7 Accessories Under $50 to Make It Seem Like You Just Returned from Italy

Kelly Dawson
Kelly Dawson
Kelly Dawson is a writer, editor, and media consultant. Her writing has appeared in almost every major American design publication, most notably as a longtime contributor to Architectural Digest and Dwell, and she's also been published in places like The New York Times, AFAR,…read more
published Aug 8, 2023
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Italy looms large as a getaway destination. Its food and architecture, or culture and style have always been aspirational, and lately — either because of the most recent season of “White Lotus” or your Instagram feed — it feels as if it’s the one place where everyone wants to go. 

Quick Overview

7 Italian-Inspired Accessories for your home.

Traveling to Italy is a dream for many, but you can recreate the feel of visiting by incorporating these seven accessories into your home’s design.

It’s just too bad about things like, you know, responsibilities, work, and money. But if you’re spending the summer in more familiar surroundings, there is still a way to make Italy come to you. How, exactly? By filling your home with accessories that seem to be pulled from the terracotta-colored neighborhoods in the shadow of the Colosseum. 

The seven accessories shown below are all under $50 — a steal, by airfare standards — and will make it feel like you just returned from a trip to Italy. Read on to see how you can achieve la dolce vita vibes without an actual vacation. 

Lemon Taper Candlestick
$44

Just one of these citrus-clad candles is all you need to channel the Amalfi Coast, which is famed for lemons so sweet you can bite right into them. Place it on a mantel, or on a table whenever you’re eating dinner al fresco.

$44 at Anthropologie
Riviera Striped Acrylic Drinkware, Set of Six
$59$47

Imagine drinking from one of these old-fashioned-sized cups under the sun, whether they’re full of lemonade or Aperol. Choose between red, pink, green, or white, and keep them in rotation well after summer ends.

$47 at Frontgate
Bialetti - Moka Express: Iconic Stovetop Espresso Maker
$50

Espresso is synonymous with Italy, of course, and this compact pick can serve up to three cups as soon as you say buongiorno to the day. Just make sure you have sunglasses on as you sip.

$50 at Amazon
Sicily Red Melamine Salad Plates, Set of 4
$45$35

Everyone needs a set of melamine plates in their entertaining arsenal — either for picnics or children — and these colorful ones harken back to the artistry of Italy. Thanks to its tile-like illustrations of citrus and florals, these plates will make everything from cookies to pasta look fancy.

$35 at Williams Sonoma
GOURMEX Stainless Steel Manual Pasta Maker Machine
$30

Hungry for pasta? Always! Master the skills needed to make your own noodles with this manual machine, and you can serve up heaps of your favorite dish whenever a craving strikes, just like momma used to make. Or, you know, someone’s momma.

$30 at Amazon
Elin PK - Negroni
$45$36

While it’s probably not a good idea to reach for a negroni whenever you’re thirsty, you can still appreciate its bitter-but-smooth taste by placing this artwork in your kitchen. Just be warned: If it’s up there, you should be prepared to make one for a guest at a moment’s notice.

$36 at PSTR studio
Handcrafted Marble Decorative Bowl
$42

Marble abounds in Italy, but too much of it in your home will likely make it feel like Rome’s “Wedding Cake” building — and not in a good way. Incorporate this lasting material into your design details starting with this handcrafted bowl, which resembles a flower. It’s a cool spot for your keys, as the ruler of your own castle.

$42 at Amazon

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