Bottega Botanica

Sometimes all it takes is bring introduced to that one special type of plant that opens the gates to the broader world of botany. In Valeria Icardi’s instance, that special plant was a Tillandsia, introducing her to air plants.

“It’s from my fascination with these plants that everything else started. My interest was ignited not only by their variety, but from their ability to absorb all they need solely from the air.”

Valeria opened Bottega Botanica in 2016. Working at the shop allows her to explore designing and caring for many different types of plants. 

“The message I’d like to convey with my work is to rediscover our inner creativity…I’ve learned so much simply by observing and spending time with plants and above all, I admire their eagerness to live by adapting to any condition they may find.”

One of Valeria’s favorite things about plants is how they can affect a space so positively that we can’t help but want to care for them and help them thrive. She believes that plants can help us reconnect with ourselves as well as nature. 

“I love the element of responsibility when I’m offering a plant to someone…With their complex simplicity, plants allow us to reconnect to our core values and their existence reminds us what we really need.”

Learn more about Bottega Botanica on their website.

Ceramics by Anna Basile at Studio Delta Pottery.

A film by Camilla Fantinati.