admin
Paula Passini’s apartment is a personal home shaped by travel, family memories and an interest in interior design. After moving in 2011, Paula and her boyfriend transformed an older property into a more open, welcoming space that reflects the way she lives and the objects she values.
Inside the Paula Passini apartment
Paula chose the apartment after a sabbatical year spent travelling around the world with her boyfriend. They were drawn to older buildings because, in her view, the property’s structure, larger windows and high ceilings offered qualities they wanted in a home. The apartment needed substantial work, so the renovation included removing walls, opening up the layout and uncovering the original brickwork in the living room.
The living room became the heart of the home. It is where Paula welcomes friends, listens to music, relaxes and spends much of her day. It also provides space to display objects with personal meaning. When planning a room for both everyday use and hosting, it can help to leave clear paths between seating areas and keep frequently used surfaces accessible.
Travel finds and family keepsakes
Many of the objects displayed in the apartment were collected during a journey that lasted almost a year. Paula and her boyfriend visited places including Laos, China, Morocco, Lebanon and Mongolia, choosing destinations beyond the usual tourist routes. The items are meaningful not only for their distinctive appearance but also because they bring back memories of the places they visited.
A family heirloom has a special place among these finds: Paula’s grandfather’s record player. It reminds her of him listening to opera on Sunday mornings. Combining travel souvenirs with inherited pieces gives a home a sense of history. A practical way to display such keepsakes is to group a few together while leaving enough space around them so each object can be appreciated.
A home that changes over time
By the time of the original interview, Paula had lived in the apartment for four years. After moving in, she began studying interior design and used her home as a place to test ideas, learning what worked for her space and what did not. She described the apartment as continuing to change alongside her own interests and experiences.
This approach offers a useful reminder: a home does not have to be finished all at once. Trying a layout before committing to it, or adjusting a display as a collection grows, can help a space better suit changing needs. For larger renovations, such as removing walls, it is important to check structural and local building requirements before work begins.
Conclusion
The Paula Passini apartment brings together an open living space, original architectural details, objects gathered during travel and a deeply personal family keepsake. Its character comes from the way these elements reflect Paula’s life—and from allowing the home to keep evolving over time.
Paula Passini shared the story and details of her home.
