With Love from Sicily: Gabriella Picone’s Idda Studio

Makers

9 Jul

Written By Anca Enica

A portrait of a woman, Gabriella Picone, standing in a studio filled with hand-painted artwork, showcasing her unique Sicilian-inspired artistic style. — **people • makers**

**Gabriella Picone** is a New York-based artist and designer specializing in painting, textiles, and ceramics. Her creative practice is deeply influenced by her exploration of various materials and her upbringing in both Sicily and New York. Picone earned her BFA in Painting from The Rhode Island School of Design in 2010. In 2019, she founded Idda Studio, a name derived from the Sicilian dialect meaning “her,” which pays tribute to the significant women in her life, including mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, aunts, and friends.
Idda Studio merges contemporary painting with classical storytelling, drawing inspiration from Sicilian history and traditions to produce wearable art. The studio's versatile textiles, which can function as scarves, pareos, wall hangings, or home decor, are delicately crafted from ultra-soft silk and cotton in Italy and feature original paintings by Picone.
**WEBSITE:** **iddastudio.com** **INSTAGRAM:** **@iddastudio** **@gabbbber**

Words: designeers
july 2024

designeers

Could you please give us a quick introduction? Describe what you create:

gabriella picone

I am an artist and the founder of Idda Studio, a design studio focused on bespoke homeware designs. I am currently based in New York and in Sicily and many of our designs are inspired by the history and traditions of Sicily. I started Idda Studio over four years ago and launched with a collection of hand painted silk scarves all printed in Italy on high quality and ethically sourced fabrics. Since then, the studio has grown and we create a range of products including tablecloths, napkins and cushions as well ceramic lighting and mirrors. I also collaborate with a range of fashion, design and hospitality brands to create print collections, custom artworks and interior design projects.

designeers

Can you tell us a little about the Sirene Collection, and what is the inspiration behind it?

gabriella picone

Sirene is our newest collection of tableware that we just launched this summer. With this collection I was inspired by the tale of the Sirens, most famously noted in Homer's Odyssey. Growing up on Lipari (a small volcanic Island off the northern coast of Sicily), Greek and Roman mythology has always been an integral part of the Aeolian island's history. Although we don't know the exact location that Odysseus and his boat sailed through the mediterranean, it has been widely theorized that the Sirens were found on rocky Islands near Sicily. The story of the Sirens is a mystical tale of strong female presence, temptation and strength. The collection depicts a vivid imagination of this tale while combining the mood, motifs and colors of Sicily. The whimsical and serene design of the collection is meant to celebrate laid back summer feasting with friends.

A close-up of a table setting featuring hand-illustrated textiles with Sicilian-inspired art, including vibrant female figures and floral patterns.

A seaside dining table set with chairs, hand-illustrated tablecloth, and an assortment of food and drinks, emphasizing coastal Sicilian aesthetics.

designeers

What is your favourite thing about this collection?

gabriella picone

I love the painterly quality of the collection. I started the designs by creating a moodboard and then hand painting artworks on paper. I then scanned the drawings and worked with a mill to print the artworks on ethically sourced and high quality cotton. It was important to keep that hand made painterly touch in the final designs. I have worked on many napkin designs in the past for private events and weddings but this is the first collection of napkins available through Idda Studio and it’s so exciting to see the tablecloth and napkins come together as a set.

designeers

Tell us about one thing that’s inspiring you lately and why:

gabriella picone

I currently spend a lot of my time on the North Fork of Long Island at the beaches which have an incredible ecosystem and biodiversity of shells. Being close to the ocean and in nature has always had a huge influence on my studio practice.

A bold and colorful hand-painted textile featuring abstract female figures and plant motifs, inspired by Mediterranean art and culture.

A pastel-toned textile spread on a stone surface, showcasing intricate designs with floral and marine elements, celebrating Sicilian heritage.

A tablecloth with a marine theme, featuring fish, coral, and reclining female figures, designed in soft pastel tones with Mediterranean flair.

“Being close to the ocean and in nature has always had a huge influence on my studio practice.”

gabriella picone

designeers

What are some of your methods to staying motivated, focused, and expressive?

gabriella picone

I am a morning person and I like to start my days with exercise, either running or doing pilates. It helps release my energy and gets me focused and motivated. If it’s nice weather, I love to go for a run outdoors.

designeers

What’s the best mistake you have ever made? 

gabriella picone

It wasn’t necessarily a mistake but I think taking the risk of leaving my full time job to start Idda Studio was an important turning point for me. Although I studied painting and was always practising art on the side, I worked the majority of my career in marketing in the design and artworld. Although I am thankful I had the opportunity to learn those business skills, I always dreamed of having my own studio practice. The moment I took that leap and decided to work full time on my own practice, was one of the best decisions I ever made.

designeers

Favourite hotel in the world?

gabriella picone

My favorite place to stay is at La Sirenetta Park Hotel on the island of Stromboli. It’s a very simple and typical Aeolian hotel but the location is magical. Located in the heart of Stromboli Island, it’s on a quiet road and across the street from a black sand beach. The design of the hotel is very minimal and understated but they have a beautiful collection of traditional ceramics. I just love the serenity and peacefulness of the location. I have also just created a series of custom artworks for the Casa Monti Hotel in Rome designed by Laura Gonzalez that opened several weeks ago. Although I haven’t been yet, the hotel looks beautiful and I hope to visit next time I am in Rome. I love Gonzalez’s interior design aesthetic and her curated artwork selection, I am happy to have been part of this project.

A vibrant, hand-painted textile with swirling abstract snake patterns in warm reds and oranges, embodying bold artistic expression.

A dining table setting featuring a hand-painted tablecloth with snake patterns, decorated with fresh fruit and seashells for a rustic Sicilian vibe.

designeers

A gallery or museum that inspires you?

gabriella picone

My absolute favorite museum is the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli. Located in the center of Naples, it has one of the most amazing collections of Greek and Roman antiquities including marble statues, mosaics and ceramics. I am always left inspired after visiting the space.

designeers

Design hero:

gabriella picone

Niki de Saint Phalle (a French-American sculptor, painter, filmmaker, and author of colourful hand-illustrated books).