Artistic Flair

Modern Art and Design Meet Vintage-feel Styling in an Eclectic Italian House Full of Personality

- Chiara Dal Canto

Located on the Arno riverbank in Florence, Italy, a stone’s throw from Flair furniture gallery, is a home that is testament to the immaculate tastes of those who live there. Owned by Flair founders Alessandra Tabacchi and Franco Mariotti, the house’s interiors are similar to the gallery itself – elegant, sophisticated and full of art and design in a mix that combines the prominent names of the past century with anonymous but characterful pieces.

The property wasn’t always this impressive. ‘When we found it, it was an office in a lousy state, but we could already see its potential,’ says Alessandra, who recognised the building’s charm and unique historic details such as the fact that its facade dates back to the 1800s. So the couple called on the services of Italian architect Massimo Adario to help them transform the house. ‘I trained as an architect, but gradually my interest has shifted to interiors,’ he says. ‘They allow me to build a story based on the place and context in which I am working.’ As an art lover with a passion for objects, Adario’s interiors are simultaneously adorned and minimalist, reflecting his belief that unnecessary details should be eliminated to make room for spatial harmony and a natural rhythm. And it was exactly this that was the guiding principle when designing the abode.