BRINGING THE ITALIAN OUTDOORS IN

Autumn is a special and exciting time of year, but have you ever found yourself longing to keep hold of that relaxed ‘summer living’ feeling that Italians enjoy all year long?

While we may not have Italy’s sunshine, the change of season needn’t stop you from enjoying life’s simple pleasures. Here are some tips and inspiration to help you bring the Italian outdoors inside, as summer draws to a close.

ITALIAN VIBRANCY

You don’t need to leave the house for that summery feeling when you’ve got colourful and vibrant Italian-inspired interior décor to brighten and freshen up your indoor space.

Soft furnishings that introduce pops of colour are a great way to bring the vibrancy of Italy inside. This can be as easy as changing up your cushions and pillows – floral and fruity prints are on trend and summer yellow effortlessly brightens up sofas, chairs, and bedspreads.

Plus, splashes of natural wood rattan help to recreate a classic rustic Italian look. So, why not get creative with lampshades, hanging baskets, plant pots and even mirrors? They’ll bring in warmth, texture and lighter tones, giving your indoor space a pleasant summery feel.

SUMMER TASTES & SMELLS

Food is one of Italians’ most unifying year-round simple pleasures and when it comes to cooking, fresh, in season and locally-sourced food are the cornerstone. So, consider growing your own Italian herbs inside; you’ll get instant access to fresh ingredients, while enjoying beautiful and evocative aromas of outdoor Italy.

Many of the most popular fresh herbs thrive indoors; ‘basilico’ (basil), ‘origano’ (oregano), ‘alloro’ (bay leaves), ‘prezzemolo’ (parsley), ‘timo’ (thyme), ‘rosmarino’ (rosemary) and ‘salvia’ (sage). To create the ultimate rustic summer look, place them into a classic terracotta window tray.

Basil brings summer freshness to any dish, while oregano is popular in many southern Italy and Sicilian dishes. Bay leaves add a taste kick to stews and parsley is great in seafood and vegetable sauces and soups. Sage is a mainstay in gnocchi and risotto, rosemary with roasted vegetables, and thyme with grilled and oven-roasted fish, such as ‘spigola’ (sea bass).

Why not serve your authentic Italian dishes on rustic wooden boards, or in large wooden bowls for that alfresco dining ambiance – the wood gives a summery feel and works to bring the outside indoors.

DISCOVER EATING IN SEASON HERE

BRING NATURE IN

Italians are famed for their love of spending time outdoors, which you can recreate indoors with potted plants. The stunning lily, which is native to Italy, is available in lots of colours and has a beautiful summer smell.

Bougainvillea, another iconic plant seen all over windows in Italy, also thrives indoors. Its bright blooms and smells bring that much-loved summer feeling inside. Geraniums are another great indoor choice; they spill from every window box, stone wall and doorway planter in Italy where they add splashes of beautiful vibrant colour.

ITALIAN HOSPITALITY

Italians always make time to spend with family and friends - it’s a way of life. So, when the shorter nights set in and the temperatures drop, don’t hit pause on your social plans.

Instead, make the most of every moment no matter how big or small – just like the Italians do. Bring your outside get-togethers inside by swapping out BBQs for cosy home-made pizza nights. Or, mix things up when it’s wet and windy outside with a ‘carpet picnic’. Spontaneous picnics are a big part of Italian life and so enjoy spreading out a rug and serving up some easy-to-prepare Italian treats like frittata, bruschetta, crostini and rice-stuffed tomatoes.

DISCOVER OUR RECIPES HERE

And of course, with BIRRA MORETTI, you’re always getting the authentic taste of Italy. Whether you’re opening a chilled bottle in the height of summer, or the depths of winter, BIRRA MORETTI Zero or BIRRA MORETTI L’Autentica taste great with these foods and help to transport you to our Italian home.

YEAR-ROUND SIMPLE PLEASURES

Italians take great joy in life’s simple pleasures, which helps to keep that summer feeling going long after the seasons change. Whether it’s colour around your home, growing and using fresh ingredients, bringing the outdoors in, or getting creative with how you spend time with family and friends, there are plenty of ways to invite Italians’ enduring outdoor way of life inside your home this winter.