Attempting the Adriatic

Paint
August 11, 2014

We have been having some particularly wet, gray and rainy weather here in Charleston, and I have been looking back at my photos of the trip to Croatia we took in June and fantasizing about going back. I love this picture and all its colors, and so this morning I thought I would pull a couple of the colors out in Benjamin Moore paints. It is important to remember that paint swatches look very different on a computer screen than they look in a swatch book, and furthermore that they look very different on your walls than they do in a swatch book.
Razzle Dazzle BM 1348

The bougainvillea. I just fell in love with all the beautiful blossoms in Croatia. My husband has planted some in our garden, and I am hoping that I will be seeing some of these blossoms soon. Dark Royal Blue BM 2064-20

It would be impossible to give the Adriatic just one color, but in this photo it has a dark solid tone to it. In the hundreds of photos I took on the trip, the Adriatic is a different color in every photo.
Grenada Green BM 432

Again with the foliage on this hill, there must be hundreds of different green tones. With Grenada Green I was pulling out some of the lighter tones towards the end of the point where the foliage intersects with the rock.

Stonington Gray HC-170

And the rocks that act as a perch for that beautiful Villa. Wouldn’t you like to call that villa home?

Un Posto al Sole

Architecture
August 6, 2014

Here at Lacquered Life I have often discussed (perhaps too often) my love for historic buildings decorated in a minimalist style. This can mean a few different things … it can mean modern furniture, it can mean antique furniture, it can mean Scandinavian, it can mean baroque; but what it always means is spartan. No clutter. It allows the architecture and the furniture to breathe, and often gives the historic structure an opportunity to shine. This is exactly what Franco Bergamaschi has done in his 19th century villa in Lodi outside of Milan. He has given this wonderful 19th century home the opportunity to shine. Using mostly antique furniture re-upholstered in linen and a muted paint palette, Bergamaschi’s fireplace mantels, windows, floors, and cabinetry all get their place in the sun, un post al sole. And it is most deserved.

Photos via Elle Decoration Country Vol. 4

Summer Reeding

Cheap and Chic
July 31, 2014

I have always loved this vacation home in the Cyclades that was featured in Marie Claire Maison a few years ago, but I don’t believe I have ever shared more than this photo above. I love the combination of modern and rustic in this island home, and one amazing DIY idea in particular … How great does this peeled reed fencing look on the wall of this room? It adds a wonderful layer of architectural detail, acting as a peeled reed wainscoting! What a great idea. The best part? You can do this yourself. Available at Lowe’s in 16ft sheets for the bargain price of $35, you too can emulate this chic look in your own home.

Images via Marie Claire Maison