Blog Archives

TRESOR by Raynaud Limoges

23/6/2014

I have chosen Tresor by Raynaud Limoges, but whether you are looking at the current collection or past designs it is stunning. Years ago I bought a tea pot and a series of side plates from my friend Delia Blasco in Madrid, and I love them as much today as I did then.

Raynaud Limoges dinnerware is well-known for its innovative designs. The history of the Raynaud porcelain manufactory can be traced back to the 19th century in France. Magnificently coloured and gilded decorations were created on delicate Limoges porcelain, which still today distinguish the company’s collection.

Go to the website and enjoy the experience, or even better, go, see and buy them. I'm sure you'll love them too.

RAYNAUD Limoges / www.raynaud.fr
Images: ℅ Google Images

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ERCUIS - Arts Decoratifs

22/6/2014

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I've been trying to keep some kind of system with my posts…finish one city before I start another... but I have spent time in Padua, Venice and am now in Paris and I'm still blogging about Milan. By the time I get around to writing posts they are passed so I've decided to jump the queue and bring you one of the things that excited me today.

Paris. Beautiful Paris. I have so many things I love already, and this isn't necessarily my favourite but it is quite special. I was wandering through Printemps and discovered Ercuis. They specialise in tableware. It's a stunning product, produced in France since 1867. The packaging is Tiffany blue, and receiving one of these boxes could almost be (but definitely not) as exciting as a Tiffany & Co box.

The range which really grabbed my attention today is the new Arts Decoratifs collection, launched late last year. It is cutlery with decorative handles. There is a large range of patterns and colours to choose from. They are bright, interesting, with superb craftsmanship and high quality.

ERCUIS - Arts Decoratifs / 9 Rue Royale, 75008 Paris / www.ercuis.com
Images: ℅ Google images

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EATALY - Milan

21/6/2014

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I discovered Eataly in New York last year and fell instantly in love with it, but it's not a US incarnation it's Milanese. Well it started in Milan, but is now throughout Italy and in a number of locations in the US.

If you are a foodie this is paradise. You can find everything you desire, and discover new things to love. It has everything from packaged foods to fresh fruit and vegetables, deli goods, bakery items, meats, books, things for the kitchen for cooking THEN there is all the freshly prepared food to consume for breakfast or lunch and any time in between. There is a stand for vegetarian food, fried food, seafood, pasta, pizza, grilled meats, salads, small meals and so the list goes on until all possibilities have been met.

Eaterly Milan is in a building which was once a theatre, and in order to honour its history, they kept a space on the 1st floor for performances. On the day I was there, I wondered around enjoying a live performance on a grand piano. Does it get any better than this? I think not.

Oh and did I mention the booze? Yes well they have that too, and in abundance!

EATALY / Piazza 5 Giornate, 1A, 20129 Milano / www.eataly.com
Images: ℅ Google images

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CANALS - Milan

19/6/2014

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When I think of Milan I think of fashion not water, but Milan has a canal system. There are only two main ones these days but for hundreds of years a series of canals enabled Milan to actively trade.

Milan’s Navigli neighborhood is famed for the Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese canals. With its great bars and boutiques. The Navigli is one of the most historic neighbourhoods and dates back to 1179, when the waterways were constructed to connect Milan to the nearby lakes. Naviglio Grande is about 50 km long and served as export and import route. Appartently Leonardo Da Vinci was called to Milan in 1482 by Ludovico il Moro, Duke of Milan, to improve the city, and part of his contribution was to plan and renovate the canals.

It's definitely a heaving spot. I wandered around on a very steamy evening and there were people everywhere enjoying all the bars and restaurants. A great vibe.

My restaurant pick is 28 Posti. I didn't actually eat there because I was too busy consuming many icy treats from Stick House (posted 11/06) but I loved the interior, the menu looks interesting, and the staff were friendly and lot of fun.

28 POSTI

28 POSTI / Via Corsico, 1 - Milan / 28posti@gmail.com / www.28posti.org
Images: Google images

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BOSCO VERTICALE

17/6/2014

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Recognise these buildings? I was wandering around the Corso Como area of Milan looked up and saw them. They looked familiar and I couldn't figure out why. I did a little research and then I discovered that they are Bosco Verticales part of the Residenze Porta Nuova group designed by Stefan Boeri Architecture. I remember it because it was the first building of its kind, and let me tell you, so it's impressive to see.

This design is a wonderful solution to poor air quality in modern urban environments. It’s a skyscraper with 730 trees, 5,000 shrubs and 11,000 ground plants which accentuate the dwellers’ views and creates a serene environment and cleaner air. To create the equivalent area for individual homes and forest, at least 12 acres of land, and 2.5 acres of forest, would be needed! It’s fabulous to see such a beautiful environmental solution to urban life.

Bosco Verticale is a model of vertical densification of nature within the city. It is a model that operates within policy guidelines for reforestation and naturalization of the large urban and metropolitan borders (Metrosbosco). Metrobosco and Bosco Verticale are devices for the environmental survival of contemporary European cities. Together they create two modes of building links between nature and city within the territory and within the cities of contemporary Europe. It is such an impressive blend of beauty and function.

"The Bosco Verticale is a system that optimizes, recuperates and produces energy. The Bosco Verticale aids in the creation of a microclimate and in filtering the dust particles contained in the urban environment. The diversity of the plants and their characteristics produce humidity, absorb CO2 and dust particles, producing oxygen and protect from radiation and acoustic pollution, improving the quality of living spaces and saving energy. Plant irrigation will be produced to great extent through the filtering and reuse of the grey waters produced by the building. Additionally Aeolian and photovoltaic energy systems will contribute, together with the aforementioned microclimate to increase the degree of energetic self sufficiency of the two towers. The management and maintenance of the Bosco Verticale’s vegetation will be centralised and entrusted to an agency with an office counter open to the public."
℅ Stefano Boeri Architecture website