a peek at lisa vanderpump's Pump Lounge

 

Real Housewife of Beverly Hills' 

Lisa Vanderpump's

new restaurant Pump 

is stunning!

And, surprise, surprise

look who collaborated with

her on the decor...

Bravo's own Jeff Lewis,

talented designer and

idiosyncratic reality star.  

 Pump is filled with

glamour, drama and sexy details.

You enter the courtyard through

a wrought iron gate, 

which is embellished with

a golden coat of arms.

So British! 

Olive trees and candles create an intimate setting.

Here are three different vignettes of that same space.

 

Lighting is the key to a perfect romantic setting.

A stunning group of vintage chandeliers sits above the bar.

You can always count on Lisa for glamorous details.

Pretty cocktails too...

Vintage finishes and furnishings really do add to the charm.

Wouldn't you love to have lunch with these two?

 ciao! fabiana

Photos credit: Domaine & Pump

coastal shingle style homes

For that instant coastal cottage look, 

 I love the look of cedar shingles.  

Their texture and rustic quality 

can be the beginning of great curb appeal.

This fun shingle style has several distinct elements...

Contrast colors and 

finishes to really highlight each feature. 

Black shutters look especially 
fabulous with this look.

You can achieve more of a 
cottage look with charming details.

America meets French country, 

a muted palette of grays and lavender. 

 Stately lakeside living style has 
a handed-down through

 the generations quality. 

With a symmetrical and 
straight-forward design, 

all this home's attention 
is focused on the entry,

very New England!

Add drama with a formal black door 
and beautiful planted urns. 

Welcome your friends and family
 with a home that's inviting, 
and more importantly,  

personal to your style.

Do you have a favorite shingle home style?

ciao! fabiana

blue and white : an outdoor focal point

Blue and white pottery 

and dishes don't have to be

reserved for interiors only.  

There are lots of great ways 

to display your beautiful collections outdoors. 

A tiled mural is accented with more blue and white,

 in a symmetrical display using plates and platters.

Here's another version of the 
symmetrical plate display,

this time they have also added lamps
 and pillows as well. 

Mary McDonald loves using pots,
 ginger jars and urns outdoors.

Love this, but these homeowners 
must be childless and dogless!

A little corner is all you need for a collection.

Very formal, but somehow 

the blue and white makes if homey too!

Below is a small bit of blue and white at Casa Ciao.

ciao! fabiana

sunday supper Parisian style

I've just cooked this amazing soup 

to serve with dinner tonight. 

As a follow-up to Friday's post, 

I really wanted to try this  recipe 

which simply features watercress, potatoes and milk.

It's a recipe that Lauren Bacall used to make

after she fell in love with this soup 

in Paris.

A few little tastes of it reveal a silky

and surprisingly refreshing flavor!

And, it took only about 20 minutes in all to prepare

(including peeling and boiling potatoes). 

I can't wait to serve it to my family tonight with

salad and some crunchy, toasted french bread... 

"This recipe has been chosen by me as a favorite recipe for the simple, logical reason that I had it for the first time on my first trip to the most beautiful city in the world, Paris. It was a happy time, as it always is in Paris, so I pass this on hoping that a flavor of the city of the chestnut trees will be felt by all who have Potage Cressonniere." -- Lauren Bacall

Potage Cressonniere (Watercress & Potato Soup)

6 – 8 Servings  

1 lb potatoes (I used red potatoes)

1 teaspoon salt

1 ½ pints milk (3 cups, heated)

one bunch of watercress

1 oz butter (2 teaspoons) 

Peel the potatoes, quarter them and boil them in salted water until tender.

Drain, crush them with a potato-masher, and when free from all lumps add the boiling milk and salt.

While the potatoes are soaking, wash and pick the leaves off the watercress and chop roughly.

Add to the soup and cook for 5-6 minutes.

Take off the fire and add the butter.

Pour into a hot tureen and serve.

ciao! fabiana