Is there anything dreamier than a vacation along the Amalfi Coast? That’s a hard question to answer. From its vibrant villas to the illustrious Mediterranean blue water, it’s tough to resist even the thought of buying a plane ticket immediately and diving straight into la dolce vita.
From local ceramics and citrus scents, here’s how to bring the Amalfi Coast into your home wherever you are.
The Decor
Lemons, pasta, and flowers – oh my! You can capture the charm of the Amalfi Coast inside your home with just a few staple pieces. First things first, let’s start with la cucina. The kitchen is the heart of Southern Italy and where we all dream of gathering with our friends and family over a delicious bowl of spaghetti al pomodoro.
To create the allure of dining on a panoramic terrace in Amalfi, start with your table settings. If you have space, why not purchase a lemon-adorned table for your garden or patio? Many ceramic artisans from the coast, like Ceramiche Casola, ship their custom tables worldwide.
If you aren’t ready to invest in a table, don’t worry – with just the right table settings and touches, you can brighten your dining area to mimic the Italian sunshine. Look for table linens that add the perfect pop of color, like these majolica-tile prints and citrus patterns. If you’re looking for something understated but effortlessly chic, opt for a luxurious eyelet linen tablecloth by Society Limonta.
Nothing presents a plate of pasta better than a colorful dish, decorated with fruits, fish, and all the tokens of the Amalfi Coast. Many ceramic makers on the coast, like Ceramiche Casola, sell brilliant tableware like espresso cups to pasta bowls. For the perfect seaside touch, Vietri’s Campagna Collection brings the coast straight to you with dazzling settings inspired by traditional ceramics from Amalfi.
To set the mood at home, everything has to smell just right. From fresh citrus, white flowers and a hint of sea air, the aromas of the Amalfi Coast all come together to remind you that you’re in one of the most beautiful areas in the world.
The Style
To feel Sophia Loren-level fabulous, there are many ways to dress as if you’re living every day on the beautiful Amalfi Coast. The best part about dressing up for a vacation in southern Italy is that comfort is key. The hot summer sun and gentle sea breeze means your outfits should be light, airy, and just vivid enough to match the gorgeous scenery.
Antica Sartoria, a brand born in Positano, designs clothes so that you can dress for the Amalfi Coast anywhere – even if you’re just having a spritz on your couch. The boutique sells a wide array of clothes and accessories that channel the color and zest of the area. We’re talking bright lemon-centric patterns, beaded dresses, and simple linen shirts.
The Pantry
When day dreaming about the Amalfi Coast, I’m sure you can’t help but imagine yourself eating something absolutely divine. Bringing the flavor of this beautiful coastline into your home means sourcing your pantry staples carefully. Let’s start with olive oil!
Among the cascading cliff-sides, olive trees grow like crazy – and these olives are truly mystical fruits that add depth of flavor to every dish. Drizzle the Amalfi Coast into your dishes with Francisco Pepe’s mono-cultivar extra virgin olive oil or L’Arcangelo Crescimi, two stellar choices that will make any pasta or bruschetta shine.
Now, let’s talk pasta. From tagliolini al limone to ravioli capresi, the Amalfi Coast is home to many pasta shapes and legendary dishes. To recreate these dishes, be sure to stock your pantry with pasta from Gragnano. Located right at the start of the Amalfi Coast, this tiny hilltop town has been producing pasta for over 100 years! Gragnano’s bronze-extruded pasta has it all – shape, flavor, and consistency for the perfect al-dente bite. Pasta di Martino simplifies having the best Gragnano pasta at home.
What Pasta should you order? Well, there are three in particular that are definitely Amalfi approved. First, you have scialatielli, a short pasta that is unique to the area and candele, a kind of thick bucatino you can break into pieces for saucy pastas. I also love paccheri, a large tube-shaped pasta that will make any rigatoni lover happy.
Let’s be honest – you can’t have an Amalfi Coast-inspired pantry without tomatoes. Most importantly, you need San Marzano tomatoes. These tomatoes grow in the volcanic soils in the San Marzano area at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, lending a beautiful sweetness and acidity to the tomatoes that you can’t really find anywhere else.
The thing is, most San Marzano tomatoes out there aren’t the real deal. You need to find that are certified from the Agro-Sarnese Nocerino P.D.O area. These tomatoes will have two seals of certification – one from the P.D.O. and the other from Agro-Sarnese Nocerino. You can find true San Marzano tomatoes on Gustiamo, like these from DaniCoop Gustarosso.
And lastly… To Drink!
You cannot channel the Amalfi Coast at home without limoncello, and that’s a fact.
Limoncello is a zesty delicious lemon liqueur that you’ll find in every home and restaurant on the coast. Everyone and their nonna makes limoncello. It’s a symbol of hospitality and a celebratory finish to any delicious meal.
Before you go purchase a bottle, why not try making it home like the locals do? It isn’t as difficult as you’d think – and much more delicious than anything store-bought. It only takes 3 ingredients and a bit of patience, if you’re looking to give the gift of limoncello, check out Don Ciccio & Figli.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how much of an Amalfi Coast mood are you in now? for more info on accommodations and trip arrangements please contact us on info@amorerentals.com
Safe travels! 🙂