15 Examples Of Breathtaking Italian Designed Interiors

The civilization built by the Romans was the most complex and advanced culture of the ancient world and this advancement was especially reflected in the progress in architecture and construction. As was typical of the Romans, the developments they implemented combined influences from within the empire as well as new innovations and improvements.

Cultural Influences

Many aspects of Roman architecture were influenced by the Etruscans and Greeks. The Etruscans were an earlier Italian civilization that resided primarily between the Arno and Tiber Rivers to the north of the city of Rome. Their culture was incorporated into the Roman empire in 264 B.C. Greece was assimilated by Rome in 164 B.C., although the presence of Greek colonies in Italy had exerted a much earlier influence on Roman architecture.

Roman Buildings Romans maintained a high level of distinction between public and private buildings. Public buildings and other structures constructed for public usage included:

Theaters/amphitheaters—Used primarily for musical or theatrical performances

Aqueducts—Designed to carry water into urban areas

Temples/Basilicas—Used for religious functions and public ceremonies

Fora—Public meeting places where business was conducted–might include a marketplace as well

Baths—Likely based upon the gymnasia constructed by the Greeks, public baths were places to exercise and take care of personal hygiene

Arenas—Places for public sporting events, contests, games and races

Romans also constructed different types of private residences which were often further subdivided into areas for entertaining and living quarters. A wealthy person usually had a house in Rome and one or more country villas. Even modest homes were constructed around a central atrium that was open to the sky. An atrium provided light to the home’s interior and usually included a garden or pool. The Romans also developed a unique way to house large numbers of people by designing and constructing apartment buildings called insulae. An insula was usually built around a central courtyard with shops and larger residences on the ground floor. With no running water or elevators the upper rooms were generally less desirable even though they received more light and fresh air than the lower apartments.

Architectural Elements And Innovations

Columns-Borrowed from the Greeks, the Romans used columns as decorative and functional features for many public buildings. Of the three main styles of Greek columns the Romans seemed to prefer the ornate Corinthian order for public buildings such as temples and theaters.

Arches-Bridging the distance between two columns with an arch was developed by the Etruscans for use in gateways but Roman designers seized upon the idea as a way to save materials when spanning large distances. Romans used arches to construct aqueducts, as bridges and also as part of the decorative façades of many public buildings, most notably the Coliseum. Romans also pioneered the use of domes which consist of a series of arches that form a circle.

Concrete– Concrete allowed Romans to build larger structures than ever existed before. Roman concrete was made from burned crushed limestone, volcanic ash and volcanic rocks. Different mixtures were used depending upon the particular project. The Romans even developed concrete for use in harbor construction that resists the effects of seawater.

By borrowing elements from other cultures and developing their own architectural and construction methods the Romans designed and constructed buildings that would last. The fact that so many Roman structures still stand today is a testament to Rome’s superior architectural intellect and construction practices.

Byline This article was composed by Jonathan Myrtle, a freelance writer who concentrates on European real estate, architecture, European culture & society, travel, moving abroad and other related matters. Those contemplating a move to Europe should click here for Worldwide Accom’s Venice apartment list.

Vanity Fair Magazine

The Decadent Italian Interiors of Villa Cetinale in Tuscany- Lounging outside Cetinale’s rear façade: Lord Johnson Somerset, Ned Lambton, Leah De Wavrin, Timmy and Emma Hanbury, and Marina Lambton.

Vanity Fair Magazine

This amazing apartment situated in a XVI century building is the home of an interior decorator and owner of an art gallery in Rome, Valentina Buscicchio.

“LaBarge” Mirror at Neiman Marcus.

Rustic Italian Decorating Ideas- Designer Unknown

Vanity Fair Magazine

Palazzo Pisani Moretta, Venice Walls upholstered with Baroque silk damask are fitted with carved brackets supporting various Venetian majolica vases. On a terrazzo floor rests a Rococo walnut console flanked by a pair of Venetian Neoclassic cream painted and parcel gilt settees. The chandelier from Murano is composed of polychrome glass. -PB Photo: Mario Ciampi – Picture From Facebook

Italian Architecture

Palazzo Orlandi in Prato -near Florence

Italian Architect Michele Bonan

Linen Upholstered Ottoman with Natural Oak Frame

The Gatz is a direct importer of Vintage European Furniture and contemporary furnishings. This company visits Europe many times during the year and have a wide network of dealers that hand pick every item for their US import. They have containers arriving from Europe every 2 to 3 months.

They also have connections to a broad network of marble factories who specialize in solid quality marble mantles, sinks, statuary, gazebos as well as many other items. Their network of iron and metal manufactures provides the best selection and quality.

Their physical store is located in Historic St. Michaels, Maryland only a few hours from Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia and New Jersey and New York.

French Gothic Church Bench Solid Oak Turn of the Century

French Breton Bench 19th Century Beautiful Art in Furniture

Matching Pair of French Saddle Chairs in Oak

Marble Bench, Garden Bench

The Versailles Stencil Series has been around for sometime, and still is one of the most favored stencils on the market to this day. The stencil features soft curved lines, acanthus leaves and various florals. While the French were known for this style, in my opinion, the Italians were far superior in the execution of this look.

If you dream of Tuscany, and embrace the palette of earthy warm tones, worn leather and the dreamy painted walls, they can be within your reach. This stencil can give you the ornate Italian hand painted looks without having to hand paint the detail on your own. In my opinion, there can be two ways to use this stencil….

1. Go For Lots Of Detail and Color- Go for a lighter colored background and start your floral pattern off by using green for the stems. Add in color around the tips of the flowers and highlight the acanthus leaves. Consider choosing shades that represent colors found in the sea, earth or forest. Below, a picture from Fireside Antiques shows an almost identical pattern on a chest.

Ideas for this style……….

– Eron Johnson Antiques Italian Painted Pine Sideboard here

-Pair of Painted Demi-lune Commodes with Floral Motifs, ca. 1900 here

– An Italian Polychrome-Painted And Faux-Marble Top Commode here

-An Italian Polychrome-Painted Commode – here

18th century Italian painted furniture sold Sotheby’s London

Bunny Williams gives this master bathroom a captivating baroque flair by decorating around shades of light blue, and adding painted detail to the bath’s barrel ceiling which was painted by Bob Christian Decorative Art. The mosaic floor tile nicely ties this look together, by Studium, seen in AD DesignFile

2. Use One Shade For Your Stencil – Use one saturated shade such as a Persian red, sangria, or rust for your stencil, and pair it up with a old world lime washed wall, or a painted piece of furniture with a base color of creamy yellow. Plastered walls in shades of lighter gray and creamy white and let the attention and interest be drawn to the stencil design.

Ideas……

-Venetian Paint-Decorated Bombe in Teal –here

-Italian Rococo Style Painted Commode in Brown –here

I have always loved this stencil, and have so many friends who have considered it for their own homes….

Italian 19th Century Painted Bombay- Fireside Antiques

Venetian Painted Bombe Seller The Gray Door

Antiques in Italian Interiors, Vol. I, written in English by Roberto Valeriani

Seen At Surface Fragments Blog

In this 15th century villa belonging to Maria Beatrice and Leonardo Ferragamo., in Tuscany, all of the frescoes, which date from the 1700s.- Elle Decor’s Lookbook. This home was featured in Elle Decor and photographed by Pieter Estersohn. The mansion is located near Florence, Italy

Elle Decor’s Lookbook

Decorate With Oriental Rugs In Your Kitchen

Southern Accents Magazine

An oriental rug is the perfect way to soften and add color to a kitchen. They also add a level of sophistication that you do not find with typical “kitchen mats.”

Oriental Rugs Can Add Rich Color Into A Room

Kitchens can be the least colorful room in the house, so a pretty oriental rug can really be a focal point. Kitchens are also full of hard surfaces like granite, marble, wood, and stainless steel, adding texture and pattern can add softness and warmth to the room. For those who enjoy simple kitchens based around the color beige, gray or soft whites….a rug can give that punch of color you desire.

Oriental Rugs Hide Stains

Oriental Rugs are great for hiding stains, and work perfectly in a kitchen or living room for that very reason. Plain rugs and upholstery in the kitchen can readily show dirt, where as pattern can disguise traffic patterns, spills, and dirty cushions.

Oriental Rugs Are Luxurious

Simple cabinetry, raw wood furniture, stainless steel appliances are classic choices to work with. Oriental Rugs also can give your kitchen the look of good taste. Oriental rugs have such a varied patterns and color schemes which make them extremely versatile. Rugs can be easily moved from room to room if you should ever tire of it. Depending on your color theme, you can go from soft, muted patterns, to bold and bright rugs with color.