I love summer, I love the ocean, I love sunny days and I love a house with a sea view,
so I found these beautiful images and I invite you to enjoy them with me.
Pantelleria, Italy
Argentario, Italy
Guanabar, Brazil
Santorini, Greece
Camogli, Italy
South Beach, Florida
Ponza, Italy
Beautiful houses with stunning views, you can feel the breeze, the salt in the air, the scent of flowers…Which of these pictures makes you dream:
“I wish I was there”?
These houses are quite different in atmosphere, architecture, location and looking at each one provokes different feelings, so I am curious to know which house appeals more to you and why.
For my loyal followers who may know my taste by now…which house do you think I would choose to spend a month under the sun?
Finally Summer is here and if the weather behaves we can start having dinner outdoor, no matter if we have a garden, a terrace, or just a small balcony. We will set the table in a casual, but attractive way, we will prepare fresh and simple food, a variety of salads, cold pasta dishes, maybe some grilled fish and display delicious seasonal berries.
But no matter how fancy the table and delicious the food… everything can be ruined by insects and mosquitoes, many chemical products are available but often some can create problems to your guests. The best way is to use natural products:
- did you know that basil keeps away flies?
- and geraniums keep away mosquitoes?
- of course everyone knows the power of citronella.
Why not try then to decorate the table with small pots or, as the top image shows, with empty tea tins, filled with basil, rosemary, citronella, small geraniums, lavender. The scent will keep away insects and the greenery will be a pleasant centre table.
Some bigger pots with these plants around the conversation area will also make sitting outdoor more comfortable.
Aromatized candles will also be beneficial and the soft light will create atmosphere, especially if you choose colored thick glass displayed on a window sill, or on a small table, they will not only keep away insects but also become an enchanting focal point.
Loose cannons (Mine vaganti the original title) is a delightful Italian movie now on North American screens, directed by Ferzan Ozpetek, born in Istanbul but living in Italy since the 1970’s. Ozpetek often talks about families, their secrets, weird characters; I found this movie entertaining, confronting personal and social issues with a light touch and humor.
Sets, scenes, personalities, food are beautifully presented. The film is shot and set in Lecce, a Baroque style city in the Southern part of Italy, at the heel of the booth, in the Puglia region, so the breathtaking scenery becomes part of the story with countryside scenes, sandy beaches with emerald water, crumbling mansions, narrow cobblestone streets.
The interior decoration presents two different houses, one of the wealthy family at the center of the story, very traditional, filled with memories, antique furniture or simply old pieces, chandeliers, classic art, elegantly dressed dinner tables, heavy drapes on the windows. There is also a big terrace adorned with greenery and trompe l'oeils where the extended family gathers every morning for breakfast.
The other house has a young vibe, modern pieces of furniture, bold contemporary art on the walls and a sleek stainless steel kitchen.
Food is a good part of the movie, as it is a good part of Italian life and we see the young couple preparing refined sandwiches in contrast with the scrumptious food served at the parents’ house, where rich traditional dishes are on the table with a festive atmosphere and toward the end of the story a superb display of luscious cakes and pastries leading to a more dramatic scene.
The music, a mixture of old and new Italian songs, made me beat the rhythm with my feet and I was even tempted to sing along when I heard songs I knew...I hope I didn’t!
I found this movie really reflecting Italian mentality and lifestyle found mostly in small cities, Lecce in the Southern part of Italy is the set of the story but it could have been Udine or others in the North, with the contradictions of the society, the fear of what people would say about you (the so called bella figura) the still existing extended family, the habit of sitting down as a family at a table for meals, the arranged marriages of the past.
The story makes you reflect on family values, provokes at times a good laugh, presents touching moments, all in a visually rich movie.
A welcomed return to the commedia all’ italiana genre, following the ones of
masters like Monicelli, Germi, Risi, Scola and others in the past.
A large loft, airy and bright, with its industrial bones, as a former small factory, maintained, adding interest to the contemporary interior design and the dominant colors.
The dining table, in a rich and thick chestnut is a project of the designer and owner, Sachiko Bradley. The chairs are vintage Eames and the ceiling pendants were designed by Achille Castiglioni for Flos. The paintings are all by Sachiko’s father, the English artist Martin Bradley.
A comfortable custom made sofa in the living. Note the beautiful industrial windows with the natural light flowing in. The openness of the loft is what the owner was searching, a house “Where we would never feel alone”.
The Asian red lacquer cabinet creates a focal point and stands out from the concrete floor painted white. Small lanterns drop from the high ceiling at different heights, probably Flea market’s finds.
The children room with different stripes of vintage wallpaper on the main wall, a white Ikea piece continues with a custom designed desk, a smart way of mixing vintage, new, mass production and original pieces.
The kitchen, open to the living area, echoes the industrial feeling of the loft. Unusual decorative elements, the old alphabet characters, salvaged from stores signs, contrast in a great way with the stainless steel wall above the stove, a clean, functional, bright area where to cook, gather, create new recipes.
The designer maintained the original doors to the courtyard, worn iron and the rust tell us a story, like in so many houses in Europe where centuries of lives are creating a mosaic of styles and memories.
While recently in Milan I was walking one day by La Rinascente, the city's main department store, and I saw the most beautiful windows display, all about Christian Dior Fall 2011 and all about tartan. Unfortunately I did not have my camera with me and I went back two days later, with the purpose of sending pictures to Scot but…the windows were changed already.
(Did you know that Giorgio Armani started his career as a window dresser? And coincidentally just for La Rinascente!)
I cannot show you the gorgeous window display in Milan so I found these equally gorgeous images from Style website (and courtesy of Christian Dior); they say about the Dior pre-fall collection “A Scottish hunting theme opened with forties-inspired tartan skirt suits in eccentric colors such as lavender and sage, trimmed (or not) with fur (…)” I find this collection very appealing, what do you think?
A chair and a rug at the same time, designed by Sophie De Vocht as seen at I Saloni 2011 in Milan. The technique of tufting creates extreme softness and the metal support gives comfort.
While in Milan I went to the opening of the internationally famous Italian artist Vanessa Beecroft, for her new exhibition and performance at the Galleria Lia Rumma, a big white cube on three levels with even space outside for installation of sculptures, a bonus for a city like Milan where space is at premium. Beecroft created a great performance with more then ten naked models, their bodies like sculptures, painted in different colors, sitting on marble slabs in various poses and moving in a very slow motion under the direction of the artist, who stays out of the scene though when the performance begins.
The live sculptures and the marble ones created a unique, very evocative sculptural group on the main level. It was a rainy day and we had to wait outside long time to allow only 150 people at a time to enter but it was worth the wait.
On the second and third level of the gallery amazingly powerful sculptures waited for us like the female figure above, emerging from the most amazing piece of marble, as all the others the artist uses: Green and Red Onyx, Blue Macaubas, Blue Lapis lazuli, Black Belgian marble and other precious cuts. The preciousness of the material contrasts with the fragmentation of the human body, always missing some parts, at first you admire the monumental work, but then you are forced to elaborate thoughts on the female condition and also on eating disorders, which are a constant theme in Beecroft’s art.
Above: models sitting on marble slabs, sculptures, the great, smart, gallery owner Lia Rumma dressed in white talking with Vittorio Sgarbi, a famous Italian art historian and art critic, a controversial and genial personality and the curator of Padiglione Italia for the 2011 Venice Biennale. Of course the performance cannot be reproduced with a simple picture, because the two hours presented a continuous change and exchange between the public and the models. Things changed slowly and even my approach to her art as a viewer changed during the time I was there.
One model with the body painted in black, in a plastic pose. To see more pictures (professional ones) go to Lia Rumma website and click on “current”.
And here I am with beautiful Vanessa Beecroft, who now lives in Los Angeles continuing her study of the body, the beauty and the identity of the female gender.
Collio is an area in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, a region in the North East corner of Italy, where my family is originally from.
This area is famous internationally for its superb production of wine, especially whites like Tocai, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon, Ribolla and others. The landscape is beautiful too, with hills, towns punctuated by bell towers, vineyards, orchards, fields of poppies and wild flowers.
Some houses are built in stones and present the typical balcony of the region, with wood balustrade, geraniums and petunias flow from them creating a cheerful focal point.
In clear days the crown of Giulian Alps can be seen, as a spectacular backdrop, especially when snow is on the top, in winter.
You may wonder where the name Giulia for the region and the Alps come from, and it comes from Julius Caesar, the Roman emperor, even the name Friuli means Forum Julii or city of Julius.
The whole region has a pre-Roman origin since it was first inhabited by Celtic people, and remains of their history can be seen, together with Roman artifacts.
A region not yet well known, as I said previously in other posts, even by Italians, but worth the trip for a visit to absburgic Trieste, the Venetian Udine, the Longbard Cividale, the Roman Aquileja.
To go back to the title of the post: “Collioshire” I refer to the success of the Tuscan region of Chianti that became famous years ago to the point of being called Chiantishire by English speaking travellers, the same success is starting now in Collio, where Sting, Depardieu and others are trying to buy vineyards and where luxury country Hotels, Bed and Breakfast and simple Agriturismi are offering great choice of accommodations.
Poltrona Frau at I Saloni 2011, Milan, presented the skeleton of a sofa, manufactured with superb skills.
I personally have sofas from Poltrona Frau acquired in 1970, still super comfortable and with so simple lines that make them timeless.
Poltrona Frau desk and chair as seen at I Saloni 2011 in Milan.
Poltrona Frau table and chairs as seen at I Saloni 2011 in Milan.
This blog is about interior design and art and I will present an Italian version of them, with new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas. At times I will be just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things". Follow me on this virtual journey to my country.
A bathroom is not anymore an anonymous room "straight ahead, on your left, along the corridor" but has become a room in itself wh...
Beware
If you need my help to enjoy your home more, please send me an email. 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!
Albarosa (...) my compliments for the blog! Have a great day!
Elsa Peretti, jewellery designer extraordinaire.
Having grown up in Austria I love your European perspective blended with North-American flair. Also, your photos are gorgeous! I look forward to learning more.
Claudia Juestel, Interior designer.
Albarosa, you are the best museum guide I have ever known. You have so much knowledge about the arts that it was mind boggling. I am certainly more educated because of our time together and for that I also thank you. Ciao, Tobi.
Tobi Fairley, Interior designer and blogger.
I am really enjoying your blog entries. I am so glad you are bringing such a refreshing side to the blogosphere.
Ivan Meade, Interior designer, artist and blogger.
I like the way your blog treats me to wonderful surprises I might otherwise never see. I love your taste - a wonderful poet mix of grand and humble, elegant and unpredictable and sadly it is something we don't get to see often in North America where "purchasing power" often outstrips taste. Albarosa, there is always so much to learn from your blog. Brava.
Peg Steley, world traveler, style arbiter and blogger
I just found your beautiful blog and website through Vicente Wolf. Your photography is stunning.
Studio Judith, artist and blogger
We spent an hour looking through the wonderful images at Brillante Home Decor, an exciting design blog that we stumbled across. The author has an incredible eye for finding juxtapositions between the modern and classical styles.
Opaline Blog
Italy, design, an edge, a softness, a sensitivity to all things shows up in your blog.
Patricia van Essche, artist and blogger.
I think your blog has a distinctive voice that is refreshing.
Anne Harwell, artist andblogger.
You write fantastic posts. I always love your Italian slant on things.
Patricia Gray, Interior designer and blogger.
Love your blog, your posts are informative and you are only making mornings brighter.
Tareq, designer, artist, blogger.
Italian Style Goddess Albarosa can help you live a beautiful life, she does design and art consulting and has a gallery of her stunning photography on her website. Brillante is a great name for her blog , she is exceptional, bright and one of the best!
Michelle Morelan, Interior designer, artist and blogger.
Albarosa, you are the arbiter of Italian taste and style. Kudos to you and thanks for sharing your fabulous aesthetic!
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