Italy, Ceramics, and the Bathroom I Now Dream About

Press trip / sponsored post

I love Italy. It has everything – the history, the culture, the coffee, the wine, the pasta, the ice cream, the sunshine, the lyrical language and, of course, the warm, welcoming people. So when Catalano – a bathroom company known for its elegant, expertly crafted ceramic designs – invited me to visit their headquarters just outside Rome, I was on the plane faster than you can say Ciao.

And guess what? I discovered something new to add to my list of Italian loves: ceramics. Read on to hear more about my trip – the beautiful places I explored and how the region’s rich ceramic heritage lives on through a company that blends tradition with top-tier craftsmanship.



The picturesque village of Civita Castellana

Our first port of call was the picturesque village of Civita Castellana. Just North of Rome, Civita Castellana is a bustling town steeped in history and full of Italian charm. It's also home to the Forte San Gallo - a majestic Renaissance fortress showcasing papal military architecture and spectacular views of the Lazio countryside.



The fortress

Perched right on the edge of Civita Castellana’s old town, Forte Sangallo once stood guard as a Renaissance fortress, keeping watch over the Papal States. These days, it’s swapped soldiers for history buffs and now houses the Museo Archeologico dell’Agro Falisco—and it’s such a hidden gem. I was totally drawn in by the ancient Faliscan artefacts, especially the beautifully crafted pottery and tiny votive figures from way back in the 8th century BC. Can you believe people here were already creating with such skill before Rome even was on the map? Amazing!



The cathedral

Just a short stroll away, we stepped into the Duomo dei Cosmati—Civita Castellana’s Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore—and honestly, it stopped me in my tracks. Dating back to the 12th century, it’s a stunning blend of elegance and history. What really caught my eye were the intricate Cosmatesque mosaic tiles on the floor—so detailed and full of character.



Aren't the mosaics beautiful? Almost too pretty to walk on!

We also ventured down into the crypt, a vaulted space tucked beneath the cathedral and held up by a jumble of ancient Roman columns. It was peaceful and utterly captivating.



Fabrica di Roma

Just a short drive from Civita Castellana, we arrived at the Catalano factory. I loved seeing how centuries of ceramic know-how are still very much alive here, now paired with smart state-of-the-art technology and a thoughtful, sustainable approach.

This is where Catalano makes some of the finest bathroom ceramics in Italy – everything from sleek washbasins and elegant toilets and bidets to ceramic countertops, and shower trays. It was fascinating to watch the process in action – earth, water, fire – all coming together with such precision and care.

Who knew so much went into creating the perfect loo? It’s no wonder their collections end up in bathrooms all over the world (60 countries in total!). It’s the kind of craftsmanship that makes even a quick trip to the bathroom feel just that little bit more luxurious.



Catalano collections

Would you like to feel inspired? Here are some pictures from three of my favourite Catalano collections, styled in dreamy bathroom settings – the kind of spaces I dream of having at home (Per, are you listening?). Maybe it’ll inspire you to start planning your own dream bathroom too!


Tonalità


Sabbia is a soft, sandy shade from Catalano’s Tonalità collection – warm, natural, and perfect if you’re after that calm, earthy feel in the bathroom (it looks especially lovely with wood or rattan, by the way).



Cemento is a cool, concrete-inspired shade from the Tonalità collection – modern and understated, with that effortlessly urban feel. It works beautifully if you’re into clean lines, muted tones, and a bit of an industrial edge (in the chicest way).



Perhaps my favourite, the Tonalità Seta set has these soft curves and gentle, earthy tones that feel really calm and inviting – like bringing a bit of nature indoors in the nicest, most understated way.

Green


The Green collection has a lovely soft, rounded feel – with gently curved edges that make everything look a bit lighter and more elegant. It’s clean and modern but still has a softness to it, which I really love.





Sfera caught my eye with its simple, rounded shapes—think wall‑hung basins (see below) and rimless toilets that feel soft and approachable, yet crisp and modern all at once.



What do you think? Could you imagine bringing a little Italian craftsmanship into your bathroom? If so, you can read more about Catalano and explore all their collections here (this is the official dealer for Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, but they also have dealers worldwide).

I am certainly keen. Although... it might mean we’d have to fill the rest of the house with Italian touches too – like gelato in the freezer and cappuccino on tap.

Sounds wonderful to me!

Niki


Thank you so much to the team for a wonderful press trip and paid partnership, it has been truly inspiring and a pleasure to find out more about Catalano.