RENOVATING
‘She knocked and waited… because when the door was opened from within, it had the potential to lead someplace quite different’
Rounding the corner a perfect photo, as if the Italian gods were smiling on us. Italian doors, each element aligned perfectly to capture that quintessential dream of Italy. Yet my eye was drawn to a rather shabby neighbor with her letter box crammed full of junk mail. Italian doors have a life and presence that is unique to each one.
Italy has many doors that speak to those who listen.
I love each aspect of Italian doors, the dirty and the divine. And as I come to know her she is inviting me in to converse. Of course I will share these conversations with you, I know she won’t mind. x
Italian Doors -‘because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.’
Italian Doors – aged and worn over time, full of things unknown.
Italian Doors – hidden, curtained, tiny leading to rooms mysterious and cool.
Italian Doors – elegant and polished, ornate, intricate, loved.
Italian Doors – portals, quirky, welcoming after a long day
Italian Doors…….are they a passion for you?
and the gang x
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I’m a door freak too. Love Italian and French ones. Huddled wooden ones warding off the cold in the Dolomites and grand gleaming ones in Paris. I went on a door-hunt in Corsica last summer and snapped some great ones. I could’ve moved in! Xcat
I’m seeing so many now the kids are saying ‘oh Mum’s taking another door photo’ and they are spotting them for me lol x
What a great idea for a tour…we’re going on a door hunt…..x
I won’t mind at all!! 🙂 I love the doors too, so much, all of them, the beautiful and simple, the plain and gaudy. 🙂 xo
Well we will be very happy to open our huge wooden doors when you come visit one day Krista x
The colors on Via Savigliano are gorgeous!!!!! Love those market ads stuffed in the door, too. Che bello.
So many different tones and they all blend beautifully. I just don’t know how the Italians do it. This was the first time I’d seen advertising material in any letterbox in Italy. it really caught my eye. x
Lisa,
Thanks for the reply, I’ll look forward to seeing the new site. I’m always curious/nosey about what’s behind doors!
Lesley
Oh so am I, and I love your ‘foodie letters’ what a great idea and lovely way to share x
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for your very kind comment on my ‘foodie letters’. I love your blog, so much so, that I’ve started one of my own, http://www.estestestlesley.wordpress.com.
I would be very happy to put a link to your blog on mine, if you’re happy to do the same for me that would be icing on the cake! 🙂
A presto,
Lesley
Hi Lesley what a lovely idea and I’m sure many people would love to receive mail from Italia especially one like this. I’ll pop a link on my Renovating Italy fb page for you ciao lisa xx
A door opens up to so many possibilities!! To new beginnings, to new friends, to old friends and to some amazing relationships. Italy doors are stunning, oh if only they could talk!
Even the old doors are full of character, actually I prefer the old doors – they must have a lot of history behind them.
How are you all going with your new life? Is Sam doing OK, and are the kids settled?
xxx
HI Lisa, we are creating a new website where we actually go behind those doors and talk to the owners. Just getting some posts done and we have so many stories already and such wonderful characters. So in a way the doors will talk.
Even the new doors here are beautifully crafted, they will last just as long as the old ones. And the doorknockers are gorgeous.
Sam is much improved and happy as a lark here, he is in his element! lol x
Beautiful photos, but the first one is my favourite . . . . now I want to know what’s behind it.
Lesley http://www.estestest.me.uk
Funny you should say that Lesley we are launching a new site soon which goes behind these doors x
Great photos, Lisa! Is that how you say that naughty word in Italian? Its sounds like German to me, but spelled differently!
It’s certainly in English….that’s how I recognized it lol x
I’d tell you the Italian word for it but then I’d be naughty x
An eclectic collection of doors Lisa. I love the junk-mail stuffed letterbox. Thanks for sharing. Your quote is very interesting too 🙂
Oh I’m hopeless Cathy especially with finding just the right quote…a bit like walking the length of a shopping center in Australia trying to find just the right card lol x
I must admit I love the junk mail door as well x
It’s wonderful to see your Dad now blogging, you are a talented family x
The door with the overstuffed mailbox is definitely calling out to me. It is saying “You’ve been away a long time. Welcome home.”
I loved it as soon as I saw it a few meters away from it’s more elegant neighbor. For me it perfectly describes the difference between the dreamy Italy of postcards and the often practical hidden side of Italy. x
From one door lover to another dear Lisa… Sometimes it’s a case of the shabbier the better. I love a well loved door, whether that means well cared for or well used. They have a magic in Italy. It must be something about what we imagine might lay beyond. Another beautiful post! xox
I am becoming fascinated by the fascination we all have for Italian doors lol x
I always tend to steer towards the underdog, and the door with the advertising was only a minute from it’s more elegant neighbor. We are about to go behind the doors of Italy (stay tuned).
When you get to Italy let me know xxx
There is a never ending supply of wonderful old doors in Italy…and you have discovered a few more.
I see so many now Deb I’m taking photos of them all the time x
There’s a painting in that stuffed letterbox. x
who knew Italians got junk mail?
actually we got our first junk mail at Bobbio Pellice last week and it cracked us up x
Lisa, hi!
You and my husband share an absolute passion for this subject!!! Whenever we go over to Venice, or visit other Italian cities, his camera is at the ready for that special doorway that captures his imagination……. old, new, interesting hardware, unusual use of wood or even door knockers and mailboxes!!! Perhaps being an architect has something to do with it, but our holiday snaps consist of nothing else to remember our times by other than building entrances?!!!
Am living vicariously through your new adventures, and wish you all the best,
Deborah
Hi Deborah, I could imagine your husband happily wandering Italy camera in hand hunting down fabulous doorways. A friend of mine took her Italian husband home to Australia and all he wanted to photograph was the corrugated iron. I think you need to have a camera of your own, I bet you’d take wonderful images. We are slowly settling in to our new life and still have so much to organize, I fear the blog has suffered a little as a result but I am getting back on top of things now x
Opening doors was my son Marco’s & my motto when travelling Europe for the fist time. Whilst in Paris, we would see a door ajar and would slowly & respectfully open it. The joy, beauty & amazement that met our spirits & sight will remain enmeshed in our lives forever. Our motto – Open a door without fear & marvel at what’s behind it.
Rose that is a beautiful motto and I know how magical those moments would be for you and Marco. Two wonderful spirits gently stepping through those doors, brava x
I always took Carina into churches the first time here, we would quietly enter and light a candle….it’s one thing she still remembers and something I did with my own Mum xxx
love to you bella xx
I would have to go Shisa because of the scooter 🙂
It was funny Jan because just out of the picture a car had parked centimeters away from the Vespa…as we walked towards the door I kept hoping nobody would jump on the vespa and drive away lol x
So what color will your scooter be? x
Hmmm. A shabby yellow one 🙂
when I was about to buy my first car people would ask me what kind I wanted and my reply was always ‘a yellow one’ LOL x
Ciao Lisa,
They speak to me also, Loving the ‘ stuffed letter box’.
xoxDoug.
Oh I know they speak to you Doug Porter….and you listen with your heart firmly on your sleeve! Your images are so incredible and capture the heart of Italy x