Mirrored panels stretch a corridor, transforming it into an expansive room with reflective surfaces.

Inside Elia’s Home: A Timeless Blend of Terrazzo, Marble, and Oak in Aversa

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Written by John Oliver

2026-07-03

A historical canvas transformed

In-Nova Studio has meticulously renovated Elia’s Home, a 280 square meter apartment nestled within a nineteenth-century palazzo in the heart of Aversa, Italy. The design celebrates the palazzo’s rich architectural history, using original features as the foundation of its modern transformation. High ceilings and sail vaults set the stage, merging the old with the new.

Material harmony and historical dialogue

The renovation employs terrazzo, Verde Guatemala marble, and oak throughout, each material not only beautifying the space but communicating its legacy. These elements naturally age, developing a patina that echoes the apartment’s storied past. The renovation is a respectful dialogue between time and design, seamlessly integrating contemporary functionality.

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Seamless connection of three rooms through unobstructed sightlines, with no open doors.
One sightline connects three rooms without a single door standing open

Upon entering the upper floor, guests are greeted by a bespoke storage unit with lacquered white doors and mirrored panels. This strategic layout directs attention towards the living room, enhancing both light and depth through calculated perspectives. Each passage, framed in marble, acts as a portal connecting old-world charm with a contemporary aesthetic.

Terrace furniture placed on tiles, set apart from the terrazzo flooring indoors.
The terrace furniture is the only place in the apartment where terrazzo gives way to tile

Open living spaces with functional elegance

Sliding glass doors with bronze tinting allow rooms to transform from interconnected spaces to intimate corners at a moment’s notice. The seamless terrazzo floor ties the living area together, offering a performance-driven upgrade that includes underfloor radiant heating. This echoes the innovative approach seen at Casa Alkymia in Rome.

Bronze-finished sideboard stands out as the non-structural metal element in the room.
The sideboard’s bronze finish is the only metal in the room that isn’t structural

Two terrazzo “carpets” in the living area delineate zones without traditional walls. Their geometric designs and bold colors engage in visual dialogue with the painted ceiling and warm-toned furniture, crafting an immersive aesthetic experience.

Stars in the pattern are inlaid with color throughout, not merely printed.
Every star in the pattern is inlaid, not printed — the color goes all the way through

Furniture and kitchen as art

The living room’s custom wall system is both functional and artistic, featuring oak panelling alongside Patricia Urquiola and Philippe Starck pieces. The design encourages upward visual flow, transforming height into a canvas of dynamic creativity.

Thick marble frame surrounds the doorway, emphasizing its substantial presence.
The marble frame is thicker than a doorway needs to be — that’s the point

The kitchen extends into the living space via bronze-framed sliding doors. Its linear composition includes oak with contrasting grains and a continuous marble worktop. The cabinetry’s subtle design, with ribbed satin-glass framed in bronze, enhances the room’s light and texture.

Two lantern shades hanging at varying heights create a unique lighting fixture.
Two lantern shades hang at different heights instead of one fixture doing the job

Nighttime retreat with timeless comforts

The night zone shifts the tactile language, favoring oak herringbone parquet. It houses a “living notte” beneath a blush-colored sail vault, serving as both a lounge and a play area. Elsewhere, the master bedroom and children’s room continue this narrative with oak and muted tones.

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Ribbed glass panel allows light entry without reflecting it, distinct in the room.
The ribbed glass panel is the only surface in the room that admits light without a reflection

In-Nova Studio’s achievement lies in its commitment to authenticity. By letting terrazzo, marble, and oak speak for themselves, the studio has crafted spaces that feel both intentional and organically integrated into the palazzo’s historical fabric.

Vaulted ceiling features unique color, distinct from the painted arches below.
The vault gets its own ceiling color — the only room where the paint stops at the arch

Source: urdesignmag.com

Frequently asked questions

What is the focus of the renovation in Elia’s Home?

The renovation of Elia’s Home focuses on celebrating the palazzo’s rich architectural history by using original features as the foundation for its modern transformation. Materials like terrazzo, Verde Guatemala marble, and oak are employed to harmonize with the historical aspects of the space.

How does the renovation integrate old and new design elements?

The renovation merges old and new design elements through high ceilings and sail vaults, along with materials that age naturally, creating a dialogue between the past and contemporary design. Calculated perspectives and materials like marble-framed passages connect old-world charm with a fresh aesthetic.

How are living spaces defined in Elia’s Home?

The living spaces in Elia’s Home are defined by sliding glass doors with a bronze tint and two terrazzo “carpets” that delineate zones without traditional walls. These elements, together with seamless flooring and artistic wall systems, transform the space into an immersive aesthetic experience.