Bella Venezia (2)

Since last week's post on Venice proved so popular, I thought I would leave you with some more images from the Australian of that beautiful city this weekend.

Theodore Alexander miniatures

One of my favorite companies to visit at Highpoint Market is Theodore Alexander. Their commitment to high quality wood furniture, both new and reproduction, is always astounding. While their reproductions are what the company is most well known for, such as Althorp, they also produce a line designed by the Keno Brothers, of Antiques Roadshow fame. The brothers' line is inspired by the lines of mid-century modern but incorporates the high quality wood detailing that the company is so well known for.
I think my favorite pieces of all though are these miniature chairs and reproductions which measure in at a mere 11" high. How great would these look lined up on a bookshelf? I suppose they bring out the child in us all!

Sheffield Park House

Located in Sheffield Park, the grounds famously designed by Capability Brown in the 18th century, is an extraordinary gothic house simply named Sheffield Park House. Isn't this right out of a spooky 19th century novel? Fantastic! The house is privately owned but the gardens are open to the public - information HERE.

San Giorgio Maggiore

Yesterday I showed you Venice from the air via the bell tower of San Giorgio Maggiore. Today we'll explore the interior of the church.As I said yesterday, the building was designed by noted architect Andrea Palladio in 1565 after he had worked on the adjacent monastery for the Benedictine Monks who run the church.

The church was finished in 1610, 30 years after Palladio's death. The original bell tower from 1467 fell down in 1774 and was rebuilt 20 years later in Neoclassical style to better suit Palladio's efforts.At the crux of the center nave, where the tower is located, is a strange smoke machine installed for the Biennale.

Now that explains the strange piping we saw on the roof yesterday!

The interior is crisp, white and clean -the type of classicism I love best.

Located behind the apse alter screen, seen above, is a beautiful choir stall.Designed by Palladio, the stalls were built between 1580 and 1589.And I couldn't let you go without a close up of the gorgeous marble floors!

Venice from the air

One sees many famous images of Venice but only the brave witness it from the air.

My Australian climbed to the top of San Giorgio to capture the city spread far below.

Having never been there, the thing that strikes me immediately is the immensity of the city! I always assumed it was small but here it is, a bustling seaport spread out through so much water. No wonder it is a popular cruise destination!

Below is the roof of San Giorgio. More on what that silver tube is in tomorrow's post!

Looking up, high into the bell tower.

And from the ground, here is the front facade of the church of San Giorgio Maggiore designed by my favorite architect, Andrea Palladio and built between 1566 and 1610. Awe-inspiringly stunning.

You recognize St. Mark's square above, across the water, with the familiar Doge's Palace.I had no idea the waterways were so large nor so busy!

Architectural Watercolor Christmas Cards

Congratulations to Andrew Zega and Bernd Dams from Architectural Watercolors for being listed as one of Architectural Digest's discoveries! Andrew and Bernd have created a series of four holiday card sets which include Chinoiserie Pagodas, Garden Tents, Treillage Pavilions and Silver & Gold; read more on that at their blog NOTED.I ordered a number of their cards a few years ago and I can testify that they are of incredibly high quality. Whenever I give one with a gift to mark a special occasion I'm always told how beautiful the cards are. A lot of people actually have them framed!I first started following these talented guys a few years ago when they released one of their many books (on Versailles) and also bought a few of their paper folly lanterns (which they hope to put back into production again). I'm happy to say I plan on meeting up with Andrew and Bernd while in Paris next month and hope to bring you some tidbits from them upon my return!