Archive for category Travels

Hagia Sophia

Posted by Vicente in Travels on January 6, 2011

photo via  here

The canvasses and chandeliers of Hagia Sophia have been restored and the scaffolding has finally been removed. Every time I visit this museum it takes my breath away, to be able to see all the chandeliers hanging was magnificent.  This is one of the great wonders of the world, to me at least.

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From Russia with Love…

Posted by Vicente in Travels on December 20, 2010

It’s been below zero here in St. Petersburg, but the vodka and caviar have been keeping me warm.  The palaces are even more spectacular than I thought.  I can’t wait to share my pictures and notes.

Here is the hotel I am staying in and highly reccomend it.

Kempinski Hotel

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My bags are packed…

Posted by Vicente in Travels on December 15, 2010

 

Today I am taking off on my annual trip; I will be gone for 7 weeks!  I will be updating you on where I am and what I am doing and hopefully posting pictures along the way.  While packing the last couple of days I came up with a list of some of my travel tips, some of them you might already know.

Do you have any travel tips of your own?

  • Before I leave I print address labels for everyone I want to send a postcard to, this takes up less space and makes sending postcards easy.
  • I always pack a few Ziploc bags of detergent, it’s easier to rinse off a pair of underwear in the sink then pack more clothing.
  • Always pack a small roll of gaffers tape it can fix almost anything and you never know when it will come in handy.
  • If you take any pills (vitamins or medications) and are traveling for more than a week, you should separate them into bags, one bag per week.
  • When I go to underdeveloped countries I pack clothing that I want to get rid off and at the end of the trip. This makes room for my purchases and the locals really appreciate it.
  • Always bring a cheap alarm clock, wake up calls are not standard in all places
  • If you’re a creative person it is always nice to bring a small sketchbook and pencils.  It’s a great way to be inspired and pass time.
  • I always bring a small knife, band aids, antibacterial cream, and alcohol swabs. A mini first aid kit of sorts,  the antibacterial cream is great in places like the jungle where you can’t always wash your hands.
  • If you wear glasses bring a second pair, just hide the extra pair in your suitcase.  If you don’t bring them you will lose yours and if you bring them you will never use them.

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Views from Geneve to Verbier

Posted by Vicente in Travels on December 13, 2010

Below the are some images from the train ride to Verbier. They are of Lac Leman, the pictures dont do it justice… 

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While away…

Posted by Vicente in Travels on December 9, 2010

in snowy Switzerland

The elves are hard at work back at the office…

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Just walked in the door

Posted by Vicente in Art, Travels on December 1, 2010

from my trip to Italy, I will be sharing my photos and  destination spots soon but wanted to give you a sneak peek.

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Back from Sweden

Posted by Vicente in Projects, Travels on November 17, 2010

Sometimes I feel like installing a job is similar to labor pains, in this case I was waiting for the delivery and it was much bigger than a bread box. We were installing a job in Stockholm and due to my upcoming travel plans I am on a very tight deadline for 3 installations. Stockholm being out of the country I thought it would be best to do first.

The original plan was to leave the day after I got back from Houston (last Wednesday)   with Tina Ramchandani who has been working on the project. The container had arrived on Tuesday but shortly after it arrived we were told that it would take up to a week and half to clear through customs. This brought up the installation to Thanksgiving and was not at all in our time expectations.  There was no reason for us to get to Sweden early so we cancelled our plans.   Low and behold it cleared at 3pm on Wednesday.  We immediately had to reissue my ticket and I had one hour to pack, get everything in the office in order and jump in a car and head to the airport.

When I landed on Thursday I called the shipping office to see when the container could be released, they told me that the payment of duties had not been received and they would not release it until it had and they would need the payment by Thursday at 1pm which was 6am NY time.

Like a determined Cuban refugee I bugged the hell out of anyone I could get on the phone to ensure the transfer would go through in time.  8am on Friday morning Sweden time I was told the container would be delivered at 3:30 that day.

It was 3 days of me unpacking around 30 cases of stuff, organizing, shuffling and moving etc etc etc. Though my back was hurting I was exhilarated to have it all done and to have a content client

This is was the installation of just the guest room and wardrobe because we had finished the rest of the apartment at an earlier date. Below are before and after images.

Guest bedroom/office before

Desk area before

Bed/sofa area before

Guest bedroom/office after

Desk area after

Bed/sofa area after

Left side of wardrobe before

Right side wardrobe before

Wardrobe after

Custom jewelry stand

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High Point Market

Posted by Vicente in Events, Travels on October 26, 2010

Last Monday I flew to High Point, NC to lecture at the design center and to attend Margaret Russell’s AD event, which was very well attended. Among the many people at the event were Alexa Hampton, Mariette Himes Gomez, and Thom Filica. Margaret still had her ankle boot on, but nevertheless she was a total knock out in her Prada frock.

The following day I gave a lecture sponsored by ASID and High Point Market and had a real  lively Q&A session followed by a book signing. There was a intense discussion about what titles that designers take on, interior designer, decorator, designer etc . What is your sense about this?  I am conflicted.  I do not want anyone telling me what I can call myself, and I have been calling myself a designer for 38 years. On the flip side we do need to have rules in the industry and some sort of control, if not anyone with a business card can call themselves an interior designer.  Where you fall on this topic?

After the lecture I had an hour to before my flight so I took a quick tour of the market. The collections by Mariette and Alexa at Hickory Chair were very impactful especially in the new showroom.  The overall design of the new showroom had a great flow and looked very cohesive.  

On the plane back to NY I had the pleasure of bumping into the Michael Boodro, Anita Sarsidi and Barbara Friedmann from Elle Décor. They went through the entire market and I got the overview of what they had seen which was very enlightening.

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Confused Traveler

Posted by Vicente in Travels on September 24, 2010

For my Christmas travel which I take every year,  I am going to Uzbekistan and possibly to Tajikistan. These are not places that have a lot of literature about them and I would be very grateful if anybody out there could give me some tips on where to go or any information.

Thank you,

Confused Traveler

7 Comments

Raw diet…and planning a trip!

Posted by Vicente in Random, Travels on August 25, 2010

No I’m still not mooing, though I feel like I should fall on all fours and start eating raw grass! The raw diet is going okay so far. I’ve gotten my housekeeper to start preparing raw salads, not just green but corn, tomato and cucumber salads and it’s going okay so far. I feel no extra energy. I’ve lost no extra pounds. But I guess it’s only been ten days since I started… I’m sneaking in a crakcer here and there, but at least I’m making the effort, right? Will keep you posted.

Also, help needed! Has anybody been to Uzbekistan or Tajikistan? I’m going there in January on my annual trip. If any of you have done anything great there, please let me know as I’m starting the planning process this week. I’m also going to be in St Petersburg for four days. What is not to be missed? Have you seen or eaten anything (raw or cooked!) that you’d like to share?

I’d really appreciate it.

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