Tahoe- Day 1

A couple weeks ago I went to Tahoe with my dad and his friend, Maddy. It's a three hour drive from the East Bay, which means that you still get the better part of a day after you get there. Our first stop was the lake, of course, where we found a couple new friends.

The irony was that the little guy was a far more enthusiastic swimmer than the retriever.

At Tallac Historic Site, we got to walk on trails by the lake and get a little culture at the same time. This once upon a time resort had a museum and restored cabins capturing the essence from its heyday at the turn of the century.

Here's an old icebox from the kitchen. I love old kitchens.

And old laundry rooms. It makes my visits to the laundromat not seem so bad.

I took the opportunity to snuggle up with Smokey the Bear. We were next to the big fireplace in the lobby, but he didn't seem to mind.

The grounds were full of beautiful gardens to explore.

This is where I would sleep if I lived here- the nanny's bedroom!

When there's more time relaxing on the porch than walking, it's a good indication that happy hour is near. Until tomorrow!

This week ....

Just to letcha know, there will be lots of exciting photos this week, including jellyfish, hissing cockroaches, trees, national parks, baby ostriches, and real, live bear poop!

Stay tuned.

Furniture Tour

Hey, art lovers. There's still one more tour we haven't seen from my wonderful day at the Met during my week in New York. And get ready, it's a nerdy one.

Royal furniture and stately rooms! I seriously can't get enough of this stuff.

The first stop was the Studiolo from the Ducal Palace in Gubbio, designed by Francesco di Giorgio Martini, though I think the craftsmen should get some credit. The entire room is wooden inlay, or intarsia, and uses the grains of wood to make the pictures look three dimensional. 

Notice the detail to use a different grain to cast a shadow.

Our curator shone light on one edge to show a better example of the 3D effect. This would be extraordinary if created now in the age of power tools.

Next came embroidery from Louis XIV. These are not tapestries, mind you. This was all done by hand, not loom.

Can you see the silver thread?

Another example of elaborate inlay using ivory, tortoiseshell and ebony.

Rococo chandelier.

Scallop shell armchairs with original tapestry from the mid-18th century. Take the oldest buildings in our country, and this chair is even older.

Lacquered desk of Louis XV, all part of a fascinating process of tapping trees in Southeast Asia for the effect.

Marie Antoinette's chair.

Can you see her insignia? It's in the center under the cabinet top.

A raised desk with compartments and a book slant for more comfortable reading. Kind of robotic for the neoclassic period.

By 1710 porcelain was made in France during the reign of Louis XV by the famed company Sevres. Porcelain was of particular interest with royal furniture because it retains its color over age. This furniture was intended for the women of the court.

The carvings on the side panels are Wedgwood.

I snapped these as I walked through Medieval art to catch up with the next tour.

Now I'm appreciating my Aunt Ettorina's wedding china she passed on to me. It has patiently waited in my father's garage for at least five years, and now it will be used everyday in my new little kitchen.

Stay tuned for the excitement! I don't think it's Sevres, but it's antique as far as I'm concerned.

Arts of the Islamic World

Okay, how much do you know about Islamic art? Because I know nothing.

So to continue with neato things from the Met, here are some snapshots from the tour of Arts in the Islamic World. Notice the importance of symmetry, arches, and the use of stone, tile, and woodcarving. This makes me want to jump on a plane and head to Morocco, or Iran, or the holy land, anywhere I can get more of this aesthetic and precision to detail.

Inlay.

Calligraphy- mostly found in Arabic for a traditional Koran.

Carpet weaving.

Blown glass.

At this point, I just started taking pictures of every pretty and/or shiny object my little camera could hold.

Highlights from the Met

It's been a busy couple weeks moving. I'm still coming up for air, so let me take this time to reflect on a day trip in New York I haven't shared with you yet. A jam-packed afternoon leaves us with art for days! (And that buys me time to unveil my new studio with you once I finish unpacking.)

During my visit to New York, I stopped in one of my favorite places in the world. For those of you who haven't been to the Met yet, put this on your list!

Just about every time I go, I hit up a tour or two, or in this case, three. Here's a glimpse from Museum Highlights, the best tour if you are new to the art or Met scene. I've taken this tour several times over the years, and each docent takes me to a different work. But each visit leads me to my personal favorites- the Louis Comfort Tiffany windows and the Egyptian Temple of Dendur.

The original entrance to the Met in 1880.

Have you ever visited the Met? What was your personal highlight?