Il papiro

It was love at first sight. I had just walked through the Ponte Vecchio bridge hurrying my way to Pallazzo Strozzi, browsing to all the shops when this one caught my eye and delayed my visit to the palazzo. Not for long...only for and enjoyable 1 1/2 hour!

 Introducing one of my most favourite shops in Florence, Italy: Il papiro, a heaven for those who love stationary and classic style, specializing in marbleized papers, which is said to be one of the traditional crafts in Firenze.

I was overwhelmed by the colours of the marbleized paper with their endless variety of patterns, a wide range of notebooks, wax stamps, invitations and envelopes as I was wandering around the different rooms. 

Finally, I came across a series of woodblock print posters lying before me! I loved them! 

I was told by a most kind gentleman who worked there, that they were made by pressing wooden blocks on paper repeatedly so as to make a pattern. I was also told about how they try to track down reinassance wooden blocks in bazaars or at the most unexpected places in order to duplicate and use them to print paper.

I couldn't refuse his interesting stories or the posters, so I finally chose two for my walls.

It took me half an hour to decide, so I can only imagine how long it will take me to frame them! Nothing yet, let me tell you.

I was also lucky to see a demonstration of how marbleized paper is made.It's quite a simple yet impressive process that entails delicate moves by the craftman.I would love to mix colours and be able to make paper like that one day!