Italy runs in her veins, and her taste has been shaped since childhood
Natálie’s love for quality design and enduring values began to take root in her childhood, when she was strongly influenced by her family background.
“My mom married an Italian and then bought a First Republic-era villa in Bílovice, which we completely renovated with an emphasis on preserving original features, such as the marble. She always had an eye for beautiful things, and she also imported clothing from Italy, which she then sold here. My Italian dad, on the other hand, has a house in Milan that still looks exactly as his parents left it—heavy lacquered wood, chrome-plated furniture. So at our house, there was always a fusion of old and new, which I’ve carried over into my own taste.”
From Individual Pieces to Comprehensive Designs
Her professional journey has taken her from designing small objects to entire interiors. After studying product design at ŠUŘ in Brno and UMPRUM in Prague, she created furniture for design stores and boutiques such as Loro Oro, Oraculum, and the Du Coeur jewelry store. But she soon realized that designing a single piece wasn’t enough and shifted her focus to designing entire interiors.
“I like the complexity of having to harmonize everything together and infuse the space with character. I want people to feel comfortable there. I’m not really a fan of purely beige interiors—I like an element of surprise and playfulness, so that people will still enjoy it even a few years down the line.”
Home as a Personal Laboratory
Natálie’s current home is a family apartment from the 1960s. She and her partner tackled the renovation with boldness and dedication, transforming the apartment into a beautiful place to live—but above all, a living showcase of her work.
“It was a bit punk—my boyfriend and I stripped the walls and ceilings down to the concrete, and under the old vinyl flooring we discovered beautiful beech parquet. I also wanted to try out a stainless-steel kitchen here—something clients are usually afraid of because they think it’ll always be a mess. This is how I test it out in practice.”
A Harmony of Vintage Pieces and Scandinavian Style
Looking at Natália’s interior, it’s clear that the items here aren’t placed by chance. Every piece has a purpose—whether it’s an old blue-and-white dinner service from her grandmother, a dining table from a friend, or her own 3D-printed ceramic bowls and vases. These distinctive items are complemented by thoughtful modern design. For example, the Barboy side table has found its place here, adding a subtle accent to the more raw space. However, Natálie’s true favorite is the Copenhagen-based brand HAY.
“I’d take just about everything from them! I love their very simple and fresh silhouettes. They know how to create wonderful and playful details on clean forms, and they work a lot with metal—which I really enjoy—as well as their signature olive green color.”
Natálie Costantino’s home is proof that the most interesting things aren’t created overnight according to a single template. Creating a home with soul takes time, respect for craftsmanship, and the courage to surround yourself with things you have a personal connection to.
Whether you’re inspired by her love of natural materials or the playfulness of the HAY brand, the key to a timeless space is choosing high-quality pieces that will grow with you—and you’ll find just that here at DesignVille.
