Glass and metal gleam against rough brick and rustic wood; gauzy curtains and velvet upholstery soften sisal and burlap accents; fine antiques mix with discount-store curtains. “When space is limited, add richness by using subtle contrasts and juxtapositions, not by piling on extra objects,” Claudia advises.
   Stacked displays and oversize paintings give the illusion of height; long, low shapes (like the dining area’s burlap-covered chaise) paired with tall, narrow ones (like the white wood shelves) “lift” the ceilings. A headboard would have been too bulky in the bedroom, so she opted for a tall stone obelisk. Everywhere, carefully edited treasures and artwork create depth.
   Lack of space doesn’t have to mean lack of imagination. “In so many houses, the layout is great, the technology is amazing, everything’s perfect—but it looks dull. Don’t be afraid to take a few risks,” she urges. “It really makes a difference.”

(j) “It’s so cozy in here, I almost don’t mind washing dishes,” Claudia says of the kitchen. An 1820s painting makes an unusual backsplash. “Don’t worry—it’s painted on board and has a high varnish,” she assures us. “Seeing it over the sink makes my heart sing.”

(k) “The guest room holds random treasures that don’t make sense anywhere else,” including vintage doll furniture and vibrant paintings by Brazilian artist Salvador Tatulli. “I love color, but if every room in the house were like this, I’d lose my mind!”

Originally published in the October/November 2007 issue

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