{Bright Young Things}

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{Retless}

{Comfort in a Rustic Style House}

As Britannica says the Rustic Style, in decorative arts, is any ruralizing influence; more precisely, a type of furniture made of wood or metal, the main components of which are carved and fretted to resemble the branches of trees. Stemming from the idealization of nature and the “simple life” that occurred in the mid-18th century, the vogue for this kind of product persisted well into the 20th century. It was especially popular in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. It naturally endeared itself to the British Victorians, with their passion for the picturesque, and was also generally admired in the United States, where it is often termed “Adirondack furniture” . 

     Let see the following cozy house in the English Countryside...

{Pictures Source: The English Home Magazine UK}

{The Style of an Early XX Century Hotel; Stills from "Gran Hotel" Show}

Gran Hotel is a Spanish TV series (airing on Antena 3) that takes place in beginning-of-the-century northern Spain, in the fictitious Gran Hotel. s filmed in several points in Santander, with the Palacio de la Magdalena standing as the eponymous Gran Hotel. The story begins in 1905, with the mysterious disappearance and presumed death of Cristina Olmedo (Paula Prendes), maid in the Gran Hotel. Six months later, her brother Julio (Yon Gonzalez) arrives to investigate said disappearance and gets a job in the hotel, becoming friends with Andres (Llorenç Gonzalez), the son of staff manager Ángela (Concha Velasco), as well as with Alicia (Amaia Salamanca), the daughter of the Gran Hotel's family owner, the Alarcón. Julio and Alicia fall in love, living a passionate romance that is though impossible for their difference of class, while they investigate the network of deaths, lies and secrets kept between the Gran Hotel's walls.

The main staircase is located in the entry.

     In my view, the entire cast is excellent except for the protagonist actress (Miss Salamanca), she overreact too much and she lacks experience in drama. In addition, clothing is far from satisfactory. Those who are lovers of Fashion History and Costume - like me- are very sensitive to the details, such as in the case of the women´s hair which has streaks or uneven cuts. For everything else, the art direction is excellent and the decorator -Gloria Vazquez- has done a wonderful work with the filming set. I love the wallpaper and curtains in the every rooms.

{A Happy Kitchen}

{Source: Poppy Talk Blog (Canada)}

{Happy St. Patrick´s Day!}

 

It is difficult to separate fact from fiction in the stories of Patrick’s biographers. It is historically clear, however, that Patrick was one of the first great missionaries who brought the gospel beyond the boundaries of Roman civilization. According to tradition, he had established bishops throughout northern, central, and eastern Ireland. Only Munster, in the south, was to remain pagan until a century after Patrick’s death.

     Patrick was the ultimate model for Celtic Christians. He engaged in continuous prayer. He was enraptured by God and loved sacred Scripture. He also had a rich poetic imagination with the openness to hear God in dreams and visions and a love of nature and the created.

    He is, then, most worthy of the appellation saint, as one “set apart” for a divine mission. As such, he became an inspiring example. Hundreds of Celtic monks, in emulation of Patrick, left their homeland to spread the gospel to Scotland, England, and continental Europe.

{Filming Set Decor #1; "Amour" by M. Haneke}

I admire the quality of the photography and staging in this film, however I must to admit I felt anxious about the plot, it is full of gloom and sadness. This is the kind of films that leave you dissappointed. However the next day after watch it, I irremediable spend all time thinking about it, specially about the ending.

Set Decoration: Susanne Haneke, Sophie Reynaud.