Italian Embassy

A DIPLOMATIC STATEMENT IN DESIGN

This high-profile refurbishment of the Grade II Listed Italian Embassy at 4 Grosvenor Square marks a successful collaboration between Avanti Architects and Nick Vinson of Vinson&Co. Designed to accommodate the Italian Ambassador and visiting dignitaries, the project combines sensitive heritage restoration and fabric upgrade with contemporary Italian interior design—bringing together architecture, craftsmanship, and cultural identity.

A RESPECTFUL RESTORATION
Avanti led the architectural design team with a sensitive approach to preserving the building’s 1930s character. Key historic features—including the original timber floors, grand staircase, original burr walnut wardrobes, and an Art Deco bathroom—were carefully restored as part of a wider reconfiguration to improve internal layout and circulation.

DESIGNED AND MADE IN ITALY
The interiors were curated by Nick Vinson to celebrate the very best of Italian design. Every fixture, fitting and finish was sourced from Italy, including marble, travertine, decorative glass and bespoke wall coatings. Furniture was selected from Italy’s most iconic designers—Castiglioni, Magistretti, and Ponti—while custom rugs referenced modernist classics such as Carlo Scarpa’s Olivetti showroom floor.

Every element of the interior was sourced and curated from Italy:

Custom rugs by CC-Tapis were inspired by iconic Italian architectural floors, from the Baths of Caracalla to Carlo Scarpa’s Olivetti showroom.

Signature furniture includes the Ribbon bed by Van Duysen for Molteni&C, the Cab 413 leather chair from Cassina, and a selection of classic pieces by Ponti, Magistretti, and Castiglioni.

Lighting and materials from Flos, Rubelli, Venini, and Kerakoll enhance the atmosphere with elegance and precision.

Textural richness and bold palettes run throughout, pairing natural stones like travertine and marble with deep, curated colour stories across each room.