Remodeling Home Design: vacations

Showing posts with label vacations. Show all posts

Miami, here we come!

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFyS2jFoMtzFXi25QI1YaqqBLIWjdy7XFv-e96UH6FGLr8JHFQ2M5TYXBRH41TWKWkGRQhOPpgLQUSWaaRzs_oUBVvIpKzpNuEhZnObLkd7rwJbfvsyvltW8vasWzIzy7zyXxxNOZmS2g/s1600/oceania-marinai.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561476513991347010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFyS2jFoMtzFXi25QI1YaqqBLIWjdy7XFv-e96UH6FGLr8JHFQ2M5TYXBRH41TWKWkGRQhOPpgLQUSWaaRzs_oUBVvIpKzpNuEhZnObLkd7rwJbfvsyvltW8vasWzIzy7zyXxxNOZmS2g/s400/oceania-marinai.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> If you read <a href="http://habituallychic.blogspot.com/2011/01/habitually-chic-hits-high-seas.html">Habitually Chic</a>, you've probably seen that Heather and I are going on another adventure together in a few weeks.  This time however, it's to a place I thought I would never venture; A Cruise to Nassau in the Bahamas!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYuiKMRKbvSolVWVORDIfObPaLtQB7F7wGhBR2vRy2LE1tXV6e7vad2ctH7fiEzrP8pbSpP5y4omcnCFlpTebSEhUX3pJwC9V5pfvmp7UOcpFv943NdnzCaaENRl8xWUlTnMkPsLBuxc/s1600/jacques-lg.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561476511713941410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYuiKMRKbvSolVWVORDIfObPaLtQB7F7wGhBR2vRy2LE1tXV6e7vad2ctH7fiEzrP8pbSpP5y4omcnCFlpTebSEhUX3pJwC9V5pfvmp7UOcpFv943NdnzCaaENRl8xWUlTnMkPsLBuxc/s400/jacques-lg.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 255px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> I think what convinced me this would be a fabulous trip, other than the fun company of course, is that <a href="http://www.oceaniacruises.com/">Oceania cruiseline </a>bills themselves as the cruise line for people not into cruises. With tons of luxe amenities and celebrity chefs, they pride themselves on being their guests home away from home with a small boat size and each room being a deluxe suite.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVpoQUF9hsjQzeHbm-F8_5UuUTwlXVRP_1DDtwccRGkPmU5zwbKTVkhZlxKtKakRfoOPiVLKeG55GVHCyoL7zwW3LznjhV6Y505xC0llGk64KUHOxEcsvlt-XosUu7vSG423K6d1CMZNU/s1600/vizcaya-II.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561476509664884498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVpoQUF9hsjQzeHbm-F8_5UuUTwlXVRP_1DDtwccRGkPmU5zwbKTVkhZlxKtKakRfoOPiVLKeG55GVHCyoL7zwW3LznjhV6Y505xC0llGk64KUHOxEcsvlt-XosUu7vSG423K6d1CMZNU/s400/vizcaya-II.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 264px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>After our cruise, we decided to spend a few days in Miami. As we haven't made any arrangements yet, I would love to hear your recommendations; Hotels, restaurants, shopping? The only thing I know of and have to see is the famous <a href="http://www.miamidade.gov/vizcaya/">Vizcaya</a> mansion, seen above.  I hope to have lots of great experiences and share them all with you here!</div></div>

Miami, here we come!

If you read Habitually Chic , you've probably seen that Heather and I are going on another adventure together in a few weeks. This tim...

03:00

Private Versailles

<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388874989321517618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJZvI0qWUqysTBuORGZElcqvyXjdKHXCBJTUkEuqh5629t-fgUJQoAOhXUiCvvsLjQn6kjiqUmiH6H7_j91OcnvgRh8K-MgGSXGxGPhFdrY6hEPyHHcbUMety0MAaCvXa67Ej1ilw3TXx/s400/gate.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Versailles, both in the age of Louis XIV and now, is a very public place. Tens of thousands of people called it home back in the age of kings and today thousands of visitors come daily. We got to witness this on a VERY crowded Sunday when we visited during Heather's and my trip to Paris as you can see below.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388874838180398466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyiQEWg3xk_1pM33gr65QyG94S9ncxniOZtyt-jtKoyJ1ZLi264gKcnpKu-HWzg2M-GD41-YeoqOe_3roZu5uq3VEJPF9U3DwgaPl11z5_6KBNlveTWqUseTBTSHLFEb-P4jUI9qIIGlHa/s400/177-7761_IMG.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Levels of security exist even outside of the Palace walls. I particularly loved these wood guard stations disguised as tents: a technique copied at palaces around Europe in the 18th century.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388874995860463442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3IERhVhRqY-Om_jatH2nSISUJDLWArrGCZYIL8FzxtomJhTJOcD3G1OPbYm-C_Twg6ZZOnjJCynPnTT7he4pbw9NUgJaYakaSf4s9a4t5clAg8uw8C-43e93enhQxmasnxv-Msf2fzwC/s400/gaurdbooth.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Of course not all of the spaces in Versailles are as luxurious and spacious as we see in pictures: think of the hall of mirrors for example. However, many of the smaller private spaces are as luxurious as the public ones as seen in the gold & silver ceiling in the king's private chambers.<br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlKyU9VRqKe9GjgXVHpeO2f1mLe88TVvTZQ0jxVoQIoCBErccn0TNNhhilKBBDnnTvZkbTNPIrOB61pWRueN092FzHCDlPndsQi2_QI1o1R2BENCPNwssFpWQuHCBylPlSt8DJuZEH7iN/s1600-h/silver+and+gold.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388875156510633554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlKyU9VRqKe9GjgXVHpeO2f1mLe88TVvTZQ0jxVoQIoCBErccn0TNNhhilKBBDnnTvZkbTNPIrOB61pWRueN092FzHCDlPndsQi2_QI1o1R2BENCPNwssFpWQuHCBylPlSt8DJuZEH7iN/s400/silver+and+gold.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> One thing I highly recommend is to take the guided tour of the private apartments first. You get to learn a lot about the chateau with incredible guides in a small group where you can ask questions before going through the public rooms in vast crowds.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6E_Vs3_5BdwDteeSYzznw2RDU_MVGVkJsWkjE_zH49hRlfajmAK2ooXk7bUebiefFlNPQrMYhepzDJUUw8e89v_nwt4Yl4dNDSVBdZ5mQAzuUC7j8fmMu2n4BHMQc7mWP54VHTLIe45q/s1600-h/guard+room+fireplace.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388875005160391026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6E_Vs3_5BdwDteeSYzznw2RDU_MVGVkJsWkjE_zH49hRlfajmAK2ooXk7bUebiefFlNPQrMYhepzDJUUw8e89v_nwt4Yl4dNDSVBdZ5mQAzuUC7j8fmMu2n4BHMQc7mWP54VHTLIe45q/s400/guard+room+fireplace.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Our tour started in the king's guard room. Located on the first floor off the main court, this small and simple room housed 2 guards at all times, 24/7. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388875001309407746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCu1TxDJ9nXMw_DpjIGkFoL5EnHEMCFS8pRibDFMLmnkqe5v_O6hSytkipKd-cSMq7KzQqLovJxc5sO0eNAteKc32KgK49HLrQDe5kOJNhvT3jx0jeybMl2m0bEv6lQNdClMm4A3txvNnd/s400/guard+room.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The guards slept & ate here, right under the king. These closets flanked the staircase for their personal items.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388875013170023250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8MTEe7X0Ie_mun6pRuCuxIjm_-1N0PPWoxPPcgTlDTEV7gNWn93mMiQAT9kPb6RWuQOyEhgydtILPtne2jCywQqk-ew6wYFrKKlhyGq0GZrxvv8_MFIXzOBC9hNGPW7xvBfMCfysRAyP/s400/guard+room+statue.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Of course beautiful statuary exists even here!<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388874852823421682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxzV64mf9mSgfJ5xLlpA0uGklp_8IfwPuDDwJ3AHoa6uE-zDEL8Diw_Amc55c6H2HAZO7Sxm6WJC4gErE1hCAUQbVH_W5WYAAJVQpwHrB8rzf8CHuHlHJ1QJMfftahuN7U6n6pZ6U3A0y/s400/balustrade.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />A small but grand staircase leads you right up to the king's private apartment.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388875241331100706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkDGAg47JPt5lD2aIltwpXRhPsFeGcX8yb3UdSOr-QwAc4aPF7-QmtlEKvlGEYr3M-33-8IcWeDjqypwwhsGTzgOnUH07bAdmQCxfVD4d9bsk3VHkqy2EfK4ZamzaEh8lBqnsgHk8bbPW/s400/staircase.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />At some point the wall paneling had been removed and they had 'replaced' it with faux painted panels which I really loved. What a great idea for your own home! Instant 'architecture'!<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388875138047135602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hb5L27tJrjkVTWVdtns_XABADQgyD8lmw-Y8KdXjrAAwFZSbOkbMW_Q_X2WbDEHvht0ewpoPIj79VZU_Fz_ufEooPwGKAksBOaU2mJz9-iyKTQOQ1eHgJIUQ9qTAlzpTvWbhSdfeX6RW/s400/kings+quarters.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />While the king was very open to public contact, for safety reasons, as well as to hold the large numbers of visitors, anterooms flank the more important chambers. They are of course meant to impress as seen in this small room above.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388875148804067906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8ZwPq8oo2kmEXjiYrwODQmxa57oUc9W8Sm_ODcWEXcO2M45AvgR4y1z-RfY2e4lZi9rS7VumXJ2MIqDG2OCuz9WXyyVTQbyDzsWi3CG4K3wbaYHCJrnJ_eShXJ3XNKW-Wmd90kSEYmji/s400/kings+waiting+room.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The king's waiting room is very large and filled with treasures meant to both interest and intimidate guests. The mechanical calendar seen in front of the mirror represented that the king was a very scientific and intelligent man leading the country into the future.<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388875258119123762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gs7QscEb_i50FzRAYqoeCaCoULLZSpW1RHskDpHjq0TU6rDI6wF2dOa5Dh2NNWnCDhFZ1Vt7OdebdZXAjr03uhWLrBRMV69GJ-7e3FbXphZ2w7FIXt97CxUJv1-YsMIggcOuEkO47u6-/s400/study+doors.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The king's (Louis XVI) private study, off of the waiting room, had books paneling the walls. Louis XVI was known to have important scholars of the day visit him here as well as many hours spent alone reading a book. Even the doorways are disguised as bookshelves as seen above.<br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388875132695158002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6dF3LSKprSPflCGQ1vZGXvKljBPOTF0B7ZfCLW-hL9iGZht4k2Oxy7rZXaSzt9_f-CU_4svMgV6qoaCoB4e6dqiarIxgletl1bSBZIxR4vuRAcuSfLk_oxA4H4_-nP1Wmr-8diJFvLVT/s400/kings+private+study.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The table in the middle of this room holds statues of many of the great learned men of the day, included among them is Voltaire.<br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2o-RLSUVxr5CQR8iz8pZMT0G7glwvup8PUULABttUk0tE6vXQ7CXlDvPeavW_HaL19-IdB9XAqNtDvsyqcTFMQKLb9bAmvfrlSQqFulcFfm-AxDEDh8DcvVKZk8aIGgVhlGs1tJN-l_e/s1600-h/dining+room.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388874867026343538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2o-RLSUVxr5CQR8iz8pZMT0G7glwvup8PUULABttUk0tE6vXQ7CXlDvPeavW_HaL19-IdB9XAqNtDvsyqcTFMQKLb9bAmvfrlSQqFulcFfm-AxDEDh8DcvVKZk8aIGgVhlGs1tJN-l_e/s400/dining+room.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>Louis XVI was changing the relationship of the king to the public and was deeply invested in a private life. This was the first private and official dining room of the chateau, right off of his study. I loved the turquoise velvet!<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388875249243622914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDDXTGsi6_gbPnTG1BZPmYLT1YMtbma3m9LTv3TxCFwDBa4H0AlTAO_oYnXY7f3nl_Jj2S494Afn0xtmrEm7gTaHVlrK0LPkGZCVOWOLSlh01pGV6tPGjZIVOCgdDzJ6q_H7N2mBUne31/s400/staircaseii.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The king's chambers attach to the chateau through a much more grand staircase as you are lead into the public areas.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388874842399377794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNlZn307W37Le5nMzhncjGZBdXL8pmuDQcR1TnRnWzHefhKunZXHzQxFLXzEgYETz67DIrImZtsugUo70Re3MzMLEWOFzrWOmLUWda_D4FVf-aVMeravbE1FCX55NIlzuIb1qV2K7aM6s/s400/antique+mirror.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Just a gratuitous shot of some antique mirror: Such great ambiance!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-aX9sF01BZdlJBvzM1ywsbsY5hmq81DX18WBn9rZ3zj7DTf4RVNMI-zu1Lm1EE9o7DTXxDmKJxZsgINPhoL4ZMFSL3yLV1A28q34ZYPdjnSK54Xagz7LRveXCEOvvFKDc_Af5lilOwWM/s1600-h/chandelier.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388874856847508738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-aX9sF01BZdlJBvzM1ywsbsY5hmq81DX18WBn9rZ3zj7DTf4RVNMI-zu1Lm1EE9o7DTXxDmKJxZsgINPhoL4ZMFSL3yLV1A28q34ZYPdjnSK54Xagz7LRveXCEOvvFKDc_Af5lilOwWM/s400/chandelier.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>Sadly, most of the furnishings were sold off after the revolution and none of the chandeliers were of the period but later reproductions: many of them antiques in their own right today.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388875145085315874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OFkNnkfgzihyphenhyphena_3kpXIGkMBy334wbt075wbQ5Bc9iQ5WA0FexClR0LJWeCp4D1d5QrDEkQQBOFSYWCjfJyna3zDCrxy6RKZYeWwvQlpSa8DQuYVhD7nVaAHVrB9KbPnrLJQx85XYGYD9/s400/kings+toilet.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />They don't call it private Versailles for nothing, this was the toilet off the private study of Louis XIV. Watch out for splinters!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

Private Versailles

Versailles, both in the age of Louis XIV and now, is a very public place. Tens of thousands of people called it home back in the age of king...