In Real Life With Giorgia, Davide & their son Romeo at Casa Pernice

For this edition of In Real Life, we visit Giorgia, Davide and their son Romeo at Casa Pernice, their family home and intimate small hotel overlooking the Ligurian coast. Designed to feel more like the home of an old friend than a traditional hotel, Casa Pernice brings together vintage finds, thoughtful design, homegrown food and the joyful ease of Italian hospitality. We spoke with Giorgia about creating this deeply personal retreat, designing Romeo’s sea-inspired nursery and building a place where family life and welcoming guests exist beautifully side by side.

Q. Casa Pernice feels deeply personal, more like a home you are welcomed into than a traditional hotel. What did you hope to create when you first imagined it?

A. We wanted to blur the line between hospitality and home. Our dream was to create an intimate sanctuary where guests feel like old friends visiting us on the coast, wrapped in warmth, good food, and authentic design. Casa Pernice was a dream we carried with us for many years. We spent a long time searching for the right place to bring our vision to life: a space where we could gather friends and guests, and freely express everything we are passionate about. From cooking and tending our vegetable garden to curated interior design, vintage hunting, and keeping chickens, we wanted a place surrounded by nature with an inspiring sea view. Above all, our goal was to create a place guided by a sense of effortless ease and genuine hospitality, where all these elements come together to make everyone feel instantly at home.

Q. How did you discover the house, and what made you feel it was the right place for your family?

A. The moment we saw the view overlooking the Ligurian coast and felt the natural light pouring in, we knew. It had a soul and a sense of calm that instantly felt like the perfect backdrop both for welcoming guests and raising our family. When we first found the house, it was actually in quite poor condition, but we instantly recognized its incredible potential. The view took our breath away right from the start. What truly drew us in, though, was the fact that it wasn't 'ready.' It required work, which gave us the wonderful opportunity to roll up our sleeves and shape every single corner according to our vision, taste, and lifestyle. We knew right then that it was the place where we could truly build our home.

Q. The interiors feel collected rather than decorated. How do you choose the furniture, colors, and objects that become part of Casa Pernice?

A. We don't follow trends; we follow stories. Every piece, whether a vintage find, an artisan object, or a modern design, is chosen intuitively based on memory, texture, and how it interacts with the coastal light. We’ve never worked with an interior designer; decorating spaces is simply a shared passion between my husband Davide and me, guided by an intuitive sense of style. For the past 17 years, our favorite tradition has been hunting for treasures at flea markets whenever we travel, bringing back unique pieces that carry memories of our journeys. During the quiet winter months, when the summer rush slows down, we love taking the time to curate our home, finding that sweet spot and perfect harmony between vintage treasures and new design pieces that catch our eye. Our process often begins with a single inspiring item that sets the tone for an entire space. That was precisely the case for Romeo’s room: I saw a photo of Oeuf's red Moss crib with its organic wave silhouette in a magazine, and I immediately fell in love. That single piece became the contemporary anchor that sparked the design for his whole nursery.

Q. What do you hope guests feel when they first walk through the door?

A. An instant exhale. We want them to feel an immediate sense of belonging, warmth, and the joyful ease of Italian hospitality. Above all, we want every guest who steps into Casa Pernice to feel instantly at home. We care deeply about their experience from the very first moment they arrive. Our greatest wish is for them to feel wrapped in warmth, to leave with a desire to return, and to recommend us to their loved ones because they found a truly special haven here. What fulfills us the most is knowing that we’ve offered them inspiration. Whether it's guests who are restoring their own homes or creatives seeking fresh ideas, we even had someone design a whole fashion collection inspired by Casa Pernice! Knowing that our guests leave with a smile, a renewed spirit, and a spark of creativity to tackle their own life projects is the most rewarding feeling in the world.

Q. What kind of environment did you want to create for your son, Romeo?

A. A space filled with curiosity, warmth, and playfulness. We wanted his room to feel poetic yet functional, a serene haven that stimulates his imagination without feeling overly "babyish." I wanted Romeo’s room to feel connected to the world just outside his window, reflecting our deep love for the sea, especially since we also run a beach club just a short walk from Casa Pernice: BAGNI MIGNON. I envisioned a space where every single object could be a joyful discovery as he grows up, sparking his curiosity and imagination. Most of all, I wanted to create a warm, loving place where he feels completely cherished and safe. At the same time, we wanted to infuse the room with a lively hit of color, that instant burst of dopamine and energy that both Davide and I love, making it a playful, vibrant haven full of heart. For this reason, we collaborate with another brand we really love and that is very inspiring for me: Lucas du Tertre. We love them and we use their sheets and blankets in every room. Everything they create gives us great character and good energy. And also in Romeo’s room, we use them, of course!

Q. You chose the red Moss crib for Romeo. What first drew you to its shape and color?

A. The organic wave silhouette was an instant match for us. Waves and stripes are key recurring themes throughout Casa Pernice, so finding a crib with that gentle wave underneath felt like fate. And of course, the color sealed the deal: red is my absolute favorite color, so seeing it in such a bold, joyful shade was irresistible.

Q. Red is such a joyful and confident choice for a baby’s room. What does it bring to the space?

A. It brings energy and a warm focal point. Instead of sticking to traditional pastels, the red adds a sophisticated spark of joy that grounds the entire room and elevates the rest of the decor. Red is my all-time favorite color, and bringing it into Romeo’s room felt so natural and fresh. Together with the warm wood tones, crisp white, and shades of blue, alongside the wallpaper I found from a lovely studio called Atelier Florentine, the color palette creates a poetic nod to the sea, evoking images of coastal lighthouses and classic beach cabins. The red brings a lively spark of personality to the space. It proves that a baby’s nursery doesn't always have to rely on quiet pastels; it can be joyful, vibrant, stylish, and full of character without losing its sense of warmth.

Q. How did you weave the Moss crib into the existing world of Casa Pernice, with its vintage pieces, patterns, and collected objects?

A. Its modern, sculpted lines balance beautifully with our vintage textiles and aged wood pieces. It acts as a contemporary anchor that ties the room's eclectic layers together seamlessly. Blending the Moss crib into Casa Pernice felt entirely effortless because pairing contemporary design with history is at the core of our whole home. Just as our adult bedrooms mix modern beds by Hay with antique linen curtains, vintage wardrobes, and designer lamps, Romeo’s nursery follows that same balance. We layered your sculptural, modern crib alongside a vintage lighting fixture, antique toy boats, and handmade vintage mobiles. The clean lines of the crib ground those eclectic, nostalgic touches perfectly. In fact, the final harmony turned out even more beautiful than I had originally imagined.

Q. At Oeuf, we believe children’s furniture should belong naturally within the whole home rather than feel separate from it. Does that reflect your own approach to family spaces?

A. I completely agree. Children’s furniture should feel like a seamless, natural extension of the entire home, with pieces designed to adapt and grow alongside your family over time. I love the idea that children's design isn't strictly confined to a nursery. A beautifully crafted chest of drawers can easily transition into a parent's bedroom or serve as an iconic design sideboard in a living room years down the road. I picture Romeo’s crib evolving in the exact same way, perhaps one day transformed into a cozy daybed filled with cushions. To me, great children’s furniture shouldn't look purely 'babyish'; it should consist of iconic, versatile design pieces that seamlessly blend into the house and can be reinvented and cherished for years to come.

Q. What small, everyday moments with Romeo at Casa Pernice feel especially meaningful to you?

A. Romeo was so deeply wished for; we waited and longed for him for so many years, so every single moment together feels like magic. Because I work from home, I’m fortunate enough to have him by my side all day, whether he’s snuggled in the baby carrier while I move around the house giving breakfast to our guests or resting in my arms. We especially cherish our quiet afternoon rituals: cuddling together on the big bed or gently swaying in the rocking chair in his nursery with our beautiful window facing the seaside and the sound of the waves, which you can perhaps hear in his bedroom, completely wrapped up in a quiet embrace. Every day with him brings new discoveries, and spending this time together right here at home is a constant, precious gift.

Q. How do the garden, the sea, and the changing light influence the way your family lives there?

A. Casa Pernice is deeply connected to the outdoors and completely transformed by the rhythm of light throughout the day. We watch the sun rise on the left over Sestri Levante and set on the right toward Portofino. Romeo’s room sits right where the sun wakes up, so first thing in the morning, soft golden rays filter through his curtains, filling his nursery with the most exquisite light. I “built” his nursery and chose this position exactly for this reason, the incredible light in the morning. From his sea-view terrace, the shifting colors are truly magical. We live in profound connection with the seasons, the garden, and the ocean. Each season brings its own unique beauty, and we embrace every single shift. The house breathes along with the nature surrounding it.

Q. What role do longevity, craftsmanship, and sustainability play in the choices you make for Casa Pernice?

A. They play an absolute, central role in everything we do. Sustainability and eco-conscious choices have guided us from day one, from the natural materials and eco-paints used during our renovations to the organic food on our table and the pieces we surround ourselves with. Choosing brands and crafts that share this green philosophy is essential for us, especially now that we are parents. We can't wait to pass these values down to Romeo by teaching him to respect nature and leaving him a legacy of timeless, beautifully crafted pieces that are built to last because they were made with care, wisdom, and natural materials.

Q. What does home mean to you today?

A. To me, home means family, friends, and the simple joy of gathering around a big table in front of the fireplace. It’s about sharing: cooking meals together, harvesting olives as a group, or preparing dinner with fresh produce picked straight from our vegetable garden. We love this sense of circularity and self-sufficiency, creating things with our own hands and then enjoying them with the people we love. Now that Romeo is here, these moments have become even more precious. Having the freedom to work from home and truly live in this space allows us to cherish every single second, slowing down to appreciate the beauty around us and the life we’ve built together.

Photography by Vanessa Berthe 
Bedding by @lucasdutertre.paris