No words are needed explain why this new hotel in Sicily is inspiring.
For more pictures of this stunning place, please click on their website HERE:
Buon weekend!
(I’m going to dream about the bedrooms. I know it.)
I don’t even drink coffee or have an espresso maker, yet I would love to own these cups. Stylish, simple, elegant… I adore them
Designed for Alessi by Massimiliano and Doriana Mandrelli Fuksas
Photo: Amazon.uk
Speaking of Fuksas, the world renowned architects recently renovated the flagship Benetton store in Rome. I haven’t stepped into a Benetton since college but I’m very curious about this building.
What a week.
Just when you think Italian politics couldn’t be more confusing or bizarre, they are. I have no idea what is going to happen now. Maybe we’ll have new elections.
The Pope said good-bye yesterday. The city is packed with tourists who came to see him for the last time. Cardinals are flying in for the conclave and there are journalists in town from all over the world.
Work-wise, things were hectic. I’m not sure how it’s Friday already.
Yesterday, Domenico and I drove up to Tuscany to visit the job site and to meet with our client who flew in from Germany. Normally, we would stay overnight but we decided to make it a day trip and left Rome at 6:30 a.m.
It was a very long day. At one point my brain said, “BASTA!” and refused to cooperate. It was around the time I was asking the contractor questions in Italian and then translating his answers into English.
On the drive back home, all I could think about was taking a long shower, getting in my PJs, and then watching Law and Order SVU reruns on Fox Crime (I have a thing for Detective Stabler).
I wish I had a shower like this:
Unfortunately, I do not.
The shower in the photo was designed by Ilaria Miani for Monteverdi. Monteverdi is a group of rental villas and a hotel in the small village of Castiglioncello del Trinoro in Tuscany.
Stunning. I hope to check it out sometime later this year.
In the meantime, Stabler and I will be relaxing this weekend.
Buon Weekend!
In December, I attended the AWAR holiday cocktail party at Palazzo Farnese. The construction of the Palazzo started in 1515 and it has been the home of the French Embassy since 1874.
I’ve been inside the building before to vote (I have dual citizenship, American and French) and went to an exhibit they held a few years ago. However, this time there was a tour from the Ambassador himself.
I had a blast that night with my friend Gillian. AWAR raised money for charity, we saw amazing art and architecture, and we had a chance to drink Champagne.
One of the highlights for me was walking into various rooms by myself to study the interiors. I’m still shocked they let us take pictures (a big no-no at the American Embassy. You have to turn in your cellphones and cameras at security).
“The Mix” is important. It’s also difficult to do well. A room with furnishings from a mix of eras gives off a different energy than a room where every single piece of furniture, all the vignettes, art, etc. etc. are from the exact same time period and/or store. When the mix is on point, it’s so exciting.
Conference Room Palazzo Farnese.
I was surprised when I stepped into this room and saw the modern iron table and chairs.
I think a traditional table from that period with very ornate detailing and decked out with ivory would’ve been too much.
Instead this table compliments the room. You really notice the drop dead gorgeous proportions, the floors, the walls, everything. Most conference rooms are zzzzzzzz. This one is a stunner.
Buon weekend and cin cin to mixing it up.
Design, fashion, and lifestyle bloggers have gone crazy over Miranda Brooks’ Brooklyn home which was featured in the January issue of American Vogue.
I completely understand why. Brooks, a landscape architect/contributing editor at Vogue and her French husband, architect Bastien Halard, have created a beautiful home. It’s stylish but not stuffy.
How much do I adore this bathroom?
A French bathroom in Brooklyn.
I would spend a lot of time in this space… all those books! The fresh flowers are a nice touch.
Another view of the bathroom.
What are your plans for the weekend? I will be staring at Farrow & Ball paints trying to figure out which shade of gray is perfect for a client’s upstairs hallway.
I’m also going to do some major cleaning and organizing. I might treat myself to some flowers at the overpriced flower stands in Campo dei Fiori. Cranking up some good music and having pretty flowers to look at will make my chores less boring.
It won’t be all work this weekend. I’m also meeting friends for aperitivi.
Buon weekend a tutti! Click HERE to see more pictures of this amazing home.
I was recently hired by the very talented architect Domenico Minchilli to work on the interiors for a home in the Chianti region of Tuscany, Italy.
Words cannot adequately express how excited I am about this project.
Chianti, Tuscany
We have a mid/late Spring deadline.
One of the bathrooms post demolition.
Early on, I started to pull images for an inspiration board on Pinterest. Some of the images came from books in my library, photos from my travels, or from my favorite websites. Originally, I had over sixty-five images. It was a great visual tool and helped me see the big picture. I kept that version of the board private so I could show Domenico what I was thinking.
Once I had a clearer idea of what the client wanted/needed for their home, I put together a mood board in Photoshop for each room. There has to be a separate post about Photoshop… DRAMA.
Fabric for sofas and chairs.
I had written a much longer post but deleted it. It was way too sappy.
However, I will say I’m thrilled to be working with such an incredible group of people and that 2013 is off to a great start.
“Soon Come.”
This Caribbean expression is very similar to the Italian word, domani. Technically, domani means tomorrow, but in Italy it could mean months or years from now. The concept of time is very different.
Soon come is the same thing.
“When is your tio (uncle) visiting from the States?”
“Soon come.”
When I was a child, I assumed this meant that the gentleman would be on the next flight. No, he may arrive tomorrow, or December 2013.
Yesterday, I met with my clients and their builder. The house is moving along.
“When will the exterior be finished?”
“Soon come”.
It’s not easy to build on a tiny island thanks to the elements (hurricane season is no joke), sourcing of materials, and high labor costs.
Depending on a variety of factors out of my client’s hands, the house could be done in eight months or ???.
We’ll see. Soon come.
Victoria Hagan is one of the most respected interior designers in America. Since founding her firm 20 years ago, Ms. Hagan has built a reputation for designing classic yet modern spaces.
Victoria Hagan Interior Portraits
All photos: victoriahagan.com
I love her work and couldn’t wait to read her book.
I highly recommend it.
Ms. Hagan’s book showcases three portfolios, Waterside, City, and Country. Of course, I was drawn immediately to the Waterside chapters. Speechless.
Gorgeous living room in Nantucket
I think “Stylish Simplicity” when I study Ms. Hagan’s work. Her use of strong silhouettes and interesting textures is inspiring. I also like how she mixes pieces from different eras, yet the spaces are cohesive.
These homes look like places people actually live in, not like a showroom or a museum.
Columbus Circle, New York City.
Mies van der Rohe, one of the titans of modern architecture, was born 126 years ago today.
If you went on Google today, you saw their homage to Mies van der Rohe.
Known for his “less is more” style, after his death, many postmodernists blamed him for the soulless “international design” that became popular.
The thing is, simple is hard to get right. All those Mies van der Rohe knockoffs were just that, knockoffs.
I know this chair is EVERYWHERE, but I love the lines of the Barcelona chair. It’s modern design, but I’ve seen the chair work in non-contemporary settings as well
Barcelona chair, Knoll
The Guardian has a great article regarding how the reputation of Mies van der Rohe has completely changed since his death in 1986.
I didn’t know that the Barcelona chair was never intended for production. A stainless steel one will set you back $7740.
I can’t even imagine what an original version goes for.
