When the Genoa architecture firm Grooppo took on the task of renovating a flat in an 1870s building in Savona, Italy, it was looking to update the traditional space with modern fixtures and an energy-efficient heating system.

But the designers at Grooppo never lost sight of the historic features of the classic Italian home: “We aimed to bring out the peculiarities of the original building,” they say. To that end, they gave each of the eight rooms a different floor of unglazed porcelain hexagonal tiles. The theme carries from one space to the next, creating a continuously shifting but harmonious pathway.

Photography by Anna Positano for Grooppo.

Above: A small study has a floor of charcoal and white tiles. Throughout, the designers incorporated antique furniture and objects that came from the original owners and are characteristic of the region. 

Above: Hexagonal tiles appear in different colors and configurations in almost every space, including the clustered pattern shown here. In the dining room, a collection of plates hangs above a simple farmhouse table.

Above: Visible through the black-painted door frame, a massed collection of antique mirrors.

Above: A look at another tile progression.

Above: A table with a mint-green laminate top adds a dash of color to the kitchen, where the tiles are classic black-and-white checks.

Above: A modern bath with a vintage look.

Above: Grooppo installed a heating system powdered by a condensed boiler below the newly tiled floors.

Above: See more of the firm’s work at Grooppo.

Planning a trip to Italy? Check our City Guides for the most design-worthy places to stay, eat, and shop. And have a look at a Villa Lena: A New Creative Hub (and Hotel) in Tuscany and A Medieval Hotel in L’Aquila Restored for the 21st Century.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on January 18, 2013, as part of our Roman Holiday issue.