Italian Design

Getting it right – Italian chic

Bring up Italian decorating in a group of people and you will doubtless get a number of varied interpretations on the meaning.

There are parts of the country such as Tuscany and Venice where tradition is deep and the characteristics of the decor are famed. But, these are regional themes. To outsiders, extravagant replication of neoclassic ideas are very common interpretations of what Italian decorating is all about but that is something to be preserved in history, not suitable to today’s chic Italian lifestyle.

Today’s Italians are in a race to improve the appearance and functionality of their living space. It has been that way really, since the problems of the post World War II era had been dealt with and Italian fascination with creativity was free to flourish once again.

The race will no doubt continue until some future catastrophic event changes it’s course.

Italian decorating today most definitely means leading edge. Leading edge in a way that you should not confuse with Modern.

Leading edge that doesn’t completely fit your understanding of Contemporary. Leading edge that stands alone as “newborn” Italian decorating. Newborn from a marriage of the creativity of a host of world leading designers with the strong traditions of master craftsmen, in a setting blessed with a wealth of solidly constructed, long occupied structures.

The finest of the old meets the best of what’s new

For clarity, it is important here for you to remember there is a difference between design and decoration. You, the decorator work with the design of objects that are already out there. In the case of “modern Italian", decoration is the putting together of the finest and most fitting of traditional objects and the best the new wave has to offer.

What’s good

Furnishing your home in a simplified manner, with functional fixtures and objects to satisfy the demands of a hurried life, and familiar fixtures and objects that make you feel comfortable and secure.

Your attention is focused on an expression which is respectful of a philosophical approach to life and art while simultaneously providing utility.

Colors and texture

Impact of quality furnishings. Walls are smooth, sleek, clean and modern. Gone are the days of lots of wall texture and monochromatic fresco paintings. Limited use of tone on tone for applying color to walls where you want more depth is acceptable. The goal of wall color is to more modernly define the space in an older building. Save the introduction of deep color for the accessories.

Marble is widely used for entry floors, hallways and in Italian decorating bathrooms. It is well polished and texture free. You won’t find any wall to wall carpeting. Floors are generally finely crafted terra cotta and ceramic tiles with parquet wood laid down in bedrooms only.

Furnishings

Furniture is your big opportunity to show off the best of modern Italian design. Not a lot of furnishings are called for but they will all be of utmost quality and fine line design. Exotic woods like bamboo floors, with deep clear lacquer finish or finely worked wood with brilliant, deep colored polyester finishing.

Sofas and chairs combining a show of chrome and soft, luxurious Italian worked leathers.

Accessories

Color is added to floors with Persian rugs and large Venetian plasters and tapestry on walls. Be selective about the pieces you choose because you will be looking for impact from quality and use of ‘white space’, not quantity.

Do not add clutter when you add accessories. Choose them wisely to represent the most forward of modern design. Floor lamps and desk or table lamps should be looked upon as artistic accessories, not lights. Let one single, special piece be a connection to the past.

When considering a Japanese interior design scheme it will be very helpful for you to stay mindful of how far Eastern design ideas and culture is from Japanese interiors western world.

Black and White Design.

Unlike most styles which can be traced to a certain period or country, black and white has been with us since man first began to scratch on white walls with blackened charcoal. It is a staple of design that has been used successfully in one form or another in every other style since those days:

The two most primary colors which are so basic and common that they often are not thought of as color at all. These two colors can bring an amazing amount of power and drama to any room - regardless of its design style or concept.

Using black, at least, as accents even in the most pastel of rooms can make an amazing difference in the visual appear and focus of the design you are trying to present – you may be unsure at this point especially if your room is done in shades of jewels or bright neon but think about it: adding black will create a focus that will anchor a room and add sophistication.

A touch of black in an accent, fixture or in a trim serves as the period at the end of a sentence, or the arrow pointing the way to a major intersection: it gets attention without being needy. But if you want to really draw attention and create not just an accent but a real feeling of drama you need to juxtapose our friendly black with its counterpart the bright and lively white.

Using black and white together creates a sophisticated fresh look that undeniably adds elegance to any room and is the perfect color combination to create a base or framework for any style. For instance using a black and white tiled floor, or such an elegant one as a black marble with inlayed white marble accents or black stained wood with tall white baseboards all can create a solid and luxurious floor upon which almost any style can then be placed.

Use of white or ivory on walls make a wonderful canvas for frames artwork, prints and hanging sculpture – and the use of black frames especially when used with matting of red, gold, and black can add dramatic impact to otherwise modest pieces.

Another advantage to using black and white themes is they tend to make small rooms look larger and more elegant. Think of a small washroom with off-white walls and black marble countertops, white sink and gold fixtures and accessories. A few neutral towels tied up with black braids can make a statement far beyond what one would expect – and is easy to achieve.

In bedrooms white linens with black stripped bed skirts or pillows or even a black chair for sitting or reclining makes an excellent starting point. Adding seasonal colors and warm bright accents one can achieve a light and bright feeling that still is deep and comforting. Touches of black in prints or bedclothes can be used to pull the color out into the room further such as in lampshades or in the trim of tables or picture matting and hardware.

In dining rooms nothing is as elegant as white china especially with small bits of color to add a hint of sophistication. Styles such as Boch Audun and Villeroy are classics that rely on this technique, and artful placement of accent pieces with black borders or black table linens can really add to the effect.

In the kitchen common black iron skillets and other pieces which are easy to locate and normally inexpensive to purchase can add to the feeling of a lived-in and comfortable space without seeming out of place, thus adding the underlying drama in a useful manner.

The black and white style has long been a design concept both in fashion and in interior decorating and its’ recent resurgence shows that it will continue to timelessly add drama and elegance with its minimal approach to making a statement. No other combination works with any color you wish to add, nor can any other color combination portray the freshness and bright juxtaposition that these two colors in contrast provide.

When used with splashes of color as accents and with variations in tone and design as well as bits of gray the black and white approach can create truly life-long masterpieces of design. The sophistication of a simple geometric pattern in black and white or the stark contrast of one against the other never fails to capture the attention without being distasteful – and after all, isn’t that what good design is all about?