Luxury homes: A light-filled house by a sea port in Genoa, Italy

Created for a gallery owner and graphic designer couple, this home is everything one needs to build a young family, even if it is a bit unconventional. The two-storey home is situated on the highest hill in the city of Genoa, the capital of the Italian region of Liguria, and boasts amazing views. On one side is the hill of Castello; the other overlooks the busy sea port.

Designed by Luca Scardulla and Federico Robbiano of design firm llab, the home’s unusual layout was initially a challenge, but they overcame it with the creative use of space and a light, playful colour palette. The result is a beautiful, light-filled home that lifts the spirits.

While most homes have their communal spaces on the first level and the bedrooms on the second, this home does it the other way round, with the sleeping quarters on the first floor.

Here, the original Genoese terrazzo floor tiles were preserved, lending visual interest to the clean minimalist bedroom.
The wallpaper was removed and the plaster restored.
The staircase connecting the two levels was one of the designers’ triumphs. Initially, the sheer height of the level difference — 4.2 metres — proved to be a challenge, but the designers overcame it by means of a concrete platform on the first floor.
From the concrete platform, a light metal structure winds its way up. The overall look is technically that of two staircases merged into one, but it’s unified with the use of oak treads and the interesting use of blue nautical ropes as the bannisters, which lend an almost-sculptural quality without adding visual weight.
The stairs lead to the second floor, which was originally an attic set back from the edge of the building.
This is where the living area, dining area, reading room, and small studiolo are all situated in one long layout.
Bright pops of colour lend cheer to the house.
The home is filled with plants and artwork from the couple’s private collection.
The studiolo, where the homeowners can work, is actually out on the terrace itself, complete with breathtaking views of the sea port.