Residential project – Padua

Some homes tell a story the moment you step inside. Not through words, but through surfaces, lighting, and textures that reveal the identity of those who live there—and the vision of those who designed it. Such is the case with “Casa GPV”, a residence crafted by the Padua-based interior design studio, trattosottile, where every choice contributes to a silent yet powerful narrative. This project goes beyond the idea of simply living—it balances theatrical atmosphere with everyday functionality.

Each space was designed to be lived in—crafted to evoke emotion through tailored atmospheres, distinctive surfaces, and storytelling materials. The Grenoble wallpaper, with its dreamlike landscape of stylized branches and blossoms, becomes the scenic focal point of the living room, even covering the sliding door to enhance the perception of space. In the sleeping area, the Lilibet design introduces a more intimate, poetic tone—a stylistic variation on the floral theme already present in the living area.

The identity of “Casa GPV” takes shape through a constant dialogue between technical choices and aesthetic vision. A result made possible in part thanks to Instabilelab’s expertise, which translated the design studio trattosottile’s creative vision into custom surfaces and tailored details. We met with them to uncover the soul of this project.

 

– The residential project “Casa GPV” in Padua offers an original interpretation of domestic space—one that responds to both aesthetic sensibilities and functional needs. What were the initial guiding principles, and how did they take shape in the definition of the interiors?

The design of Casa GPV was conceived to make the most of a compact living space—typical of a modern apartment—while maintaining a strong visual impact. One of the main challenges was a prominent door located on the main wall of the living room, leading to the sleeping area. To preserve the room’s visual continuity and sense of harmony, we chose to cover the door with the same floral wallpaper used on the wall, creating a camouflage effect that seamlessly integrates the living and sleeping zones.

We also complemented the existing furniture with new custom-designed elements, tailored to meet both the functional and stylistic needs of the space. Each room was envisioned as a cohesive environment, where materials, lighting, and decorative details work in concert to create an atmosphere that is both welcoming and practical.

– The Grenoble wallpaper gives the living room a strong and theatrical identity, enhanced by its extended application on the sliding door. What drew you to this design, and what role did it play in shaping the atmosphere of the living space?

The choice of Grenoble was almost instinctive—we were looking for a design that could visually enrich the space without overwhelming it, and this stylized natural motif was exactly right. The composition of branches and blossoms creates a dynamic yet balanced pattern that adds depth to the wall, turning the background into a true decorative feature. By extending the wallpaper onto the door, it took on an even more prominent role, becoming the visual focal point of the living room and helping to create a warm, sophisticated atmosphere.

– Lighting in the living room was carefully considered: track lights and pendant lamps help to shape the atmosphere and highlight decorative details. How did the lighting interact with the Grenoble wallpaper, and what role did it play in enhancing the graphic design within the space?

The lighting was designed to enhance every element of the space—including the wallpaper. Track lights allowed us to direct illumination with precision, bringing out the details of the Grenoble design and creating subtle shadows that emphasize its rhythm. The pendant lights above the table, with their warm, diffused glow, contribute to a softer, more inviting atmosphere. In this project, light is not just functional—it becomes a design language in itself, amplifying the decorative elements and shaping the mood of the space.

– The treatment of the sliding door in the living room—fully covered to maintain graphic continuity with the wall—is a refined technical detail. How important was Instabilelab’s support in achieving this level of visual precision, both in the design phase and during installation?

All of Instabilelab’s designs are conceived as unique, one-of-a-kind images—distinctive and dramatic by nature. This approach demands a high level of precision in both design and installation. In our case, cladding the sliding door was a real challenge: we wanted the graphic to flow seamlessly from the wall onto the door, with no visible breaks or misalignments. Instabilelab’s technical support was crucial in achieving this outcome. Their expertise in adapting the custom design and overseeing the installation allowed us to reach a high degree of visual precision.

– In the sleeping area, the choice of the Lilibet design creates a more intimate and delicate atmosphere, while harmoniously echoing some of the graphic elements found in the living room. How did this choice help establish a sense of aesthetic continuity throughout the home? And what design solutions did you adopt to integrate the decorative element with the functional aspects of the bedroom, such as the custom wardrobes and the home office corner?

With the Lilibet design, we wanted to maintain a connection to the floral mood of the living room, but reinterpret it in a more intimate and poetic way. Its soft tones and delicate patterns allowed us to create a cosy atmosphere that still feels visually connected to the living area. We achieved integration with the room’s functional elements through tailored design solutions: the wardrobe blends seamlessly into the décor, avoiding visual breaks, while the home office corner was discreetly carved out, maintaining both colour and formal coherence. We also worked with existing elements in the space—the custom furniture was re-lacquered to align with the new colour palette, while the bed, selected specifically for this project, echoes the blue tones of the wallpaper, creating a direct chromatic dialogue with the wall treatment. The result is a space that’s relaxing, functional, and fully aligned with the overall identity of the home.

 

 

– Every collaboration is an opportunity to explore new expressive possibilities. What stood out to you the most about working with Instabilelab on this project, and how has this experience influenced or enriched your approach to interior design?

The one with Instabilelab was a very concrete technical and design discussion. It allowed us to work with customised graphics, outside standard logic, which fits well with our approach to the project, which always aims at customisation. Working on complex surfaces such as doors and cabinets requires flexibility and precision: having partners who can support this type of requirement was an added value, contributing to the quality of the end result.

 

 

The “Casa GPV” project by trattosottile studio is a compelling example of how contemporary design can transform spatial constraints into creative opportunities. Every design decision—from the seamless graphic continuity between wall and sliding door in the living room to the delicate transition between living and sleeping areas—reflects a mature and thoughtful approach to the craft of interior design.

In this context, the selection of Instabilelab’s Grenoble and Lilibet designs plays a key role—not just decorative elements, but true narrative tools that define the character of the spaces and shape the emotional perception of the environment. The strength of the result also lies in the synergy between creative vision and production expertise, which made it possible to translate a carefully curated aesthetic into walls and surfaces down to the finest detail.

“Casa GPV” is a clear example of how a well-balanced project—enriched by bespoke solutions and a cohesive vision—can give even compact spaces a strong, elegant, and truly comfortable identity.