The Story Behind My Italian-Inspired Kitchen

When my husband and I bought our 1930s Tudor in Minneapolis 18 years ago, the kitchen had recently been remodeled. I didn’t love the look, but after cooking with my sister in Italy, I had learned that as long as I could boil water for pasta, tutto è bene!

Over the years, I tore Italian-inspired kitchen photos from magazines and thought often about the 100-year-old, terracotta-tiled kitchen in our villa on Lake Como. I knew that whenever I finally made changes to our own kitchen, I wanted to bring in some of that old-world Italian warmth and character.

About three years ago, I finally did it. I painted the cabinets blush pink, found a beautiful piece of quartzite for the countertops and backsplash, and replaced the granite island with rich walnut slabs.

It wasn’t a full gut renovation, which I actually think made the process more interesting. I worked with what was already there and layered in color, texture, and a few details that remind me of Italy.

Here are some of the questions I’m most often asked about my Italian-inspired kitchen, from the pink cabinets and walnut island to, of course, the Alora fragrances I love using in the space.

Where did you find inspiration for your Italian-inspired kitchen?

So much of the inspiration came from my time living and traveling in Italy. I’ve always loved the old, well-used kitchens there, including the teeny-tiny one in our 100+ year-old villa on Lake Como. They weren’t necessarily perfect or precious, but they had so much warmth and personality.

I’m also a longtime fan of House & Garden and the British approach to interiors. I love the contrasts, the layering of color and pattern, and the way a room can feel collected and beautiful while still being cozy and comfortable.

My kitchen really became a combination of those two influences: a little old-world Italy, a little English layering, and a lot of things I simply love.

Image Source: House & Garden | Photo Credit: Catherine Gratwicke

Which kitchen details remind you most of Italy?

The color palette, the warmth of the walnut and quartzite, and little functional details like the built-in drainboard all give the room that Italian-inspired feeling for me.

The warm pink, copper, and teal-green tones were very intentional. They’re colors I love and have always associated with Italy.

And I absolutely adore the built-in drainboard. It’s something you often see in European kitchens, and I was thrilled that the fabricator could incorporate one directly into the quartzite. It’s incredibly functional, but I also love that it gives me one more way to appreciate the stone.

Why pink kitchen cabinets?

Because we weren’t doing a full gut renovation at the time, I initially let the existing floor tile help guide the cabinet color. I wanted a pink that worked with what was already there, knowing I was layering in other changes around it.

Finding the right pink was much harder than I expected! I had no idea how dramatically natural and artificial light would change the way the paint looked throughout the day.

Most of the time the cabinets look like the dusty rose I chose, Benjamin Moore Chippendale Rosestone. At certain times of day, though, they definitely lean a little more Barbie pink.

Either way, I love them. And as a bonus, the color matches one of my favorite Italian coffee cups.

A little later, I did convince my husband that we should replace the original tile with large-format porcelain squares that have the look and warmth of terracotta. That ended up making the pink cabinets feel even more at home.

What countertops did you choose?

A dear friend, an interior designer, took me to Terrazzo & Marble Supply Co. here in Minneapolis, where we found a slab of Fusion quartzite.

The minute I saw it, I knew it was right. It has these beautiful pinky-coral, rich brown, and bluish-green tones that tie so many elements of the kitchen together. It’s dramatic, but in a way that still feels natural.

I was also talked into doing a leathered finish as part of my Italian-inspired kitchen, which lets you really feel the texture of the stone. And yes, it has held up terrifically.

I’ve always loved wood in a home, and one of the things I wanted most was a big walnut island. I got very lucky when a talented furniture-making friend told me he had three beautiful pieces of walnut available. 

There’s a lot I love in this kitchen, but every time I walk in and see that rich walnut, I’m still so happy we did it.

What is your favorite part of your Italian-inspired kitchen?

Oh boy, that’s a hard one.

If I had to choose, I’d probably say the copper sink. I’ve always loved copper, but I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy watching the patina change depending on what touches the surface.

The color and tone are constantly shifting, which makes it feel alive in a way. It’s practical, beautiful, and just a little unexpected.

What Alora fragrances do you use in your kitchen?

Fragrance is another layer of design for me, right alongside the tile, walnut, and stone.

I tend to change the scent with the seasons. In spring and summer, I love fresher fragrances like Arancia and Toscana. In fall and winter, I often reach for warmer favorites like Tre and Vaniglia.

I also love burning a Festa candle during the holidays when Marie and I bake. And for hand wash, Agrume is one of my favorites in the kitchen. Its crisp grapefruit is especially welcome after chopping garlic!

If you love the idea of bringing a little Italian inspiration into your own kitchen but can’t choose just one fragrance, our Italian Trio is an easy place to start.

What are some of your favorite Italian recipes to cook here?

This kitchen always makes me think about the meals my sister and I cooked while living in Italy, so I naturally find myself returning to many of my favorite Marcella Hazan recipes.

Chicken cacciatore, bolognese, milk-braised pork, and her pesto are all favorites. The pesto especially is on repeat at our house all summer and has long been one of my kids’ favorites.

I truly love being in this kitchen. It turned out to be exactly what I hoped for: warm, pretty, memorable, and filled with little reminders of my time in Italy.

Cheers to beautiful meals and memorable moments shared in the cucina!