Features

"Eating lentils is a tradition that dates to ancient Roman times. To mark the New Year and to wish friends and neighbors prosperity, the ancient Romans would gift a scarsella, a leather purse full of lentils, with the wish that they would turn into gold coins. The coin shaped lentils symbolize prosperity and once cooked, increase in size, evoking the idea of abundance."

Lunigiana Renovations wishes you prosperity and abundance in 2022. Buon anno!!

To read the article, click the link below.
easymilano.com/why-do-italians-eat-lentils-on-new-years-eve

All Images are taken from the article and belong to the author.

Via San Gregorio Armeno in Naples is magic Land - artists and artisans have been creating Christmas figurines here for more than 700 years...imagine that!
Everyday scenes with butchers and bakers and candlestick makers is created with breathtaking, realistic and authentic detail....walk through Christmas with us and see for yourself- you won't believe your own eyes!
The team at Lunigiana Renovations wishes you and yours a restful and blessed Christmas - let's create property dreams together in the New Year.

You can find the full story here:
https://www.annesitaly.com/blog/in-via-san-gregorio-armeno-in-naples-top-italian-craftsmanship/

Colourful lights, beautifully decorated Christmas trees and the all familiar figure of Father Christmas are universal elements used to mark and celebrate Christmas around the world.

In Italy the true spirit of Christmas, the birth of Jesus, is unmistakably acknowledged with the inclusion of a nativity scene. Most homes will have a version of the well known manger scene with Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus. Some families create elaborate outdoor versions to everyone to enjoy and for others it consists of even just a simple figurine. Naples is renowned for making beautiful and very characteristic nativity ornaments - it ranges from a simple trinket to elaborate figurines which can be used to adorn a larger backdrop, custom crafted installation.

Many cities and towns also host a live nativity scene - a manger with live animals, Mary and Joseph and a locally chosen baby to play Jesus. Playing the roles are viewed as an enormous privilege- something to be remembered for years to come.

Some towns recreate an entire slice of history where, en route to the manger, people will pass traders and craftsmen practising ancient crafts in period dress and with the authentic, old style tools. Typically celebrations will start in the church where a choir would sing Christmas songs at Mass and from where the couple with the baby will depart on a donkey to the stable on a path strewn with hay, passing traders and merchants authentically recreated to take us back to ancient times.

The experience is timeless in its authenticity - it is completely captivating, enchanting, magical!

Watch this video with this to understand this tradition better ......BUON NATALE!!

Everything sounds more fun in Italian and this musical language does not disappoint when it comes to Christmas vocabulary either!

How much more jolly does Babbo Natale sound compared the somewhat formal Father Christmas? Building a pupazzo di neve sounds very accomplished as compared to a snowman doesn’t it? Wreath is a proper mouthful whereas la ghirlanda simply trips off the tongue.

Buon Natale everyone!

THE INSIDE TRACK

Italians celebrate Christmas like they do most things – whole heartedly, traditionally, stylishly, with family or friends and eating good food!
Everyone adds to the beauty of Christmas by having decorations at home that the public can see too. Christmas is literally all around!

Read below how the occasion is traditionally celebrated in Italy – it is a beautiful rhythm everyone leans into every year, and which covers nearly a month of celebrations – officially kicking off on the 8th of December on the Day of the Immaculate Conception celebrated as a national holiday and continuing right through to the 6th of January with the festa of Befana – a witch which brings good children treats on the morning of the Epiphany which marks the end of the Christmas season in Italy.

One could say about an Italian Christmas – go big or go home!

Follow the link to the article. Click here

Awkward spaces only need one thing – imagination!

Not thinking through what can’t be done, but rather how it could be tweaked into a solution. There was only a tiny corner available to provide this apartment with a place to prepare the family meals and this was the solution. There is a full-size fridge, stove and oven and even a dishwasher – who would have thought it possible?

Lunigiana Renovations provides effective solutions for anything from a tiny kitchen corner design to entire “from the ground up” reconstruction projects – we get the job done!

Wayne and Sandra's patio repair

Common sense and careful attention was all that was needed to solve a long standing water penetration problem. Through a process of logical elimination we solved a big problem simply and at minimum cost! Not a glamorous job, but a very meaningful one to a happy client!

Lunigiana Renovations reworked this patio.

Connecting with nature is a dependable anchor in a relentlessly accelerating
world. It is a place to relax, enjoy the elements and be nourished by something
beautiful. To care for and watch something grow and prosper is its own reward.
One does not need a grand space to derive these benefits – any little corner can
be transformed into an inviting and comfortable space.

Catherine wanted a nook where she had privacy to relax, away from the prying
eyes of the neighbors in an apartment complex. She wanted to maximize the
lushness of the garden with limited planting space and to brighten the blandness
of large expanses of paving. Lastly, she needed some softening of the steel railing
that encloses the patio, creating additional privacy in the process.

This is what she had to say afterwards:

"I moved into a new apartment in Lerici in November 2020. While the space was lovely, the yard was a muddy mess and the terrace rather plain. I engaged Lunigiana Renovations to help. They immediately found and fixed all the broken and clogged drains, installed a beautiful patio with paving stones, fertilized and replanted the garden, and turned the terrace into a beautiful space of growing vines and flowers. I also needed to heighten the fence and add curtain rods around the top of the pergola. The steel company hired by Lunigiana Renovations was amazing. They matched the fence exactly to all the others in the apartment complex so that you couldn’t tell it was an addition! Their price was amazing as well. Finally, I needed sun curtains for the west side and corner windows. The company brought on aboard was equally amazing with very nice quality sun shades matching those in the apartment complex and also a cover for the pergola. They returned when necessary for some adjustments after a rain storm and never charged me extra. In summary, Lunigiana Renovations performed an excellent renovation of my garden and terrace, they were quick and efficient, always stayed within my budget, and worked seamlessly with excellent contractors external to their business. I highly recommend them for any of your garden dreams!"
~Catherine

Our job can be as extensive as restructuring from the ground up or at times it is as simple as fitting anti slip strips on slippery stairs.- our satisfaction lies in having a happy client!

Sometimes it is fun to take a stroll down memory lane - come with us!

If you enjoyed our little snippet, you can see more before and after pics in our gallery page. Here

Every house benefits from having curb appeal – whether it is for renting, selling, or living in. Having a beautiful presentation as you arrive adds far more value than simply improving the general aesthetics – it makes the person want to remain there, it makes it impossible not to notice and it makes people talk about it. Talk about an all-round winning strategy!

Curb appeal is remarkably easy to create. Plants and flowers are the most accessible way and bright colour always hits the mark with extra punch. Murals are memorable and adds exclusive prestige as it cannot readily be imitated. It could simply be a distinctive garden gate or a brightly colored front door. Planted ornaments add an individual touch. All it really needs is a bit of imagination!

Italians are memorable in matters of style – being stylish is in the blood. It is as simple as that! Good presentation, literally making a ‘good figure’ – ‘fare una bella figura’ is a fundamental principle taught from a very young age.

Distinctive and memorable design singles out the most iconic modes of transport in Italy, the ‘Ape’ perhaps the most unique. The Piaggio Ape (derived from the Italian for bee) is a three wheeled light commercial vehicle manufactured by Piaggio as an adaptation of the company’s Vespa scooter – another icon of Italian design.

It has been in continuous production since 1945 and is now obtainable in numerous body configurations to meet diverse market demands. Clear vision almost always produces a winner. After World War II, Italians could ill afford personal transportation. Aircraft designer, Corradino D’Ascanio, who also created the Vespa scooter, saw a clear need and set himself this goal:
‘Our goal was to fill the gap in the utilitarian transport market in the immediate post war era by offering a small-engined three-wheel van that was inexpensive to purchase and service, easy to drive, agile in the busiest city traffic and, above all, suitable, rapid and viable solution for the home delivery of goods bought in shops.’

It was a veritable stroke of genius – swarms of Ape vehicles started to buzz around in Italy, maneuverable in busy traffic, easy to park and infinitely versatile in use. It quickened the pace of commerce as it allowed goods to move around cheaply and easily.

The look is distinctive with handlebar steering, the original Ape was designed as a single seater, able to accommodate two passengers of a modest size, with a door on both sides. Today the vehicle comes in various configurations such as vans and pickups for load carrying and as an auto rickshaw.
Although sold worldwide, the Ape is very common in Italy where its compact size allows it to negotiate narrow streets, park easily or even serve as an impromptu market stall.

Although the vehicle has always, despite retaining its original construction philosophy, continued to respond to an evolving market for example, the Ape Cross was designed for young people as an alternative to a scooter – complete with a roll bar, a luggage compartment and vivid, youthful colours.
More than 60 million vehicles have been sold in more than 70 years of unprecedented success.
It has a unique charm, famed across the world. Its unrivalled versatility as a commercial vehicle is yet to be exceeded. This proud little three-wheeler has always kept pace with the times, transporting a working Italy and looking completely adorable doing it!

Limoncello is synonymous with Italy. These refreshing lemony drops of heaven are likely to be your final enjoyment after a perfect summers’ day and a wonderful meal. It is mainly produced in southern Italy and most notably the Amalfi coast where growing lemons is practically a religious act. In northern Italy, the liqueur is often referred to instead as limoncino.

Almost everyone makes their own at home and naturally, everyone knows best how to!
Small bottles of the yellow elixir are exchanged only amongst treasured friends and those who you would like to impress. Countless bottles also find their way into already overloaded tourist suitcases.

Limoncello is traditionally served chilled as an after-dinner digestivo. Some folks would even chill it in the freezer compartment before serving. Along the Amalfi Coast, it is usually served in small beautifully decorated ceramic glasses that are also chilled - another favourite souvenir to take back to family and friends. Limoncello is also used to make various cocktails, pastry or ice cream.

Limoncello is the last exquisite lingering note of an Italian summers day, perfectly in tune with the laughter of those you love to be with…

The magnificent tapestry that is traditional Italian life is a mysteriously unique blend of tradition, breathtaking beauty, playful irreverence, and an unshakeable commitment to family.

Italians are defiantly true unto themselves – they would not even feign an interest in debating their culture, food, or general way of life. The only reason they would even be talking about it at all, is to either revel in its magnificence or when simply indulging the profound ignorance of some bereft soul who cannot as yet see its glory!

This is a big part of what we love so much about Italians – they are so damn sure of themselves, stylish as anything and goodness me, do they know how to enjoy life!

I think that the golden thread that ties it all together fundamentally is tradition. In many other countries tradition has an association with something vaguely valid, but outdated and old fashioned all the same. In Italy respecting tradition is cool, in fact uber cool! If you do not honor tradition it would be regarded as very uncool indeed.

Small children grow up participating in traditional events, learn ancient skills such as archery and flag throwing and are admired for doing so. Employers would willingly allow time off to prepare for a festa or traditional fair preparations.

Not caring for your family would facilitate your role as a social outcast very efficiently. Caring means investing time, not just money. Giving of yourself is a highly prized commodity in Italian culture. Strapping young lads can be seen walking their ninety odd years old ‘nonna’ – at a snail’s pace - lovingly listening to whatever she is saying, pausing to take in fully a particularly salient point and making every second girl fall in love with him on the spot!

“Don’t spoil good ingredients” is Italian food tradition at its finest. It matters how an animal was raised and how something was grown – incredibly fine attention is showered on these aspects, and they will afford a fine result the time it needs to get there. And that is where the fuss stops! Good ingredients deserve respect and no fussy cooking is required. You have all that you need already for a memorable meal.
Love them or hate them, you will remember Italians! They are colorful, warm, kind and so immensely proud of their heritage. Honestly, what is not to love?

Just hearing the word ‘home’ instantly conjures up a place of safety, comfort, and loving familiarity. It is the sacred place where we all go to recharge, digest the trials that life throw at us and where we feel accepted and loved. Homes may vary vastly in grandeur, but as the pivot point of our lives the essential concept is
pretty much universal. Italians respect a mans home as his castle in a very definitive manner, which not surprisingly, is utterly charming!

When entering someone’s home, having just been invited to come in, they will say, without fail: “Permesso?” Literally asking for permission to come in! And it is not done in causal, mechanical manner either – until they hear “Avanti” ringing out, they will do a fine impression of a statue fixed to a spot. Not only that, but they will also do that every time they enter, multiple times in the same day!

I sometimes think that they are simply affording us the chance to step up and be truly welcoming – it is such a wonderful affirmation of connectedness however long they spend in casa mia.

Italians are so wonderfully patient in allowing us to catch up with their traditions and I could not love them more for it!
Perhaps it is not surprising that they give great attention to their front doors – right down to the fabulous instruments to announce your presence – enjoy our collection of door knockers!

There are times when someone else has quite simply, already said it better than you could ever do yourself.
“BEING ITALIAN IS NOT A NATIONALITY, IT IS A LIFESTYLE.” It is one of those statements that calls for an immediate “isn’t that the truth!”

Italians quite simply remember how to live well and simply by having their priorities straight, manifest the much sought after and envied “La Dolce Vita” effortlessly. At the core of “La Dolce Vita” lies two crucial elements – family and friends, and naturally, food and drink. The rest of life serves to support these two things – basta! It is as simple and magical as that.

The daily rhythm of any self-respecting Italian kicks off with a decent cup of coffee, be that an espresso on the fly – a potent dose of caffeine knocked back standing at the bar while exchanging essential pleasantries, or, for the more leisurely, add in a brioche (croissant) and perhaps a cappuccino instead of just a functional whack of caffeine during the pit stop at your favourite bar.

It is an unwritten rule that breakfast time is sacred. It is a moment to collect yourself for the day – a simple pause before dedicating yourself to the needs of the day. It is not cool to disturb someone with anything other than simple pleasantries unless invited to do so.

The daily rhythm of any self-respecting Italian kicks off with a decent cup of coffee, be that an espresso on the fly – a potent dose of caffeine knocked back standing at the bar while exchanging essential pleasantries, or, for the more leisurely, add in a brioche (croissant) and perhaps a cappuccino instead of just a functional whack of caffeine during the pit stop at your favourite bar.

It is an unwritten rule that breakfast time is sacred. It is a moment to collect yourself for the day – a simple pause before dedicating yourself to the needs of the day. It is not cool to disturb someone with anything other than simple pleasantries unless invited to do so.

Aperitivi in Milan

“Aperitivi” is another much loved Italian tradition – it is almost as if the morning coffee hands over the baton of tradition to the aperitivi hour. Aperitivi is quite simply pre dinner drinks served with an array of sumptuous snacks to stimulate the appetite before supper. Foreigners would perhaps know the tradition better as “happy hour”– a time to meet up with friends after work before going home or as a prelude to supper. It is often a standalone event called “apericena” which consists of abundant and tasty snack portions of traditional dishes, cured meat cuts, cheeses and small toasted breads with a variety of fillings. A tapas style light supper which friends could drift in and out of without standing on ceremony.

In the summer months bars would often arrange live music during the aperitivi hour on the weekends and it becomes a party all summer long!
La Dolce Vita is by no means determined only by these two things, but it certainly holds two firm points of reference in the undeniable and mystifying element of La Dolce Vita that has captured the hearts and minds of people all round the world.
Viva Bella Italia, viva La Dolce Vita!!

Many aspirant Italian homeowners are simply not prepared for how old these homes are and the list of things that need attention quickly grows. A new roof will always be one of the heftier bills to land in your lap. Being the “tear it right down and rebuild it better” kind of intervention, it certainly does cost.
It is useful to remember the significant benefits that it brings:
- Earthquake protection through the installation of a concrete ring beam
- Effective waterproofing
- Adequate insulation
- A little additional height to enhance internal living spaces (as approved)
- Improved aesthetics – interior and exterior
- Latest technology in pest prevention / preservation wood treatment

Enjoy our little video which shows the different stages of a new roof installation – in the end it is a beautiful thing which will keep you safe, dry and warm – that can be no bad thing!

Tuscany’s worldwide fame belies its modest size. Italy’s most famous region not only boasts breathtaking natural beauty but is also the heart of Renaissance art and history. The tip of Tuscany reaches for the Apennine mountains - rolling hills are replaced with majestic mountains. Lunigiana ‘Land of the moon? occupies the most north western tip of Tuscany.

Lunigiana is a rural and mountainous area, proudly traditional and defiantly authentic. It is lively, but not overrun with tourists such as is the case with its more famous cousins. Small villages dot the landscape - one as uniquely charming as the next. The small city of Pontremoli is the jewel of the region and can be viewed as its capital city.

Pontremoli’s placement is an ideal junction point for east - west movement or for travelling from north to south Italy. The highway to Milan can be reached in a few minutes, or you could hop on a train to anywhere in Europe.

Pontremoli will be one of the very few stops on the future high-speed train between Rome and Milan - a big nod to its strategic placement. Five airports can be reached within roughly 90 mins. The beach and more than one ski slope are only 30 mins away.

Pontremoli proudly stands at the confluence of the Magra and Verde rivers with the well-known pilgrim’s path, the Via Francigena, running through it. Oscar winning actress Meryl Streep chose Pontremoli as the venue for her son’s wedding in 2019 – a special acknowledgement of the beauty of the region and its facilities and charm.
The world-famous Italian singer Zucchero Fornaciari has been a long-time resident of this tranquil place – he shops at the flower markets just like everybody else and can have a gelato with his famous friend Sting without being mobbed by fans. Pontremoli is a special place.

Pontremoli's popularity and status as a hidden gem has very recently been recognized publicly as the winners of the 2020/2021 COPPA DI TOSCANA – a much overdue accolade according to its dynamic mayor Lucia Baracchini. The winning of the Tuscany Cup confirms that Pontremoli does not need to stand back for any of its more famous cousins!

Incredible property value is still available in this authentic Italian region, even with such a desirable postal code. We are so proud to call this place our home.... we have been embraced by the community enabling us to live and work here in a fully integrated fashion.

Viva Pontremoli, viva!!

We chose stainless steel wires for the pattern framework to train the client’s well loved Wisteria over the façade of the building where he wanted it to go. It is an ideal choice as it does not rust - we fitted a mechanism which will allow us to tighten the wire when the plant gets heavier should it be necessary.

Wisteria announces spring in Tuscany like little else! The explosion of ‘purple rain’ with its glorious perfume is everywhere….everyone goes aaah, thankful to put winter behind them.

The Garden of Ninfa

The legendary Italian Garden built by a princess. The Garden of Ninfa is considered one of the most beautiful gardens in the world.
Located in central Italy, about 80 km south of Rome, this garden rises among the ruins of the ancient and important town of Ninfa and it counts about 1500 species of plants imported from all over the world.

Contested since its origin, this little town has been split between the regions of Parma, Liguria and Tuscany so many times that it has acquired a personality, dialect and charm that is quite unique, taking pieces from all three and making them their own. Set on a strip of land between the two converging waterways, the river Magra and Verde, this little town has been burned to the ground, destroyed and conquered only to rise time and time again.

It remains in a singularly unique position, opening roads not only east-west but also north-south, with a continuous parade of pilgrims on their way to Rome since ancient times. The ancient bridge from which it has derived its name has witnessed history since 1165.

During all this time, it has slowly grown in size and maintained both its role as a point of reference within the valley for religious pilgrimages and its personality as a lively and fiercely independent town. Pontremoli is authentic - real Italians live and work here - it is lively, yet not overrun with tourists during the summer months.

Five airports can be reached within 90 mins. The upgraded railway station provides the perfect springboard for rail travel to all over Europe. More than two ski slopes and the beach can be reached within 30 mins.

Property values are extremely competitive. Property investment in Tuscany has never been more attractive.

PASQUA is the second most important Italian family celebration after Christmas. Folks would wish each other well as heartily as one would traditionally do for Christmas - it really is a big deal! Christmas is of course a time for family - you move heaven and earth to be with ' la famiglia' - interestingly, at Easter you get a free pass in terms of who you would like to celebrate with...

“Natale con i tuoi, a Pasqua con chi vuoi.” Loosely translated it means - Christmas with your family, at Easter with whomever you want.

Every holiday in Italy has its own typical food. Pandoro and Panettone cakes can be found everywhere in Italy at Christmas, but Easter is all about the traditional delicacy known as 'Colomba di Pasqua'.

The cake takes its name from the shape – baked in the form of a dove, or colomba in Italian. As the symbol of peace, as well as a sign of spring, the dove shaped cake personifies Easter.

Easter is a particular exciting one for children since they receive over-sized, hollow chocolate eggs with a surprise inside. Initially I did not fully understand why there would be such oversized eggs on sale, until I discovered the tradition of the family breaking one huge egg open together with great ceremony attached and everyone enjoying the family egg together.

Pastry shops would often make their own in creative designs and are much loved as the very best ingredients only are used.

Buona Pasqua a tutti! Happy Easter everyone!

Monthly Focus Features

Eating right for prosperity in the New Year the Italian way....

LITERALLY STEP INTO CHRISTMAS

THE TRUE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

Christmas Just Became More Musical

HOW ITALIANS CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS

IMAGINATION CONQUERS ALL

After

Before

PERFECT PATIO. HAPPY CLIENT!

MY GARDEN MY HAVEN

A JOB WELL DONE IS A WORTHY THANK YOU!

CURB APPEAL GETS YOU NOTICED!

Memorable Modes of Mobility - Part 1 - The Ape

Limoncello Shouts Summer!

GET YOUR FREE
LIMONCELLO RECIPE

Tradition Is Cool

Home Sweet Home

Daily Rhythms Italian Style

Needing A New Roof Is Not The End Of The World

Pontremoli - 2020/2021 COPPA DI TOSCANA

Back to Top

Taming The Wisteria For Spring

The Garden of Ninfa

Back to Top

Pontremoli - The jewel of north western Tuscany

Take a virtual tour with us... Click here

Pasqua

Custom Easter eggs are from
Pasticceria Caffetteria Illice, Lerici
Facebook: @pasticceriaillice

Back to Top

Cell:

+39 349 102 6396

Email:

renee@lunigianarenovations.net
tony@lunigianarenovations.net

Hours:

Flexible

Back to Top

Monthly Focus Features

Eating right for prosperity in the New Year the Italian way....

LITERALLY STEP INTO CHRISTMAS

THE TRUE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

Christmas Just Became More Musical

HOW ITALIANS CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS

IMAGINATION CONQUERS ALL

After

Before

PERFECT PATIO. HAPPY CLIENT!

MY GARDEN MY HAVEN

A JOB WELL DONE IS A WORTHY THANK YOU!

CURB APPEAL GETS YOU NOTICED!

Memorable Modes of Mobility - Part 1 - The Ape

Limoncello Shouts Summer!

GET YOUR FREELIMONCELLO RECIPE

Tradition Is Cool

Home Sweet Home

Daily Rhythms Italian Style

Needing A New Roof Is Not The End Of The World

Pontremoli - 2020/2021 COPPA DI TOSCANA

Back to Top

Taming The Wisteria For Spring

The Garden of Ninfa

Back to Top

Pontremoli - The jewel of north western Tuscany

Take a virtual tour with us... Click here

Pasqua

Custom Easter eggs are fromPasticceria Caffetteria Illice, LericiFacebook: @pasticceriaillice

Back to Top

Cell:

+39 349 102 6396

Email:

renee@lunigianarenovations.net tony@lunigianarenovations.net

Hours:

Flexible

Back to Top

GET YOUR FREE
LIMONCELLO RECIPE

Custom Easter eggs are from
Pasticceria Caffetteria Illice, Lerici
Facebook: @pasticceriaillice

renee@lunigianarenovations.net
tony@lunigianarenovations.net