This guide is for the San Francisco tourist, from a recent visitor: a photographic guide of pointers that bring together a list to choose from when planning your visit. Points of interest, noteworthy areas of the city, factoids, historically famous San Francisco spots, best views, shopping suggestions and recommended restaurants. The good news is that the city is not so big that you can’t fit in quite a few of these items onto your agenda during trip to the area. Come explore the beautiful city of San Francisco here: Come explore the beautiful city of San Francisco here: [Read more…] about Visitor's Guide to San Francisco
Lucullus, Culinary Antiques in the French Quarter
Today I am going to take you inside of one of the greatest shops on earth, LUCULLUS, which specializes in culinary antiques. Located in New Orleans’ French Quarter for almost thirty years, the shop offers antiques from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Every object depicts or complements the grand pursuits of gastronomy. This is the first store to specialize exclusively in “culinary antiques”, a phrase coined by LUCULLUS. [Read more…] about Lucullus, Culinary Antiques in the French Quarter
Art Deco – Influences and Furniture, and a Resource
Art Deco (c.1908 to 1935)
Art Deco began in Europe, particularly Paris, in the early years of the 20th century, but didn’t really take hold until after World War I. As the world let its hair down after the hell of WW1, Deco truly reigned until the outbreak of World War II. This particular era of decorative arts seems more nostalgic than most. Perhaps because it yielded such creativity, or maybe because it is reflective of a time where so many things happened on the historical time line. A sampling of this active time in history: the Empire State Building “scraped the sky”, assembly lines were created, Edison invented the first talking films, Lindbergh forever changed aviation with the first solo flight across the Atlantic, Penicillin was discovered, Pluto was discovered, Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered, the “unsinkable” Titanic fatefully set sail, jazz was born, the Charleston and the Tango were the rage, Cubism was the hip art style and Picasso was leading the way. It was the era of Prohibition, Fascism, Darwinism, Surrealism, the Great Depression and gangsters. Certainly not dull. How did all of this translate into the decorative arts of the time? [Read more…] about Art Deco – Influences and Furniture, and a Resource
French Furniture: Three Desks, Three Styles and a Decorative Arts Glossary
DO YOU KNOW YOUR FRENCH ANTIQUE DESK STYLES?
Today we are going to have a little decorative arts refresher on French Furniture. I thought a history lesson might be more fun and more memorable if we stick to one type of furniture… just to drive home the style differences and history that influenced their design. So today is “desk day”- we will compare three styles- Regency, Louis XV and Louis XVI desks/bureau plats….which come from three consecutive periods of french decorative history. Many people find it very confusing to distinguish between the Louis styles, (and if you are a designer, that would be a major faux pas) which is nothing that a good story with visuals can’t cure. The broader context of each of these decorative styles will serve as a decorative arts glossary of terms used. Plan on some juicy backstories, decorative elements, creations and characteristics of each time … and a little gossip about the players/shenanigans of each era… nobody ever said French history was boring. [Read more…] about French Furniture: Three Desks, Three Styles and a Decorative Arts Glossary
What to See and Where to Eat in San Francisco – a Traveler's Guide to a Beautiful San Francisco Experience
San Francisco is such an unusual city, full of unique architecture, fabulous food, unreal antiques and art, and stunning views. Because of the previous posts I have done reviewing several San Francisco restaurants, I have received requests for more on what to do when in The Golden Gate City. SO… I assembled a guide (the one that I wished for when I visited) to provide and overview and specifics to help plan a visit:
Iconic San Francisco photo-worthy views
famous historical landmarks
San Fran historical tidbits (San Francisco history is juicy)
beautiful areas of the city worth exploring
insider tips on some great places to shop, especially if you are into design or antiques
amazing restaurants (pack your appetite)
If you are a foodie, take notes and prepare to plan ahead with reservations… these suggestions are seriously good. Head over to Huffington Post Travel to Explore San Francisco in photographic detail~ and if I missed any of your favorite places, please be sure to mention them in the comment section.
