Italian Style Book

With their confident use of colour and texture, Italian homes--from country villas to rural farmhouses--seduce us with their distinctive interior style. This book captures a look that is an expression of the passion and exuberance of the Italian people, and celebrates the pleasures of Italian daily life. Jane Gordon Clark explores the evolution of Italian style from decorative influences that span centuries of art and design: the balance and symmetry of Roman architecture, the flamboyance and opulence of grand Renaissance decoration, and the use of earthy colours such as Naples yellow and Tuscan red, which are rooted in the land and radiate sunshine and warmth. Sections on walls, floors and ceilings examine lavish decorative effects, such as trompe-l'oeil, as well as distinctive materials that include terracottas, rich marbles and lustrous fabrics. The judicious choice and arrangement of furniture, from painted country examples to grander larger-scale pieces is also discussed. Finally a range of reception rooms, kitchens, bedrooms and garden rooms demonstrate how the various techniques and materials are combined to create a look that is unmistakably Italian. Whether the overall effect is simple and rustic or sophisticated, this is decorating with bravura, and will inspire anyone who would like to introduce some Italian style to their own home.Read More