Ciaotraveler

The shabby chic, vintage style originated in Britain and France where large country side homes were filled with distressed-worn objects; faux, coats of painted colours, floral-stripe linens, and mismatched designs.   Using my photos and found objects,  I like to balance my posts with contemporary and vintage design...       Italian Riviera photo,   Dolce Gabbana gown                       continue reading...

 April 2011 Vogue Mag photo                                                                    Although a natural beauty, I like Scarlett Johansson's film locations in medeival villages of Europe.   Her movie credits have been plentiful since she was a child.  She is mostly remembered for her role at age 18 in the movie, "Lost in Translation" with Sofia Coppola as Director.  The movie won an Oscar in 2003.  Continue reading...

Buyers and shop owners were in Milan recently to take a look at the bi-annual  Eurocucina Trade Fair.   See the article here

European Clocks of Distinction Just as there are beautiful destinations and cities in Europe, there are many different architectural buildings and clock towers to see.  My collages are featuring just some of the wonderful time pieces in the village squares and important city centers.

Smart Car for Two Police Car. See the newest really small car--the  Tango 600  at bottom of post...    George Clooney to promote  new electric Smart Car in  Italy this summer... as reported by Smart Car After previously appearing in television commercials for Fiat, Nespresso, and Martini, Clooney is currently starring in an advert for Italian Internet provider, Fastweb and promoting the Smart Car for Two .  According to Italymag, a fixture on the Italian gossip scene, especially since starting a relationship with Sardinia-born Elisabetta Canalis, there’s no question that the public loves seeing George as a spokesman. While most of his past television spots have been filmed in English, the latest Fastweb advert features an ever-suave Clooney speaking Italian.  Read on...

Euro rail passes FYI on Transportation

A Sculptor's Minimalist Environment Multiple species of Bamboo frame the property providing dense screening for the garden rooms as well as gentle movement from the ocean breezes.  Designed as a living gallery, this garden provides a minimal clean backdrop for the home-owner's sculptures.    The Studio A Painter's Cottage and Studio Some more Venice Beach Artsy homes You might like my other posts: Home-Garden Art Studios I  here Venice Garden and Home Tour I  here Tour II  here Tour III  here

This home was like out of the Country Living Magazine! continue...

LA Times  Fun walkways, unique homes, specialty food and fashion trucks out for the Annual Tour...we dined at the popular  Father's Office in the old Helm's Bakery, Culver City (upper right). The 2011 Venice, CA., Garden and Home Tour From Venice, Italy to Venice, CA .  where there's an eclectic variety of contemporary, craftsman, cottages and unique homes.  My sister lives nearby in Marina del Rey so we often walk and gawk at many homes along the canals and walkways.  This year, we took the Home and Garden Tour --their annual charity fund raiser.  You may be inspired with some ideas for decorating, remodeling or gardening.  There are a total of 5 posts so please enjoy...

This is the tranquil front yard of the home below... The homeowner giving an interview (left) and one of the largest staghorn ferns I've ever seen... continue...

Mediterranean Sea Villages and Cities       Cinque Terre (upper) , Monte Carlo (lower left) , Levanto ;  Items: MudPie; Etsy wreath and glass rocks. Portofino

The French Riviera Monte Carlo, Monaco My vintage '70's photo Hard to believe that Monte Carlo is nearly one square mile and 35,000 residents and packed wall to wall. It's the richest country in the world with over 50 multi billionaires and over 100+ millionaires.  There was so much construction in 1973 but they've run out of room and must build "jetties" to accommodate additional villas. A  cheap  apartment costs $2 million to purchase and the day workers can't even live in the area any more. There's no crime since there is one policeman for every 64 reidents in Monaco. Continue...

                                         Chicmaison                               Rock fountain-statue Lucca, IT Silver and Stone Piazza Fountain, Lucca, IT.               Leaning Tower of Pisa,   Paris;  Smart Car for Two--Etsy Bow and Ribbons Continue reading...

                                                                                                                                 victoriamag. Gold and Grapes and... The Vatican rotunda upper left, Portofino, Milan Fashion Center; Mistral products Continue reading...