Semiramis mosaic swimming pool

Semiramis, an alternative and stylish hotel in Athens Greece is the result of Karim Rashid artistic impact fused with owner Dakis Joannou’s vision. The hotel is distinguished for its colours, positive energy and design. Its location is rather a surprise. Right in the centre of Athens!

Upon a reader's comment I was reminded that I should do a post on this hotel considering the lovely mosaic swimming pool. Thank you for reminding me.

I will be blogging again in September.

My dear friends, have a cool summer!


images via http://cubeme.com/blog/2007/08/08/semiramis-hotel-by-karim-rashid/
last two images from http://semiramis.athenshotels.it

Faenza's lovely maioliche

Faenza is a little town close to Ravenna which I remember vividly because when I did the mosaic course in Ravenna we went for a little tour with some of the other students to see the place and the wonderful ceramics (maioliche) they produce which Faenza is famous for. I remember I bought a plate for my mother. I recommend those wanting to go to Ravenna to find the time to visit Faenza too.

View some wonderful pottery artifacts on http://www.micfaenza.org.

The most opulent swimming pool

I wanted to add a refreshing summer tone to the blog today considering the weather, the mood and the all so many dream destinations.

I chose this spectacular, lavishing swimming pool to share with you.

The pool is in Gianni Versace’s former mansion in Miami formerly known as Casa Casuarina now The Villa by Barton G.

 The pool is named the "Thousand Mosaic Pool" and some mosaic tiles are actually made of gold.

photo from here 

ps: I take the occasion to say WELCOME to my new followers!

The (Byzantine) Dream

Have I died and gone to heaven?

I just can't believe what I see! Mosaic tiles on a dress !

The glamour and sophistication of this outfit is more than a dream!

And the collection includes shoes ! I wonder if they are close to what the real shoes in Byzantium looked like. To what Anna Comnena or Empress Irene or Theodora wore.

Of course !

Pinch me. I am still dreaming.

If the devil wears Prada, the heavens wear Byzance Chanel Collection.

Follow your dreams.

Set your goals according to your heart's desire
and forget about how sensible it may or may not sound.
There has to be a way to do it
feel, think, act


Do not ever "let the past bury its dead"...you know what I mean!

What was the source of inspiration for Chanel Byzance Collection ?

View my previous post here and listen to Karl Lagerfeld's interview.

View more chanel on their website here

A detailed British historical documentary on the Byzantines from youtube here

Mt. Olympus, sea of Pieria, mosaics: a heavenly mix

First of all I must thank blogger A Brit Greek for sending me these pictures she took last year. The mosaics illustrated are from ancient Dion in Pieria, Greece. I never got round to posting them until now. Feels like "old times" here in Mosaicology when I first started this blog and was mainly focused on history and places.

Since Dion is close to the sea, let's take a swim in the seas of Pieria! The most notable are Litochoro and Platamonas.

The most prominent attraction of the region however is none other than Olympus mountain.

Information about Dion and its mosaics
http://www.ancientdion.org/

Pieria Hotels and Tourism information
http://www.hotelsline.gr/root/newhotel/mx/m_Pieria_tour.asp
http://www.vacationsingreece.gr:

The driving distance from Dion to main city Thessaloniki is 59 miles / 94 km.

I will end this post with something that made me happy. I stumbled upon a blog of the city council of Dion-Olympos where there was a post on mosaic courses held this summer.

I loved the picture - mosaic making process at its best! and I am sharing it with you!!!

The courses have started on the 10th of June. I recommend my Greek speaking followers to visit the blog http://dionolympos.blogspot.com and the mosaic courses post here.

(Οι Έλληνες αναγνώστες μου μπορούν να επισκεφθούν το ιστολόγιο του δήμου του Δίον-Ολύμπου εδώ όπου θα βρουν πληροφορίες για τα σεμινάρια ψηφιδωτού που δυστυχώς έχουν ξεκινήσει στις 10 Ιουνίου, δεν πειράζει, καλό είναι να γνωρίζουμε ότι υπάρχουν αυτές οι υπέροχες πρωτοβουλίες!)

"Motherhood" with Uma Thurman, the movie all full-time moms should see

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While writing this post my little one is climbing on the desk and will soon be all over the keyboard. Need I say more? !!! This is a 2009 film but those who have not seen it, they must!

ps: Sorry if you could not see the picture when I initially posted...imbd regulations.

It's opera time!

Stella Georgiou, a wonderful soprano and a friend of mine who is based in Italy, sings Othello. I wanted "the world" to listen to her voice. (Stella can be contacted via email here).

Enjoy!

Transform your coat with mosaic

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Revamp your or his coat (can it be done on a T shirt?) by adding two squares as if mosaic tiles like this gentleman here. For the ladies, opt for a glittery effect. I love it. Perhaps I could even try this!

Madam Butterfly

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Sharing a beautiful image from Madam Butterfly.

A beautiful pebble mosaic

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Chrysanthi is one of my most recent followers and she made these wonderful pebble mosaics that I have been meaning to share with you.

See more pebble mosaics on mosaicology here