Verona and Romeo & Juliet have been inspired by Anna James' visits to Juliet's house in Verona, Italy. She is totally captivated by the graffiti covering the walls at the archway entrance, all of it being declarations of love by visiting lovers, of all ages, from all over the world. The colours, and the messages create completely unique images, changing by the hour.

After considerable research Anna devised a process to replicate these designs by first taking a series of high quality digital images. She then transferred the images onto bespoke vinyl and had them moulded onto her carefully prepared period furniture.

Because messages are constantly being added to the walls, Anna's design for her Verona furniture is unique to a particular moment in time, and gives each piece it's own individual artwork and identity.

Verona and Romeo and Juliet are the only pieces in Anna's collection finished in this way, all her other designs are hand painted.

words by Anna James 
 
Verona Wardrobe/Armoire is Venetian - 1930's - and Rococo in style.
 
This piece is part of a body of work I  have created which is inspired by  the walls at the entrance to" Juliet's House" - in Verona - Italy. Shakespere  apparently lived there when he wrote "Romeo and Juliet." In Shakespere's play- set in Verona- the character of Juliet was inspired by a girl living in this house.  My fascination with the graffiti on the walls began when I first visited Verona seven years ago.
These walls are covered with declarations of love from people of all ages and nationalities. They are forever changing and evolving.
 
When I first started working on my current collection I wanted to recreate these images from the walls onto furniture and I looked into different possibilities of how to do this. I'm using a process which as far as I'm aware has never been used on furniture before. I've had my photographs printed onto a special film and then heat molded to the surface of the furniture. I first restored this wardrobe in the way I would with any other antique piece . I stripped it , then painted and varnished it to a high finish so the film would adhere well.
 
This piece is entirely unique and really captures a moment in time- as within a few hours even more messages would be written! "Verona" and "Romeo and Juliet" are the only pieces in my collection finished in this way.
 
All my other designs I have painted by hand.