The little cottage we’re spotlighting today had location going for it all along; situated on the Italian Riviera between Bordighera and San Remo, its views of the Mediterranean are ones most of us will only ever hope to replicate by way of paintings and photographs hung on our walls. In this case, the art lies beyond the window frames.

But besides the luxury of vantage point, the home boasted little other amenities (read: it had approximately zero toilets) before the architects Emil Humbert and Christophe Poyet got their hands on it. Not to mention, it was, and is, barely more than 350 square feet. Including the terrace.

The designers had not merely to solve the small space challenge, but also find a way to incorporate modern amenities into what was essentially a long-retired ship. So they did what I would have told them to do: (let’s try to somehow involve me into this genius) ensure every element included storage capabilities. To that end, the stairs are, in fact, drawers.

The other main design decision? Floor to ceiling white (is this where I sign my life away to these people?). Nothing would attempt to compete with the stunning blues and greens of the Italian coast, for anything compared to that would surely fall flat. Instead, the intent was for the white walls to act as frames for the natural splendor outside.

And then, of course, there are the brass fittings throughout, the Carrara marble in the kitchen, and the subtle naval influences with tease your head in the most delightful way (Am I on land? Or is this the most sublime sea vessel ever?).

Sneak it:

Seen on Honestly WTF via Architectural Digest Spain