BOLLE Table

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Palazzo Tornabuoni

 

Italian architect and interior designer, Michele Bonan is the mastermind behind several of my favorite spaces. I have blogged about three hotels designed by him: The JK Place Hotel in Paris, The JK Capri, and most recently the Heidelberg Suites back in April. Since then, I have been scouring the internet looking for more of his projects. I really cannot get enough of this man’s work! While on the beautiful Reverie blog last week, I was thrilled to come across his most recent design project, the Palazzo Tornabuoni in Florence (Thank you, Melissa!). The Palazzo is a magnificent structure with a storied past and was once home to Pope Leo XI and the Medici family.

Palazzo Tornabuoni was painstakingly restored to its original splendor and is the first “Palace Residence Club” in the world. “Situated on one of Florence’s most aristocratic streets, in the heart of the fashion district, this historic fifteenth-century palazzo was home to a Renaissance Pope, and hosted the world’s first documented opera performance.”

The Palazzo’s beautiful interiors were designed by Michele Bonan, who in my opinion has the most extraordinary taste, blending classic and modern with the utmost sophistication. Palazzo Tornabuoni hosts 38 private residences for its members in addition to a number of indoor and outdoor common areas. While the main purpose of the Palazzo is to serve as an exclusive residence club, there are a limited number of private, full-time residences available as well.

The restoration of the magnificent Palazzo Tornabuoni took four years to complete under the watchful eye of Florence’s Soprintendenza ai Beni Artistici e Storici. The palace has been restored to its extraordinary Renaissance origins and along the way, the restoration team discovered hidden frescoes, Mannerist statues, and beautiful stucco ceilings.

The library is one of the Palazzo’s shared areas for the club members. Bonan’s masterful way of blending classic shapes with contemporary touches is clearly on display in this beautiful space.

A More Detailed Shot of the Library

I love the upholstery on these chairs.

The Palazzo’s pietra serena staircase is now the permanent home of this marble Diana the Huntress statue by Gherardo Silvani (1579-1675).

Each of the private residences by Bonan is unique. Every one has a different layout and historic decorative details, such as the gorgeous moldings in this residence.

Beautiful Renaissance Details Abound at the Palazzo Tornabuoni

 

Bonan fuses classicism and modern details in the beautiful residences at the Palazzo. All of the residences feature a great deal of charm with all of the conveniences of modern living.

A Second View of this Residence

The residences at the Palazzo are equipped with state-of-the-art Boffi kitchens.

Most of the residences also feature breathtaking views of Brunelleschi’s Duomo.

I love the minimalist palette in this gorgeous space.

Can you think of a more glorious view?

Visit Palazzo Tornabuoni for more information on this remarkable project.

Image Credit: Palazzo Tornabuoni

Leather Bound

I'm in love with wonderful old leather chairs like these.  They're getting harder and harder to find but it's certainly worth the wait to get one of these gorgeous things. 

Image 1 - here  Image 2 - Elle Decor Image 3 - House & Garden Magazine Image 4 - here Image 5 - here Image 6 - Flickr

Love .... Colgado de Ti Jewellery

Images - Colgado de Ti

This Week’s Quote

Today only: Free Ring with Purchase at Stella & Dot!

I thought this deal was too good to share. It’s only valid today! Click here to visit Stella and Dot.

Seven Things You May Not Know

About a month ago a fellow blogger, Emmie of Aspirations of a Southern Housewife, gave me a Kreativ Blogger Award. Emmie writes a wonderful blog, do stop by and check it out!

Thank you Emmie for nominating me. You need to share seven things about yourself. I tend to be a rather private person, so I have been hesitant, but here they are in no particular order.

I am an incredible procrastinator but also an over achiever/Type A personality. This causes me lots of stress in my down time but very concentrated blocks of productivity during my work time.
I am half Italian and half Portuguese, My grandparents on both sides came to America in their youth and spoke only broken English. I love my heritage. I am very expressive and passionate about life, actually about almost everything.
Of all the areas of design my favorite is kitchen design and spacial planning. I really should have been a kitchen designer; perhaps someday I can play one on TV.

I have an incurable antique furniture habit. My basement and attic are filled with furniture that will someday find the perfect home - but until then happily reside in spaces above and below where we actually live.
I love puppets. I wanted to be a Puppetry major in college but my parents thought it was irresponsible. Instead, at their urging, I entered college as Accounting major (what a laugh!)
I am a mother of two beautiful children. They are amazing people and they make me laugh everyday. I can not imagine what my life would have been like with out them.
I believe we are all connected somehow and that we need to be good to one another. I try to be a better person every single day.

I am also suppose to nominate seven other blogs for this award, but I am interested in so many blogs I couldn't possibly choose. So, if you would like to share anything about yourself, please consider yourself nominated. I would love to know more about YOU!
xx-Gina

10 Fantastic Living Rooms with Cozy and Romantic Fireplaces

Now that everyone is absolutely stuffed from Thanksgiving
and recovering from Black Friday shopping for those who
were courageous (or wreckless) enough to give up sleep and
brave the crowds, we are now firmly into the countdown for
Christmas.

I always think of cozy and rustic rooms in the dead of winter
when I think of Christmas. Most of all, I wish I had a real -
honest to goodness working fireplace. Fireplaces provide
warmth and can really transform any room to feel more cozy
and romantic. Isn't the above rustic room with a stove
fireplace so cool?

This is a very modern and posh living room with a wood
burning fireplace. Love the tufted gray ottoman.

I used to sleep over at my friend's house during the winter

and we would go buy a Duraflame log to light in her living
room fire place. We would make hot apple cider spiked with
whole Cinnamon sticks and rum (yes we were underaged but
we spiked it for flavour and not for getting smashed.) The
best part was watching a movie an then breaking out cots
and sleeping bags to fall asleep right in front of the fire.

Very few things can replace the ambiance that
candles and the glow of fire from a fireplace can give.
It's a good thing that starting a fire in the fireplace is
not very expensive.

Even if you're alone, starting a fire just for yourself
and curling up with a book in a comfortable chair is
one of those little luxuries in life. Don't forget the
tea or hot cocoa!

I'm a sucker for the Union Jack and a pretty plaid pattern.

Building a fire is also great for the holidays.
Enjoy the season while you can build a fire.

Kindle - Global Edition $259

On a separate topic, I'm beginning to contemplate Christmas
presents. I'm considering the Global edition of the Kindle.
I have a friend who travels a lot and she adores it. The last
trip I took, I realized that it was ridiculous for me to be toting
4-5 books around by my return trip home. The only thing is
that when I'm at home, I still love real books - I love the feel of
them. This looks like a pretty good gift - I only wish the Kindle
books were a bit cheaper (you'd think that with no printing -
they could afford to sell the books for less than $10 a pop.)
Do any of you own a Kindle? What are your thoughts on it?


Photos from Ideal Home