Imagine a delicious layered cake, each slice bursting with history, culture, and art—that’s Rome for you! As an artist and designer, I devoured every detail of this timeless city, finding inspiration in its every corner.
My artistic journey began long before founding CALAFIA Home Design. I honed my skills teaching art and art history, so this trip was a dream come true. Finally, I could witness the wonders I’d only lectured about—the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Caravaggios. The experience surpassed all expectations. But it wasn’t just the iconic landmarks that captured my heart. The city’s everyday grandeur, its age-worn beauty, and its unique character left an indelible mark. And given California’s deep Italian roots, it’s no surprise that I found a wealth of inspiration that resonated with my own design sensibilities.
A Palette of Earth and Sun
Rome’s design language is a symphony of color, a majestic spectrum spanning from fiery red to gleaming gold. Its architecture echoes its history, sculpted from the earth to bask in the sun’s embrace. It’s a captivating blend of grounded simplicity and ostentatious splendor—a beautiful contradiction. Personally, I’ve always gravitated towards neutral tones, and Rome offered a feast for my eyes. Rich earth tones—russets, terracottas, ochers, and rusts—all intensified and vibrant, were everywhere I looked.
The Return of Rich Earth Tones
Growing up in Southern California during the 90s, I witnessed the unfortunate trend of faux-Italian villas adorned with sickly sweet pastel hues. But thankfully, these warm colors are making a triumphant comeback, and I’m thrilled to see them embraced in both subtle accents and full-scale wall treatments. Inspiration, not imitation, is the key. Farrow & Ball, as always, offers a stunning range of rich ochre tones that I wouldn’t hesitate to incorporate into any design project. And clé tile’s exquisite selection of terracotta tiles is a perfect embodiment of Californian style, encompassing authentic antiques and Mediterranean classics. Their collection even features Italian modern twists that would seamlessly complement any mid-century home.
A Maximalist Heritage
Rome’s love for color isn’t a recent phenomenon. The pristine white marble statuary and temple architecture we associate with ancient Rome were once vibrantly adorned with fresco, encaustic, and mosaic. In essence, the Romans have always embraced maximalism. A day spent exploring the ancient city of Herculaneum, another victim of Vesuvius’ infamous eruption, left me in awe. The intricate mosaics and elaborate frescoes that covered every surface created an overwhelming, yet mesmerizing effect.
A Tapestry of History
I envisioned dark interiors illuminated only by flickering torches and blazing braziers. Walls adorned with paintings of fantastical architecture that expanded and confounded the interior space. I walked over inlaid stone floors that must have shimmered like jewels when polished. The Romans were never ones for subtlety, then or now.
Layers of history have built upon themselves in Rome, creating a fascinating, sometimes illogical tapestry. The city is both quirky and inconvenient, with its gardens tucked away behind gates and in the sky, and its life pulsing through bustling streets and vibrant piazzas. It’s a city of ruins and rebirth, a testament to the power of time and the enduring human spirit. My favorite design projects share this same charisma—a blend of collected elements rather than meticulously curated pieces. Beauty often takes precedence over practicality, sometimes even defining it, becoming its own form of logic.
Rome reminded me to trust my intuition, to embrace a bit of tension, and to leave room for mystery. It’s a lesson I carry with me in all my design endeavors.
A Roman Journey
I wouldn’t leave you without some recommendations! Explore the links below to discover what ignited my passion for Roman design and made my trip unforgettable. Thank you for joining me on this journey! Ciao!
