The Italian Look

The Italian Look That Suits The Indian Lifestyle

By Amita Trehan

We all know about Italian style as it pertains to clothing, shoes, handbags and other accessories, sportswear or even cars! Ferrari has become synonymous with Italian style and technological know-how. Italian style also has its outstanding representatives among movie actors and actresses: who would be uncertain about the national origins of such figures as Sofia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida, Rossano Brazzi, and Rudolfo Valentino, though admittedly they are better known to the over 50s generations. And what can be said about Luciano Pavarotti? This is all fine, but you may be asking "Is there also such a thing as the Italian look in home decoration?"

The unique aspects of the Italian look in home decoration are somewhat difficult to define. Beautifully decorated homes have many similarities wherever they are located. Usually, the decorator's attention is focused on making a statement which embraces a philosophical approach to life and art while at the same time meeting the existential and practical needs of the occupants. Italian interior decoration has all of these elements, and therefore one can find homes which have a distinctly "Scandinavian" appearance, others that look like English cottages, and still others that seem directly out of a French baroque palace. Of course these are extreme examples to illustrate a wide range of possible decorating solutions, for which it is not possible to use an exclusively Italian design label.

But there are also some aspects of home decoration that are quite unique to the Italian look. These include bold design and original color schemes, attention to detail, emphasis on quality, and a penchant for creative and unique solutions. In fact, if one particular aspect can be identified as characteristic of Italian home decoration it is the need to express the individuality of the decorator and home owner. And in Italy with the continued strong traditions of specialized trades and master craftsmen, it is possible to have things built to specification, colored to suit ones tastes or moods, constructed as desired, tiled as needed or sculpted as imagined. The quest for uniqueness can therefore be met because of the possibility of adopting solutions that are tailor-made, thanks to the skill of the many artisans that take pride in their professions.

Another particular aspect of Italian style in home decoration is the use of certain traditional materials which themselves are the outcome of centuries of experimenting and use. These include fabrics used for home furnishings. A number of Italian regions are highly specialized and at the forefront in both the production of fabrics and in the development of manufacturing technology. These include the areas around Prato, Como and Biella. They produce exceptionally beautiful fabrics, suited to a wide range of decorating needs from upholstery to wall covering to curtain materials. The splendid colors and designs of these fabrics are matched by their high quality, the product of technological innovation and leadership in the textile industry world-wide.

Another traditional material widely used in Italian home decoration is leather. Italy has the most advanced leather industry in the world. The country imports hides and skins from all over the world (in fact it is the largest importer globally) and processes the leather into high quality leathers suited to a wide range of uses. Aside from the footwear industry, household furnishings made of Italian leather are world-known. The extremely soft leathers are used to make beautiful armchairs and sofas, that are not only lovely to observe, but are also particularly comfortable and durable over time. Tiles, the product of centuries of know-how, are an important material used in home decoration in Italy. Such tiles are available in a wide range of materials, particularly ceramics and terracotta. Ceramic tiles are either industrially produced, or else decorated individually by hand by experiences artists. Both the ceramic tiles and the terracotta tiles are available in a wide range of sizes, shapes, finishing and colors.

The importance of tiles in Italian home decoration is illustrated by the fact that many world-known designers have produced lines of ceramic or other tiles for home decoration. One needs only to recall that stylists such as Valentino, Dolce and Gabbana, and Versace have all "signed" lines of designer tiles. Italian tiles, whether the designer lines or the very attractive standard products, are of the highest quality and therefore obtain a premium over the products of all other countries.

The use of ceramic and terracotta tiles is very widespread, and is characteristic of Italian home decoration. It is important to understand that although these tiles are part of the construction of a building, they are selected and mounted in a manner that aims to contribute in an integral manner to the decoration of the home. Thus, for homes in the country such as in Tuscany or Umbria, the floors are made of terracotta tiles. Amazingly enough it is still possible to purchase fine tiles that are finished by hand or in such a manner as to replicate antique floor coverings.Ceramic tiles are widely used for bathrooms. If one is to identify one area where home decoration has made the greatest strides in Italy, perhaps the change in bathroom design and decoration is the most impressive. Until the 1960s, bathrooms were of little consequence with most of the home decorator's attention being focused on living rooms and other representational areas. Today, the amount of attention and resources devoted to making functional and beautifully designed spaces for personal care is outstanding. In fact it is not unusual for home owners to tear out older less attractive bathrooms, to install modern and highly attractive and personalized spaces.

The basic decoration begins with the careful selection of harmoniously colored tiles to cover the floors and walls. The walls are tiled all the way up nearly to the ceiling, giving the space a luminous appearance. This surface is not only easily cleaned and hence more sanitary, but it also has a long life of high quality. The long life and sanitary aspects compensate for the higher costs compared to plain painted surfaces which tend to deteriorate in the humid bathroom atmosphere. Italian decoration as it relates to bathrooms also embraces the careful selection of the sanitary appliances in shapes and colors that meet the owner's unique wishes, the selection of faucets and other hardware, and lastly the inclusion of sophisticated personal care appliances like whirlpool facilities. The lighting is carefully studied as are the mirrors which are cut to size and mounted to meet specific decoration needs, thanks to the availability of talented craftsmen.

Recent experience in mounting "Italian bathrooms" in homes in the United States has been rewarding. For example in a town house in the Washington DC area of Foggy Bottom, the bathrooms that had been installed in the 1930s and redone only in the 1970s, were functional but depressing. The bathrooms were completely torn out, and tiled with bright tiles imported from Italy. The light fixtures were also imported from Venice, while the mirrors were framed in Rome. All of the sanitary appliances were purchased in the US. The laying of the tile, the most delicate part of the operation was made possible by the locating of a craftsman who had learned the trade from Italian immigrants specialized in this work, who however have long since retired. The resultant bathroom is a bright, attractive space for personal care that will have a long life, and also greatly enhances the value of the property. If you are interested in how your bathrooms might be renovated using Italian tiles and design, send us a note using our contact us form .

As part of the Italian quest for uniqueness in home decoration, ceramic tiles are often used to cover structures in kitchens to which appliances are fitted. For example, wooden kitchen cabinets can be custom built to cope with odd-sized rooms, particularly in older homes. Alternatively, tiled surfaces are constructed and carpenters manufacture the doors and shelves to complete the kitchen furnishings. Again, the resultant product is unique, tailored to the owner's needs, easy to clean and with a long life.In Italy, another traditional material used in home construction and decoration is marble. Italy has many areas where marble is produced and polished for a wide range of uses. The most prominent use in home decoration is for flooring or for bathroom decoration. The use of marble for entrance halls and living rooms is quite widespread. The decoration is completed with the use of Persian or other woven carpets to add a touch of color.

In general, Italians are not fond of wall to wall carpeting. It is considered that such type of floor covering is unhygienic, not easily cleaned and a contributory factor to allergies. Italians prefer the higher initial expenditure on a floor covering material with long life and good cleaning qualities, to floor coverings that deteriorate quickly particularly in homes with active children and pets. Thus marble and tiles are very widespread, and parquet flooring particularly in bedrooms is also popular.

Home decoration in Italy also makes wide use of the combination of styles and periods. For example, it is not uncommon that a beautifully decorated home will have contemporary sofas and armchairs which combine comfort and quality fabrics and materials, alongside 18th or 19th century pieces that give a touch of warmth and distinction to the room. Dining room tables are often from the early 1900s, made of wood with the beautiful patina of the years, but fully extendable in case of need to provide 12 seated places. In the bedrooms, again the Italian decorator relies on contemporary beds for comfort, but often includes a chest of drawers dating from the late 1800s or early 1900s. These chests are normally larger that the modern pieces and the wood has the patina of time that is difficult to find in newer furniture.Since antique furniture abounds in all of Europe, it is quite easy to find attractive pieces at prices which are often very competitive with contemporary furniture. The satisfaction of selecting and owning a piece of antique furniture is the result of knowing that the item has had a continuity of life, and also that it is unique and not the product of mass production. If you are interested in seeing some items that might be just what is needed to give an accent of distinction to your home, take a look at the pictures.

In conclusion, the styles of home decoration in Italy vary widely, but the underlying characteristic is the quest for individuality making use of traditional high quality materials combined with modern technology and drawing on the resources that are provided by the talented master craftsmen who continue to take pride in their unique trades and specialties.

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Written By: Amita Trehan