FLORENCE - Hotel Santa Maria Novella, Uffizi, Accademia Gallery

Section of the dome of Florence Cathedral Florence will be my first stop in Italy on my way to study Architecture at the University in Ferrara (see my post here). I have always wanted to visit this city. FLORENCE, capital of the region of Tuscany, has a population of around half a million inhabitants. Florence is called the capital of arts; according to statistics produced by UNESCO, 60% of the world's most important works of art are located in Italy and approximately half of these are in Florence. This is the birthplace of Dante and Michelangelo. Wow do I have allot to see in this city. First things first. Where to stay. Well I wanted to stay at JK Place, but unfortunately it was all booked (pretty popular place in spite of the very expensive room rates ). JK Place recommended the Hotel Santa Maria Novella, which is right next door. I checked it out on line and I liked what I saw! It is centrally located, situated two steps from Florence’s central train station, (which is good because I will be traveling by train to Ferrara to start my studies) and it is in one of the most exclusive areas of Florence in the presence of so much beauty and History. It faces the piazza of the Santa Maria Novella Cathedral and dates back to the Nineteenth Century. All the better and I have booked a room with a "view" of this.

I love the polished chrome door plaque. You never get a second chance to make a first impression and I'm impressed.

A beautiful marble statue graces the entry foyer.

This is a view of the classically decorated dining room where a buffet breakfast is served, or to enjoy an aperitif, nightcap or a light snack later on. It has views of the Santa Maria Novella Basilica across the square.

I love the "Grisaille" wallpaper and the enormous vase of yellow roses. "Grisaille" (noun) A style of monochromatic painting in shades of gray, used especially for the representation of relief sculpture.

Stairway

Regal in Royal Purple & silk bed canopy and draperies that frame a view to the Historic Piazza and Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. I even have a flat screen TV. But don't think I will be watching it.

Beautifully detailed bathroom all clad in sumptuous Carrera Marble. Just what I would expect in Italy.

A glance of admiration from my room towards the sumptuous church of Santa Maria Novella

This is just a partial list of what is close to my Hotel:

Santa Maria Novella Church – 50 metres Duomo (Cathedral) – 200 metres Congress Hall – 200 metres Exhibition centre – 200 metres Ponte Vecchio – 1 kilometre (0.5 miles) Uffizi – 1 kilometre (0.5 miles) Academy of Fine Arts – 1 kilometre (0.5 miles) Palazzo Vecchio – 1 kilometre (0.5 miles) Pitti Palace – 1.5 kilometres (1 mile) Boboli Gardens – 1.5 kilometres (1 mile)

Two of my "must- do" visits are: Uffizi & Academy of Fine Arts or Accademia Gallery. Both offer private guided tours which I have booked on-line.

The Uffizi is the most famous museum in Florence and houses works by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Titian and Rubens.

Botticelli Birth of Venus, 1484

The Accademia Gallery in Florence houses Michelangelo's most famous work - the statue of David

the Venus and Cupid by Jacopo Pontormo.

Boboli Gardens (Giardino di Boboli)

Together with Pitti Palace, in 1550 the Medici bought the Boboli gardens behind the building. The name of Boboli is thought to come from the prior owner.

Nicolò Pericoli, was called in to transform the area into one of the most spectacular Renaissance gardens. Pericoli worked at what he called his "green architecture" masterpiece until he died.

Interesting note: Boboli became a model for all European Royal gardens, including those in the Palace of Versailles.

Florence skyline

Italian Lighting Design

Some Beautiful Italian designed lighting fixtures. I love them all, but especially the first image of the "Feather Chandelier". How fun is that?! I would hang it in a bedroom, closet area, or maybe powder room. The second image is a classic "Fortuny" style design.

These would be nice over a kitchen island

360 Italian Design

Patricia Gray writes about Interior Design inspirations, emerging trends, and the world of Design. While you're here, subscribe to this feed so you don't miss out.

Ferrara Italy - The University of Architecture

It's official, I am going to be studying at the renowned University of Architecture in Ferrara Italy for the month of July 2008!!! This University is situated in the Medieval walled city of Ferrara and has been the top ranked University of Architecture in Italy for 8 consecutive years. The University of Ferrara was founded in 1391, and that makes it one of the oldest Universities. I feel very honored and privileged to be studying at this facility under the tutorage of top Italian Professors in the "Facolta di Architettura di Ferrara".

Location of Ferrara in Italy This is a map of Ferrara and you can see the outlines of the wall around the city. Ferrara is a city in Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy. It is situated 50 km north-northeast of Bologna, on the Po di Volano, a branch channel of the main stream of the Po River. The town has broad streets and numerous palaces dating from the 14th & 15th century. It is a walled Renaissance city, surrounded by 9 kilometers of ancient red brick walls. For its beauty and cultural importance it has been qualified by UNESCO as World Heritage Site. Ferrara is a "bike city". When I arrive, I am given a bike to ride back and forth between campus and the Residence. It is apparently a 10 minute bike ride. Very European and very energy efficient, as well as good exercise.

The city walls and one of the gates into the City of Ferrara Ferrara is a bicycle city--as you can see from in front of the train station. photos James Martin

I will be taking two courses juring the month of July:

The Faculty of Architecture building

The first course is 19th - 21st Century Design History of Italian Architecture, Interiors, Furniture & Graphic Design Taught by Prof.ssa Dr. Giulia CERIANI SEBREGONDI My text books for this course are two "Bibles" of 20th Century Architecture and Furniture Design

20th Century Furniture Design Modern Architecture Since 1900 by William Curtis by Klaus-Jurgen Sembach The front cover is Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Brick Villa Project, plan, 1923 2. My second course is Sketching and consists of three nodules Module 01 taught by Prof. Mario MANGANARO - Proportioning an drawing plans and elevations - Direct perspective and exercises on representing elementary volumes - Field exercises - Examples of travel sketches (Rome, Venice, Naples, Palermo) - Field Exercises

Module 02 taught by Prof. Salvatore SANTUCCIO - Part One: a theoretical lecture focused on sketching history in recent architecture from the experiences of Le Corbusier in the Middle East and Delacroix in Maroc - Part Two: "on site" sketching in the city centre of Ferrara. At the end of class students should have a rich sketch book with some different drawings of Ferrara to show on final examination.

Module 03 taught by prof.ssa Carolina CAPITANIO - Tools and methods for a sketching survey to highlight the major elements of an architectural text Consists of 3 lectures on developing the sketching survey through: The rules of classic architecture The rules of modern Architecture The interiors survey The building survey The townscape survey The landscape survey

As well as having classes on campus we have 3 field trips planned in Florence, Rome, Venice, and Milan. I can hardly wait as I have never been to Florence, Rome or Milan. And what makes it even more interesting to me is that instead of studying Antiquity, we will be visiting 20th Century Architectural sites. I will have an extra free day in each of these cities so of course I will visit the museums and Historical sites. Stay tuned and I will fill you in on my adventures in these four Cities I love this quote by Mark Twain: Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

Ottomans, Benches, Foot Stools, Hassocks

Ottomans have become a favourite of mine to use in family/media rooms and dens. I like using them for several reasons. First and foremost they serve as the indispensable coffee table. I like to make mine with tight tops and rather flat as opposed to padded with a pillow effect. This way you can set things on top of them without worrying about them toppling over. Secondly you can comfortably set your feet on them and be in a semi-reclining position to watch TV, read or maybe even fall asleep. Thirdly I can have them made any size to fit the requirements of the room. This is a real benefit because large coffee tables are hard to find and are more costly than having an ottoman custom designed for the space. In the space below the ottoman is made out of deep chocolate brown faux Ostrich. This family has two young daughters and they use the ottoman to color on and do their craft projects and have snacks. Spills can be wiped up easily, and the deep brown faux ostrich adds and a nice textural interest and makes a dramatic center focal point for the room.

Patricia Gray Inc. Photo Roger Brooks

Patricia Gray Inc. Photo Roger Brooks These ottomans (in the same house as the photo above) go against my tight top rule, but who couldn't resist sitting down in this den and putting your feet up on a down filled leather pillow top ottoman.

Patricia Gray Inc. Photo Roger Brooks

This ottoman is large by ottoman standards 5 feet by 3 1/2 feet. It is covered in Holly Hunt, Hair on Hide Leather, in a creamy butterscotch color. It was made long so 3 people sitting on the sofa could all put their feet up on it, and I made it deep enough to that there was still room at the back for the inevitable books, magazines, remote controls and trays for snacks and drinks. It also doubles as extra seating for parties. What coffee table has that much versatility?

Patricia Gray Inc. Photo Gary Beale The Ottoman in this penthouse I had made in charcoal gray Beacon Hill "Pashmina". It is soft and luxurious like a Cashmere blanket and makes a nice warming contrast to the leather sofa. It sits on top of the same color of Belgium wool area carpet. Facing the sofa is the view with the TV hung and framed between the windows. Where else do you put the TV in a room that is all windows & view.

Patricia Gray Inc. Photo Gary Beale

Below are some more designs for ottomans, benches, foot stools, and hassocks that I like.

Madeline Stuart Greek Key Ottoman Tangier Hassock by Michael Berman

Thanks for reading my blog by email. If you would like to visit my blog on line and read all the achives click on the link below: Patricia Gray Interior Design. While you are there please feel free to leave a comment by clicking on the Comment link at the end of each post.

Illusion Feadship - White Bedroom at Sea

In continuing with my theme of "White Bedroom" postings this week here is another one!! This white bedroom is in a newly refurbished Feadship yacht designed by Frits de Voogt in 1982 named "Illusion" and is featured in this month's Architectural Digest magazine. You can read the full article here. The Interior Design Firm - Bannenberg Designs out of London "covered a wall in white wallpaper, they white-lacquered the cabinets, they upholstered the bed in squares of white leather and they furnished the space with pale oak pieces." What might have been startling is instead restful, in a way that only white can be when it is properly employed. As well as wanting to curl up in this restful bedroom, I would also relish curling up on the Aft deck (shown below) with a good book this weekend!

Master Stateroom decorated in multiple textures of white

1983 Feadship "Illusion"

Aft Deck

Another White Bedroom

I don't know how I missed including this picture in my last posting on White Bedrooms.

Shabby Chic via Cote de Texas Cote de Texas describes this picture as: Gustavian and Shabby Chic - the new combination. I would love to sleep in this bedroom!!

Patricia Gray writes about Interior Design inspirations, emerging trends, and the world of Design. While you're here, subscribe to this feed so you don't miss out.