Anyone who was lucky enough to witness the infamous “Chelsea flower show”, in Spring in the heart of London, will have witnessed the unprecedented increase in the use of vegetables in the ornamental garden i.e. pea plants growing, delicately up wrought-iron supports, ornamental pumpkins and squashes sprawling, boldly through […]
Art Topiary in Italian Gardens: Villa Lante, Bagnaia. Ph. flickr/Roberto Ferrari Italian garden design has always adopted the use of art topiary to establish strong, evergreen structures. From the origins of the Italian style gardens, designers have shaped evergreen plants into both symmetrical, obtuse and representational forms to […]
A Look at Armani Casa and Missoni Home Collections Esteemed Italian fashion houses are quickly working their way into the realm of home fashion and furniture. Many have realized that the same clientele that buys their clothing and accessoriese each season is seeking a style for their entire lifestyle including […]
Light fixtures that speak of art and create atmosphere Before discussing lamps and other lighting devices that in Italy represent a vast area of artistic production, it may be of some interest to the reader to be informed that the attention to detail in home decorating in Italy extends to […]
How Italian Gardeners Use The Moon Since time began human beings have been fascinated and bewildered by the presence of the ever changing ephemeral moon that has been a constant presence and sensual mystery in the night sky. From when humans began cultivating their own crops they noted the subtle […]
Jonathan Radford’s Approach ecoLogica How many times have we found ourselves breaking our backs in the garden, in order to sustain our dream of creating and maintaining a perfectly green and ordered, ‘English-style’ garden, convinced that we are getting closer to nature in the process. The difficult tasks performed to […]
Italian Inspiration for Newborns If you have a little one on the way, consider taking inspiration from two of the enchanting places in Italy when decorating your baby’s nursery: Tuscany and Venice! A nursery inspired by the hillside towns and countryside landscape of Tuscany is the perfect haven to relax […]
The Mediterranean Chastity Plant Mediterranean plants have long been attributed with having medicinal, healing properties, from the skin softening oil of the olive tree, the calming effects of the chamomile plant or even to the flatulence reducing fennel. However, rarely do we hear of a Mediterranean plant that can assist […]
A Hidden Renaissance Palace in Tuscany palace in italy The area surrounding Montalcino has been famed for centuries by artists and poets for its beautiful yet peaceful landscapes, comprising of soft rolling valleys and lightly peppered with olive groves and vineyards of superior quality. In fact the Rosso di Montalcino […]
Vignola: Italian Garden designer for the Vatican Italian Garden designer for the Vatican Bagnaia: Villa Lante By Jonathan Radford Above and left : water feature at Villa Lante – Right Pope Julius III > Italy is renowned for it’s fashion, it’s cuisine and it’s stunning Renaissance period. However, how many […]