The joy of cooking Italian style

I was recently in Seattle, WA, accompanying  my friend Interior designer Alda Pereira for a presentation and training for the Italian company Bertazzoni, famous internationally for beautiful and functional gas ranges, cooktops, ovens, ventilation hoods and accessories.

I discovered not only a great technology for cooking with electric, gas or dual fuel ranges with clean lines, balanced proportions, and functional, ergonomic design but also beautiful colors contrasting elegantly with the stainless-steel worktop and hoods to create a really distinguished style in the kitchen.
I fell in love with the cast brass burner top and I was excited to find one when I came home with a bag of complimentary items and material.
What intrigued me was also that the colors are applied using special processes developed for the luxury automobile industry, Rosso Ferrari was the starting point.

The event was hosted by Monde Home Products, a distributor of premium home appliances throughout the Northwestern United States and Western Canada, presentation and training ended with a delicious dinner, which was baked in Bertazzoni ovens.

 

I have to say at times I was a little distracted by the aroma of huge baking pans of lasagna, and the flavor and taste was equally delicious.

 

Not to mention the gorgeous to look at, and delightful to taste, special cake… did I say taste? I now admit I had two slices.

You can too cook Italian style with Bertazzoni!

©2013 Tent London Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".
If you receive this post by Email and wish to leave a comment please click HERE and go to the comments section.  I love your comments!
If you need help to enjoy your home more, please send me an email.  It will be an investment in happiness at home, because a well designed house is always a good part of a great life and a beautiful room will make you happy every time you walk in!

Read More »

Add Comment

A-Efendy colors, Events, Interior design, Kitchen, Lifestyle, Tent London Interiors, The Joy of

The Joy of Spring




Spring brings renovation and colored eggs are widely used as symbol of a new life, but sometimes an egg can also be a stunning work of art as in these images of Easter chocolate eggs from one of the best patisserie in Milan, Sant Ambroeus, founded in 1936 and expanded a few years ago also to Manhattan. The decorations are always exquisite and chefs create new design every year, poppies, wisteria, roses, and explosion of colors and motifs.

Turquoise is always fresh and appealing, it can be also very festive and telling us Spring is here,

 I love these pale blue, turquoise, yellow hues.

Could pink be missing from the list of Spring color? Here is a gigantic Easter egg I would love to have on Sunday on my breakfast table (to share, of course!).

Vibrant orange and pastel wrappings, everything looks so inviting.

Buona Pasqua, Happy Easter, Happy Spring.

©2012 Tent London Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".

Tent London Interiors now offers also  online consultations so please send an email and we can start the process. It will be an investment in happiness at home, a well designed house is always a good part of a great life and a beautiful room will make you happy every time you walk in!

Read More »

Add Comment

A-Efendy colors, Holidays, Milan, Tent London Interiors, The Joy of

The joy of winter

Blue

The joy of winter I said…or winter blues? Well…the greatest joy is that in a few weeks it will be over and Spring will hopefully bring more sun and more colors. In the meantime, also for the still cooler days here are some comforting images.
Above a pile of pillows in blue and green, blue rug by IKEA and a beautiful knitted pouf.

Red

Red as in fire…Chair upholstered in linen, mohair throw in ruby red, a teapot dressed whimsically, a red paper lantern inspire warmth and coziness.

 

More blue

Blue walls, warm wood floor, wood tabouret, candles and fur throws for a romantic evening.

Let’s enjoy the last month of Winter, soon we’ll be complaining about the heat!

Images source

©2012 Tent London Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".


If you receive this post by Email and wish to leave a comment please click HERE and go to the comments section.  I love to hear from you!

Read More »

Add Comment

A-Efendy Tent London Interiors, The Joy of

The joy of Summer

Cocktail al Cetriolo

With the help of a juicer mix 1/2 cup tomato juice, 1/4 cup cucumber juice, 1/4 cup carrot juice, Italian parsley.
Serve in a glass like "Diamante" by Driade.

La Menta

Previously infused mint can be served in a glass like "Cilindro" by Ichendorf Milano with ice or with milk, garnished with mint leaves.

Caffè Frappé

2 teaspoons of instant coffee, 1 teaspoon of sugar, ice cubes. In the Shaker "Chiringuito" designed by Ron Arad for Alessi add 15 ml. water, better if at room temperature, coffee and sugar. Shake until water becomes foamy. Pour in a 250 ml glass.
Add ice cubes for a "frappé Nero" or milk for a "frappé Bianco".

Shake al Cocco

1/2 liter milk, 125 ml. coconut milk, 1 coconut.
Grate 1/2 coconut and mix with the two milks. Shake for 1/2 minute and serve with ice cubes in this silverplated tumbler designed by Bellini for Armanicasa.

Lassi'

500 grams plain yogurt, 250 ml. water, 2 teaspoons sugar, cardamom powder.
Mix well yogurt, water and sugar to obtain a liquid drink, add cardamom and serve with ice cubes (mango juice can be added and a dollop of thick cream) or put in the fridge in a jug like "La Tina" by Guzzini until ready to serve.

Acqua allo Zenzero

Thin slices of ginger and water.
Boil the water and pour it over ginger, infuse for 30 minutes in a Thermos like "Impulse" by Ikea.


This post appeared two years ago but since the weather is still pleasant and warm I am publishing it again…besides it is the long week-end so it is nice to be able to save time today!

Stay cool with style and Happy Labor Day!

©2011 Tent London Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".

If you receive this post by Email and wish to leave a comment please click HERE and go to the comments section.
I love to hear from you!

Read More »

Add Comment

A-Efendy Food, Lifestyle, Tent London Interiors, The Joy of

The joy of Summer

If you are at the beach somewhere in the world, you can collect big shells and create this centerpiece for a Summer dinner outdoor. The candles can be placed on a tray or a colored dish like this one, together with hydrangea petals and smooth pebbles.

You can also use shells as decoration inside the candle, and shells scattered around to create an instant vignette.
If you like to make this decorative candle yourself you’ll need wax, wicks, a mold for candles, glycerin and of course some small shells.
Melt the wax in a double boiler, add color (the one specific for wax), put a few drops of glycerin on the inside walls of the mold and compose the shells at the bottom in a nice pattern. Add melted wax to cover the shells and wait a few hours, repeat to reach the mid section of the mold, wait a few hours and finally pour the wax an inch below the top of the container, only when wax is partially solidified insert the wick. The wax must be totally cooled before taking it out of the mold.
If you make more candles at the same time in a few hours you can have a nice collection, in that case I would use several thick glass containers you may have already at home.

Simple as 1 2 3…insert tea lights in colored glasses and gather them together for a great impact.

These candles can be easily prepared by your children, you will need powder wax in different colors, wax coated wicks and colorful paper cups.
Insert the wax in each cup leaving some space below the rim, put the wick in the middle and slightly press around it with your fingers to keep it straight. Composing the candles on a reflecting, mirrored tray and adding some cut flowers will give any party a cheerful touch.

Enjoy your Summer!

©2011 Tent London Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".


If you receive this post by Email and wish to leave a comment please click HERE and go to the comments section.
I love to hear from you!

Read More »

Add Comment

A-Efendy How to, Tent London Interiors, The Joy of

The joy of summer

Finally Summer is here and if the weather behaves we can start having dinner outdoor, no matter if we have a garden,  a terrace, or just a small balcony. We will set the table in a casual, but attractive way, we will prepare fresh and simple food, a variety of salads, cold pasta dishes, maybe some grilled fish and display delicious seasonal berries.

But no matter how fancy the table and delicious the food… everything can be ruined by insects and mosquitoes, many chemical products are available but often some can create problems to your guests.   The best way is to use natural products:

- did you know that basil keeps away flies?
- and geraniums keep away mosquitoes?
- of course everyone knows the power of citronella.

Why not try then to decorate the table with small pots or, as the top image shows, with empty tea  tins, filled with basil, rosemary, citronella, small geraniums, lavender. The scent will keep away insects and the greenery will be a pleasant centre table.
Some bigger pots with these plants around the conversation area will also make sitting outdoor more comfortable.
Aromatized candles will also be beneficial and the soft light will create atmosphere, especially if you choose colored thick glass displayed on a window sill, or on a small table, they will not only keep away insects but also become an enchanting focal point.

Happy Summer to everyone!

©2011 Tent London Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".


If you receive this post by Email and wish to leave a comment please click HERE and go to the comments section.
I love to hear from you!

Read More »

Add Comment

A-Efendy Lifestyle, Outdoor, Tent London Interiors, The Joy of

The Joy of Spring

Roses and Jasmine in full bloom everywhere.

 

 

 

 

 

 

All these images were taken in the gardens of  Palazzo Lantieri in Gorizia.

From Palazzo Lantieri website:
“Palazzo Lantieri is situated in the historic centre of Gorizia in beautiful surroundings: a visit to
this prestigious historical dwelling with its harmonious blend of modernity and tradition is a unique experience. Its spacious and elegant rooms were frequented in the past by royal and stellar literary figures including Goethe, Goldoni and Casanova, and are now open to those who want the experience of being seduced by their timeless charm.
(…)
Palazzo Lantieri has been an important cultural reference point for centuries, not only for Gorizia
and its county, but for Central Europe as well. It was built in the 14th century to guard the south-western entrance to the city. Various alterations were carried out to enlarge and adorn it, resulting in its slow transformation from fortress into the noble dwelling we see today. Its famous guests have included the French royal family, Pope Pius VI, the Archduchess of Austria Maria Theresa and Napoleon, as well as important cultural figures such as Goethe, Schiller, Goldoni, Pietro Metastasio, Casanova and Lorenzo da Ponte, all of whom mention it in their writings.”

Gorizia is a charming city situated in the region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, at the borders of Austria and Slovenia.
The whole region is an enchanting area going from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea, at the North East corner of Italy, where my family is from and I have to say...an area not well known even by Italians!

Photography© Albarosa Simonetti

©2011 Tent London Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".

If you receive this post by Email and wish to leave a comment please click HERE and go to the comments section.
I love to hear from you!

Read More »

Add Comment

A-Efendy Tent London Interiors, The Joy of, Travel

The joy of Spring

California? France? Tuscany?

No…this is a house in the center of Milan, where in Spring the lucky owners can start dining outdoor. What I love here is the simplicity of the wrought iron pergola, the industrial feeling of the building, the choice of greenery and the touch of white flowers in tune with the white canvas on the classic wooden chaises. A few candles create more atmosphere and the table as you can see is set in a very elegant, but still unpretentious way.

I find this image absolutely charming.

Photography Adriano Brusaferri for Bravacasa

©2011 Tent London Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".
If you receive this post by Email and wish to leave a comment please click HERE and go to the comments section.
I love to hear from you!

Read More »

Add Comment

A-Efendy Lifestyle, Outdoor, Tent London Interiors, The Joy of