In the late 1970’s, I was fortunate to live with my family in Naples (Italy) where my father was born before immigrating to Australia. It was an amazing experience travelling throughout the country as a child. Even as an 8-year-old, I became aware that art, food, fashion, literature, and architecture were the dominant influences that shaped the lifestyle of Italians.
I vividly remember my visits to Pisa, Pompeii, Florence, the Vatican, and the Royal Place of Caserta in Naples. Drawing into the principles of Neoclassicism, European architects had centered their attention to forms of simplicity and symmetry that allowed builders to use materials from local quarries of natural stone and marble. The juxtaposition of vein and bold earthy textured marble with smooth white natural stone for buildings and sculptures represented how the Italians used nature as a creative source to form synergy between past and present.
I can still hear while walking into the monumental landscapes of Caserta, the sound of hundreds of flushing water fountains in the background and amongst life-sized statues of Gods and Goddesses. When I captured these memories, I forged an appreciation for natural stone and marble and is such an important material to me and my living space to obtain a sense of wellbeing. With interior design continually shifting, marble and stone will always have the healing power that reflects nature, and now be applied in kitchens, bathrooms, furniture, lighting, and home accessories
Introducing Salvatori, a family operated business from Northern Tuscany. Salvatori is part of Design Elemental Studio’s Designer Series Collection that includes natural stone floor and wall tiles, vanities and tubs, marble dining and side tables, marble home accessories and scented products. For more information visit Salvatori’s website at www.salvatori.com or contact the office of Design Elemental Studio in Traverse City, Michigan.
