Buongiorno from Rome! Things have been quite hectic here even though we’re in the middle of summer. I’m staying put this year. I might go away for a long weekend in late August but it depends on what’s going on with this Delta variant. The tourists are back. Not pre-pandemic number of course but what … Continue reading Dream of Italy: Travel, Transform, and Thrive
Building and designing a new beach house on a tiny island is not the easiest of jobs. This was a personal project and I was working with several people who all have different tastes. I wanted to incorporate everyone’s ideas yet make sure the space was cohesive. This is a cottage so nothing too fancy … Continue reading The Cottage, Meads Bay Beach, Anguilla BWI – Reveal
I know I’m late to the game but I’ve just recorded my first podcast interview. I have mentioned my friend Erica Firpo’s podcast CIAO BELLA on social media before. It’s fantastic and I’m not saying that because she’s a close friend. This description of Ciao Bella sums it up perfectly. “Italy’s 21st-century creators – contemporary … Continue reading Chatting with Ciao Bella!
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.
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
Yes, it’s true that Venice has many tourist trap restaurants. Tourist traps don’t care about the quality of their food (and love to over charge people) as it’s a volume business, especially from the mega cruise ships. They will never see those tourists again and locals would never eat there. Do not let the bad … Continue reading The Design Files – Ristorante Local, Venice
My friend Erica invited me to join her on a press trip for the preview of the 16th Architecture Biennale. I haven’t been to any of the Biennale. I follow the art, cinema, and architecture ones on social media but it’s not the same. My first (and last) trip to Venice was twelve years ago, … Continue reading La Biennale Venice – 2018
