The Alison Woolley Stencil Collection reflects the rich, artistic heritage of Italian design. It features a range of wall, furniture, and ceiling stencil designs that were inspired by sources ranging from Donatello sculptures and fanciful Florentine papers, to luxurious Renaissance fabrics painted into Master works of art. These various historical sources, in the hands of a modern day Florentine artisan, have been interpreted into a collection of patterns that allow us to bring the classic charm of Italian designs our homes with all the advantage of easy-to-use stencils. Alison Woolley started her career as an apprentice in a traditional Florentine ‘bottega’, decorating furniture in the Renaissance style. After working for more than 15 years under the guidance of Florentine master artisans, she opened her own bottega in Florence-the artistic heart of Italy. Over the years her mastery of this specialized work blossomed into an expertise in creating luxuriously decorated surfaces of many kinds, from interior murals to fabric and stencil design.
"I came as a student in 1987 to Florence and was captured by the special beauty of this city and the Florentine people. The atmosphere inside a true old style Florentine bottega is something rare that I view as a gift that was given to me, and that I would like to share. These artisans taught me a way of working, a set of skills, and an appreciation for fine European antiques and decorative work that remains the basis of my daily work."
Today, you can see Alison’s refined and meticulous hand on works such as a hand-painted harpsichord for the Opera of Versailles and custom designs for Salvatore Ferragamo. Her bottega produces fine furniture finishes and decorative art for the interior design industry worldwide, using traditional historically correct techniques to give them quality and authenticity.
Alison also now trains other aspiring artisans and students from around the world with hands on classes at her art filled studio, and with opportunities for onsite training in and around Florence. For more information on Alison’s work and artisan workshops, visit her Florence Art website.
You can also join Alison Woolley, along with Royal Design Studio’s own Melanie Royals and Gary Lord of Prismatic Painting studio for a 2-week long educational Italy Artisan Painting Adventure. Students will have the opportunity to learn unique painting techniques from 3 seasoned instructors, participate in a hands-on decorative painting project at the lovely Fattoria di Maiano, and explore Florence and the surrounding Tuscan hill towns. Following a week in Florence, the trip ventures east to the lovely city of Belluno, nestled near the famed Dolomite mountain range, and ends with 3 days of independent sightseeing in the fabled canal city of Venice.
