I hope my post finds you well? How have you been doing?
At present, I’m downsizing and also in the process of restoring old properties in Tuscany, Italy.
Downsizing
I managed to again build up my possessions, which is taxing both from on an emotional (overloading) and practical (storage space is incredibly expensive here in London) point of view. It’s time to let some go and move what I don’t want here in London to my hometown in Italy.
Yesterday books and vintage / antique items were brought to Oxfam charity. I’m still in the process of going through “stuff”. It’s liberating. The plan is to continue working on eliminating unnecessary items from my home.
Properties in Italy (buying and restoring)
There are a lot of other news.. we bought some old properties in Italy… I never got around to write a proper post about it because I’m playing with the idea to start a dedicated channel for them.
Below some photos of the area. It’s part of the “old castle” in a town called Subbiano, near Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy. We would like to restore them and are assessing options for refurbishing and requalifiying, breathing new life into these wonderful places.
I was instantly enamoured of this little hand painted picture when I came across it. Those naughty “amorini” (little cupids), so finely depicted in exquisite and vibrant colours captured my glance.
“Pompei – I Farmacisti” by M. Cirillo, inspired to the antique mural frescos at the House of the Vettii in Pompei
The subject is inspired to the antique Roman frescos in the hall of the House of the Vettii, in Pompei, Italy.
Isn’t in remarkable that Pompei was rediscovered in modern times after laying buried under ashes and soil for centuries? The frescos still display such elegantly vivid colours, as if those rooms were still inhabited.
The frescos in the main room of the Vettii house are superb and denote a forward-looking attitude in matter of style, as they transitioned from the previous Roman style to a new one.
This little painting has just been listed on my Etsy shop VforVintageLondon.
In knitting matters, I completed the sleeves and border on the mohair Sunday Cardigan. I’m debating on whether to add a contrast border along the vertical edges (akin to a button band). When I showed it to a friend, I don’t think he was very impressed with it – he muttered “fluffy” as a feedback, lol..
fluffy Sunday Cardigan
Another knitting endeavour, in a quest for a more sustainable life, is the making of dishclothes. To move away from disposable sponges that go to landfill waste, we tried coconut-made ones. They are ok but understandably tend to fall apart quite soon.
So we’re giving a try to dishclothes, which can be machine washed and hopefully will last long. These are made from cotton yarn I had in my stash, which was purchased from a charity shop (thrift store). I think I will make some smaller ones too, for washing smaller things like crystal glasses.
I finished the first one. The pattern is Checkerboard by Allison Griffith (free pattern).
Checkerboard dishclothCheckerboard on the left, Squishy Dishcloth on the right
In life news, a lot is going on at the moment – mostly things that need to be dealt with. Not much fun is happening.
Notably, I’m in the process of applying for British citizenship. I’ve been living in the UK for a long time and wasn’t contemplating applying until Brexit happened. I finally decided to put mine in. The application process is not straight forward, so is taking time and lot of work.
Yesterday one of my friends visited us to provide support as one of the referees. It was the first dinner with guest we had in the flat – where we have been for almost 6 years. It was a joy to have him around, chat and have a meal together. I cooked vegetarian lasagne – an improvisation on a loose lasagne recipe. I had never made lasagne and as usual applied a “freestyle” approach to the ingredients and instructions. Luckily it turned out rather fine. We had a lovely organic Italian wine, sipped in fancy vintage glasses.
I hope life is treating you well, and health is steady. Love & peace & salutations.
I love vintage paintings and my collection counts many pieces. One section is dedicated to landscapes and nature.
The tradition of British landscape painting: views of sea, lakes, streams, mountains and trees. I can’t resist the pull of those wide spaces, the rugged solitary beauty, or the romantic serene scenes. These views evoke positive feelings – a sense of inner peace and well being.
I am now listing a few British pieces – some is vintage and some is antique artwork.
There is this little picture of a ruined castle near a mountain cliff by the shore of a lake, possibly depicting a Scottish loch. The location bears good resemblance with the ruined Kilchum Castle on the Loch Awe. The scene has a pretty and peaceful atmosphere, with warm tones.
Antique oil painting, 19th century English schoolVery old canvas, with mark by Muller, an art provider in the City of London
Then there is this little charming vintage painting with beautiful colours and showing a marine view. A country cottage is perched atop a gentle hill, with dry stone wall and colourful front garden. Opposite, we have a wide view of the sea, with rolling waves, rocks, and a fluffy cloud sky. Close to the viewer, a wide bay with sandy beach. On the very far horizon a rain shower is hinted. This serene and gentle marine landscape depicts Runswick Bay, a little village near Whitby in Yorkshire.
Vintage painting of Yorkshire village by the sea, from the 1990s
What about this rugged mountain landscape with a solitary stream, perhaps an English dale, or a corner of the Scottish Highlands? Or is that a wild area in Wales? I love those majestic peaks in the far distance, and a handful of birds dancing in circle above scattered rocks. The earthy tones mixed with greens and teals. The grand and remote peace.
Are these the English Dales or the wild Wales?
The last painting is an antique oil of a Scottish Highland landscape and is one of my all-time favourite. The composition again depicts the countryside, this time less remote, with a river gently turning, its water flowing slowly across mountains and hills, with vegetation and trees. You would expect to see someone appearing from a little path in between the greenery. Does this view really exist or is it an artistic fancy? Where does the river flow into? How would it look in stormy weather? I very much like the old frame in which the painting sits, with its rich yet elegant motifs.
Do you like paintings? What’s your favourite style or subject? Do you hang or display pictures in your home?
Quando diciamo "castello", la fantasia porta ad evocare un universo fantastico e meraviglioso popolato di dame e cavalieri, di assedi e di duelli, di amori e delitti, storie e leggende, nelle pietre dei castelli sono incisi secoli di storia. In questo Blog voglio condividere la mia passione per questo tipo di architetture, scoprire insieme le diversità da stato a stato, le loro bellezze, la loro storia e i loro misteri. Un anticipato GRAZIE alla collaborazione di Wikipedia, l'enciclopedia libera. per la realizzazione dei contenuti ! Se hai foto, articoli di castelli oppure rievocazioni storiche da segnalarmi la mia e-mail è : castlesintheworld@yahoo.it
A MEANDER INTO MEDIEVAL HISTORY INCLUDING MEDIEVAL LONDON, PALACES, CASTLES, CHURCH MONUMENTS, TOMBS, YORKIST KINGS AND QUEENS, HEROES, VILLAINS AND VILLAINESSES AND THE ODD CATTE..
Lucia Scalisi is a formally trained Conservator of Paintings with over 30 years experience both in the Museum and private sectors. Conservation is carried out to Museum standards and Continuous Professional Development is a feature of this practice.
This Jane Austen blog brings Jane Austen, her novels, and the Regency Period alive through food, dress, social customs, and other 19th C. historical details related to this topic.
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