In today’s social environment, its no secret that many of us have been spending more, if not all, of our times at home. Our homes have become our safe space, true sanctuaries, more than ever before. With that in mind, Galerie Magazine has been asking the biggest names in the modern art industry, to write love letters to their homes, expressing why they’re so grateful for them. This time it was Achille Salvagni‘s turn, to honour his glamorous apartment in Rome.

In the main hallway, a set of 17th-century Venetian armchairs flank a modern oak credenza with concave aluminium doors, which Achille Salvagni designed to evoke a warrior’s shield. The silk rug beneath it, also designed by Achille Salvagni, shows a map of San Felice Circeo, a coastal town in Lazio where he spent his childhood summers. Above the credenza are two 18th-century Parisian prints lit by bronze fixtures culled from an old Roman library.

Achille Salvagni normally divides most oh his time between Rome, where he was born, and London, where he has a gallery, but for the past few months, he and his loving family have been secluded in their Italian apartment. His modern home has the privilege of overlooking a fantastical mix of architectural styles and periods, and its that incredible combination of old and new that is echoed in the pieces he’s selected in for his home design, which is the perfect array of Achille Salvagni‘s own creations, vintage treasures, and an ever-growing art collection.

Achille Salvagni Honours His Rome Apartment With A Love Letter (5) — In the living room, Achille Salvagni mixed sharp angles with flowing curves and Pop Art with centuries-old furnishings. The triangular coffee table is actually a glass-topped case that holds one of Gianni Piacentino’s motorcycle-inspired metallic sculptures.

“My home is in Rome, in the Coppedé neighbourhood facing the teahouse of Villa Albani, an important villa dating back to 1747. I designed it seven years ago, taking inspiration from the surrounding area, which is well-known for its mix of architecture, juxtaposing elements, eras, and styles. I live here with my wife and children, so I took into account important family considerations to create a balance between a “grown-up” reception space and family comfort.”

Achille Salvagni Honours His Rome Apartment With A Love Letter (1) — The living room of Achille Salvagni’s home in Rome highlights a mix of art and design from a wide array of periods. In the living room, a silk rug by Achille Salvagni anchors the space, which features Fontana Arte tables, along with an armchair, desk, and desk chair also by Achille Salvagni that is upholstered in smooth velvet with blue-lacquered wood structure and brass details. An abstracted portrait by Sergio Lombardo hangs on the far wall, while a Gianni Piacentino artwork is on the right.

“I had good bones to work with. The house itself had great potential for its lateral space and 13-foot-high ceilings. I mixed new and inherited art and design pieces alongside finds from auctions, galleries, flea markets, and antique shops as well as the inclusion of a few bespoke pieces from my own collection. A vintage card table by Paolo Buffa from the 1930s sits comfortably in the same room as a Biedermeier cabinet, and a set of Etruscan vases coexists with a painting by Ettore Spalletti. What ties them all together is great craftsmanship and artistry. I love filling my home with contemporary art because it’s closer to my period and understanding. I invest my energy, money, and time into visiting museums and fairs. And I often enrich my collection with new pieces, each referring to a different specific moment or experience. It makes me feel alive.”

The entrance hall is sheathed in turquoise silk and features a 1932 Osvaldo Borsani credenza with a mirror.

“I’ve been here for almost two months now. Usually, I travel a lot, so this is probably the longest period I have ever spent in a single place continuously since establishing my practice. I have been pleasantly surprised by the vast spaces that allow me to breathe and feel comfortable, enabling me to easily divide time between work and family. I’ve even had time to admire the sunset on my drawing room walls, which turn golden mustard as the sun disappears. The dimension of the windows lets you breathe and take in the view. I notice the history that melts into the city’s sights, and it makes me feel my roots here. The blood that flows under the stones that belong to your heritage and family.”

The dining room features a work by Jason Martin along with a table, chairs, rug, and chandelier conceived by Achille Salvagni.

“I have changed a few things over the past few weeks, including introducing a 1930s bar cabinet by Osvaldo Borsani to the entrance hall that I bought recently at auction. I’m also now realizing that I need more shelves in the library for books. Other favourite pieces are displayed throughout the home—I have a red-upholstered chair by Carlo Mollino, who for me was a master of architecture and design. I think it embodies everything he represents as a great example of his time. A pair of side tables by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte from the 1960s have a very timeless beauty. My very first Spider chandelier now hangs over the dining room table with two white monochrome paintings by Jason Martin and Fabio Mauri.”

Alternating black and white stripes of marble add pop to a kitchen outfitted with Poggenpohl cabinetry.

“The kitchen has become the heart of the home. So I’m now considering doubling the size of the kitchen, which is already quite big for Roman standards. But my wife and two children have spent so many nights around the island cooking lately. We make very Italian dishes. We made pizza three times and made our own dough and tiramisu. My wife’s name is Valentina. She makes the second course of meat or fish. I do the simpler dishes. I like the pasta al dente and am now quite good at making the twirl of pasta on the plate. My speciality is one with cherry tomatoes and basil. I’m not a great cook, but I try to do my best and the kids are happy to prepare everything together.”

Nino Zoncada side chairs upholstered in a velvet by Dedar are accompanied by a table lamp and side table by Achille Salvagni. Above hangs a unique art piece of hammered bronze and onyx also by the designer.

“Work must go on, so I have been spending my days in the winter garden, where I have a leather desk designed by Jacques Adnet that I bought at Christie’s in London a few years ago. It’s the perfect host for my laptop. Paradoxically, I enjoy the silence when it comes so I can focus on my thoughts and work; however, hearing the joyous sounds of our children playing or talking together among themselves or with my wife brings me great fulfilment.”