Villa Ai Castelli Romani

English description provided by the architects.

Originally built in the 1960s, the villa is inspired by the Usonian architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, featuring clean lines, a simple layout, and natural materials that blend harmoniously with the surrounding landscape.

Its strategic location, situated between Grottaferrata and Frascati, merges the serenity of a pristine natural setting with proximity to Rome, granting the current owners—Daniele, a senior executive at a tech multinational, and Sara, managing director at a leading consulting firm, along with their three daughters Fiamma, Sole and Celeste—a lifestyle that connects closely with nature, while offering the conveniences of metropolitan life.

Authentic materials such as stone walls, exposed brick, wood, and concrete have been preserved and reinterpreted through juxtaposed elements that celebrate natural light and bring vitality to the space.

The layout has been redefined by removing most of the corridors and some smaller utility rooms, opening the interiors to create smoother connections throughout the house. 

Take, for example, the kitchen windows and Sara's upstairs study, both of which feature a central rhomboid motif—a nod to the original 1950s ironwork found throughout the villa. It was a balancing act: this house delivers stimulating and relaxing spaces in equal measure", explains Matteo Soddu, co-founder of STUDIOTAMAT

At the entrance, a custom-made wardrobe lined with "Viceversa Monet" fabric by L'Opificio, featuring elegant Tanganika walnut trim, showcases STUDIOTAMAT's meticulous craftsmanship, reflecting their approach to creating refined, timeless interiors.

The villa's elliptical staircase, a striking focal point, is visible from the entrance and symmetrically organizes the ground floor spaces. To the east, a stone wall in the living room anchors an integrated fireplace in the conversation area, while two large sofas define the TV zone.

The guest bathroom, entirely clad in Colony wallpaper (known for its vibrant depictions of lush, exotic vegetation), houses a sculptural Devon&Devon sink that echoes the American design styles of the 1920s and '30s.

The dining nook, with a built-in bench under the window, provides an intimate space for smaller meals, while a series of panels cleverly conceals refrigerators, pantries, and two hidden passages leading to the service area and secondary stairs. A full-height, powder-coated glass partition gently separates the kitchen from the dining room.

The furniture, selected to reflect the owners' eclectic personalities, blends vintage pieces with design icons. In the living room, 1970s Marenco sofas by Arflex pair with Rammendi pouf/coffee table by Punto Zero and Plastiz, while Marcel Breuer's Cesca chairs by Knoll complete the dining room alongside a special edition table from Punto Zero's "Big" collection.

Upstairs, the oak parquet floors laid in a "sister" pattern connect the bedrooms, each overlooking the main staircase and joined by a continuous cream-colored resin path.

At the center, Sara's study, with its custom glass wall and large window overlooking the main terrace, serves as a sanctuary of light and inspiration, made cozy by a Tuscan Red-painted ceiling from Little Greene.

In the master bedroom, a wall clad in Colony wallpaper conceals the entrance to the en suite bathroom—a luxurious haven featuring a freestanding tub and an integrated Arabescato marble sink.

Between the two bedrooms, the shared vanity area (complete with Valdama sinks) is distinguished by a custom-built cabinet in dove blue galvanized iron, while the walls are clad in tiles from Cristina Celestino's Tivoli series for Fornace Brioni, forming a stylish transition between the rooms, keeping them separate yet connectable.

The terracotta rubber flooring by Artigo defines a cinema and game area where the daughters can enjoy free time in a cozy, laid-back atmosphere, perfect for family relaxation during the winter months.

Every detail, from the natural materials to the tailored furnishings, contributes to a cohesive narrative, where spaces are not merely inhabited but seem to come alive, becoming protagonists in the lives of their residents.