Italian design is popular across the world and India is no exception
Think fashion or design, and Italy come to mind immediately. It is globally renowned as the centre for fashion and design. Italian styles have touched homes across the world as well as in India, and brought quality and aesthetic charm.
The ‘Made in Italy’ tag is quite popular this season. People are opting for Italian design trends in homes, for both exteriors and interiors; everything from ceiling to floor is getting an elegant mixture of functional design. As a trend, many home interior designers are following Italian, French and Mediterranean design trends.
A good interior design firm can help you to recreate the Italian charm for your interiors.
The Outdoors
Styling the exteriors right
For outdoors, interior designers in Bangalore mix functionality with visual appeal, using bold patterns and ornate craftsmanship. This is mostly seen in the way outdoor furniture is used, especially in patios. Wicker is commonly used for outside seating for its classic feel. Some designers like to add to the generic model, incorporating robust shapes and stately curves.
For instance, renowned designer Varaschin likes to play around with the technique of weaving wicker and rattan, which is actually an ancient technique. The result is a stunning work of intersecting geometrical patterns that exude elegance and are supremely comfortable.
For pool area, deck or wide terraces, using canopies and daybeds for comfort and relaxation can lend an air of the Mediterranean.
The Indoors
Elegant and functional designs make interiors beautiful. Let’s examine element by element.
Stylish Kitchen
Cook & dine in style
Inside a house, the place where Italian designs are most sought after is the kitchen. Many modern kitchens today borrow heavily from Italian designs, incorporating them either alongside the traditional décor or as a standalone design.
The material used in kitchens today vary between rich marble and natural stone, shimmering wood panelling and textured glass. Natural stone is also used as a flooring material these days. For example, the Poesia Collection by CeramicheRefin is a new design trend that uses ceramic floor tiles made from the Leccese stone procured from Puglia, a place in Southern Italy. One of the important aspects of this stone is that it dates back more than 20 million years; it gained prime importance artistically during the Baroque period.
The stones are dug from open-cast quarries, and depending on the depth of digging the stone colour varies. They are elegant, durable and provide a royal ambience to the décor.
Moreover, with recent advancements in digital printing technology, ceramic flooring tiles can carry the look and feel of different materials like wood and brick, without losing visual authenticity. These are also highly resistant to weather changes, and thus are long lasting.
One of the latest tricks used in kitchen designing is to strategically hide the technology (appliances) inside units, thus providing a clean face.
Interior Décor for Rooms
Italian designs are best for portraying old world magnificence
A hand-painted cathedral ceiling and a two-tier chandelier, coupled with antique furnishing and period accessories can well recreate the charm of a bygone era. There is comfort, warmth and elegance in such a layout, especially when the stone or wooden flooring complements the colour scheme of the furniture.
In bedrooms, a dramatic ceiling can lend an air of opulence, especially when done in an ornate and hand-carved design. For instance, a ceiling with Venetian plastered walls of ivory hue against ash-wood flooring makes a perfect match.
A Mediterranean Gothic light fixture will go well with warm, natural elements such as wood cabinetry, stone walls and green marble countertops. Another way to go would be to add an antique wrought iron chandelier and wall sconces; these can dramatically enhance the ambience of a room.
Sophisticated Retreats
Bathe under high ceilings and around a fireplace
Bathrooms that are designed to be a spacious retreat would do well with a vaulted ceiling and a gas-burning fireplace. Bring in the Italian touch with travertine floors, countertops and walls, Jerusalem stone and solid wood accents that are cosy and warm.
Travertine is a traditional building material that is centuries old. It is, in fact, a symbol of the Italian architecture; travertine was the primary material used in the construction of the Colosseum.