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.

Sunny weekend

I hope everyone is enjoying this hot sunny weather. This amazing French ormolu decoration at the Getty seems the very height of summer sun to me!

Draper Doors

Just a fun picture of a fantastic doorway I spotted on an apartment building in Beverly Hills while in LA recently. Very Dorothy Draper, no? I especially love the hardware. Have a fantastic weekend!

Spring in NY

Oddly enough, one of my favorite things about New York is the presence of nature in the city.

Central Park is so much more majestic for its city setting and natural / city contrasts.

While in New York last weekend, Habitually Chic and I enjoyed the fine spring weather and spent the afternoon wandering around this paradise with ice cream cones. Maybe a little too long, I'm still suffering from my peeley sunburn!

Another piece of nature lies on the medians of Park Avenue. The pink metal rose sculptures by Will Ryman are surrounded by spring tulips for a short time every year.

A city of contrasts: the man-made and the natural working in harmony. Enjoy your weekend!

Florida sunshine

DC has had unseasonably warm weather and it has me missing the 80 degree, sunny days we had in Florida this week (the Biltmore hotel in Coral Gables seen here). Here's hoping you've all taken advantage of this teaser of spring we've experienced. Have a great President's Day weekend!

Cabin fever

I spent the past weekend in a blissfully remote cabin in West Virginia. The scenery was so stunning I had to share it with you all!

As we were up in the mountains, fall is nearly over and the air is crisp with the anticipation of winter. I just love the crunch of the leaves beneath your feet and the smell of camp fires.

These are the views from the cabin where I spent most of my time napping; in between reading and munching on peanut m&m's with cups of tea for good measure!

You never know what you'll find down a lonely country road.

Unfortunately the weather was a bit chilly to be using the screen porch but the fireplace inside saw a lot of action!

We didn't even need to use the dinner bell, no one wandered very far.

Next time, we'll leave the light on for you! Tomorrow, back to much more glamorous locations in Barcelona.

Fall Light

Fall is here, my favorite season! One of the reasons I love it is the gorgeous light, especially the sunsets. I took this picture last weekend at the Old Yellow Mansion, remember it, on Meridian Hill Park? Hope you all have a great weekend!

Beautiful signs

Across from my favorite bookstore in Chicago (Unabridged Books which carries an amazing collection of design and architecture books and biographies), I noticed these beautiful signs on a school.

Carved in 1892, I think they really make a statement; I'd go to school here! Have a great weekend!

I'm currently reading 'Mad World: Evelyn Waugh and the secrets of Brideshead' which I picked up at unabridged for only $6! Visit them while in Chicago!

Hanging around DC

I've been a bad blogger this week with only 1 post, so I'll make up for that here with 2 photos I took this week. The first is a beautiful garden, ready for fall, in Cleveland Park. This quaint Victorian house is up on a little hill and I love how the plants get gradually taller (and more colorful) as they work their way up the embankment.

The 2nd photo I took on my favorite block of N street, across from the house with the rupunzel tower. I love how a very basic townhouse takes on a whole lot of character with great intricate brickwork patterns. Why don't we experiment with this more today? Also notice the bells and whistles up on the roof too. Hope you all have a great weekend!

Look at this ceiling

As promised, Monday I will post on the Pan American Building by Paul Cret. As a teaser, check out the entry way ceiling - this is all plaster, detailed to look like stone, which somehow makes it so much more interesting to me. Also included is a grand ballroom, the climax of the Beaux-arts diagram, but more on that later -for now, enjoy your weekend!

Sightseeing at home

One of the great parts of having a houseguest is you see parts of your own home city that you otherwise rarely visit. This weekend I played tour guide to a friend and explored the best of what DC has to offer!

Brunch at POV overlooking the White House, formerly the Washington Hotel and a trip to the Newseum and the National Mall filled the day Sunday.

The Newseum has THE view of the Capitol building, which you can see above. However from the inside of the museum, with the Canadian Embassy in the foreground, the view is a bit......odd?

A bit of a contrast, the US Capitol building behind the Canadian flag: I thought it was funny!

Saturday was spent exploring Hillwood with the ever gracious Steven as guide (thanks again!). It was the perfect day for a walk around the gardens which always have something to surprise and delight, no matter the season. I have always loved the fountain in the parterre but never thought much of the pattern which runs along the base. Even on a (rare) cloudy day in DC, the water would sparkle as it hit the points of the pattern; ingenius detailing.

I didn't bring my camera with me, as evidenced by these pictures. I am a bit disappointed with the camera on the Droid Incredible (phone); The pictures are ok, but tend towards the blurry side. I have to remember to get out and explore the city even when I don't have the excuse of a guest in town. Hope you had a great weekend as well!

door handles

Continuing on yesterday's opulent posting, today I bring you a bronze door handle from the Palazzo Grassi in Venice. My best friend Eric (ArchitectDesign's foreign correspondant) was recently there and sent me this photo for obvious reasons: it's gorgeous! Why have a boring handle with a view like THAT, afterall. Have you ever seen a more sunny or gorgeous day in Venice? Have a great weekend!

colorful weekend

While walking through Georgetown yesterday, I really noticed all of the colors of the city in the summer sun. I hope you enjoy your weekend!

Container Gardening

For a side door at Filoli which is rarely used, I loved this idea of lining the staircase with overflowing terracotta containers. Maybe this is an idea for our own houses to bring some life to abandoned entries? I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend in this gorgeous weather and have a great 4th of July!

A hot weekend

More of the same hot weather here in DC, so you'll find me in my favorite corner with a stack of books and magazines. I'm trying out the british notion that hot tea in hot weather will cool you down: I'll let you know how that goes! What cools you down?

A beautiful dormer

I noticed this grade school in Georgetown the other day and loved all of the little details. Check out that terra cotta dormer with the greek key details! click the image to open larger
I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

Lilac morning

Spring may feel like it's over here in DC, but we still have the lilacs from points north to enjoy. I hope everyone enjoys their weekend!

still life at top: architectural watercolor by John Wenrich, Wedgwood jasperware covered bowl (twice as big as a sugar bowl - anyone know what it actually is?) and Meissen calling card tray with ArchitectDesign blogger card of course!

weekend cheer

I hope everyone has a great weekend! Picture taken in Bucks County last week. MORE concrete!!

Grand Entries

Recently in Georgetown I spotted this elegant entry. I love the stone stair and curved railing with integrated lamp posts. I might paint the door a brighter contrasting color, but this is conservative Georgetown afterall!

I hope everyone has a great weekend. Remember, design is in the details!

storage with style

I'm loving this image from the kitchen of Safia Bendali, as captured by Marie-Pierre Morel for the Oct. 2009 issue of Elle Decoration. Her collection of beautiful china (i spy wedgwood jasperware!) is elegantly housed alongside of cookbooks in a practical but beautiful storage application. If I could only have shelves like that! The table from Astier de Villatte is unusual and I'm not sure what I feel about it -what do you think? Too bulky or just right? I can't help but think it looks like a flat topped pool table!