Venice: Palazzo Hopping - lifestyle

Photograph by Manfredi Bellati

The Regata Storica. A view from the Accademia bridge, which was difficult to cross on our way Palazzo Barbaro. The bridge was packed with tourists trying to watch the Regata Storica, one of the most spectacular, picturesque and moving events of Venetian life. Most of the owners of the Palazzos on the Grand Canal give parties, so that friends can watch the magnificent procession of boats.

Palazzo Barbaro: SAVE THE DATE. While the Regata Storica is going on outside, Giusi Conti and our hostess, Franca Coin, President of Venice Foundation, are discussing the details for Lorin Maazel’s concert in the magical setting of the Basilica of San Marco. The concert will benefit the restructuring of the Cupola of Creation. Maestro Lorin Maazel will be conducting the Symphonica Toscanini Orchestra and Maestro Piero Monti will be conducting the choir of the Maggio Fiorentino in Verdi’s Requiem Mass. On this occasion, Venetians celebrate the traditional feast of the Madonna della Salute, which is held every year in Venice to renew the city’s vow of faith after the terrible plague of 1630. As a sign of gratitude Venice entrusted the young architect Baldassare Longhena with the construction of the Salute church (in the photograph above), most venerated by the Venetians, who every year go there on a pilgrimage by crossing the votive bridge which leads from campo Santa Maria del Giglio directly to the Marian temple. Save the Date: November 16^th, 2007 at 9 pm. For more information contact the Venice Foundation: tel. and fax: +39 041 2774840 or veniceinter@tin.it.

Style1 - Detail: I love the way that Franca Coin didn’t have the coral necklaces restrung with proper clasps, but left them on the original cord.

Contessanally tip: Click on the photos to enlarge them.

Style 2 - Murano bead flowers. Placed next to an important Chinese vase is Franca’s Murano bead flower collection. These antique flowers made from hand blown Murano glass beads where found at flea markets. Franca only collects silver flowers as she thinks they look better in the silver bowl.

Style 3 - Ashtrays. These 1940’s hand blown Murano ashtrays are an ongoing collection of Franca Coin. Recently, she has been collecting tiny, tiny ones. They look so attractive on a mirrored Murano glass tray. As the photograph of the bead flowers above note the ton sur ton.

Stlye 4 - Garlic. To ward off the evil eye and keep “witches” away a small Murano bowl holds 3 heads of garlic made in metal, resin and terracotta from L’Erba Voglio in Milan. Note the detail of the frame of the exquisite Murano mirror in the background.