My Little Italian Dream House... Until the Water Disaster Strikes!

[@julieinitaly]

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[@celticlass8573]

I think you can fix the starkness of the white in the kitchen, simply by choosing lighbulbs that are warmer. From the video, it looks like your bulbs are more on the "cool" range, maybe around 5500 lumens, and what you would need is about 3500 to 4000 lumens. Warming up the light will also make the kitchen more cozy in the evenings, and make dining at the table with friends more intimate. 🙂

[@annaleebeverley2763]

I think the shades are too small

[@annaleebeverley2763]

If you could get two of those smaller green bottles...those shades would be perfect and the lamps would work in a bedroom

[@erenareynolds6692]

Love the lamps and the sofa redesign…everything has come together beautifully

[@ralugator]

A sofa in the kitchen is such a luxury. It looks great with the throw and the soft-color linens.

[@maniizz]

I admire so much your energy and motivation for everything you do and are involved with!! It is so inspiring!!

[@RosemaryOltarzewski]

The little Italian house is looking lovely🎉😊

[@Mysticflower._94]

I genuinely LOOOVE watching you, Julie! I literally watched every video as soon as they come out if im able! Thanks for everything you do. You're so sweet to bring the hospital staff a sweet treat. It's always the little things that count. You're doing fantastic, and I'm really inspired by you. - Just a gal from Oregon ❤

[@christineskiles6592]

A little suggestion for over the stove. Is hang a large plate. Don’t paint it. Just add something to break up the white.

[@sharondavies5100]

In Spain when you sell a property the solicitor holds back some of the money to make sure all the utility bills are paid before the new owners move in. Once everything is checked and all the bills are paid the residual money is returned to the seller.

[@rosarinhodourado6558]

In Portugal also, we are Smart on península ibérica 😊

[@martinstensby2011]

So nice you got your water back! It’s quite common that an old bill belonging to the former owner shows up…. I would have painted the extractor in the green color of the kitchen, I think that’ll harmonize better with the rest.

[@pamelacrowell2007]

Hood paint ....mix the wall color with some of the cabinet color! Will still give you some contrast and compliment the existing colors.

[@TRUTHisTRUTH70]

Totally agree with this idea.

[@nobodycares9494]

The plate on the hood, ready, did take care of the problem. It looks really cute! Linen shades give a nice, warm feeling to the kitchen when the lights are on. I even like it as is, with small shades, so the beauty of the green bottles is exhibited so well. Nice job hanging pretty paintings! And of course, you made me hungry as well! Thank You for this episode, I have been waiting...

[@vickiebasu1080]

It’s so kind of you to give the ER staff a little treat of appreciation, and, from Harrods no less. Thank you, too, for the easy Italian recipes. I’m always looking for something new to quickly cook up. Bon appétit!👩‍🍳

[@nancyloper236]

Hi Sweetie! Kitchen space above stove top? Same as your Cabinets, until you find something very striking on your travels that you can add later. Actually, once it’s painted same as the cabinets, a beautiful piece of rod iron would be awesome.

[@merriestroscher5795]

The picture over the kitchen sofa is beautiful, but it is too high. It needs to feel connected visually in a proportional way to the sofa. BTW I love the blue sofa , please don’t hide it, it gives the room a real punch of color -- especially as everything else in your kitchen is very pale and the sofa has some intensity. Mirrors behind the lamps are an interesting idea. Also, I love the plates on top of the dressers.

[@vickiweaver]

With the shade of the lamp is lovely

[@maryhammer5296]

I love your videos and all the things you've done to your house. So fun! Pasta looks great. 😊

[@karenclarke1778]

I would paint the vent hood the green of the cabinets so it sort of goes away! Then put your beautiful pop of color plate on!

[@santinabrothers]

Love the Pretend Italian Cooking Show! When are you getting hooks to hang your apron and kitchen towel?

[@debraparrella2573]

Having a sofa in the kitchen is quite common in Italy. My husband's family always had one in their kitchen if there was enough room.

[@leonardniamh]

❤❤❤❤❤🎉Absolutely love your wild enthusiastic way of being, along with your kindness

[@karenclarke1778]

Now you need a couple more pictures behind the lamp do the lamp can illuminate them 😊

[@RuthG-t3t]

Hi Julie! I think your hood looks like a very pale green, not white! I was redoing my kitchen (green cabinets too!) at the,same time as you, so Ioved watching your progress as mine was going on! If I were you, I would paint it the same green as your cabinets! Good luck! Maybe ask Malcolm?

[@maisonoslo]

Hi Julie! Love your channel 🫶🏻 From a designers eye, I would paint your extractor hood in a light taupe colour that pulls from your backsplash tile. This will warm the space and help better reflect the light from your chandelier. A simple wallpaper print look cute also but nothing too busy so that it takes away from your beautiful tiles. Great job on your entire renovation! 🙌🏻

[@dlcalbaugh]

I really like the small shade on the lamp. It lets me enjoy the glass.

[@windsongdesigns6655]

Your kitchen looks amazing Julie. You should do whatever is best for your family (i.e. the couch) and whatever you prefer. Your viewers can give opinions but you are going to live there. As for mirrors in the kitchen - according to Feng Shui, mirrors in the kitchen can reflect negative energy and are generally not recommended. Just something I read that may be interesting to you. Hugs from Canada.

[@somuchdesignwithhanne]

I would paint it a similar colour to the cabinets, would blend the whole area. Lovely to see the house again, I dream of my own little Italian place

[@GabeDesjardins-x1z]

I think you should paint it the same green as the cupboards. It will then read as one unit with the cupboards on either side (right now it’s a bit of a sore thumb).

[@judyreed6254]

Love the Pretend Italian Cooking Show!!!

[@thereseevans6672]

next time you go for the weekend by yourself, let me know. i could fly in from NYC. possiamo parlare in italiano, fare la pasta, fare lo yoga, e fare shopping di antiquariato. sarebbe fantastico!! :)

[@hildaovalle1455]

Your kitchen looks lovely and I love the sofa in the kitchen. Here in California I have my family room adjacent to my kitchen, kind of in the same room and I love it. When my family visits we’re actually all in the same space while I fix our meals. Although the lamp shades are a bit too small, they don’t look bad, I love them. Great job!!!!

[@tammyr2966]

Your kitchen is absolutely beautiful and so are those lamps! Glad you got your water back on and hope you get your heat fixed! Oh, the joys of home ownership! That was so sweet of you to take cookies to the hospital!

[@jenm3056]

Julie, so lovely as usual! Very cool to take us through your process---hope your radiator gets fixed soon ;) The Demi John lamps are beyond welcoming and cool, and connect to your geography--2 cents, I recommend a non-pleated shade, big as you noted but not pleated so it is more about illumination and grace than more activity in an already lively space. Best vibes to your gorgeous home! (Also, for the roof top garden? You may need to go full desert/arid xeriscaping bc it is full sun and you are often away and can't water...if you lived there full time, Mediterranean plants, of course! But you may be dealing with more arid conditions than your neighbors, as this is not your primary residence and the plants have no buffer or consistent water sources on that roof. As a desert dweller, I recommend do a few lovely cacti/agave/California poppy/Russian and other sages/sedum/bougainvillea [gorgeous color and robust in heat]/etc. You may have more luck in the spring/summer). You also may be able to do some rainwater harvesting and hold a reservoir? Have the best time in your home!🌵🩷🌹

[@deniseblackman5229]

Love love the Demi john lamps. Whenever I’m in Italy I wish I could fit some in my suitcase!

[@sharonbaptista1122]

Linen shade will be great. Of course like you said it has to be larger. Good choice.

[@deborahdoll4111]

Love the kitchen as is. The mirrors would be too much I believe. Think of a printed lampshade instead.

[@goldenineke]

I personally would prefer the extractor hood cover be painted the same colour as the cabinets.

[@carolinekirby4904]

If you have some of your green paint left over ,could you mix some green with the light gray and see if you could come up with a contrasting green ,what do you think?

[@deniseblackman5229]

Such a fun vlog!

[@pamelareed973]

Great video , grew up eating this pasta . My family is Italian …. Love the way you styled your pictures and the lamps !! Yes , definitely bounce back from the lighting , maybe it would look nicer a smidge darker grey . Your kitchen is fabulous , well done !!

[@lynnpetti3817]

Is the extractor cover a different material that the walls? Different textures reflect light differently. I’d paint it the same color as the cabinets since it is actually not a decorative feature to be highlighted. I would do a more gathered, draped thing with the linen throw. It would addd more texture and also not look like you are trying to hide the couch.

[@beccapony77]

We have a sofa in our kitchen too. 🙂

[@sierramist0789]

I can’t wait to try that recipe!

[@chiaramaria308]

Just make a template of your glass for a marble copy to be made. Safer and easier.

[@suemahoney7330]

I love your little Italian house and all you have done. The plate on the hood was a great solution. I always laugh when people spend a lot of time styling sofas. I do not like a lot of pillows and wonder where everyone is supposed to sit. Yours looks perfect!

[@ritawilkinson401]

I love your videos---you and Luke have done a wonderful job at Mapperton. I am glad you have a place to escape to in Italy.

[@nancychestnut8928]

Love the lamps! Wish I had one, they're so attractive.

[@Maximusrex4575]

I think you should leave the kitchen hood the color it is and have an artist paint a colorful Italian rooster like on your dishes on it. Also, instead of mirrors find some large beat-up copper cookware to hang on the walls. And while a sofa in the kitchen might not be the norma it makes so much sense in that house.

[@marthadarbanville5082]

Great fun today. Thank you!

[@thereseramey7743]

I add shrimp and spinach in the same recipe! It's so good!

[@pirekova]

You sure know how to use your time. Chapeau, Madame!

[@joannejobling5754]

Hi Julie I think the cooker hood would look nice in the same colour as the green cupboards ❤xx

[@kathymcfarland5516]

The exhaust fan hood is just fine! No need to repaint or fuss with it. The beautiful plate will soften the perceived glare of light. Much ado about nothing! Think hard about having mirrors in a kitchen! Cooking will create a film of 'kitchen residue' and mirrors will become a bear to keep clean! Your idea of the wine jug lamps is fabulous, except I would go for much larger bottles -- about three times the size of the ones you found! Those appear to be too small to balance out that area properly! Love the idea of the French linen toweling or grain bag fabric for the horsehair chair. Wonderful kitchen!

[@denasutera]

@@kathymcfarland5516 Exactly what I was going to say! Brava Kathy

[@trishaeverton9592]

Stencil on the extractor hood. Terra cottas and greens etc

[@Ellierua]

Would love to see mirrors behind the tables. I think it would work. Love the lamps and cushions. All looks so cosy.

[@ClassyCollectionsDigitalVault]

No need to paint the hood. It's the light that makes it look brighter than other walls. No mirror 🪞 in the kitchen.

[@consueloabennett7402]

I love the couch in the kitchen. Very cozy.

[@karenclarke1778]

I actually like that shade!

[@paulamccarthy8197]

I think maybe a larger shade on the green bottle but it’s obviously your beautiful house:) and it’s what your family like, I think because a majority don’t have a sofa in the kitchen in England but I think it’s probably very useful and cosy

[@GabeDesjardins-x1z]

May I change my mind? I’m further along in your video, and now that I see your hood fan with the plate affixed I think it looks great and you shouldn’t change a damn thing IMHO!

[@anngray-trufant4362]

On the exhaust fan hood, I wondered about putting tiles on it, like more of your border tile with the blue. That would coordinate with the sofa, etc., across the room. It all looks amazing. 😊

[@sierramist0789]

I am so glad you water is back on. Having no water is a major stress. I think you should decorate the vent hood. Maybe with a wreath or small tapestry. 😊

[@andrealandsburg]

I'd paint the hood same colour as cabinets.....adding the plate will give you the pop of colour you need...otherwise it makes the hood too obvious. I agree with your family about leaving the sofa in the kitchen..it is the main gathering spot in the home, also when you have a lot of family and friends ,people will migrate between the two rooms...everyone will still be connected , yet there's more seating, and a quiet spot if someone wants to read or quietly chat and still be part of the goings on. Perfect! I'm so happy with the fabrics you've chosen to soften the sofa..they immediately soften the blue and creates a cosy ambience. Yes, to mixing the French linen with the Italian elements...

[@pandjjensen]

Hi Julie! If it were mine, I would paint the hood the green cabinet color and then do a large simple stencil in the center with the wall color with maybe a touch here and there of the other colors you have in the room.

[@PQ190]

Consider painting range hood the same color as the cabinets so that it doesn't stand out at all. Flat shade vs pleated shades would suit kitchen better

[@rosemoro9847]

That is one of my favorite meals.

[@NancyCassell]

I don't really have an opinion about the extractor hood color -- you're the one to live with it. That said, however, it looks like there is a nail on it in the upper central portion. Yes/no? IF you hang something there to "break up" the white, it will not look so stark. Something fabric (quilty or woven), or a kitchen-y picture with your green color in it... my idea.

[@catherinetaylor5804]

Yes! I’ve made the same recipe a lot! Sometimes I finish it with a bit of parsley to bring in a herbaceous hint. Other time, I might spritz it with a bit of lemon juice. I often use it as a contorno (yep, that’s me trying out my Italian from my Babbel lessons haha) to grilled shrimp or chicken. Love it and you aced it! You go, girl!!!

[@ej12349]

Have you decided on what to do with the little alcove next to the windows? Possibly a little book nook for your cookbooks and other reading material?

[@keithj3223]

Suggest painting it same color as stove..so like a unit...both are the "cooker" suggest a Satin finish same color as stove....AND JULIE.... doing video on your secret room in cellar?

[@vickiweaver]

I think that extractor hood is just fine

[@avivat3010]

Hi Julie, thank you so much for sharing your Italian life with us!! I love it. The baseboards in your kitchen look to be about the right colour for the front face of your stove hood. I'm not sure if it's the right type of paint, though. I love all of the decor details you've brought into the kitchen. I have a beautiful hand painted tiny Portuguese lamp base that I bought on a trip there, I'm wondering if I can find a similar fitting here in Canada for it. Great find! As to the slow moving water at your kitchen faucet: sometimes there's an aerator (strainer) built into the end of faucets which collects minerals and detritus, eventually slowing the water flow. The aerator is located at the end of the faucet, so if you insert your finger into the end of the faucet, you will feel the screen. The piece holding the aerator is threaded on, so you may only need to grasp the end of the faucet and twist. They should be hand-tightened so that you are able to remove them without tools. (If you need to use an inappropriate tool - pipe wrench, vise grips, etc., make sure to protect the faucet with several layers of a cloth or something soft!) Always check online for your particular make of faucet for information, as I just discovered there are tools made specifically for this which may be designed for your particular faucet!) The blockage can be rinsed away on removal of the aerator and when you put it back on the faucet, your water flow should have increased. TA DA!

[@martinacatinelli]

Fab, love it all xxx

[@SillyStephPaul]

Hello Julie! I think you shouldn't have mirrors in your kitchen. Just the painting behind your couch looks just fine by me.

[@magsstewart5488]

Put frosted bulbs in the chandelier? Or add a dimmer switch? Or hang something large on the extractor to cover most of it.

[@Pam-xx2ie]

I think painting it the trim color would be pretty. Probably with the lighting, it would warm it up just enough. Love the paintings in the kitchen. I like the linen shade color

[@caropapa]

Good morning Julie , there is a saying and it is oh so true, LESS IS MORE, your`e kitchen could start to look too cluttered. Merry Christmas, Carol from New Zealand.

[@katemoore6249]

Beautiful! Love the lamps!!

[@judgestephanieboyd3474]

copper will patina and compliment the green

[@paulamccarthy8197]

I agree

[@kathleenpeplow6163]

Your little Italian house is looking absolutely gorgeous! Well done Julie 👍👏😊

[@LindaThorpe-v2h]

I like the idea of mirrors behind the table lamps 😊

[@shawndaclose2579]

The mirrors behind the end tables is a WONDERFUL IDEA. I think the lamps would look better not matchy as well, since they are different sizes. The couch looks good w/ added pillows & throw. A 2nd throw with some pattern folded vertically would complete the look. As far as the kitchen hood... I am an artist by trade. You are right about the fact the hood is close to direct light source & there is only light green framing both sides of the light grey, so there are no shadows, etc... nothing hanging on the hood (I still think you should hang something up there, like the platter your hubby got you, but I know that's a BIG COMMITMENT, 😆). Another reason it looks stark (especially on camera) is depth perception with lighting & how shadows & angles deal with depth in reference to the walls, lighting, etc... but, the main thing is the hood is close to light source and nothing is on it or around it. Lookin' good in there. 👍 You handled the water challenge like a CHAMP 🏆 💪😅... Your lunch looked AMAZING! Happy Holidays from 🇺🇸 Oklahoma in USA. I enjoy your lil' Italian house & your cooking show! ❤

[@doreleimcmillan7924]

If I was younger....I would move there just to shop at your favorite place. And to eat....and drink coffee. I can see a handpainted design on your hood with vines and flowers.

[@Oliver-Can]

Pretend cooking shows are jolly fun , ı definitely enjoy it and would even like to watch longer cookings 😄😀 Thank you Julie

[@ARTEMISE31]

I love that blue sofa, its a great pop of colour. Have you thought about leaning mirrors behind your lamps instead of directly pinning them to the wall?

[@chiaramaria308]

Maybe cover the hood with copper or brass to match the taps. It needs more finishing. Most hoods aren't like the walls.

[@catherinetaylor5804]

Hi Julie. Have you thought about the possibility of painting the hood the same color as your cabinet doors? To me, that gives a cohesive look to the area then you can find an objet of a light color, maybe a beautiful large plate, to hang there . Or you can bring out the brass of your tap with a patina’ed ornamental piece. Just love your videos. You are doing exactly what I plan on doing in about 5 years when I plan on bouncing between Canada where I’m from, the US where I currently live, and Italy where my husband’s family is from. Huge thanks for all the inspiration! Maybe one day, we can meet if we ever find ourselves in Tuscany at the same time!

[@karenmarie3326]

Is it a common design element for cabinet boxes to have a different color versus the door and drawer fronts in Italy. It’s not common in America and for that reason alone it’s difficult to be pleasing to my eye. The green color is beautiful and I do love it paired with the blue sofa, I wouldn’t hide the sofa I’d add more of the bold blue in the kitchen. I do love the plate on the hood above the stove. You are a very sweet person to watch thank you for this content.

[@carolynschulze8801]

Please make it disappear and remove it as a focal point in the kitchen. When you enter the light color draws your eyes to it and serves no purpose. Painting it the same color as the cabinets will make it blend into the cabinets and disappear allowing visual elsewhere into the lovely room. Also, flank the flat picture behind the sofa with something vertical that will protrude out into the room to break up the flatness of the wall (perhaps something ironworks) and make the picture area a wall focal point for balance to the other side of the kitchen. The light reflection from the top of the lamps will highlight whatever you hang there. No flat mirrors. They will only reflect the lamps into four lamps. 🤔😊

[@louisemaree2704]

Love you ability to fix things. It's just like me! Loving your beautiful home ❤

[@lisahyde152]

I agree with the other commenter you should just paint your oddly light space the same color as the cabinets.

[@kfix3080]

Above the stove Put a cute shelf and art work with a landscape theme or mirror and or candle sconces. Decorate it!

[@marympostupakakababa3016]

🤔 Maybe add distressed copper on the extractor hood would look nice. Love your videos! ❤

[@Dolcedefence]

My family makes that all the time, it was my grandfathers favorite, and one of mine as well. So simple and delicious. I put some parsley in sometimes too :)

[@SarahSmith-pj6hy]

Julie, completely of topic, I would love you to do a wardrobe tour, your choice in clothes is always spectacular, timeless & beautiful. Being nosey as I am would love to know where you have purchased/ acquired your outfits.

[@ber9313]

So with the hood thats stark white there is this artist in Lake Como who does murals. I could see a gold color mural there. She has a vlog called Dreaming of a Chateau. She's been redoing her house in Lake Como. Maybe you could comission her. I could something in gold tones going there.

[@Noneofyourbusiness_221]

I would hand the larger picture above the stone shelve on the wall and I would hang the smaller a little under the shelve. I would not hang anything above the hole in the wall, it is an accentuation all by itself, it shouldn't be ruined.

[@CatrinaAttard]

i wood suggest asking guy who did the cabinets to do a wood border on it same as your cabinets and paint it green too.

[@jodidelucca4190]

lol I live in Sicily, and almost every home I have visited has a sofa in the kitchen! It’s very Italian. ❤

[@Susan.I]

Did you get your water turned on?