10 Ideas to Steal from Giada de Laurentiis’ Italian Kitchen
Last year, Food Network star Giada de Laurentiis spent an entire month cooking her way through the Amalfi Coast for her first season of Giada in Italy. Now she’s back with more real Italian recipes, this time from Florence and the surrounding region of Tuscany.
Of course we’re always interested in Giada’s recipes — they’re easy to make and they deliver on flavor — but we also have our eye on her kitchen. Overlooking the Ponte Vecchio, the kitchen was built from scratch in just three days, and Giada herself had a hand in the decorating.
Here’s a sneak peek at her Italian kitchen and some ideas to steal. And don’t forget to tune in today for the premiere of the new season of Giada in Italy.
1. A bowl of citrus is always a good idea.
It brightens up any kitchen. And, says Giada, “You can never have too many lemons.”
2. Herbs make great kitchen greenery.
They’re resilient and you’ll always have fresh rosemary or basil on hand for cooking.
3. A cute curtain is a good disguise.
If you’re looking to hide the less-than-attractive parts of your kitchen (say, the plumbing), consider a brightly patterned curtain. We’re not sure where this one is from, but Marimekko is a treasure trove of vibrant linens.
4. Store pantry staples in clear containers.
It looks attractive and you can easily tell how much you have left (so you don’t go for your flour jar only to discover it’s empty).
5. Mix and match your dinnerware.
Forget white and give your table some personality. Giada loves the ceramics in Italy; she brings some home from all her travels. “They make great conversation starters,” she explains.
6. A good stand mixer is everything.
Especially if they come in pretty colors. “I lived by my Smeg in Florence,” Giada says.
7. Bring some yellow into your kitchen.
Buttercup yellow was one of Pantone’s colors of 2016 and it’s an easy way to bring some sun into your kitchen.
8. Get creative with your artwork.
Giada framed old movie posters from her grandfather for her kitchen, but you can do the same with tea towels, ceramic tiles, or really anything that’s cheery and colorful.
9. Embrace copper in the kitchen.
Copper is known for its ability to cook foods evenly — and it’s also trending in the design world.
10. Keep your go-to utensils handy.
And keep a salt cellar close by, too. “I like to make my own seasoned salt with lemon zest and rosemary,” Giada adds.
Season 2 of Giada in Italy premieres Sunday, July 31 at 12 p.m. EST (11 a.m. CST) on the Food Network.