The Romance Of Italy - Rimini's Grand Hotel

Is there anywhere more romantic than Italy in the Spring?

A favorite place for Europeans and Americans alike is the Grand Hotel in Rimini, Italy. Famous as a beautiful national historic landmark and made more famous by acclaimed Director, Federico Fellini, The Grand Hotel is a beautiful now as it was in the past.

Many years ago I had the pleasure of staying at the Hotel and even spending time in the luxurious Fellini suite, where the famous director spent many wonderful holidays.

The hotel became world-famous through Federico Fellini's films. As a poor child growing up in Rimini, he often looked through the gates of the hotel in awe, dreaming of a life of luxury like the hotel's guests. These childhood memories inspired some of his most successful films. The Grand Hotel is featured particularly in his film Amarcord, where it is in the background of some of the film's most memorable scenes.

Elle Decor UK recently did a tribute to Fellini by styling and photographing a shoot at The Grand Hotel. They chose to shoot in black in white, which really highlights the architectural features. To really see the grandeur of the location, I have tried to find the coordinating locations in color.
Elle Decor says: La dolce vita is as iconic a film as they get. Fellini’s masterpiece has been referred to throughout fashion, film, architecture, philosophy and music. As the title suggests, “The sweet life” is about frivolity, glamour, fame, style and surrounding yourself with beautiful things and people. This shoot pays homage to Fellini and the film in its black and white style photography by Fulvio Maiani and luxury setting at Grand Hotel Rimini in Italy.

The styling by Chiara di pinto and Arianna lelli Mami is seamlessly co-ordinated with the vibrant, cleverly designed furniture and interiors. “Lounge chairs” scatter the foyer, poolside and club room as if to challenge the viewer with their positioning. Sky high heels indicating power and prestige work with designer swimwear, head scarves, capelets and jewels which allude to “dressing up” for a leisurely lounge by the pool.


Like the film, the series of images presented by Elle Décor end on a reflective note, showcasing the human desire for masking the tragedies in our lives by living and searching for beauty and enjoying the sweetness of life! - Kate Vandermeer

One of the most attractive aspects of the Grand Hotel is its classic style.
Directly above and below are photos of the main lobby area. The rooms are still decorated with Venetian and French antiques of the XVIII century, and the original wooden floor (parquet) and Venetian chandeliers have been restored.
Plaster work has been restored it original grandeur.

Venetian glass chandeliers hang from the ceiling at every turn - adding to the Hotel's glamour.

In the restaurant and the other banqueting rooms, the furniture, the paintings, and the lights, reinforce the original atmosphere of the past.
Here is the Grand Ballroom - done in lovely soft pinks. Notice the ceiling is also painted pink highlighting the plaster work. Also notice the arched french doorways. Stunning.
Here is a smaller more intimate dining space. Notice again the chandelier. Mirrors are also used very often - see the very large one in the far right of the photo.
Lets go up stairs to see the more private rooms. Notice the iron work on the staircase - again the large mirrors reflect the gorgeous interiors. Beautiful carpets add another layer of luxury.


Here is one of the sitting rooms and bedrooms in one of the Hotels many suites.
Here is the sitting room in the Fellini Suite. When I visited I had the opportunity to spend time in these famous and lovely rooms.

Fellini himself loved to be a guest at the Grand Hotel once he was successful, and stayed in this favourite suite on a regular basis. Today, some guests specifically request to stay in that room. It was actually in this room, while talking on the phone, where he had the collapse that ultimately led to his death. The friend he was talking to on the phone heard a sudden silence from the other end, and called the Grand Hotel back immediately to ask them to check to see if Fellini was alright. They found him lying on the floor, and he was rushed to hospital. He later died in Rome.
Above the adjacent sleeping quarters and bath of the Fellini Suite. Though difficult to see, the floor to ceiling french doors in the bedroom open to a spectacular view of the ocean. Again many mirrors, Venetian glass chandeliers, plaster mouldings and marble abound.
The outside grounds of The Grand Hotel are equally as beautiful.

Outdoor dining in the garden - Also the area where many parties and weddings have taken place.Here a semi-outdoor pavilion has a permanent painted "tented" ceiling. Notice the gorgeous floor.

Dining by the pool - Wouldn't you love to sip champagne cocktails here?

More outdoor dining, with a spectacular view.

A beautiful tablescape with the Hotel as a spectacular backdrop.

Getting ready for a wedding - Oh so romantic!

And, of course, do not forget the ocean! Just steps from the hotel.

Make sure to reserve your private cabana.
Evening parties on the outdoor pavilion!

Ahh - wouldn't it be fun to escape to Italy in Spring?!

All photos from The Grand Hotel website, Golden Star Events and Elle Decor UK.

Research from Wikipedia, Fashionista, and The Grand Hotel.

Industrial Kitchen Stools For All Styles

It seems like industrial furniture is in every magazine -tables, cabinets, and lighting fixtures. But, some of my favorites are the counter stools. Lets look at some wonderful examples:

MS Living

Here is a great example of mixing the industrial style with a more rustic decor. I love the shiny surface of stools against the rough matte brick walls. This lab stool style is fairly common and easy to come by.Accurato

Here is another example that is a bit more modern from Offi.

Alimesh

We are seeing the square style in many homes. These are from Design Within Reach. Notice how great they look against the wood island and with the industrial pendant lights.

Martha Stewart

Here is another set of squared topped stools - these look wonderfully vintage - but what else could we expect from Martha?

Apartment Therapy
Look at these interesting spring stools I saw over at Apartment Therapy! Aren't they fun! They look so cool against the barn wood island and slate floor tiles.

House Beautiful

These are classic lab stools which can be purchased from many school or office supply sites. I love how modern they feel next the classic black island. Also notice the pendant lights and the interesting floor. This kitchen is one my favorites.

Country Living

How about a chocolate malt? These fifties vintage stools, complete with footrest rail, look wonderful in this kitchen filled with antiques. Notice the antique table paired with what looks like a copy of an aluminum Emeco chair. Schoolhouse pendants, antique signs and old lockers add charm.

Hutker

Though I love the look of stools, I much prefer them with backs for comfort. Here are some stools that are copies of Emeco stools. Notice the four bars in back versus Emeco's three. The style though, does look perfect in this more traditional style kitchen.

Emeco

Here is a photo of the true Emeco Navy stool, a classic is often copied - but isn't the orignial wonderful.

Desire to Inspire

Look at these vintage chairs - I really love them, and the kitchen cabinets and the center island in stainless steel. My only issue is the lights. They remind me of being in a dentist office. I would never open my mouth in this kitchen, but perhaps that's a good thing!

Seattle Times

These stools have more of a vintage look in this modern kitchen . I like the barrel backs. They look comfortable and hip.

Apartment Therapy

Here is an example of the Hudson Stool , also made my Emeco, available from Design Within Reach. These really add some bling to this New York Loft!

Giannetti Designs
Perhaps my favorite stools are the ones designer Brooke Giannetti used in a recent project for a client. I love the size and scale. In her own home Brooke used these with a fabric seat cushion .

Cote de Texas
Designer Joni Webb, mentioned this kitchen in her famous blog on Kitchens 101-Elements to Copy. The chairs can be found at Beach Dwelling and are the same ones as in the Giannetti designed kitchen. I love the interesting floors and the chandelier. Both kitchens have very different interiors, but they both work with these stools.

I hope they are comfortable because I think these are my favorite. Which ones do you prefer?

Check out other great finds at Miss Mustard Seeds Furniture Friday!

"Peep"-ing at Orange

Peeps, the marshmallow chicks that are an American spring tradition!

This year in keeping with the design trends, Just Born, makers of Peeps, have joined in by releasing a new color: Orange Peeps. They are a lovely shade of soft orange.

Although I am very partial to neutral palettes, the Peeps inspired me to take a look at some orange drenched rooms.

Home and Garden
Here is a wonderful breakfast nook with soft coral walls. I love how the black iron chairs pop in the space. Also notice the unexpected use of bright green chair cushions and animal print pillows
Kips Bay
This bright orange gives me electric shocks! Though not at all my style, I appreciate the talent of the designer of this room. Raspberry, turquoise, bright green and orange! Wow, so much color with so much going on and it still really works. This is a happy space. I like the stenciling on the walls, but I really could not live in this space.
Dutchboy
Here is a very traditional room with bright pop of color. The black table really anchors the space . Notice how the yellow upholstery on the chairs is repeated again with the yellow plates on the wall. Martha Stewart

A sweet little girls room orchestrated by Martha Stewart. Fabric panels stretched over canvas add a designer touch at fraction of the cost! A good idea because surely when she turns 13 she will insist on changing her room ! Rafter Tales
Perhaps this is our 13 year olds' room - The little girl in her can't let go of the orange and pink but the colors are repeated in a more mature way. I can hear the cell phone ringing...
Elle Decor

In this dining room we again see orange paired with bright green. I love the interesting lights, candlesticks and wall art. I also like the rug. This color will surely encourage lively, spicy conversations!

Pottery Barn
And finally Pottery Barn gets into the game! I really like this dining room ! It has wonderful elements: the trestle style table, a current rug and those orange chairs! The topiaries, light fixture and clean white walls, even make neutral loving me, a bit more open the color of the season.

Which do you like? Or do you think orange is just too trendy?

French Country Living in Normandy

Built in about 1800, in a village close to Normandy coast this elegant brick manor is the very essence of French country living. In 2003 when Hamburg interior designer Peter Nolden bought the house, the interiors were in terrible shape and the grounds were filled with ruined farm sheds. So began his labor of love where bricked-up windows were reinstated and all the plumbing and electrical wiring was replaced. Let's have a closer look. The fabulous entry - Notice the wrought iron railings and marble tile floors. Marble is set on the diagonal to give the illusion of a larger space. I love the formal entry with the rustic elements of the slat chair and tin topped table.

Nolden salvaged every possible item he could re-use and found much of the original decorative panelling could be repaired. I really like the splashes of unexpected color in this living room; the green upholstered chairs, the red painted table and the chartreuse lampshade. I also adore all the light fixtures in this room - notice the sconces and the chandelier.
What a kitchen!!! The brick, the chandelier, the stove, the skirted cabinets, scalloped apron farm table and copper pots - so very french!!
Enter the sunny Breakfast Room - I love the plates hung on all the walls and the wonderful architectural detail on the windows. Cafe Au lait and croissants?
All the paint colours are from Peter's own range of paints, furniture bought in France, Sweden and Italy as well as certain pieces that he designed and had made for the house. I usually like neutral colors but I adore this room! Perhaps its the pair of paintings of the french countryside.

What french manor would be complete with out a toile bedroom. I like the touches of antique toile fabric framed and on the pillows.

Views from the window showcase the beautiful formal gardens.

Or enjoy the gardens from the shade of the outdoor patio. A labor of love by Peter Nolden and spectacular French Country home tour for us!

Swedish Style Country Homes

Designer Sasha Waddell from England is famous for pioneering the now highly recognizable and very popular Swedish Style. Below are two homes with her trademark style.The first is a wonderful country home in the UK that she decorated in muted blues and greens, although the room has color and pattern it is very subdued. Notice the different scaled Swedish checked fabric on the chairs, ottoman and pillows.

Here is a lovely bedroom! Notice the wall of closets along one side of the room. I love the bed linen and the classic blue and white striped chairs. Wood is painted white or natural stain. Curtains are sheer white.

The guest room has a sweet desk and chair for correspondence. I love the addition of the blue Swedish cupboard and the interesting mirror above the desk. Again wood is painted and floors are light. Again curtains are sheer white.

Here is another Country Home in London by Waddell - This one is designed all in white
Notice the wide planked painted floors and classic blues and white rag rug. Again her trademark white sheer curtains.
Here you see a classic Swedish style chair. Looking to the kitchen you can see white cabinets and natural wood counters.

The bedroom, adorned with white linens accented in raspberry also has the white sheer curtains. The addition of the antique Swedish bench is lovely.

Sasha also has a wonderful line of Swedish inspired furniture. For more details about Sasha Waddell visit her website at www. sashawaddelldesign.com.