“WE DON’T DO TRENDS,OR THEMES.
IT’S A HOME.
NOT A STAGE SET.”
Adelaide Bragg,interior designer
The ITALIAN with his SALMON READY TO BE SMOKED!
APOLOGIZES for THE NO SHIRT LOOK!
Just know HE would NEVER sit down at a table without a shirt on!
IT WAS A HOT Northern California DAY!
THAT BLUE TUB HAS A STORY!
SHORT VERSION
SIX FEET LONG, CAST IRON, BRAND NEW for a mere $100.00!
I DONOT DO BLUE!
Nor, do I jump up and down when he tells me it has holes for handrails to get in and out!
TODAY, I AM THRILLED WITH THAT DETAIL!
WHEN CAN THEY BE INSTALLED!?
THAT ITALIAN IS ALWAYS SAVING MONEY!
Poor Thing MARRIED ME!
He could be a RICH MAN by NOW!
BUT IN MY DEFENSE I AM A GOOD SHOPPER!
(Like my CAFTANS in this POST head to HER CAFTAN SITE! There are still a few on SALE and BELIEVE ME the SALE PRICES ARE BEYOND GOOD!)
THIS GAL has dents ALL OVER HER BODY!
SEE HER KNEE?
CONCAVE!
SHE WAS A MERE TEN DOLLARS at THE FACTORY!
SHE WEIGHS A TON.
THE ITALIAN WAS NOT TOO HAPPY ABOUT MOVING HER FROM MY TRUCK TO THE GARDEN, BUT HE DID IT!
A ONE MAN SHOW!
(I SAVED HER FROM BEING GARBAGE or a Garden Wall!)
NOT SURE I AGREE WITH THE QUOTE UP TOP!
About your HOME NOT BEING A STAGE SET!
But to each His OWN!
Her decorating is BEAUTIFUL I GOOGLED HER!
MY ITALIAN once told me,
“THIS IS NOT A SHOP!”
I BEG TO DIFFER AS IT IS MY HOME AND I HAVE TO LOOK AT IT SEVEN DAYS A WEEK!
BETTER LOOK BETTER THAN A SHOP!
I NEED TO BE ENTERTAINED!
I NEED FOOD FOR THE SOUL!
WE have made a NEST that stimulates THE SOUL and NEVER GETS OLD!
I use to RESCUE bits and BOBS from landfills on Garbage Pick up days!
MADE ME FEEL GOOD!
THAT was a HARD HABIT TO STOP!
But even I admit we have run out of space………….
WELL, FURNITURE SPACE THAT IS!
I can ALWAYS SQUEEZE A PORTRAIT OR A PAINTING on A WALL.
BOOKS go on FOOTSTOOLS NOW which I COLLECT!
They even look good in the POWDER ROOM!
Just refer to that IMAGE as CONTESSA CLUTTER!
If you have a pedestal sink it looks great underneath it!
Just think THAT SIGN could say HOG OUT!
THINK I’ll CHANGE IT from DOG!
Just in case I feel a NIGHT AT THE OPERA would be appropriate!
I CAN SWAN ABOUT!
A FEW BEADS FOR THE BOD!
Thats the church I was married in actually its a BASILICA.
Construction began in 1013.
Michelangelo covered the facade in mattresses during the war with PISA!
THAT’S YOUR HISTORY FUN FACT FOR THE DAY!
AND YES I USE CANDELABRA’s to hold ACCESSORIES!
THE WEDDING PARAPHERNALIA is framed in lucite in our walk~ in closet.
We were married in 1986 in FLORENCE, ITALY.
The penny in the RIGHT SHOE had to be YOUR BIRTHDATE!
SO, for me it was 1960.
MY ITALIAN was connected to THE GUCCI FAMILY and FACTORY so SHOES were made SPECIALLY FOR ME for my wedding DAY!
I was BEYOND THRILLED as there were NOT many FLAT GOOD LOOKING SHOES AROUND IN THE 80’s!
PLUS, WHO ELSE HAS A PAIR OF ONE OF A KIND GUCCI SHOES?
THE OLD STONE SINK that was at the side of the road in three pieces in TUSCANY!
SAVED THAT TOO FROM THE LANDFILL!
IT’s about 300 years old so they say!
THAT ITALIAN welded an iron band to hold it and re-surfaced the inside than he drilled the hole in the middle of the sink as the OTHER HOLE was in the LEFT CORNER and VERY VERY SMALL!
MY GARDEN PLUM!
JEWELS IN THE MASTER BATH!
So, there is a peek into MY WORLD!
MY LA BOHEME!
HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE SHOW!
Penelope says
Such a lovely tour of your most original, inspired and divine casa! Thank you for sharing so generously of your collections, caftans, critters, and passions not to mention your beloved Italian. I hear so much depressing chatter that now that we are of a certain age we must declutter( i.e. give away all the fun stuff) so that our children will not have to be burdened with it. Although I may look like a minimalist compared to you, I enjoy my treasure and the memories and stories that go along with it. Let the kids have some burden I say and in the meantime, we can enjoy!
A Woman Of A Certain Age says
I agree! Surround yourself with things you love & enjoy them.
http://a-woman-of-a-certain-age.com/
LA CONTESSA says
EXACTLY………..not OUR PROBLEM!
ENJOY IT as WE CAN NOT TAKE IT WITH US!
XX
Toni claypool says
Your home is so beautiful and special. It tells a beautiful story, as all of our homes. You made me think about my home. What a sanctuary Love you
LA CONTESSA says
THANK YOU TONI…………….I am quite content here!Just need a CHEF once in awhile which I have but I am ALWAYS NEEDED!
IT’s GOOD to be NEEDED…………..I must call you and hear about your trip!Give me a couple of days!XX
KATHIE TRUITT says
I’ve always wanted a sneak peak into your house so THANK YOU. My home also looks like a movie set – as it should because life IS a stage and I AM the star of my own life, thank you very much. Now…if I could JUST talk hubby into letting me have a pig.
LA CONTESSA says
THEY ALL SAY NO!
CONTACT A RESCUE and see if you can do a TRIAL………
THE PIG HAS BECOME OUR FAVORITE ACCESSORY in THE CASA!
THEY ARE VERY CLEAN ANIMALS!
NEVER MIND SMARTER THAN A DOG!
DID NOT TAKE MUCH TO TRAIN BANKSY!
ONE DAY TO USE THE DOGGY DOOR!
XX
Kim says
I love treasures, treasure hunting been a treasure hunter most of my life
I love the Advanced Style, books
By Ari Seth Cohen
More is more and less is a bore
More is a chore with les you sore
I’m an in between… only at the beach do embrace a touch of minimalism…
I love your blog
ThankYou for sharing your heart and your home
I pray health for you… ??
The Lord bless you and keep you and The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto
you
?
?
And
Kimberly says
I love treasures, treasure hunting been a treasure hunter most of my life
I love the Advanced Style, books
By Ari Seth Cohen
I’m surprised you haven’t graced his pages
You inspire me
For the most part I am a More is more and less is a bore… girl
I have only two friends who lean towards
More is a chore with les you sore
Only at the beach do I embrace a touch of minimalism…
I love your blog
ThankYou for sharing your heart and your home
I pray health for you… ??
The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto
you
?
?
And
LA CONTESSA says
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
I DO GRACE HIS LAST BOOK ON THE LAST PAGE MY NAME APPEARS!!I helped ARI find TWO COUPLES THAT WERE PHOTOGRAPHED IN THE BOOK ADVANCED LOVE!
Bottom line I’m still too YOUNG!
XX
Belle says
Victoria magazine needs to do a feature on you!!
LA CONTESSA says
HA!
THAT WOULD BE FUN!
XX
Diana Amato says
Such an inspiring glimpse into your wonderful world! A treasure in every corner and a story to tell with every object! The way a home should be!
D. A. Squires says
MAGICAL… everything.
I was reminded of the scenes in the movie Beauty and the Beast when the teapot and china cup and candelabra and dresser ETC come to life. When you are sleeping, I am quite certain that is happening in YOUR house. By day, the gowns and brooches and flower crowns stand at attention, awaiting the night’s revelry. By night, they dance with the swashbuckling Prince Banksy and the dashing duo Theo and Winston. The crystal and silver service leap upon the table, china settings take their places, the flowers creep in from the garden and settle into crystal bowls and vases, and the candelabras alight with flame. And by the light of the moon, they dance and dine until dawn… they do, they do.
judith says
This is adorable. I really hope you spend some of your time writing; it is truly your calling. Thank you for this entertaining imagery. I wish I had thought of it! “Try the grey stuff, it’s delicious! Don’t believe me? Ask the dishes!”
LA CONTESSA says
SHE HAS WRITTEN TWO BOOKS!
CHECK AMAZON under D.A.SQUIRES!!!
XX
judith says
Oh my gosh, Contessa, I will! How smart of me to peg her as a writer – hahahaha!
bayboxwood says
It’s all so beautiful and interesting – I love a home that tells the stories of its occupants.
Thank you for sharing the information about the caftans. I’m mostly home bound for a while (not altogether bad) but would like to feel “dressed”. Pajama pants lose their charm in a hurry.
Wendy Barrett says
Dear Contessa,
What feasts for the senses your posts are!! It’s a while since I visited your blog and I had forgotten how utterly glorious it is. I so love all the photos of you in your gorgeous outfits and opulent back-drops, have you thought of creating a coffee table book from them all? I would be the first to buy a copy!
clare feldman says
Thank you Elizabeth for this extraordinary blog. I know I nagged you for this and it was well worth it!! Pure Fabulousness and Originality. Your home is filled with gorgeous treasures but the real treasure is you!!
Caroline says
Thank you, dear Contessa, for your suggestions on where to store jewelry. This is question friends often ask. I want to be able to personally see it easily but not have it on display. Drawers that hold tools – in a sturdy cabinet that can be locked – might be the answer. I am going to check our hardware stores! Does anyone have any other suggestions? Many thanks.
Karen Persson says
One word…. amazing… Your photos and stories are always so amazing. A feast for the eyes and such a joy to read.
Love,
Karenxxxoxox
Dinner Party Guru - Amanda says
Wonderful. You are a collector for sure.
Sheila-Merle Johnson says
I just found tons of emails I hadn’t opened, among which this delightful, enchanting post on your special castle. I love how you make “Contessa Clutter’ look beautiful and elegant. I do not have that gift; my clutter is just clutter. I loved meeting you and now I can imagine you better in your environment. Love, smj
Maywyn says
Beautiful wedding photo!
Thank you for the lovely photos They make me smile.
Lillian Plummer says
A treasure hunt in your own home. Food for the soul as everywhere you look there is beauty.
Trish says
Just found your site!
Amazing the ‘story’ you told by showing your home.
More than the story you told(the facts you wrote) it shows WHO you are and shows your heart and soul…so revealing.
…such an interesting person. “Contessa” fits.
LA CONTESSA says
THANK YOU!
WELCOME………more to come this THURSDAY!
XX