SPACES, TRAVELLauren CaronJune 10, 2017Rome. Roma, Airbnb, Rome Airbnb, Rione Regola, Interior Design, Interiors, interiors, interior design, Italy, inspiration, interior, Baroque, Baroque InteriorsComment

A Roman Gem that's Shared with the World

The Airbnb gods were with me on this past trip. I chose two places that were beyond my expectations. The one in Rome, I honestly picked for the ceiling. In the photos they had a white sheet draped over the sofa, which is usually a red flag for me (after a bad experience in Nice). However I decided the ceiling was too good to pass up, all I could imagine was waking up to that view...

Our studio in the Rione VII Regola | Photo: Lauren Caron © A Layered Life 2017

Our host Adriana was probably one of the best Airbnb hosts as she was attentive, communicative and gave us a list of restaurants and ideas just after we booked the stay. When we met for the key exchange we asked her a little about the space. She said because the apartment was on the first floor (think European floor levels, it was actually 2nd one up from the street), it was a part of the royal apartments. The building's foundation itself was build in the 13th century but the architecture as it stands today was built in the 15th century (according to our host - though I think she meant 16th or 17th just from the Baroque detailing). We could only imagine this studio was actually a single bedroom for one of the royal family members. Not only was the space inside the apartment lovely, but also the communal spaces. Just gorgeous. All of it! And for the sofa, I ended up removing the sheet for the photos. It's fine, just needs new upholstery, which is why I think she probably draped a sheet over it.

There are a few decor details I would change or leave out, or perhaps elevate if it were my own, but the intention is there and for an airbnb that's made available to the world, it's quite well designed and decorated. My favorite elements were; the curtains and hardware - brass rods, creamy spun silk drapes, hung just below the crown moldings; the gilded headboard was dreamy, not to mention all the gilded accessories, the lithographs of ancient Rome were a nice touch, the entryway, which must have been added at a later date, and of course the ceiling. Oh that ceiling!

The icing on the cake was the neighborhood. The Rione VII Regola was a hot spot for shopping, bars, and classic Roman restaurants. It is located very close to Campo De' Fiore (which is what it's listed as) and is around the corner from Nonna Vincenza, home of the best croissants and cannolis ever. It was also a skip across the bridge from the Trastavere, close enough to enjoy that busy hood but far enough to not hear all the ruckus.