Long awaited latest photos

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I am excited and proud to present these actual long awaited photos of the facade : (see also previous before & after pictures)


Our house is too big or the piazza in front is too small, that I cannot take a single picture of the entire palazzo ! - (I have the wrong camera / objective).
We restored the whole facade starting with colored plaster.
The two fake windows were restored (originally only one was elaborated).
All windows and window frames were replaced (we have painted white wooden frames on the inside and aluminium with brown wooden finish on the outside for the sea climate).

All window grids of the ground floor are newly made after our input. The balcony rails of the first floor were just repainted in black (before they were white).



Did you know that we are so close to the church, chiesa del Carmine ? Don't worry, the bells will not ring at 7 am.

The blue details below the balcony were an idea of our architetto, who said that the original facade had these blue elements.
The doors, we have three of them, were delivered last Monday and just finalised yesterday with all accessories including the original mail box cover. I do remember collecting all these pictures of doors to choose the right design. Then we decided one, but I cannot remember which one. - Here is the drawing from this blog's archive - oh, the nails are missing ! - Who cares, the result is great ! We like them all.
However, we have not been asked about the door knobs. But luckily we have been on site to choose the position for the knobs.


- original mail box -

For friendly mail only !
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quick update w/o picture

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Weather: sunny and hot !
Sea: crystal blue, turquoise, green, about 26 degree !

House:
We went there after our first swim in the sea - with no camera.
I felt slightly nervous.
We decided to start with the roof terrace.
But on the way I stopped at one of our new windows:
What kind of frame is this ?! Round finish ?
I cannot repeat the words that escaped my mouth ...
but it is clear that we did not order this shape !
It does not fit an old palazzo. It is modern, not even, just bad shape. 30 windows in this style...
This happens when you are not on site.

And the gold-colored handles ? My husband is responsible for this.
Only one time I skiped an appointment with the worker at the factory....

Then the roof terrace:
after the shock about the windows, I felt relieved here:
the blue tiles come out better then we thought !
Not too blue, slightly pale, not stealing the show of the scenery.

The iron doors in the basement:
they look good from the inside. As we had no keyes to open them - we had not met the architetto yet - we could not judge from the garden side.
Also my little lemon tree needs some water, but this had to wait, no keyes to access the garden.

Today afternoon, we went to see a marmista (marble workshop) in Filadelfia up on the hills. We were looking for a light color flooring for our floor under the roof. But somehow, it was too hot and we could not find anything interesting.

Next target: Callipo in Vibo Valentia - we had to drive down hill and up hill. Always small curvy roads. And here it took us about 5 minutes to find the solution: rovere bianca, white painted oak by Berti for the flooring under the roof.

Everything will be fine...

That's all so far.

I will be there !

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Thanks to google earth we can see from above Vibo Marina on the left and about 4 km further north east there is Pizzo.

This is the beautiful South of Italy: Calabria ! Still a bit underestimated and therefore an insider tip! You can imagine the crystal clear turquoise colored sea, the almost white sandy beaches and the green hills in the background. - Tomorrow, I will be there.

We will be based in Vibo Marina and watch over our renovation project in Pizzo. I bring my camera and with our (slow) internet connection, I should be able to post during our vacation (from time to time).

Although Vibo Marina (above) is not a tourist destination, here it looks more spectacular than Pizzo (below) !

If you also go on vacation, happy holiday to you - and sneak in from time to time !
CIAO !
A PRESTO !
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Calabria Favorites on flickr

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Planning: Under the Roof

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After having started the renovation from the outside, now, the interior renovation should start - top down - under the roof.

Since we have not been well organized while choosing the tiles for the terrace (we went into the shop and bought what we liked), this time, I want our team to commit to shared ideas.

Under the roof pitch the space is small and the ceiling is low.

So, I suggest a light color scheme. White walls, white ceiling (yes, the wooden beams need to be painted white!) and very light colored flooring. Maybe large natural stone, beige color or a white painted concrete floor.

Ralph Lauren's Jamaica residence via Cote de Texas


(sorry, no source ? )


The advantage of a light mono-color scheme:


  • the space feels larger

  • the ceiling feels higher

  • the felt room temperature is lower

  • it's an adaequate contrast to the blue terrace tiles and the sceenery

  • there will be enough color from furniture (a large blue sofa) and accessories




BTW, don't get jealous, our actual situation looks like this:


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