Forgive me while I go to England

image via Slim Paley

 

 

I will not be posting for a few weeks, as tomorrow I have to urgently return to England for family matters.  I would have gone today but BA do not fly on a Wednesday (though better than a few years ago when there was no BA and no flights out of here in winter).   I have to sit tight and hope for the best. 

Is it spring yet?

I found this fabulous photo today via Materialicious, one of my favourite websites.   The photographer is Pentti Sammallahti (see here). Born in Finland in 1950 he began photographing at 11 yrs old. The main characters of his photos are always animals. 

Dare I say Spring is here?

I would love to say spring is here as I bought some daffodils at the market yesterday.  20 kuna (2.25 GBP or 2.70 euros) for 5 bunches.  Usually I get ripped off there, but as the 5 bunches were last in the bucket, perhaps she wanted to get rid of them.  2 bunches I gave to my friend.  It was a gorgeous 19 degree f (66c) day so felt like spring was here.    My fig tree looks a bit in hibernation at the moment.

Azure Butterflies

I would like to dedicate this image from John Derian of Azure Butterflies to my friends who took me out for the fabulous meal last night!  Very apt as their property management business is called Butterfly Services.

Fabulous dinner!

We had a fabulous night out with friends yesterday.  First meeting in the best wine bar in Dubrovnik, D'Vino. We sampled a new Plavac red wine which was very good.  Owner Sasha, who is Croatian-Australian has a great hideaway in Palmoticeva Street, brimming with wines from all over the world. 

 

A great start to the evening!

 

Then onto dinner at Lucin Kantun, in a little side street. 

Opened in 2010 I was surprised I had not been to this restaurant before, but my friends (French and Croatian) were regulars and eager for me to be delighted!  Sitting next to the open kitchen it was great to see the chef prepare the food.  Main course was duck, then I just had to have the cheesecake with sugar spun angels hair.   The owner (another Australian-Croatian!) offers impeccable service and a truly imaginative menu.  Highly recommended both the wine bar and restaurant.                  Photos - thanks to Tripadvisor

Loving Oka!

The OKA newsletter arrived in my inbox today - full of lots of inspiration for 2011.  I love this beach house collection (see here) using the blue/white stripes and the natural theme.  I must look out for a similar rug. 

Dining - beach style

The bedroom (with a view like mine!!) uses the wonderful Otomi fabric on the bedcover and headboard.  This pattern originates from the indigenous ethnic group inhabiting the plains of Mexico.  Although I suspect this cover will be very expensive, I certainly would like to find some similar fabric for this year (perhaps a cushion?).

Map Pictures

Kara's Wave, 2009, 24 x 36 inches

Fiona's wave, 2006, 48 x 77 inches

I love maps and can get engrossed into an  atlas, studying the countries, oceans, islands and continents.   These map collages are incredible, created by the talented artist Matthew Cusick, from Dallas, Texas.  Source Materialicious.

Superb renovated villa just footsteps from the Old Town

Yesterday I was asked by friends to view a villa to write the english text for future rental.  Wow! I did not expect to see a fabulous 200 year old property, fully renovated and top quality throughout.

Living room with original French, Italian and Austrian antiques

Bedroom with original Biedermeir furniture, Murano glass chandelier

Professional appliances in the kitchen, fully equipped

Gorgeous 100 yr old furniture, replicas of the French style

Windows kept clear of curtains in order to maximise the views and light

The villa at night time has excellent lighting in the grounds and around the Jacuzzi

A French screen sits well with the Swedish Biedermeir bedroom furniture

Spacious bedroom, giving a hint of the contemporary en suite bathroom

Cherry wood suite painted white

Elegant bedroom suite

Villeroy & Boch bathroom suite

Huge gilded mirror at the top of the stairs, made in Germany and given as a gift to the Archbishop of Zagreb.

Attic suite with huge circular bed.  Views to die for over the Old Town

Breakfast on the balcony overlooking the sea and the Old Town

Roof top views

Balcony with stunning Adriatic views

Circular bath (echoing the shape of the bed) with ambient lighting, changing according to your mood

The villa and outside terrace for luncheon

Glimpse of the attic bedroom with Villeroy and Boch suite

Jacuzzi with a spectacular view!

200 year old renovated villa with Jacuzzi on the terrace

The villa for six is truly stunning, having taken the best part of 5 years to renovate with local artisans, even the shutters are individually handcrafted.  Brimming with gorgeous antiques, many from faraway lands,sitting alongside modern appliances, the villa exudes glamour and classic lines.  Located footsteps from the Old Town entrance and the sea, this luxury villa certainly deserves to be at the top of its range.

Azure Stamps

I have found a great website where you can upload your own photos to create dozens of scenes, such as here - stamps.  A lot of fun to play around with, especially with Valentines Day coming up - see link

The Globe is a particular favourite too.  You can upload up to 60 photos to create the montage.

Azure New Zealand

My brother visited New Zealand last year and made a fascinating discovery ...

As well as touring the whole North and South Islands, he of course visited Auckland ...

Just when he was exploring the Sky Tower and the surrounding area of Sky City he was intrigued to discover ...

... this plaque dedicated to Croatians!   It reads:

" MEMORIAL  SPOMEN PLOCA.  Between the years 1890 and 1980 this locality was the gateway and meeting place for many thousands of immigrants from the coastal regions of Croatia.  The majority being from the province of Dalmatia.  In this locality they had their homes, their shops, boarding houses, restaurants and clubs.    

Here they paused briefly before moving on to establish themselves on the Kauri Gumfields, vineyards, orchards, farms, fisheries and quarries of the Auckland province.  These streets were central to their social life where they enjoyed the company of family and friends.  This was their village, they were a Croatian people, proud of their origins and their Dalmatian heritage.  For over 70 years in recent history they shared identity as Yugoslavs.   

This memorial plaque, arranged by their descendants, commemorates their presence in this locality.  It further commemorates their courage, their relentless toil, their commitment to their families and contribution to the making of New Zealand.  

New Zealanders of their kin will remember them with respect and affection for generations to come.  This memorial was donated, and place, courtesy of Sky City Ltd, by Fletcher Construction, constructors of Sky City.      August 1997."

So, naturally my brother was amazed to find such a plaque about Croatians ... downunder!

Stone Pillow Cushions

I have had my eye on these for a while so great to see them be promoted more.  These fabulous cushions are actually seamless 100% Merino wool and individually colour-coded to look like stones in nature.  Sourced via Materialicious and here. A Polish company manufactures them and the prices on the website are in euros see here. 

Before & After 1-bedroom, Old Town

Time for another Before and After!  This 32m2 one bedroom apartment is located in the Old Town.  We took on this apartment way back in 2004 and have sold it 3 times.  From Croatian to Israeli to Australian to another Australian (living in Papua New Guinea!) .... so here we have "before", "during" and "after" photos.

Exterior After

Location within the Old Town walls

The very first time for selling, way back in 2004 (we have sold it 3 times!)

Before

During.  This is during the 2nd sale of the property.

Again during the 2nd sale of the propety

After, this is the final sale, after renovation, wow!

This is at the first sale of the property.  Love the stone sink!

After.  The stone sink has gone (where?), but the renovation is great.

During the 2nd sale of the property, poorly renovated

After the 3rd sale of the property

During the 2nd sale, the owner just put in cheap bed and closet.

After!  Wow!  Great styling in the bedroom

During the 2nd sale, nothing wow with the shower room

After with the 3rd sale, a proper shower!

The 1st sale of the property, a blind corridor at back of apt

After the 3rd sale, the blind corridor becomes an en suite bathroom

Certainly an intriguing apartment .. and one which can be rented.  See here, from 60 euros per night.