Elizabeth Helman Minchilli Bücher

The world can never get enough of wonderful Italy and all things Italian. The famed ceramics of Deruta are certainly no exception. The first comprehensive book to celebrate the design and evolution of this extraordinary art form, Deruta is exquisitely illustrated with over 150 colorful photographs of coveted "majolica." The author and photographers, working with Melanie Doherty, who was a designer in Italy for several years, dramatically portray the splendors of this living tradition. We see the finest examples of Deruta tableware and tilework as well as garden decorations, fa?ades, altars, and architectural details. While some pieces are highly collectible, others are inexpensive and perfect for everyday use. Deruta also includes profiles of the artisans' studios and a gallery of their work, as well as evocative black-and-white photos of the hill town they call home. With a history of the craftan artistic heritage more than six centuries oldthis singular volume is a musthave for collectors and for anyone inspired by Deruta ceramics, decorative art pieces that evoke the spirit of the Italian countryside.

A celebration of Tuscan farmhouse style, with practical advice on how to bring the look home.For anyone who has ever dreamed of living under the Tuscan sun, Italian Rustic is the next best thing—a step-by-step guide to recreating the romance and appeal of the weathered Italian farmhouse. This nuts-and-bolts guide to building Italian-style walks the reader through all the elements that make the rustic Italian home so unique, from the hand-laid stone walls to the artisanal stucco wall finishes. Author Elizabeth Minchilli, an American design writer based in Rome and Tuscany, received dozens of questions from readers after publishing her last book, Artisan's Restoring a Home in Italy. The queries went beyond the usual searches for fabric and couches. "People were hungry to know how terra-cotta tiles were laid, or how fireplaces were built," she says. Italian Rustic, researched with the help of her Italian architect husband, is the user-friendly result: a book that explains, in clear text accompanied by photographs and drawings, how to lay a tile floor a la Italiana, or add a Tuscan-style pergola to any garden. With more than 300 stunning photographs shot on location in Tuscany and Umbria, the book contains profiles of local artisans, engaging text on how the farmhouse style evolved, and targeted advice on how Americans can find Italian-style building materials and craftsmen close to home. This essential sourcebook will appeal to anyone building an addition or an entire house from scratch, or for homeowners who want to add just a touch of Italian style to their houses.