Decortizo

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

A weekend in Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and located on 14 islands at the south-central east coast at the mouth of Lake Malaren. Known for it's beauty and architectural abundance, it is also the largest and most populous city in Sweden. The majority of Stockholm residents work in the service industry, resulting in minimal heavy industry, making Stockholm among one of the world's cleanest metropolises. Open water and parks are a few of Stockholm's geographic characteristics that have many referring to it as, "The Venice of the North."

The Stockholm Royal Palace displays grand curb appeal.

Stockholm's "Livgardet" serve and protect.

"The Venice of the North"

Stockholm StreetStyle struts street chic glamor!

A recent trend in restaurant design: Inject red for visual interest and energy.

A little color on a wintry day can go a long way.

A pop of pink Scandinavian Style! {via Skona hem}

Mode Man {via Stockholm StreetStyle}

A contemporary apartment in central Stockholm {via freshome}

{via Scandinavian Chic}

Cafe break!

Delicious delights!

How does one choose?

{via Home Decorating Reviews}

A vacant cobblestoned street and one lonely bike...tempting.

Sanctuarial lighting.

Dusk.

Photos other than linked images by Skye Lena.

Monday, February 7, 2011

A Last look at Amsterdam

Inspiration to paint your ceilings from The Amsterdam Historical Museum.

Where Rembrandt called home from 1639-1660.

Rembrandt's home was originally built in 1606 and has just recently gone through a major renovation.

Sleeping quarters.

Street scene

Days end and the city starts to light up!

Photos by Lauren Cortizo and Hailey Rowe

Friday, February 4, 2011

Amsterdam in Black and White

The next stop in the Netherlands takes us to Amsterdam. Here are a few of the building facades that Lauren found inspiring...

Notice the Dutch gable and all it's adornment. The purest example would have a scalloped/curved eaves that lead up to a pediment.

Renaissance inspired, the large windows above the doors are much more florid in decoration and detailing than a typical transom window.

Here is a minimalist approach to dutch architecture.

Shutters at their best!

Thanks Lauren and Hailey for the great images! More to come from Amsterdam....

Monday, January 31, 2011

The Kasteel Well, Netherlands Connection

Over the next few months in addition to regular post, my daughter Lauren and I will be sharing a visual gallery of architecture, interiors and sightseeing of and around the Netherlands. Lauren will be sharing her new experiences in the form of images while studying at Boston's Emerson College abroad program. The campus is better known as "Kasteel Well" located in the Dutch province of Limburg in the small village of Well, Netherlands. The Kasteel (castle) is reminiscent of an era gone by. Surrounded by an inner and outer moat, Kasteel is also flanked by two courtyards and speaks of 14 century Medieval architecture. While there, she will be trekking throughout Europe and taking snapshots of her extended classroom for all of us to enjoy!

KASTEEL WELL

~Arial image Via Emerson~

After crossing the Kasteel bridge to gain access to the property, a brick walkway leads you beyond the arched coined entryway into the courtyard.

The brick facade cascades into a scalloped pattern as it frames the red planked doors.

Calm moat waters surround the Kasteel.

The student parlor.

The music area is sits near a large niche in the parlor.

A long day of traveling from Boston to the Netherlands the sun begins to set...how beautiful.

DOEI (goodbye)!!

Friday, January 28, 2011

THE STYLISH BLOGGER AWARD!

Thank you so much Maureen@Modecor ! I feel blessed to have met so many wonderful bloggers to learn from. Like you, I just recently started my blog this past fall. So I feel very honored!

Thanks again!

Upon receiving this award the rules are to:

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Pay the award forward to 10 great bloggers.

4. Contact those 10 bloggers and inform them that they have received the award!

Here are my 7 things:

1. I love to cook and have friends over whenever I can. This is one of the ways in which I reward myself, by surrounding myself with the people I love. I also enjoy hosting Sunday dinners for my children's fellow college students while their away from home. Love having them fill the house with laughter. They have a life-long open invitation:)

2. In preparing for such events, my favorite resource for produce and sinful delights... "Whole Foods!"

Can't get enough of their deliciousness.

3. I love, love, love, Julian Chichester furniture.

4. I also have a real weakness for Asian antiques and sushi dishware.

5. On the first day of spring I start to prepare for a season of gardening. Nothing better than being outdoors and working with my hands...totally mind cleansing.

6. I love to dance, dance, dance! I think I'll skip the image for this one:)

7. Finally and most importantly, the most precious people in my life: This photo was taken 2 years ago on the day of my daughters senior prom. Seems like just yesterday that we were changing diapers. Where does the time go?