moving furniture to Italy

[Torchiarolan]

"moved to italiauncovered.co.uk"

[borrini]

Thanks Torchiarolan

My OH thought a new start with everything new would be good but there's such a lot of stuff like wedding presents, ok 30 years old but they have memories. So I win we will have a lorry load!

Best wishes with your move. After this summer?? I can't wait to leave England. I just yearn for some sunshine!!

[Mathematician]

And Torchiarolan's advice holds true for any Americans or other Western hemisphere transplants as well -- do use all of your luggage allowance (still around 22 kg per bag, 2 bags per person) on each trip until the "last" one -- we've found that ALL household goods are hellishly more expensive and not great quality, at least in Puglia. We do have the problem of converting electrics as well, only appliances with a 220 option can be re-wired for Italian use.

[Gala Placidia]

Originally Posted by Mathematician

And Torchiarolan's advice holds true for any Americans or other Western hemisphere transplants as well -- do use all of your luggage allowance (still around 22 kg per bag, 2 bags per person) on each trip until the "last" one -- we've found that ALL household goods are hellishly more expensive and not great quality, at least in Puglia. We do have the problem of converting electrics as well, only appliances with a 220 option can be re-wired for Italian use.

I don't know whether you use it a lot in the USA, but bring with you a Crock Pot or Slow Cooker. You cannot find them in Italy and they are great for preserves and general slow cooking. I still have two I brought from Australia, one in my permanent home in Spain, the other one is already at Bagni di Lucca.

[Mathematician]

Thanks for the tip, I do have one -- managed to buy it in Canada with a 220 option -- I agree, it's a marvelous way to do any casserole/stew/sauced dish!

[Noble]

We moved from the UK to Umbria so electric goods where not a problem. Local lighting shop changed on/off switches on our table lamps. Favourite wall lights brought over from UK too. Plus bayonet bulbs (in almost 5 years haven't used a single one!!). But what I wanted was a home that looked more like Taschen Tuscan Interiors, rather than Hampshire Country Living, so I have painted a great deal of furniture with various finishes...matt, distressed etc. Easy to do once one has more time. Same old furniture but whole new look and you'd be amazed how effective a few coats of paint can be!

[Gala Placidia]

Originally Posted by Noble

... Same old furniture but whole new look and you'd be amazed how effective a few coats of paint can be!

I do that all the time. With the large number and variety of finishes you can get nowadays it is easy to change the look of a piece of furniture to suit your new décor.

[Nicola D]

Hi we went through the same dilemma and just before christmas Deborah and Ricky moved our stuff over from England (and at a very GOOD RATE) however, most of the stuff we brought over is still sitting in an outhouse apart from personal effects eg. photos!! IThe problem is non of our english furniture will look right in our italian farmhouse (currently being refurbished) plus my tastes have changed and I would love the opportunity to start again and not 'make do' ! Which unfortunately I might have to as it seems criminal to dispose of perfectly adequate sofas etc.

However, I really wish we had brought over White Goods such as a decent Cooker, American Fridge, etc. We did not realise that firstly these goods cost more in Italy and secondly that you just do not have the choice that you have in the UK.

So my advice would be really think long and hard about what you are bringing over and if it will actually look/be right in your new home.

All the best Nicola