For the month of June, let’s explore ways in which you can add design influences to your home and your hostess repertoire from other countries, namely Italy, England, Greece, and France. Consider it a summer vacation of sorts.
Italian design is earthy and brings the outdoors in. Natural colors like browns, tans, yellows, and terra cotta shades are prevalent. A lot of stone work, thick plasters, and wood make up exteriors, patio areas, and interior walls. Intricate tile and mosaics add decorative touches, along with pottery and ceramics. Natural wood furniture and metal pieces are found. Potted flowers and greenery make proper arrangements around a front entry or back patio slab.
Wine glasses, candelabras, silver and metal trays, and jars and bottles are small decorative pieces that can be incorporated. Think wine bottles, olive oil, and jars of olives and peppers. Copper kitchenware adds an instant Italian touch. Add an herb garden with basil, thyme, and oregano in small terra cotta pots to the kitchen windowsill and use fresh herbs instead of dried ones when cooking. Place an arrangement of glass water bottles on a silver tray on a buffet or hutch. Use a pizza stone in the oven instead of placing pizza directly on the rack for a more authentic crust.
When hosting guests, set out a bread basket and dipping oil plate with garlic with your appetizers. Make homemade gelato or granita for a sweet finish to your meal. Serve espresso or cappuccino with biscotti cookies. On a breezy evening, let the family dine al fresco on the porch. Skip breakfast and instead choose a Saturday brunch with frittata and juice. Chill a bottle of Italian soda for a sultry afternoon thirst quencher. Try different foods like pesto and bruschetta to see if they can be added to the list of family pleasers. Try your hand at homemade alfredo sauce, which is so rich and delicious.
It does not take a passport to explore another culture. If there is something that appeals to you about another location, whether from a trip, an idea, or simply something you see in a movie, see what can be done to add a little touch of that to your living space or your activities. Who knows? You may feel a little trace of vacation after all.
DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star June 5th.
