Rustic Italian Kitchen - an update

RENOVATION

‘The richness of life lies in memories we have forgotten’

Cesare Pavese

The heart of most homes is the kitchen, our rustic Italian kitchen is starting to take shape after a bit of TLC and lots of work from Sam. Over the last few days he pulled out the old sink and tiles, mixed up multiple batches of white cement and coated the walls, then re cemented the slabs of rock on the floor.

It’s been wonderful having the entire population of the borgata come for visits to see what we are doing and give advice. Most frequently the comments are ‘rip out the fireplace and pull up the stone floor’ arrrghhh!

Meanwhile I have been busy painting the first floor bedroom, bathroom ceiling, re varnishing the timber and best of all painting the main bedroom on the top floor. My favorite room is this bedroom, high ceiling with wooden beams and so much promise. A small balcony and a beautiful view, perfect. Sam being the chef in the family is besotted by the fireplace in our rustic Italian kitchen and already researching cooking methods to use.

We leave early in the morning to work at the house and come home late so computer time is a rarity. I hope you’ll forgive us as we need to move into the house within the next two weeks. Lots to do as always, but I will show you the bedroom and introduce the neighbors who are priceless asap.

Idea’s and Inspiration for our Rustic Italian Kitchen

We both agree we want to keep the house as close to original as possible and Sam plans to put in the rack for the cooking pot to hang over the fire. Our neighbors are already donating some ancient relics and love that we want to keep the rustic heritage alive. The only problem we now find is that the floor slopes and is wildly uneven so a table and chairs will be tricky.

We are gathering ideas and looking for the best way to overcome this. Any thoughts are most welcome, have you ever had a very crooked floor?

thanks to everyone for sticking with us through this transition, we are expecting friends in June and again in September so ‘molto lavore’ for us as usual x

and the gang x

37 replies

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Hester Nieves says:
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We had stained concrete floors installed in our home (very nice but they do need regular repolishing). Since it is poured on top of your existing floor, it should be easy for them to even out your floor when installing it (assuming that your flooring substrate will accept it to begin with).If you want to go with some other floor, why could the installer not even out your floor prior to installing it? I can’t imagine you are the only people who have ever had uneven floors in your home. There has to be a common solution to this problem.Either way, I agree that it sounds like you need a pro to give you advice.
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  thanks for that Hester sorry your comment ended up in the spam section of the blog. We love the stone floor and now don’t even notice the uneven tilt. We have now taken the rock through into the lounge area and should be able to get this roughly level. Great suggestions and thanks so much again ciao lisa x
Catherine says:
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How real to live like this! My friends in the Dolomites are all proud of their central fireplaces and I think few of them would swap for central heating. Make sure you have some ‘boules’ (hot water bottles!) for this winter. I’m sure this summer will be a very special one. Xcat
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Hey Catherine, I need hot water bottles in summer, I’m hopeless and really feel the cold. Of course my husband is the complete opposite. This Summer is going to be glorious and we hope to have some friends from Australia over for a visit. I’ll be watching to see how your swimming pool plans develop lol x
- Catherine says:
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  Lisa I came to this true rustic house from West Africa with four small kids and it took me a while to acclimatise. My secret remains the same: UGG BOOTS! I always hated them in Australia when I was a kid but put two pairs of socks under a pair of uggs and you are set. I (still) dress like a Sherpa in winter, with a beanie and cut-off gloves. Often I forget to check the gas and we run out – usually before a public holiday – and the temperature drops like mad. Once I warmed up by waxing all my old plantation furniture! Xx
Teresa Bentley says:
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Perhaps a thick natural fiber rug like jute? Could work ” longer” legs into it and easily pad “shorter” legs? They look great, fit your lifestyle and are inexpensive
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Teresa I love this idea especially the inexpensive part. The house is filled with stories and history that I want to enhance. Sam is in love with his new kitchen (he does the cooking) and I can’t wait to spend our first night in the main bedroom….waking to open the shutters to the valley view. Thanks for your thoughts ciao lisa x
budget jan says:
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I have not had a crooked floor, but could you have table legs that screwed on and adjust them accordingly, or, choose the position of the table and cut the legs to suit – a custom table 🙂
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Hi Jan, we will have to adjust the legs and our table will certainly be unique. Sam painted the border and also coated a section of the floor with a clear coating so it looks great. x
Thomas Kenneally says:
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it Might Be A Little Late Now But You Asked If Anyone Has Dealt With Uneven Floors.I Was Wondering If You Guys Had Thought Of Pulling The Floor Up And Re-Laying It?I KnowThe Work It would Take But I Think It Might Be worth It.
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  unfortunately Thomas the rest of the house matches to the crooked floor, it is hand built and we really aren’t that concerned with the table I was just thinking out loud. I think it will add a little to the charm of the place along with the open fireplace and large cooking pots. The house has such incredible history which we are learning each day as the locals come for a look x
Marla says:
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Lisa and Sam it looks so great already. I love all the photos of possibilities too. Just really fab! Buon lavoro.
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Marla we are enraptured with the stories and the history of the borgata. I think the entire village has been in to have a look at what we are doing and we are hearing lots of stories of the elderly owner (including some risque ones lol x). Can’t wait to catch up again and see what you have been doing at Bella Baita! xxx
Trisha Thomas says:
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Wow — it is going to be absolutely gorgeous and the two of you both look so happy. How are the kids enjoying project? I am so happy to see you living out your dreams!
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Trisha I can’t begin to tell you how our lives have changed in such a short time. Sam is in his element, I find everyday bringing new adventures and amazing stories from the locals. The children are hardly seen apart from lunch time as we have 7 kids in total at the borgata, it is a joy to see them out and having adventures and starting to pick up the language. Luca especially is blossoming and Carina loves all the animals (even though she knows they are to be eaten). Sending love and think of you often, hope to meet one day in the future!! xxx lisa
Diana says:
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I think it is hilarious that the locals are urging you to rip out the fireplace and floors. They are probably sick of seeing such things and take it for granted, whereas to our eyes it is amazingly beautiful.
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  We had a chuckle as well Diana, we haven’t been into any of the houses (apart from one) so I have no idea what they look like inside. The old lady here bought us up a rack to use in the fire for the pots to sit on and told us about the previous owners and the history of the Borgata. Love to you and Chloe xx