Greetings from my parents’s veranda. Liming is Caribbean slang for hanging out. Spending time with family and friends. A party. There’s no liming going on here. I arrived in St. Martin a day before all Air France flights to and from Italy were canceled. Sheer luck. I had booked my trip after a major … Continue reading Lockdown in the Caribbean – No Liming
Last week my friend Livia invited me to an intimate lunch at the lovely home of Marchesa Violante Guerrieri Gonzaga. Violante is one of the most down to earth Marchese I’ve ever met. Hello, I’ve met people who are Kings and Queens of nothing and yet, as the kids would say, they had a … Continue reading The Most Beautiful Private Terrace in Rome *
The last few months have been off the charts hectic, in a good way. One of the projects I’m working on is a new beach house on Meads Bay Beach in Anguilla. I don’t know how or why our job site suffered only a little damage during Hurricane Irma, the strongest hurricane ever recorded in … Continue reading Work in Progress – Anguilla, British West Indies
I’ve bought baker Sofie Wochner’s cinnamon rolls during the Latteria Studio‘s holiday pop-ups. Big fan. I’ve also heard about the pop-up dinners she and her husband, chef Domenico Cortese, used to hold in various locations through out Rome. Sofie and Domenico have dreamed about opening a restaurant and micro bakery in Rome for years and … Continue reading Marigold – A Delicious Newish Restaurant/Bakery in Rome.
Put me firmly in the YES camp. I’m the middle of sourcing cabinets for our Anguilla Beach House Project. As I read various online design magazines and blogs, it appears that white kitchens are “out”. People are sick of them. Apparently, they are boring and show no creativity. I disagree. I strongly believe that kitchens … Continue reading White Kitchens – Yes or No?
I have written about Franco – Italian Chez Dédé before. I heard about this incredibly talented and creative couple, Daria Reina and Andrea Ferolla, from the late great Wonderfool. My friend Courtney and I met the lovely Daria at the store/spa and wanted to buy all their bags. Daria and Andrea are quite modest. I didn’t learn … Continue reading Italian Chic – by Daria Reina and Andrea Ferolla
I hope everyone had a wonderful summer. Yes, I know technically it’s still summer despite the fact that some retailers in the States are already selling Spiced Pumpkin Latte mixes and there are bloggers talking about Halloween. I don’t understand this rush. Let’s enjoy this month and getting ready for fall. This is my favorite … Continue reading September!
Recently I was in Umbria at my friend’s Elizabeth and Domenico’s house and I posted this photo on Instagram. Quite a few people DM’d, or emailed, me to ask where the plates were from. I remembered Elizabeth’s Instastories from when she visited Pastificio Gentile and seeing the plates. This family owned company has been making pasta since 1876. … Continue reading The Design Files – Beautiful Plates from Pastificio Gentile
I published a post earlier this year regarding how traditional interiors are “in” again. I don’t think they were ever out but I’m thrilled to see color and patterns celebrated again. I recently read about this gorgeous renovation in New York Magazine. I enjoyed The Cut Wendy Goodman’s interesting and informative interview with Interior Designer David … Continue reading The Design Files – A Beautiful Colonial Renovation
I noticed this large abandoned palazzo when I first moved to Rome. I wondered what the history of the building was and why it was falling apart. I found out that it was a city owned property built in 1929. It used to be the headquarters for the Health Administration. Once those offices moved, the … Continue reading Palazzo Merulana, Rome
