Belgian Decor at Cote de Texas

If you have not visited Joni Webb's fabulous blog, Cote de Texas, this is the week to stop by! Joni is an extremely talented designer in Texas. Her blog was recently selected as one of the top ten decorating blogs of 2008-9 by the Washington Post. This week Joni reviews the Belgian Style that is so hot right now across the country.

Joni describes Belgian decor as "quiet and monotone .. plain linens .. antique elements – ancient stone floors, beams, marble staircases, and acres of limed wood - everywhere. Textures are a very large part of this style – rough, rustic woods and stone surfaces are played against smooth, shiny crystals and glass."

In our increasing complicated world this is a style to come home, relax and unwind in - serene and almost austere.

Please stop by Cote de Texas and see the entire post.

I have saved it as one of my all time favorites, so do not miss it! Here is the link: http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2009/01/belgian-design.html

Love .... Iron Tables

Image 1 - British Homes and Gardens, Image 2 - Belle

Farm Gate

This is the farm's front gate and our many, many agapanthus - they look amazing at this time of year as both sides of the road are a mass of blue (except for a few renegade whites).

I've Loved You So Long

This is a must see movie - Kirsten Scott Thomas is brilliant!

ID Design

Modern, simple & beautiful collection

{LINK}

The King of black and white, of ruffles and bows, of tweed and lace...

Enjoy the show 

thank you content coutorture for the images

and at the same time I want to say

actually a huge thank you is in order to Cynthia, Claudia and La Mom for so generously giving French Essence (and that means me) a 'fabulous' award. Their blogs are a joy to visit and never cease to inspire - Cynthia is so clever with her written word from Puerto Rico, Claudia never sits still and takes us with her as she travels the world and La Mom has the best sense of humour as she writes about life in Paris. At the same time as thanking these fabulous girls for thinking of me, it is my job to think of ten other 'fabulous' bloggers and pass along this award...

These are the bloggers - some of whom I know and others that I would like to get to know,

Adventures in Renovating a Brooklyn Brownstone

Canyon Wren Cottage

French Word A Day

House of Turquoise

Marigail Mathis

Luphia Loves

For The Love of a House

Suddenly I See

A Rendezvous with Style

A Thousand Clapping Hands

Congratulations - your blogs are fabulous, xv.

PS - you know the drill.....

link me and then link the ten blogs you choose and post the award

Love .... Walking Sticks

Jet Set: La Dolce Vita in Rome

The Hotel Pulitzer Roma is housed in a 20th century modernist building

Fabian and I visited Rome two years ago and it is destination we would definitely like to visit again. The city of Rome has something to offer every type of traveler from the history buff to the fashionista to the foodie or even honeymooners as it is a very romantic city. Rome has many great hotels, but I will be focusing on two in this installment of Jet Set.

Nine times out of ten, I will choose to stay in a well-designed boutique hotel over a big chain hotel. I tend to gravitate towards hotels with sleek, modern interiors over more traditional ones. The Hotel Pulitzer Roma certainly fits the bill as it oozes style. The Pulitzer Roma is located in the EUR district and is very close to a subway station which makes it easy to maneuver around the city. The hotel is probably better suited for a business traveler as opposed to someone visiting Rome for the first time because it is located in the financial district. Nevertheless, it is a very chic hotel.

The lobby features dark wood floors, white furniture, and abstract art from the 1970s by various Italian artists.

Sitting Area
I really like the vignette on the left.

Sleek Furnishings abound in the Pulitzer Roma

The stylish VISIT Restaurant features regional cuisine

One of the 83 guestrooms at the Pulitzer

Details from a Guestroom

I love the sleek, minimal bathroom. I can't stand dated bathrooms in hotels! Isn't the black subway tile divine?







Now, on to option number two, for anyone who may be heading to Rome to see all of the amazing sights.


The Fortyseven Hotel

Fabian and I stayed at The Fortyseven Hotel when we visited Rome and we absolutely loved it. I would honestly recommend it to anyone visiting the Italian capital. It had everything we were looking for: an excellent location, great accommodations, and the small boutique hotel experience. The Fortyseven consists of 61 well-appointed rooms and features art by Modigliani and Mastroianni throughout the 1930s art deco building. The staff is fabulous and as I said before, the location is unbeatable.

It is within walking distance to all of the major sites: The Temple of Vesta is across the street, The Mouth of Truth is 75 metres away, Circus Maximus is 150 metres from the hotel, The Capitoline Museums and Piazza Venezia are around the corner, The Roman Forum is half a mile a away, and The Coliseum, Trevi Fountain Pantheon, Spanish Steps, and Villa Borghese are one mile away. Vatican City is just across the Tiber River. We walked everywhere and didn't have to rely on taxis or the subway since we were near everything. Despite being so close to everything, the area immediately around the hotel is relatively quiet, making it ideal.

The Rooftop Lounge at the Fortyseven Hotel

The Lobby Area

A Guestroom

Guest Bathroom

This room is just like the one we stayed in. Notice the chevron pattern of the wood floors. The bed was very comfortable, the linens were nice, and the windows had an automatic screen type thing that would cancel out all noise and light when you would lower it.

This was the view from our window. That is the Temple of Vesta directly across from the hotel and the Tiber River is just up that little side street.

Another shot from our window

When leaving the hotel, you turn right and start walking. We would walk past the Piazza Venezia and the monument where Mussolini would give his speeches everyday.

The Capitoline Museums are just around the corner.

The Roman Forum is a couple of blocks away.

Piazza Venezia

This is just down the street from the hotel and we would pass it on our walks each day. I never found out what it was, but it is so beautiful.

Me, at the Trevi Fountain before I had bangs

The Bocca della Verità, or Mouth of Truth, which you may remember from Roman Holiday. According to local legend, it will bite your hand off if you tell a lie. We have pictures of us sticking our hands in there, but I'll be honest, they aren't very flattering, so this will have to do.

Me, at the Temple of Vesta across from the hotel

Michelangelo's Piazza San Pietro in Vatican City

Notice the gorgeous umbrella pine tress above it. They are all over the city.

Images via Hotel Pulitzer Roma, The Fortyseven Hotel, and my personal files.