- BY ISSIMO
- November 26, 2024
Life these days…we spend so much time on our phones and devices that we often forget the simple pleasures of using our hands to write, draw and express ourselves creatively. Well here’s a timely reminder: the new ISSIMO X Choosing Keeping Stationery Collection invites you to slow down and reconnect with your creativity via the art of putting pen to paper. Designed in collaboration with UK-based stationery brand Choosing Keeping, this exclusive collection of notebooks, watercolour palettes, and pen holders features a selection of four vibrant motifs—lemons, olives, pomegranates, and apricots. The collection celebrates Italy’s natural beauty and rich artistic heritage, with a motif to suit all tastes, styles and personalities.
Regarded for its meticulous craftsmanship and commitment to quality, Choosing Keeping has infused each piece with love and care, including beautifully made covers produced in Italy. From the citrus groves of the Amalfi Coast to the olive trees of Tuscany, each design pays homage to Italy’s agricultural traditions and centuries of artistry, transforming everyday stationery into meaningful objects that brighten up your space. Whether writing, sketching, or painting, read on to discover more about the designs, creative inspiration and symbolism behind this special collection.
Lemons: The Zest of the Amalfi Coast
A vibrant tribute to Italy’s citrus star, the lemon design is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. With their golden fruit and fragrant aroma the Amalfi Coast’s terraced lemon groves have inspired artists and writers for centuries, and the design of this ISSIMO X Choosing Keeping notebook brings the sunshine and zest of the Mediterranean straight to your desk.
Paired with a matching lemon pen holder, this design makes the perfect set for capturing thoughts and creative musings that are as evocative as the coast itself. No matter where in the world you are jotting down ideas or sketching from, this lemon motif brings a touch of the Italian coastline’s freshness and energy to your day.
Italy’s olive groves are a timeless symbol of tradition and longevity. From agriculture to local culinary customs, olive trees are a central part of Italian life; especially in regions like Tuscany and Puglia. Adorned with delicate olive branches, this notebook design pays homage to the rustic charm of these ancient groves. The details of the olive motif reflect Italy’s connection to the land—its enduring beauty and the sense of calm it inspires. Ideal for daily journaling or sketching, the olive notebook will transport you to the heart of those peaceful groves that adorn the outskirts of rustic Italian villages.
Pomegranates: Ancient Symbolic Allure
With its vivid colours and striking appearance, the pomegranate has long been a symbol of fertility, prosperity, and beauty in Italy. This notebook design celebrates the fruit’s deep red hues and brilliant, jewel-like seeds that have been a source of inspiration in art and literature since Renaissance times, and well before! If you’re curious to explore more, Botticelli’s Madonna of the Pomegranate (1487) is exactly what we’re talking about.
The pomegranate notebook is perfect for those who appreciate the intricate beauty of nature and the layers of meaning it holds. Paired with the watercolour palette, this design encourages you to explore creativity with the same passion, richness and vibrancy that defines Italy’s artistic legacy.
Does it get any better than picking a juicy ripe apricot off a tree and savouring its sweetness at that very moment? We think not! Evoking the warm, sun-kissed orchards of Italy’s countryside, the apricot design is a celebration of life’s simple pleasures.
With their soft orange and blush tones, the apricot motif was designed to bring a sense of sweetness and joy to the ISSIMO X Choosing Keeping collection. Whether you’re sketching or writing, the apricot notebook is a playful and elegant canvas. The matching apricot pen holder completes the set, making it a joyful addition to your workspace—perfect for capturing creative ideas inspired by the beauty of everyday moments in Italy.
Watercolour Palettes: Painting Italy’s Essence
Each ISSIMO X Choosing Keeping notebook design is paired with a watercolour palette that invites you to bring Italy’s landscapes to life. Whether painting the exuberant yellows of Amalfi lemons or the soft greens of olive groves, the palette’s colours are carefully curated to reflect the beauty of the designs. Like the country that inspired them, these palettes offer endless possibilities for artistic expression, transforming your ideas into vibrant sketches and paintings that capture the spirit of Italy.
Invite a group of friends over, bake something delicious, and enjoy a delightful afternoon of art, and creativity as you all paint, draw and chat around the table together. It’s one of our favourite ways to spend a chilly winter’s afternoon!
The pen holders in the lemon and apricot designs are the perfect finishing touches for this collection. Thoughtfully crafted, these holders bring a piece of Italy to your desk, combining practicality with a burst of colour and charm. Just as the lemon and apricot trees thrive in the Mediterranean sun, these pen holders will brighten up any creative space, adding a layer of Italian elegance and practicality to your daily writing rituals. They also make a great gift idea!
