Italian Style and Design
When I started traveling, I quickly noticed that different countries and cities solve decorating style and design problems in different ways. Cars, toilets, tile work, light fixtures, door handles, furniture, art, etc are all different. No matter where you go in the world, we need design to make our days easier, more functional and aesthetically pleasing.
How I Find Solutions
I’ve encountered solutions to problems that I had never previously known to exist. Whenever I visit a new place, I now expect that I will leave that place with a new way of looking at things, and numerous ideas to help my design clients.
By trading the familiar with new sights, sounds, flavors, and smells, we become more receptive to the world around us—we switch on and perceive things with fresh eyes and minds. We’re more likely to approach problems in another way or come to alternative conclusions simply because we’re more connected to the world at that moment.
Traveling offers many benefits. It expands your perspective and understanding of the world, fosters better empathy with others, and sparks creative thinking. Research has shown that travel is good for your mental as well as physical health.
On a recent trip to Italy I was surprised by the enormous differences in the North vs the South. My favourite was the Lake Como area, the gardens, the food, the buildings are so breathtaking. Being close to Switzerland you can see the Swiss Alps.
You can’t help but be inspired by nature, the Cypress trees, the wisteria, the gorgeous lakes and the pastel pinks and yellows of the houses.
Italy from North to South
Getting from North to South Italy was so easy and economical by train. I love riding trains everywhere. There is nothing like sitting back and watching the world rush by through the window at 300 mph. We could learn a lot from the Italians on their train travel system!
The cobblestone, winding streets, the walled cities, some 2500 years old…the multicoloured tilework, the fashion. Italians are not afraid of colour! Each hotel had antiques, chandeliers, tapestry upholstery, some had muraled ceilings. I love how they embrace the age of their buildings and keep them well maintained instead of tearing them down like we do.
The wine and food in Tuscany was unbelievable. So simple, using local produce and ingredients. The best tomatoes, oranges, olives, lemons ever, not to mention the bread, wine and wild boar.
Apertivo is something I really embraced…happy hour every day where you order a drink and they provide you with snacks. The Italians like to stroll down the main streets at this time calling it passeggiata, before a late dinner, it is family time, maybe old fashioned to some, but lovely.
Ending in the South, in Sorrento, Positano and Capri was a perfect ending. The building design and fashion changed, the colours were lighter and brighter. The food was more fish, lemons, olives and tomatoes and so good. The water was the inspiration for everything here.
The rock formations, the multitude of blues of the water, the sound of the waves was calming and relaxing minus the millions of stairs you encounter. No wonder you don’t see many over weight Italians.
What I Learned
This was a bucket list trip for me and it exceeded my expectations. It makes you realise you can live with a lot less. Packing light is the secret to being able to move easier from place to place. Packing 20 items of clothing, not including shoes and jewelry works well for me.
Travel takes a lot of planning, attention to detail and research, much like design. If you plan well your end result is perfection. So how to keep that holiday feeling? …getting back to work and routine can having you thinking, what holiday?
I try to incorporate a few ideas in my decorating, or wardrobe that remind me of my great trip! Try new recipes from meals we enjoyed! Researching and trying new wines from the regions!
It is great to get away but you also realize there is no place like home!