The terrace comes first: a curve of cream stone railing, urns full of plants and a clipped spiral of topiary, with the lake spread out below.

Terrace Above the Lake is an Italian lakes poster of Stresa, drawn from a hillside garden in sage, cream and peach. It gives a square of wall the calm of a long look over water, and it means the most to someone who has leaned on a railing like this one.

Half garden, half lake

The right half is all garden. A paved terrace curves behind a cream stone balustrade set with planted urns, next to topiary clipped into a ball and a spiral. A low dark hedge dotted with small white flowers runs downhill beside it, pink shrubs bloom higher up, and dark cypresses climb toward the villa, cream-walled with a round corner tower, arched windows and balustraded balconies. One tall palm rises past the roof.

To the left the pale blue lake opens out, ruled with fine lines and streaked with gold. A long white motor launch with a wood-brown deck crosses it, a small terraced island in the distance sits ahead of layered blue mountains, and a coral-pink rock marks the waterline. Overhead the sky shades from peach up to pale sage green, where the lettering reads "Stresa" in a large dark olive serif, with "ITALY" in small capitals between two thin rules. Everything is flat color with fine detail, in a vintage-style travel look.

By the numbers: a thick sheet with no shine

• 3 sizes, every one a true square: 14″×14″ (35.6 × 35.6 cm), 16″×16″ (40.6 × 40.6 cm) and 18″×18″ (45.7 × 45.7 cm)
• 10.3 mil thick paper
• 189 g/m² paper weight
• 94% opacity rating, next to 104% for ISO brightness
• Matte surface, free of gloss
• Japan-sourced paper

Who it's for

Guests who once stayed in Stresa and still think about the gardens, people who tend clipped hedges and potted plants of their own, and anyone with a lake house wall to fill. Try it in a bedroom, on a stair landing or over a writing desk. It works as a honeymoon memento, a present for a couple’s anniversary, or something to bring the hosts of a lakeside wedding.

Quick answers

Is it framed?

No. You get the poster by itself, as an unframed sheet of paper.

Is anybody on the terrace?

Nobody. The paving is empty and no figures appear anywhere in the garden, so the view feels like yours alone.

What kind of boat is that?

A long motor launch with a row of cabin windows and wood trim. It is drawn mid-crossing, with a wake trailing behind it.

Is the lettering in Italian?

The town is spelled as you would see it on a map, and the country is written the English way, in capitals.

Shipping and returns

Free US shipping. US delivery usually 5–12 business days. Easy 30-day returns.

Size guide