Imagine stepping into a home where light, memory, and innovation dance together. That’s exactly what Puccio Collodoro Architetti achieved with Casa Matì, a former 1930s cellar in Palermo that has been reborn as a luminous contemporary residence. Just steps away from the historic Teatro Politeama, this project is proof that even the darkest spaces can be transformed into architectural masterpieces.

If you love modern Italian interiors, sculptural staircases, and the perfect blend of tradition with contemporary design, keep reading—you’ll want to pin every detail of this project.

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A Design Challenge Turned Opportunity

Transforming Casa Matì wasn’t simple. The architects faced an ambitious challenge: how to reclaim a long, dark, airless space and reinvent it as a vibrant, livable home.

The solution?

• Demolishing outdated ceilings to reveal stunning pitched roofs.
• Introducing new skylights to flood the home with natural light.
• Blending warm natural oak, sleek resin, and antique Sicilian tiles for a timeless yet contemporary palette.

The result is an open, light-filled residence that feels both rooted in its history and strikingly modern.

(For more design inspiration on maximizing small or awkward spaces, see our guide to open plan living room ideas.)

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The Showstopping Suspended Staircase

The heart of Casa Matì is its double-height living area, dominated by a sculptural suspended metal staircase. More than just a way to connect floors, this staircase is part architecture, part artwork.

• The first two steps, clad in stone-effect stoneware, merge seamlessly with a custom oak cabinet.
• The floating design makes the entire space feel light and open.
• A large skylight above emphasizes verticality and floods the stairwell with daylight.

It’s a striking reminder that staircases can be design statements, not just functional elements.

(Explore more ways to make architectural details shine in our feature on modern staircase designs.)

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Materials That Tell a Story

What makes Casa Matì unforgettable is the dialogue of materials:

• Natural Oak: Found in Hungarian herringbone parquet, built-ins, and the walk-in wardrobe.
• Resin Flooring: Adds a textured, contemporary edge, especially in the kitchen/dining area.
• Antique Cement Tiles: Salvaged and reinterpreted as a “tile rug” under the dining table—a poetic nod to Sicilian tradition.

This thoughtful mix creates a tactile, emotional experience that connects the past with the present.

(If you love this look, don’t miss our roundup of wood and stone combinations in interior design.)

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Light, Space, and Flow

One of the biggest transformations in Casa Matì was redefining the flow of space. Instead of a compressed, segmented layout, the architects created:

• A fluid journey from the living area into the kitchen/dining space.
• Floor-to-ceiling oak and glass doors that act as elegant filters between rooms.
• Bedrooms designed with bold colors and custom oak closets that double as architectural features.

Every transition feels intentional, with light as the guiding thread.

(For more on achieving flow in your own home, see our article on how to design a cohesive interior.)

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A Palermo Gem Where Memory Meets Innovation

Casa Matì is more than a renovation—it’s a narrative of architecture. Every detail, from the invisible doors to the sculpted fireplace, tells a story of how design can honor history while embracing the future.

In the end, Puccio Collodoro Architetti turned a constrained cellar into one of Palermo’s most captivating residences, proving that good design is about more than aesthetics—it’s about rewriting a space’s identity.

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Key Takeaways for Your Own Home

Even if you’re not renovating a 1930s cellar, Casa Matì offers plenty of lessons you can apply:

• Use light strategically—skylights and open layouts can transform even the darkest spaces.
• Let architectural details become focal points, like a sculptural staircase or custom doors.
• Mix old and new materials to create timeless interiors with soul.

(Want more real-life inspiration? Check out our tour of stunning Italian apartments.)