Famous as the home of works by such great artists as Caravaggio, Andrea Mantegna, Titian, and Michelangelo Buonarroti—to name only a few—the majestic Capodimonte Museum is an appealing destination. The palazzo sits on a hillside in Campania, in the northern part of Naples, exuding beauty and warmth. It’s not the only reason to visit this part of the city, however. Before the urban growth of Naples reached the area, it had its own decidedly rural identity. Then, from the 19th century onwards, it became incorporated into Neapolitan life. Its villas, gardens, and estates transformed the hills here into a popular country escape resort for residents of Naples.
In this neighborhood, replete with breathtaking views of the city below and large lemon trees flourishing in its historic gardens, a 650-square-foot apartment has been wonderfully restored by the young studio La Fotosintesi. Giuseppe Punzo and Julie Nebout, partners in life and work, started their architecture and design studio in 2021, grounding it in their passion for all things beautiful and well-made. Among their first projects was their own home. It is an apartment that, as Giuseppe says, “hid its original beauty under layers and layers of materials. In fact, our main goal was to bring to light its original charm that, over the years, had been increasingly concealed.”
“For the interior design we played a lot with contrasts (textural and otherwise), letting the past flourish again,” explain the two young cofounders of La Fotosintesi studio. In fact, once you cross the threshold you discover a home where furniture and other elements combine contemporary elegance with vintage touches, all in an environment with a certain industrial chic style. The light and neutral colors of the walls—specially designed to create an aged effect—frame a varied design, rich in different eras and styles. The designers, who are also the owners of the house, confirm this was their goal.
