You’d Never Guess This 1900s Apartment Was Ever “Quite Dull,” Thanks to Its Bold Makeover
After years of renting and traveling abroad for work, fine arts photographer and teacher Ottavia Castellina was ready to put down roots. She was driven by the desire to be close to her family. “I also felt the need to design a space exactly as I wanted, embarking on the adventure to donate new life to old family furniture and objects, which were sitting in dust in my parent’s garage,” she explains.
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While visiting Turin, Italy (where Ottavia went to school), she came across a one-bedroom apartment in a building from the 1900s. She was enchanted by the neighborhood, as the building is situated in a “very lively borough” that is flourishing with students from the nearby university. Once she stepped inside, she fell even deeper in love.
“I was looking for a small central apartment with character, and when I saw this space I thought it was perfect for my needs,” Ottavia says. “The flat was in bad condition and needed restoration, but I could see the potential of it.”
Ottavia loved the apartment’s historical charm, including the doors, wood flooring, and old tiles. Two years ago, she bought the home and began renovating it with the contractors’ help (she didn’t live there during the structural transformation).
During the six-month renovation, Ottavia opted to keep costs down by keeping the layout the same (although she made the most of the space by adding a bookcase and an internal door to separate areas). She also needed to replace the bathroom and kitchen tiles completely. Ottavia tried her best to maintain the original elements, but had to replace some.
Even though some new elements were introduced to the home, Ottavia is proud that most of the furniture and decor came from family or secondhand stores. Her father even restored wooden pieces while she added fresh coats of paint. When Ottavia looks around her home now, she sees her grandmother’s armchair, her aunt’s haberdashery in the kitchen, and her grandparents’ dresser in the living room. But she also welcomes new friends into her space, too.
“I wanted this house to feature works by artist friends and souvenirs from my trips,” Ottavia explains. “Being a bit of a nomadic person myself, my conception of home is quite open, and I liked the idea of hosting friends and like-minded people who could enjoy taking care of the space while I am away.”
Resources
PAINT & COLORS
- Kitchen — Farrow & Ball’s De Nimes (No. 299)
LIVING ROOM
- JUHLI Sofa — SKLUM
- Rug — La Redoute
KITCHEN/DINING ROOM
- Floor Tiles — LAST MINUTE
- Pendant Lamp — SKLUM
- Wall Lamps — SKLUM
- Belfast Sink — IKEA
BATHROOM
- Floor Tiles — MARCA CORONA OSSIDI
Thanks, Ottavia!
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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