Italian designer...Piero Fornasetti

Aren't these the espresso cups fantastic? These hand painted porcelain pieces are by Fornasetti from the "Matematica" collection. Made bespoke only, they and are exclusively available on Couture Lab. I'm so glad I found them, because I now have a new found love for Fornasetti pieces. I never really new much about the brand or the designer behind it, accept that they designed these cool black and white plates with a sort of renaissance woman's face on them.

The mastermind behind this brand is Italian artist Piero Fornasetti. Fornasetti was a painter, an interior decorator, an engraver of art books and creator of more than 11,000 items. He went on to become a respected interior designer during the Forties and Fifties and created pieces with a heavy emphasis on surface decoration.

Fornasatti looked to the past for inspiration and excavated classical and Renaissance iconography such as suns, moons, harlequins, hands, beautiful female faces, along with classical architectural features such as columns. You can find the Fornasetti style on hats, coats, chairs, pianos, plates and boxes, just to name a few.

The most popular series, The "Tema a Variazioni" (theme and variation) which features the face of a woman, is operatic soprano Lina Cavalieri. Fornasetti found her face in a 19th century magazine. He was so fascinated with her face that he went on to create over 350 variations.

Foransetti's son, Barnaba is continuing his fathers hand crafted workshop tradition through the production and revival of his most popular pieces.

I have put together a small collection of Fornesetti vintage 50's and 60's for you to admire. Hope to you come to appreciate this artist and his art form as much as I have...Enjoy!

"Alta Matematica" Tray, Italy c1950's

Set of 12 "Eva" plates, Italy c1950's

A rare one of kind brass framed desk in pattern "Giornali", Italy c1955

Four panel "Library" Trompe L'Oeil folding screen, Italy c1970's

"Musica" double box, Italy c1950

Happy Anniversary my love....

Today is my 14th year wedding anniversary and I would like to dedicate this post to my incredible husband.

My love...how quickly time passes and what a beautiful life we have built together. Look at us in this picture fourteen years ago. We are so lucky to have found each other. Thank you for always supporting me and standing by me. Thank you for our beautiful children and for being the most patient and giving father in the world. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and your kindness. Thank you for giving so much of yourself and always doing it with a smile. Thank you for making me laugh every single day...There are a million things I can thank you for my sweet husband, but most of all, thank you for loving me with all of your heart. You are the love of my life and I hope the next fourteen years go a little slower, so that we can enjoy and cherish them even more.

Thank you...Happy Anniversary...I Love You!

DIY Wall Panels...fabric or wallpaper?

The September issue of Martha Stewart Living featured this fabric wall panel idea..then I saw the idea again in the September issue of Real Simple, so I thought it would be a great idea to share the love! I also think this a fun and affordable way to add some interest to a room.

Real Simple glued vintage fabric to quarter-inch foam core, then framed the panels with a simple molding and topped with four prints.

The same idea can be applied with wallpaper...I found these beautiful Chinoiserie wall paper panels designed by Maison 21. Fabulous design choice and really nice results...and we all now how much I love yellow.

Here is another great wallpaper panel idea I found on House and Home. Two smaller panels to make a great statement in an entry!

Here is a list of fabric and wallpaper companies you may want to browse for inspiration...Enjoy!

Colefax and Fowler

Brunswig and Fils

de Gournay

Cowtan & Tout

Osborne and Little

Quadrille

Rubie Green

Mod Green Pod

Ink & Spindle

Hotel Luxury at Le Trianon Palace Versaille

All I can say is Holy Hotel!! Le Trianon Palace in Versailles...Pure Royalty. This is why I absolutely love interior design..I needed to find this hotel to remind me of why I chose this particular profession. This is what I want to do! This! Pure sumptuous style and decor. Delectable design...Like a favorite ice cream...Thank goodness! Just a dream...That's all I have to say...Enjoy yourself!

Dream...

Stuck...

Hello my blogger friends...I know that this is a place where all is positive and inspiring. I have to be honest though, lately I have had some trouble in that department. Job hunting has not been easy...Revising my cover letter time after time to suit that particular position..applying for jobs that are much broader than I ever imagined...Not getting any response whatsoever..and it's getting harder to stay on track to find the light at the end of the tunnel. My posts have been few lately and I haven't had time to comment either, but I am still trying my best to keep it movin'. So, this is me, feelin' like I'm stuck...I have to keep reminding myself that I am very talented and I have so much to offer. Something great is out there and it's waiting for me. I just have to brush off the disappointment and keep my chin up...I am certainly not a quitter..I hope you guys won't give up on me either!

xxxx

image from visualize.us

Happy Weekend...

I'm just loving the interiors of these photos...imagining that I just got home from work and I'm relaxing after long week...

It's Saturday evening and I'm hosting a dinner party...making sure that every detail is just right.

Sunday morning...a quick dash to meet a prospective client for brunch...I've always wanted to to go to this restaurant.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Photographed by Michelle Holdon with 2c.

Luxe gold crush....

I fell in love with this chair while searching for my 1st dibs design crushes...I think this chair is hot! This chair is made in France by acclaimed french designer Jean-Marie Massaudy. Named the"Ad Hoc" chair, it is a limited first edition of five. The $15,575 price tag may be a bit for most, but one never knows...

Last night I finally got the September issue of Elle Decor in the mail and found this beautiful porcelain dinnerware. This dinnerware is Kelly Wearstler's design debut for Pickard available at Bergdorf Goodman...and I'm in love with this too..Price range is from $75 for a salad plate to $328 for a serving bowl.

I think Kelly's Hammered Cuff napkins rings for SFERRA are a lovely match with her dinnerware priced at $170 for a set.

I also really like her Spectrum needlepoint pillow for SFERRA. It's 100% Linen with embroidery filled with 95/5 feather down, priced at $275. Love this pillow to throw over the Ad Hoc chair!

Finally I thought it would be nice to add a vase for centerpiece floral action...Vivre is always the best place..I found this large brass off center vase priced at a reasonable $175.

So hot!

At home in the Hamptons with Gwyneth...

Hi everyone....I missed you..thanks so much for all of your well wishes!! Now its back to business. I found this lovely spread of Gwyneth at home in my treasured House and Garden archives. The always chic and very talented Gwyneth has inspired us with her iconic fashion sense and her oscar winning performances. Here is a peak into her home in the Hampton's.. If you haven't already seen her very hip and refined interiors...take a look and Enjoy!

Images are from the November 2007 issure of House and Garden Magazine.

Trying to land that dream job...

After a long weekend of dreaming up ideas on how to "land" my dream job, now it is time to actually focus! I am an interior designer, but I have many years of creative experience in other fields. I applied for a position with Tiffany & Co. last Thursday and I really want to do more to make myself stand out from the other hundreds of applicants there must be for this job.

This is a creative position and I truly feel like this job was made for me! I need to work on putting together a creative package to send to Human Resources directly. That is my goal for the week..My deadline is Thursday...exactly one week from the day I applied for this position.

So, my dear blogging friends...I need to "focus" on this project and I probably will not be able to post until Friday..I hope you understand. This really means a lot to me and I just have to try!

Wish me luck!!

xxx