Shopping Day in Monti, Rome
I was very excited to head to Monti, as I heard it was sort of like the Marais of Rome – more bohemian, with small boutiques and galleries, and not so many tourists. It is, in fact, the first neighborhood in Rome, very near The Colosseum. I had my taxi drop me off at the corner of Via del Boschetto & Via Panisperna and started to stroll uphill.
I heard it was sort of like the Marais of Rome – more bohemian, with small boutiques and galleries, and not so many tourists.
First stop was the bead-full store of Fabio Piccioni (Via del Boschetto, 148), which has been in business for 28 years. Jewelry, beads, books topped with crowns… There’s honestly not a spare centimeter of empty space in this petite store! The owner was quite shy, but I felt comfortable exploring his wares.
Next stop was the atelier of Denmark-born Tina Sondergaard (Via del Boschetto, 1d). She is beyond friendly, and she has lived in Rome for decades. She brings a bit of the Danish style to Rome with her bright colors and geometric prints. She was sitting at her sewing machine working away when I entered her shop. When is the last time you’ve seen that?! The clothing has a very 50’s vibe – dresses with a fitted bodice and an a-line skirt, patterned trousers, and joyful tops. The love she has for this area is evident, as she couldn’t help but smile when talking about it.
I then crossed the street to investigate a very intriguing antique shop – Claudio Piccioni (brother to the jewelry guy??), located at Via del Boschetto, 77-148. The whole ceiling displayed all sorts of lighting fixtures. How I wish I could have brought one home! Then there’s meandering spaces chock full of everything from ceramics and glass to paintings and silver pieces. I think it would have taken me a couple hours really to take stock of everything in there. It was the perfect place to find a little 1950’s bowl from Murano in light blue, white, and a metallic bronzy-rose color. Let’s hope I can get it home without breaking it!
Back across the street, I entered Estremi, a darling home store located at Via del Boschetto, 2a. There was a rack with select women’s clothing, shelving full of blankets and linens, and tables full of dishware and glasses. The back area of the store displays more furniture items, such as cabinets, tables, and seating. The ambience was quite unique for Rome. You’ll understand when you visit.
A little further up the street, I explored a super modern-design jewelry boutique, Perlei (Via del Boschetto, 35). If you’ve got an artsy, artisan personal style then you’ll love this place. Everything has been hand made in Rome since 2006. Pieces come in all sorts of mediums, from silver to fabric to leather. They do have a shoppable website, but it only shows a fraction of what’s available, as they are constantly creating new items.
After lunch (there are loads of restaurants in the neighborhood), I explored some of the side streets. Sacripante Gallery (Via Panisperna, 59) really impressed me. It’s a combination of art gallery, clothing, and a bar – all housed in a former convent. Brilliant idea! Wilma, the owner, shows her lovely clothing designs in the front room — unique and luxe fabric choices. In the back, there’s an intimate seating area where I can imagine people must lounge for hours, catching up and enjoying delicious cocktails.
After lunch (there are loads of restaurants in the neighborhood), I explored some of the side streets.
There were a couple other stores here that really hit home for me. One is an antique jewelry store. You can read my article about antique shopping in Rome here. AND… I visited an artist’s workshop that truly knocked my socks off. It’s featured in my little black book. Are you curious what it is? If so, become a member of The Curated Shopper and you’ll have the inside scoop.
