Frank's House

Frank is a young New Yorker who reconnected with his Italian ancestry, moved to Rome and bought an apartment that he has recently converted to have 2 guestrooms. He speaks Spanish and impeccable Italian, having studied languages at NYU, and when not teaching English or urban development, he works on his current film project - a documentary that questions the cultural identity of Italian-Americans by seeking out the secrets of past generations who left Italy for the New World.

His apartment is a strong mix of contrasting aesthetics that really appeal to me: modern and sleek with rustic and industrial. The harmony that he's created is immediately felt when you enter the stark white hallway with grey concrete floor that is softened by the original wooden doors that have been stripped of years of paint to reveal all their imperfections. There is one double room that has a private bathroom that is accessed in the hall - a bathroom with ultra modern furnishings, designer lighting, and sand colored marble. Another, larger room, has its own bathroom with the same design and a balcony that opens onto the bustling street below. It's a great example of how some people have the gift of designing a space so that is attractive, functional, and comfortable, with the budget conscious in mind.