Francesco's garden studio was just perfect for us. It is not very big, but it had everything we needed, including a full kitchen, and a washer. The studio is in a neighborhood outside the city center, but just a close walk to the new C metro line, which we used each day to get into the city (catch the frequent bus line 51 from the westernmost stop for a short ride to the Colosseum and Roman Forum). The neighborhood itself was refreshing, as it was vibrant and provided authentic exposure to the local culture, a nice change from the crowds of tourists at all the sites. Also several great restaurants (Francesco gladly recommended a couple, and they were excellent). It seemed very safe, too.
Francesco was a terrific host, even stocking our fridge with breakfast items before our arrival! He is very kind and gentle, and offers great tips for transportation, local supermarkets, restaurants, and probably anything else you might want to know. His beautiful garden right outside the studio is very relaxing, although we didn't have much time to hang out in it.
We definitely recommend staying at Francesco's studio, and will certainly stay again the next time we're in Rome!