How to Decorate With an Italian Cafe Theme

An Italian cafe theme takes the coziness and the intrigue of an Italian cafe and brings a plain kitchen or dining area to life. This look is reminiscent of a cafe found on a bustling street in the heart of Italy. The transformation involves incorporating Italian colors, prints and decorative accents to recreate the look. The goal is to allow guests and family to feel as though they are enjoying an espresso at a cafe in Venice or Florence. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Strip the entire room bare of all current wall accents or home decor.

2

Prepare the walls for painting by wiping down with damp cloth and removing nails or foreign objects from the walls. Fill holes or indents with drywall or plaster compound if needed and let dry. Apply a basic primer to the walls if desired. Apply paint and let dry completely.

3

Apply chalkboard paint to one wall or one portion of the wall--trim the area out with crown molding if necessary. A chalkboard can be nailed to the wall as a substitution. Write Italian menu choices, personal notes or favorite Italian quotes on the board with chalk.

4

Attach the plate racks and plates to the walls for decorative flair.

5

Secure the shelves to the walls. Add copperware and fill with greenery and floral accents. Use small accents like ceramic Leaning Tower of Pisas, wine bottles and metal Italian landmarks to decorate the shelves between the greenery. Fill in blank wall areas with Italian prints.

6

Place the Italian chef near the doorway to welcome guests with his chalkboard.

7

Set up the antique Italian espresso machine in a noticeable, but functional place. Accent the machine by surrounding it with flavored Italian coffee liqueurs.

8

Set the table in a corner of the room--preferably near a window or French doors. Lay the tablecloth on the table. Decorate the table with white desert plates, silverware, white napkins and Italian coffee cups or espresso cups. Light the votive candle in the center of the table.

9

Keep the wines of the world metal and tiled tray close by for authentic Italian serving. Light the ficus tree and place in the corner for subtle room lighting.