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White Webb

Italy of my Dreams – The Story of an American Designer’s Real Life Passion for Italian Style

Design Log

7 Apr
italy-of-my-dreams

After a long, cold winter, spring blossoms finally emerge to inspire and delight. And so, after ten years of working on my first book, it is finally ready to face the world.

italy-of-my-dreams-bookItaly of my Dreams shares my story of the many ways Italy has transformed how I see beauty and how it influences my personal style, even today. The nearly 200-page book takes an in-depth look at four of my own homes (past and present) to show how each one was inspired by different aspects of Italian design. From Roman and Florentine villas to Venetian palaces and finally to Palladio, each chapter offers a history and visual study of timeless style.

Published by Pointed Leaf Press, a leader in books on design, art and lifestyle, Italy of my Dreams is a bit different from other designer tomes. Rather than a survey of unrelated design projects, everything in this book is connected and highly personal. I share my development as a young designer growing up in the Texas Panhandle followed by my first discovery of Italy. Each chapter begins with a history of a particular type of Italian house, then goes on to show how that style influenced great American tastemakers such as Thomas Jefferson, Stanford White and Edith Wharton. Finally, the idea is brought to the present with stunning photographs by Art Gray of my own Italian-inspired homes.

From its introduction by John Loring to the epilogue that shares how Italian style quietly seeps into the work of White Webb, Italy of my Dreams is filled with inspirational imagery, personal stories and a deep love for Italy.

Click here to purchase directly from the publisher.
Click here to purchase from Amazon.

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Matthew never misses a chance to shop for antiques Matthew never misses a chance to shop for antiques, even in Japan as a ballet dancer in his 20’s. Performing in a strange and massive production by artist Steven Arnold, it was a heady time in the 1980’s. Steven’s work was collected by Baryshnikov, Diana Vreeland, Cher, Yves Saint Laurent, Salvador Dali and others. This beautifully attired, early 20th century doll in its original case holds lovely memories of place and time, of the utterly unique Steven Arnold, and a circle of dear ballet friends that holds fast to this day. #ballet #japan #antiques
At Mexico City gallery @difane , we’re entranced b At Mexico City gallery @difane , we’re entranced by this folding screen by Imanol Ortiz in walnut and fiberglass.
Anticipation. The stage is set for a great meal o Anticipation.  The stage is set for a great meal on a patio we designed in Summit, NJ.  📸 by @phillip_ennis_photo
For a Park Avenue apartment we designed, a small s For a Park Avenue apartment we designed, a small space between windows offers up the perfect spot for a beautiful design and art moment.  📸 by @artgrayphoto  #whitewebbinteriors #interiordesign #bedroomdesign #artmomemt #artindesign
Matthew came to his passion for beautiful “dishes” Matthew came to his passion for beautiful “dishes” naturally. The most profound gift from his mother and grandmother, and later by “Ed & Tony” was their embrace and encouragement in the development of his eye. Mentorship is everything. Btw, the Davenport part dessert service was made between c1800-1815. That’s well over 200 years of this extraordinary pearlware set existing somewhat intact. The painted scenes tell us it was likely created for an English country house. #antiques #antiqueceramics
It isn’t real, but it could be. Experimenting wit It isn’t real, but it could be.  Experimenting with staircase designs featuring metallic elements, we worked with AI to create this curvaceous possibility.  Design by @kcmd24
@Vessellondon, this stunning cast glass sculpture @Vessellondon, this stunning cast glass sculpture by Danish artist Monette Larson is a delight to behold.  Evocative of sea life or a fabric caught in the wind, it’s pure artistry.  Photo by Agata Pec.
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