Bouchet, Guy. Italian Style by Catherine Sabino & Angelo Tondini. Photographs by Guy Bouchet.

Clarkson N. Potter, 1985.  Like new, hardcover with protected dust jacket. 300 pages. Profusely illustrated in color photographs of different types of residential housing in Italy, such as villa, farmhouse, apartment, palace, et al., interiors and exteriors, showing wall treatments, furniture, objets d'art, paintings, sculpture, gardens, architecture, and more.  Issued at $35. Summary: 

Italian Style (1985) is a seminal interior design book that explores the aesthetic philosophy and lifestyle of Italy. Combining the journalistic insight of Catherine Sabino and Angelo Tondini with the lush photography of Guy Bouchet, the book moves beyond simple decorating tips to define "style" as an essential part of Italian national identity.

Core Focus and Content

1. Diversity of Design

The book illustrates that "Italian style" is not a monolith but a rich spectrum. It categorizes the aesthetic into several distinct "looks":

• The Rustic/Country: Stone farmhouses in Tuscany and Umbria featuring terracotta, wood, and simple, functional beauty.

• The Palatial/Traditional: Grand villas and apartments in Rome and Florence filled with frescoes, antiques, and theatrical scale.

• The Sleek/Modern: The high-concept, avant-garde designs of Milan, showcasing the best of 20th-century furniture and industrial design.

2. The Philosophy of Living

The authors argue that Italian style is rooted in a specific way of life (il modo di vivere). It emphasizes:

• The Art of Detail: How small objects—a bowl of lemons, a specific linen, or a vintage espresso maker—are curated with purpose.

• Connection to History: The seamless integration of ancient architecture with modern comforts.

• Light and Color: Guy Bouchet’s photography emphasizes the "Italian light"—the way sun filters through shutters and reflects off plaster walls.

3. Geographical Survey

The book is organized by region, showing how geography dictates local style—from the sun-drenched, whitewashed homes of the Mediterranean South and the colorful fishing villages of the Amalfi Coast to the sophisticated, moody interiors of the Venetian North.

Technical and Aesthetic Value

• Visual Inspiration: Guy Bouchet’s photography is notable for its "lived-in" quality; the rooms feel occupied and authentic rather than like sterile showrooms.

• Resource Guide: The book originally included a comprehensive list of Italian designers, manufacturers, and shops, making it a functional tool for designers seeking to source Italian craftsmanship.

Summary Takeaway

Italian Style is a visual and cultural celebration of the Italian domestic landscape. It serves as both a reference for high-end interior design and a tribute to the Italian ability to find harmony between the historic past and the innovative present.