Casa Milà

One of the most famous Gaudi designed structures in Barcelona is the Casa Mila, an apartment building completed in 1912. This is Gaudi at his best with an interesting amorphous shape and amazingly colorful details. Besides the beautiful ironwork which I've shown in a few of my previous posts, many of his buildings are exceptional in their...

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Palau Güell

One of the lesser known Gaudi designed buildings in Barcelona is the Palau Guell. Unfortunately closed for repairs after years of work, I wasn't able to see inside which I hear is pretty amazing.The Guell name is not unfamiliarly associated with the architect, as many of Gaudi's most famous designs were commissioned by the family. This...

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A Victorian treasure

Last week I had the pleasure of attending an event at a house which is stuck in time; 1898 to be precise, the last time anything had been changed. While these rooms feel dark and heavy to many of this today, at the time they were safe and warm. Not just the wealth of the owners is on display, but they also show how far industrialization...

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A gentleman friend

This past weekend I stopped by Goodwood, one of my favorite shops here in my DC neighborhood, and fell in love with a certain gentleman that I brought home. I had an unfortunate accident where a large framed watercolor in this very spot on my gallery wall fell off and shattered 3 weeks ago (in the middle of the night of course). It was fate....

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A bright idea

While in Barcelona, I stayed at Le Meridien on La Rambla. In the lobby next to the elevators was a vase of lilies that were very peculiar; their color changed, pink to white to blue to yellow. Now how did they do that?Up in the ceiling was a very regular looking little box hidden in the stair opening that threw a slowly changing point of...

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Stunning shells

Another fascinating pair of objects from the decorative arts museum were these Victorian era (what is the spanish era equivalent?) shell bouquets. While these are relatively common, I had never seen any so colorful or intricate before! This one in particular was stunning - an entire garden with maiden under a canopy of shell flowers under...

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A decorative screen

Located just outside of the city center, the Museu de Arts Decoratives in the Palau Reial de Padralbes (seen below) is definitely worth the quick subway ride. The museum focuses on the decorative arts and interior design from Barcelona throughout history. The palace also contains a ceramic and a clothing museum, but I'll bring those to you...

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Main Post Office

One of my favorite things to see in Barcelona, which you won't find in many guidebooks, is the beaux arts styled main post office.Centrally located off the Barceloneta metro stop, just below the Born and the Gothic quarters and with views of Port Vell, plenty of people pass this building and assume it's a cathedral of sorts.Yes, you are reading...

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Cabin fever

I spent the past weekend in a blissfully remote cabin in West Virginia. The scenery was so stunning I had to share it with you all! As we were up in the mountains, fall is nearly over and the air is crisp with the anticipation of winter. I just love the crunch of the leaves beneath your feet and the smell of camp fires. These are the views...

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Amorino

You cannot visit Barcelona and not eat your way through the city. Barcelonians are all about food: whether it be tapas, pinchos, large meals or dessert. While not strictly Spanish, the Gelato shop Amorino along La Rambla was probably my favorite haunt; conviently located 2 blocks from our hotel, Le Meridien.I don't have much of a sweet tooth...

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Placa Reial

Directly off La Rambla is one of my favorite spots in Barcelona, the Placa Reial or Royal Plaza.Built in the 1850s, the central fountain in the plaza has become one of the prime meeting spots in the city.Admittedly very touristy, as is much of La Rambla area, the arcades surrounding the plaza are filled with countless (mediocre) restaurants....

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