$50 MAKEOVER! How I Transformed my Little Italian House
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ก.ย. 2023
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#renovation #italianhouse Huge thanks to Nestor, our 16 year old son who edited this video! So excited for this very inexpensive renovation that looks like it cost much more to create! Check out www.etsy.com and www.selency.co.uk as I love to find uniques treasures to dress my little Italian house!
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OMG Grazie mille! I have been studying several languages for a while in a casual way with Duolingo, YT, books and language exchanges. I started learning Italian in December of 2023 and have picked up plenty via Duolingo but while I can tell you I have a tall female neighbor in Italian, I cannot order an entire meal. I'm not downing Duolingo but it is like the Dick and Jane of language learning. I appreciate the 60% off and your videos because my goal is to have a vacation/retirement home in Italy within the next few years. Keep up the good work.
For me it’s out of question 📚 I absolutely love books for the atmosphere of a cozy room. So a simple board/shelf, maybe of quite old and raw wood with just a few books probably would add to the cozy flair of this room.
Absolutely! Only two beefy floating shelves with the same finish as the wood above it. Room on the floor below the lower shelf for a basket to hold throws for the chilly days.
I agree, a bookshelf near that comfy chair would be perfect.
Oh, that’s a lovely idea too! With all of that seating it would be a nice place to cozy up and read.
That is also a cute idea except for the woodpile they house nasty spiders especially black widows.
I second that thought - books, and games! Maybe even a vase for fresh flowers to keep the organic/earthy feeling.
A storage cabinet? I'm sure you can find something that fits the style of the room, and it's always helpful to be able to put away blankets, games, or whatever else you may keep there.
In the little nook area I would place a beautiful small antique desk with curvy legs with gold stand out hardware like you’d see in a French chateau . Move the lamp and chair that you already have over a few inches so that it can be seen. Place a small lamp some books and a nice mirror or art work above the desk. Under the desk you could place a basket for the pillows when you use the bed. 🤓your house looks amazing!!! Love the stairs!
Books…it needs books. You’ve got the chair and the lamp, it’s screaming for old books. Even if you just stacked them randomly! Or an old interesting book case that fits the space without overpowering the other elements. You could break it up with statues or art pieces from that market around the corner! Love the room!
This is perfect as reading nook. A book shelf in the back full of books, magazines, etc
A wine bar, with a place for glasses and bottles!
Simple built-in bookshelves for the nook would be great. Maybe 3. Not only would they fill the space but create a cozy and beautiful reading corner... without having to damage the wood or block the floors. Plywood, paint, nails / screws and mounting brackets = done.
This is a great suggestion! My vote is for shelves for 📚
This was going to be my suggestion too! Thanks!
With a tile backing for a pop of color??
Yes 2-3 shelves floated in the top half would be my ideal. Then dress them sparingly with a few books, mementos, perhaps a statuette… that would create such a nice balance of focal point vs faded backdrop.
TV could go on the top shelf so it can be seen over the chair and not be a focus of the room.
An old dresser with a marble top would make a great bar cabinet. Love the stairs and day bed 🛌. Brilliant job all around 😍😘
Thanks so much! 😊
As an Etsy shop owner myself, Thank you for supporting and buying from small businesses.
Congratulations to your son Nestor on great editing
For the cubby space, built-in custom shelves (old split timbers). You'll need a place to put all the cushions if someone uses the pull-out sofa bed. Have them put in a large/deep drawer on the bottom to store the cushions.
Old dark timber the same shade as the beams. I would put some kind of art on the shelves, maybe something tipically italian, maybe some books. Not too much, only so they aren't empty.
Glass shelf with a statement piece of sculpture, softly lit from above behind the low beam. Oversize books below on floor behind the chair , the light will shine through so it doesn't become a dark hole.
How about a small secretary back there?
I think you might get tired of so many small pillows. Two or three large pillows would be my choice. I like the ideas of a wet bar or book case in that empty space. Something functional for sure as there is already a lot of art in the home. Love the stairs and the choice of jute. Great job, Julie!
Thanks for the tips!
I was thinking if you could find some sort of tall narrow dresser with drawers for linens or whatever you might need on hand would work great. But adding a wet bar on top would work out nicely to it. Or maybe even a small secretary desk with drawers would work well.
I agree. Where to put so many pillows when you choose to sit?
Yes!! way too many pillows. @@jocelynebordage9907
Daybed is a bit dark with the pillows…Not sure if it compliments the room. A lot of pillows on the sofa-bed as well. I think 4-5 pillows is enough. Then u need a basket to put them in when u don’t need them. The little nook would be a good coffee bar with an antique dresser and a couple of shelves above or a built-in bookshelf along with a few trinkets with a small light at the top to brighten the nook would be perfect.
I would put an antique storage dresser 😊 everything looks gorgeous ❤Well done!
Thank you! 😊
I would put a mirror in the cubby and the light from the window will reflect back into the room as well as the light from the lamp will reflect back In the evening. It will also add more depth into the room❤
I love the idea of having a mirror cut to fit the space and then I would add shelves in front of it. I think I would be purposeful in creating the shelves space to fit specific items...such as
maybe a silver tray with bar accessories and bottles of your favorite liquors and glasses. Areas for books which have bindings that compliment the decor.
Objects d' art such as
figurines, painted plates leaned against the mirror. Just interesting things that represent your taste or travels, etc. Great choices so far in your renovations and accessories.
Love the mirror idea with some objets d'art and some books. Small repurposed cupboard below to hold extra linens for the beds🤔
3 ideas for the nook: A nice tapestry curtain at the front, with shelves or a cabinet behind for games and books, or to hide a t.v. monitor. A mirror (dark corner). A bar cart! Edit: horsehair allergy is a thing for a lot of people. If anyone has symptoms, it’s easy to fix - make an inner allergy “mattress cover, anything with special weave small enough for dust mites not to pass will also work for horse hair. You’d get 2 allergy benefits in one, as old mattresses and dust mites are friends 😂
Very much like the idea of a bar cart or mirror.The nook gives more of an open space feel; shelves with books would close it in.
I would put floating shelves on the wall for books 📚and a wooden tea box in the empty space behind the chair.
Oh my gosh! Absolutely put an electric fireplace in the hearth, it is a natural focal point and ambience
I love the stairs. It's such a great change. Clever you painting every other stair. 😀 For the cubby space, how about putting in wall to wall wood shelves to make a built in bookcase. Nice to see the updates.
Great idea!!
Agree! Built in bookcase would be perfect!
I’m a librarian, so I’m always for books! You could even make it a book swap shelf where people could leave a book/take a book.
Love the stairs the hallway near the bedrooms still makes me sad 😢with the half and half institutional paint colors
2 tips for painting. Place a rubber band around the paint can so it cuts the top opening in half and use that to wipe the brush. Run a line of the underneath color on the painters tape and let dry before painting. It will stop the color from running underneath.
Excellent idea!!🤗👏👏👏🇨🇦🤗
Get a wine cabinet for the spot & another cabinet for wine gasses, ice bucket, wine bottle opener & other related items.
Black is great on stairs, interior doors, accent walls, and even ceilings. People think it makes the room look smaller but it actually opens things up by making walls or ceilings recede.
Julie, everything you have done looks beautiful. For the niche, how about a “blanket chest” with a hinged lid? When the sofa bed is in use you can use the chest to store the lovely cushions! The chest could also provide another little space to sit, especially if you padded the lid.
Great idea!!
That would work well to store pillows and bedding and you still have a surface for some books and a cup of tea etc. I second it. Great idea!
Yes yes to all of that! Maybe an antique mirror above to reflect more light too as others have suggested.
A wood and glass cabinet would be great in the nook. You could either put knick knacks or books in it or glassware. The place looks fabulous!
Okay 2 ideas, one, a over stuffed bean bag with a small book shelf and an over head reading light or if that’s too casual, then a lit terrarium with some beautiful plants as an living art piece ❤ love your Italy series, im also from America, southern Indiana 😊
That little space behind the chair is screaming for a wine bar and a place for glasses!
A cute cabinet with glass doors, put for books, vases, candle sticks, extra throws, etc. Something old that fits the space, but with elegance and character, even stain glass would be nice.
It’s beautiful Julie! In the cubby hole maybe you can put a fake olive tree in there in a nice vase and at Christmas time you can switch it out for a Christmas tree.❤
Cubby- chest of drawers that fills the space. I would work on the pillows- beige works with everything in the room. Get pillows for all seating that coordinate with beige then add one pillow per seat that has color.
Cubbyhole idea: antique mirror squares with glass shelves to display some of your treasures, family photos, and maybe a small plant or succulent.
ive bought and love to shop at local Goodwill and Salvation army stores... ive found sold sterling pieces and even some waterford crystal...
It's great how you've got everything complementing each other. It really brings the whole room together. I love the suggestion of books in the nook! Maybe a couple of short shelves at the top. That leaves space below, on the floor of the nook, for a couple of wide baskets to hold the extra pillows moved aside when the sofa is full of family members.
Thank you! 😊
I think the space is screaming for a beautiful bar cart with a fabulous mirror above to reflect some beautiful glasses and various bottles. Love your style!
Built-in bookshelves. It will make it cozy and that already looks like a little reading nook.
A bookshelf would be perfect in the nook behind that chair; it would be a welcoming spot to curl up with a book and demitasse on a rainy lazy day. I love this get-away that you've designed. It's like a warm, welcoming hug!
Gorgeous Julie! I love the rustic frame of the daybed near the stone. In the niche I would either put a small low dresser with books on top, or a small antique bookcase. the bookcase would add character to the room, it can be dressed with small paintings, decor items as well as books. I think some kind of large artwork, mirror or tapestry would look good above the niche. Drawers in a dresser would add extra storage.
The pillows are perfect. Put a large basket in the room somewhere so people can toss them in if they want it out of the way while they’re sitting there. The basket will match your rug of course😊
Just a small tip when using masking tape on an already painted wall.... Use either low tack tape, or the less expensive option of pressing the masking tape against your clothing, to reduce the stickiness. This will avoid having to 'touch up' the paintwork.
I agree with others that a couple of shelves for books would be perfect in that cubby space. I pick up hard bound books at thrift stores with bindings/covers in colors that compliment the room they are in. In your case, that would be your blue-grey and whatever accent colors you’re going with. By the way, the stairs turned out looking great.
That's a great idea!
Stairs look wonderful. I think a bit fewer pillows would be best on the sofa. Regarding the alcove.. I think a bookcase would look perfect. Wonderful job Julie.😊
Well, your house is so beautiful and elegant at the same time cozy and confortable! I would suggest to that open space behind the chair, a shelf with a sculpture. There are so many in italy ! Good luck!
I'm sure you have heard it many times, but it's a great writing desk space. A perfectly quaint space.
I would turn that alcove either into a small banquette/cozy nook or turn that whole area into a bookcase by making shelves or finding an antique cabinet that fills the space! If the cabinet had glass doors you could still fill it with books!
My Grandmother had a space like that in her cottage. She kept a fold down bed in it that looked like part of the wall with a shelf on top when it wasn't being used. If there were lots of us visiting, it doubled as a second sofa. Very handy! When my brother and I were tiny, there was a bench in it,(before the hidden bed appeared) that we were relegated to to read our books. (That was 60 years ago!)
A small dresser that could store blankets and sheets for the sofa bed. Maybe two or three drawers. And dress the top of it with accent art small and bowls or pottery
I agree with other comments. That space screams for a bookcase. Books add warmth.
It is looking wonderful! In the niche I would add a chest of drawers to store seasonal items like blankets or fans. The chest could also store cards and games. A wine rack of course to hold all the Italian wine on the top of the chest along with a plant. Shelves above to hold books, especially travel books and menus from local restaurants and any local treasures to decorate the shelves. Good luck!
The little house is looking so good! For the nook, find a chest of drawers just the right height and width, top with marble, adding a charming little lamp and make it into a small bar with a little piece of art or mirror above it.
Thanks for the tips!
I think an old antique mirror would enhance the room. Reflective light in every room adds an illusion of space and light! Love the renovation!!
Nestor, you did a wicked awesome job at editing this video!!! As always, Julie, thank you for bringing us on these journeys with you!
I say a nicely sized potted plant would look good there for a temporary solution in the cubby. That would also bring some greenery into the room, but then I thought about the fact that it is a vacation home and it might be difficult to care for when you are not there. I have to say though, how lovely everything is. You've done a wonderful job. :)
Thank you!
I think your little cubby space would be great if you built a bookcase and painted it black and it would complement your stairs. And choose books that have your colors in your scheme of the room or cover them with the colors of your room. Really enjoy your videos! Thank you so much! From California!🍷🧀🍇🍝🥗
a tiny cozy library would be perfect in that space.
❤ how you are decorating your Italian home with used furniture finds. Great job on the stairs! The only change I would make is take away some pillows on your couch. You really don’t need that many to make a statement. Less is more has always been my motto. Enjoy your little Italian home. Can’t wait to see what you do with your kitchen 😊
All looks beautiful kudos to you guys! I would use the little cubby space for book shelves. You have a perfect reading chair and lamp in place already.
Great idea!!
For the cubby area - you could either place a bookcase, small dresser, or built-in cabinet for extra storage. Then hang a horizontal artwork piece above the cubby.
You're truly a Renaissance woman Julie with wonderful taste, however I do believe the trend of using a Zillion Pillows Everywhere nowadays will someday become a 2020's Interior Design Fashion Faux Pas ! ! ! 😂🤣😄
Blessings Julie!
I know young people have no problem climbing stairs, but as a senior I can’t climb stairs without a hand rail. You might consider that for the future.
It has been a joy to watch your videos since you first bought the home. I fell in love with Italy in 2018, and you inspire me to daydream that I too could live in Tuscany someday. For the cubby (though I don’t know the measurements) I envisioned a lovely tapestry with the colors of the room. I’d also bring in a small, circular glass & gold bourbon cart, or you could go more rustic with wood and glass. Something tucked out of the way. Your Piccola Casa is simply perfection! Grazie for allowing us to join you.
Yes, def. thinking some type of tapestry or wall hanging....
Julie, all your renovations at both your Italian home and Mapperton have inspired me to get started on the much needed and long overdue renovations on my own home. ❤
Wonderful! YAY!
Ciao, Julie! Because of you, I discovered the beauty of Fivazzano today. In fact, I found your house and visited your favorite cafe tonight. Looks like you’re in the UK. None of the lights were on. Hoping to find my dream home somewhere around Fivizzano. This place is so beautiful! Thank you so much for turning me on to Fivizzano!
For the cubby, I would add a shelf/cabinet and do a fabulous bar with beautiful crystal decanters and glassware. Hang a mirror in there as well:)
I love the idea for bookshelves that can also be used for photographs and beautiful pieces of Italian decor!
You are a hard WORKER, for sure! The stairs look AMAZING now but I'm lazy & soooo would have left them alone, lol! Great job, as always, Julie! It was such a treat watching your "Little Italian House" bloom & grow😘
Thank you so much!
It’s such a beautiful space you have under the stairs. I think it matches with shelves and books, shelves just like the wood from the timber.
A bookshelf with books to encourage reading on rainy days? Looks lovely!!!
Fabulous job Julie and Nestor, love the team work. The room is gorgeous. I like the ideas of a old book case with games, books and flowers
I love the daybed! I'm not usually into gold, but I like those cushions. In your space behind the chairs, I would add a small table for a plant or for fresh flowers. See ya next week! ❤
Love the pillows on the sofa bed, but, it does not invite someone to sit on it, as you'd not want to move your decor, but you also don't want to sit with your butt on the front edge of the couch. I have enjoyed your Italian home renovation. It's incredible.
Thanks for the tips!
Add a Beautiful, ELECTRIC fireplace. They make some really nice ones now. Easy, Peasy.
My aunt told me a room wasn't complete without rugs. I love the ones you put up the staircase. The pillows have brought it all together. You've done a tremendous job, Julie, and inspired me to do some remodeling. Wish we had a little Italian house, too. 😂😢
I like going to Goodwill and Salvation Army thrift shops(in the USA) for decor... I have bought solid sterling silver pieces and some water crystal too... lamps, vases. oil paintings ...
Put the lamp behind the chair, in the cubby. Or, a large multi candle candlestick stand. Or a basket or vase of tall dried grasses.
Julie and Nestor, first I wasn't so convinced of the colour, but seeing the landing, where the floorboards or tiles are not matching the wood colour of the stair this solution is the mist aesthetically pleasing
Waiting and ready in Texas! You inspired me 2 summers ago and now I'm looking for my little paradise in Italy! Thank you! :)
Wonderful!
Hi Lady Julie! The sitting room looks fabulous! It's nice to see the gradient of light, scale, and color of the cushions. I think if you had one thin round one about 6 inches wider than the round frames and in a shade related to the burgundy cushions on the opposite side (rose, dusty pink maybe?), then you will have created a stronger design statement for that space. My idea to connect it to the cubby, is to install a thin iron curtain rod, applied brass hanging rings with a drape panel, opening from left to right, with corded tie back of blackened iron hook installed into the stone. Think either a thin jute or linen panel with a very simple embroidered color border stripe (either the burgundy again, or a shade from anything on the sofa/chair), or another damask with a Medieval inspired tracery frame in your chosen metallic shade for the room. Another choice would be imprinting something idiosyncratic about you. Some kind of tiny shelves, maybe holding a golden Buddha, a Nepali prayer wheel, a portrait of Alberta, anything to represent the inner meaning of your identity. I see the cubby as essentially a sacred shrine or a portal to infinity. Last thought: an e frame with a shoreline clip on repeat.
A couple of large potted plants; you don't want to make it too busy back there. Adds some green and adds to the coziness. You could even put a floor light that shines through the plants at night from front to back to light up that corner more.
take one cushion from each couch and place it on the other one to tie the whole room together
PS. I feel cheated because the camera pan of the room was so stingy and abbreviated that we barely got to see anything of the completed room! And then that was annoyingly covered up by all those thumbnails of other episodes. I demand a more luxurious revisit.
Those cushions on the blue sofa are perfect. They somehow draw your eyes straight up to those two round pictures!
BOOKS. It follows: chair, swing lamp, books. Don’t completely fill it. Slim, smaller shelf. Include art. A sculpture maybe. Some color. Lovely. (Possibly a black bookshelf?)
I would do an electric fireplace. Adds the ultimate cozy vibe.
Julie, I propose an antique mirror in the nook. You've done a magnificent job on your little Italian house!
I would put shelves with books and some interesting decorative pieces. Books are a great way to make a room look warm and inviting.
If you can't place a fireplace of any sort in the nook area of the living room, I think a nice bookshelf would be beautiful with some plants and photos on top of the mantle piece. The bookcase will give it a more cozy, relaxed feel to sit and stay a while. Just an idea. I'm sure whatever you do, it will turn out amazing!
For the niche: suggest slim rustic console table accessorized with some books, crockery bowl, tall slim candle.
For the cubby--bookcase or shelves - games on bottom shelf, then books, have top shelf at height so that perhaps a drinks tray can be on top!
Definitely a bookshelf for books intermingled with antique ornaments.
A small, old tapestry would be beautiful and cozy behind the chair 😊
Add matching wood shelves to cubby to create an area for books
1. Traditionally I think book shelves automatically with a rustic look in the same color as the timber above would be nice 2. Beautiful Italian/Spanish colored tiles along the back of the nook. Not too delicate of a pattern but more a geometric shape in 3-4 fours. If it were me I would make sure one color would be similar to the floor tiles. This would be just for visual interest but I might also find the biggest low rectangle rustic basket with lid , and use it for storage. It would just fit into the nook on the floor behind the chair. Like the size you see people use as a coffee table. Rustic maybe with leather straps and handles. Blankets, anything you want to keep tidied away. 3. Maybe with or without the tiles in the background a vintage wheeled dry bar cart that stays there but could come out for parties. Either mainly glass or glossy black not to traditional and not to modern style but simple straight lines. 4. One large again rustic shelf about 1/3 up from the floor and you could stand a beautiful piece of art on it and lean it against the back way or a very large piece of handled pottery with dried flowers/feathers arrangement. One that will take up most of that space. At Christmas you could also put a miniature Christmas tree on the shelf and it would be out of the way. Put would fill up that area with a little Christmas joy. Dog bed area? Oh boy I have too many ideas
Love all these ideas!!! Thank you! Have screenshot them. So good!
The stairs are beautiful. Painting them black was a very good idea/choice. Perhaps the cubby needs to be painted black too, for balance. A think it’s the perfect place for books, and small game boxes. A nice display shelf, to house them, that fits nicely into the space, allowing for the black to be seen also.
I think I small dresser or bookshelf would work in that nook area behind the chair! A dresser could hold lap blankets or family board games, candles for power outages etc... put small framed pictures on top and vases flowers!
I would put hand hewn shelves, same as the beam colouring, maybe room for two and add baskets to match the colouring of the rug and runner. Seagrass ones maybe. Also when your family comes over you will need to pull all your lovely pillows off the sofa. So you could display on the shelves or if there is room a bigger basket to the side to keep things tidy. The shelves would be floating of course🇨🇦
17:19 How about a super cozy reading nook? Small (nothing too overpowering) shelf with books above the chair and a nice cup of coffee/tea 🥰
A liquor display...vintage wine shelves, small cabinet with liquor on top...anything that relate to guesting and welcoming people...or for a cosy night with a glass of wine. Nothing fancy.
I would put in book shelves. Such a cozy room, almost calls for a good book and a good glass of wine!
#WellDone! So wonderful that your son edited this video! It truly is a family effort at and for Mapperton!
Add plants on the shelf and floor plants in the nook. Fresh greenery would look lovely. If you add books like everyone is suggesting, still add a plant!🙂
I’d like to see a fitted mirror in the cubby, it will add the feeling of another dimension, with a shelf in front and a simple sculpture displayed
I love the Little Italian house videos so much!