SUNNY SIDE UP

In sun-drenched Portofino, an apartment in a fisherman's house has been turned into an idyllic bolthole perfect for la dolce vita

- EMMA J PAGE 

this is essentially a fisherman's house,' says designer Tommaso Calini of the Ligurian apartment that he renovated with his partner in life and work, Alessandra Cervia. That's an understated appraisal that belies a host of innovative touches and vibrant design motifs - although at its heart, this home is all about going back to basics and enjoying la dolce vita in its purest form. 

The three-bedroom flat, tucked away in the centre of fabled Italian harbour town Portofino, eschews the trend for what Tommaso calls 'over-designed, over-priced interiors' in the area, returning instead to the values of simplicity and colourful minimalism. It's a relatively compact layout, designed for friends to come together with their families and kick off their shoes for the summer,' he says. The space honours local craftsmanship and draws inspiration from the town's centuries-old paintbox of vibrant greens, warm terracottas, sandy yellows and lobster pinks.