Create a Tuscan Look With Plaster What images do we conjure when we think of Italy? The rich farmland and the sparkling Mediterranean sea? The sun ripe olives and the heady aroma of lavender? The ageless villas replete with a patina of age and history? The thick stone walls of […]
Decorating
Saving 4,255 Traditional Italian Agricultural Products from Extinction
Italian Agro-alimentary Products Saved The Italian agro-alimentary products touched the summit of 4,255 units this year. These produces are obtained by traditional and antique methods, handed down through time on many agricultural farms which maintained “unaltered” ingredients and recipes in preparing 1,252 types of bread, pasta, and biscuits; 1,193 cultivated […]
Linking Areas in Italian Gardens
Connecting Areas of the Italian Garden By now a rough idea of the final garden design should be emerging; you have hopefully decided on which style the garden will adopt, where your formal area will be, where you would like to create your garden rooms, informal areas etc and all […]
Tuscan Decor V
Aged Italian Fresco : Colorwash Tuscan Finishing You don’t have to travel to the historic and artistic-rich Italian cities of Rome and Florence to attain the skill of fresco. The up and coming popular faux finish, colorwashing, will transform any room in your home with the look and feel of […]
Tuscan Decor II
Interior decorating in the Tuscan style Tuscany is one of the largest regions in Italy, and over this large geographic extension there are many types of interior decoration, ranging from the magnificent interiors of the palazzi or castles of Florence or Siena, to the majestic decorations of manors of the […]
Murano glass
The D’Este Murano Glass Factory: The D’Este Murano glass factory was established in 1965 by a man from the island of Murano. He operated the company until 1995 when the activity was passed on to his sons. D’Este has always been a family enterprise. Presently, there are 6 master artisans […]
Tuscan Decor III
Italian Decorative Accessories: Tuscany Although Tuscany occupies a large geographic area in Italy with many different environments, and although it comprises a wide range of housing solutions (ranging from simple farmhouses to magnificent castles and luxurious country manors), there are certain underlying themes and decorating solutions that are generally recognized […]
The Use of Silver-Grey Plants
Harmonizing Planting in Italian Gardens The effect of light and shade is a major component of Italian garden design and is known as the ‘Chiaro-scuro’ effect. As one passes under a dense tree canopy or under a pergola, smothered in wisteria, one experiences differing concentrations of light. This light to […]
Rosemary in Italian Gardens
Useful Information on Growing Rosemary in your Garden Rosemary, that great Italian culinary herb that is listed in every Italian recipe, an aromatic herb that is used in almost every dish from Scotland to Rome. How though, does one grow the stuff? If you have ever created small herb garden, […]
Italian Garden Color
Colour Schemes for Italian Gardens bee on lavender Ever wondered why a field of bright red poppies look so stunning against the light green grass of a Tuscan field in early summer, or why the deep blue flowers of the Florentine flag Iris look so spectacular set against their spiky, […]