9 Temmuz 2012 Pazartesi

UNIFORM | Julie Christie

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Unpublished photo of Julie Christie by Paul Schutzer, TIME & LIFE Pictures/Getty Images, 1966.

"Not long after she won the Academy Award in 1966 for Best Actress, for her role as a sexy social climber in Darling, a naturally gorgeous Brit named Julie Christie appeared on the cover of LIFE magazine, which dubbed her an “antigoddess” for her tomboy style and no-fuss attitude." —LIFE

Mason Pearson boar bristle brush ($151); Boy. by Band of Outsiders cotton and silk-blend shirt ($193).

Q&A | Lauren Gallo

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Lauren Gallo is a wunderkind renaissance woman who kills it for Soho House Group by day and moonlights as a writer and creative powerhouse. She's wise and young, stylish and just plain cool. AND, let's just say people with the initials LG don't suck. Below, her Q&A...

If not in New York, I would live in...Rome. It’s truly a magical city with tremendous history. There is so much life and so much to love.

My dream holiday would be to...spend the summer in Babington, Somerset.

My current obsessions are...

Daily: high ponytails, red lipstick, afternoon tea and listening to Etta James on repeat. Oh and Soul Cycle.

Music: LP, The Strokes, and Jay-Z are on constant rotation.

Fashion: Beyond obsessed with Prabal Gurung and Dries Van Noten.

If I had to be outdoors all day I would...lay in the grass and read all d a y  l  o  n  g.

My favorite quality in a man is...his honesty, personality and drive.

My favorite quality in a womanis...genuineness.

I'm terrified of...not being able to experience everything I want in life.

My dream car is a...1967 Chevrolet Camaro or 1965 Ford Mustang in candy apple red.

My cocktail of choice is...Highland Park 18. Neat.

The beauty product of choice is...Essie’s Spring 2012 nail polish collection.

My friends and I like to...take up space in coffee shops for hours, walk the streets of New York, gab about everything and nothing.

If I could go back in time for one decade it would be...I wouldn’t. I love the life I live now.

As a teenager I was totally into...changing the world. Oh wait…

I tend to splurge on...blazers, handbags and shoes. All of which are worth the investment.

Despite for my dire love for shoes and handbags, I love being a girl in boy’s clothes and that…is what makes me have Tomboy Style.

The House on Tradd Street by Karen White: A Review

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At the urging of my wife and my appreciation for Charleston, I borrowed her book, The House on Tradd Street by Karen White. This mystery was a fairly quick read on my daily train ride into work as it was just over 300 pages. The book had its pro’s and con’s which I will elaborate on in a bit, but overall I would recommend it to those that love a good southern ghost tale with a little humor and southern charm mixed in. There is no plot spoiler here, so feel free to read on as I do not give too much away in my review.

One of the main benefits of this read was White’s ability to successfully transplant the reader to walking down the streets of Charleston whether on King, Meeting, or even Tradd streets. I always felt that the best time in Charleston can be spent with a “to go” cup of coffee and spending an evening walking through this great city. White spares no opportunity to mention the highlights of the city such as St. Michaels, the circular church, Copper River Bridge, and several local eateries such as Ansons and Jestines. She mentions the main character’s affinity to a local bakery known as Ruth’s, though I am unsure if this location is fictional or not.

White excels with the development of the main characters Melanie Middleton, and Jack Trenholm. Some could criticize Melanie’s rather brash or abrasive personality, but that is excusable considering her childhood past. Yes, Melanie is protective and guarded with emotions, though White skillfully plays out Melanie’s vulnerability a few times throughout the book during interactions with the Colonel (Melanie’s father) and even Jack Trenholm.

Jack Trenholm, author and Charlestonian takes an interest in the mystery of the house on Tradd and becomes a likable sort right from the beginning of the book. He comes off arrogant, though likable and becomes a good friend, borderline love interest of Melanie.

The other great attribute to this book was the ghost factor. The haunting of this home sounded quite typical of the ghost stories one will hear as they experience the bulldog ghost tours of Charleston. Most of the ghost stories in Charleston usually stem from tragedy involving parent to child losses or even love triangles that ended up in murder which pre-empted hauntings to occur. Karen White seems to hold true to that storyline and does a decent job of it.
Some of the things that could have been left out of the book were the historic name dropping in the book. I realize to this day, one can go through downtown Charleston and surrounding areas and still find descendants of the great Charleston names. White seemed to run up the tab with dropping the names of Middleton, Drayton, Vanderhorst, and a few others. I think the same effect could have been achieved with Smith, Walker, and Jones.

The side character development also appeared rather weak as Melanie’s best friend, a teacher at the college of Charleston came across as overly stereotyped as was the teacher/yoga instructor Chad that is Sophie’s friend. Their involvement to the book did not add too much significance and their quirkiness bordered on being a tad cheesy. Just my two cents.

Overall, I enjoyed Karen White’s The House on Tradd Street and found this read to be a good escape to almost being in Charleston; though without the desire of being in the presence of the supernatural.

Appropriate Golf Attire For Cold Weather Golf

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I have a deep admiration for those die hard golfers that are determined to prolong the golf season by playing through the colder months of November through March. Living in the Chicago area, I typically hang up the clubs right around Thanksgiving after the thermometer teeters in the high thirties; as forties is pretty much my cutoff. Though winter golf is pretty much non-existent in the north, there are some ways to keep the game alive for those living (or visiting) the Carolinas and other southeastern states that are typically free of snow, but still exhibit cold golf conditions at times. The success of extending the golf season year around depends on staying comfortable on the course during these colder months. If you are determined to keep the season alive into January and February, don’t let the colder temps deter you by following these easy cold weather golf attire tips.

Keep the Head Warm

The old saying that most body heat is lost through the head is no myth. Just about any decent winter hat will serve you well when playing a round in thirties and forties. Be sure the hat of choice is capable of covering the ears as well as the head. Some popular headgear includes the typical ski hat, a balaclava, or hat with ear flaps. Avoid simply using a baseball style hat or “old duffer style” top as this type of headgear leaves ears exposed to wind.

Body

An absolute must for cold weather golf gear is going with the Under Armour body wear for legs and torso. This extra layer of thermal protection is lightweight and works magic underneath the pants and sweatshirt. Try to keep the layers over the Under Armour shell to be free flowing, water resistant and not too restricting so that the golf swing is not compromised. I would recommend some loose fitting sweaters or sweatshirts followed up with wind repelling jacket. For lower body covering, consider golf wind pants for the outer shell.

Feet

Keeping the game fun and comfortable means keeping the feet dry and warm. The options are limited with footwear as you need to still wear the basic golf shoe with spikes when playing the course. Feet can gain extra protection by opting for heavier sock that will insulate the feet from the cold. If cold soggy conditions ensue on the course, keep the feet dry by wrapping them in plastic baggies before sliding on the golf shoe. If the golf shoes are waterproof, all the better.

Hands

One of the easiest ways to keep hands warm during the colder November weather play is to go with golf gloves on both hands. If a golf glove on the opposite hand does not sit well with your game, simply cover your hands with regular winter or ski gloves in between shots. Another useful aide for hand warmth is to bring along a disposable hand warmers during your round.

Extra Cold Weather Golf Tips

Keep the blood flowing and body warm by walking the course. A course ride in the cart with a cold beverage will drop your body temperature and comfort level down in a hurry. The added benefit to walking the course may include paying reduced fees as well as the benefit of getting a little exercise.








Good Barbecue Restaurants in Charleston South Carolina Area

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When visiting the Charleston area, it is imperative to take in at least one barbecue meal. There are plenty of options to choose regardless of location whether in the city or on the outskirts. I put together a quick list of some very good bbq joints located downtown Charleston as well as the surrounding areas. Of this list, I have tried Sticky Fingers, Bessingers, and JB’s. The other location Hickory Hawg ,comes highly recommended from friends and family. I have not tried Fiery Ron's and Jim ‘N Nicks in Charleston to date. I will have to test out these establishments in my future visits to the low country.

Charleston

Sticky Fingers
Sticky Fingers is located at 235 Meeting Street in the downtown district. (There is also a location in Mt. Pleasant and in Columbia). These guys are a chain located throughout southeastern United States. This rib joint has some really tasty ribs with a myriad of sauce selections that include Carolina sweet, mustard, Memphis, habanero hot, and a few others. I purposely eat a light breakfast and lunch on rib day, so I can easily knock down a slab of Carolina Sweet with a side of sweet potatoes and a few cold Palmettos. I would definitely recommend this place for a great slab of ribs, but for true barbecue (pulled pork, chopped pork, pulled chicken), I would defer to one of the stops mentioned below.

Bessingers

This is another Charleston favorite located in the West Ashley area on Savannah highway (Hwy 17). This restaurant is one of many owned by the Bessinger family; Maurice’s and Melvin’s being the others. The pulled pork sandwich known as the “Big Joe” has a one of kind mustard based flavor that I have yet to find anywhere in my northern origin. The Carolina mustard flavor is always difficult to describe to my fellow yanks when I explain how unique and delicious this sauce is doused over pork. The sandwich comes with a choice of side and has a delicious sweet battered dipped onion ring. The homemade macaroni and cheese is to die for. We have tried to get the recipe from the counter help, but they insist on keeping this secret in the vault. Take time out to have a tasty barbecue lunch at this stop. There are numerous dishes for the younger ones. Just about every trip to the Charleston area requires a stop at Bessingers for a Big Joe, Mac and cheese and a grape Nehi.

James Island

JB’s Smokeshack

A few years ago we were heading back to Kiawah on Maybank from a long day in Charleston; we sort of stumbled upon this restaurant on accident as the restaurant choices got pretty lean the further we drove away from Charleston. This little diner located at 3406 Maybank Highway has a modest smoke house appearance that one could easily drive past if it weren’t for the numerous cars and trucks parked in front of this joint. We stopped in for what appeared to be a buffet night which made the place packed. We opted for a large order of pulled pork sandwiches and slaw and headed back home as the seats were pretty jammed. This place captures the essence of what a good barbecue joint should be with the small dining area tables covered in the red and white checkered table cloths, a large steel kettle of ice cold sweet tea in the corner, and the aroma of smokiness throughout. My conclusion of this place was the smoky barbecue meat was very tasty and slaw made an excellent sandwich topper. I give JB’s big thumbs up!

John’s Island

Hickory Hawg

This is one of the more recently added barbecue restaurants in Charleston area located in a strip mall at 2817 Maybank Highway on John’s Island. This restaurant is actually not too far from JB’s Smokeshack. I have not tried this restaurant but have spoken to relatives and other low country vacationers that absolutely love this place. The ribs are hickory smoked; as their restaurant name implies. This establishment is on my “to do” list with respect to barbecue joints to visit on my next voyage to the low country. The style of barbecue is known as east Carolina or Lexington style with vinegar and tomato base. The main fare includes pulled pork, ribs and burgers.

8 Temmuz 2012 Pazar

December 2011 Events – Charleston South Carolina

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As the temperatures slide down a bit in the low country the spirits remain high with the forthcoming holiday season right around the corner. The area will be lively with numerous holiday festivities, a local marathon, and several fun holiday light displays. The downtown Charleston area will be adorned in beautiful holiday lights at Marion Square which will celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, and Kwanzaa. The lighting of the town square Christmas tree will be held on December 3 at dusk. Whether you are a local or visitor to the Charleston area, take time out to soak up the holiday magic the low country has to offer. If a night out is in your plans for New Years Eve, make your reservations early and one of the many great restaurants in the Charleston area.

December 1 – 31
Holiday Festival of Lights
Where: James Island County Park
What: Three mile tour of over 500,000 twinkling lights around the lake. Tour by car for a $10 fee or get a ticket for a train ride to view this spectacular show. A train ride ticket will cost two dollars for adults and children under the age of two are free.
For more information contact: (843) 795-7275

December 4
Charleston Christmas Parade
Where: Calhoun and Meeting Streets (proceeds down King)
Between the hours of 2 pm to 4 pm the downtown Charleston area will play host to bands, floats and numerous holiday entertainers. Stick around; you may even see an appearance by Santa Claus.

December 8 – 10; 15-16; 17-31
Charleston Christmas Sleigh Ride
Where: Charleston Harbor
Ride aboard the Thriller and check out the beautiful lights of coastal Charleston as you cruise along the waterfront spying the decorations of Charleston, Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, and James Island listening to Christmas music. Riders over the age of 3 will get to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate during the ride.
Contact: www.thrillercharleston.com or call (843) 276-4203

December 10
Kiawah Island Marathon (34th Annual)
Where: Kiawah Island (East Beach Village Conference Center)
Kiawah Island will once again play host to annual December marathon and half marathon. The race begins at 8 am. For more information on registration or volunteering, please contact Kiawah Island Golf Resort Marathon at (843) 768- 2780 or e-mail Kiawah_Marathon@kiawahresort.com.

December 20
Hege’s Annual Christmas Cocktail Party – Freshfield’s Village
Where: Kiawah Island (Freshfield’s)
Hege’s will be hosting a holiday party from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm which will include drinks, buffet and door prizes. Reservations will be required and fee is $38.95 per person.

December 31
New Year’s Eve - Kiawah
Where; Kiawah Island – Night Heron Park
Night Heron Park will be host to full New Year’s Eve southern style dinner from 5:30 until 9:00 pm. The event will also include live music, games for the whole family and fireworks.

December 31
New Year’s Eve – Charleston
Where: Marion Square – Charleston
From 4 pm to 10:30 on New Year’s Eve, Marion Square will be hosting family fun celebration which includes live music, dance and games. For more information, call (843) 724-7305.

Play Kiawah and Charleston Golf Courses at a Discount

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One of the big let downs when visiting the Charleston/ Kiawah area is the hefty prices of the resort golf courses. For example, a round of golf at Kiawah’s Turtle Point or any resort course (aside from Ocean) is going to run a fee of approximately $225. A round at the Ocean course will hit you at $300 and that does not include gratuity for caddies which are required on that course. If you book your accommodations through the Kiawah Golf Resort, you may get discounted golf rates with complimentary shuttle service to the courses, but it is difficult to tell if you are catching a deal because other amenities are rolled up into the cost such as accommodations, a meal voucher or two, and perhaps a spa visit. Still, the prices of these beautiful courses remain painfully high and receive minimal play. It is this reason alone that my one week of visiting the low country is spent playing courses off the island.

That is until I found out about the Charleston Tee Times Golf Passbook last year. This site sells a coupon book which provides significant discounts to all resort courses (Kiawah & Seabrook) as well as those courses found off the island including courses such as Stono Ferry, Patriot’s Point, and courses as far away as Summerville. There are about eighteen Charleston area courses in the book that offer significant discounts. The concept of this coupon book is that you pay $169 (shipping not included) for a one time visit to numerous courses. The coupon or voucher does not cover cart fees. There really isn’t a “catch” other than there is only one coupon per course, and the coupon must be mentioned when booking tee time at the resort courses. I was able to use this coupon last year during my one week vacation stay in Kiawah. I had the luxury of playing Cougar and Oak Point. I had to shell out about $85 in greens fees total for those courses ($50 for Cougar/$35 for Oak Point), but I was okay with that as I played both courses way under the normal price. The other course I played was Legend Oaks in Summerville. I saved a lot of money and more importantly, I saved vacation time as I didn’t have to drive far off the island for two of the rounds played during the week. That was extra time given back to me to enjoy beach time with the family. I highly recommend this book to those that are going to get in least three to four rounds during the year to get the return on investment. The coupon book is only valid for one year and the coupons cannot be transferred to another individual. The pro shops will request identification when you provide coupon for payment. For those interested in purchasing the 2012 Charleston Golf directory book please visit the website.

Vacationing in Seabrook and Kiawah in 2012

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Merry Christmas! As we approach another year end, it is time to start thinking about making those vacation plans whether they are for Spring break or even during the summer season. It is never too early to start looking at rentals whether through vrbo.com, resort quest, or the Kiawah golf resort. The villas, condos and vacation homes get reserved early; especially when considering popular getaway dates such as Memorial Day weekend and the week of the Fourth of July. Also remember the August 2012 season will the time of the year when Kiawah Island hosts the PGA Championship. Rentals will be practically impossible to find if you have not reserved one already for this big event.

Don’t overlook the early season of February and March to come down to the lowcountry for a nice relaxing visit. The temperatures are cooler to borderline cold, (though not even close to the cold that I experience up here in the Chicago area!) The early season also offers some of the lowest rates of the year for rental accommodations. The Carolina coast is also susceptible to a few warm sunny days during these months where a nice round of golf or two is definitely possible. This is also good season for doing a few walking tours and exploring the sites and sounds of downtown Charleston and Savannah.

Review of Charleston International Airport

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Getting in and out of the Charleston airport is a pretty darn quick process. That process holds true for public parking, check in, baggage claim, and car rental. I usually make my excursion to the low country via minivan (ala fifteen hour road trip), but there have been those times when a two hour flight from Chicago to Charleston is the ideal way to travel. While the selection of carriers flying to and from this smaller market destination can be limited, I find it encouraging that the popular discount carrier, Southwest airlines has added Charleston to their list of cities for travel. This no frills airline has stood behind their reputation of keeping rates competitive and not gouging the customer with baggage fees as all other carriers seem to be doing. Other airlines traveling into Charleston include US Airways, United, Continental, Delta, and American Airlines.
Coming into Charleston from a larger airport such as O’Hare, I am amused, if not intrigued by the small jet way stairs that greet the passenger as you depart the plane. The quick walk to the gate has you getting to baggage area for clubs and suitcase in only a minute or so. Then there is the matter of car rental if you do not have someone there to pick you up.
There are seven rental companies represented at the car rental counter located within the arrivals area of the terminal. I have rented cars from Enterprise and Avis and experienced good overall service. The car rental lot is located just outside the terminal baggage area. No need for a shuttle, train or long walk to get your rental car and get out; this fleet of cars are about a minute’s walk away. Leaving this airport, it is pretty easy to get your bearings when heading out on International Drive and into the Charleston area via interstate 26.
The public parking lot is also a breeze to find as it is located just across from the terminal. The parking deck allows pickups and overnights to park at $15 per day with a surface lot located behind it at $8 per day. Excess parking can be found on busy travel days as these overflow lots are located at the end of the circle (proceeding away from the terminal drop off area). Here is a web link and map of the airport.
If I did not have a large family, I would most likely opt to fly instead of drive to the lowcounrty for every annual visit.

Dolphin Watching in Kiawah

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One of the local wildlife treasures in the Charleston area are the dolphins that can be spotted swimming the Atlantic coastline. It is pretty common to view these amazing creatures up close whether sailing the Charleston harbor, taking a ferry to Fort Sumter, or even walking the beaches of Kiawah and Seabrook. One ideal location to try and spot dolphins is over in the Captain Sam’s Inlet area. This inlet is at the beginning of the island where the Kiawah River feeds into the Atlantic. One can get access to the inlet area at Beachwalker County Park which is just before the Kiawah security gate. It is this location that is teeming with abundance of fish, birds, and of course dolphins. For those that want to dedicate a few hours to really seek out dolphins, there are a few local guides that will take you on a dolphin watching cruise . These cruises are a great way to explore the salt water community and see numerous animals besides dolphins, and view some really pretty homes that are situated along this vibrant inter-coastal waterway.

Usually when you see one dolphin walking along the beach, you will surely see a few more. Dolphin pods are sometimes mistaken for sharks until you get a closer look at the fins. Here is a fun video of dolphins beaching or “stranding” themselves along the Kiawah River. Dolphin or whales stranding typically means the mammal has beached itself with intent to die due to disease or orientation complications with sonar. These critters seem to be just acting playful perhaps in pursuit of a mid day lunch of small fish swimming along the shoreline.

7 Temmuz 2012 Cumartesi

Lynn Morgan's Savannah Row House

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 Not only does my design crush Lynn Morgan live where I am from in CT, but she also has a house not far from where I live now!! I was thrilled to find out that she has a row house  in the  historic district of Savannah Georgia. Why wouldn't she? It is so beautiful.  When she designed the Greek Revival house,that was built in 1853.   she kept in mind the architectural detail, and added some period pieces to highlight that period  while implementing a feminine, modern feel that is a perfect balance of coastal elegance and  comfortable glamor. Lynn never gets in wrong in my book. I need to find out where her house is the next time I am in Savannah!


 

Perfection!



Wedding Count Down

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 In 12 days my son is getting married! I can hardly believe the big day is almost here. I wanted to show you some images of the venue where the big event is taking place. I  posted several months ago that is was going to be held on Old Wide Awake Plantation, but the venue had to be changed. The new venue is The Plantation at Bulow in Charleston, SC.It is a beautiful , peaceful, relaxing setting. If you would like to learn more about the history of the plantation visit here. There are going to be about 130 people, a nice sized wedding. We have family coming from CA, TX, UT and, NH. I am so excited I can hardly stand it. This is my first child to get married and I couldn't be happier with  his choice for a wife... That's because I introduced them!
 I am a huge emotional slob, so I have taken all the precautions with buying the very best in make up so  not to have it get ruined while crying during the ceremony. More on my dress, shoes and make up and jewelry tomorrow..

The reception is being held outside on the grounds.
This is the island where the ceremony will take place.The beautiful lake                                                                                   The dock that Maggie will walk down
          This is the dance floor. They assured my son no one has ever fallen off....hmmmmThis looks like a nice spot where I hope to share a private moment with my son during the evening.


Have a great Monday!


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Coastal Modern { Tim Clarke}

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Hello lovlie's, If you love the coastal living lifestyle, and I know you do... and the fabulous designer Tim Clarke, then you are going to love his new book Coastal Modern. If you didn't make it for the launch party in Hawaii, fear not, because Casa Sugar  scored an interview with Tim, and got a tour of one of the homes featured in his book.
 There isn't anything that Tim has done that I don't like, and from what I can see this is no exception. His coastal modern is modern without being too stiff and cold and his coastal is coastal  without being too kitschy. I call it "Coastal Cool"
 This featured  home is a 1928 Craftstman style home in Santa Monica, CA. Coastal modern embodies the mixture of old and new; furnishings, patterns and texture with the use of colors that represent the sun, sand, water and sky. I am a huge fan and looking forward to buying this and adding to my collection.






                                                    The navy drapes are so pretty

                              Loving the light fixture, a modern take on a life preserver..



images Via Casa Sugar

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Beach House Bedding

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 Happy Monday everyone. I hope you all had a great Easter.I am a bit slow moving today, I didn't get much sleep last night. I think it is all the excitement of this upcoming weekend and all that I still need to get done. Why is it when you really need the sleep you can't? And at my age, if I don't get enough sleep It shows the next day. {not pretty} Speaking of sleep,nothing makes a a beach house or coastal bedroom more welcoming than a great looking comfortable  bed.  I recently found some fabulous beachy sheets, that  would be perfect for a beach house.
.Remember when flamingo's used to be considered to be "tacky"? Well they are very chic now, and these sheets couldn't be cuter! From The Company Store .

 No beach house would be complete without flip flops. Love these from The Company Store also.

Vintage bathing suits are being shown everywhere, from the runway to being framed on a wall  as a piece of art. Love these from Garnet Hill

                                                          Sailing flags from Garnet Hill

                                                    Palm tree scene from Pottery Barn
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Columbian Coastal Casa

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 Colombian Born Designer Richard Mishaan  designed this beautiful  home as a getaway for his family in  Cartagena, Columbia. It has  modern blend of South American sizzle and old world antiquity that represents Colombian style. It is a 16th century home that has been brought into the 21st century while trying to preserve the historical heritage.  The end result is stunning.

   I am busy getting my questions together and revised for my Q & A with the incredible designer Tim Clarke.  

 I am so excited to share this with you all very soon!



  












images ViaArchitectural Digest