Showing posts with label figueres. Show all posts
Showing posts with label figueres. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Spain Travels: Part Two

I'm so happy about all the interest I've gotten so far from my little trip to Spain--thanks! The other things that caught my eye walking around Spain were the iron work and the doors as well.


Isn't this woodworking incredible? Sorry, this was taken at night...after some Sangria.

I love the curving in this doorway.

This is a big door to a church in Figueres.

Some of the art nouveau style that I saw all over Barcelona. Gorgeous and whimsical!

I think this is in Madrid. More of that curvy quality to it.

I couldn't not include this one. Who lived here? So gorgeous.

This is one of many intricate iron work street lamps all around Barcelona.

Rawr!

I loved these ironwork balconies just off the square in Madrid. Isn't that red incredible?

So simple and beautiful painted black.


They were all so different and beautiful. I love to look at the ironwork all around New York, but I was blown away by the amount of it in Spain. Every now and then there would be a very pretty door. I just can't help but imagine who lived there, the carpenter that made it, probably by hand, and how long it has been there? Something to think about.

Also, I've added some of my favorite pictures to Etsy. I don't mean to "sell myself" but I hope you like them!


Alicia B.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Spain Travels: Part one

Traveling is a really great way to see design from other places first hand. Pictures are great but to really take in a city, culturally, and design-wise, the only way is to visit it. Eat there, walk around, visit museums, talk to people...or just be a complete nerd, like yours truly, and take over 300 pictures in seven days so that you don't forget one thing. And try to use the Spanish that you've learned from Sesame Street twenty years ago.

A Gaudi house in Barcelona

So, after all the great guesses I got (none), you got it, I went to Spain! I arrived in Madrid with the parents and met up with my younger sister, then we traveled up to Barcelona, Figueres, and Cadaques. I was blown away by Barcelona. I think it was my favorite place of the trip--the architecture there is amazing. It's a mix of Gaudi masterpieces, art nouveau, traditional Spanish architecture and mixed in when you're not expecting it are some great modern buildings.

Today's feature is the tile work. The tile work all over Spain was gorgeous. It's authentic and evokes the feeling of true craftsmanship when you look at it. I took lots of pics of it to put up on here so I hope you enjoy it too. It's such a beautiful design feature.



Store front tiles.

I love this rich blue and white one.

This is taken at a construction site in Toledo. I hope they don't destroy this original tile work!


Tiles in the foyer of just a regular walk up apartment building.

Taken at Park Guell. Amazed.


Stairway taken at an unassuming restaurant in Toledo.

Pretty stairway in Cadaques.

Most of these tiles were just right there in a regular Spanish house, not in someones high end penthouse. Next stop: Iron work around Spain!



Alicia B.