With Chinese New Year being celebrated on February 5th, when the Year of the Pig will commence, Cean Irminger, creative director at New Ravenna, was inspired to take a look at the influence of Chinese design in western culture. There are several elements of Chinese design that have been interpreted by artisans, bringing the colours and culture of the Far East into our homes… As Dutch and British merchants explored the Silk Road trade routes into Asia, examples of China’s “exotic” decorative …
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Opposite Day: How Mosaic Tiles Can Help You Achieve A Dynamic Look
We are all familiar with the age-old adage that “opposites attract.” But where did it originate? Some say it was Empedocles, some say Plato, and often Isaac Newton gets all the credit. Whoever determined it was a law, we know when applied to colour there are boundless combinations that instil exuberance into our kitchens and bathrooms. Cean Irminger, creative director at New Ravenna, says “Designing with opposite colours needs only one character trait, confidence. You need a bit of courage to …
JoAnn Locktov Independent Publisher
The Independent Publisher recently awarded Dream of Venice Architecture an IPPY award. The organization also asked the book's creator, JoAnn Locktov independent publisher, to pen a feature article for their online publication. In it, she presents her path to and through the intricacies of birthing two books. Here is a small excerpt of the piece, which you can see in full on the Independent Publisher site: JoAnn Locktov Independent Publisher The Accidental Publisher An IPPY …
A Modern Day Impiraressa
I introduce readers of Italy Explained to Marisa Convento, A Modern-Day Impiraressa. A Modern-Day Impiraressa by JoAnn Locktov Impiraressa. Now say the word slowly. Impiraressa. It rolls off your tongue with images of imperial empresses. In truth, it is the Venetian word for bead-stringer. Not everything made on Murano was for the immediate pleasure of the aristocracy. The glass blowers also produced the humble bead. The minute perfections of glass needed to be strung before they …
Having Lunch on Francesco Time
Lunch at La Cantina In Memoriam by JoAnn Locktov It helps to be hungry. Anticipation is heightened when your stomach is empty. Today I had an errand on the Strada Nuova, which also happens to be where La Cantina is located. I could only take several steps past the front door; the place was swarming with customers. Many seemed to be simply swilling wine. Were they waiting for their lunch or were they were ignorant of the gastronomic possibilities? My heart sank; there was …