Love your bedroom! I've been living in Lucca for nearly nine months after 35 years of Italy travel. We have a lovely English bookstore here called Etta's Bookshop. I'm presently in a book group that spun off from the shop. The owner also hosts a silent book group in her shop, where you just show up with your book of choice and read in silence, surrounded by like-minded folks. I think the silent book group, with some good lighting and cozy chairs, would be great for your bookshop.
Now you’ve gone and done it! Tempting us all with perusing for wonderful books in your cozy shop AND the joys of thrifting in some of the most well-stocked shops in Italy. Add in sight-seeing and the food. Pretty much heaven in one trip! Thinking about what I would try to find in Nonna's collection....probably couldn't leave without something that would connect me with someone from the area, something well-used, maybe a teacup, or a cabinet pull/knob. For your bookshop...maybe you could find a cool hook or fanciful cushion if you need more. I definitely love the idea of a bell to announce visitors. So many possibilities at Nonna's!
I love a good library lamp, perhaps for your desk. And a chic water jug. For the shop I like the basket idea just for folks to use while browsing and not have to hold all their purchases (as I assume their arms will be overflowing!)
I actually was looking for a chic water jug, but the one I found and loved was probably leaded crystal, so I didn’t get it for safety reasons.
Yes to the lamp, for sure! I already have multiple thrifted lamps in my house in Amsterdam that are earmarked for the bookshop, and plan to find several more.
I would go for a couple of baskets - you could sell a ‘basket of books’ or ‘the Basket Bargain Books’. I also loved the old phones - OK, no use but wow what a statement to have on your till desk. There was a lovely vase with brown swirls on it and, any teddy bears….they don’t just live in the children’s section 😀
I like the bargain book basket. I always want to buy baskets, but then hesitate because I don’t know what to do with them. And you’re the second one to flag the teddy bears! I wouldn’t have thought of that for a bookshop, but they do add a lovely ambiance, don’t they? My grandma collected teddy bears, so it would be like having here there too.
I love that little shop by the train station. I very nearly bought a big 19th century wooden easel from them, but thought 300E was too steep. There's no Mercatino Usato outlet in Terni; have you found an alternative? Nearly everything I own is from the various Mercatino outlets in Rome.
Usatopoint in Terni is quite good. That’s where I got the pretty pendant light, and also the little desk. Quite reasonable prices there. If you don’t mind sharing, I’d love to know which Mercatini you frequent in Rome!
I haven't been for a long time, but the one near the Porta Maggiore has the nicest housewares. Beautiful hand stitched 100% linen sheets, and crystal ware. I got my set of 19th c. dessert glasses there.
I'll never forget spontaneously buying the beautiful wool persian rug - 100 Euro - and lugging it home in a grannie shopping cart on the train all the way back to Santa Marinella.
So lovely, your bedroom! I would get at least one nice armchair with a reading lamp for your home AND your bookshop with a small table to put down your drink 😉. And chimes or a bell for the door of the shop. You might find the right object at a thrift store. Have fun!
I am going to pack as many armchairs into a tiny bookshop as humanly possible. I love the idea of the bell! Actually, since the bookshop is in honour of C.S. Lewis, maybe I need a bell with a sign that says,
I am madly in love with all of your furnishings. A telephone chair! With an old fashioned telephone! Gah! Sooooo good. And I have no idea what an absinthe fountain is, but it sounds like there's going to be a par-tay.
I have wanted to move to Italy for some time. While browsing websites, I see Italian farmhouses, restored to a very high degree, looking for all the world like you are in the house 200 years ago... with modern furniture!! I like Scandinavian design, as much as the next guy, but in an Italian farmhouse? Good luck with your provisioning!
I actually do need a fruit bowl! And I didn’t remember seeing the one you describe at the shop, but when I looked back at my photos, sure enough, there it is! There are so many amazing things in every direction, I feel like I miss so much.
I totally agree with you. Maybe place some figurine or a ceramic flower on the shelves. And I can see calico material, and teddy bears for the children's section.
Love your bedroom! I've been living in Lucca for nearly nine months after 35 years of Italy travel. We have a lovely English bookstore here called Etta's Bookshop. I'm presently in a book group that spun off from the shop. The owner also hosts a silent book group in her shop, where you just show up with your book of choice and read in silence, surrounded by like-minded folks. I think the silent book group, with some good lighting and cozy chairs, would be great for your bookshop.
I love the idea of a silent book club! Also nice for an English-language bookstore in Italy, because it can be as multilingual as you like.
I’m so excited to plan an entire vacation around visiting your bookstore one day :)
What a fantastic idea ;)
Hopefully this trip will also coincide with the festival you wrote about earlier this month :)
Why not do everything, right?
Half of my grandma's house must be in there! She had the exact same dresser :O
So Grandma’s Attic is aptly named. 😉
Your little desk is an absolute treasure! :)
Thank you! I’m doing a solo writing retreat in our Italy house this month, and I can’t wait to really use it for the first time!
Now you’ve gone and done it! Tempting us all with perusing for wonderful books in your cozy shop AND the joys of thrifting in some of the most well-stocked shops in Italy. Add in sight-seeing and the food. Pretty much heaven in one trip! Thinking about what I would try to find in Nonna's collection....probably couldn't leave without something that would connect me with someone from the area, something well-used, maybe a teacup, or a cabinet pull/knob. For your bookshop...maybe you could find a cool hook or fanciful cushion if you need more. I definitely love the idea of a bell to announce visitors. So many possibilities at Nonna's!
I love the idea of cabinet pulls. I kind of want to replace the ones in the kitchen, so maybe I’ll keep an eye out next time I’m shopping.
I love a good library lamp, perhaps for your desk. And a chic water jug. For the shop I like the basket idea just for folks to use while browsing and not have to hold all their purchases (as I assume their arms will be overflowing!)
I actually was looking for a chic water jug, but the one I found and loved was probably leaded crystal, so I didn’t get it for safety reasons.
Yes to the lamp, for sure! I already have multiple thrifted lamps in my house in Amsterdam that are earmarked for the bookshop, and plan to find several more.
Thank you for such a delightful post. Looking forward to reading more. All the best.
You are most welcome. Thanks for reading!
I would go for a couple of baskets - you could sell a ‘basket of books’ or ‘the Basket Bargain Books’. I also loved the old phones - OK, no use but wow what a statement to have on your till desk. There was a lovely vase with brown swirls on it and, any teddy bears….they don’t just live in the children’s section 😀
I like the bargain book basket. I always want to buy baskets, but then hesitate because I don’t know what to do with them. And you’re the second one to flag the teddy bears! I wouldn’t have thought of that for a bookshop, but they do add a lovely ambiance, don’t they? My grandma collected teddy bears, so it would be like having here there too.
If you love old telephones, don’t miss the one I actually did end up buying, along with the telephone chair! https://open.substack.com/pub/escapetothebookshop/p/finding-furniture-for-the-bookshop
That cranberry glass jug & glasses. They won't take up too much room. But what a heavenly shop! Envy, envy.
Or that lovely blue amphora!
I love that little shop by the train station. I very nearly bought a big 19th century wooden easel from them, but thought 300E was too steep. There's no Mercatino Usato outlet in Terni; have you found an alternative? Nearly everything I own is from the various Mercatino outlets in Rome.
Usatopoint in Terni is quite good. That’s where I got the pretty pendant light, and also the little desk. Quite reasonable prices there. If you don’t mind sharing, I’d love to know which Mercatini you frequent in Rome!
I haven't been for a long time, but the one near the Porta Maggiore has the nicest housewares. Beautiful hand stitched 100% linen sheets, and crystal ware. I got my set of 19th c. dessert glasses there.
I'll never forget spontaneously buying the beautiful wool persian rug - 100 Euro - and lugging it home in a grannie shopping cart on the train all the way back to Santa Marinella.
These are the moments that make memories! Sounds like a great find.
Thank you! I will put it on my list to visit.
So lovely, your bedroom! I would get at least one nice armchair with a reading lamp for your home AND your bookshop with a small table to put down your drink 😉. And chimes or a bell for the door of the shop. You might find the right object at a thrift store. Have fun!
I am going to pack as many armchairs into a tiny bookshop as humanly possible. I love the idea of the bell! Actually, since the bookshop is in honour of C.S. Lewis, maybe I need a bell with a sign that says,
“Make your choice, adventurous Stranger,
Strike the bell and bide the danger,
Or wonder, till it drives you mad,
What would have followed if you had.”
I would like all the canisters,all straw baskets, all mugs: even 1 of each!
I like the way you think.
Thank you, Sarah! That means a lot to me.
I am madly in love with all of your furnishings. A telephone chair! With an old fashioned telephone! Gah! Sooooo good. And I have no idea what an absinthe fountain is, but it sounds like there's going to be a par-tay.
I have wanted to move to Italy for some time. While browsing websites, I see Italian farmhouses, restored to a very high degree, looking for all the world like you are in the house 200 years ago... with modern furniture!! I like Scandinavian design, as much as the next guy, but in an Italian farmhouse? Good luck with your provisioning!
Yes, you’re right! It’s an odd phenomenon, especially when there are shops and markets like this, full to bursting with beautiful old pieces.
That blue ceramic fruitbowl (?) looks pretty! Glad to see you are having fun, and the lamp and desk fit well in your bedroom 😃
I actually do need a fruit bowl! And I didn’t remember seeing the one you describe at the shop, but when I looked back at my photos, sure enough, there it is! There are so many amazing things in every direction, I feel like I miss so much.
I totally agree with you. Maybe place some figurine or a ceramic flower on the shelves. And I can see calico material, and teddy bears for the children's section.
Yes! Antique teddy bears.