Italian provincial furniture captures the rustic elegance of the Italian countryside. While it is often mistaken for the curvier and more decorative French provincial, this style boasts straight legs and classic lines with painted areas. It is often created in white or ivory with a pecan fruitwood finish. It looks lovely in either a formal or semi-formal setting with fine wood or travertine tile floors in a creamy white.

Here is a mini-glossary of key terms for Italian Provincial furniture:

Acanthus:  A type of leaf detailing seen in classic furniture. Look for it on carved wood furniture, metal bases and in mirror frames.

Armadio: A storage cupboard with doors, more commonly called by the French name, armoire. It works nicely for extra storage of linens, toys, sweaters or televisions and electronics.

Credenza: A buffet table with doors and shelves.  Traditionally used in a dining room, these work great in a living room or family room under a flat screen television.

Cassone: A low, usually wood, storage box.  It’s perfect for keeping blankets at the end of the bed or shoes in a mudroom.

Commode: A chest of drawers.  Think outside the bedroom for creative uses like in an entry with a mirror above or for storing games in the family room.

Console: A hall table, sometimes with a lower shelf.  Consider one for the entry with a mirror above it.

Gilt: Gilt refers to something being gilded with gold.  Look for giltwood mirrors to add sparkle and glamour to a bedroom, bathroom or foyer.

Gueridon: A small table with straight legs and often small medallions at the top.  Use these as a side table or even a bedside table.

Millefiori: Literally means “a thousand flowers” and is a pattern most commonly seen in Murano or Venetian glass works.  Millefiori bowls or vases make colorful accent pieces.

Pietra Dura: An inlaid stone table top.  Pietra Dura tables usually have metal bases, making them perfect for an outdoor living space or garden room.