The main image is courtesy of Dainelli Studio, which features the living room of project Mascheroni 15, elegantly designed in a contemporary Italian aesthetic by Marzia and Leonardo Dainelli. Photo by Matteo Imbriani.

Italian interior design has always been characterized by its luxury, innovation and elegance. With roots that straddle centuries-old craftsmanship and a culture that values form and function, Italian décor sets trends — without overtly trying — that are years ahead of other cultures, while impacting design worldwide.

In Los Angeles, we’ve taken note of a number of Italian showrooms that are making their presence known within the Robertson Boulevard and La Cienega corridors — THE area for the latest in interior innovations.

A recent tour of the new Ricca Design showroom — presented by  Anolan Luxe World to celebrate the launch of their Minotti Hemo collection — gave us a chance to speak with Italian design leaders newly arrived from Italy, expressly for the event.

Ricca Design LA showroom entrance at 138 S. Robertson, Los Angeles

Ricca Design LA showroom entrance at 138 S. Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles
Image courtesy of Ricca Design

Our goal was to understand the Italian design aesthetic more deeply and how it is impacting the current American residential design market.

Table of Contents

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What Makes Italian Design Innovative

Italian interior design has a long-standing reputation for being both cutting-edge with a blend of deeply-rooted tradition and old-world charm.

Minotti Horizonte living room collection

Minotti Horizonte living room collection representing a classic Italian interior aesthetic

Prized for its ability to combine these seemingly opposite qualities, Italian décor integrates the best of warm, inviting materials, based on antique craftsmanship with high-tech innovations in materials, methods and applications.

Ricca Design LA showroom Minotti Hemo accent Chair

Hemo Caterina armchair featured in the Ricca LA showroom

While perusing Ricca’s showroom, we noted that Italians have a tendency to “go bold” by taking risks with combinations that are not for the timid, such as stone with wood or metals with canvas.

Ricca Design LA showroom featuring Minotti Hemo mix-material side table

Hemo Anvil occasional table made of mix-material featured in the Ricca LA showroom

Rich with artistic heritage and unique, natural resources of superior quality, such as travertine, quartz, terracotta and marble, Italy is fortunate. Italian designers have, thus, used this advantage to create artisanal pieces unrivaled elsewhere.

Leonardo Dainelli, designer, architect and creative force behind the new Hemo collection stated:

“When you grow up with art inside you, you learn to create, and pay attention to details. This is how Italian design is different from American design.”

We surmise that the deep artistic heritage of Italy flows through the cultural mindset of their most talented designers, forming a design aesthetic that is natural, intuitive and passionately confident.

Dainelli expanded on his statement by using the Carato (“carat”) coffee table to illustrate his point.

Ricca Design LA showroom Hemo Carato coffee table by Minotti and Leonardo Dainelli

Hemo Carato coffee table at the Ricca Design LA showroom

The round metal table uses oxidized metal that is handcrafted to a unique, bespoke finish.

Minotti Hemo Carato ultralow profile, circular coffee table

Sideview of the ultralow Hemo Carato coffee table

Resting on four half-arched legs, the perfectly circular metal-topped table sits ultralow to the ground, complimenting a great room without being obtrusive.

In the Ricca showroom, the Carato coffee table is enveloped by a soft, beige Super mc sectional sofa, which gives it prominence to those seated, while not detracting from the overall sophistication of the room’s other interior pieces.

Puraluce lighting in Ricca Design LA showroom with Minotti Hemo living room collection

The Hemo Carato coffee table in front of the Super mc sofa with Puraluce sconce lighting featured in the Ricca Design LA showroom
Image courtesy of Puraluce

 

Key Elements of Italian Interior Design

Although rooted in an ancient, well-studied culture, Italian design does not flinch at modernity.

Minotti Los Angeles showroom living room

Living room with modern accents featured at the Minotti Los Angeles showroom
Image courtesy of Minotti

The country’s rich artistic history plays an important role in what is currently being offered to worldwide consumers. It is evident from the many pieces from various showrooms that contemporary Italian designers take their inspiration from the masters, who continue to play a significant role in their design heritage.

Armani / Casa Los Angeles showroom sofa and gold circular coffee tables

Armani / Casa Los Angeles showroom sofa and gold circular coffee tables

Whether it is the intricate detailing of a complex Baroque inspired piece or a modernized version of furniture with classic designs and updated details, Italian décor is a celebration of the interplay between old and new.

Ricca Design LA showroom Minotti Hemo leather side chair

Masterfully crafted Hemo Julia leather side chair from the Hemo collection featured at the Ricca LA showroom

Briefly stated, key elements of Italian design include:

  • Simplicity
  • Clean Design
  • Luxurious Textiles Colors & Patterns
  • Bold Mix of Mediums (especially artisanal stone)
  • Natural Light
  • Connection with Art

bedroom decorated in classic Italian style

 

How Italian Design Aligns with the American Market

The influx of Italian design houses into the American market illustrates the high demand for Italian décor in the US market. According to the FederlegnoArredo Study Center, the United States, in recent years, has been either the second or third largest market for exported Italian furniture and interior design products.

Growth of exports to the US has been driven by high-end consumers seeking unique luxury items that stand out in a competitive global market. (France has been the top market, with Germany being the other member of Italy’s top three export markets for this sector).

Close-up view of Zava Ociu large suspension pendant light at B David Levine LA showroom

View of the gold leaf internal finish of the Zava Ociu large suspension pendant light featured at the B. David Levine Los Angeles showroom

American consumers are increasingly drawn to high-end, customizable furniture with superior craftsmanship and durability. Italian brands are experts at offering bespoke solutions that allow for personal expression, heirloom quality, constructed to be passed down to the next generation.

Zava Ociu large suspension pendant light at B David Levine LA showroom

Zava Ociu large suspension pendant light at B. David Levine LA showroom

Whether it’s a tailored sofa or a one-of-a-kind light fixture, Italian décor offers the perfect blend of individuality and craftsmanship with timeless style.

Major design exhibitions, like Salone del Mobile in Milan, are attracting increasing numbers of American buyers, giving them firsthand experience of Italian craftsmanship. These events often lead to new partnerships and collaborations, bringing more Italian products into American homes and businesses.

Minotti living room in Spain ideal for indoor-outdoor living lifestyle

Minotti living room in Spain — ideal for an indoor-outdoor living lifestyle

The recent American trend towards open-concept living, with ample natural lighting and minimalist design pairs naturally with the Italian design aesthetic.

Minotti Hemo living room collection presented in minimalist open space style

Minotti Hemo living room collection presented in minimalist open space style

Focused on simplicity, functionality, and flow, Italian furniture complements the spacious and uncluttered interiors that align with the current American style.

Additionally, the age old traditions that fuse the old and the new, allow Americans to blend older classic heirloom pieces with versatile Italian modern design.

US-based architect and designer Giuseppe Patanè of Patahaus Design provided the following context:

“Italian design has continued to grow in the US market as more consumers have developed a greater appreciation of its luxurious versatility and rich artistic character.”

Patahaus Design remodeled outdoor spa in Beverly Hills

The Italian design aesthetic expressed outside in a remodeled Beverly Hills spa
Image courtesy of Patahaus Design

 

The Role of Sustainability in Italian Design

Sustainability has become a cornerstone of modern Italian design. Many brands are prioritizing eco-friendly materials and innovative production processes without sacrificing style. For example, luxury furniture brand Minotti takes under consideration the impact of raw material extraction, and whether a particular material should be natural or man-made.

Sustainable Minotti fabrics. Image courtesy of MInotti SpA

Sustainable Minotti fabrics
Image courtesy of Minotti SpA

Included in this conversation is the end-of-life scenario for all of the fibers used in the construction of their products. Minotti ensures that each material is easy to recycle or reuse, while giving attention to the performance of the material for function, comfort and durability.

For us, sustainability is not just about the material itself. Ultimately, performance is a key consideration. Our fabrics are luxurious by nature, offering an aesthetic & comfort synonymous with the brand. Weaving textiles with yarns from both natural & man-made sources give us the flexibility to play with style & performance, making sure we create our pieces with a quality that is ‘designed to last’. — from the Minotti London website

This approach resonates with an increasing number of eco-conscious American consumers, whose growing interest in sustainable and bespoke design solutions aligns well with the Italian focus on artisanal craftsmanship and eco-friendly materials and processes.

As American tastes continue to evolve towards sustainability, timelessness, customization, and luxury, the future of Italian design in the U.S. looks promising. With a focus on innovation and a deep respect for tradition, Italian designers are well-positioned to continue their influence on the American market for years to come.

 

Italian Interior Design Resources

 

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