02 Sep From Fashion & Food to Design & Details – Italy has it all!

Where do I begin?  First off, I want to thank you, my dear readers, for letting me take a little time off (guilt free) this summer to spend time with my family. It was wonderful and I really needed the break. Heck we all need time to refresh and renew during the lazy days of summer and I hope you had a wonderful one too.

In the middle of our remodel preparation, we decided that our kitchen will always be here, but time to take our 19-year-old daughter to Italy will not.  Sometimes you just have to GO!!  We had the trip of a lifetime and I can’t wait to share all the wonderful photos and stories with you!

What a whirlwind of a summer it was. From the Dallas Market in June, to an interview in July (more on that later!) and home improvement decisions, to Italy in August. I can’t believe it’s September already!?!? After getting our exchange student off to college, I’m just now slowly transitioning back into work designing pillows and writing with my Pillow Goddess hat on!

But I’ll also soon be wearing a construction hat too. Can’t wait to tell you all about our design choices and some of the amazing luxury sponsors we’re collaborating with in our remodel of The Vintage Bungalow & Cottage.

So buckle your seat belt and hold on, because our studio, Deborah Main Designs, has some exciting plans this fall!  We’ll be rolling out what I hope is going to be a fascinating journey for you through Italy and the design process for remodeling with luxury. Sign up for my blog HERE and don’t miss a thing. You’ll be glad you did because I’ve got so much to share with you!

I have thousands of photos to sort through, but it will be worth the wait!  Until then, please enjoy a sneak peek of Milan. XO, PG

Tile, tile, everywhere!! Gorgeous marble and flooring that it was so beautiful I didn’t want to step on it.

Art in all its glory from statues and Renaissance paintings to incredibly detailed massively large tapestries.

Wait until you see how one designer weaves this texture and detail from a 14 Century metallic tapestry into his fashion design. The historical influences on all we create today is astounding.

Also coming up this fall are some five-star luxury hotel experiences that I’m dying to share with you, courtesy of The Westin Palace Milan and The Bauer Venezia in Venice.

Chandeliers galore, even in the gelato cafes!

Gold leaf detailing.

From the texture-covered rooftops of Milan to the brand name shopping destinations.

To the piece de resistance finale, The Armani Silos Exhibition in Milan. Let’s just say that my daughter and I kept having to pick our jaws up off the floor!

S-P-E-C-T-C-U-L-A-R!

B-R-E-A-T-H-T-A-K-I-N-G!

C-A-P-T-I-V-A-T-I-N-G!

And we ended all our evenings in Italy with the most delicious food on earth! Sidewalk cafes, mussels, gnocchi, gelato and more….

D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!

My daughter, Qin, and husband, David, relaxed and having the time of their life on our last evening in Milan. It was hard to say goodbye to Italy, so friends advised to plan our next trip and it makes it much easier. How very true.

Check back every week this fall for more fascinating details – design, art, fashion, luxury, architecture, lighting, food and more. It’s all right here on The Pillow Goddess where we’ll be weaving together Italy and luxury remodeling for your reading pleasure. Ciao!

Note: All photography and opinions are my own.