The Tuscan Edit
Stories, objects, and places that define the handmade soul of Tuscany.
Welcome to The Tuscan Edit — the journal of Florence Factory.
Here we share the beauty of Tuscany as told through its makers: handcrafted objects, artisan stories, curated travel tips, and everything we love about Florence and beyond.
If you’re looking for authentic inspiration and meaningful finds, this is where your journey begins.
Best time to visit Florence: weather, crowds, and climate curiosities
What’s the best time to visit Florence? It depends on what you want—sunny walks, quiet museums, festivals, or great deals. This guide breaks down the city by season with average temperatures, rainy months, and crowd levels, plus practical tips for booking Uffizi/Accademia, beating the heat, and packing smart. Think late April–June and late September–October for balance, July–August for peak heat and buzz, and January–February for art lovers who prefer no lines and lower prices. Plan smarter and enjoy Florence at its best.
Where to buy contemporary jewelry in Florence (Santa Croce)
Short trip, high standards? In Santa Croce, Florence Factory brings together 10–20 contemporary designers, all handmaking their work in Florence and Tuscany. Pieces are produced in very limited runs, with bespoke sizing and FedEx shipping when you need it. Sustainable by practice; wearable by design. Come try the collection, then have your size made and sent home.
Florence jewelry then and now
Florence’s jewelry heritage isn’t nostalgia—it’s method. Today, a new generation trained in the city’s design and goldsmith schools makes that method their own. At Florence Factory you’ll find 10–20 selected designers, all working by hand in Florence and Tuscany, producing in very limited runs. If your size isn’t on the tray, we’ll make it to order and ship it to you.
Florence to your suitcase: Tuscan gifts that travel well
Florence offers two kinds of souvenirs: the generic kind you’ll find anywhere, and the kind made here—by Tuscan artisans and designers. This guide sticks to the second: carry-on-friendly gifts with a real local signature. Think leather bags and sandals, quietly brilliant jewelry, hand-poured candles, ceramics and interior pieces, hats, eyewear, scarves and apparel—all made in Florence or Tuscany and curated by Florence Factory. Buy once, remember well, and ship with FedEx when your suitcase taps out.
How to Buy Authentic Florentine Crafts (Without the Guesswork)
Florence dazzles on the surface; the right object carries its depth home. This field guide helps you cut through market noise to find real Tuscan craft—materials that tell the truth, provenance before price, and details that age well. Plus, what to avoid (too-cheap street racks, copy-paste inventories, sellers who can’t explain the “how” and the “who”). Buy with clarity, not guesswork.
The Secret Grammar of Door Knockers: Reading Florence One Knock at a Time
In Florence, door knockers are more than hardware—they’re a grammar of thresholds. Lions, hands, grotesques and shields speak in bronze about status, hospitality and wit. Here’s how to read them, where to find the best examples, and why patina counts as authorship.
Tiny Doors, Big Stories: Florence’s Wine Windows and the Art of Civilized Thirst
Florence’s buchette del vino—wine windows—are Renaissance-era micro-doors where noble families once sold wine directly from their palazzi. Part architecture, part urban ritual, they’re a masterclass in discreet design and civic grace. Here’s how to find them, read them, and sip with style.
Schools of Craft and Design in Florence: Where Tradition, Innovation & Local Makers Meet
Florence is not just a city of museums but a living studio where craft traditions thrive. From jewelry workshops near Ponte Vecchio to leather schools in Santa Croce, from ceramics in Montelupo to fashion at Polimoda, artisans and students alike shape the city’s creative future. At FlorenceFactory, we collaborate with these makers—many of whom chose Florence as their home—to offer design that is both deeply rooted and refreshingly contemporary.
Tuscan unicorns: dishes you can only chase down in Florence
From lampredotto stalls to Renaissance offal chic: unlock Florence’s three most elusive dishes—plus the only cibreo recipe you’ll ever need
Florence, July 2025: a city turned up to eleven
Stone palazzi may simmer at noon, but July turns Florence into Europe’s chicest open-air salon. From MusArt’s cedar-shaded concerts to slam-dunks on Piazzale Michelangelo and gelato-stuffed sagre in the hills, here’s your smart, slightly ironic guide to sweating it out in style.
Florence Factory: one of the best shops in Florence according to the New York Times
Florence Factory has been named the best artisan shops in Florence by The New York Times. Step into a world where timeless Tuscan craft meets curated design, right in the heart of the city.
Events in Florence – June 2025: Our Favorite Picks Beyond the Usual Itinerary
Discover the best events in Florence this June 2025: Pitti Uomo, dance, music, open-air cinema, markets & more. Curated by Florence Factory.
New-old vs. Historic: How to Spot the Real Icons of Florence
How to spot if a place in Florence is actually historic (and not just dressed like one)
In Florence, even the new shops come with cracked terracotta floors and sepia-toned signage. But while everything looks antique, only some places really carry the weight—and the wonder—of time.
This guide is for curious minds, sharp eyes, and anyone tired of tourist traps in period costume. From cafés to gelaterie, enoteche to nightclubs, we’ll show you how to spot the real heritage—where tradition hasn’t just been staged, but lived.
Contemporary Jewelry in Florence: Sustainability, Style, and Emerging Talent
Discover Florence Factory, the only contemporary jewelry hub in Florence where over ten designer-artisans create unique, sustainable pieces. A must-visit for jewelry lovers seeking authentic craftsmanship in Firenze
The Art of May in Florence
Planning a trip to Florence in May 2025? Discover the best events, artisan markets, exhibitions, concerts, and hidden gems for a perfect spring getaway
Can’t Find That Address in Florence? Look at the Color of the Number.
Confused by red and black street numbers in Florence? Learn why there are two, what they mean, and how to finally find that address you're looking for.
Spotting the Real Deal: How to Recognize Authentic Florentine Craftsmanship
Not all that glitters in Florence is made by hand. Learn how to recognize authentic craftsmanship with tips from Florence Factory.
Stepping into History: Leather Sandals from Ghirlandaio's Florence
Ever noticed the sandals in a Renaissance fresco? We did.
Inspired by Ghirlandaio’s paintings, our leather sandals are a wearable tribute to Florentine style—crafted by hand, designed to walk you through history (and aperitivo).
When to Visit Florence: Data, Sunshine and a Bit of Local Sass
Florence is always a good idea—but let’s be honest, some months are way better than others. We’ve combined the data (temperatures and crowd flow) with our experience as locals to help you choose when to come, why it matters, and what to expect from the city beyond the postcards.
New York Times Travel
It is indeed a great honor to be cited as the only shop (in company with the wonderful fierucola di Santo spirito) worth visiting in Florence according to the New York Times travel.
If you only have 36 hours then…