Our first day in Rome was a shopping spree!

Not the kind where you actually buy stuff. This shopping spree was all about discovering what Roman home-owners see when *they* actually buy stuff for their homes.

The typical Roman in our ‘hood (near the Leonardo da Vinci hotel) lives in a high-ceiling, centuries-old apartment building with shutters on the windows and giant brass knockers on the main entry doors, which open into a courtyard and access to the elevator or stairs to the apartments. Here’s the building next door to us:

There’s a terrace, but we’re not sure if access is for everyone in the building or just the one lucky owner. One block over is the via Cola di Rienzo, a major shopping street with everything you could possibly want, all available in tiny mom-and-pop stores. We hadn’t walked two blocks before we saw this home furnishings store:

And here’s one of their display windows:

Notice anything? That’s right! It’s the 2008 Color of the Year! Seems like they’re into it here, too! And remember, the COTY always takes a year or two before it filters down into home furnishings and accessories, so they’re right on schedule here in Roma.

And across the street is a great lamp place:

Isn’t that delightful? A farmer’s market for home furnishings!

 A block or two further and we discovered a delightful kitchen and whimsy store a wonderful assortment of Valentino wall clocks, (105 Euros each — about $135).

Style for the home is alive and well in Italy. These shops were packed and not just with tourists. We haven’t heard nary a word of English all day. These shoppers were locals  buying armloads of linens, fine fabrics, and kitchenware left and right. Too bad we don’t have time for a Metamorefix or two while we’re here!