Sicilian WAY OF LIFE

A 1960s Pistillo lamp hangs next to a Renaissance portrait and above a collection of contemporary ceramics, while elsewhere in the house, a 19th-century sofa sits near to a felt sculpture and below a row of old and new paintings. This farmhouse in rural Sicily, loomed over by Mount Etna and nestled amongst olive trees, is a breezy mix of unique finds, eclectic art and contemporary crafts - it's a look that many try to emulate, but one that isn't easy to pull off.
Surprisingly, it wasn't the original style that homeowners Carla and Simone were going for: 'We had furnished the house with all the quintessential pieces that were part of the traditional farmhouse look,' says Carla. Then, about three years after moving in, we were burgled.' Carla recalls coming home one evening to find their home empty. Everything had been taken. The furniture, the carpets... everything. It was a huge shock.' In the aftermath, she found much to her surprise - that despite all she had lost, she had gained a new approach to life. 'All of a sudden I understood what really matters to me. Jewellery: not important. Furniture: just stuff that could be replaced. Family: the most important thing in life,' she says.
Denne historien er fra September 2022-utgaven av Homes & Antiques.
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Denne historien er fra September 2022-utgaven av Homes & Antiques.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9500+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på

Sheer Textiles
Delicate, diaphanous fabrics were used for clothing and accessories long before dressing windows and furniture, says Celia Rufey

Six of the best ISLAND COTTAGES
An island getaway is the ultimate escape, and these beautiful boltholes offer a winning blend of romance, seclusion and sensational vistas, says Jenny Oldaker

Collecting LYONS LITHOGRAPHS
The rise of the tea shop in the early 20th century led to a public art project like no other – prints by top artists of the day, decorating the famed Lyons corner houses. Emma Longstaff discovers more

Rainbow REVELATION
The traditional half-timbered façade of this 18th-century cottage in Sweden belies its personality and colour-filled interior

Bloomfield House
What was once the home of the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bath is now an immaculate, art-filled space, ideal for indulgent group gatherings

Expert advice
Two pros share their tips on throwing outdoor soirées

THE ANTIQUES THAT SHAPED ME - Travers Nettleton
The garden antiques expert shares his love of Roman sculpture and the pieces he would never part with

48 hours in TETBURY & MALMESBURY
Tetbury, a long-established hotspot for antiques shopping, is now joined by its up-and-coming neighbour, Malmesbury – together making the southern Cotswolds a standout destination for arts and antiques lovers. Rosanna Morris explores

LUKE HONEY'S Enthusiasms
This Month: Clockwork Toy Boats

6 DEALERS for vintage and antique washstands
1 1st Dibs