Alongside the Rialto fish market, deli-diner Pronto Pesce specialises in crudi (Venetian-style sushi) and seafood salads.

BBC: Mini guide to eating in Venice

"Instead of the goopy Baroque or Venetian-style chandeliers with 20 colors, we're now seeing one color with maybe another color added on the details, " said Mr. Fuchs, who has written and illustrated "The Pattern Book of Lighting, " a guidebook to lighting that's out this month.

WSJ: Reinventing Splendor