‘An inexhaustible source of possibilities,’ is how Alessandra Guidetti describes her home, where every wall was removed to create the ultimate architectural blank canvas. ‘As the demolition was underway, I had some doubts,’ she admits. The freelance editor, who also works in film and television production, was afraid that she would struggle with the open-plan nature of the space, but has instead found it liberating.
Working with architect Andrea Vescovini of Ludens, she set about dissecting the loft apartment in a more fluid way. The bathroom and a storage room are enclosed behind wooden structures at either side of the home, with the bedroom and kitchen occupying the other two corners and the lounge in the centre.
Between these zones sweep a series of sound-absorbing curtains that can reveal or conceal. The design, says Alessandra, reflects her personality. ‘I am an eclectic person who has crafted a tailormade profession – never the same, always diverse. The apartment is the same, with the curtains allowing it to be constantly transformed.’
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This home’s lack of internal walls also necessitated ingenuity when it came to furnishing. There are no flat surfaces. Situated in Reggio Emilia, Italy, the building abuts one of the ancient city’s most beautiful churches, the Basilica of San Prospero. It is one of this landmark’s apses that gives Alessandra’s flat its curved external wall. By necessity, the majority of the pieces in the space are bespoke.
‘The starting principle was that they should appear to float,’ explains Alessandra, who, with Andrea, set about building unconventional solutions that were both functional and sculptural. Perhaps most notable is the statement bed, with a capacious wardrobe built into its headboard.
An empty box, Alessandra’s home could have been cold and industrial, but an astute choice of colours has turned it into what she affectionately describes as her ‘concrete comfort zone’. All of the walls are painted blush pink – a shade Alessandra has loved since childhood – while the curtains are the palest of blues; what she calls a ‘sugar paper’ shade.
What’s unexpected, though, is the ceiling. ‘Andrea suggested a matte black,’ she recalls. ‘At the time, I wasn’t convinced it was the right solution, but it’s so elegant. I’m glad I trusted him.’ Now, it’s reflected in the glossy black of the countertop on the kitchen island.
‘During the day, the curtains act like theatre backdrops,’ explains Alessandra, ‘but at night, when closed, they isolate the sleeping area, making it feel intimate, like a tight embrace.’ Sat in bed, she often thinks back to the dens children make, playing at creating places of comfort. It’s true; there is something cosy yet playful about this home. Even Alessandra’s cat Levi agrees. ‘For him,’ she says ‘it’s a constant playground to be explored.’ @ludens.ludens
