I do not want my bathroom tiled like a slaughterhouse

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This afternoon my son and I met some friends who live in the neighbourhood.

When we returned to the house, CC and Angelo were measuring the walls in the bathroom of the mansard to calculate the amount of tiles we need.

When I came in and saw the green crayon marks up high close to the ceiling, I said:  "NO NO NO !!!"

Because I cannot speak Italian anymore when getting too excited (or mad) and Angelo was not willing to understand why a bathroom should not have four walls tiled up til the ceiling I asked back wheather men would piss up that high or why should we have the walls tiled til the ceiling behind the toilet? Still no understanding or support from CC. My bathroom should not look like a butcher's shop!, I added. We are not going to have blood splashed all over....

Was I too harsh?

Angelo said that in Italy they do it like that. And I said in France they do half hight.

Well, I hope I made my point clear.

Anyway, no matter how many tiles we need to order, we still have not decided on the kind of tiles. I still like the white rectangular ones, that are often used in French country houses (see samples in my Flickr file). Although I like the mosaic tiles by SICIS (or Bisazza), I think they do for the shower area - and after I was told the price, I think I do not need them at all. Also CC and I still like the water resistent lacquer (smalto) that could be used for all the rest of walls that do not get tiled.

I will keep you posted.

Pictures from Pizzo

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Pizzo at the marina on Sunday

stromy weather in Pizzo

another building site, below the house

the building site from high above
(our architect is also responsibl for the new port contruction)

the dark 'whole' below in the rock will be the 'blue grotto'
What an amazing view from our balcony we will have !

While the adults are checking and discussing over and over the things to do inside, our boy plays football outside - so far the best of his holiday that he considers boring (it is too cold for for the beach!).

Popular in Italy: the pellet heater - it keeps the soggiorno warm during the day and is cheaper than gas.


It's orange season - 1 kilo = 1 Euro

It's evening in Pizzo with Stromboli in the distance

I am glad to have managed to download, compress and upload pictures with Angelo's laptop. And I hope you enjoy this potpurri of impressions from Pizzo.

weather: sunny and cloudy, chilly whistling wind, temperature felt app. 10 degrees Celsius

update from Pizzo

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Buongiorno,

today I woke up and the sky was grey. Very windy and chilly outside - and it is not much warmer inside.

Sleeping with hot-water bottles makes the nights cosier. During the days I am wearing wool sweaters - sometimes two layers.

However, the good news is, that the wind here at the seaside blows away always the clowds quiet quickly and we have sunshine everyday. The weather forecast (the link is on my blogroll) is surprisingly reliable.

We have been to the house daily since our arrival on Sunday. Yesterday we ordered the following material to continue and finish the attic (mansard) :
  • material to insolate the roof (it also absorbs noise, smell and humidity)
  • white paint for the beams under the roof
  • and the parquet flooring (white painted oak panels)
And we have been looking into tiles (again) for the bathroom. We are very close to make a decision ;-)
We also bought some spare paint for the main facade to paint over some spots and kids scrawl.

I have made lots of picures yet - not many from the house as there is nothing new - except some more mould in the basement (well, we need to speed up to finish) - but pictures from the area. The other night we saw Stromboli at sunset. But so far I have not figured out why I am not able to upload picures to my blog (and even to my emails). I am here at Angelo's laptop, all different and in Ialian.

I will be back soon with pics. Also from the inside of the house as CC and Angelo are right now there to prepare the wooden beams for the paint job.

Saluti della Calabria
S.

Vietri Tiles for a table top

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I want to add this ceramic tiles pattern to my "kitchen file". It is a fun and playful combination of some smaller Vietri tiles.

While we were looking for some mediterranean tiles to use on the wall behind the stove - we came across the above pattern and my husband had another idea: using these for a table top !

It is quiet popular in the South of Italy to choose your favorite tiles for a custom made outdoor table from wrought iron or teak wood :


But maybe you remember our baby blue tiles on the balcony - I think it would be just too much colours.

photo source: de Maio