And the winner is…

 

 

A few weeks ago I had a Give-away post, courtesy of Manito Silk with a beautiful set of travel pillow and mask worth more than Canadian $150.00 being the gift .

 

Here is what Manito says about the mask:

(…) Perfect for travel or sleep at home, a silk mask is a great wonderful sleep accessory that will help you wake up feeling more refreshed. Get luxury in a small package with our beautiful yet functional silk eye masks.
The smooth and soft texture of our 22 momme mulberry silk mask feels cool and refreshing as you settle in for a good night’s sleep. Whether you’re catching a nap on a long flight, or simply looking for a way to sleep more soundly at home, Manito’s mulberry silk, inside and out, makes is simply the best for your rest and relaxation (…)

And for the pillow:

(…) Manito's silky smooth, plush travel pillow is a convenient and comfy way for you to catch up on some much-needed rest when you’re on the go. It’s a first class travel accessory. Our ultimate travel pillow is filled with 100% long strand mulberry silk floss and is encased in a cover of our famous 22 momme, traditional charmeuse weave fabric. This travel pillow is super soft, comfortable, gentle on your skin and hair, and will help you arrive in style. The cover feels cool against your skin as you sleep, allowing for a more restful, smoother sleep (…)

And now the best part: I can finally announce that

Karen Albert from The Arts by Karena won the set.

If you don’t know Karen yet (how could you not?) please read her Blog, which is not just entertaining but also a great source of knowledge.

Her latest post is featuring a great designer: Raji Radhakrishnan and you’ll be intrigued by her talent too.

Congratulations Karen, just send me a note with your address and which one of these three combinations of color you prefer:

-  Silver Blue and Charcoal,

or

-  Plum and Soft Pink,

or

-  Champagne and Chocolate?

Hope you’ll enjoy the luxurious silky feeling!

 

©2014 Brillante Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things". If you receive this post by Email and wish to leave a comment please click HERE and go to the comments section.  We love your comments!

If you need help to enjoy your home more, please send us an email.  It will be an investment in happiness at home, because a well designed house is always a good part of a great life and a beautiful room will make you happy every time you walk in!

Bed behavior and a Give-away

It is time again for a great give-away, courtesy of Manito Silk Bedding.

All bedding are hand crafted from 100% Mulberry long strand silk with immaculate stitching and a charmeuse weave finish. Dress your bed in Manito silk and you'll discover luxury, elegance and sensuality like nothing else.

Manito's silk bedding is also the ultimate choice for comfort and health. Naturally breathable, 100% silk stays cool in the summer and keeps you warm in the winter for comfortable sleeping year-round.

If you ask how Manito differentiates from the legion of other silk products on the market:

1. They use a traditional charmeuse weave on a narrower, slower loom. This requires a seam on the sheets but the depth and feel of the charmeuse is incomparable - vastly superior to "seamless" sheets done on faster, wider looms

2.  Stitching and attention to detail is meticulous

3. They use only 100% long strand mulberry silk at a market leading 22 momme weight

4. Even the filling behind quilting is silk, not polyester !

And now… are you ready for a great Give-away?

Sweet dreams in the air (or wherever you lay your head) with this luxurious combination of silk-filled travel pillow and matching sleep mask.
It's super soft, gentle on your skin and hair, and will help you arrive in style. At just 12" by 14" it fits easily in your carry-on, purse, or briefcase. The removable cover is machine washable so its easy to care for and they have a firm fit to block light but not so firm that it puts pressure on your skin.
Pillows are available in Silver Blue and Charcoal, Plum and Soft Pink, Champagne and Chocolate.

Bon voyage!

To be entered in the draw all you have to do is:
-  be a resident of Canada or continental USA
-  visit Manito website HERE then come back to this blog and leave a comment (at the bottom of this post) saying what particular item you liked most; for Brillante Interiors fans, Twitter and Facebook  followers, or email subscribers, click HERE to leave a comment
- entry deadline is Midnight PST on Sunday, July 13th, 2014
- Winner will be announced on Friday, July 18th, 2014
If you don’t already have a link don’t forget to leave a contact in case you are the winner.

Thanks Manito for the giveaway and for being a Brillante Interiors Blog  valued sponsor.

©2014 Brillante Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".
If you receive this post by Email and wish to leave a comment please click HERE and go to the comments section.  We love your comments!

If you need help to enjoy your home more, please send us an email.  It will be an investment in happiness at home, because a well designed house is always a good part of a great life and a beautiful room will make you happy every time you walk in!

Diamond Jubilee give-away

The Grand Staircase at Buckingham Palace.

BBC Home Entertainment, to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee year, the 60^th year of one of the longest reigning monarchs of the United Kingdom has produced a special, three-episode documentary:

“The Queen’s Palaces” DVD, released on May 29, 2012.

The Grand Reception Room at Windsor Castle.

The King’s Closet in The Palace of Holyroodhouse.

The DVD is sharing an extensive look into the long history, the remarkable interior décor and the architecture that has evolved across the centuries of the Royals homes : Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, which dates back to the 11^th century and has gone from medieval fortress to a romantic fantasy; and the Palace of Holy Roodhouse, formerly a monastery, and now home of objects from the Royal Collection.

Congratulations to:
Comment # 7 - Rosa from the delightful  blog Flutter Flutter
Comment # 4 - Night Owl
Comment # 5 - Alice

Please send me your addresses and I will promptly send you a copy of this wonderful DVD.

Congratulations and enjoy it!

Photography (Top to Bottom) by Derry Moore,  Mark Fiennes, John Freeman.
Source

©2012 Brillante Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".


Brillante Interiors now offers also online consultations so please send an email and we can start the process. It will be an investment in happiness at home, a well designed house is always a good part of a great life and a beautiful room will make you happy every time you walk in!

The Queen’s Palaces - A giveaway

Liz Windsor aged 3, 1929

From a press release - BBC Worldwide Americas
New York – May 2012 – BBC Home Entertainment is proud to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee year, the 60^th year of one of the longest reigning monarchs of the United Kingdom. For the occasion BBC America has produced a special, three-episode documentary:

 The Queen’s Palaces DVD which will be released on May 29, 2012.

Princess Elizabeth aged 7, 1933 Painting by Philip de László.

The DVD will be sharing an extensive look into the long history, the remarkable interior décor and the architecture that has evolved across the centuries of the Royals homes :Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle - which dates back to the 11^th century and has gone from medieval fortress to a romantic fantasy; and the Palace of Holy Roodhouse, formerly a monastery, and now home of objects from the Royal Collection that are bound to Palace’s turbulent history.

Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Formal Engagement photograph.

Coronation portrait of Queen Elizabeth II June 1953, Westminster Abbey. “ A six yard train in best quality handmade purple silk velvet, trimmed with best quality Canadian ermine 5" on top and underside and fully lined with pure silk English Satin, complete with ermine cape and all being tailed ermine in the traditional manner, and including embroidery by the Royal School of Needlework.”

Cecil Beaton photograph, 1950’s

As Fiona Bruce walks you through the palaces, objects and art of profound historic importance are showcased including some other quirky pieces of work. Bonus features include an introduction to the series by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, discussing the role these palaces play in the life of the Monarchy and in the history of Britain.

1976 in Finland

May 2012, inspecting the cake for one of the celebrations…

Another- recent image of the Queen and Prince Philip.

Queen Elizabeth II at 86 years of age, beautiful as ever.

The year 2012 will be a Royal Party, since The Commonwealth celebrates 60 years of her reign with events, parades, concerts, even tea with commoners.

“In this special year, as I dedicate myself anew to your service, I hope we will all be reminded of the power of togetherness and the convening strength of family, friendship, and good neighbourliness, examples of which I have been fortunate to see throughout my reign and which my family and I look forward to seeing in many forms as we travel throughout the United Kingdom and the wider Commonwealth.” Elizabeth II, 2012

And now a curiosity:

 

The Royal Canadian Mint, in 2003, unveiled the new portrait of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II created by Susanna Blunt (happy to say she is one of my best friends and I lived with her the whole exciting process) in celebration of the Queen's Jubilee and has been used on all new Canadian coins. Queen Elizabeth expressed the wish to be portrayed without the crown, a sign of her willingness to be represented as a modern monarch.

Long live the Queen, she was for six decades and still is a true example of style and determination in fulfilling her extremely demanding role, managing gracefully to combine the dignity and grandeur of her position with a common touch that allowed the public to warm to her.

Let’s visit her Royal residences…
I can offer three DVDs to my readers as a giveaway, just leave me a comment with some contact information and I will randomly choose and announce the winners on June 2nd, 2012. Unfortunately I can send the giveaway only to Canada and continental USA.
If you don’t win don’t despair, you can buy the DVD  clicking HERE.


Don’t forget to answer my question: “Can you guess whose house is this?” from my previous post HERE.

©2012 Brillante Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".

Brillante Interiors now offers also online consultations so please send an email and we can start the process. It will be an investment in happiness at home, a well designed house is always a good part of a great life and a beautiful room will make you happy every time you walk in!

And the blanket goes to…

On a previous post (HERE) I was giving away two beautiful blankets kindly offered by Manito Luxury Silk: one Queen size silk blanket and one Baby silk blanket.

And the winners are…

Winner of the Queen size silk blanket in Camel color is Tamara of Delish Magazine (2nd comment received)

Winner of the Baby blanket is Peggy Braswell of Peggy Braswell Design (13th comment received).



 

Congratulations to both and thank you to all the other readers who took the time to comment.



©2012 Brillante Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".
If you receive this post by Email and wish to leave a comment please click HERE and go to the comments section.  I love your comments!

If you need help to enjoy your home more, please send me an email.  It will be an investment in happiness at home, because a well designed house is always a good part of a great life and a beautiful room will make you happy every time you walk in!

Two fabulous silky giveaways

 
To a fortunate reader Manito Luxury Silk will send a Queen size silk blanket, valued at $ 299.00. Spring is coming so they will be just perfect for warmer nights.

 

Queen size silk blanket in Silverstone color

Manito’s silk blankets are 100% Mulberry silk with a simple, 100% silk border, unlike other brands which use polyester borders. Woven to be incredible soft, lightweight, breathable and warm.  Available in three colors: Camel, Rose and Silverstone.

***

A second fortunate reader will receive a Baby silk blanket, valued at $ 149.00, which can be also used as a throw on a chair, an extra layer at the foot of a bed or… for your furry friend if you wish (we know already that many beautiful accessories are “gone to the dogs!”)

 

Manito’s silk mini- blankets (36” x 48”)  are 100% Mulberry silk with a 100% silk border. Hypoallergenic and woven to be incredibly soft, lightweight, breathable and warm, they are the natural cuddle buddy for the little ones. Great as baby shower gifts! Available in three colors: Baby blue, Rose and Sage (Sage is a new color, not yet on Manito website). Due to the blankets’ unique, tightly woven design, you  will appreciate that they are machine washable.

Mini- silk blanket in Rose color

How to win? With simple two steps:

1) Browse Manito Silk website (HERE)

2) Come back to my blog and leave me a comment on the item you most like of their production: silk robes? blankets? duvets?… In the same comment please also specify the color of the blanket if you would be the lucky winner (please specify a color for Queen size and a color for Baby size). Since the giveaway is restricted to Canada and continental USA please tell me in the comment also where you live and don't forget to add contact information or a link.

I will randomly choose the Number 1 winner (Queen silk blanket) and the Number 2 winner (Baby silk blanket) and announce the names on Sunday, February 26th.
Keep sending me comments and keep your fingers crossed!

Good luck everyone!

Photography © Albarosa Simonetti

©2012 Brillante Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things". If you receive this post by Email and wish to leave a comment please click HERE and go to the comments section. 
I love your comments!

If you need help to enjoy your home more, please send me an email.
It will be an investment in happiness at home, because a well designed house is always a good part of a great life and a beautiful room will make you happy every time you walk in.

Manito Silk give-away winner

We have a winner…

Since I am in Milan I decided to use an Italian system instead of True Random Number Generator so this is the Italian version:

Un numero a Caso (a random number)

Minimo: 1

Massimo: 37

1   

I numeri sono generati utilizzando l'algoritmo Mersenne twister 19937.
i Copyright NumeriaCaso.it, 2009

The winner of the silk robe by Manito Luxury Silk & Linen is

Number 1

which correspond to the first comment received and guess what, Joni Webb from Cote de Texas… the busiest designer-blogger… was the first one to comment!

Congratulations Joni, now please send me your address and

the color
the lenght
and size of your choice
and thanks to Manito you’ll soon receive a great silk robe.

©2011 Brillante Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".
If you receive this post by Email and wish to leave a comment please click HERE and go to the comments section.
I love to hear from you!

Give-away reminder

 

Don’t forget my latest Give-away, to participate please click HERE and the beautiful Mulberry silk robe by Manito Luxury Silk can be yours. Deadline is Midnight PST April 17, 2011.

©2011 Brillante Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".
If you receive this post by Email and wish to leave a comment please click HERE and go to the comments section.

I love to hear from you!

A silky give-away for you!

Manito Silk robes

Do you like the feeling of silk on your skin? If you don’t, read no further!

Manito Silk blankets

Could you believe these blanket are made of silk? they are soft, light, incredibly comfortable for warmer nights and there is also a version for Babies, perfect for a special gift to a new mom.

Manito Silk baby blanket

Have you ever slept in a bed with a silk bedding set? The luxurious look, the sensual feeling, the freshness and smoothness, no wrinkles on the bed, no wrinkles on your face, cool in summer, warm in winter! No wonder silk has been revered for more than 5,000 years!  Silk has been one of the first international trade goods in the human history together with spices and it was silk the fine thread linking for centuries Chinese Empires to the Mediterranean area.

Manito Silk

Manito Silk is a family-run business with silk farming and production facilities in Houshan, China, where fine silk production has a long and respected tradition and  offices and a showroom in Vancouver.  Sustainable practices and farmers support make Manito’s standards exceptional. “The silk worms are fed an exclusive diet of mulberry leaves. This results in uniform color and finer silk and it is called Mulberry silk, hand crafted with immaculate stitching and a charmeuse weave finish, you’ll discover luxury, elegance and sensuality like nothing else”.

Manito Silk pillowcase detail

An exquisite detail on the pillowcase, since instead of buttons, Manito uses charming little bows, for their products they use the highest available Momme count (the thickness of the silk, with a higher count meaning higher quality), and precise attention to detail in cutting and stitching.

Thanks to Manito I will  have a giveaway for one lucky reader chosen by a random number generator:

a beautiful Mulberry silk robe for you

will be sent free of charge in the length, size and color of your choice, from chocolate to pastel to champagne. For sizes and colors please click HERE.

Manito Silk short robe

To be entered in the draw to win the gift all you have to do is:
- be a resident of Canada or USA
-  visit Manito website HERE then come back to this blog and leave a comment (at the bottom of this post) saying what particular item you liked most; for Brillante Interiors fans, Twitter and Facebook  followers, or email subscribers, click HERE to leave a comment
- entry deadline is Midnight PST on Sunday, April 17th, 2011
- Winner will be announced on Monday, April 18th
If you don’t already have a link don’t forget to leave a contact in case you are the winner.

Thanks Manito for the giveaway and for being a Brillante Interiors Blog new valued sponsor. 

©2011 Brillante Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".
If you receive this post by Email and wish to leave a comment please click HERE and go to the comments section.

I love to hear from you!

My give-away winner is...

On my 100th post I promised a gift and today the winner of this B&W 8" x 12" custom print is Dale of Hospitality Design Inspirations, a blog exploring interesting and new hotel projects around the world.

Congratulations Dale! and thanks to all the participants.

If you want to be in Milan with me for Design Week 2010...

click on "The event is back"

A gift

Sorry...I just wanted to catch your attention! the gift was for me...

I just discovered that I won another giveaway, this time from James at Garvinweasel, a blog I discovered by chance, while I was judging, with other designers, the interiors sent to Brooke at Velvet & Linen for the "giveaway of the year" and I was so attracted by the image he sent.
The blogosphere is becoming more and more interesting every day, discovering and connecting with new people, helping each other, learning from everyone, receiving and giving gifts...what a marvelous way to start my day! I will just have to wake up earlier and earlier every morning to keep up with all these amazing blogs.

Velvet & Linen giveaway

Brickmaker’s coffee table.   Top with waxed rust base.   Size and height may vary slightly.

59” length,  43” width, 17” height.

Mark Sage, owner of BoBo Intriguing Objects and designer of the Brickmaker's coffee table will generously donate three tables as a giveaway on Velvet & Linen blog.
Brooke received 170 entries, meaning pictures of her readers' rooms where they thought the table would look at its best! I said 170 images...overwhelming task...so she asked a selected group of designers-bloggers-friends to help and we all happily put our head into this.
Each of us had to choose 5 rooms where this table would look best, believe me it was a hard decision, then only the 10 rooms with the highest score will be posted today, Monday, November 23 on Velvet & Linen blog.
Three lucky winners will receive the table but Brooke still needs your help, since she now has 10 rooms selected by us, but only three to be chosen, and the final decision will be made by you, readers of our blogs, so please go to Velvet & Linen and vote, you have time until Sunday morning, November 29th, 8:00 AM.
It was great fun for me to look at each image (170) and figure where the table would look best:
creating contrast or blending in?

I will not tell you, because you'll be the judge this time!

Have fun!

If you want to participate also in my giveaway please read 100th post giveaway

100th post giveaway

I would have never imagined, only a year ago, that I would become a blogger, but many things in life are surprising me later so...no big surprise I would say! Today I am writing my 100th post and in the image above you can see in the foreground the "potiche" which appeared in my first one (October 2008).
How did my posts evolve? from the very beginning I was writing about Old and New and without even thinking or knowing it I was presenting more and more posts about Classic and New Italian design. Then someway the idea of designing and leading Italian tours (mostly in Milan and the next one will be for the 2010 International Furniture Fair) landed on me...so now I can see that from the beginning, even without knowing it, my path was bringing me back to my first country.
In all these months of blogging I had not one disappointment but only a huge list of rewards: my readers are growing by the day, comments are always very appreciative and highly appreciated and the networking is amazing. I would have never imagined that through a blog you can socialize, know people virtually, then meet them in real life, make new friends and learn from all.

To all my readers, friends, supporters, mentors...

a BIG THANK YOU, I could not be where I am without you!

Oh! yes... I mentioned a giveaway in the title...and here is the trick to have the treat:
A) You should add Brillante blog to your "Blog list" and become a follower (if not already)
or
B) You should link to Brillante on your blog.

After completing one of these steps you should leave a comment on this post referring to what you have chosen (option A or option B) and you will be entered in a random draw for a chance to win:
a limited edition of this 8" x 12" Black and White photograph

valued at CAD 350.00.

The image will be unframed and shipping will be compliments of Brillante, but unfortunately I can offer this only to US and Canada residents.
The winner will be announced on December 18th, 2009.
Good luck to all the participants!
If you want to purchase some of my photographs for yourself or for your clients please send me an email and I will provide you with prices (depending on printing process, edition and size) and a larger choice of images than the one on my web site (click Here) under Photography .

Images by Albarosa Simonetti are ©