February 18, 2010

Nostalgic for Terra Cotta

Yesterday my dear friend Sarah sent over this image of a design school in Florence after discussing how important an inspiring workplace is to create your best work. I can certainly image feeling inspired here with the intricate millwork, beautiful mural ceiling, and large, sun-filled windows. But what caught my attention most was the terra cotta floor.
To me, terra cotta is synonymous with Italy and evokes fond memories of living under the warm, Roman sun. Used indoors, like in this kitchen (an all time favorite) by Vicente Wolf, it's quite a chilly material as it doesn't absorb the cold the way wood or carpet does. But that's ok, because when in Italy, you're warmed by the comforting sun. I believe that's why I love these images so much - because to use terra cotta is to know that you are somewhere lost in a warm, Mediterranean dream...or so it makes you feel.

13 comments:

Francine Gardner said...

Love Terra Cotta floors. i actually tiled my whole house in hand made waxed terra cotta to emulate the tiles found in french house. Living in Connecticut, it is a really cold material in the winter!! but so easy to care for.

thelovelist said...

I am OBSESSED recently with the juxtaposition of wooden, weathered furniture paired with clean, white, modern pieces!

Unknown said...

Yep, these are lovely :-)

Unknown said...

Certainly with the sun streaming in like that...so inviting!

Blair Friedeman said...

Ahhh..the dining area is my style to a T! Adore it.

Laurie from Laurie Jones Home said...

Gosh, I'm getting my degree in Interior Design right now and my classrooms look nothing like the one above! :(

Sallie Ann said...

This is great, and so practical. We had terra cotta floors in the south louisiana home I grew up in. though she never actually did it, my mom always bragged she could just hose down the 1st floor!

Jaime @ laviejaime said...

I am going to feature this in my Friday Faves wrap up post today- check back to my blog after 3! laviejaime.blogspot.com :)

Happy weekend!

Silvia C said...

I grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, so terracota or tile floors were a given. We had terracota in the kitchen and then my dad made all the floors in the rest of the house with tinted cement. Gorgeous. Then my sisters made my dad cover them all with carpeting. What a waste! I would love to have those terracota or cement floors in my home now!

Unknown said...

Love that table! I want one like that so bad.

Pretty Things said...

The murals are AMAZING, and I love that clean white with the floors.

alissa said...

that table is gorgeous - and you're right the floors are absolutely warm.
Just discovered your blog, such a great collection of inspiration!

Anonymous said...

thank you for taking us there...to that mediterranen dream. i am absolutely loving terra cotta now. you can always lay a nice white/off white shaggy rug for warmth too i think.

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