Rustic Italian Living Room - Inspirations

RENOVATION

Rustic Italian Living Room Inspiration

“After such a long journey we seem to have found a home we never imagined yet already love.”

Do you ever notice that children don’t talk about inspiration? It’s such a part of them, like joy and laughter, innocence and wonder….they don’t need to look for it in others it just shines from them…

I wrote these lines almost a year ago, they were part of a post about ‘inspiration‘ written just as we were about to embark on our adventure. A lot has changed since then, and we are now in Italy living the dream we began so many years ago.

Back then my biggest concern was for our son Luca, would he be able to cope with the move, were we doing the right thing, would he be able to thrive in Italy. Moving wasn’t something I took lightly, it kept me awake at night, advice from well meaning friends and family ringing in my head. Everything back then revolved around Luca’s autism, and how this would affect him, I had no idea what would happen in Italy but knew the system wasn’t working for him in Australia.

It was only this morning that a fellow friend and blogger Margaret at Destination Here and Now reminded me in a beautiful way that we made the right decision. Within the blogging world I find many voices I resonate with, another of these is Rohan from Whole Larder Love. I left a comment on his blog and it in turn inspired Margaret to write something extending this thought. A little like a ripple on a pond we each connect and respond to the inspiration of those around us. It really is part of the beauty of blogging, if you’ve ever thought about taking it up I’d give you a resounding “Yes just do it”, the comment follows.

It’s voices like yours Rohan that shine a light on the good life, your little girl in the veggie patch, the walks with arms swinging, noticing your world and sharing it here. I have no doubt at all that the life we are creating for our children (and ourselves) is the right move, out of the suburbs of Queensland to the wild mountains of Italy.

We now live on so much less and get so much more, and I especially see this for our son Luca who has high functioning autism. All of a sudden he is blossoming, he is in a tiny village school which is high on hugs and praise, previously he was always going to be ‘not good enough’ and unable to ‘keep up with his peers’…at last he is learning to read (aged nine). We only need a small amount to live well here, our kids are learning in the school of life.

I have never seen life and death the way I do here, it’s right in your face, we were invited to make the salami, butcher the pig, see the feathers of the chickens killed for that nights dinner, get eggs fresh from our chickens, growing rabbits for the pot, eating veggies from our own garden, it’s wonderful, not a hardship at all in fact the reverse. If I’d have known this I would have done it years ago, and as you say even in the city it’s possible to grow something, join a community garden, buy food from local markets, buy less and live more.

This post started out as an inspiration board for our Italian living room and turned into something else all together. If I had posted this last night as planned I’d have missed sharing with you. Last night I just knew I needed color, urgently, needed something vibrant and striking. I see now it is a little bit of longing for the security of our life in Australia. We lived a street from the beach in tropical Queensland, the sky was an intense blue, we grew mango’s in our yard, and lived a beach lifestyle.

Funny how my spirit knows exactly what I need, all I have to do is listen.

Inspiration, for me has always been visual.

I collect images much like a magpie, I always have. With our enforced hibernation I’ve begun longing for color, in our Italian living room. Although I love the muted earthy tones around us I crave warmth, vibrancy, all the hot rich hues we left behind us in Australia. Our home needs some touches of warmth, each of these images appealed to me, looking through my favorite pinterest board they were the ones to leap out at me. I wanted to share them with you.

It’s you who are inspiring to me, you show me such love and encouragement, are involved in the life we are creating here in Italy and when I asked you to send me a Christmas Card for our first Christmas away from Australia we were inundated, the postman didn’t know what was going on. It is the passion of the all the people who read my blog, who share your lives with me, who let me into your homes and give me time and space to express myself, you are the people with passion.

I just reflect it back like a mirror, I love what I do, I love that it gives others a way to dream a bigger dream. I love that it gives me a chance to connect with other passionate people around the globe. What a gift you have given me.

Rustic Italian Living Room ~ Inspiration

Italian Country Living
A Year in the World: Journeys of A Passionate Traveller
Villa Fortuna: An Italian Interlude

and the gang x

28 replies

Judith Greenwood says:
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Would you like a pic of my rustic Italian living room? Just one hanging to get up and I’ll be finished, again. I do like to move things around!
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budget jan says:
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I can see some of this colour coming into your home. I know you of all people can make it happen 🙂
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  a little colour now and then….is relished by the wisest women lol xx
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  - budget jan says:
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    True. Colour makes me happy. Using it wisely – I am not sure that I do, lol.
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Wynne says:
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I LOVE that Luca is thriving (as is Carina) in this dream life of yours. So great to hear that your school seems to “get it” as so many don’t.

I can certainly relate the need for color and vibrancy this time of year – with all the snow the northeast US has gotten this winter, we’re all craving color and green and warmth ourselves! Perhaps I’ll be inspired to pick up a flowery something-or-other.

Love to all…xo
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  He still has a long way to go as far as reading or writing Wynne, but his general outlook and enthusiasm have blossomed. Carina also isn’t as focused on becoming a ‘brat’ as she was at her school in Australia x
  I am noticing now that the sunshine has returned to the borgata just how much I missed it and how the lack had reflected on my mood. Yesterday on a walk up above Mario’s cowsheds we saw our first signs of Spring….yellow primrose xx
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anne says:
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A truly inspirational post and a inspirational family. So happy to read about Luca’s progress , the world has changed for him. Schools are all so different, I think some schools just don’t have the time or the knowledge to deal with Autism and this way of dealing is so great for Luca , it is bad enough when you don’t have Autism and they tell you , you are not good enough etc, So a HUGE well done to his tiny village school …

Love your boards of colour and muted tones, I cannot decide which I love best ,, keep changing my mind . Colour gives warmth , whilst muted tones give calm and tranquillity.
Keep up all your great work . xx
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Thanks so much Anne you are such a great friend, our story is one that will evolve over the years with both our failures and successes. I think this will really show up in our children and how they grow into young adults. Here the difference with Luca is not as obvious as he doesn’t have the language skills yet, nobody is calling him ‘stupid’ as was happening in the Aussie school…it would break my heart to have him come home banging his hands on his head saying over and over “Stupid Stupid’ which he was getting called at school. Here they just see Luca and the sweet kid that he is.
  
  I’m not sure if this post went a bit off the mark but I just needed some cheery brightness and my eyes were screaming for tropical hues. The best thing about decorating is that you can change a few key pieces and totally change the room to suit your mood. Do you ever post something totally out of the norm on your blog? What kind of response do you get lol ?? xx
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Margaret | Destination Here&Now says:
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To be honest Lisa, whether you’re renovated or not, I look forward to that moment where we share a prosecco under a tree in your part of the world one day xx
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  I still haven’t had one yet so maybe I’ll save a bottle just for us lol xxx
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  - Margaret | Destination Here&Now says:
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    Well get through winter and think about it then 🙂 x
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    - Lisa Chiodo says:
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      good idea I’ll stick to the cups of tea for now xx
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      - Margaret | Destination Here&Now says:
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        x
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Rich says:
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Wonderful stuff Lisa. I definitely think you have the right idea and the proof of that is how well you’re all getting on I guess (aside from the current illnesses, obviously…). It takes a lot of courage to do what you’re doing but you already seem to be reaping the rewards. I just hope you inspire lots of others to do the same, because as you say, you really don’t need much to live the good life.

I hope you’re all on the road to recovery now. Stay warm, and hopefully we’ll get to see you all soon!

Rich
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Oh I remember the shouts of horror when Carina and Luca took off their shoes in a park in Italy our first time here when they were only one and three. I loved you post and know all those and more, one thing I didn’t know was Italian baby’s get gold for gifts so Carina has some great wealth stashed at my Mother in Laws….
  
  It would be a gift to be able to inspire others especially those with dreams of Italy. We are able to live well here for very little thank goodness. I know we’ll get to catch up soon, can’t wait to see that little ‘Principessa’ and give her a cuddle. Ciao, hugs and kisses to your girls from us xxx
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Caterina B says:
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Those are gorgeous photos, Lisa. I especially like the one with the matching wall and sofa in intense bright colors. Love that pattern.
So….how are you going to bring color into your Italian living room? Show us!
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  It’s a ‘Liberty’ pattern and I used to work up the road from Liberty’s in England in my 20’s. At lunch time I would walk down to look in the store it was just incredible. We have a very muted rug in the living room but I’m thinking we could get another to change the room a bit along with a cover for the couch, cushions and flowers. It’s all a work in progress, hope you are well Caterina and sending love xx
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Catherine says:
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Lisa YOU are an inspiration! I know how hard it is to uproot and resettle kids. I know how tough mountain villages really are. I know what it’s like to be on the outside of a language. You are full of light and honesty and determination and it is always uplifting to read your words. Sometimes I feel like I’m a neighbour down the road.. Xox cat
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  You know your posts always make me laugh out loud and say ‘YES” in total recognition. Can’t believe how many similarities we have growing up, I can totally see you as a ‘Lion Tamer’ x
  It was so nice to get that real understanding you have of life in a mountain village, changing our lives so quickly and totally. It’s not always easy or positive and I don’t get to admit that very often. Determination….I like that! Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be neighbors, can’t wait till that day we meet up xx
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Colleen Simpson says:
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What a wonderful inspirational post with so many beautiful images….makes me remember when we were just starting out and I was searching for ideas for the four fireplaces we needed to build in our renovated glass works. I definitely want that tent!!! Trying to think where we would put it!! How our neighbors would talk in the village 😉
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Sometimes I just need to dream and with the lack of sunlight for the past few months I find myself craving the rainbow especially anything warm. Isn’t that tent glorious, it just filled me with joy when I saw it and everything else followed. It would be worth giving the neighbors something to talk about for this tent xxx I can just imagine the faces lol x
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Sarah Hudson says:
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I love everything! I’m like you – I love natural tones but also love the vibrancy and energy of full blown colour.What you guys are doing is amazing and you deserve every happiness in your new home. Floor cushions are fabulous and rustic walls a must ( we have them in our 100 year old bluestone cottage). Great post xx
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Sarah I just know we are kindred spirits, you are a wonderful inspiration to me I’d have to say daily as everything you share I just love and your jewelry is stunning and so lovingly created. We definitely need some big chunky floor cushions for the kids, we gave all our things away to the school when we left Australia. Your home sounds beautiful (I knew it would be) and gotta love anything with rustic walls xx
  sending love xx
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Sharon says:
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Lisa what a wonderful post, this gives me inspiration for our dream in Portugal. Because I don’t have children here and it is a small village, not even a coffee shop, often I go for a couple of days without seeing anyone other than my husband (especially in the wet winter). Your blogs and others like them keep me grounded and help me to remember why I am here and what a good live we have.

I was very sad for a couple of days when my daughter and family went back to Australia, but, I am so glad they had the opportunity to see our life here. My grandchildren really loved the village and helping on the land.

I love your colourful image and feel the same way. We are doing up parts of our house (the cellars) and although they are beautiful made out of large granite stone, I am going to also put colour and warmth in there, I know it will look homely and warm when finished.

Keep up the blogs I really look forward to them and to your Facebook comments.
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  It sometimes is hard to remember why we do these things isn’t it Sharon. Especially when the shower breaks, and no sun touches the house and we all get sick, but then the sun shines, Spring arrives and the days are just a joy.
  
  I can’t imagine how hard it would be to see your Daughter and family head back to Australia, heart wrenching. My Mum always says she never feels at peace until she has seen where we are living so she can picture us in our home, we have moved many times. Your grandchildren will have some wonderful memories to treasure.
  
  Doing up the cellars would be a bit of work I’d imagine, send some pics on fb if you get the chance xx
  sending love lisa x
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Paula Feldman says:
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Life is sort of like an empty canvas on which you continually write/color the stories of yourselves…ourselve since we all are living cavasses on which we all write/color.
The phrase you wrote about hybernation was interesting since you chose to live in a place where Winter has a strong hold on the land and the people who live it. My world here in Liguria is always colors even in Winter when everything turns just miriads of shades of GREEN…hybernation for us just means adding extra sweaters or a jacket. No snow to make us want to sit in front of the fireplace on a huge colorful rug using beautiful multi colored ceramic mugs for our hot tea coffee or chocolate. No white wet snow to inspire us to fill our homes with the colors of Summer on walls or on upholstery since we can keep colors to a minimum. Just open the shutters of our living room and the greens literally fall into the house, the blue of the sea which turns Indigo in Winter from the cold sort of relaxes itself into that pearl grey horizon even on the most wet dreary days.
Of course flowering plants in the house in Liguria are a must and if I remember correctly you are a bulb lover! That is MNature’s special gift to us since bulbs give birth to the most marvelous colors and perfumes.
Your son Luca, in the midst of all this world you and your hub have chosen for him will blossom just like those bulbs! Country village life in Italy is extended families, kids, dogs, cats, chickens and wonderful friendships…some formed by accident, others from necessity, others because they were meant to be…
When your special home is finished I imagine all the colors of Summer in it…even in the Winter! those pins you put up were marvelous…but remember one thing…they are someone else’s inspirations….you’ll know when you have ‘hatched’ the ones you need to fulfill your desires.
And I cannot wait to see the pictures…
have a warm and wonderful weekend…P
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Ingrid says:
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I love the Dare to Dream banner below the post! Wonderful pics – I’ve still yet to firm up interior decorating ideas for my place!!

I hope you all have a good weekend & bouncing back to full health!!! Baci xox

Ingrid
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  we are all getting better now, only Luca has the cough still. We are decorating on no money and things gifted to us so choice is limited. I’m looking forward to see how the interiors of your house develop xxx
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