A luxurious indoor pool framed by columns evokes classic Italian style. At the end, a sculpted white lion head fountain decorates the wall, with water cascading into the blue pool below. Natural light streams from above, creating a serene, elegant atmosphere reminiscent of a grand palazzo. Scroll to View More

Italian Style Palazzo

Five years after we designed the living room for the 2007 San Francisco Decorator Showcase, the new owners commissioned us to reimagine the entire property. Italophiles to the core, these clients embraced the long process of endowing the house and garden with new life and twenty-first-century function while keeping the reinvention as classical as possible. Throughout, we prioritized bringing in natural light while framing the views, creating an ease of flow with seductive sight lines, and shaping appropriate settings for the clients’ magnificent paintings, sculptures, and antiquities. With the architectural team, we dove deep into the minutiae of historic Italian palazzos for inspiration, researching informative details from mosaics and intarsia floors to plaster ceilings and moldings.

ARCHITECT: Skurman Architects
CONTRACTOR: Level 10 Construction
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: Zeterre Landscape Architecture

Grand foyer with a sweeping marble staircase reminiscent of Italian Style, ornate gold-framed mirror above a carved table with lamps and flowers, geometric tile floor, large pendant chandelier, and an arched window flooding the palazzo-inspired space with light.
Elegant living room with ornate chandeliers, floral-patterned chairs, a red velvet sofa, large windows with drapes, and a blue patterned rug. Inspired by Italian Style Palazzo interiors, the space features a white curved coffee table holding books; tall branches in a vase and lush plants add greenery.
Ornate room with gold walls reminiscent of an Italian Style Palazzo, wood dresser with gold leaf detail, two floral-upholstered chairs, two blue-and-white vases on wall shelves, framed painting of a woman, two white lamps, fern, small sculpture, and patterned rug on floor.
Elegant living room with ornate ceiling, patterned drapes, a tan sofa with cushions, and an upholstered ottoman. Reminiscent of Italian Style, an antique wooden desk with a plant and books sits on a richly colored rug beside a carved chair. Large sunlit window in the background evokes the ambiance of a classic palazzo.
Elegant living room with ornate fireplace, gold-framed mirror, wall sconces, tall windows with patterned curtains, blue and gold chair, marble floor, decorative rug, potted plants, and classic furniture. Sunlight brightens the opulent, classical space reminiscent of a grand Palazzo, capturing refined Italian Style in every detail.
Sunlit kitchen with wood cabinets, marble island, and three cushioned chairs exudes refined Italian style. A copper range hood is above a stove, backed by blue-and-white patterned tiles reminiscent of a classic palazzo. Decorative ceiling, large windows, and open doors reveal greenery outside. Fruit bowls and cookware decorate counters.
Elegant hallway with cream walls, mosaic floor, two hanging chandeliers, a gold-accented console table with plants, and a colorful abstract portrait artwork framed on the back wall. Reminiscent of an Italian Style Palazzo, the space feels bright and luxurious with classic architectural details.
A framed abstract portrait of a woman hangs above an ornate marble console table with carved details, evoking classic Italian Style. On the table are two silver planters with green-leafed plants and a green decorative box with a black lid, all set against a beige wall reminiscent of a sophisticated palazzo interior.
Elegant dining room with a long dark wood table, ornate chairs, crystal chandeliers, large windows with drapes, a framed portrait on the wall, gold wall sconces, detailed ceiling beams, and a centerpiece of green moss on the table. Rug covers floor. The space evokes classic Italian Style reminiscent of a grand palazzo, blending sophistication and timeless charm.
Luxurious library with wood bookshelves, beige sofas, blue ottoman, glass coffee table, ornate rug, and elegant chandelier. Large windows with tall blue drapes let in natural light. Decorative ceiling and floral cushions add classic charm reminiscent of a grand Palazzo in timeless Italian style.
Elegant room with wood-paneled walls, marble fireplace, a fire burning, and a decorative mantel. Above the mantel is a colorful painting and a statue. The space evokes classic Italian style, reminiscent of a grand palazzo, with its round window and ceiling adorned in a geometric pattern. An upholstered bench and rug are thoughtfully placed in front of the fireplace.
Elegant bedroom with a tall carved wood bed, plush beige armchair, ornate fireplace, paintings on walls, and patterned curtains evokes classic Italian style. A sparkling chandelier and large windows reveal a scenic water and hill view, while palazzo-inspired details create a cozy, upscale atmosphere filled with natural light.
Elegant hallway with cream walls, tall ceiling, marble statue on a table, ornate rug, two round chandeliers, and framed painting of a person in blue and orange. Echoing timeless Italian Style, the space features a dark wood console holding a lamp and decor beneath the painting at the hallway’s end—exuding all the grandeur of a true palazzo.
A small, elegant shower with a glass door features a mosaic art wall inspired by Italian style. The mosaic shows a tree with colorful birds, butterflies, and leaves, reminiscent of the intricate artwork found in a palazzo. The shower’s round floor has a patterned border, and the cream-colored walls glow softly with warmth.
A grand two-story villa in the Italian Style, with beige stone walls, ornate windows, and a tiled roof evokes the grandeur of a classic palazzo. In front is a circular courtyard with a large central fountain, manicured bushes, decorative urns, and clear blue sky overhead. The scene conveys elegance and symmetry.
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