As soon as you step into this apartment you can tell the owner is an architect. A space of glass and steel shows off the ancient Passetto walls of the garden beyond. The furniture is designed by the owner himself and has been custom made by local craftsmen, from the metal four-posted bed to the recliner-like leather sofa. Sleek and silver, the kitchen is decked out in industrial-chic splendour. A communal garden, sculpted to perfection and shaded by a twisting vine, offers a little outdoor space to relax. You’ll need it after a day in the city, with the Vatican a ten-minute walk in one direction and Castel Sant’Angelo in the other.


Home truths:
* The large floor to ceiling windows don’t have any blinds or curtains – you won’t be getting much of a morning lie-in
* This home is not for those who suffer from vertigo – you can see right through the mezzanine flooring
* Lugging your bags up to the mezzanine might be a bit of a challenge