One of my first loves is food..but I have been known to have a fondness for Fashion and when in the kitchen-a home one or a professional kitchen-I am perplexed with a dilemma..wanting to always look ’smashing’ in the kitchen but wanting to make the food look and taste ’smashing’ as well…not as easy to do as it looks on TV

The other day my better half  commented, as I was lovingly preparing the risotto  ‘a deux’ “La Befana, but Christmas is over” (La befana is the good Christmas witch)..I realized I was taking the comfort of my home kitchen too lightly..baggy sweater, baggy comfy pants..baggy apron..hair pulled back in a frizzed out ponytail…ahhhh!! what have I done….so today I set out to find a solution to the fashion in the kitchen problem..ambiance has everything to do with food..and the cook is part of the ambiance…

Just in time for Valentine’s Day..apron elegance has beautiful stylish aprons so you can add some  style to any kitchen..

How  to accomplish both?…after all you should look just as smashing as your food tastes..

With these aprons..I will never be mistaken for La Befana..but maybe cupid or well someone else that is sweet and sassy…

For recipes and menus for Valentines’s Day

Mangia Bene, Vivi Bene

Maria

visit me at OpenSky

copyright 2009, Maria Liberati

Editor: Marsha Huber

Italians are known to have a flair for design. Their love for their home goes above the norm. Italian homes, no matter what size, small or large, or decorated and arranged in unique and beautiful ways. The characteristics of Italian designers are open, well-lighted, airy spaces while designing to create beauty along with maximum comfort, functionality, and appeal. They have dominated the design market since the mid-forties and even carried their efforts of design into furniture design which has had a clear role as a global trendsetter.

A second characteristic of Italian designers is trying to bring as much of the exterior into the interior of a house. This is done by the use of the strategic placement of windows that open up into the garden. Also the use of floating ceilings and open kitchens gives a feeling of space. Most Italian designers like the uncluttered look of a home which adds to the appeal of a room being larger than it is.

Many of Italy’s houses have survived from the past showing their durability while not sacrificing beauty like the Tuscan Villas and the Mediterranean beach houses. Italian designers’ fine taste began as a hobby of the Italian nobility from Roman times and it has stay with them from generation to generation. This culture is dominated by beauty and creativity which we have seen though art, design, and architecture. The Italians’ idea for good design should inundate design and products for all levels of society.

Even in the smallest houses created today, Italian designers are one of a kind. They allocate space, doors, and windows to give a feeling of open space. Along with the lighting and furniture placement, these houses have an appeal for the human eye. The furniture used is often multi-functional to get the most space and use possible. For example a sofa may be used as a sofa during the day and changed into a pull-out bed in the evening.

If there is a need for a good designer, find an Italian designer and implement his or her ideas into your home. You will marvel over the creation.

Italians are known to have a flair for design. Their love for their home goes above the norm. Italian homes, no matter what size, small or large, or decorated and arranged in unique and beautiful ways. The characteristics of Italian designers are open, well-lighted, airy spaces while designing to create beauty along with maximum comfort, functionality, and appeal. They have dominated the design market since the mid-forties and even carried their efforts of design into furniture design which has had a clear role as a global trendsetter.

A second characteristic of Italian designers is trying to bring as much of the exterior into the interior of a house. This is done by the use of the strategic placement of windows that open up into the garden. Also the use of floating ceilings and open kitchens gives a feeling of space. Most Italian designers like the uncluttered look of a home which adds to the appeal of a room being larger than it is.

Many of Italy’s houses have survived from the past showing their durability while not sacrificing beauty like the Tuscan Villas and the Mediterranean beach houses. Italian designers’ fine taste began as a hobby of the Italian nobility from Roman times and it has stay with them from generation to generation. This culture is dominated by beauty and creativity which we have seen though art, design, and architecture. The Italians’ idea for good design should inundate design and products for all levels of society.

Even in the smallest houses created today, Italian designers are one of a kind. They allocate space, doors, and windows to give a feeling of open space. Along with the lighting and furniture placement, these houses have an appeal for the human eye. The furniture used is often multi-functional to get the most space and use possible. For example a sofa may be used as a sofa during the day and changed into a pull-out bed in the evening.

 If there is a need for a good designer, find an Italian designer and implement his or her ideas into your home. You will marvel over the creation

For recipes get your copy of The Basic Art of Italian Cooking:Holidays & Special Occasions

Hope to see you at some upcoming appearances including:
*Nov 2nd-Willingboro Library, Willingboro, NJ

Nov 14-Warren Twp Library,Warren NJ

Nov 21-Kuhn’s Corner Books, Perkasie Pa