an easter in italy

While winter in Italy has its perks i.e., fewer tourists; beautiful Christmas lights; sale season (love it!), this particular winter with it's never ending rain and flu has left a little to be desired.  That said, spring is (almost) here and that is reason to celebrate.  So this Easter Sunday with Sandro home in bed (flu virus #5) and despite the drizzle, Elly and I headed out to catch the Scoppio del Carro....or the Exploding of the Cart.

Nope, the Duomo is not on fire....just smoke from the fireworks!

 Not willing to brave the Piazza del Duomo in the rain for three hours, we arrived late and witnessed very little of this ancient ritual....but I'm told that a dove-shaped rocket flies out of the Cathedral and ignites the fireworks packed into the "cart" (to read more, check out this link).  Of course, there is a complicated history attached to all of this but the Scoppio del Carro has been practised in Florence each Easter Sunday since the end of the 15th Century.  Pretty cool.

Crowded Piazza del Duomo on Easter Sunday

The ancient cart used for this centuries-old ritual

Well, in Italy if nothing else one can always enjoy a great meal....so off to a lovely Easter Brunch with some good friends.  After successfully fighting the crowds out of the Piazza del Duomo, Elly and I had time for a breather...and a little ballet (more like interpretive dance) in Piazza Santa Maria Novella.

Ballet anyone?

 The modern benches directly behind my favourite dancer are constructed of steel, wood and fibreglass.  They offer a perfect spot to rest and take in the beautiful marble-clad facade of the Santa Maria Novella Cathedral.  Also a great example of how the ancient and modern come together so seamlessly in Italy.

Modern seating contrasts with the facade of Santa Maria Novella...plus a dancer ;-)

Our chosen brunch spot for this sort of occasion is a lovely little boutique hotel called JK Place, located right in Piazza Santa Maria Novella.  The food is terrific and there's lots of it, a huge criteria when it comes to Sunday Brunch as far as I'm concerned...well, that and a Bloody Mary.  Anyway, the food aside, this is one of my favourite hotels in Florence.  The decor feels collected and comfortable in a way that has me planning my new (imaginary) house in Canada.

The library also serves at the front desk at JK Place. Great idea for an entryway if you have the space, or even an office.  Why not put your desk in the middle of the room?

The hotel entry.  I love the bright classic chairs, and the art leaning against the wall provides such a relaxed vibe. 

Of course my Canadian house is less than likely to have antique painted, coffered ceilings....or even exposed timber beams.  That said, combining styles and design elements is achievable even without hundreds-years-old structures.  Check out the classic fireplace mantle and wing-back chair below.  They've been paired with modern & contemporary elements like the ottoman, side chair & floor lamp.  The result is a room that feels collected over time - like someone actually lives here.  Shouldn't all our homes feel that way?

Hotel Lobby - kind of wish this was my living room right now.

A corner of the lobby featuring a beautiful collection of contrasting pieces.  The black and gold colour scheme pulls it all together.

JK Place was designed by Italian architect and interior designer Michele Bonan.  He does some stunning work, including many of the Faragamo-owned hotels (yes, this is one of them).  Despite it's pedigree, this hotel is a great example of old-new, high-low mixing.  The formal breakfast room is an inspirational example of how anyone can breath new life into a matchy and outdated dining set.  These are antiques of course, but think about painting out your chairs and leaving the table as is.  Try two matching pendants instead of one big chandelier...and built-ins are a great way to create a bespoke look.  It's all do-able, just be brave - you can always repaint!

The breakfast room is lit from above by a huge glass conservatory ceiling

Beautiful built-in buffet....topped with marble, of course.

The dining room at JK Place is more of a lounge setting with big comfy wing-back chairs and round bistro tables...all black and white set against a stylish blue-green backdrop.  Artwork and mirrors are hung gallery style at every height.  It's all very laid back but with a kind of men's club feeling done in a feminine palette.  You might think eating would be difficult with this sort of seating variation, but everyone seems to do just fine and it serves to create a casualness to the whole affair.  I've worked with many clients over the years who feel compelled to over-do the "eating seating" in their spaces: kitchen bar seating, adjacent breakfast table & chairs and close by of course, a formal dining room.  I encourage everyone to take a good look at the picture below and consider this for an informal, comfortable breakfast nook.  Much better for coffee and checking email - it might even become your favourite spot in the house!

The dining room/lounge - I've been trying to convince clients to opt for lounge chairs in a dining space for years!

A lovely vignette featuring a nice contrast of modern and traditional lighting.

I hope this little hotel offers you as much inspiration as it does for me.  Easter Brunch was our second trip to JK Place, and I'm sure we'll be back before our year is out.  Great design, great food...and no one seems to mind a dancing 2-1/2 year old in the room.  What more could we ask for?  Next time though, I want to sit in the SUN on the beautiful patio that just went up in Piazza Santa Maria Novella!

Good design extends right out to the patio with a view of the cathedral.  Great place for brunch or aperitivi (cocktails) if the rain ever stops!