Things You'll Need:
- Books on Italian decor Foundational elements (See Step 1) Paint and related materials Curtains Furniture and decor items, such as a wrought-iron table or window shield; large, enamel pots; a water feature or fountain; topiaries; chandeliers; tapestries; oil paintings with gilt frames
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Step 1
Work on the foundation. Italian history is ancient history, and Italian home decor reflects Old World tradition. Options include dentil or plaster moldings, wood-beamed ceilings or ceilings with wooden planking; stone, limestone or tile floors; stucco or stone walls; mosaics in the bath; and a brick hearth.
Most of these items can be ordered from home improvement stores, and many are available in faux versions, such as fake stone or brick. -
Step 2
Choose a furniture style. There is Mediterranean, with heavy, Spanish-style pieces, and Italianate, a more delicate look that incorporates curlicue embellishments and painted furniture. You can also choose a more contemporary look that uses smooth leather sectionals with chrome legs and sleek shapes. A third option is the farmhouse country style, which incorporates ancient water-stained walls and bare stone floors.
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Step 3
Pick your paint for indoors and out. The colors of Italy are bold and rich like the sun, in ochre, red and golden yellow. Paint is applied mostly to stucco walls, making for a mottled texture, so use sponging and ragging techniques to achieve a worn look.
You or an artist could also paint a fresco, a trompe l'oeil scene or a stenciled pattern. -
Step 4
Choose curtains, rugs and other decorative fabrics. For curtains, consider thick velvet for winter and a lighter floral pattern for summer. For a formal look, drape swags in long columns of linen or silk. Persian rugs can protect feet from cold marble or tiled floors, and tapestries can be hung on walls or used as upholstery on ottomans and other large pieces of furniture.
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Step 5
Select lighting fixtures. A chandelier would be appropriate in the foyer, and candelabra-type lights with bronze feet can be used as art objects on end tables.
For a rustic style, choose large lamps that look like ancient water jugs or jars with bold, round shapes with horizontal stripes.
Modern Italian light fixtures tend to be made of chrome or Murano glass. Crystal sconces on either side of a fireplace can add balance when the flames are out. -
Step 6
In living areas, choose use furniture such as chairs with tall backs and at least one wrought-iron garden table.
Choose a painted corner cabinet in the kitchen and the black kitchen chairs that have ladderbacks. Bedrooms typically do not have closets. An armoire and stand-alone cupboards hold linens and clothes. -
Step 7
Add decorative items such as mirrors with gilt frames and large, weathered urns filled with boxwood or lavender. Place wine racks and glasses atop a chunky, weathered commode. Hang plates on the walls in the kitchen.
Think about putting up oil paintings of the ancestors; and add wrought-iron frames over windows. Use marble and wooden bowls for fruit, keys or other items.
Put up faux columns under tall arches, and hang the occasional Italianate angel carved into stone.
