With seemingly all our friends cavorting around Europe at the moment, the allure of an Italian summer has never been quite so potent. And let’s be honest – while the beaches, pasta and wine certainly dominate our hunger for Italy, the rustic charm of villa living holds its own special place in our heart – maybe it’s just the idea of those rolling hills, simple layouts and timeless elegance but we’d take a charming heritage villa over a luxury penthouse any day of the week.
In lieu of jumping on a plane anytime soon we’ve taken Tuscan Villa style inspiration from a favourite recent space, the five-bedroom holiday retreat Casa Olivi. If our temperatures won’t reach those Mediterranean highs, at least we can make believe with the type of unfussy, relaxed style Italians do so well.
Neolith Phedra
Cool in tone and temperature, this stone slab flooring from CDK Stone is perfect for keeping feet cool in hot summers, while its minimal style is a good fit for year-round. The smooth, sleek look is a great foil against raw materials like exposed bricks.
Panton Chair
This Verner Panton design continues to endure as a stalwart of interior spaces with its playful, comfortable shape. While we like the bright white look amongst rougher spaces, there’s a rainbow of shades to choose from. An extra bonus? The plastic form makes this chair perfect for both indoor and outdoor use.
Smith Table
Italian living calls for a table one can entertain on and this solid ash creation by Fattorini + Rizzini + Partners for SP01 is a solid choice – literally, given its reinforced steel sun-frame. Long and lean, it’s perfect for everyday dining or hosting, while its simple form pairs well with more conceptual Italian furniture.
Ettore Modular Sofa
Another legend of the Italian design scheme, Antonio Citterio is behind this welcoming yet elegant modular sofa. With plenty of padding, soft down-filled cushions and a geometric shape that doesn’t feel overly rigid, the Ettore sofa is the type that demands to be snuggled up with a book in.
Stone Paint
To get that perfectly-rustic textured exterior finish, Porter’s Stone Paint should give uniform colour that doesn’t fade or streak. We particularly like the muted softness of the paint texture over the harsh matte style often seen in painted exteriors – try the ‘Coarse’ variation for more textural character.
Title Bed 01
A simple, uncomplicated timber bed, the Title Bed 01 by Mast is deceptively simple, using interlocking joinery and soft lines to deliver a clean, raw aesthetic. Its refined shape makes the Title Bed 01 as suited to contemporary or heritage spaces – we personally think it would fit quite nicely within a rustic space.
Backenzahn ST034 Stool
This design classic fits in perfectly in a warm, unpretentious space, as its solid walnut frame makes it a functional stool, side table or ornamental object. The distinct shape of the stool speaks to both the design-savvy and fans of simple, uncomplicated furnishings.
Byron Stone Bath
When one is on ‘Tuscan villa time’ a good soak is a must, and this stone bath from Abey is both appropriately luxurious and aesthetically suited to our ideal villa style. While it comes it two sizes, we recommend the larger one – if you’re going to indulge, you may as well do it right.
Linen Pillowcases
When it comes to textiles, linens dominate Italian style and it’s not hard to see why. Natural fibres, breathable yet warm and with that kind of earthy texture that never wears out, linens are used throughout the home. We love the neutral shades of these Bedouin Societe pillowcases for a natural yet refined look.
