Rome makes us all dream of the Italian flair for living. You can’t escape the rich history, it is all around. The colors, the architecture, the materials, all can inspire us for decorating our home. Let’s take a look and see how you can add a bit of this Italian flair into your home.
Colosseum - bathroom images via Eye for Design and AD
The Colosseum is the largest amphitheater ever build. Constructed in limestone during the Flavian Dynasty and finished in 80 AD. It was the place to meet for gladiatorial contests, public spectacles and dramas based on Roman mythology. It had an average audience of around 65.000 people. The Colosseum is one of the highlights to visit when you are in Rome. The arcades can inspire us for some architectural details in the bathroom. The spirit of contests can add a touch of glamour. Natural materials and colors are the best base to start with.
The Pantheon via On Something - Regency sofa Baker - Wythe XL chandelier Circa - Prado wall scones Lightology - Reese coffee table Baker - rug Parisio The Rug Company
The Pantheon is coming from the Greek Pantheon, meaning “the temple of all gods”. They started building the temple around 30 BC, after it burned down it was rebuild by emperor Hadrian in 126 AD. Beginning of the 7th century it became a Christian Church. Only the ceiling on itself brings a lot of design ideas. Translate it in a wall covering, an amazing entrance door, light fixtures, wood flooring or rugs and so on. You see that with just one picture or idea you can develop it in different directions. Bring to your interior, with this architectural graphical background, a more classical inspired interior. Combine modern architecture with classical elements.
You should make a stop in the cafe of the Museo Canova Tadolini and feel like an empress in the middle of all those statues. It is impressive and overwhelming at the same time. You feel for sure part of the history. Create the ambiance of a sculptural art studio and decorate your dining area with some plaster sculptures on the wall or on a console table. Keep the colors neutral; off-white tones and dark marbles. A mosaic floor to contrast the white walls. You noticed the foot of the table, inspired by Roman columns? A Murano chandelier will bring it in a more contemporary and elegant setting.
wallpaper in the back Precious Walls Elitis - image museum Centrale Montemartini - industrial interior via Decoholic - Axel chandelier Porta Romana - daybed Shepel - Icon table Baker
For me the Museo Centrale Montemartini was one of the most impressive museums I visited. The Centrale Montemartini was a former power station, active between 1890s and 1930s. In 1997, it was adapted to temporarily accommodate a part of the sculptures from the Capitoline Museums, when it was closed for renovation. The combination of the industrial machines in the background with the antique statues was such a success that the venue was converted into a permanent museum. What an inspiration! We all know the industrial style; big empty factories converted in lofts. Now you can think of decorating this industrial space by adding modern and classical elements. The combination of complete different styles that make a perfect match.
Twombly’s palazzo via Artnet News - Krystal bed Zenn Design - The Little Curved stool Zenn Design - Decolorized rug Golran - asymmetrical mirror Neiman Marcus - Chandelier Wrapped in Passementerie 1stDibs
Who would not love to live in an old Roma palazzo? Let the palazzo to Twombly inspire you. He created a lot of his very modern paintings right here. A classical architecture is the perfect background for a modern interior. The de-colorized rug here brings the past to the present for a quite minimalist bedroom design. And yes, we see the arches from the Colosseum back in the nightstand and the stool. Decorate with a great artwork or a design object to create an outstanding interior.
interior picture by Simon Watson - Tonella bar chair Sancal - kitchen island via Est Living - Honice linear suspension Masiero - wallpaper Convivium Glamora
When we think of Rome with all the churches we can’t skip the idea of marble. Marble as a material for your interior, in the bathroom and kitchen, or it can be the top of a table. But not all marble was a precious stone, we could see it back on the walls as a paint. You can find very beautiful wallpapers with the marble inspired prints. In the kitchen you can also combine the marble countertop with an out-of-the-box island; There are different materials that can bring the idea of the column back too.
How to bring the Rome flair to your home
natural stones and colors
arches in architecture and furniture
combine modern architecture or industrial style with classical elements
use elements such as plaster sculptures, columns
marble as material or as inspiration
Ready for some Italian flair and feel like an empress?
Don’t miss any of my blog posts! Follow me on my FB page, or Bloglovin' or even better subscribe to my newsletter and get tips for travel, exhibitions, recipes and things I discovered during the week.