Timeless elegance meets contemporary comfort in Florence

Tucked along the quiet left bank of the Arno, Riva Lofts is the kind of place that feels both found and hidden. Once artisan workshops, these 19th-century buildings have been reimagined by architect Claudio Nardi into a design-lover’s retreat — where concrete meets velvet, and arches frame ivy-draped courtyards.

The mood is low-key luxury: mid-century pieces, soft lighting, and just enough patina to keep it grounded. Suites are eclectic cocoons — some open to leafy gardens, others to river views — each with its own rhythm, its own light. Polished cement floors meet vintage lamps, exposed brick contrasts with curated minimalism. It’s a space that holds you softly.

Days begin with homemade bread and organic yogurt in the garden, or fireside in the colder months. On Sundays, the ritual stretches out with the “Petit Déjeuner Prolongé” — a slow brunch on the terrace or tucked indoors, where time feels suspended in the scent of fresh coffee and woodsmoke.