On Thursday morning I decided during my jog, at the last minute, to pass by the garden to see if it was opened yet.
It was.
If you plan to be in Rome any time before June 16th, I highly recommend a visit to the Roseto Comunale/Municipal Rose Garden.
The hours are 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. It’s located right across the street from Circo Massimo. There is only a six week window to enjoy these stunning flowers from all over the world.
Buon Weekend!
It’s a Ponte Weekend in Italy.
While most of my friends are out of town, I’m using this weekend to catch up on work and to get organized for next month.
I would love to spend some time in the country this weekend. Instead, I will go to the park.
Fountain, Villa Borghese Park
One of my favorite parks is Villa Borghese. If you are visiting Rome, it’s a great place to go for some peace and quiet.
Buon weekend a tutti!
Last week my friend Courtney and I went to see the new Helmut Newton exhibit at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni.
There are two hundred photos covering three legendary books by Newton. This blockbuster show runs until July 21st.
Newton forever changed fashion photography and is considered one of the most influential photographers of the modern era. Many copy his style, but few have his talent.
It was incredible to see all these iconic photographs in person. This one was shot for VOGUE in 1975.
Le Smoking
Photo: Vogue.com
My friend and I left the show very inspired. Newton was passionate about life and his work. He was shooting until the day he died at age 84.
His first book of photography wasn’t published until he was 56 years old. By Hollywood standards that’s close to 100.
I’ve worked for years in culture that was/is obsessed with age and making it. I had friends in L.A. who started getting Botox in their 20′s and I’m not talking only about actresses.
It’s hard to be in that world and not lose your sanity. Once I moved to Rome, it was a little easier. However, there were times I still woke up in the middle of the night in a panic because I haven’t “made it” yet and time is running out. I thought, “I’m done. It’s a wrap.”
Last week I walked out of that exhibit thinking,”later for that nonsense, I’m just getting started.”
Buon weekend!
A new Pope was elected this week. We still don’t have a Prime Minister. It’s kind of nuts but I digress.
The determined sun fought its way through today’s stubborn clouds and after a week of horrendous weather, we finally had a few hours of sunshine. The angels sang.
Perhaps it’s a little early for Spring cleaning (the horrible weather is scheduled to return on Sunday afternoon) but I would like to get started on some projects this weekend.
Thoughts of Spring brought me to the photo below.
How lovely is this space designed by L.A. based, British born, Peter Dunham?
A Beverly Hills Family Room Designed by Peter Dunham
Photo: Architectural Digest
We had a chance to visit Peter’s showroom during Kathryn M. Ireland’s Design Bootcamp. His showroom was filled with beautiful things and Peter was very charming.
I think those chairs need to be in my home.
Buon Weekend!
Seven years ago I traveled to Rome for the second time.
The first time was a revelation and I fell hard for this crazy city. It didn’t make sense. Nobody in my family is Italian and I was not an Italophile by any stretch.
I loved London, Paris, and Amsterdam. When I was in junior high and high school I just KNEW I would live in Paris or London one day. I wasn’t thinking about Rome or Italy despite living in a town called Verona .
I thought maybe I had responded to Rome that way because of what was, or wasn’t, going on in my life at that moment. I had to find out why that one trip had unsettled me so much.
I returned the following year and took a short trip to Florence and Positano.
The view from my terrace.
It was a pain in the butt to get from Rome to Positano. First the train to Naples (not bad), then the train to Sorrento (an hour on a local train with many stops), and then finally a bus to Positano.
I walked down the steep hill, followed by a million steps, to reach my hotel. Once I stepped into the room and opened the large French doors, I saw that view. My heart skipped a beat. It was so beautiful it felt unreal, like a movie set.
There is a great hiking trail/path way up in the mountains, Sentiero degli Dei/Path of the Gods. Early one morning, I went up the mountain.
It was quiet. I saw two German tourists hiking and that was it. For the first time in years, my mind wasn’t racing a mile a minute, overwhelmed by the things I had not accomplished.
That walk changed everything.
I realized I had to make some serious changes in my life for my mental and physical health. I wasn’t sure how at that time.
Eventually, I figured it out and moved to Italy two years later.
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.
A few days ago I met my friend Annie for a coffee. She was super busy this year and we were finally able to get together and catch up during her low season.
I told Annie how since September I’ve spoken more Italian than in the previous three years. I was joking when I said my “word” for 2013 should be “Si”. Then we thought about it and realized it’s a perfect word.
When I mentioned this to another friend, she said, “Uhm, hello, wasn’t your word last year, ‘yes’?”
It was. However, “si” is different.
Until recently, I was living in an English speaking bubble. I do have Italian friends (all speak several languages), but I worked only in English. I’m not married to an Italian and I had no reason to speak it everyday, which is bizarre given I live in Italy!
Now that I’m suddenly working in Italy, everything has changed. My getting-by-Italian is fine for dinner parties and ordering food in restaurants. It’s a problem when I have to order meters of fabric for customs drapes and sofas. It’s important that I’m clear and able to communicate with the artisans I’m working with.
Already, I feel a whole new world is opening up to me because my language skills have improved. I dream in Italian sometimes. In one of those dreams Idris Elba was also speaking Italian but I digress.
As I explained in my post last year, I tend to over think things. In 2012, I said “yes” a lot more often and took some financial risks (going to the Salone, buying Photoshop, etc.) It wasn’t easy to step out of my comfort zone but I’m glad I did. 2012, on a personal and professional level, was a much better year than 2011.
I’m excited about 2013 and hope that the momentum from the last few months carries over.
Rainy season will start soon in Rome.
I know Hunter Wellies have become crazy popular recently. However, unlike some other trends, this one is a classic. Hunter’s boots are not just fashionable, they are well made.
This Scottish based company has been making boots since 1856. While I don’t own a country estate in the UK, I do need boots that can stand up to the torrential downpours we get here.
I’m not sure which color to get. I love their Stylish Simplicity.
Hunter Wellington Boots (aka Wellies)
Last week I was hired to decorate an apartment in Rome.
This is my first project in Italy. I’m excited but also a little terrified. Now I must speak and work in Italian. While many vendors speak English, there are quite a few people I’m working with on this apartment, like the contractor, who do not.
I need get over my fear of communicating in Italian and just do it.
The décor is going to be understated Hollywood Regency based on our consultation and the pieces my client already owns. I know that sounds like an oxymoron, but it just means that some of the over the top elements of the style will be toned down. Sometimes, one can have too many mirrored surfaces!
The bones of this large apartment are absolutely stunning, as is the terrace. The layout is more formal than the other projects I’m working on.
I tend to use strong colors as accents, not on the walls, so some of the rooms will push me out of my comfort zone which is a good thing. After all, it’s not my apartment, it’s the client’s. I want my client to have a home that they love and that reflects their personality.
Due the nature of my client’s work, I won’t be able to publish photos of their apartment.
However, I have started an inspiration board, which is HERE.
Before David Fincher was an A-list Hollywood film director, he directed many iconic videos.
“Vogue” is one of my favorites.
Last night was Vogue’s Fashion Night Out in Rome. Once again, I went with my partner in fashion/art crime. It was cold and rainy but the streets were still packed.
We had a great night, ending with an impromptu belated birthday drink at Hotel de Russie. I really need to write a post about that bar.
Buon weekend a tutti!
