mandarine

Modern living–The SHARD–

2011-06-23T20:55:00.001+01:00

{City life}: The first time I saw the tower of cement sticking out I didn’t make much of it…day after day, morning after morning I have seen it taking shape, a long elongated glass pyramid in the heart of London… my naivety on the matter is quite obvious since it is one of the most talked about project of recent times, and of course nothing the less being a Renzo Piano’s project it acquires even more relevance. Shaping London skyline , a 72 floors building, the SHARD, is located besides London Bridge Station. Part of a plan of the Mayor of London to implement high – density development at key transport nodes, a mix of living – office and public spaces over 305 meters of height….

Images from SHARD

…these days…

2011-06-12T22:52:00.001+01:00

{long overdue}: gone the times of good warm weather in early May, gone the times of good food and sweet dolce far niente, well…long time since being back….. here…. and I blame it on…..

Blame it on the rain…
Blame it on the stars…
Whatever you do don't put the blame on you….

{by Milli Vanilli from ‘Blame it on the rain’}

If I only had to buy one of these beautiful umbrellas, wouldn’t be nice now to have one?

On these raining days … nothing but rain …

I am back to paint your life with some colour, some beauty and fun !!! missing you all, K xxx

Venice off the beaten track…

2011-05-02T19:21:00.001+01:00

{back doors}: Venice, my favourite city, never stops to surprise me … is well known, every time is never the same, every time is a discovery. To capture the essence of this amazing city you have to appreciate it at different times,seasons and moods, you won’t regret it, it will evoke different emotions at each time ….

This time I’ve opted for a non-touristic trip, off the main attractions, hidden calle and campi along the many canals and ponti…

I’ve enjoyed the sightseeing, under the guide of a local resident…

Many the details of the picturesque city with lively inhabitants that never miss the occasion to greet each other on the overcrowded vaporetti….

Unusual … means of transport

The art and the skills of local artisans never go unnoticed…characteristic of Murano, glass blowing is an art of very few…. nowadays

I am taking a bit of Venice home…

Photography: Walter M. for Mandarine d’Italie

Hats at the Royal W.

2011-04-27T14:25:00.004+01:00

{coming up}: one can only guess the variety of hats that will be on show at the Royal Wedding on Friday…. {me}: from the ruralness of Italy I dream of summer hats with colourful flowers….. of exotic Copacabana style straw hats …..

…of The sound of an harp played inside the private Chapel echoing around and of wisteria

grapes everywhere : printed on textiles, as jewellery, inside vases and baskets…

…

Interlude

… more hats for the ‘rural at heart’
…

….of Clouds of fabric and candle holders dressing tables….. whilst the wine is served outside …

……a Fairy tale ….that becomes reality….

Festive adornment, simple….but yet refined…

…and finally something to take home …. real and Royal for once….

- The End -

Photography: Me for Mandarine d’ Italie from Il Castello di Strassoldo – ‘In Primavera: Fiori, Acque e Castelli’.

Ancient walls

2011-04-23T13:20:00.001+01:00

{Castle}: il Castello di Strassoldo was dressed up for the occasion last week-end…. The Castle in all its majesty was showing off its beauty and history thanks to its owners that have proudly opened their doors for the 14th edition of ‘In Primavera: Fiori, Acque e Castelli’.

The bell tower ‘campanile’ holds two bells. On the day coming from the campanile, the melody of ‘Ave Maria’ of Schubert played by two talented campanari who played the two bells manually.

Olive tree branches to sign that Easter it’s on its way….

Photography Copyright: Me for Mandarine d’Italie

GONE TO ITALY!

2011-04-21T18:32:00.001+01:00

(Home): swapping skies for a little while…

the London skyline got me tired and so the routine …. so I have come to Italy

H I G H fashion SS2011

2011-04-14T23:43:00.001+01:00

{Garden}: I love H I G H fashion brand since I first saw it few years ago in a fashion magazine, it’s contemporary, casual and original. This season for the designer and modern couturier Claire Campbell it’s all about the garden….

Photography: copyright www.high.com

Flower inspired!

2011-04-11T01:09:00.001+01:00

{Colours}: It’s the colours of fuchsia tulips and bright blue irises to inspire the home owner, Martina. She paints vintage furniture in bright colours that can be purchased at http://www.butiklanthandeln.se/se/.

Photography copyright: Peter Carlsson

the funky fingers–mastering the art of decoupage

2011-04-06T23:49:00.001+01:00

{Mid-week}: A busy day, after work I pass through old spitalfields market and I spot some decoupage stamp bangles, it’s love at first sight and one is coming home with me…it’s the funky fingers @ work !

Harem style

2011-04-04T00:10:00.001+01:00

{Mood}: Hoping to start this week with a touch of exotic flavour, whether if is in the choice of a spiced dish or some colourful glasses I don’t know yet …. I am sure the colour will instil some of the good mood I so desperately need…..

Photography: Me for Mandarine d’Italie

Poisson d’Avril

2011-04-01T00:27:00.001+01:00

stick on the back of your colleagues/friends and family … i meant a paper one!!!

Shed-chic

2011-03-29T00:12:00.001+01:00

{Lifestyle}: What best than a shed in the garden to hold a tea-party? Choosing a colour scheme starting from the tea set will help setting the mood, emphasises with other accessories such as enamel containers to display bunch of flowers. To decorate the table just some candles will help adding atmosphere and decorated eggs on display will complement the Spring theme…as well as the colourful birds on the trees…

Photography Copyright: Garini Immagina

Nordic vintage

2011-03-25T00:34:00.001Z

{Style} Unique combination of vintage finds surrounded by the innocence of typical Nordic houses… plenty of attention to details and some old bed linens and lace curtains remind me of my grandma’ precious hand embroidered bed linen … initials embroidered on each and every linen flat sheet … things were really forever back then….

Friday and another week went by very swiftly no doubts about it, it’s morning and it’s night and it’s week-end ….needs to break this routine…

Photography Copyright http://www.elisabethalnes.com/

Fill your teacups…with flowers… spring is here!!!

2011-03-21T01:24:00.001Z

{Enjoy}: take it out of your credenza and fill your grandma tea set with flowers… give it a new life…Bulb flowers, buttercups,freesias are best used with vintage china, even the soup bowl…

Photography Copyright: Garini Immagina

In the making of ….

2011-03-17T00:59:00.001Z

Polly Eltes

…..a delicious apple and ricotta strudel , can be served it with whipped cream or ice cream….

and now over to my friend Chiara of La Voglia Matta … for details

Ingredients:

1 roll pastry
100 gr. sugar
100 gr. butter
2 eggs
300 gr. ricotta
3 apples
50 gr. sultanas
30 gr. Pine nut
little rum
cinnamon
the zest of 1 lemon
1 egg yolk to brush the strudel

Preparation:

Blend well with electric whips the soft butter with the sugar and egg yolks (keep the whites), until obtaining a cream; incorporate the raisins soaked in rum, pine nuts, grated lemon and ricotta passed through a sieve. Finally, embed the whites mounted to snow. Roll out the dough, spread the cream cheese and, above, apples cut into tiny pieces, sprinkle with a little cinnamon; roll the dough and brush with egg yolk and put it in the oven at 180-200 ° C for approximately 30 minutes.

Inner city life

2011-03-13T17:31:00.001Z

{around London}: week-end

maximising passing trade: on display

coffee culture: around the clock,around each block

urbanisation:… taking advantage of every space

illusion: real - real not?

fast commercialisation of goods: plenty on offer for the imminent Royal wedding, fancy a souvenir?

Buon Carnevale !

2011-03-07T23:10:00.001Z

{8 March}: today signs the last day of Carnival celebrations, make sure you have plenty of treats and lots of laughter! To celebrate my Carnevale over here in the UK I will pay a visit to a newly openned pasticceria Italiana over in South London, an why not I could even be a wearing a mask, a venetian one of course!!! …

The Carnival has very old origins. It is a festival that celebrates the passage from winter into spring, a time when seemingly anything is possible, including the illusion where the most humble of classes become the most powerful by wearing masks on their faces.

The official start of the Venice Carnival dates back to 1296, when the Senate of the Republic made the Carnival official with an edict declaring the day before Lent a public holiday.

After an interruption lasting almost two centuries, the tradition of Carnival was rediscovered by the Municipality in 1980 and since then it has taken place every year with success.

Venice discovers in 2011 the vibrant soul of its “theme” Carnival. “Ottocento” the nineteenth century evocation, will outline the Carnival, edition 2011, scheduled from February 19th till March 8th.

It will be developed among romantic suggestions and Risorgimento impulses, while wearing its charming redingote and top hats, corsets and crinolines.

Photography by Walter M. from the last edition of ‘Il Carnevale di Venezia 2011’.

Inside the Castle – vintage details

2011-03-03T23:57:00.001Z

{cravings}: I love vintage and antiques, it feels my heart with joy and lately I have missed to do the things that fill my heart with joy, like walking, going antiquing and making things …. City life it’s sucking up my energy and creativity …. it’s about time to take a break…. soon…

More details from the last edition of ‘In autumn: fruits, water and castles 2010’

Photography by Walter M.

Outside the Castle – details along the Borgo Strassoldo

2011-02-28T00:29:00.001Z

The Castle of Strassoldo di Sopra, like the nearby and contemporary Castle di Sotto, is placed in the center of a delightful medieval hamlet, immersed in the peace of a large secular park washed by crystal clear spring-water streams and rivers.

The two castles are among the few that are still inhabited by the same family that built them more than a thousand years ago, that of the counts of Strassoldo and are so-called ‘water castles’ of the green Friulan flatland spring-water area.

The castle still preserves ancient furniture and ancestor portraits and one breathes the atmosphere of a place where history has never been interrupted.

Photography: Me for Mandarine d’Italie from the last edition of “IN AUTUMN: FRUITS, WATER AND CASTLES 2010.

Spring is about to bloom in Friuli - at the “Castello di Strassoldo di Sopra”

2011-02-24T00:36:00.001Z

{Calendar}: With February about to end and March at the door few things to remember and note down to my calendar … and yours…. if you are planning a trip to Northern Italy. My next visit to Italy will include the unmissable event ‘In Spring: Flowers, Water and Castles’, at the Castello di Strassoldo.

On 16 - 17 April 2011, in the magic castles of Strassoldo is held the 14th edition of "In Spring: Flowers, Water and Castles", an unique opportunity to make a nice outing in the countryside and shake off the dullness winter.

The impressive initiative, which involves all the territory that surrounds the manors, will allow visitors to enter the Castello di Sotto and inside the Castello di Sopra and some of their medieval buildings, normally not open to the public. Hundred of exhibitors, including artisan, antique dealers, decorators and artists will filled the amazing old sites.

You should know that I have already visited the Castle in occasion of the "Autumn: Fruits, Water and Castles" which takes place on the penultimate week-end of October and I found it simply amazing.

Pictures from Castello di Strassoldo di Sopra

Along the river … walking in Italy

2011-02-21T00:30:00.001Z

{Week-end}: A story….

Great outdoor- Yesterday I have been walking in Castelcucco, along Borgo Lungomuson …

First sign of Spring - along the way some primule blooming next to the water ….

Discovery - after walking trough the little park , on the other side of the River Muson I discover a magic secret garden with a walk way, little wooden bridges &....

...and a little summer house by the water!! A real surprise , even the birds love the place as they have made their nest on one of the lamps! I would love to see how it looks on springs/summer time!!

….then i walk up to the hill reaching the little Church of Santa Giustina, hiding among the hills of Castelcucco! A bit of a misty day here as well!!!

By Walter M.

The love for the detail –Villa Valdirose -

2011-02-16T00:25:00.001Z

{Magical}: there is so much character at Valdirose, a magical place where owner Irene and Paolo make sure their guest have the best experience ever. Set just on the outskirt of Florence, Valdirose offers warm hospitable and charming rooms, this is how they define the nature of their business, well to say that this is a B&B would be to say the least a little bit understated.

Photography Copyright: Lelia Scarfiotti

The thrill of the find…. Josephine Ryan

2011-02-10T23:25:00.001Z

{Passion}: France - Its lifestyle, climate and furniture - is one of her greatest passions.Over the past years she has developed her own distinctive look, and loves discovering unusual, one-off pieces, and combining the unexpected.

Antique dealer, flea market expert and author Josephine Ryan has had the pleasure of living out of her passions over the past 18 years. She have developed a distinctive look that has been recognised and appreciated by loyal customers far and wide.

Her house in France is available for holiday rental and hire for photo shoots. The interiors are styled by Josephine herself and have a very distinctive French style flair.

FRENCH HOME and ESSENTIALLY FRENCH both by Josephine Ryan are published by Ryland, Peters & Small.

Some of her tips for rummaging at flea and antique markets include:

- Wear sensible shoes – there’s a lot of walking involved.

- Take a big bag – or a series of bags.

- Don’t bargain too hard – if you are too pushy the sellers will loose interest.

- When abroad – arrange your shipper in advance

Photography copyright: Josephine Ryan website

Monday mood…

2011-02-08T00:44:00.001Z

{Occasion}: my Monday has been a turmoil of thoughts and events - to make it even worse the lack of sleep … I am hoping to come down a little, surely I will be happy once I found that wedding gift …actually I thought I can make one – if I only get the chance…will update you in due course….

Photography: Tim Young

Ex convent– residence Madonna di Costantinopoli

2011-02-03T23:40:00.000Z

{Different dimension}: coming to Thursday evening and this week has been particularly tiring and I will be very happy tomorrow when I will leave work behind and make some time to unwind and relax, some ‘me’ time ….

One thing, I really wish I can board a plane to somewhere nice like this ex-convent in the Perugia area – Italy- in Franciscan-style, no frills, ancient rhythms surrounded by nature and plenty of history…

The convent emerges in the territory of the Valnerina., on a hill which overlooks the valley, surrounded by a centuries old park and immersed in the nature of the most uncontaminated area of Umbria.

Once a convent, the structure has been a private residence since 1880, it has maintained its original fascination and atmosphere, due to the very long and precious restoration to which the current family who owns it has been devoted for three generations.

Madonna di Costantinopoli

off to the mercatino … dear

2011-02-01T23:51:00.001Z

{Italy}: some friends of mine in Italy have been offered a spot at the mercatino d’antiquariato in Piazzola, previously featured here and here. They took the opportunity and started exactly where they left it few years ago when they gave up trading…. not actually this time it’s under a roof, so no more moaning about cold or rain this time! What a great way to offer some of their vintage pieces for sale and not only to shift some of the stuff they have accumulated over the years which has been filling up the shed at the allotment …

allow me one tip: be careful guys not to take home some stuff instead of getting rid of some…!!

Photography: Walter Marin kindly documenting for us in Italy…

Fast week-end

2011-01-30T00:47:00.000Z

{Life}: quick dash out the door in the cold on a late Saturday afternoon… time goes fast and so the light… before you know it it’s Sunday morning and it still cold out there, but the sky it’s bright like it hasn’t been in days…. it’s about time I turn another page on the calendar, tomorrow morning I will wake up to another day and more irises will have bloom by then …

Cake Vintage – who doesn’t like cake…

2011-01-25T23:13:00.001Z

{Discovery}: Reinventing ..it’s what Robbie and Angie Cook are very good at and not only, reclaiming and recycling as well, giving new life and purpose to old objects. Vintage key plates become decorative hooks, vintage teaspoons transformed in amazing chandelier - or spoondelier rather . The vintage – inspired cakeVintage collection includes some amazing textiles and kitchen paper with the distinguished design.

cakevintage.com

Romantic and eclectic, my dream home

2011-01-22T02:00:00.001Z

{Official}: I really never declared it so firmly before, being the type that like various styles and things at different time, I would not set for one style ….but am I at the turning point?

shootspaces

Romantic and Vintage Bloomingville

2011-01-17T02:09:00.000Z

{style}: Today I am particularly excited about my new discovery, Danish home decor Bloomingville. There seems to be a connection with me and Danish brands…. I love the innocence and purity of the colour choice and style of the vintage inspired range, just the right mix for a refreshing look.

Visite privee

2011-01-13T01:20:00.001Z

{Style}: Danish shop owner and TV interior decorator in the house ….

A penthouse in ….

Copenhagen….

Lea København owner of ButikNØ located in Larsbjørnstræde 22 in Copenhagen ….

absolute inspiration an a gloomy mid-January day

Styling: Anja Alfieri Photo: Sven Dyrving

Little curiosity…

2011-01-11T00:21:00.001Z

{Life}:

Photo

Fresh start

2011-01-10T01:12:00.001Z

{Monday}: sometimes I wish my life was different, the things that I have achieved and the life that I am living at the moment is what I wished for some time ago, now though, I wish I could move on with new dreams to live a more creative life and perhaps wish that my Monday morning would look more like this :

And you…. how is your Monday?

The amazing work is by London-based freelance stylist, Anna Malhomee De La Roche specialising in homes, interiors and lifestyle styling.

Photography copyright: Anna Malhomme De La Roche

Petersham Nurseries – gardening in style

2011-01-05T19:45:00.001Z

{Richmond}: frequently my escapes from the city have as a destination Richmond. I have previously documented here and here my day trip to Richmond which represents a real treat for the eyes and the senses since the nature’s burst of brilliant colours burst out whilst the fascinating landscape provide plenty of inspiration. On one of my last trip I have discovered a fascinating place where I promised myself I had to return to, since I thought there would have been plenty to discover. Well, it was certainly the case, when on Sunday the world of Petersham Nurseries unfolded under my astonished eyes, every corner was beautifully styled, every little piece of merchandise carefully selected and the old glasshouses contained it all in style.

Lunch in the shed at Petersham Nurseries Teahouse

{In the shed}: Located in the heart of the nurseries in a sensitively renovated garden shed the Teahouse at Petersham Nurseries serves an extensive range of delicious, whole leaf White Chinese teas, as well as hand roasted, ethically sourced coffees and English fruit juices & nectars.

Not quite over yet…

2011-01-03T23:30:00.001Z

{Tradition}: Befana still to come ….

In popular folklore Befana visits all the children of Italy on the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany to fill their socks with candy and presents if they are good or a lump of coal or dark candy if they are bad. Being a good housekeeper, many say she will sweep the floor before she leaves. The child's family typically leaves a small glass of wine and a plate with a few morsels of food, often regional or local, for the Befana.

Paper world

2010-12-30T01:08:00.002Z

{Paper}: a passion for books transformed into an art form, so inspiring. Sometimes the most obvious things are there for us to be pursued , although the path that we undertake may not be so obvious.

It was certainly the case for Sue Blackwell, who trained in art and design at Bradford College and then at the Royal College of Art, where she completed her MA in Textiles in 2003. It was during her time a the RCA that se discovered the world of sculpture, despite her choice of specialising in textile, that she went on experimenting with paper by making origami and sculptures.

It will be following her time at the RCA that she will begin making her book work.

She saw paper being used in spiritual ceremonies 'to mark the passing of the dead' and says it reminded her of her own work - giving old objects a 'new lease of life'.

She said: 'Around this time, I found a book in a second-hand book shop in Thailand, which had a history marked by it's previous owner in the shape of Thai writing pencilled in the margin.

'This was the beginning of what has become knows as my book-cut sculptures.'

The models look as if they 'grow' naturally from the spine and pages of the book. Sue Blackwell finds inspiration for each model from the book title or a paragraph or picture inside.

”I often work within the realm of fairy-tales and folk-lore. I began making a series of book-sculpture, cutting-out images from old books to create three-dimensional diorama’s, and displaying them inside wooden boxes”.

“Paper has been used for communication since its invention; either between humans or in an attempt to communicate with the spirit world. I employ this delicate, accessible medium and use irreversible, destructive processes to reflect on the precariousness of the world we inhabit and the fragility of our life, dreams and ambitions”.

Colour me red

2010-12-29T23:20:00.000Z

{Sky}: these days I am unable to distinguish day from night…

Dreaming of …

2010-12-26T19:34:00.001Z

{Mood}: The mood is still very Christmassy in deed, besides that the Sales has started and the rush to the tills has brushed away all the cheer that Christmas has brought for the day, otherwise it’s rush to the tills before and after…. Never mind, my mindset is still with a a very traditional Christmas fairytales: the white snow, the wooden house and the fireplace in a rather Nordic setting……allow me to dream for a few more days….

Photography: Trine Thorsen

Christmas

2010-12-25T02:45:00.001Z

Have a wonderful Christmas !

May it be filled with joy and love,

cheer and laughter,

happiness and peace!

Lots of love to you all,

Katxxx

The hat shop…

2010-12-20T23:51:00.001Z

{Dreams}: On to the last page of Dona Nicanora’s Hat Shop and the magic of this amazingly entertaining story is still with me. Dona Nicanora is a women lead by her dreams , ultimately one of owning a hat shop in a small rural village in South America...

Photography copyright: Homes and Antiques magazine

DIY … gift wrapping

2010-12-15T16:00:00.002Z

{Original}: I say : ‘Don’t be scared to use your creativity and more importantly reuse, look through your drawers in order to reinvent and personalise your gift-wrapping - DO-IT-YOURSELF - . Recycle materials such as newspaper pages, piece of ribbons, buttons and old trimmings……anything will do, you will be surprised by what can be achieved….’

1.For the down to earth: reuse old packages and bags – decorate with raffia and pencils

2.For the sophisticated one: use fabric with golden sprayed leafs

1.For readers: use recycled newspaper –decorate with hand drawn ribbon

2.For globe-trotters: use old maps - highlight some place of interest for a personalised touch

1.For the vintage passionate: why not using some vintage or recycled tins to place your gifts ?

2.For the easy going: Simple white paper with hand printed personalised message

For the craft lover: decorate a plain bag with yarn and buttons

styling Mara Bottini – photography: di Alessandro Mussolini

For the romantic : glue old boxes with vintage book pages and paper dollies Jeanne d’Arc Leaving

Vintage Xmas

2010-12-15T14:50:00.001Z

{Inspirations}: make sure you make use of your vintage finds for Christmas, display them around the house and use them to decorate your Christmas table, no better excuse to over-accessorise your house than at Christmas, enjoy!

Photography Copyright : Angelo Garini

Cosiness

2010-12-14T00:55:00.001Z

{Life}: Nothing better than warmth and comfort these days, a good meal cooked at home and some nice warm tea. Not major project for Christmas so far, just some traditional food shopping including a good oven-baked panettone, a bottle of champagne and other continental delicacies, I suppose with age one prefer quality over quantity and so I am choosing carefully what I am buying. I try badly to avoid the Christmas rush in Central London, although sometimes is unavoidable and so stressful, people are just rushing around with rolls of wrapping paper sticking out from everywhere, but has anybody thought about recycling some of the paper that we already own…?

Photography: Brent Darby

Old ritual

2010-12-04T01:41:00.001Z

What better than some seasonal foliage to get into the mood for Christmas. I love fir branches combined with traditional red winter berries , it always remind me of when as children me and my brother with my mum would go collecting pungitopo (butcher’s broom) and moss for the presepe to lay out the Nativity figures on. Back then the arranging of the decorations would have created enough excitement to last for at least a week. Firstly the decorations needed to be taken down from the attic for my dad to know that it was time to pop to the nearest vivaio (nursery) to buy a tree. Next, we were allowed to start decorating the tree starting with the lights, after with baubles, that were meticulously wrapped on paper. Finally we would take out the Three Wise Men and the Nativity figures to create a miniature village that resembled a Bethlehem one. It was all so magical and surreal , sometime I would stare at the display for some time, it made me so happy.

Columbia Flower Road Market

1. Standing Paper Christmas Tree 2. Vintage Christmas decorations

3. KNITTED CHRISTMAS STOCKING 4. HAND PAINTED BAUBLES

5. Personalised Christmas Stocking by polkadots & blooms

Christmas over the Centuries

2010-12-02T00:43:00.001Z

{Origins}: So London has woken up to witness a snowy sky, to the surprise of us all, so far it has been the most exciting thing ever, besides of course the arrival of traditional German-style Winter Wonderland and if Christmas is not your thing at all, well, not much else to look forward to. I don’t mind it at all, I love the festive atmosphere that Christmas brings along, but I have to admit I am not a big fan of the artificial excitement that I see around, besides that - there are some things that I will always love about Christmas : the tree, the decorations, the colours and the crafts, but where did it all started?

Christmas Past at the Geffrye Museum

a museum of English homes and gardens -

A visitor to England from France noted the following about how Christmas Day was celebrated in the 1720s:

….the English have many customs we do not know of. They wish each other Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, presents are given, and no one may dispense with this custom. On this festive day churches, the entrances to housed, rooms,kitchens and halls are decked with laurels, rosemary and other greenery.

In this room a small family party is about to take place on Twelfth Night – the 6th of January. Twelfth Night has been celebrated as the end of the Christmas season since the Middle Ages. It combines elements of the Christian feast of Epiphany, the visit of the wise men to the stable at Bethlehem, and the end of the twelve days around the pagan feast of Saturnalia, centred around winter solstice.

From medieval times, the revels have always incorporated elaborates role reversal. Traditionally a King and a Queen are chosen for the night, to lead the proceedings served by the ‘ courtiers’. The King is elected by the discovery of a dried bean in the traditional Twelfth-Night cake, and the Queen by a pea. Because the selection was random, the situation could arise whereby a servant was elected Bean King and was served by his master all night.

This rooms shows a middle-class Victoria drawing room of the 1850. A family gathering is taking place in the evening of Christmas day. The room is dominated by the Christmas tree.

It was during the reign of Queen Victoria that many of our Christmas customs first became widespread especially the practice of decorating a fir tree in the home. It is popular misconception that Prince Albert, Victoria’s consort, was the person who introduced the Christmas tree form Germany, however it probably came to the UK around the end of the 18th century, but had been the practice in Germany since at least the 16th century. Queen Charlotte, the German wife if George III, may have been the first to introduce it to Britain for her your family during the 1780s and 1790s.

It was Prince Albert’s enthusiasm for the customs however, which popularised Christmas three outside the Court circles. The royal family had a Christmas tree at Windsor every year after the couple’s marriage of 1840 which really popularised the customs, when illustrations of the tree, with five of the royal children standing with their parents and grandmother, were published.

In this room a family celebrate Christmas in an artistic manner. Their decorations are inspired by the Aesthetic Movement and its love of all things Japanese. They have decorated branches of twigs with small lanterns, and have also used oriental fans to decorate the room.

The Christmas card, unlike the Christmas tree, was an English invention. In the late 18 century, children would sometimes give their parents written seasonal greetings in order to show their ability at handwriting. However the ‘first’ commercial Christmas card was devised by Sir Henry Cole in 1843.

A trip down 17th century charm

2010-11-25T23:34:00.001Z

{Treat}: Having started with a warm cup of coffee, the day had so much more in reserve…The chilly wind outside anticipated the cold weather to come, as forecasted, whereas the disrupted bus journey to Trafalgar Square offered the opportunity to walk before heading into the warmth of the Gallery.

Peyton and Byrne at the National Cafe had plenty on offer and the quick meal provided the energy for what was ahead, with much joy and anticipation, the Canaletto and his rival Exhibition at the National Gallery.

Opening with Canaletto’s (Giovanni Antonio Canal) earliest paintings from the 1720s and presenting his work in roughly chronological order, the exhibition is displayed over six rooms, each room examines the artist’s relationship with one of the major view painters ( Venetian vedute).

After spending a quite enjoyable few hours at the Gallery , Fortnum & Mason was to be the next treat of the day. Walking through the Foodhall almost makes you step back in times, the beautifully displayed merchandise provides plenty of inviting delicacies to choose from. The vicinity to Christmas means that one can make some extraordinary purchases and that’s what I did I treated myself to a bottle of Vintage champagne to drink over Christmas.

It wasn’t just by chance that this year Fortnum & Mason has created its celebrated Christmas windows in partnership with the National Gallery. This incredibly exciting partnership has focused on Fortnum’s interpretation of some of the masterpieces housed at The National Gallery. Winter scenes, still lives, and views of Venice are represented…photos to follow …

Acqua alta in Venice Vs snow in London?

2010-11-23T00:22:00.001Z

{Not Encouraging }: some rather unusual weather forecast one would say…. Since I have left Italy, the Veneto region has seen some serious floods, leaving Venice under water, unavoidably… as a contrast here in London there are talks about snow falls in the week…

I am now slowly climatising and settling back in UK life although I have been back for just over three weeks now it almost feels like ages to me. The thing is that I have been so busy organising my life and getting ready for the surgery that almost everything in recent times has gone unnoticed , perhaps in the process I have also avoided to face some issues that I have been dragging along for a while. So at my return I had to face the music and not only, also to recuperate my energy and make some important lifestyle changes which I am slowly implementing, finger crossed!

I have not forgotten you and I am so excited about being back posting, I have plenty of amazing images of beautiful places I have been with my friend Walter in Italy. Will follow soon!!

Photography: Walter for Mandarine d’ Italie

…

2010-11-15T01:23:00.002Z

{Ray of lights}: hibernation - is probably the best way to describe recent times, total insane physical and mental hibernation, meanwhile time is escaping out there and in a matter of few weeks it’s winter already.

Inside&outside: an illusion...

Outside: lights reflected on a wet road, rain seems to have fallen forever these days..

Outside: illuminating the way ..

Inside: nice and warm for that week-end laundry…

Outside: switch on time, shorter daylight nowadays

Inside: don’t take me out of my comfort zone, gifting and my piles of magazines..

Inside: On reflection, Venice, so surreal..

Passionate about photography, PHOGLIE

2010-10-20T09:57:00.001+01:00

{Creativity}: It was by chance that I came accross Francesca’s photography and her etsy shop Phoglie last week - but what a great discovery! I am immediately blown away by what I see, a great selection of imagenary that captures the essence of some beautiful places around the world. I love Francesca’s eye for detail, her talent is natural and her skills are self-taught. All the notebooks are completely handmade and handbound by Francesca herself.

Photography: Me for Mandarine d’Italie

Il Mercatino dei Miracoli - Venezia

2010-10-11T15:22:00.001+01:00

{Flee market with style}: Like on the old days this market still preserves the fashion of the authentic flee market. An array of stalls stand on the beautiful Campo Santa Maria Nova where private sellers present their own handmade, second hand clothing or objects rescued from attics. Bric a brac, old books, antique photographic prints and even some Venetian glass are on sale here. Worth a visit also to the nearby Chiesa dei Miracoli.

WHERE: Sestiere di Cannaregio - Campo Santa Maria Nova and sorrounding areas. WHEN: Future dates 12- 13 December 2010 – www.comune.venezia.it

Photography: W. Marin

So my dears this is what I’ve missed on Saturday, surely there will be more occasion in the nearest future to pay a visit to the market, they say things happen for a reason so I wonder what Venice has in store for me next time…

Sotto il portico

2010-10-08T18:06:00.001+01:00

{Seasonal}: Italy has been blessed with some very warm weather on these early autumn days. The rain has fallen hardly overnight on a couple of occasions ,altough the clouds have cleared by the morning. Some days are brighter than others and from under the portico it’s easy to spot the mountain, either partially veiled on clouds or bright and green – imponent - almost so close that you feeel you can touch it.

Each day unfold differently at the foot of Monte Grappa….

I can see my grandparents’ farmhouse from under the portico

and lots of olive trees, testimonial of the time that goes by … I can still remember thinking that they were so tiny when my dad first planted them ..

the colours and the produce of the season are on showcase!

Flowers on rotation, seasonal and colourful as ever!

And so as the days goes by I am looking forward to see the view from under the portico again, because in recent times I have been deprieved from it. Today I can see the view from my bedroom which is facing South, towards Venice side, as I am finally able to raise myself from bed on the way to fully recover from a surgery that I had to undergo in the week.

Surely the enviroment is helping a lot, I am fine here, fresh air, good food and company, shame I have to miss Venice tomorrow as scheduled there would have been the Mercatino dei Miracoli to visit under the special guidance of local artists Daniela and Alfredo, but don’t you worry my friend, Walter will go and he will document on my behalf.

So stay tuned - pictures will follow soon!

P.S. To all my friends out there - apologies for my lack of contact, I will be back to read you very soon!

On a journey - (PART FOUR- Italy)

2010-10-01T23:27:00.001+01:00

LIVING

To touch the cup with eager lips and taste,

not drain it;

To woo and tempt and count a bliss,

and not attain it;

To fondle and caress a joy,

yet hold it lightly;

To watch the sunset in the west

without regretting;

To hail its advent in the east,

the night forgetting;

To smother care in happiness,

and grief in laughter;

To hold the present close,

not questioning the hereafter;

To have enough to share,

to know the joy of giving;

To thrill with all the sweets of life -

that's living

Poet: Unknown

Amongst Churches, capitei and some weird combinations …still in Italy (PART THREE)

2010-09-28T13:05:00.001+01:00

{On a mission}: Casual walks around the area leads to some history lessons, here last Sunday on a sunny day this is what I’ve spotted.

Villa Perusini and Saint Francis’ Oratory (18th century) :The three storey Villa was originally sorrounded by gardens,pools and fountains, but its splendor decayed in time. Napoleone Bonaparte lived here in 1801.

Saint Francis’ Oratory was built before 1752 as part of the Villa. It was possible to reach it from the higher storeys of the villa by means of a sheltered passage-way. The oratory has an octagonal plan and two little towers at the two sides of the front.

Its original structure was the work of a Venetian architect called Giorgio Massari.

The Temple, Antonio Canova’s gift to the people of his homeland, Possagno, stands gloriously on the top of the hill. Its white marble creates quite a contrast with the green background of the sorrounding mountains.

A capiteo [in Venetian dialect ] also (tabernacle or votive niche) is a votive religious (Christian) architecture, who comes from a popular cult passed over the centuries. Normally, a capitello is built as an ex voto for a narrow escape, as a famine or a plague, but also as an aggregation of the Christian community, at which it can unite in prayer (especially for the recitation of the rosary).

The artist’s house… it is easy to see why an artist would want to be eccentric, in a region sorrounded by religious images and artefact, why not add a personal touch if art pieces like these are not hard to find …

Photography: Me for Mandarine d’Italie

and corn … on the way back home (PART TWO)

2010-09-22T23:24:00.001+01:00

some quietness on the way back home…

Amongst vineyards … (PART ONE)

2010-09-21T09:46:00.002+01:00

{The two sides of me}: Testimonial of the extremist choices of my life, stand the vineyards, the campanile – next to the Church - that with its bell sign each and every hour, to the mountains that provide an impressive frame to the landscape. From the busy city surrounded by tons of cement, here in the open space, where on good days you can see Venice on the skyline and hear nothing but the sound of birds playing on the electric wire. Here there is a time for making wine and a time to go searching for mushrooms and chestnuts…each season has got its produce and traditions. I am wondering now if deep inside of me there is a bit of me that is missing the buzz of the city …

{I don’t know why but with me nothing is straightforward, I have to miss something in order to love it, to suffer in order to enjoy and to fight myself in order to conquer….}

I hope you will enjoy the walk with me, going to visit my uncle by my grandparents’ house where as a child I used to spend most of the week-end.

Obsessions: fresh food, travelling, music and fashion

2010-09-07T00:07:00.001+01:00

{Interests}: Multi-talented Sweden-born Malin Elmlid is passionate about fashion,which is part of her professional life, although she has recently decided to slow down and focus on new goals, like her new idea – the bread exchange, read more about Malin here.

Apartment, Berlin- Prenzlauer Berg

Photography: Ailine Liefeld

Life

2010-08-31T00:59:00.001+01:00

{Changes}: looking out the window today and what I get it’s a different picture, a gentle light that lies on each building creating a shade, the rain has stopped and the sky is a mixture of clear spells and clouds. Indoor I am busy organising piles of magazines and boxes filled with beads, trimmings and sequins. The unsettled weather has helped conciliating my domestic mood, which in recent times has been very seldom. The sorting has provided a relief for my overworking brain although it has been keeping me busy for all of the long week-end. I hate how I keep everything every little piece of paper and over the years I have been accumulating an enormous amount of paper work, considering that the space I have is very limited. I like to surround myself with lots of things, some because they give me joy, others because I cannot let them go , testimonial of the time that goes by…..

Photography: Olga Bennett

Venetian flat

2010-08-27T00:37:00.001+01:00

{Artist in the house}: the building retains all the original features: wooden beamed ceiling and a marble rosone, whilst the interior of this top floor flat, is decorated with some of the owner family’s own paintings, hand painted vases and plates.

See their other holiday house here.

Photography: Courtesy of Walter Marin

My beloved Venice …

2010-08-24T20:21:00.001+01:00

{Blessed}: It was with great joy that I bought and took home this canvas, to remind me of the Venetian canals…

{Gift}: it was with great surprise that I’ve opened this book, lots and lots of inspiration followed…

A venetian Journal by Tessa Kiros

[Structured around the classic Italian meal: Antipasti, Primi, Secondi, Contorni, Dolci, A Venetian Journal features the photographer Manos Chatzikonstantis' personal selection of photographs from his frequent visits to Venice with Tessa and fragments from her own journals as she sought to imbibe the very essence of the world's most romantic city. Key points: lavish recipe journal using atmospheric food images from Venezia; a beautiful keepsake and gift; heavily embellished, with the addition of illustrations].

Photography copyright: A Venetian Journal by Tessa Kiros

{Unexpected} : it was with a mix of emotions that I have unwrapped a Nove ceramic piece that has been with our family for many years, from the old flat - by the Liberty style credenza in the living room - to the new house hidden in attic; to find new life by the kitchen window in the tiny studio flat in London …

Photography: Me for Mandarine d’Italie

My vintage finds and le trousseau de baby

2010-08-17T23:03:00.001+01:00

{pink}: On the look for something precious for the little girl and it’s just not a case that pink has predominated my recent purchases. I am particularly fond of these lovely vintage pieces each one with its story – and even more - proud about my newborn niece, Chiara.

Le trousseau de Chiara includes a box filled with a selection of pink and light grey outfit and a lilac and pale green bed linen and a handmade quilt (still working on it) and complementing textile accessories such as the decorative heart and more ….

Photography: me for Mandarine d’Italie

On a rainy day : Liberty

2010-08-16T01:29:00.002+01:00

{Therapeutic}: Absolutely, I could easily spend the all day in Liberty…. and last week I had something in mind that I wanted to make so I pay a couple of extra visits to the Haberdashery department where the lovely Liberty fabrics are on display – Warning: It’s easy to get carried away here with the array of colour and lovely motif, nostalgia print for all tastes – and if fabrics is not your thing then the furniture, homeware and jewellery departments ( my favourite) have plenty to offer… and even if you are not on a shopping mood, the music played throughout the shop will make your visit worthwhile!

I hope you enjoy…

2010-08-11T00:53:00.002+01:00

{Joy}: Few things have been filling my heart with joy in the past few days. Sunday afternoon scouting for vintage and antique finds - and eventually taking few things home, my daily morning cappuccinos and (the art of colour coordinating…

I hope your days have been filled with plenty of joy, no matter what!

Friends out there I am still around it’s simply that I have not been connected, well in many ways – I try not to be too connected with reality sometimes I prefer my little world of colours and fantasy …

Photography Copyright: Damian Russell

Change of mood; new obsession:

2010-08-05T00:56:00.001+01:00

flowers of all sorts printed on fabric, paper, ceramic and glass. Could it be because my plants by the kitchen window refuse to bloom? I wonder why..one of the cyclamen has got one bloom… the two pink roses has nothing but green leafs…the succulent plant has dropped all its intense fuchsia flowers and the only colour available now is provided by an array of pink and fuchsia vases and containers…

Photography:Susanna Vento

Lately…

2010-08-02T01:34:00.001+01:00

{Improvised}: A table and a brick wall, a suitcase short and voila’ it’s street Trading, rough and direct. As always keeping myself busy with something, this time is my Strane Sarte enterprise – which has been keeping me busy and …awake (making things) for the past few days. So here I am still awake, as my sleeping patterns have radically changed in the past few days and tomorrow is work, shame it was all so nice!!

Strane Sarte at the Stour Space Carnival.

Some pop-up open galleries around the corner, part of Hackney Wicked Art Festival.

Some improvised designs for you!!

Live Radio : No rest for the wicked a 48-hour radio station.

My escape to ... Richmond

2010-07-26T23:09:00.001+01:00

{Sunday}: One of my favourite spot, Richmond. Yesterday it was beautiful, the light was just perfect, bright, you could see that the sun has been shining earlier on the day, later just few clouds were providing the right setting for a relaxing Sunday afternoon….

Photography: Me for Mandarine d’Italie