Things to Do in Malta - Unique Maltese Traditions

This article provides information about Malta and its strongest traditions; pottery, glass-blowing, filigree and lace-making, folk music, Maltese food and the traditional market.

Malta is an island of traditions, each of which stem from its exquisite history. Here, 'tradition' is taken to include several aspects such as crafts, food and music - which are still present in the Maltese islands. Recently, new efforts have been injected into the revival and protection of certain dying Maltese traditions such as lace-making; not only because they provide great souvenirs for tourists who visit Malta, but because of their cultural and artistic values.

Handmade Crafts in Malta

The most ancient craft tradition in Malta, rooted firmly in the prehistoric age, is that of pottery-making. As can be seen from some of the splendid Tarxien Temple figurines (visit the Tarxien Temple, Saflieni Hypogeum and the National Museum of Archaeology), pottery was always an important form of self-expression. Today, pottery crafts are still evident, with one of the most popular being that of the 'pasturi', the figurines that fill-up the Christmas Crib. The first imported Italian 'pasturi' were very expensive and most people couldn't afford them. As a result, locals started making their own 'pasturi' from rough clay and plaster. This became so popular that nowadays every Christmas exhibitions of hand-made cribs and 'pasturi' are displayed for the public.

Although relatively modern, glass-blowing in Malta is an ancient technique that found its way to the Maltese islands during the Phoenician period around 3000 years ago. It is entirely mouth blown and hand-made, as it was in the old days, and much of the glassware today is a type of original Maltese glass with strong Mediterranean colours. The complicated process begins with multi-coloured beads, which are blown into any shape. Clear glass is then placed around the coloured glass and a shape is given to form particular designs.

Another craft, which flourished particularly under the Knights, is gold and silverware. Malta's most precious production is filigree and jewellery. This is still a thriving tradition, the work of which is often exported to major cities abroad. Cities like our capital, Valletta, are bursting with local jewellers, all of which provide a range of traditional, as well as modern Maltese creations.

From the time of the Knights, life in Gozo as well as the rural areas of Malta was relatively harsh. So craft industries became a main source of income for rural families, namely embroidery, weaving and lace-making. The traditional lace is known as 'bizzilla' and this craft was introduced to Malta by the Knights of St. John. It was called bobbin lace and was very popular for ruffs and collars in the 16th and 17th centuries. Maltese bobbin lace is made with a number of threads which are wound upon an elongated wooden bobbin or spool. A special long cushion called 'trajbu' is used as a base for the lace creation. All aforementioned craft products are easily obtainable in most souvenir shops around the island, but a visit to the Ta' Qali Crafts Village will ensure an excellent understanding of all the Maltese craft traditions, including live demonstrations!

Traditional Entertainment around Malta

Folk music is very strong in many Mediterranean countries and Malta is no exception. The 'Ghanja', meaning 'song', is the traditional music of Malta and sounds like something between a Sicilian ballad and rhythmic Arabian wailing. The first known form dates back to 1792 during the final years of the rule of the Knights of St John. It was initiated by peasants but the music has now become an all round form of popular entertainment in Malta. Romance is a popular theme in these ballads, but perhaps one of the most popular forms of 'ghanja' is the style called 'Spirtu pront' ('On the spur of the moment'), where two or more 'ghannejja' (singers) perform a duet, often a rhyming war of word, in typical Mediterranean style.

Maltese Cuisine

Like the folk music, Maltese food is highly influenced by our Sicilian and North African neighbours. Maltese platters, that accompany any glass of wine in the popular wine-bars would include olives, capers, sheep cheeselets ('gbejniet'), sun-dried tomatoes, Maltese sausage, broad bean pate known as 'bigilla' and traditional Maltese crackers known as 'galletti'. In every town one finds the typical 'pastizzeriji' which serve traditional 'pastizzi' (savoury ricotta filled filo-pastries) as well as other pastry foods, purchased off the street in a matter of minutes. 'Hobz biz-zejt' is another popular snack made from slices of crusty Maltese bread, spread with red tomatoes and topped with a little onion, gbejniet and anchovies or tuna, soaked in delicious olive oil.

When visiting the island of Malta look out for some other typical Maltese food such as 'Minestra', a very thick vegetable soup served with Maltese bread and oil; assortments of Fresh Fish, together with 'Aljotta', a delicious fish soup; Rabbit Stew; 'Imqarrun' (baked macaroni) or 'Timpana' (baked macaroni in a case of pastry); 'Soppa Ta' L-Armla' (Widow's Soup) which is a mixture of vegetables, left over cuts and cheeses; and finally, Snails, known as 'Bebbux' cooked in a hot stew. Traditional sweets include deep-fried 'Imqaret' (date pastries) and 'Qubbajt' (nougat); Easter 'Figolli', almond stuffed pastry figures in shapes such as rabbits, cars and hearts decorated with icing sugar; 'Kannoli', ricotta filled fried pastry rolls similar to those of Sicily; and Christmas 'Qaghaq tal-Ghasel' (honey rings).

Maltese Sunday Markets

In certain Maltese villages, the silence of the very early hours of the morning is broken by the bustling of buyers and cries of sellers in the traditional Maltese markets. They provide not only a place for buying daily necessities but for catching up with the news of the village. For everything from clothes to household items, the Sunday market outside Valletta is a key. But for a real taste of Malta's traditional market, a visit to the Marsaxlokk fish market in the old fishing village is imperative, where vegetables and fresh fish, as well as traditional souvenirs and crafts of Malta are on sale every Sunday.

About the Author:
Mrs Claire Zammit Xuereb manages a number of leading Luxury Hotels in Malta. If you are planning a holiday why not stay in a Boutique Hotel Malta whilst enjoying some typical local dishes at an exceptional Restaurant Malta.

Tuscan Style Decorating For The Kitchen

ATuscan decorating theme can put some old world charm into your kitchen and make it a warm homey room to gather in. The Tuscan style incorporates warm earth tones along with natural materials and architectural accents to create a time worn look. Although the look is of a centuries old kitchen you can achieve it without having to buy priceless antiques.

Color

The colors mimic those of the Tuscan landscape - rich golds, earthtones and even tones from the sea mingle together for this look of old Italy. Buy some majolica pottery (either new or old) and use those colors to influence your wall and floor choices. Using natural materials like stone, slate, granite or terra cotta for your flooring and countertops will help complete the look. Try some faux painting on your walls to give it the look of antique plaster.

Lighting

Think old world in your lighting and stay away from new or modern styles. Some nice antique looking wrought iron lights will be right in style. It's OK to also have recessed lighting for your task lights, but choose your pendant lights or chandeliers carefully. Stay away from anything too shiny and stick with muted metals.

Accessories

You can buy accessories like those you might find in a Tuscan kitchen brand new today, or you can scour the antique shops to get real antiques. Look for old pottery bowls and pitchers as well as painted or antiqued wooden bowls. Majolica makes a nice addition to a Tuscan style kitchen and you can buy whole sets of this pottery new today and use it for everyday use. Use lots of decorative jars of oils with peppers and ropes of garlic, peppers and grape vines. Antique look signs with a wine motif can add to the wall decor as can wallpaper murals in the form of Italian frescos and niches. Soften it up with lots of greenery.

Furniture

You want your furniture to have an old world look. Chunky wood tables with chippy or distressed paint go nice. A distressed wooden cupboard (perhaps with chicken wire doors) can give you some extra storage and add to the look if you have the space. Display your majolica or old world pottery behind the chicken wire to authenticate the look.

Decorating a Tuscan kitchen can be a lot of fun. You can get the look with brand new accessories, or if you enjoy collecting antiques, you can scour the flea markets and antique malls for those perfect pieces. Either way, you will be creating a kitchen with charm and character.

Terra cotta

I want to introduct something about Lagerstroemia indica plant. Lagerstroemia indica A terra cotta sculpture of Hanuman in India. The reddish color is due to iron oxide in the source clay. Clays with low iron content can result in paler colors on firing, ranging from white to yellow.Terra cotta designs outside the Kantaji Temple.Glazed building decoration at the Forbidden City, Beijing, China.The Etruscan "Sarcophagus of the Spouses", at the National Etruscan Museum.The Bell Edison Telephone Building, Birmingham, England.The Natural History Museum in London has an ornate terracotta facade typical of high Victorian architecture. The carvings represent the contents of the Museum.The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please improve this article or discuss the issue on the talk page."Terracotta" redirects here. Terra cotta, Terracotta or Terra-cotta (Italian: "baked earth", from the Latin terra cocta) is a clay-based unglazed ceramic. Its uses include vessels, water & waste water pipes and surface embellishment in building construction, along with sculpture such as the Terracotta Army and Greek terracotta figurines. The term is also used to refer to items made out of this material and to its natural, brownish orange color. In archaeology and art history, "terracotta" is often used of objects not made on a potter's wheel, such as figurines, where objects made on the wheel from the same material, possibly even by the same person, are called pottery; the choice of term depending on the type of object rather than the material. Plain unglazed pottery is often also called terracotta.Production and propertiesAn appropriate refined clay is partially dried and cast, molded, or hand worked into the desired shape. After further thorough drying it is placed in a kiln, or atop combustible material in a pit, and then fired. After pit firing the hot ware is covered with sand to cool, and after kiln firing the kiln is slowly cooled. When unglazed, the material will not be waterproof, but it is suitable for in-ground use to carry pressurized water (an archaic use), for garden ware, and sculpture or building decoration in tropical environments, and for oil containers, oil lamps, or ovens. Most other uses such as for table ware, sanitary piping, or building decoration in freezing environments require that the material be glazed. Terra cotta, if uncracked, will ring if lightly struck, but not as brightly as will ware fired at higher temperature, which is called stoneware. The fired material is weak compared to stoneware.Some types of terra cotta are created from clay that includes recycled terra cotta ("grog").The unglazed color after firing can vary widely, but most common clays contain enough iron to cause an orange, orangish red, or brownish orange color, with this range including various colors described as "terra cotta". Other colors include yellow, gray, and pink.HistoryTerra cotta has been used throughout history for sculpture and pottery, as well as bricks and roof shingles. In ancient times, the first clay sculptures were dried (baked) in the sun after being formed. Later, they were placed in the ashes of open hearths to harden, and finally kilns were used, similar to those used for pottery today. However only after firing to high temperature would it be classed as a ceramic material. The most famous terra cotta statues are those of the Terracotta Warriors in China.UsesSignificant uses of terra cotta have included Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Terracotta Army of China, built in 210209 BC. Mass producers of mold-cast and fired terra cotta figurines were also the ancient Greeks of Tanagra. French sculptor Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse made many terra cotta pieces, but possibly the most famous is The Abduction of Hippodameia depicting the Greek mythological scene of a centaur kidnapping Hippodameia on her wedding day. American architect Louis Sullivan is well-known for his elaborate glazed terra cotta ornamentation, designs that would have been impossible to execute in any other medium. Terra cotta and tile were used extensively in the town buildings of Victorian Birmingham, England.Precolonial West African sculpture also made extensive use of terra cotta. The regions most recognized for producing terra cotta art in this part of the world include the Nok culture of central and north-central Nigeria, the Ife/Benin cultural axis in western and southern Nigeria (also noted for its exceptionally naturalistic sculpture), and the Igbo culture area of eastern Nigeria, which excelled in terra cotta pottery. These related, but separate, traditions also gave birth to elaborate schools of bronze and brass...(and so on) To get More information , you can visit some products about , . The Lagerstroemia indica plant products should be show more here!Â

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MIKE SEDGE TALKS ABOUT HIS NEW BOOKTHE LOST SHIPS OF PISA

In April, 1999, Michael Sedge, Mediterranean Editor for Scientific American Discovering Archaeology magazine, received an invitation to view a new archaeological site, only 500 yards from the famed Leaning Tower of Pisa. What he found was a graveyard of ancient ships that Italian authorities now call โ€œthe Pompeii of maritime archaeology.โ€



โ€œAt that point,โ€ explains Sedge, โ€œarchaeologists had merely revealed the tip of the mystery. In subsequent years, additional research and digging would bring to light 16 Roman ships, hoards of cargoes, and both human and animal remains. It would also become a personal passion, as I followed the project, discovery-after-discovery, for three years. In THE LOST SHIPS OF PISA (published by ibooks on October 1, 2002), I take readers on the same exciting archaeological journey I experienced , while answering the questions: how, why, and what if?โ€



How was this so-called โ€œmaritime Pompeiiโ€ found?



It began in 1998 when the Italian state railroad, Ferrovie dello Stato, was digging the foundation for a new building that would house the command and control center for train movements along Italy's western coast. The work stopped abruptly when, to the astonishment of all, the haunting remains of a wooden, Roman ship came to light after being buried for 2000 years.



The ironic aspect of this is that the site had previously been declared free of historical remains. A team led by professor Stefano Bruni, who ultimately became the director of the Pisa archaeological project, had been called in to test the site, according to Italian law, only a few months before, and there probes had been within feet of this and other shipsโ€"but just far enough to prove negative.



What could have happened in Italy 2000 years ago to entomb an entire port, including 16 Roman ships?



There are several theories, but experts agree that it was probably a series of events, rather than a single disaster. For example, storms certainly accounted for some of the sinkingsโ€"particularly those that lost their cargoes. Others may have sunk after being abandoned in the ancient port.



Located only 500 yards from the Leaning Tower of Pisa, how did the city's ancient port simply disappear, and become forgotten?



Ancient Pisa was much different, geographically, thank it is today. It was constructed in a maze of canals and two major rivers: the Arno and the Auser. In this respect, it was more like modern-day Venice.



In his book, Istorie Pisane, sixteenth-century historian Raffaello Roncioni talks about a harbor known as the Porto delle Conche, that was formed by a secondary branch of the Auser River. In the vicinity of the Pisa dockyards, the description tells how the tributary turned to the right off the major artery, flowing into the Arno to create a small lake.



Researchers believe that archaeological discovery is, in fact, the ancient Porto delle Conche. Other historical records including maps by Leonardo da Vinci, support this theory.



The environment and geographical nature of the area in which the settlement of Etruscans and Romans Pisa was born and developed is now very different from what it was in ancient times. As a result of deposits accumulating in the Arno, the coast is now at a considerable distance, and the characteristics of the surrounding countryside have been significantly altered by the gradual expansion of marshland. The Auser River, for example, no longer exists. There were radical reclamation projects undertaken in the Middle Ages, at which time areas, such as the ancient port, were filled with construction materials, as buildings were demolished.



Satellite surveys, which allow researchers to track the city's ancient river-beds and waterways, provide support for the concept of a Venice-like Pisa that, ultimately, reduced the canals, lakes, and port area into a single river, the Arno. With time, and decrease in political importance of Pisa, the existence of a Porto delle Conche was forgotten.



Tell us about the ships. What were their use and condition?



So far, 16 vessels have been identified. Some still remain below the earth's surfaceโ€"to prevent decay once they are exposed to the atmosphere. Others are in various phases of preservation, awaiting removal, and still others have been excavated and taken to a nearby laboratory for final restoration. Ultimately, they will be displayed in the Ships of Pisa Museum, housed in the ancient dockyards established by the famed Medici family in the 1500s.



The ships, and vast array of relics, date from the end of the first century BC to the late fifth or early sixth century AD. Eight vessels are nearly fully intact. These include the remains of three cargo ships, three boats that were probably used on the river, one oared vessel, and the remains of one ship discovered in an upside-down position. Most of the other wrecks have been located by probes, but are not yet in the excavation stage.



The so-called Hellenistic Ship, was named based of early Greek remains foundโ€"pottery, lamps, glassware--found in its surroundings area. Ship โ€œAโ€ is a cargo ship of about 30 meters, still intact with planking and framing connected by wooden pegs, as well as bronze nails.



Each ship has a story to tell in the archaeological puzzle, as do the items found in and around them.




What are some of the items found?



When I first visited the site, in 1999, there was what appeared to be a river of amphorae and other artifacts. More than 1,000 large, plastic boxes were filled with artifacts, ranging from Greek and Roman pottery and coins to bones and jewelry. Clothing, shoes, and, naturally, shipboard instruments were all found. Ship B, another cargo ship, for example, contained amphorae that had carried walnuts, chestnuts, peaches, cherries, and plums for export throughout the Mediterranean. Vases, glass beakers, ropes, mats and leather products surrounded the 11.7 meter-long Ship C. Here too was found a coin, perhaps from the ancient mint at Bithynia.



You wrote an article recently for Archaeology Odyssey magazine in which you discuss the ancient Greek and Roman tradition of using amphorae as coffins for infants. Did this stem from your research in Pisa?



Yes. The remains of a newborn babyโ€"lacking pelvic girdle and lower limbsโ€"was found in an amphora. According researchers at the University of Pisa, it is assumed that the amphora was used as a small coffin for burial.



Afterwonderingabout how common this practice was, I contacted Dr. John Hall, a noted expert on burial practices in Greek and Roman times, at Otago University in New Zealand. He pointed out that this was a common occurrence in ancient times, since nearly 30 per cent of newborns died within five days. It was for reasons of practicality more than anything else โ€"they simply used what was on hand.



Archaeologists believe the amphora with the baby's remains was loaded on a ship ready to be taken to a nearby island-cemetery, when a storm ripped through the harbor, sending the body to a watery grave.



Is it true that researchers found 443 right shoulder bones from pigs, and only 59 left shoulder bones? If so, why the difference?



Yes. Even in ancient times, prosciutto-ham (made from the upper leg of pigs) was enjoyed by populations throughout the Mediterranean region. Because pigs traditionally rest on their left side, the meat of the right side was more tender and desired.



We understand there was a unique skeleton found. The so-called sailor and dog that has been widely discussed



An entire film could be developed around the find. Near the underside of the first-century ship labeled โ€œBโ€ was found the fully intact skeleton of a man. Within the outstretched arm of the so-called โ€œsailorโ€ was the skeleton of a small dog, which appeared to have been a bassethound.



Theory has it that, during a storm, the ship in which the sailor and his dog were aboard, overturned, tossing them into the rough waters. As the man rescued the animal, the vessel came down, pushing and trapping him and the dog to the bottom of the harbor; where they would remain for 2000 years.



What comes next: For the ships of Pisa, and you as a writer?



The ships of Pisa is an archaeological work-in-progress. Many pieces of the puzzle are still to be found, and many of the theories proven. What secrets will be revealed as the ships, one by one, are extracted, no one can say for sure. The archaeological site of ancient Pompeii took centuries to excavate, and brought forth vast artifacts of Greek and Roman life. When this โ€œmaritime Pompeiiโ€ will be fully explored is, at present, unknown.



What it will ultimately reveal is, similarly, a mystery that time will solve. I will continue to follow the developments and the research. No writer knows what projects awaits them. Perhaps, four or five years from now, I'll be working on a follow-up title. Perhaps something like โ€œThe Truth of The Lost Ships of Pisa.โ€



How can people order your book?



It is available in bookstores throughout the United States, UK, and Australia, or online from Amazon.com.

Cooking -- What You Need To Know

From ancient times till the nineteenth century cooking was basically a survival skill. The nineteenth century marked the division of cooking into two main categories.
The two branches were defined by the French, were there is 'normale cuisine' which means home cooking, and 'haute cuisine', which is cooking conceived like an artform. The major difference between the two branches is that one form should be considered as practical cooking while the other is more like cooking with a view to demonstrating skill.
The boundary between ~normale cuisine~ and ~haute cuisine~ gets thinner and thinner over time. New professional kitchen equipment and more information about cooking allow people to perform like chefs at home.
Haute cuisine cooking gathers different techniques and ingredients together in an artform. Haute cuisine thrives to gather as many aromas and subtle variations as possible to let our taste buds discover the variations of even the most ordinarily food. Color is also an important factor in this type of cooking.
While cooking was mainly a means to survive, food cooking techniques were simple ~ roasting by the fire, or wrapping in leaves to steam. The first revolution in cooking took place twelve thousand years ago, when pottery was invented.
Pottery opened the door to new cooking techniques like stewing, boiling, and frying. Actually, the heart of modern cooking is the combination of these simple techniques.
Historically, the three most important cooking styles are Italian, Chinese, and French. The oldest is Chinese. Its most popular equipment is the wok, which is a special frying pan, where food is prepared fast and effectively. Food ingredients circulate permanently inside the wok. Its design also allows to fully utilize the heat.
Chinese cuisine chops ingredients in small pieces. On one hand, this saves fuel, which is a scarce commodity, and on the other ~ since maximum surface of the ingredient is exposed to heat, dishes are prepared in no time at all.
Chinese food is considered light and fresh. Sauces and various flavors and aromas help to fine-tune the taste of Chinese food. Chinese dishes are light and fresh and Chinese restaurants are very popular internationally.
Because fuel was also a rare resource in Italy, Italian cooking, similarly to Chinese, relies on the fast and efficient exposure of ingredients to heat. The main ingredient of Italian cuisine is pasta, to which small pieces of meat, rice, corn, and tomatoes are added.
In the beginning, French cuisine involved too many spices and was heavy. This was changed by Catherine de M~dici, a French Queen, born in Italy. In 1534 she came to France, together with a crowd of Florentine chefs and bakers. They introduced new equipment that revolutionized French cooking and set new standards all over Western Europe.
Today it is very different. We can expect to find everything mentioned above and much more besides in most cities in the developed world. When next you find yourself spoilt for choice, think of those earlier gourmets who would be amazed at your good fortune!
David Owenforth is the Operator of U Love Cooking. This site has an array of info especially for the cooking enthusiast. You will find great articles and resources. Why not subscribe to our free newsletter? For all the cooking information you want, go to: http://www.ulovecooking.com

Tableware - Mix And Match? One For Everyday And One For Best?

Tableware for everyday and tableware for best

Historically couples would put an everyday set of china and a best set on their wedding lists. Most households would have a kitchen set of informal pottery which would include a breakfast set, a tea set, the teapot, perhaps some kitchen storage and maybe some oven to tableware. They would then also have a best set which almost always was a formal fine bone china dinner service. This service would be stored in the sideboard of the dining room and used only on special occasions such as Sunday lunch, Christmas, Easter and smart dinner parties. Traditionally people in the UK have had limited storage space and were only able to accommodate two sets of tableware. In the US I have met ladies who have five, six or seven sets of dishes. They have plenty of storage space and ring the changes seasonally by switching the dinner services. How wonderful to have a complete set of Christmas china to bring out year after year or a lovely set for the garden in summer.

Kitchen Dining - Goodbye Dining Rooms

Things have changed and although there is still a formal dining market many couples are now choosing to spend more on high quality tableware that can be used everyday and for all smarter occasions - dress it up, dress it down. It follows the trend for cooking and eating in the same space. The kitchen dining room is what most people want and the formal dining room is becoming a thing of the past. I'm sure most people would like both but realistically most average homes do not have the space available.

Good quality, well designed simple tableware is what is popular. It needs to look elegant and stylish; it needs to be able to go into the microwave and through the dishwasher; and it needs to match the d้cor of the home. Eating habits have changed too. Our parents were perhaps more of the meat and two veg generation whereas couples setting up home nowadays have more of a varied diet. After all, the favourite national dish is now the curry! This means that tableware now needs to encompass dishes in which to serve all types of cuisine from traditional roasts to Italian, Thai, Indian and Mexican.

Mix and Match Tableware

Many people choose not to have a matching dinner service. If the shapes are the same throughout the patterns then it need not match, particularly if the designer chooses colours from a similar and limited palette. Some may collect all blue patterns, or those with a floral or animal theme, some with wording and some people just choose the patterns they love. If you don't have a matching dinner service it takes away the worry of breaking pieces and ruining your set. If patterns are discontinued it doesn't matter. And the best thing is when something new comes out that you love you can buy some more. Just add in a couple of new dinner plates, cereal bowls and a milk jug and suddenly your tableware feels fresh again. Add some red and green patterns for winter and you'll feel like your table is perfectly dressed for Christmas.

Kitchen Decorating Ideas Can Bring The World's Cuisine Home To You

Kitchen decorating ideas are frequently based around choosing the right colors and paying attention to the little details. Remember that the kitchen is an important part of your house, where your family will gather, and guests will frequently have a seat. This being said, decorating the kitchen should be done with comfort, friendliness, practicality, and appeal in mind.

Among the most popular easy kitchen decorating ideas is the Italian decorating style. It combines traditional and modern elements for grace and elegance, with charm and comfort. This makes it a place where people can gather in your home not only to eat and prepare food, but also just to be together.

If you are thinking of Italian kitchen decorating trends, then you will need to begin by concentrating on color. This theme needs you to create a warm feel with your color, which simply cannot be achieved with white walls. Your interior decorating kitchen will be all about warm oranges, yellows, reds, and greens. This takes away every element of starkness, replacing it with an inviting feel.

Additional kitchen decorating tips for this theme include using Italian-style pictures and pottery in the right colors to continue the style throughout the details of the room.

The next stage of your kitchen decorating is to work your space properly. Remember that space doesn't always have to be filled. Many ideas for decorating a kitchen in the Italian style involve leaving some space untouched, removing any hint of clutter. The room should look lived in, and not be comparable to a showcase.

This will mean that your Italian kitchen decorating idea will need to use every bit of hidden storage possible to achieve the "open" look of the style. You can also use additional visible storage as long as you do it in the Italian style, such as hanging pots and pans from rails on the ceiling.

No matter the style you choose, your kitchen decorating ideas should be all about making the space work for you, while still managing to look great.