In the heart of Rome’s historic center, directly overlooking the monumental Piazza di Spagna and the sweeping marble staircase of the Trinità dei Monti, lies a top-floor penthouse that exemplifies the delicate balance between ancient urban legacy and contemporary interior design. Acquired during the quiet opening months of the COVID-19 pandemic by Dutch journalist Paola van Dam and her husband, the property has undergone a comprehensive two-year architectural transformation executed by renowned Rome-born architect and designer Achille Salvagni.
Positioned immediately above Chanel’s flagship boutique, the apartment commands panoramic views of one of the world’s most famous public spaces. Rather than relying on superficial cosmetic updates or traditional period decoration, Salvagni approached the project as a total architectural correction. Over a two-year period, he cleared away centuries of haphazard structural additions to establish a fluid layout characterized by sculptured curves, refined metalwork, and bespoke craftsmanship.
The resulting interior seamlessly merges modern minimalism with subtle nods to Roman Baroque heritage. Key architectural and design elements of the residence include:
Custom Craftsmanship: A bespoke dining table crafted from bronze cast at the historic Roman foundry utilized by the Vatican.
Baroque Nuance: Fireplace design inspired by the fantastical, grotesque door-and-window arches of the nearby 16th-century Casa Zuccari, featuring a red marble hearth.
Symbolic Detailing: Custom bronze cabinet handles shaped into small bees, referencing the historic coat of arms of the Barberini family, alongside a green marble threshold contoured to echo the worn steps of the Spanish Steps.
Curated Art and Furnishings: A combination of custom pieces by Salvagni—such as his Alligator sofa, Brera chandelier, and Lancea floor lamp—alongside midcentury vintage furniture by Ico Parisi and Pierre Guariche, complemented by modern artwork by British painter Jack Penny.
Chronology: From Pandemic Acquisition to Architectural Renewal
[Circa 2010] ─── Initial meeting between Paola van Dam and Achille Salvagni during a magazine interview.
[Early 2020] ─── Pandemic lockdowns quiet Rome; Real estate agent contacts Van Dam regarding the Piazza di Spagna property.
[2020] ─── Van Dam buys the top-floor apartment on the same day as her first walkthrough.
[2020–2022] ─── Salvagni leads a two-year structural redesign under restricted ZTL delivery conditions (4:00 AM – 6:00 AM).
[Present] ─── The penthouse functions as a private Roman retreat, combining historic views with modern living.
The Initial Encounter (Circa 2010)
The story behind the penthouse began roughly a decade before its purchase, when Paola van Dam first met Achille Salvagni while interviewing him for a Dutch design publication. Over the following ten years, the professional dynamic evolved into a lasting personal friendship between their families.
The Pandemic Real Estate Opportunity (Early 2020)
In early 2020, as global travel halted and Italy entered strict public health lockdowns, Rome’s historic center experienced an unprecedented lull. The usual soundtrack of the Eternal City—scooters traversing cobblestones, tourists congregating on piazzas, and outdoor cafes bustling with activity—was suddenly quieted.
During this brief window, Van Dam received a call from her real estate broker notifying her of an available top-floor residence in Piazza di Spagna. Though Van Dam and her husband had long considered acquiring a weekend residence in Rome to complement their primary home in Tuscany, securing a property directly on the Spanish Steps felt improbable.
Upon visiting, Van Dam realized the apartment belonged to a personal acquaintance of her mother-in-law—a home she had admired from afar for years. Recognizing the rarity of the opportunity, the couple finalized the purchase that same day.
The Two-Year Renovation (2020–2022)
Upon acquiring the property, Van Dam granted Salvagni complete creative freedom (carte blanche) to reimagine the space. The architectural intervention took two full years to complete, driven by the complex challenges of working within a historic landmark zone.
Because Piazza di Spagna is situated within Rome’s restricted traffic zone (Zona a Traffico Limitato or ZTL), construction logistics were strictly regulated. All building materials, custom millwork, and heavy furnishings could only be delivered to the site between 4:00 AM and 6:00 AM. Despite the demanding timeline and site restrictions, the renovation proceeded smoothly without structural or scheduling setbacks.
Supporting Data: Architectural Interventions and Design Craftsmanship
To transform what had become a fragmented sequence of dark, undersized rooms into a cohesive residential environment, Salvagni re-engineered the apartment’s core footprint. His strategy focused on optimizing natural light, enhancing sightlines toward the piazza, and introducing custom materiality tied to Rome’s artisanal traditions.
Spatial and Material Specifications
Feature / Area
Architectural & Design Treatment
Historical or Cultural Reference
Living Room Ceiling
Continuous soft coving painted in pale pink; buttery off-white walls.
Diffuses natural light to create an impression of increased height.
Window Casements
Custom hammered brass framing.
Historical Roman interiors that utilized polished metals to amplify daylight.
Flooring
Reclaimed oak planking paired with a sculpted green marble threshold.
Threshold profile mimics the worn, soft edges of the Spanish Steps outside.
Fireplace Surround
Stylized arched mouth featuring an extended tongue of deep-red marble.
Inspired by the monster-mouth facades of the 16th-century Casa Zuccari.
Custom Millwork
Bespoke cabinetry accented with small cast-bronze bee handles.
The heraldic bee motif of the Barberini family, prominent in Papal Rome.
Dining Table
Custom bronze dining table, hand-cast locally in Rome.
Crafted at the same foundry responsible for bronze castings for the Vatican.
Furniture and Art Curation
Salvagni’s interior composition balances custom contemporary design with classic 20th-century decorative arts and modern figurative painting:
Primary Seating: Salvagni’s curved Alligator sofa anchors the main living space, positioned in a wide arc oriented toward both the window views and the interior fireplace.
Dining Suite: The custom Vatican-foundry bronze dining table is surrounded by restored 1950s dining chairs designed by Italian architect Ico Parisi, upholstered in high-end Dedar textiles. Lighting overhead is provided by Salvagni’s modern Brera chandelier.
Lighting Program: Accent lighting includes a midcentury floor lamp by French designer Pierre Guariche in the living room and Salvagni’s Lancea floor lamp in the primary bedroom.
Fine Art Integration: Facing the main living room sofa hangs a large-scale portrait by British painter Jack Penny. In the primary bedroom, a carved wall alcove houses an antique Roman bust, contrasting classical sculpture with clean contemporary wall lines.
Official Responses: Architect and Client Perspectives
The project reflects a shared design philosophy between the architect and the homeowner, prioritizing architectural flow over ornamental surface treatments.
Achille Salvagni on Architectural Philosophy
Reflecting on his approach to the Piazza di Spagna project, architect Achille Salvagni emphasized that his focus was primarily spatial rather than decorative:
"I never decorate a space for the sake of decoration. For me, interior architecture is an expression of volumes, surfaces, and flow. There is always an element that breaks the rule that you would expect."
Salvagni noted that the design relies on the visual language of Roman Baroque architecture—employing gentle curves, controlled reveals, and subtle visual illusions—to give a compact space a sense of theatrical grandeur without feeling cluttered.
Paola van Dam on Living with the Transformation
Homeowner Paola van Dam highlighted the seamless execution of the project and the home’s connection to its historic surroundings:
"Piazza di Spagna was a dream location. I didn’t really think it was going to happen… The renovation process was remarkably smooth, which is a testament to the competence of Achille’s team."
Regarding the subtle humor embedded in the artwork and design details, such as Jack Penny’s portrait in the living room, Van Dam added:
"Guests seated across from the painting often cross their legs in the exact same manner as the figure in the portrait. It feels like one of the guests… Drinking coffee by the balcony door in the morning with the piazza on one side and the softly gilded living room on the other is timeless. I don’t think I will ever get enough of it."
Implications: The Evolution of Historic Residential Architecture
The successful conversion of this Piazza di Spagna penthouse offers several broader insights into contemporary luxury residential design, urban preservation, and interior architecture within Europe’s historic capitals.
Designing within hyper-visible cultural locations—such as the Spanish Steps—presents a unique spatial challenge: creating a functional private sanctuary inside a bustling public monument. Salvagni’s intervention demonstrates how modern interiors can honor historic surroundings without falling into cliché or purely museum-like preservation. By referencing local architectural history subtly (such as the Casa Zuccari fireplace or the Barberini bee hardware), the design anchors itself in Roman history while maintaining a contemporary identity.
The Role of Local Craftsmanship in Modern Luxury
The project underscores the enduring value of traditional urban artisan networks. Utilizing historic Roman foundries to cast modern furniture bridges the gap between old-world techniques and modern aesthetics. This approach preserves local artisanal infrastructure while delivering bespoke elements that cannot be replicated through mass production.
Post-Pandemic Real Estate and Urban Renewal
The acquisition and restoration of the penthouse reflect broader real estate shifts observed across major European cities following the 2020 pandemic. Brief market slowdowns allowed private buyers to reclaim high-density urban properties, transforming spaces previously dominated by commercial real estate or tourist infrastructure back into refined primary and secondary residences. Salvagni’s project demonstrates how historic urban cores can remain dynamic, livable environments that comfortably integrate contemporary life with centuries of heritage.
