartment’s owner has opted for a light touch, allowing the space’s original features to shine. See more at AD Magazine.

Want more inspiration?

→ Virtual Vacation: Tour 10 Gorgeous Paris Apartments