By Lee Moran

PUBLISHED: 03:28 EST, 13 June 2012 | UPDATED: 06:03 EST, 13 June 2012

These stunning pictures show what home life is really like for the richest members of the Roma Gypsy community.

Carlo Gianferro has lifted the lid on the notoriously secretive race to reveal their living conditions are a far cry from the cramped caravans of Channel 4's Big Fat Gypsy Weddings.

His series of 'Gypsy Interiors' portraits show how the often outwardly loud and vivacious people have equally gaudy coloured living rooms and kitchens in their mini-palaces in Romania and Moldova.

Scroll down for video...

Stunning: These pictures show what home life is really like for the richest members of the Roma Gypsy community

Stunning: These pictures show what home life is really like for the richest members of the Roma Gypsy community

Decorations: The homeowners are free to colour their homes in exactly the way they wish

On display: Their accumulated wealth is demonstrably on display in their palatial homes and villas in Romania and Moldova

On display: Their accumulated wealth is demonstrably on display in their palatial homes and villas in Romania and Moldova

Home time: The interiors of the houses vary, but all have much desired high ceilings

Lifting the lid: Italian photographer Carlo Gianferro has shown how the richest members of the notoriously secretive race live at home

Lifting the lid: Italian photographer Carlo Gianferro has shown how the richest members of the notoriously secretive race live at home

Some are packed full of antique furniture, tapestries, paintings, religious images and china, while others look like they are simply empty spaces waiting to be filled.

Their accumulated wealth is demonstrably on display in their palatial homes and villas in Romania and Moldova.

Gypsy Interiors: Some of the homes are packed full of antique furniture, tapestries, paintings, religious images and china, while others look like they are simply empty spaces waiting to be filled

Gypsy Interiors: Some of the homes are packed full of antique furniture, tapestries, paintings, religious images and china, while others look like they are simply empty spaces waiting to be filled

Pastel crazy: The series of pictures show men proudly sitting in their living and bedrooms

Influence: A dollar sign is prominent in this Roma hallway as its owner proudly looks on

Influence: A dollar sign is prominent in this Roma hallway as its owner proudly looks on

Big and beautiful? Marble and wooden floors, both costing a fortune, are covered in intricate rugs

Gaudy: The bright pink walls is a key feature to this living room, as are the mirrors and bright lighting

Gaudy: The bright pink walls is a key feature to this living room, as are the mirrors and bright lighting

Women are seen sitting on elegant sofas, or portrayed during intimate family moments. Young people are immortalised lounging on beds in their luxurious rooms and elders amongst their mementos.

Earlier this year the Rome-based snapper told klphotoawards.blogspot.co.uk: 'In my projects I particularly focus on people and their communities.

Expensive: The beautiful swirling patterned wooden floor is the main feature of this room

Expensive: The beautiful swirling patterned wooden floor is the main feature of this room

Arty: Scenic pictures of tigers, the Romanian countryside and animals running free adorn the walls of this home

Proud as punch: These two women sit next to a towering fireplace

Proud as punch: These two women sit next to a towering fireplace

Rustler: Donning what looks to be a cowboy hat, this boy shows off with a giant bottle of champagne in his living room

Rustler: Donning what looks to be a cowboy hat, this boy shows off with a giant bottle of champagne in his living room

Dinner time: This Roma family must be in yellow heaven with the decorations in their kitchen

Dinner time: This Roma family must be in yellow heaven with the decorations in their kitchen

'They are the ones that shape their surroundings. Either in the positive and the negative aspects it's essential to talk about all the changes people generate in their environments.

'They are impressions of life. I try to see things from different points of view, to get somehow out from stereotypes. In my 'Roma Interiors' series, I showed the Gypsy people in a new way. No more beggars or the poor living in camps.'

Power shower: Hi-tech appliances are the name of the game in this Roma family's bathroom

Power shower: Hi-tech appliances are the name of the game in this Roma family's bathroom

Winner: Carlo Gianferro won first prize for Portrait Stories at the World Press Photo Awards 2009 for this series of pictures

Winner: Carlo Gianferro won first prize for Portrait Stories at the World Press Photo Awards 2009 for this series of pictures

Hunter: This dining room looks more like a restaurant than belonging in a house

Hunter: This dining room looks more like a restaurant than belonging in a house

Tapestries: Rugs and intricate carpets take pride of place in this living room

Tapestries: Rugs and intricate carpets take pride of place in this living room

Posing: Valuable works of art lie on a beautiful wooden floor, waiting to be hung

Posing: Valuable works of art lie on a beautiful wooden floor, waiting to be hung

His series won first prize for Portrait Stories at the World Press Photo Awards 2009.

It was also shortlisted for the Grand Prix at Fotofestiwal 2009 and the 8th International Festival of Photography in Lodz, Poland.

Prized: The work was also shortlisted for the Grand Prix at Fotofestiwal 2009 and the 8th International Festival of Photography in Lodz, Poland

Prized: The work was also shortlisted for the Grand Prix at Fotofestiwal 2009 and the 8th International Festival of Photography in Lodz, Poland

Flat-screen: A huge television looms over this living room, the marble floor of which has been covered by a beautiful rug

Flat-screen: A huge television looms over this living room, the marble floor of which has been covered by a beautiful rug

Intricate: High ceilings and rather toned down pastel colours give this bedroom a classic feel, which is finished off by a wooden wardrobe

Intricate: High ceilings and rather toned down pastel colours give this bedroom a classic feel, which is finished off by a wooden wardrobe

Different: In Gianferro's 'Roma Interiors' series, he said he showed the Gypsy people in a new way

Different: In Gianferro's 'Roma Interiors' series, he said he showed the Gypsy people in a new way

Open-eyed: He said he didn't want to show beggars or the poor living in camps in this series

Open-eyed: He said he didn't want to show beggars or the poor living in camps in this series

Balcony: This young girl stands proudly at the top of her mansion's stairs, surrounded by mirrors, flowers and a multi-coloured chandelier

Balcony: This young girl stands proudly at the top of her mansion's stairs, surrounded by mirrors, flowers and a multi-coloured chandelier

Sleepy time: A bedroom fit for a princess, laden with religious artifacts, floral wallpaper and toys

Sleepy time: A bedroom fit for a princess, laden with religious artifacts, floral wallpaper and toys

Marble-tastic: This sparkly kitchen comes complete with lights on the glass cabinets

Marble-tastic: This sparkly kitchen comes complete with lights on the glass cabinets

Living the dream: These Romanian mansions are populated by Roma Gypsies

The good life: An exterior shot of one of the Romanian homes lived in by Roma Gypsies

The good life: An exterior shot of one of the Romanian homes lived in by Roma Gypsies


Here's what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

Should have stayed in the caravans...........

Report abuse

I have worked in Romania with the Roma Gypsy community. Please don't think that they are all benefit-scrounging criminals, a lot work very hard to earn houses like this. Maybe Mr Gianferro could next time to a collection of photos of the homes of the poorer Roma, that would be one hell of an eye-opener for DM readers.

Report abuse

Jack Teeside firstly learn to spell It's Romania secondly there about a safe as a box of matchs because there made from breeze blocks with no i repeat no foundations and they don't ask for planning permission which is why a couple of these places no longer exist . The Romanian government wants so badly to remove these disgusting places but the EU and many visiting idiots from outside the country keeps calling them racist for trying to bring them into the 20 century .they don't even live in because most of them live in tents in the backyards, they do not know how to live in houses.

Report abuse

I highly suggest every family send one of their children to an interior design school and for them to pay particularly attention in the class, "When Less is More"

Report abuse

The women appear to have their own chairs hidden under their skirts!

Report abuse

All paid for by ????

Report abuse

But of course they are different from UK gypsies. These are genuine Romany people and I suspect their interesting taste in decor stems from their Indian ancestry. There is absolutely no comparison.

Report abuse

Those pictures just gave me a headache!

Report abuse

Might be gaudy but they are spotlessly clean, (about as much as I can say on this subject, as it's not really news, is it ? )

Report abuse

I have had more tasteful migraines than most of these rooms, though I did like some of the floors.

Report abuse

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.