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Now open at Hillwood is an exhibit I think most readers of this blog will enjoy, a tabletop exhibition by well known designers utilizing the museum's collections.  While the estate may be known for its amazing fresh flowers (found throughout the house and gardens), Marjorie Merriweather Post was also a passionate collector of porcelains and silver. Six talented designers have been asked to create tabletop displays in the Dacha sourcing items from the collection. I was there Valentine's day for opening night to see the designers reveal their creations. Hopefully this little tour will whet your appetite to visit before June 10 when the exhibit closes! The central table was actually created by museum staff exclusively with items from the collection down to historic placecards, matchbooks and ashtrays; A treat to see how Post entertained!  As always one had to ask if the amazing fresh flowers were real they were so perfect. The first table inside the door is done by fri...

Rizzoli is releasing a book later this month perfect for any serious architecture lover, Architecture Inside-Out: Understanding how building work .  The author John Zukowsky and illustrator Rob Polley take a look at 50 famous structures in detail including amazing axonometric drawings showing how they were constructed. Both ancient and modern buildings are included which gets really interesting when you contrast construction techniques. Did you know most of your favorite domed buildings are actually double domes? The dome you see inside is generally not the same shape as the dome seen on the exterior, like seen here at the Taj Mahal. As I said modern structures are included as well such as German's rebuilt Reichstag with its modern dome. I think the drawings convey so much more than the photographs. Architecture Inside-Out: Understanding how building work is perfect for readers of any age: aspiring architects, history buffs, and even professionals will all gain something from this...

While many people may not associate Venice with neoclassical architecture one of my favorite buildings in that style happens to be located in the most prominent section of Venice, just off St Marks square directly on the Grand Canal. One foggy morning I woke up early and caught the vaporetto from our apartment across the canal to see the building without the surrounding hoards of tourists. The building has sat vacant for years as it's not considered important by the Italians -too 'new'.  These interior photos are part of the documentation (not my own) of a long planned restoration of the pavilion as well as the adjacent royal gardens (more about that HERE ).   Finished in 1817 by the architect Lorenzo Santi it has been known as the Padiglione (pavilion) Santi ever since.  Googlemaps however seems to call it the Palazzina Selva.   The pavilion was built as a coffeehouse much like Cafe Florian which is directly behind.  Once renovated the plan is to retu...