I make three trips to Italy each year, and whilst I ship containers of larger pieces back to Melbourne, there are always treasures that come home in my suitcase.
These are the five things I hunt for at every market - portable enough to pack, distinctive enough to transform a space, and impossible to find in Australia.
1. METAL SCONCES AND CANDLESTICKS
Why I buy them:
The most versatile pieces I source. Italian metalwork - brass, copper, wrought iron - has a quality you simply don’t find in contemporary production. The patina alone tells decades of stories.
I look for wall sconces that can be rewired into proper lighting (extraordinarily useful for adding atmosphere to dark hallways or flanking mirrors), and candlesticks in various heights that work beautifully grouped on mantels or dining tables.
What to look for:
Solid brass or copper (not plated - it won’t age well) Original patina intact (don’t let dealers polish them) Interesting forms - twisted, architectural, sculptural Pairs are lovely, but singles work too.
How I use them:
A pair of 1950s brass sconces, rewired with simple linen shades, transforms a boring hallway into something rather special. They provide ambient light without the harshness of overhead fixtures.
Candlesticks clustered on a dining table (varying heights, all brass or all copper) create instant atmosphere. Far better than a single statement centrepiece.
Packing tip: Wrap in clothing, pack in centre of suitcase. Brass is forgiving - a few scratches only add character.
2. BAMBOO MIRRORS
Why I buy them:
Italian bamboo work from the 1960s-70s is exceptional - lightweight, sculptural, and utterly distinctive. Most were made for coastal villas along the Mediterranean, so they have this wonderful relaxed elegance.
The craftsmanship is extraordinary. Each piece of bamboo is carefully selected, bent, and joined. Modern bamboo production uses shortcuts; vintage pieces were made properly.
What to look for:
Intact bamboo (no splits or major damage)
Original mirror glass (even if it’s spotted - adds character) Interesting shapes (sunburst, geometric, organic) 1960s-70s pieces have the best proportions
How I use them:
Bamboo mirrors work everywhere. Over a console in an entry (welcoming, warm), in a bedroom (softer than harsh metal), even in bathrooms (if not directly in the shower, they’re fine).
They prevent spaces from feeling too serious. A Georgian terrace with beautiful plasterwork can feel rather formal - a bamboo mirror in the hallway adds just enough informality without compromising elegance.
Packing tip: These are remarkably light. Wrap mirror surface well (bubble wrap if you have it, otherwise layers of clothing), secure bamboo frame. They’ve survived worse in Italian summer heat - they’ll survive your suitcase.
3. CERAMIC PLATES
Why I buy them:
Italian ceramics are glorious - vibrant glazes, beautiful forms, distinctive regional styles. Unlike mass-produced modern ceramics, these were often made by small workshops with centuries of tradition.
I particularly look for:
Deruta ceramics (Umbria - those gorgeous Renaissance-inspired patterns) Vietri pieces (Amalfi coast - bold, colourful, Mediterranean)
Faenza ceramics (Emilia-Romagna - refined, elegant)
Anything hand-painted with obvious irregularities (proof of craftsmanship)
What to look for:
Hand-painted (you’ll see brush strokes, slight variations)
Interesting patterns or colours
Backstamps indicating maker/region
Don’t worry about complete sets - mix and match is more interesting
How I use them:
These aren’t for cupboards. These are for walls.
A collection of mismatched Italian plates hung in a kitchen or dining room tells a story. It’s collected, not decorated. Personal, not purchased as a set from a homewares shop.
Or use them. Serving platters for cheese, olives, antipasti. They’re ceramic - they were made to be used. A few more chips only add to their history.
Rita Konig suggests you use small ones as coasters which I think is a lovely idea.
Packing tip: This is the tricky one. I pack plates between layers of clothing, never stacked directly on each other. Accept that occasional breakage happens. It’s worth it.
4. PUGLIESE CERAMICS (The Chicken Plates)
Why I buy them:
These deserve their own category because I’m slightly obsessed with them.
Traditional Pugliese ceramics - particularly from Grottaglie - feature this wonderful naive folk art style. The most common motif is the rooster (or chicken, depending on your interpretation), often in green and ochre glazes.
They’re entirely unpretentious. Made for farmers and fishermen, not aristocracy. That’s precisely what makes them charming.
What to look for:
The rooster/chicken motif (traditional) Green, ochre, cream colour palette “Grottaglie” or “Puglia” marking Bowls, plates, serving dishes
Genuine age (modern reproductions exist but lack the naive quality)
How I use them:
These work brilliantly in kitchens - hung on walls or used for serving. They’re casual, warm, distinctly Italian without being precious about it.
I also use the larger bowls for fruit on kitchen counters or dining tables. They have this wonderful presence - humble but characterful.
They work particularly well in beach houses or casual country homes. Less so in very formal city apartments (though I’ve seen it done successfully when mixed with more refined pieces).
Packing tip: Same as regular ceramics - careful wrapping, accept some risk. The rustic nature of these pieces means they can handle being imperfect.
5. SARDINIAN RUGS
Why I buy them:
Sardinian rugs are my most ambitious luggage choices, but I can’t resist them.
Traditional Sardinian weaving uses techniques passed through generations. The wool is often still hand-dyed with natural pigments - saffron for yellows, pomegranate for reds, indigo for blues.
The patterns are distinctive - geometric, often incorporating traditional Sardinian symbols.
Each region of Sardinia has slightly different styles.
What to look for:
Hand-woven (you’ll see slight irregularities - that’s good)
Natural fibres (wool, cotton)
Natural dyes (colours are softer, more complex than synthetic)
Smaller sizes (60x90cm to 90x150cm - anything larger won’t fit luggage)
Vintage pieces (1950s-80s have beautiful aged colours)
How I use them:
Sardinian rugs are investment pieces. They work as:
Bedside rugs (beautiful to step onto in the morning) Layered over larger neutral rugs (adds texture and interest) Small hallway runners
Wall hangings (traditional use in Sardinia)
They bring warmth and craft to minimalist interiors. A concrete-floored warehouse conversion benefits enormously from the softness and history of a hand-woven rug.
Packing tip: Roll tightly, compress in vacuum bag if possible (I know, I know, but it works), pack along edge of suitcase. This is the “at a push” item - if the suitcase is full, the rug stays behind. But I always try.
WHY THESE FIVE?
- PORTABILITY Everything fits in a suitcase. I can bring them home immediately rather than waiting months for container shipping.
- VERSATILITY Each item works in multiple ways, in various interior styles. They’re not one- trick pieces.
- HARD TO REPLICATE It is very hard to find authentic Pugliese ceramics and 1960s Italian bamboo mirrors in Melbourne.
- INVESTMENT VALUE Hand-woven Sardinian rugs appreciate. Vintage Italian ceramics hold value. Even the brass candlesticks are worth more now than when they were made.
- TRANSFORMATION POTENTIAL A few ceramic plates on a kitchen wall changes the entire feel of the space. A bamboo mirror adds warmth. Metal sconces provide beautiful ambient light. Small interventions, significant impact.