Reflections on My 40 Years in Umbria

We drove to Deruta today, leaving early in order to have ample time to take the country roads route midst carpets of wild flowers, fruit trees in bloom, intensely green fields, and the VERY first poppies under the bluest of skies. We picked up the ceramic lamp base I ordered for the reception and then went to a wonderful store just a few doors away which specializes in custom lamps and lamp shades.

We picked out a deep gold-yellow shantung shade which emphasizes the gold center of the lamp base, chose a Florentine hand-braided silk border in just the right tones to accent the other colors of the base...and brought home our new lamp. I look forward to seeing it in the Reception, to ensuring that the colors, shapes, and materials coordinate well and that the direction of the light from below the shade hits the desk properly. Not until then will I be sure the best choices were made among the MANY options.

Check back in a few days to see photographs of the lamp in the Reception...and then do let me know what you think! All of this today, for just one object, reminded me, however, of a few years ago when we were working on Genius Loci, when EVERY object, wall color, fabric, design, material, furniture, bathroom fixture, stone, terracotta tile, light fixture, decorative element, etc. had to be thought of, searched for, envisioned, decided, implemented, fitted, coordinated and executed!!!!!!!!!! THAT was QUITE a job!