A 100-square-meter apartment renovation in Como, Italy, this Anna Arpa project blends 1970s character with contemporary craftsmanship through arches, marble, dark timber, and bespoke furniture.
A 100-square-meter apartment renovation in Como, Italy, the Contemporary Como Residence
 Arpa reimagines a 1970s home without erasing its memory. Set in the historic heart of Como, the project balances decorative heritage with a brighter, more fluid contemporary layout. Arched passages, dark timber volumes, richly veined marble, and a bespoke dining table create a home where art and modern craft speak the same language.
Quick Facts
Location:Â Como, Italy
Designer:Â Anna Arpa
Year:Â 2026
Size:Â 100 square meters / 1,076 square feet
Style:Â Contemporary apartment renovation with historic references
Key Features: Arched openings, dark timber detailing, marble surfaces, bespoke dining table, curated artwork
A Bespoke Dining Table Becomes the Soul of the Dining Room
If one piece best captures the spirit of the project, it is the custom dining table designed by Atelier Anna Arpa. The table pairs a Rio palisander top with a sinuous graphic pattern and a round fluted wood base, combining sculptural presence with material richness.
Material Continuity Shapes the Entire Apartment
One of the strongest ideas in this Como residence is material continuity. The palette moves with confidence from herringbone wood flooring to veined marble and warm timber finishes, creating a sense of cohesion across the apartment.
In the living and dining areas, the herringbone floors add warmth and familiarity. In the kitchen, a marble island forms a bold sculptural centerpiece beneath dark timber cabinetry, while a matching stone backdrop extends the visual language into the work zone. At the entry, darker marble flooring briefly deepens the mood before the lighter wood tones return beyond the arched threshold.
In the bathroom, the material story becomes quieter but no less precise. Pale wall panels line the shower enclosure, while black fixtures and a slim black-framed glass door introduce crisp contrast. It is a restrained composition—clean, deliberate, and quietly elegant.
A 1970s Apartment Reimagined in the Historic Center of Como
The Contemporary Como Residence transforms a 1970s apartment in Como into a more open, light-filled home while preserving the character of the original interior. Rather than stripping the apartment back to a blank shell, Anna Arpa keeps its decorative memory alive through carefully chosen contrasts: white walls and ceiling moldings provide a refined backdrop, while curved openings, full-height windows, and dark wood surfaces introduce rhythm and depth.
The result is not a loud reinvention. It is a measured one. Historic references—such as framed artworks, an ornate mirror, and a sculptural wooden cabinet—remain visible throughout the apartment, while contemporary upholstery, lighting, and millwork bring the home into the present.
Materials Continuity Throughout the Condo
The palette strikes from basic wood floors to richly veined marble and heat timber. Herringbone boards carry heat by way of the dwelling and eating areas, whereas the kitchen island varieties a stable stone block beneath timber cabinetry. An identical stone backdrop extends the fabric into the work space. Within the entrance, a darkish marble ground deepens the palette earlier than the lighter wooden flooring resumes past the arched threshold.
The toilet takes a quieter model of the identical method. Pale wall panels line the bathe enclosure, the place black fittings and a skinny black-framed glass door present a crisp graphic distinction. The impact is direct moderately than ornamental, with the floor and {hardware} doing the work.
Arched Openings and Dark Timber Bring Definition Without Closing the Space
The apartment’s layout feels open, but not vague. That distinction matters.
Broad, softly rounded openings connect the main living spaces, allowing daylight and artwork to travel visually from one room to the next. At the same time, dark timber volumes give each zone definition. Near the living room, a timber element frames shelving and niches; closer to the dining area, another timber-clad passage marks the shift from lounging to gathering.
These gestures are subtle, but they do a great deal of work. They preserve separation without resorting to rigid walls, and they give the apartment a more fluid sense of movement. In a renovation like this, circulation is not merely functional—it becomes part of the aesthetic experience.
Design Takeaways to Steal for Your Own Home
If you love the look of this Como apartment, there are several ideas worth borrowing:
Use arched openings to soften transitions between rooms.
Pair dark wood millwork with white walls for contrast and definition.
Choose one statement stone surface—such as a marble island—to anchor the kitchen.
Mix collected art with contemporary furniture so the space feels layered, not staged.
Invest in one bespoke or sculptural table to give the dining room a true focal point.
Shop the Look: Contemporary Italian Interior Details
If you want to recreate the mood of this apartment, focus on pieces that echo its balance of warmth and structure. Look for a curved sofa, a fluted pedestal dining table, dark wood storage, arched mirrors, black-framed shower screens, and veined marble accessories. These are the kinds of details that bring contemporary Italian interiors to life without forcing the room into a showroom script.
FAQ
Who designed the Contemporary Como Residence?
The Contemporary Como Residence was designed by Anna Arpa in 2026.
Where is the Contemporary Como Residence located?
The apartment is located in the historic center of Como, Italy.
How large is the apartment?
The residence measures 100 square meters, or approximately 1,076 square feet.
What design style defines the apartment?
The project combines contemporary interior design with preserved 1970s character, using arches, timber, marble, and custom furniture to create continuity.
What is the standout feature of the home?
A major focal point is the bespoke dining table, which connects the apartment’s historic references with contemporary craftsmanship.
Pictures courtesy of Anna Arpa
Go to Anna Arpa– by Matt Watts
