I have just returned from 2 heavenly spots in Italy .... Sicily and Puglia. And it was a holiday! I had forgotten how to relax and chill. As I drifted from frescos,mosaics, ruins, endless eating and drinking, the inspiration was soaring through my veins. All stresses were washed away in the exquisite transparent aqua waters of the mediterranean.
One of the dream locations in Puglia was Alistair McAlpine and his gorgeous wife Athena's Il Convento. A 14th century grey stone convent with a brilliantly stylish makeover by Athena and decorated with all the beyond amazing textiles, sculptures and art works Alistair has collected over the years, not to mention thousands of art reference books. Outside are many secret walled gardens, from cactus to English country garden to wild flowers, bonsai and rare plant specimens...a private world of creative chaos and beauty (Alistair's passion for collecting continues). A wonderful local duo of mother and son create daily dishes to die for, and served elegantly in one of the walled gardens. All too much really. I was reeling from one fabulous experience to the next....and had the pleasure of being shown some of Alistair's textile treasures he unearthed from priceless lacquered trunks with handmade indigo covers. 30 years of collecting Japanese boro and Indian kanthas. I cannot imagine anywhere else in the world with such textile treasures. Here are just a few scrumptious photos to wet your whistles.
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| MOROCCAN, INDIAN, AFRICAN CHAIRS AND CUSHIONS |
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| AFRICAN FLAGS |
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| JAPANESE INDIGO BORO, IKAT AND EMBROIDERY |
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| MOROCCAN EMBROIDERY |
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| HANDWOVEN MOROCCAN WOOL BLANKETS |
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| INDIAN KANTHAS |
