International Style: Italian-Inspired Design Ideas

Tuscan design celebrates its simple luxury and at-home feel through this warm kitchen. A low, cove-vaulted brick ceiling, hex terra-cotta flooring and rustic sage cabinetry in this kitchen deliver natural warmth while comfortably enclosing the space for an intimate feel. Designer Lori Venners incorporated notable Tuscan themes by displaying copper pots, vases and a dramatic wrought iron chandelier above the island. In Italy, the kitchen is the heart of the home, and this Western-Italian representation elegantly mirrors the designs found among the Tuscan countryside. Architecture by Thom Oppelt. Image courtesy of Gene Northup of Synergy Sotheby's International Realty

Nothing says Old World magnificence quite like the hand-painted cathedral ceiling and two-tier chandelier of this elegant gathering room. Looking up, the room emits a feeling of Italian renaissance and splendor, while the furnishings and accessories deliver a traditional and comfortable spin on Old World style. The most spectacular piece in the room is the 16th-century fireplace imported from Cyprus. The stone detail looks especially stunning against Austrian hand-scraped wood floors. Designer Lori Venners added beige Knole sofas to pull in the gold hues from the ceiling detail, while also complementing the chocolate-brown draperies and dark wood furniture. Architecture by Thom Oppelt. Image courtesy of Gene Northup of Synergy Sotheby's International Realty

This inviting master bathroom will compel you to leave all worries at the door. Bath time is never complete without enjoying the warmth from a gas-burning fireplace or staring at soothing water reflections on a vaulted ceiling above. Jerusalem stone, travertine floors, walls and countertops, and solid wood accents deliver an overwhelming cozy Italian feel within the small space. Travertine, a traditional building material, is especially symbolic in Italian design as it was the primary material used in the construction of the Colosseum in 72 A.D. Design by Debra Campbell Design

Perfect for both holiday entertaining and everyday meals, this Old World dining room offers elegant, Italian Renaissance appeal with a comfortable and cozy dining experience. Cantera stone walls, often used in Spanish and Southwestern designs, immediately set this room apart from the home's plastered walls and intricate murals. The brick barrel-vaulted ceiling subtly mimics the kitchen's ceiling detail, while providing a delicate contrast from the stone walls. For a decorative feature against au naturel surroundings, designer Lori Venners added coordinating artwork and accessories to the back-lit art niches and built-in cabinets, as well as the 19th-century Italian neoclassical brass chandelier. Convenient for entertaining, storage alcoves house the owner's fine wine collection. Architecture by Thom Oppelt. Image courtesy of Gene Northup of Synergy Sotheby's International Realty