My Houzz: Italian Filmmaker’s Apartment Chronicles Her Life
A director’s late-19th-century Sicilian home showcases collections that reflect her experiences and interests
Ambra Scamarda
May 27, 2018
This late-19th-century apartment is on Plebiscito Street, in the heart of the historical San Cristoforo district in Catania, Italy. The neighborhood is full of excitement and contrast, perhaps best reflecting the soul of the Sicilian city. Simple street-facing houses share the area with fancier buildings, small factories, workshops, garages and street food vendors serving local arrusti e mangia (grill and eat) delicacies.
The apartment is owned by Giovanna Brogna Sonnino, an introspective film director who was born in this region. It is dominated by an array of eclectic items: Cult objects, photos, vintage furniture and beloved mementos coexist in a space where time seems to have stopped. They’re arranged in curated archives that illustrate aspects of Sonnino’s life, her experiences and her passions, displayed throughout the space as if in a museum.
The apartment is owned by Giovanna Brogna Sonnino, an introspective film director who was born in this region. It is dominated by an array of eclectic items: Cult objects, photos, vintage furniture and beloved mementos coexist in a space where time seems to have stopped. They’re arranged in curated archives that illustrate aspects of Sonnino’s life, her experiences and her passions, displayed throughout the space as if in a museum.
Balconies around the large courtyard frame a patch of Mediterranean sky. Photos by Maria Aloisi
Apartment at a Glance
Who lives here: Filmmaker Giovanna Brogna Sonnino
Location: Catania, Italy
Size: 2,368 square feet (220 square meters), including the terrace; three bedrooms, two bathrooms
Apartment at a Glance
Who lives here: Filmmaker Giovanna Brogna Sonnino
Location: Catania, Italy
Size: 2,368 square feet (220 square meters), including the terrace; three bedrooms, two bathrooms
“I decided to buy this apartment because it reminded me of my grandmother’s house, where I spent my childhood,” says Sonnino, pictured. “I tried to re-create that atmosphere by bringing in furniture and other items that had belonged to her. Furthermore, this district — so turbulent and colorful — has been a great inspiration for me. As soon as I got back to Catania in 2003, I immediately filmed a new movie called Riprendimi [Heartache]. It is about comparing differences and the value of marginality.”
Those who enter Sonnino’s third-story apartment are greeted by two sun-drenched doors, a birdcage stand from the ’40s (Sonnino found it in her grandmother’s house), a small table and, at the center of the room, a bed base repurposed as a table.
At age 18, Sonnino left Catania to study film in Florence, Italy. She then moved to Rome, where she made documentaries and reports for RAI, Italy’s primary public broadcaster. In Rome, she also produced films and documentaries for which she gained widespread recognition, including at film festivals in Turin, Italy, and Brooklyn, New York.
After almost 30 years away from her home city, she decided to reconnect with her roots. “I felt that I needed to come back home, to leave television and have some time for myself and my artistic projects. That’s why I bought a house in my home city.”
At age 18, Sonnino left Catania to study film in Florence, Italy. She then moved to Rome, where she made documentaries and reports for RAI, Italy’s primary public broadcaster. In Rome, she also produced films and documentaries for which she gained widespread recognition, including at film festivals in Turin, Italy, and Brooklyn, New York.
After almost 30 years away from her home city, she decided to reconnect with her roots. “I felt that I needed to come back home, to leave television and have some time for myself and my artistic projects. That’s why I bought a house in my home city.”
Sonnino is an avid collector of photographs, watercolors, dresses, furniture and much more. She classifies and catalogs these things into “archives” by theme, year and place. The name of each archive is displayed on its respective wall or table. Each archive tells something about Sonnino’s life and work. As a result, her home feels like an art gallery.
This long hallway leads from the entrance to the apartment’s seven rooms. The archive on the table is called Nothing Lasts Forever. It is a reflection on memories. Each box holds a story made up of black-and-white photos taken by Sonnino.
She bought the bust of a woman at an antiques shop.
This long hallway leads from the entrance to the apartment’s seven rooms. The archive on the table is called Nothing Lasts Forever. It is a reflection on memories. Each box holds a story made up of black-and-white photos taken by Sonnino.
She bought the bust of a woman at an antiques shop.
The height of the vaulted ceiling and the original frescoes in the large, bright living room make it feel as though time has really stopped in this place.
“The ’50s chandelier once belonged to my aunts, while the blue ’60s boucle armchairs were already here,” Sonnino says. “I kept all the furniture that was here when I bought the house, because I liked it and felt that its soul was like mine. I immediately felt at home and didn’t want to throw anything out. I can say I bought almost nothing for my apartment.”
“The ’50s chandelier once belonged to my aunts, while the blue ’60s boucle armchairs were already here,” Sonnino says. “I kept all the furniture that was here when I bought the house, because I liked it and felt that its soul was like mine. I immediately felt at home and didn’t want to throw anything out. I can say I bought almost nothing for my apartment.”
She found the daybed, at left, in her grandmother’s house, and a family table is against the wall. It is part of her archive In Sicily, You Don’t Throw Anything Away, which reflects the dedication of her life’s work to the preservation of memories.
This corner of the hallway just outside the living room is dominated by images of Mount Etna. The volcano, frightening and full of vitality, has determined the character of the city, impacting its architecture and urban planning.
Earthquakes and eruptions have buried Catania repeatedly over the centuries. The volcano holds the place of honor in this house. This archive is named Being Alive Is a Miracle, but We Still Take It for Granted.
Earthquakes and eruptions have buried Catania repeatedly over the centuries. The volcano holds the place of honor in this house. This archive is named Being Alive Is a Miracle, but We Still Take It for Granted.
Still more of Sonnino’s collections decorate the hallway. On both walls hang dresses that have belonged to her and the women of her family. She acquired others from tailors and flea markets. On the floor are her art history books. This archive is titled This Hallway Is Not About Fashion.
“The bedroom is one of the most chaotic rooms in the house,” Sonnino says. “I spend lots of time in here and love working here. That’s why I put in a writing desk. I use the space as an office.”
The ’50s headboard belonged to her parents. The storage unit is also from her mother’s home; it is covered in a kind of hemp paper produced in the ’70s.
The ’50s headboard belonged to her parents. The storage unit is also from her mother’s home; it is covered in a kind of hemp paper produced in the ’70s.
The two bathrooms in Sonnino’s apartment are gender-segregated. The one next to the bedroom is for women. “I chose to have a women’s and a men’s bathroom. In the former, I hung paintings and pictures about female friendship. The mirror and cabinet, which date back to the late 19th century, belonged to my mother and grandmother,” Sonnino says.
The men’s bathroom is next to the kitchen. “In decorating the men’s bathroom, I used items, photos and drawings that are somehow related to men who have been important in my life.”
A little hallway outside the bathroom leads to the kitchen. The atmosphere is just as warm and romantic as it is in the rest of the house.
“The table and armchairs at the center of the room were here originally, while the sideboard belonged to my mother,” Sonnino says. “The paintings are still lifes I painted when I studied under the master Elio Romano, at the age of 16.”
“The table and armchairs at the center of the room were here originally, while the sideboard belonged to my mother,” Sonnino says. “The paintings are still lifes I painted when I studied under the master Elio Romano, at the age of 16.”
Colorful chairs and sofas occupy the last room of the house. Sonnino decided to have her grandmother’s piano painted white as a tribute to John Lennon. She bought the chandelier in Argentina.
“I do not usually work in the same place,” Sonnino says, “I love to wander about my house. Each room inspires me to do different things. In the dining room, I spend time cataloging and archiving. This is where I concentrate the best.”
“I do not usually work in the same place,” Sonnino says, “I love to wander about my house. Each room inspires me to do different things. In the dining room, I spend time cataloging and archiving. This is where I concentrate the best.”
Just off this space is the terrace, from which it’s possible to see Ursino Castle, Catania’s old town and, in the background, the majestic Mount Etna dominating the skyline.
“During the day, it is very quiet, and the light from the sunset is always beautiful and fascinating. This is the place where I really feel at home.”
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
“During the day, it is very quiet, and the light from the sunset is always beautiful and fascinating. This is the place where I really feel at home.”
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
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I could easily live there. So beautiful-and those ceilings!
I looked back over this again. It is so rich and elegant and tasteful despite the busyness. I love that the owner decorates for herself, then puts it all out there for others to criticize. She obviously is her own person, a very good attribute. I doubt that the critics bothered her a bit. The view is like a painting.
The terrace!!! Wow