In winter, Venice reveals its truest self. Mist drapes over the lagoon, candlelight warms wood-panelled trattorias, and gilded mosaics gleam in the hush of half-empty basilicas. From November’s fog to February’s carnival masks, this is the season to experience La Serenissima at its most romantic. Explore more at our Amazon store November — Mist andContinue reading “Winter in Venice: A Month-by-Month Guide”
Category Archives: Blog
Murano Glass: History, Houses, Authenticity & Collector’s Guide
Murano glass is more than artisan craft—it’s a living archive of Venetian science, design and family dynasties. Its history spans centuries of technical breakthroughs and stylistic revolutions. Below is an in-depth account of its origins, major firms, technique, and how to authenticate and collect. To explore further on our Amazon store front: CLICK HERE OriginsContinue reading “Murano Glass: History, Houses, Authenticity & Collector’s Guide”
In Memoriam: Dame Jilly Cooper (1937 – 2025)
It is with deep sadness that we mark the passing of Dame Jilly Cooper, who died on 5 October 2025 at the age of 88 after a fall at her home. Her unexpected death has come as a shock to her family, friends, and the countless readers who adored her work. Born Jill Sallitt onContinue reading “In Memoriam: Dame Jilly Cooper (1937 – 2025)”
Ten Days in Japan: A Journey Through Tradition, Taste, and Style
Japan is a country of contrasts: ancient shrines hidden among skyscrapers, steaming bowls of ramen devoured under neon lights, and hushed tatami rooms where the seasons unfold in a single meal. In ten days you cannot see everything, but you can glimpse the breadth of the country: the great cities, the cultural heartlands, and perhapsContinue reading “Ten Days in Japan: A Journey Through Tradition, Taste, and Style”
The History of Iconic Cocktails — And How to Make Them Perfectly
Cocktails are more than recipes—they are cultural artefacts that reflect entire eras. From Gilded Age New York to post-war Venice, from Cuban cafés to Parisian hotel bars, each glass tells a story of style, ritual, and identity. To shop via our Amazon storefront The Mint Julep: The Southern Ritual HistoryThe Mint Julep can trace itsContinue reading “The History of Iconic Cocktails — And How to Make Them Perfectly”
Hugo Toro: Redefining the Language of Hotel Interiors
At just 35, Franco-Mexican designer Hugo Toro has emerged as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary hospitality and interior design. His projects—ranging from Provençal hotels to Roman palazzos—carry a singular blend of narrative, texture, and cultural depth. For Toro, interiors are not backdrops; they are stories waiting to be told. A Designer BetweenContinue reading “Hugo Toro: Redefining the Language of Hotel Interiors”
Winter’s Grand Stages: Europe’s Legendary Alpine Resorts
Some ski destinations are not just mountains but theatres of culture, history, and style. They were once retreats for aristocrats, industrial magnates, and artists; today they remain bastions of tradition, blending Alpine sport with society, architecture, and ritual. These resorts are not about speed alone — they are about the mood of winter itself: fur-linedContinue reading “Winter’s Grand Stages: Europe’s Legendary Alpine Resorts”
Lee Miller at War: The Camera as Witness
When Lee Miller picked up her Rolleiflex and walked into the ruins of Europe, she left behind the world of glossy magazine covers and Surrealist salons. Her photographs of World War II — published in Vogue between 1940 and 1945 — transformed her from a society beauty into one of the most unflinching photojournalists ofContinue reading “Lee Miller at War: The Camera as Witness”
Lee Miller: Beauty, War, and the Alchemy of Reinvention
Lee Miller (1907–1977) lived many lives, each more improbable than the last. She was first a fashion model of startling beauty, then a Surrealist muse in Paris, then a groundbreaking war photographer who witnessed some of the darkest scenes of the twentieth century. By the end of her life, she had retreated into the quietContinue reading “Lee Miller: Beauty, War, and the Alchemy of Reinvention”
Missing the Summer & the Sea? Here Are Five Films That Take You Right Back
When the days shorten and the air turns crisp, nothing transports us back to sun-soaked afternoons and the languid rhythm of the Mediterranean quite like cinema. Some films capture not just water and light, but also the psychology of summer — its languor, its tensions, its beauty, and its dangers. Here are five iconic filmsContinue reading “Missing the Summer & the Sea? Here Are Five Films That Take You Right Back”
My World of Interiors 