The Alcove Room at Palazzo Pitti in Florence has a rich history that dates back to the 1600s. It was originally modified into a chapel and has retained much of its original design, including the beautiful inlays of colored marble in the ebony furniture, created by the famous Workshop of semi-precious stones in Florence. Some other rooms in the wing also maintain their sixteenth-century appearance, such as the fresco on the loggia's ceiling of the Pope's apartment painted by Alessandro Allori. The late-1800s taste of King Umberto I and Queen Margherita's bedrooms contrasts with the earlier styles, offering a plush and somewhat heavy aesthetic. Despite appearing similar, these rooms were actually furnished in haste when the king of Italy decided to establish his residence in Florence, with furniture and decorations quickly transferred from royal residences in Parma and Lucca.
