This Historic Seaside Apartment in Sicily Was Designed Around the View

"The sea was always going to be the star of Kat and Tim Moore's 1615-square-foot apartment in the heart of Ortigia, the island center of Siracusa, Sicily. It was the closeness to the water and the way light moves through the rooms that drew them into the space and made them want to purchase it before renovating it last year."

"From the beginning, our goal was simple. We wanted the sea to be the feature. Every design decision was made to support that, not compete with it. We stripped everything back and focused on simplicity, texture, and light, using a restrained palette of warm whites, soft neutrals, and subtle coastal tones. The result is a space that feels calm and open, where the views, the light, and the rhythm of the sea take center stage."

"While the apartment had been renovated in parts over the years, it lacked cohesion, so we saw an opportunity to reimagine it with a clearer sense of intention. Before moving in, Kat described the apartment as "fragmented, dated," and lacking in any cohesion. The renovated result is undoubtably minimal and flooded with light, with thoughtful, intentional touches of coastal and "modern Mediterranean" style."

"The couple have named their home "Lula Mare," in tribute to Kat's mom who passed away and was nicknamed Lula. "[S]he was someone who always encouraged me to dream big and follow""

A 1615-square-foot apartment in Ortigia, Siracusa, Sicily was chosen for its closeness to the water and the way light moves through the rooms. The renovation aimed to frame natural beauty rather than compete with it. The goal was to make the sea the main feature by stripping back the space and focusing on simplicity, texture, and light. A restrained palette of warm whites, soft neutrals, and subtle coastal tones creates a calm, open atmosphere. The previous interior felt fragmented and dated, while the updated design delivers minimal, modern Mediterranean touches that let views and light lead. The home is named “Lula Mare” as a tribute to Kat’s mother.

Read at Apartment Therapy