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A breath of fresh air, this apartment in Rome features a playful juxtaposition between brutalism, pop elements and pastel colors.
Named after the clients’ daughter, Casa Polly is a fascinating apartment in Rome, Italy, that blends the brutalist elements of the original interior with the pop elements loved by the new owners. A breath of fresh air, the interior design creates a playful dialogue between the two styles, resulting in a truly one-of-a-kind home. Architecture and interior design firm 02A Studio completed the redesign of the living spaces. The team successfully preserved the character of the old apartment, previously owned by designer Valerio Ciampicacigli, and infused the home with fun pop features, art and a rainbow of pastel colors.
“This project embodies a perfect fusion of two worlds,” says Marco Rulli, co-founder of 02A Studio. “I love homes with a story to tell, and this one—with its layered patterns and eccentric furnishings—brings together different identities in a way that feels both unexpected and harmonious,” he adds.
The Italian studio maintained Valerio Ciampicacigli’s style, most notably represented by the living room’s raw concrete column and the 1960s terrazzo floor, partially covered in cemento di Luna resin coating. The main living area has the original open-plan layout. On one side, there’s a built-in kitchen with white D-tiled surfaces and pale yellow cabinets, while on the other, the dining space stands on a wooden platform. The lounge area features a dusty rose sofa, a pink coffee table and a green lounge chair, as well as an impressive collection of pop art, sculptures and decorative objects. In the hallway, an eye-catching wallpaper with horizontal lilac stripes adds a focal point while concealing the door to a laundry area.
“Bringing together brutalist elements with the chubby pop sensibilities of the clients was the biggest challenge to us. Striking the right balance between the rugged character of the existing interior and the new decorative elements was key. The result is a unique apartment that not only reflects the personalities of its owners but also remains fully functional for family life,” says Marco Rulli.
02A Studio redesigned the bedrooms to accommodate the family of three. The apartment now features a bedroom for the clients’ daughter and a new master bedroom with a walk-in closet and an ensuite bathroom. Contrasting the brutalist elements of the living room, the master bedroom features only curves and sinuous lines. The Murals wallpaper creates an optical illusion of movement with asymmetric stripes in a dynamic pattern.
In the ensuite bathroom, the studio used the same vibrant palette of colors. The entrance boasts a wavy green frame, the wood vanity features pink fluting, while the tiles are a pale shade of pink. A green metal partition and a curtain with green geometric patterns and pink flowers completes the design, The other bathroom has a more subdued palette, featuring white tiles and a matching shower curtain. Photography© Giulia Natalia Comito.
