Dear Miss Rav:
thank you for the follow...! i tried to comment last week but there is something funny with the captcha page ~ the button to submit is missing. it's a glitch with some of the yummylolly templates and she has a quick fix on her site somewhere. thats probably why you're not getting any comments :( i love your blog!
27 April 2011
25 April 2011
Flea Market Finds... Italian Style -or- Thrift Share Monday from halfway across the world :)
Found some toned-down pieces at that flea market that we will be bringing home as merch for the future-store. For personal use/enjoyment I found a stack of vintage postcards and greeting cards with hysterical graphics for scanning when I get home. Tomorrow I have to purchase a carry-on luggage for the breakables, we always seem to be bringing lamps home!
Here is a bad iphone photo of the goodies. The teak and glass lamps are wall sconces and signed though I can't read it right now. It's raining out today and dark in the apartment ... the smoke glass lamps are table lamps; oddly enough. And I think they are definately more 70's than MCM. The planter is so painfully Italian ~ but I may keep it because I am a hoarder of planters. AND I do not have anything like this in my collection.
Again sorry for the poor quality of photos ~ it's all I have to work with here. :) I would love to hear everyone's opinions on these lamps. They are not in my range of taste; I would never have them in the house but part of having a shop, I realize, is catering to many people's tastes. It's hard to start to buy for others in mind... if that makes sense.
I also feel like I haven't shopped quite enough so tomorrow will warrant a trip to Retro.it across the alleyway and see what (non-breakables) I can pick. She had a HUGE art glass dachshund that I am in love with but I can't pack anymore fragile pieces. Today is actually a 'bigger' holiday than Easter and all shops are closed. I will have to wait until tomorrow.
Between the holiday and the rain, I've been in the apartment most of today, washing clothes and eating way too many sweets. Now I have the chance to read everyone's blogs for the first time in over a week, I'm so excited to have the time to do this!
Here is a bad iphone photo of the goodies. The teak and glass lamps are wall sconces and signed though I can't read it right now. It's raining out today and dark in the apartment ... the smoke glass lamps are table lamps; oddly enough. And I think they are definately more 70's than MCM. The planter is so painfully Italian ~ but I may keep it because I am a hoarder of planters. AND I do not have anything like this in my collection.
Again sorry for the poor quality of photos ~ it's all I have to work with here. :) I would love to hear everyone's opinions on these lamps. They are not in my range of taste; I would never have them in the house but part of having a shop, I realize, is catering to many people's tastes. It's hard to start to buy for others in mind... if that makes sense.
I also feel like I haven't shopped quite enough so tomorrow will warrant a trip to Retro.it across the alleyway and see what (non-breakables) I can pick. She had a HUGE art glass dachshund that I am in love with but I can't pack anymore fragile pieces. Today is actually a 'bigger' holiday than Easter and all shops are closed. I will have to wait until tomorrow.
Between the holiday and the rain, I've been in the apartment most of today, washing clothes and eating way too many sweets. Now I have the chance to read everyone's blogs for the first time in over a week, I'm so excited to have the time to do this!
23 April 2011
Buena Serra from Roma
This city is breathtaking. Everything you see in photos does not express the sheer magnitude of the size of these ancient structures. They're HUGE. We've done all the touristy stuff save for the Vatican, which is Monday. You need tickets to even get in there, which we have for Monday. I'm resting and washing clothes today in preparation for massive flea-marketing tomorrow.
This shop ---> www.retrodesign.it (click SHOWROOM) is right across the street from our apartment! The girl is quite nice, with an amazing eye but speaks very little english. Depending on what I find at the flea market tomorrow, I have my eye on a few of her items before I leave. She is pricey but I have barely spent any money this trip.
Here is a blurry shot of the Knoll table in our flat in Florence. The top was marble. OF COURSE. :/
This shop ---> www.retrodesign.it (click SHOWROOM) is right across the street from our apartment! The girl is quite nice, with an amazing eye but speaks very little english. Depending on what I find at the flea market tomorrow, I have my eye on a few of her items before I leave. She is pricey but I have barely spent any money this trip.
Here is a blurry shot of the Knoll table in our flat in Florence. The top was marble. OF COURSE. :/
20 April 2011
Bon-gior-no
Hello from a cramped room in an Art Hotel hidden in the narrow streets of Florence. (Fierenze) I normally don't get to do any sort of internet activity while on these holidays, however the weather here is on the warm side with very cool nights and I always have problems with these sort of changes and it makes me feel sick/feverish for one day while my body tries to regulate... today is that day. :( Everyone went on to breakfast without me and then to see the famous masterpieces of Botticelli.
The first day and a half was spent in Milan, there is a huge and gorgeous Kartell store there, full of lucite-y goodness and colorful lamps. Knoll was there as well but closed. Our Milan hotel had Knoll tulip-base tables in the lobby and Knoll chairs in the dining hall. All modern of course but those chairs were like heaven on my back, I want to look into a set for home - even if just a pair, they would do wonders while I sit online.
Italy has strict rules about what sorts of shops and brands/designers can sell here. Anyone who sells online and ships frequently will know the horror stories about lost and pilfered packages to Italy. You're not allowed to send anything having to do with haberdashery, leather goods, (shoes purses etc) from another country into Italy. There's a huge list of other goods having to do with paper, fur etc but I know off the bat that it's any sort of clothing and accessories. Italy loves their Italian designers and want their people to buy Italian-made only. Any shops that are not of Italian origin (Knoll, Chanel, H&M etc) have the capital to pay some sort of agreement in order to have their own shops here. Therefore, the pickings are slim compared to London, Paris, etc but now that we are in Florence, there are the cutest little artisan shops and TONS of vintage shops that I am dying to get to ... once I stop shivering under a blanket.
Gio Ponti seems to be THE MAN here as far as Mid-Century design goes. MCM also seems to be fashionable here - mixed with modern pieces is encouraged. I am just observing what I've seen in shops and I *did* purchase 3 huge design magazines whilst here and the ecclectic mix really seems to work for most people and their homes. The modern Italian design incorporates alot of lucite and still (to me) looks very 80's. I've said on this blog before that I don't care for Italian MCM design, it tends to be too fussy for me. The contemporary stuff can get too tacky. (for my tastes anyway). In a museum in Milan was a small exhibit of furniture, with even a smaller example of Art Deco - Mid Century pieces. WAY TOO DECORATIVE for me. I don't think Italians are capable of minimalism, everything has to have a swirl or a flounce to wreck the straight plain lines. I did take photos, though and everything will be uploaded when I get home. :)
A French magazine I picked up at the train station shows that MCM living is alive and well there too! It was amazing to see photos of the exteriors of typical French homes that would make you think of Napoleon, Marie Antionette etc --- then to see the insides as bare as can be with perfect white endless walls and sparse furnishings with a bit of color only coming from a Calder-esque mobile. It blew my mind because if I had a provincial style French home I wouldn't even know where to start with modernizing it in that way but these people had it to the letter.... without even making the inside vs. outside contradict each other by way of keeping the original windows (no treatments) and using one element of the home's provenance indoors to just tie it in together. One example I saw was a bit of rattan on the seats of dining chairs that could of been at home in a 1700's hunting scene or a 1960's country styled home. Bless the French!
Anyway we will be here in Florence until tomorrow then it's either off to Pompei or straight to Rome. Rome is the last stop regardless and we fly out of there next week. There is supposedly 4 different flea markets on Easter sunday in Rome and we are planning on hitting the largest one. I hope to find my only wishlist item ~ a Franco Albini ottoman. If I do, trying to get it back home may be funny... my suitcase is already overstuffed with Italian design magazines and shoes. ^__^
The first day and a half was spent in Milan, there is a huge and gorgeous Kartell store there, full of lucite-y goodness and colorful lamps. Knoll was there as well but closed. Our Milan hotel had Knoll tulip-base tables in the lobby and Knoll chairs in the dining hall. All modern of course but those chairs were like heaven on my back, I want to look into a set for home - even if just a pair, they would do wonders while I sit online.
Italy has strict rules about what sorts of shops and brands/designers can sell here. Anyone who sells online and ships frequently will know the horror stories about lost and pilfered packages to Italy. You're not allowed to send anything having to do with haberdashery, leather goods, (shoes purses etc) from another country into Italy. There's a huge list of other goods having to do with paper, fur etc but I know off the bat that it's any sort of clothing and accessories. Italy loves their Italian designers and want their people to buy Italian-made only. Any shops that are not of Italian origin (Knoll, Chanel, H&M etc) have the capital to pay some sort of agreement in order to have their own shops here. Therefore, the pickings are slim compared to London, Paris, etc but now that we are in Florence, there are the cutest little artisan shops and TONS of vintage shops that I am dying to get to ... once I stop shivering under a blanket.
Gio Ponti seems to be THE MAN here as far as Mid-Century design goes. MCM also seems to be fashionable here - mixed with modern pieces is encouraged. I am just observing what I've seen in shops and I *did* purchase 3 huge design magazines whilst here and the ecclectic mix really seems to work for most people and their homes. The modern Italian design incorporates alot of lucite and still (to me) looks very 80's. I've said on this blog before that I don't care for Italian MCM design, it tends to be too fussy for me. The contemporary stuff can get too tacky. (for my tastes anyway). In a museum in Milan was a small exhibit of furniture, with even a smaller example of Art Deco - Mid Century pieces. WAY TOO DECORATIVE for me. I don't think Italians are capable of minimalism, everything has to have a swirl or a flounce to wreck the straight plain lines. I did take photos, though and everything will be uploaded when I get home. :)
A French magazine I picked up at the train station shows that MCM living is alive and well there too! It was amazing to see photos of the exteriors of typical French homes that would make you think of Napoleon, Marie Antionette etc --- then to see the insides as bare as can be with perfect white endless walls and sparse furnishings with a bit of color only coming from a Calder-esque mobile. It blew my mind because if I had a provincial style French home I wouldn't even know where to start with modernizing it in that way but these people had it to the letter.... without even making the inside vs. outside contradict each other by way of keeping the original windows (no treatments) and using one element of the home's provenance indoors to just tie it in together. One example I saw was a bit of rattan on the seats of dining chairs that could of been at home in a 1700's hunting scene or a 1960's country styled home. Bless the French!
Anyway we will be here in Florence until tomorrow then it's either off to Pompei or straight to Rome. Rome is the last stop regardless and we fly out of there next week. There is supposedly 4 different flea markets on Easter sunday in Rome and we are planning on hitting the largest one. I hope to find my only wishlist item ~ a Franco Albini ottoman. If I do, trying to get it back home may be funny... my suitcase is already overstuffed with Italian design magazines and shoes. ^__^
17 April 2011
Roman Holiday
I'm indeed alive! I know it's been a very long time since I've blogged and my only excuse is extreme busy-ness. The mini-mods have complicated and extensive social lives and it feels like my sole purpose in life right now is that of a gypsy cab driver. By the end of the day, when I used to enjoy my own quiet time for web surfing, blogging, or online shopping, I'm finding myself face down in a pillow crashed out cold.
First things first... recent finds!
These appear to be geared towards home building companies and contractors. There are ads, articles and stats. I find them fascinating but haven't had a chance to properly read them in full. Here are quick photos, I will be scanning the better bits soon.
Second things second ... I am getting ready to leave for Italy today ~ we are flying into Milan tonight with a trip later on in the week down to Rome. I'll be gone for 10 days. I'm not looking forward to this, as horrible as that sounds. I just feel that I have way too much stuff to do around here to be jetting off to Italy. HOWEVER I did learn that there is a huge outdoor flea market in Rome on Easter Sunday so I'm stoked about that. Fingers crossed that I find very cool smalls to bring home. :)
See everyone in 2 weeks, thereabouts.
First things first... recent finds!
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| 2 "House and Home" magazines circa 1952 and 1957 |
These appear to be geared towards home building companies and contractors. There are ads, articles and stats. I find them fascinating but haven't had a chance to properly read them in full. Here are quick photos, I will be scanning the better bits soon.
 |
| Nu Tone ad |
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| 2 pages spread of kitcheny goodness |
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| i can't wait to read this and actually scan it to post. |
 |
| we have this in the basement! our plumbing & heating guy calls it the "monster". |
 |
| hnnnnnnng starburst escutcheon. |
 | |
| more gorgeous locksets |
 | |||
| and my love of loves ... hall-mack ! |
Second things second ... I am getting ready to leave for Italy today ~ we are flying into Milan tonight with a trip later on in the week down to Rome. I'll be gone for 10 days. I'm not looking forward to this, as horrible as that sounds. I just feel that I have way too much stuff to do around here to be jetting off to Italy. HOWEVER I did learn that there is a huge outdoor flea market in Rome on Easter Sunday so I'm stoked about that. Fingers crossed that I find very cool smalls to bring home. :)
See everyone in 2 weeks, thereabouts.
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