Taking cues from the ones that know how to eat -and look- best. Elevate your meals at home by learning the musts of a proper Italian table setting.

Italians don’t go for ordinary home accessories. They prefer the ones that evoke the landscape and lifestyle of their country; the colors they were surrounded by when they grew up, the shapes of the columns of the occasional Roman temple, and the ceramics their mother would have chosen for the backyard.

Art is their way of life; they don’t even think about it that much, it is embedded in every decision they make. The molto design is everywhere; starting with the aperitivi moment, where you can easily find traditional artsy pieces adapted to their table styling. The one that demands practicality and aesthetic in equal parts. You will find glassware that is one of a kind; one piece belonged to a una zia, and the other was a special wedding present. It is a bit mix-matched, but it looks so damn good.

Whether in a garden or on a terrace or even inside the home; Italian table settings may look improvised, but every little detail was chosen with a trained eye to spot authenticity, good materials, and inherited techniques. There is; after all, an art to their table setting practices. One that we definitely try to emulate in our own dining rooms, no matter where in the world that is. For Italians, the table is the place where family and friends share the simple joy of togetherness. And very good taste.

This is a list of the handmade goods that define the contemporary Italian tableware, without leaving behind the essence of the true Italian flair.

SHOP BOTEMPO CERAMICS

A touch of color from rural Italy straight to your table. Fiori collection brings out the folklore of the Italian pottery: all the pieces are handmade, and hand-painted following the family artisanal tradition.

SHOP LOTUS GLASS TEAPOT

And talking about Italian glassware –aka where art and functionality meet-, this teapot’s sculptured shape takes inspiration from the nature of Alice in Wonderland. It is made with blown Venetian glass and yes, it is making us sigh!