Weekend Inspiration - Yellow and Blue - CuisinArt, Anguilla BWI
The island of St. Martin is in the background
How pretty is this yellow and blue? I was having lunch at the CuisinArt hotel in Anguilla and had to snap this picture.Yellow can be a difficult color to work with but I hope to use it in my beach house project.Buon Weekend a tutti!
Life In Rome - Palazzo Nardini
I've written before about my fascination with abandoned houses.On Via del Governo Vechhio there's an empty palazzo that I've walked by many times. Unlike some other big cities I've lived in, there are very few vacant buildings in the center of Rome. So much so that they truly stand out.One morning I noticed there were riot police at the end of the block. The doors of the building were opened and there was a large group of protesters inside. They were demanding that the county (which owns the property) renovate the space into affordable housing. I doubt that will happen given the location, red tape, and costs.Built in the late 1400s by Cardinal Stefano Nardiini, I had to check it out.
I had no idea that this building was so large.
I hope something wonderful happens with this space. It's a shame that it's just sitting there, empty.
Weekend Inspiration - Roses - Rome, Italy
One of my favorite spots in Rome is finally opened.If you plan to be in Rome before June 15th, I highly recommend a visit. It's opened from 8:30 - 19:30. Entrance is free.Buon weekend!
Weekend Inspiration - Tulips - Park Avenue, New York City
I can tell Spring is really here despite the cold (actually freezing) mornings and the rain. My allergies are on a different level this year. I do not approve.It's Easter weekend. When I was very young this meant a new Easter outfit. We're talking the full enchilada - dress, shoes, gloves, and a HAT!!! This also meant going to an extra long Easter Sunday service but usually the coffee hour after (Methodists don't play) was outstanding.Like many of our other traditions, this one ended once we moved to the suburbs. I know one reason was because I was getting older and nobody really dressed up for Easter in our suburb after a certain age.Another reason for the change was cultural. Our church in Verona was the complete opposite of our church in New York City. Very few people in our town would wear an Aretha Franklin type hat to church.
In the mid 70's my parents' friends and relatives starting fleeing the economically devastated and crime ridden City. Everyone was so spread out. No longer could we walk, take a cab, or just hop on the subway to visit. Now there were long car rides to Westchester County, Long Island, Bergen County, etc.Occasionally, we did make it back into the City. One of my favorite signs of Spring were the tulips on Park Avenue. Years later, after college and career number one, I finally made it back to my hometown and would walk up Park as soon as the tulips were in bloom.Recently I've become much more nostalgic during the holidays. I think it's because I live so far away from my family. My siblings now have their own traditions with their families and I don't.The forecast calls for rain tomorrow. I will buy some tulips.Buon weekend e Buona Pasqua!
It's All About Sicily In Fathom Magazine
The award-winning Fathom Magazine is celebrating Sicily this week. I'm trilled that I get to join in the festivities.
My article is about Sicily and the solo traveler.When I booked my trip, I didn't think it was a big deal that I was traveling alone. Then once everyone and their mother kept saying, "Wow, you're going to Sicily by yourself?!", I started to get nervous.You can read about my Sicilian adventures HERE.The entire series is fantastic. I want to book a trip now.
Weekend Insipiration - Have A Seat - Viceroy Hotel - Anguilla, British West Indies
How funky are these chairs?
I am a big fan of Kelly Wearstler's commercial work, yet the Viceroy in Anguilla took me by surprise.A few years ago I met clients for a drink at the bar. At first, when I walked in, the décor seemed so "uncaribbean" to me.Then I walked around. It IS very Caribbean. Wearstler's use of natural materials, her color palette, and the subtle nod to more tradition Caribbean design makes the Viceroy one my favorite hotel spaces.This hotel is huge and could easily feel very corporate (thinking of a certain hotel on the Dutch side of St. Maarten that ruined one of the best beaches on the island).Instead it's unique and jaw dropping gorgeous.Not a bad place to meet for drinks, especially with a locals' discount.I have more meetings this weekend about my Caribbean project.Feeling very inspiredBuon weekend!
The Tuscany Project
Last year I wrote about the vacation home in Tuscany I'm working on with architect Domenico Minchili.Our clients had some photos taken and below are a few of them.First, a before shot of the living room.
After.The room is so much lighter. The new "old" floors make a huge difference as does the paint color. I was consumed for days regarding which shade of Farrow & Ball white was the best white for the walls. We decided to use Skimming Stone.The chairs were custom made by Tondini & Radicchi. So were all the draperies in the house.
One of the bedrooms mid-renovation.
After.
A bathroom before.
After.
Wider shot of the living room. The sofas, coffee table, and sconces are custom.
The studio.This room receives little natural light. Many people assume that a small dark room must be painted a very light color in order to make it look bigger. Not true. It seems counter-intuitive but going darker gives a small room more depth.
One of my Italian friends called this décor, "Relaxed Chic." Another friend said it was "Casual Luxury." Both work for me.Every bedroom, and its bathroom is unique, yet the entire home is cohesive.The paint is from Farrow & Ball.Most of the new furniture was custom made. We also sourced pieces from Flamant, Barthel, and small shops in Rome and Tuscany.Our fabric sources were, Dedar, Ralph Lauren Home, Kathryn M. Ireland, and Pierre Frey.If you would like to know the specific colors or more information about the fabric or furniture, please feel free to ask me in the comments section.This property is available for vacation rental. It's in the heart of the Chianti region surrounded by vineyards. The views are stupendous.For more information (and some exterior photos), please visit the luxury rental Abercrombie & Kent website.Photos by: Mario Flores
Weekend Inspiration - Lights - Via del Corso - Rome
How is it possible that Christmas is only five days away.Buon weekend!
Life In Rome - Interview And Photo Shoot with Gina Gomez
I do not like having my photo taken. Correction, I'm game when I'm in a group shot.It's not just because the camera adds ten to fifteen pounds. It's because I feel like a big dork standing there while the photographer snaps.Thanks to social media, I had to get over my discomfort. That said, I still get salty when unflattering photos are tagged on Facebook. What the what? Does the tagger need new glasses? Good friends don't let folks tag bad photos.Gina wanted to take a few head shots during our terrace photo shoot. I was sweaty and wiped out. So even though Gina is a talented photographer I thought, "no good can come of this."She convinced me to at least try a few. I did and this is what happened:
I did a brief interview with Gina and she has posted more photos from the shoot on her blog.To see more of Gina's gorgeous work, please visit her website here.
Life In Rome - An EUR Walk
Last Sunday, my friends Erica and Darius decided to take advantage of the great weather and organized a quick walk through EUR.I still have problems pronouncing the area's name correctly. The second time I visited Rome, a friend from L.A. was in town. She asked her lover (they met the year before) if he could show us around EUR.L.A. Friend: Marco, can you drive us to E.U.R.? (spelling it out in English)Marco: Dove? (Where?)LAF: E.U.R.Marco: Non capisco.LAF: Big buildings, Mussolini.Marco: Oh, AY-oor. Certo. That was a fun afternoon as my friend spoke no Italian and Marco spoke several languages but none of them were English. However, they spoke the universal language of love lust, so it was all good.On Sunday, I met up with the rest of the Twitter folks (aka Tweeps). One of Darius and Erica's friends was born in the area and still lives there. He knows the area well and it was fascinating to hear his point of view.If you have any interest in architecture or 20th century Roman history, EUR is definitely worth a visit. It's a very unique neighborhood.Here are a few snapshots from Sunday.
Photos From My Trastevere Terrace Project
My client travels frequently overseas for work but, like most of the native Romans I know, he enjoys hosting aperitivi and dinner parties when he's in town.He saw the work I did for another client and asked me to take a look at his terrace.We wanted to make the space flow better, redo the landscaping, and buy new furniture to add to some of the pieces he already owned.I think it's important for the outdoor areas and indoor areas to be cohesive. I kept my client's interior spaces in mind as I looked for furniture. My landscaper and I had a long conversation regarding which plants would work best for the terrace.I wrote about photographer Gina Gomez (aka Warm Pears) on my former blog three years ago. Earlier this year, we discussed collaborating on something.The terrace was that perfect something.Below are a few pictures from the shoot.
Resources:Furniture: UNOPIU'Lantern: FlamantCenterpiece: Bloemen Florist - Via Terenzio, 37 (zona Prati), Rome, +39 06 6892901
Snapshots - Ostia Antica, Italy
Ostia Antica, the ancient port city founded in 620 BC, is a place I've wanted to visit for a long time.So when I heard that Save Rome and Moscerina were organizing an Instagram meet up, I signed up right away.It was fantastic. We were very lucky to have archeologist Dr. Arya show us the sights. If you have any interest in Ancient Rome, Ostia Antica is a must see.Here are a few of my snapshots.
Weekend Inspiration - A Dip In The Pool - Salina, Sicily
Just as I predicted, only a few weeks after everyone and their mother was complaining about the cold wet weather, summer arrived with a vengeance.It's outrageously hot in Rome thanks to winds blowing in from Africa. It's no joke people, and it's only mid-June. Oh Dio.Last weekend I finally made it to Sicily. I went to the tiny island of Salina. The island is gorgeous and the weather was perfect.I spent at lot of time here:
This weekend instead of looking out at Stromboli and Panarea poolside, I will be sticking my head in the freezer and thinking cool thoughts.Buon weekend!
Work In Progress - Trastevere - Rome, Italy
Great news here at AGD.The house in Tuscany is almost done and I've signed two new clients.For one project, I'm helping my client redo his terrace.The other project also includes working on a terrace and collaborating with my client to furnish her new apartment.Both apartments are in Trastevere.One thing I love about this type of work is that each project is unique. My other Rome project is understated glamour.The apartment I'm working on in Trastevere is contemporary with a very streamlined palette, white, black, gray, and some pops of red. A few pieces came with the apartment and most of the additional furniture will be custom-made.My client would like a home that is minimal, light, and yet cozy. Minimal decors can be cold so I'm all about texture and natural materials.I have an inspiration board for the apartment on PInterest.For the terrace project, we are going to redo the plants, buy new furniture, and make the space flow better. My client entertains often and it's important that his guests feel comfortable.My landscaper is amazing and I cannot wait to see how the terrace will look once the plants grow in a little.I real enjoy working with my clients. I know this something not every decorator can say!
Weekend Inspiration - Rome's Roseto Comunale
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!
Weekend Inspiration - Fountain - Villa Borghese Park, Rome
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.
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!
