Archive for category Architecture
Preserving Napa Valley’s Barns-via Santa Rosa Interior Design
Posted by Irene Turner in Architecture on August 31, 2010
The Beauty of Wood in the state of pleasing decay is one of Natures special masterpieces. Often a plain board from a barn is so remarkable in it’s composition-grains and knots and shades of weathered gray–That it could be framed and hung just as any modern painting is. And the old barn, growing moss and lichens, crumbling into decay, can be more a work of art than a new building. It is all in ones manner of thinking. Eric Sloane, An Age of Barns
What a fabulous week end we had here in Northern California’s wine country…and as an extra special event the Preservation Napa Valley Organization held their yearly Barn tour to raise money to help preserve these beautiful barns. It was a great way to spend a slow Sunday relaxing. The sun was out, the sky was blue, the food was delicious, the people were enjoying themselves and the barns were fabulous! Thanks to Napa Valley Life Magazine for informing me of this great event.
The Barns on the tour
- Raven Barn at Adastra Vineyards is a beautiful steel grey-blue, and is surrounded by gardens, an old water tank house, a farmhouse, a granary and a variety of other neat, old farm buildings. This barn was the hub of the event highlighting music by the Cobb Stompers, fabulous Slow Food, and info tables. Adastra is known for its outstanding small production, organic wine.
- Henry Ranch, a very special place, was long ago a fully functioning dairy ranch, replete with roaming pigs, calves, working horses, stacked loose hay, chickens and more. It is also the long time home of Herbie Henry, the last family member of the Henrys who originally purchased this property in 1850. The ranch was purchased by V. Sattui Winery in 1993 and is now their vineyard management base.
- Peters Barn at Vine Village is but one part of Napa’s best kept secret: Vine Village. In 1972 George and Grace Kerson purchased this property to create a non-profit organization who’s goal is to ‘provide people with special needs the same quality of life through innovative vocational, residential and creative arts opportunities. It is a happy, beautiful and inspiring place to visit!
- Sciligo Barn is the largest barn in the Carneros region. The Sciligo Barn was once home to a dairy farm housing a large herd of milk cows. The property was once part of Salvador Vallejo’s 3000 acre Rancho de Napa (one of 10+ Mexican land grants in Napa) before Italian Antone Joseph Sciligo bought it. The 1880 Napa census lists Sciligo’s profession as “dairyman.” A sturdy redwood barn and the fire-scorched, stone remnants of two 135 year old house foundations are the remainders of the pioneers who first settled this property in northern Carneros.
All in all it was a great day. And…part of my program to take beauty breaks and slow down long enough to enjoy them!
What do you do to slow down and enjoy the beauty around you? I invite you to share your secrets in the comment section below!
It’s definitely a Little Bit of Beauty™, both that a community would come together to preserve these barns, and the barns themselves…enjoy the tour!
Slow Home: a Conversation via Irene Turner at Home & Napa Valley Life Magazine
Posted by Irene Turner in Architecture, Home, Personal Style & Well being, Sustainability on August 17, 2010
Today I had a great time speaking with Kari Ruel, publisher of Napa Valley Life Magazine and Kellie Fuller from Kellie In The Morning at 99.3 The Vine and 1440 KVON, on their Sustainable Life segment. The subject…Slow Home! You can listen to the show (only about 10 minutes) down at the bottom of the blog…in the meantime, this post includes all the information…and more! I’d love your comments on what YOU do in your home to sustain and balance your life…Enjoy!
Sloooooowwwww Hooooommme…think about it.
Don’t you just want to stop a minute, close your eyes and breath? That’s the essence of a Slow Home.
Slow Home is about
- Simplifying
- Slowing down
- And Sustaining your life
What better place to do that then at home? As our lives continue to speed up… communication zipping around the world in a matter of seconds and an overload of information coming at us from all directions…we have lost track of a way of life that connects us to ourselves, each other, our community and our world at large. The speed at which we live is fact…it is not going away, if anything it will continue to increase.
A Slow Home (also an architecture firm in Calgary Canada who is studying housing plans to help define and design a well thought out home….they have defined this movement best to date)…it’s the opposite of our cultures fast pace mindset. It’s what we call a house that is simple to live in, light on the environment and of course…BEAUTIFUL. A Slow Home is designed to support and reflect the personal lives of all the people who live there. It is a landing pad, a place to unplug from the world at large, re-charge your batteries physically, mentally, emotionally…and surround yourself with beauty that uplifts your spirit…all in a way that’s personal to you!
This Slow Home movement is a springboard off of Slow Food, which arose as a reaction to the processed food industry. Whether it’s in food, travel, parenting or urban/residential design, slowing down is much needed to help maintain balance in our lives. Living in the Slow Food Capital of the USA, and being an interior designer, I’ve taken it on as a personal mission to find out and consolidate information on this cutting edge trend that is taking the design world by storm!
Slow Home is a reaction to the sprawl of cookie cutter housing that surrounds us, and like fast food is to fresh, organic and sustainable food…a standardized, homogenous house is to a simpler, sustainable and more intimate home.
The difference between our urban sprawl and a Slow Home is not defined by style, size, age, type or cost but by the quality and intent of the underlying design. It is not formulaic, but rather very personal. It’s about:
- The space as a whole, seamlessly supporting the daily lives of the people living in it
- How efficiently the space is organized and flows
- How effectively each individual room functions.
- The overall simplicity of beauty and design
- A sustainable and healthy environment
- Supporting community through the use of local materials and product wherever possible
The idea is to reduce, re-use, re-purpose and recycle. This isn’t a new concept; it’s just that in our new economy we’ve become more aware of this…again. People downsizing, rightsizing, and simplifying.
What can you do to begin to create a Slow Home right now, right where you are?
- Re-Purpose-donate, give away, have a garage sale for all the things you no longer use or need.
- Re-Cycle: declutter and get rid of all the old paperwork and broken objects , turning them into something productive.
- Re-Fresh: paint your home…color as paint is the least expensive way to re-fresh the look and feel of a space.
- Re-Energize: move your furniture around. Things that never move are stagnant and create stagnant energy. By simply moving things and cleaning out, energy will be able to move freely again.
- Re-Integrate: move into your space as if it was brand new. Look at it without putting traditional names to the space. Perhaps you could re-purpose a room. For example could the formal dining room you never use better serve you and your family as a library, office or craft room?
- Re-do: it is more sustainable to renovate your existing home, making it more user friendly for you and your family then to sell and buy new. Even in the current housing market there are certain trends that are emerging that will add value to your home plus beauty and emotional satisfaction to your everyday life!
What will you do to create your Slow Home?
You can listen to the show through the link below…Cheers!
SustainableLife081710IreneTurner
Yurts Can Be Beautiful!-via Santa Rosa Interior Design
Posted by Irene Turner in Architecture, Sustainability on July 28, 2010
What is a Yurt?
A yurt is a portable, felt covered, wood lattice-framed dwelling structure used by nomads and others in the steppes and cities of Central Asia. The very word yurt is originally from the Turkic word that means “dwelling place” in the sense of “homeland”. Yurts are centuries old and they are thought to have originated in Mongolia and what is now Turkey, Northern Iran and Afghanistan, by nomadic tribes.
Yurt Info speaks of the origins of the yurt, otherwise known as the ger:
Trees were scarce, so the herders drew from their animals to create shelter. They layered sheep’s wool, sprinkled it with water and worked it into felted mats.Roof struts made from saplings were slipped into a central wooden ring, then tied to the top of circular lattice walls and covered with the felted mats. The herders tied the felt to the roof and walls with ropes and belts made from animal hair. In the winter extra mats were added for warmth; in the summer fewer layers were used. Sections could be raised or even completely removed in hot weather to allow for airflow through the shelter.
The original word for “nomad” came from a word for felt, making the nomads “felt people”. These felt people called their circular, lattice-walled shelters “home. It was a shelter that enabled them to live sustainably in the harshest of climates, to move with their herds, to live in tribal communities and raise their families century upon century in a manner that was simple yet comfortable and in balance with the world around them.
For Mongolians, the ger is more than their traveling shelter on the Asian steppes; it is their centering point in a moving universe. The internal floor plan of the ger is based on the four directions, much like the Native American Medicine Wheel or the Navajo hogan. The door always opens to the south. Opposite the door, sacred space is to the North. If the family is Buddhist, this is where the altar sits. It is also the place of the seat of honor for guests.
The circularity of the yurt is perfect for nomadic uses. The circle encompasses the greatest space possible internally for the amount of materials used. At the same time, the circular shape leaves the least amount of exterior surface exposed to the elements (thus making it more efficient to heat) and leaves fewer surfaces exposed to wind, which very naturally moves around it since there are no corners.
When North Americans use the term “yurt”, they are referring, not to the Central Asian ger, but to a version made from modern materials, including steel aircraft cable and architectural fabrics. Behind the development of this new form of shelter lies a story of visionary designers and a movement committed to principles of simplicity and sustainability. And I’ve found that many of them can be very beautiful.
One of my favorite companies is a yurt to go company. They are literally making “tent” yurts that can be set up by two people in about an hour…a great idea for:
- a private home office space
- a guest room
- a pool room
- a play room
- a meditation space
- a yoga studio
- a art studio
Check out these yurt images and tell me that you don’t think they are a Little Bit of Beauty™! Now tell me…could you see yourself in one? And how?
For more information on Yurts to vacation in or to buy, check these out:
shelter systems
Colorado Yurts
Rainier Yurts
Scottish Storytelling Yurts
Treebones Resort-Big Sur
One Of Places-Europe
The Chapel at Sea Ranch-via Santa Rosa Interior Design
Posted by Irene Turner in Architecture on July 15, 2010
Have you ever been to a space that is truly spiritual in feel and nature? When I first moved to California in 2001, I did a lot of trekking along the coast to acclimate myself to my new home. Having always loved design I had heard of Sea Ranch, a planned community known for it’s distinctive architecture, and decided to visit. What I didn’t expect to find and was completely delighted with was the Sea Ranch Chapel.
Sea Ranch Chapel is a non-denominational sanctuary for prayer, meditation, and spiritual renewal. The Chapel was a gift from Robert and Betty Buffum, who envisioned this meditative spot and created it from inception through execution with the help of James T. Hubbell, the architect. It was their hope that all who enter will find a measure of peace in the blending of art and purpose amid surroundings of beauty and inspiration.
The roof gives a sense of a sweeping and lifting movement. Its structure is inspired by winged forms, yet can be read in a number of different ways. I’ve heard it describe as evocative of the oceans waves, a bird in flight, a mushroom, a ladies hat and a ladies sweeping skirt!
Panorama of the chapel interior courtesy of Ian Wright Photography
The materials used range from the cedar roof accented with copper and bronze, to teak doors and redwood throughout. Hubbell, who is from San Diego assembled a local team of craftsman, sculptors and landscapers to realize his vision…one that evokes a sense of harmony with its surroundings by echoing elements of the forest, meadow, and sky.
The Chapel is dedicated to the memory of Kirk Ditzler, a young artist, aviator, and zoologist who believed that art is the intermediary between the physical and the spiritual. Ditzler’s drawings influenced the design, and the soaring lines of the structure and are reminiscent of his art.
The Contractor, Bruce Johnson said that “the building is not intended for one community, but for whoever should find their way to the Chapel”. I found my way there in 2001…and, in 2005 I married my husband there, in the eyes of nature and 21 family members. For me, Progressive Architecture Magazine said it best…
“Inspired by drawings of winged forms, the Sea Ranch meditation chapel resembles a fluttering object that has alighted in the meadowland between the ocean and the coastal mountains, a UFO that was summoned here and may one day take off again. For now, it is cradled in a stonework base; a stone path surrounds it and merges with other stone formations that trail off into the earth.”
I invite you to visit the chapel and take a look at the fantastic details of the building itself, the stunning coast line drive to get up there, and a few pictures of the Sea Ranch Community in the video below.
For me it is a work of art and definitely a Little Bit of Beauty™!
What do you think it looks like? I invite you to leave your impressions in the comment section below.
5 Eco-Friendly Bathroom Trends
Posted by Irene Turner in Architecture, Home, Sustainability on April 1, 2010
With a growing awareness of the environment, many consumers are starting to invest in more environmentally-friendly bathroom features. Designer bathrooms, which use stylish eco-friendly products, prove that green doesn’t mean frumpy.
Universal design
Refers to making your home convenient, efficient, and safe for family members of all ages. Designing for accessibility and ergonomic efficiency supports the tenants of green building as it makes your home “people-friendly.” Includes such things as:
- no curb showers
- room for wheel chair access
- grab bars (that don’t have to look institutional anymore!)
- wheelchair access sink
Floors
- Bamboo
- Reclaimed Wood
- Re-cyled Tile
- Marmoluem—Pretty, inexpensive, and durable. This is made from some of the most sustainable materials ever offered (linseed oil, wood flour, rosin, limestone, and jute.) It now comes in a whole new line of fantastic colors. It’s warm, and feels good on the feet.
Countertops & Tile
- Enviromode is a new surface made from pre-consumer Kohler toilets, tubs and sinks. It brings the ancient craft of Terrazzo into the 21st century by combining a choice of epoxy resin or cementitious binder with crushed, recycled porcelain chips.glass tiles made of recycled glass.
- Vetrazzo or Ice Stone for counter tops.
- re-cycled glass for bold, colorful and graphic designs!
Energy
- Insulating your water heater and lowering the thermostat to 120 degrees makes a difference in the amount of energy used to heat your water
- Energy efficient lighting
Water
- The idea that the bathroom should be a relaxing sanctuary has resulted in showers with lots of jets, huge shower heads on horizontal arms and double showers for couples to enjoy together. Although this sounds like a contradiction of the water saving ethos, all new showerheads on the market are required to have a water-efficiency rating. And of course low-flow showerhead can reduce water consumption by 30%
- A grey water converter…saves the water used from the shower or bath to a collection container and can be used for watering your garden
- If your bathroom’s toilet has been updated since 1994, when a federal mandate was issued, then you have a “low-flow toilet” that uses 1.6 gallons per flush; before that, a toilet might flush 3.5 gallons each time you hit the handle. So if you haven’t replaced your toilet in the last 15 years or so, that’s definitely job one; if you have, here are some other options that’ll save even more water.
- Eco Bath System by designer Jang Woo Seok, is a new concept that combines the functions of a sink and toilet bowl. Drawing inspiration from the natural flow of water on earth, the Eco Bath System accumulates the water used to wash your hands and reuses it to clean the toilet. This inspirational design satisfies the consumers in terms of efficiency as well as design.
Did You Know?
- 21% of household water use comes from the shower
- 26% of household water use comes from flushing the toilet
- The average American uses 80 to 100 gallons of water a day. The rest of the world, on average, uses 2.5 gallons
The Getty Museum Gardens
Posted by Irene Turner in Architecture, Art, Nature on March 30, 2010
I love visiting the Getty Museum and especially the gardens there. In every season the gardens change and unless you stand on the edge and look down at the panorama that is Los Angeles, you can completely loose yourself in the midst of a water filled garden both natural and formal at the same time.
The overall landscaping is designed by Laurie Olin, and complements and enhances Richard Meier’s architectural design, providing a balance between man-made and the natural. Its color scheme is primarily lavender and white, perhaps not coincidentally the colors of one of the museum’s prized paintings, Van Gogh’s Irises.
The piece de resistance of the Getty Museum’s gardens is the 134,000 square foot Central Garden, conceived by artist Robert Irwin who was quoted as saying that the Central Garden “is a sculpture in the form of a garden, which aims to be art” Gardeners work year round to tend over 300 plants in Irwin’s ever-changing creation and installation. The garden’s design is precise in every detail. Rocks are placed to change water’s sound as you walk down the zigzagging path. Colors blend so subtly that red and orange transform into white and pink within a few steps, leaving no memory of the transition. The Central Garden has inspired much debate between lovers and critics of this unusual masterpiece.
Robert Irwin began planning the Central Garden in 1992, as a key part of the Getty Center project. Since the Center opened in 1997, the Central Garden has evolved as its plants have grown and been trimmed. New plants are constantly being added to the palette. Irwin’s statement, “Always changing, never twice the same,” is carved into the plaza floor, reminding visitors of the ever-changing nature of this living work of art.
The Getty Museum and its lovely gardens are a must visit for anyone in the Los Angeles vicinity. Tickets are free! The address is…1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, California 90049
For more information I recommend the Robert Irwin Getty Garden Book!
The Art and Soul of Persia!
Posted by Irene Turner in Architecture, Art, Travel on February 23, 2010
There is a special beauty in traveling to a part of our world that is so different from our daily life that it transports us to another time and space. The many splendors of Persia, or Iran, have always held a fascination for me because of the exotic and rich nature of it’s ancient history. I’m fortunate to have been introduced to the wonders of Iran at an early age through the people. With my father entertaining Iranian clients in our home, to meeting my soul sister, an Iranian student and my college roommate, I saw their world through them.
Recently, over a glass of wine, vineyard owner and world traveler Ellen Mack, told me about her trip to Iran in 2008. Her obvious admiration for and appreciation of the beauty she saw inspired me to put together this post. Thanks to her for taking such fabulous photographs which truly show the Art and Soul of the Persian People! (click on “Full Screen” for best view)
6 Little Known Facts about Iran!
1. Persia or Iran, has one of the richest and oldest cultures in the world. For more than three thousand years, Persia was a melting pot of civilizations between Asia and Europe. Under Cyrus the Great, it became the center of the world’s first empire. Successive invasions by the Greeks, Arabs, Mongols and Turks developed the nation’s culture through rich and diverse philosophical, artistic, scientific and religious influence.
2. The Persian Empire became the dominant world power for over two centuries between 550-330 BC. It made possible the first continuous contact between East and West. It was the world’s first religiously tolerant empire and consisted of a multitude of different languages, races, religions and cultures. Prior to the rise of the Roman Empire, it set a precedent for the importance of the rule of law, a powerful centralized army and an efficient and systematic state administration. However, the greatest legacy of the Persian Empire was that it demonstrated for the first time how diverse peoples can culturally flourish and economically prosper under one central government.
3. Today Iran can boast seven UNESCO World Heritage (UWH) sites.
4. It is known for much beauty derived from Art such as tiles, rugs, music & poetry (especially Rumi and Hafiz, my personal favorites); Magnificent Architecture; and most of all the heart of it’s people.
5. Besides oil, Iran is one of the world’s biggest producers of luxury foods. The country has the fishing rights for most of the sturgeon – the source of caviar. It is also the world’s biggest producer of pistachios, as well as saffron.
6. Iran boasts thriving bazaars, the most educated people, especially women, in the Middle East…and still maintains the splendor of its ancient culture!
What ancient world to you dream of traveling to?
Transported By Beauty II: Winter Meditation
Posted by Irene Turner in Architecture, Nature, Spirit on February 18, 2010
You all know how I love being Transported by Beauty. On December 3rd of last year I blogged about the beauty of the Cloisters in NYC. I love the Cloisters…the art, the architecture, the gardens, the view of the Hudson and the Palisades across the river. Fort Tyron is my favorite park in the city!
When I lived in New York, it was my place to escape to when I needed a break and a place to feel the quiet. To this day, every time I am in the city, I trek up to 192nd Street on the A train, and escape to this place from another time. What is it about the Energetics of Space™ that can transport you to another time and place?
Recently, a friend of mine posted some winter scenes of the cloisters on Face Book. Looking at the pictures reminded me of the beauty of winter and…of course, the quiet of the Cloisters. Living in Northern California now, I’d forgotten the beauty of the snow…the silence…the way it draws you inside yourself where peace resides. The hush of these pictures reminded me of all of this.
Thank you Vidura Barrios, for capturing the beauty of winter at the Cloisters.
Where do you go to be transported by the beauty of quiet?
A Glimpse Into Future Housing-The Lumenhaus
Posted by Irene Turner in Architecture, Sustainability on January 26, 2010
I recently read about LUMENHAUS and fell in love with the design, the technology and a glimpse into what housing can be like for our children! Designed by a collaboration of Virginia Tech Students from different academic departments, the 800 square foot LUMENHAUS was their 2009 entry to the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon competition.
LUMEN means “the power of light.” HAUS is a reference to the BauHaus movement, and architect Mies Van Der Rohe, whose Farnsworth House inspired LUMENHAUS. LUMENHAUS does more than literally deliver a brighter day, however. LUMENHAUS epitomizes a “whole building design” construction approach, in which all the home’s components and systems have been designed to work together to maximize user comfort with environmental protection.
LUMENHAUS uses technology optimally to make the owner’s life simpler, more energy efficient and less expensive. On the cutting edge of responsive architecture, LUMENHAUS can operate completely self sufficiently, responding to environmental changes automatically to balance energy efficiency with user comfort.
LUMENHAUS is a zero-energy home that is completely powered by the sun. Other sustainable features include the use of passive energy systems, radiant heating and building materials that are from renewable and/or recyclable sources. The house is set up to produce more energy than it needs which means it is giving back to the environment even on lazy days.
Because I am so blown away, tickled actually, with this house I am including two videos that show this fabulous design in technological and physical detail. I simply had to include the second video on the kitchen as this is always the biggest challenge in small housing, and they dealt with it efficiently and beautifully! They are well worth the view. Let me know if you are as blown away as I am, I’d love to hear.
A Way to Help Haiti Re-Build: Architecture For Humanity
Posted by Irene Turner in Architecture, Giving Back on January 21, 2010
The devastation in Haiti is incomprehensible to us as we sit in our dry and snug homes. The sheer horror of lost family members, homes and lack of any form of comfort is devestating. I have been struggling as to how to help, and affect change as the Haitians begin to move forward and try to re-build their lives.
I heard about Architecture For Humanity from Michelle Kauffman’s blog post on Prefab Green’s Call to Action. Since I have a lot of respect for Michelle and her work in designing affordable green prefabricated housing, I had to explore this avenue.
What I found is a solid and very productive way to donate either time and/or money. Architecture For Humanity primarily works in the reconstruction phase of post disaster situations and will be focused on transitional and permanent housing and community structures. They are partnering with AIDG, Yele Haiti and other local group by supplying them: pro bono construction and design professionals; setting up community housing resource centers and support in the design and building of earthquake resistant structures; and, in producing french and creole versions of their rebuilding 101 manual (used heavily after Hurricane Katrina) and a earthquake resistant housing manual.
- Right now the need is relief and recovery but very soon it will be long term reconstruction. Beyond the pre-existing issues with the building stock re-builders need to think about upgrading and restoring in a sustainable manner. The NGOs focused on rebuilding need to be aware that in areas of great need structures are usually rebuilt in unsafe ways by well intentioned volunteers.
For more information on how you can help, check out the Open Architecture Network, and join in with these organizations who are committed to the rebuilding in a sustainable and safe way.
Green Pre Fab Home
Posted by Irene Turner in Architecture, Home, Nature, Sustainability on December 7, 2009
Pre Fab Homes can stand for Pretty Fabulous! Marin based Michelle Kaufmann first came out with her eco friendly, pre fabricated glidehouse in 2004 and it’s is still a beautiful and viable answer to modern home construction in our world today.
The Glidehouse was designed “to collaborate with nature.” Built with eco-materials and made for solar, wind, or geothermal power, the “glide” in the prefab house’s name refers to both the wall of sliding glass on one side of the building and the bank of storage opposite. Sliding wood panels give you the option to use the shelves either as display or as a hidden clutter-catcher. Naturally, the glass wall helps out with lighting and heating, meaning the electricity bill will be lower even if you do connect the Glide to the grid.
Some eco features of the Glidehouse include:
- using healthy finishes such as non-toxic paints and formaldehyde-free cabinetry.
- meets the Energy Star® program standards for energy efficient homes and meets the performance standards of the American Lung Association Health House program.
- insulated with an air-barrier, open cell foam insulation, and all wood-to-wood framing joints are caulked, which makes the home airtight, energy efficient, and less likely to produce mold.
- uses water-saving plumbing fixtures, on-demand water heaters, and a mechanical ventilation system that is 30% more efficient than typical forced-air systems.
- energy efficient, dual-pane glass windows and doors are placed throughout the home maximizes cross-ventilation and natural lighting, minimizing the need for artificial lighting and climate control.
Since 2004, Michelle and other architects and designers have come out with other models that have expanded on, and hopefully are changing, the notion of what a pre fab or modular home can be.
While Michelle has recently closed her company she has joined forces with BluHomes, a privately owned business that uses quality design, sustainable materials and leading technology to build pretty fabulous pre fab homes.
There are many design elements that still need to be improved to be totally energy efficient. However, I am encouraged by the strides that Michelle and other designers have made to design beauty wholistically. A design and construction model that is sustainable and more affordable then our traditional construction practices. I believe that this is another way that our world is changing for the better as we move forward in the 21st Century. Take a tour and hear Michelles philosophy below.
Transported by Beauty!
Posted by Irene Turner in Architecture, Spirit on December 3, 2009
I think of all the places I go to get transported to another realm, another place, another mindset…The Cloisters in NYC is one of those places, especially in the fall! The cool crisp air, with the smell of fallen leaves…the view from the windows of the Hudson River flowing below…the colors…the stone…and when you go after 3 in the afternoon, Gregorian chants play taking me to a different century and a different land. I am transported in bliss and all else falls away! What is it about the energy in that place that “feels” different? All I know is that when I lived in NYC, when I needed an escape I went there…and today, when I visit I always go back.
Where do you go to get transported by beauty? Do you have a special place?
Comment and/ or send pics, video or slide show and I’ll share your post.
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