Thursday, November 15, 2007

Italia week: design

Italy is known for more than just red-tape. When is come to home design Italy is a major player in this world. There is section of Beverly Boulevard here that is home to several stores, like Alessi, Kartell, B&B Italia, Armani Casa, Cappellini etc.

I just love these Philippe Stark Louis Ghost Chairs from Kartell.



Based on a Louis XV chair this design works in almost any decor. They have chairs without the arms that come in a variety of colors. It doesn't make sense for me to buy one now (plus it's not in my budget) given my move. Maybe I'll get one for my desk when I move to Rome. Although with the poor exchange rate it will be painful.

Speaking of exchange rates, I went to the bank to get some Euros the dollar was at $1.53 to the Euro. WTF!! When is the slide going to end?

11 comments:

erin said...

oh ack! **covering my ears** my motto is "hear no evil" (about the exchange rate) b/c it just makes me sick and stresses me out. Our savings are quickly depleting here but I'm sure we won't regret it...it will just be how to we figure out how to stay here past the year we saved up for. I guess I have to start looking for a job that pays in Euros

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

Chris & Erin - My poor parents' pensions are in dollars. They live on French island. ouch.

I saw on the news the model Giselle said she did not want to be paid in dollars only Euros. You know things are bad when models don't want your currency. ha.

Keep us posted on the job search.

Jen said...

I was waiting for the design post! This is my fave thing about Italian culture (other than food!) I just love to see what the Italian design world will come up with next.

Roam2Rome said...

...is it $1.53 already? Wow! I'm sure most expats in Europe are really feeling it by now...

Romerican said...

I LOVE Kartell!!

Anonymous said...

Wow!! That exchange rate really hurts just reading about it!

Kataroma said...

Thank GOD I earn Euros. May salary may only be a pitiful Italian one but it's looking better every day...

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

jen - I'm looking forward to checking out the design expo in Milan.

roam 2 rome - And economists are saying the slide could get worse.

romerican - so do I.

j. doe - I am trying not to think about it. Nothing I can do to change it. For my European friends it's amazing.

kataroma - yes you are fortunate. It must be so tough for folks who are retired or living off a salary in dollars.

Michellanea said...

If you are going to spend any time in Milan on your trip, there is plenty of design to be seen here. Well, take heart on the Euro thing. My salary in New York (from eight years ago) if translated into Euros with the current exchange rate is STILL more than I make here today. Yes the Euro is strong but salaries are still very low here. And I'm lucky to have the measly salary I have in Italy - many people actually are willing to work for free (which I still haven't figured out)!

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

michellanea - I don't think I will be able to see much on this trip...it's so short but hopefully next year I will.

I should have added to my comment regarding my my European friends. I meant as it related to them coming to the States for business meetings or vacations. They love "the bargains", esp. those from the U.K. I, on the other hand am worried about my move next year with the dollar's slide. I know these things go in cycles and some day the dollar will be stronger. I just hope it's sometime this decade!

Michellanea said...

I know what you mean. When I moved here, the dollar was very strong on the lira (then the Euro) and I still had student loans in dollars but was making money in lire. Where I just don't feel a lot of sympathy is when friends come over and complain about how expensive the Prada is. Um, I make money in Euros and don't have anywhere near the buying power they do here, so their complaints fall on deaf ears with me. Anyway, these things go in cycles. I've seen a strong dollar, a weak dollar, a one-to-one dollar. You'll be fine!