How time flies - with capers

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Over the weekend I checked my photo files about our palazzo. That means I had to go through summer holiday files of four years ! And we do not have just one summer holiday file per year. It was quiet a lot ... but of course very enjoyable. Not only to see the progress (the slow progress!) of our renovation project but also to see our child grow.

I found these funny photos below, that we apparently took every year. I call the serie "capers harvest on our terrace" (capers = caperi).


caperi August 11, 2006
This picture was taken when we saw the house for the very first time.

My Italian mother-in-law - always having space in her handbag - is collecting capers with our son.
This is still at the very first visit to the house in August 2006.


One year later: July 2007
Meanwhile the house is ours.
But we have not started the renovation yet.
Still harvesting capers ...

... and enjoying the view (summer 2007)


March 2008: renovation in progress
The terrace is the roof of the second floor and needs sealing.
The caper plant was taken out and the balustrade paint plastered.


Tow years later, August 2008 : uups ! A tiny caper plant popped up again !
The roots must be very stong and resistant.
Not good for roof and walls underneath. Water could infiltrate. Special treatment is necessary.


Three years later, August 2009 : Done !
No more capers. New tiles and security grid.

Although the tiles are beautiful and the iron grid is necessary - I still can't stop thinking that I like the charme of the old dilapidated condition - more? This is one of the difficulties, I think, when renovating. How to stop dilapidation without changing the character of a building or interior too much.


To get a broader picture, I am posting the sea side facade before and after:

August 2006, not our house yet


Sea side facade March 2008


August 2009
The palazzo from the sea, 54 meters above sea level

Some readers might know my sea side pictures. But since I am posting for almost three years and the renovation progress is so slow, some of you might have forgotten about the "look". Here are some more before and after posts.
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Terrace : Amalfi Style

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The water blue tiles (color Zaffiro, serie Emozioni) and the listelli, that make the decorative border are both from Fornaci d'Agostino in Salerno. This company is one of the well-known producers of famous Vietri ceramics (Ceramica di Vietri). The ceramic's name comes from the small village Vietri Sul Mare with its many ceramic crafters, located close to Salerno at the East of the Amalfi coast. The beautiful colorful ceramic tiles became famous together with the picturesque dream destinations Positano at the Amalfi coast and the island of Capri.

With all these mouthwatering names and links, I am sending you some warm and sunny greetings from Italy. Happy day !

Planning: Under the Roof

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After having started the renovation from the outside, now, the interior renovation should start - top down - under the roof.

Since we have not been well organized while choosing the tiles for the terrace (we went into the shop and bought what we liked), this time, I want our team to commit to shared ideas.

Under the roof pitch the space is small and the ceiling is low.

So, I suggest a light color scheme. White walls, white ceiling (yes, the wooden beams need to be painted white!) and very light colored flooring. Maybe large natural stone, beige color or a white painted concrete floor.

Ralph Lauren's Jamaica residence via Cote de Texas


(sorry, no source ? )


The advantage of a light mono-color scheme:


  • the space feels larger

  • the ceiling feels higher

  • the felt room temperature is lower

  • it's an adaequate contrast to the blue terrace tiles and the sceenery

  • there will be enough color from furniture (a large blue sofa) and accessories




BTW, don't get jealous, our actual situation looks like this:


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Sweet 200

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The rejuvenating cure and aesthetic surgery of the main facade are almost done. The lady looks pretty and her peach skin immaculate. Almost like a 'torta'. Sweet 200 (years)!

And the new iron grids look so sweet with their quirky elaborations matching the grids of the balconies and the one over the main entrance.



... yes, it was our decision.

We thought we need some curlicues to not have the grids look like prison grids.

Before I start again wondering if it was the right decision ... we need to see the whole picture, the entire facade in real, on site.


Pictures sometimes don't show you the way you look at the things in reality.

Take the blue balkonies. First I was not 'amused', then we got more pictures from different angles. Like this one below.
I love the reflections !








More blue...

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My house has a blue balcony.
And it has a blue terrace as well.
ba dee da da da...

The simple finish - I think looks good (see picture above).

But I am not sure if I like this 'sweet' Vietri border... that I have approved last year ...


... and the asymmetric finish ? (the frame is not in the middle of the terrace).
... ba dee da da da...

My husband had a good comment:
"It is not bad. We probably will like it more when we are older".

So funny! Glad I am not alone with my sceptic.

And of course, we have to see it in reality. So far we see it only from these photos.

Hey, below is a nice one: our blue terrace, between the sea and the sky:



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Source: the water blue tiles and the 'listello' (border) are both from Fornaci d'Agostino.