My Trip to Puglia, Italy - Part 2
“From pasta-lined alleyways, Puglia’s first impression was equal parts food-coma and designer daydream.”
This adorable street vendor making fresh pasta on the street!
By Day 3, my jet lag was getting pretty bad, but that didn’t stop me from practically jumping out of bed to explore. Our everpatient, ever-smiling ambassadors, had arranged a day of sightseeing in the charming streets of Bari which is known for its vibrant local artisans and fresh food markets. Imagine the most picturesque Italian street—narrow, stone-paved, dotted with flower boxes and bustling with cheerful locals. That’s exactly where we found ourselves.
I have never encountered such an abundance of fresh pasta in one place. It was genuinely overwhelming in the best way possible. The street artisans were out in the little cute street all presenting their handmade creations. The most famous of the region was an ear shaped pasta called Orrecchiette. The air was fresh with the scent of food and I also got to meet the famous Nunzia Caputo who is lovingly and widely known as the “pasta nanny".
Speaking of eating, overall I would say that I am a light eater but the hospitality of Puglia had us doubling our daily carb intake by lunchtime! Every meal featured the antipasto, the pasta course, a meat course and then dessert. I remember looking at my business partner somewhere in one of the first meals saying “I can’t eat this much!” I really did not want to offend the business owners but this much food was a bit torturous for the unfoodie in me.
On Day 4, we switched gears. It was time for some serious interior design inspiration. We attended indoor conferences featuring local suppliers who introduced us to their unique materials and manufacturing processes. If you think showrooms in North America are impressive, wait until you see how they do it in Puglia. The passion, craftsmanship, and attention to detail were evident in every piece on display, be it tilework, furniture, or textiles. It was like a playground for the designer in me.
The afternoon was spent doing a “speed-dating” style session where we met with dozens of artisans and business owners. In short, focused conversations, we learned about their stories, their processes, and had the chance to ask questions firsthand. It was an inspiring and deeply personal look into the heart of Italian design.
I loved hearing the stories behind each product and how certain tiles are hand-cut, how certain fabrics get their unique patterns from centuries-old weaving techniques and how sustainability is woven into the core of their production. We ended Day 4 exhausted, but brimming with new ideas for our clients back home. Had you told me just a few days ago that I’d be reimagining entire home renovations around a single tile pattern from Puglia, I likely wouldn’t have believed you. But now, I can confidently say that wouldn’t be too far off.
My arm of course, still bruised.
