sogni d'oro: details

Showing posts with label details. Show all posts

Going to the Bradbury Building was a dream–come–true. Ah. My words are insufficient for how I love this building. I tried to explain to my family (somewhat unsuccessfully) and once they saw it for themselves, they better understood my enthusiasm. The clean, modern lines that I love plus incredible, beautiful detail in every aspect. Love love love.

Not to mention it is referenced or appears in two of my favorite films and my favorite TV show.

top to bottom film shots:

Pushing Daisies (screenshot);

The Artist (source);

(500) Days of Summer (source)

"When an architect plans a garden, it tends to be an extension of the principles of the house. Some of the most successful gardens, however, are devised to offer elements that aren't necessarily present in the architecture–but add to it just the same." –David Netto, "Modern Pastoral," WSJ Magazine

a view of the garden

"A small fenced garden off the kitchen protects spring bulbs from deer."

"A mowed line in the property's meadow grass helps transition between natural and formal landscapes."

This last image in particular speaks to my design sensibilities; good design should appear effortless and this truly does—such a simple details seems innate. I also love this garden's modern twist on traditional garden spaces. The architect's home is similarly a modern-built Greek Revival; the combination of history and modernity in design is beautiful, classic, and timeless.

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But thou, my babe! shalt wander like a breeze
By lakes and sandy shores, beneath the crags
Of ancient mountain, and beneath the clouds,
Which image in their bulk both lakes and shores
And mountain crags: so shalt thou see and hear
The lovely shapes and sounds intelligible
Of that eternal language, which thy God
Utters, who from eternity doth teach
Himself in all, and all things in himself.
Great universal Teacher! he shall mould
Thy spirit, and by giving make it ask.

–Samuel Taylor Coleridge, excerpt from "Frost at Midnight"

For although this post contains clever things, it is lacking a clever title.

Oh how I love household objects that are pretty, clever, and functional.

for an inspiring desktop space,

for endlessly listing,

and these whimsical & nautical salt and pepper shakers.

Love, love, and love.

[chouette is French for swell, terrific, sweet, other related synonyms. you get the idea.]

Emily introduced me to Le Petit Nicolas, which is based on a series of French children's books, and it instantly became a favorite of mine. It's quite possible that I have never laughed so hard while watching a movie, and the clever, subtle details in the story and various scenes made it even better.

p.s. It's making me even more excited for my French & Italian cinema class next semester!

These windows are my absolute favorite: inward opening casement windows à la most Italian houses, preferably with functioning shutters on the outside.

Yes, this can lead to lizards creeping around in your bedroom and bathroom (speaking from experience), but I have an understanding with lizards as they eat insects and creepy-crawly creatures that would frighten me more, albeit irrationally.

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I just found this photo again and it made me laugh.

Because, yes, those would be the colors of the Italian flag. This was completely unintentional, and while pistachios, white chocolate, and strawberries are a random assortment of toppings, there you have it.

(from a frozen yogurt run with Italy roommate Katherine when we met up in London a week after leaving Siena. Italy was clearly on my mind.)

A natural result of my loving European architectural details in Europe is noticing them here. These railings that I saw in downtown Provo, however, are exceptionally great. Any guesses why?

Why, there are the deathly hallows.

Parisian gardens are perfection.

My favorite detail of the gardens in Paris was the scattering of green metal chairs (in side, arm, and lounge variations!) at random throughout the gardens. You could walk through and enjoy the plants, and just as easily sit and enjoy a conversation or the general atmosphere. I loved the flexibility that chairs offered instead of your traditional park bench (though there were a few of these, too).

above: Jardin des Tuileries (which was my favorite); below: Jardin du Luxembourg

Venice enchanted me with its most beautiful architectural details. The countless geometrically adorned railings, the textured buildings, and the worn, timeless feeling of the city were absolutely lovely.

The above photo was taken on the island Murano, which is renowned for its glass. I loved the glass flowers in the flower box outside of those windows! How perfect.

Not that other areas of Italy are lacking in their minute details [because they aren't], but Venice! It was fabulous.

some of the little sights and details I will miss the most about Siena:

• buildings with shutters and rooftop gardens

• Siena's streets

• stores closing for 2+ hours at lunchtime

• schiacciatina [with sunflower seeds], the best cracker bread of all time.

• the things we pass on the bus practically every day: the mint Fiat 500 parked on a hill, the "Supercasalinga" store, and the octopus sign for the fishmonger's shop Pescheria Vecchiarelli

• the choice [and by choice I mean strange] assortment of American music we hear on the radio in addition to Italian songs

• this view. pretty sunsets. those olive trees.

I love all of the old Italian men who walk with their hands behind their backs, like so. And many of them often wear plaid or tweed jackets of the prettiest shades of blue or green.

Siena is full of buildings adorned with small architectural details like this:

I especially love the pattern of this grille, it's beautiful.

Details that make this so, so great:
-The wood grain of the desk is oriented in the same direction as the moldings (at first I wanted to spell that as 'mouldings,' but it went against my American sensibilities).

-The warm wood complements the aqua so well!

-The architectural changes made in the desk/hallway area render the space much more functional and created better proportions for the spaces as well as integrated the various spaces of this apartment.