Decorating an Italian Renaissance Home

I wanted to post a few before photos from my new job. Remember the exquisite early 20th c. Italian Renaissance  home I was telling you about? No, that’s not the home above, but one I found in the same grand style.

They just don’t build homes anything like this anymore and so, this is a real gem of a job, not to mention a super lovely client! My primary focus at this time will be the sun and dining rooms, but we are planning some changes in the living room and halls as well.

Please enjoy this classic beauty and stay tuned for how we are going to update and/or decorate and furnish it.

The sun room and yes, the green rug is going and I have suggested that we 86 the ceiling lattice. The new design calls for a large comfortable sofa with lots of pretty pillows

with a large low opium table

, two slipper chairs flanking the fireplace and an accent chair painted red from Red Egg Don’t you just love that!

Right now, I’m kinda really loving this fabric from Thibaut because it looks so fresh, and yet has enough weight to balance out the architecture and light fixturesI like that sisal rug too! And then, of course, there will be end tables with some fabulous lamps and cushions for the window seat.

windows, windows, windows!!! (and French doors)

Looking towards the living room which is behind the French doorsThe back end of the magnificent front to back center hall, featuring an antique Aubusson rug. THAT is staying!!! :] OH! and we already have a gorgeous table for under the chandelier. (not in the shot) Wanna see it?

The rear view of the dining room. I have in mind a really cool piece for between the French doors, but I don’t want to give too much away, just yet!The fireplace. I love black and white checkerboard, but not here. This is a pretty easy and not too expensive fix. I would trim out the mantel a bit (inward) and then replace the tile with some white calacatta marble and the hearth in dark slate.

I have a wonderful Chinoiserie wallpaper in mind. Oh… alright. I just have to show it to you. Again, its from Thibaut.

Sue loves wallpaper and I think that this would be lovely in this room. Then, we are planning on doing a gorgeous 72″ round dining table that opens with one leaf. The room is so square that the round table is going to be magnificent and with the leaf  can accommodate up to 12 people. We were discussing chairs and Sue said. “I know exactly what I want.” Wow! I love that. She wants caned back chairs which I love and often they are oval, however, I am really loving this beautifully scaled winner from Aidan Gray Home.

We can do it with or without the slip cover, or use our own fabric.

We are planning on putting a gorgeous classical Hepplewhite reproduction sideboard hand made in England, something like this:

I accidentally  got this photo straight. ;]  but dude… check out those ionic columns!

And I found this amazing bookcase from Sarreid which we both absolutely love for against the green wall. Also, it ties in the rugs closer to the front door which have a black background. I love black accents in most rooms!

For the living room we are planning new drapes, pillows, etc. some tweaking of the paint and this gorgeous ming coffee table in apple green from Redford House! (this is the end table version. The coffee table is longer and lower)

I love the eclectic look and basic ideas here, but we need to interject some stronger colors and patterns. I’ll keep you posted!

Best Wishes and Happy Labor Day Weekend!