Category Archives: Views

London Views: ‘Mayfair – Scandal To Romance’

Intrigue and romance were synonymous with Mayfair long before Bridgerton appeared on our screens, discovers Carla Passino.

Carla PassinoMarch 15, 2021

If a part of London were ever to be crowned Queen of Romance, Mayfair would be it. The former home of Dame Barbara Cartland and the literary backdrop to Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton (although the Netflix series was mostly filmed in Bath for Regency authenticity), it has witnessed love affairs, romps and liaisons as entrancing as any penned by either author.

Its very foundation rests on a wedding: the one between heiress Mary Davies and Sir Thomas Grosvenor, whose descendants would become the Dukes of Westminster. Their eldest son, Sir Richard, was the first to embark on a building programme that would turn an unremarkable estate into one London’s most fashionable addresses.

By the 1790s, multiple dukes lived in the area, including a royal one, the Duke of Gloucester, and his daughter, Princess Sophia Matilda, who was born in Mayfair — as was, much later, The Queen (at her grandfather’s house, 17, Bruton Street, now demolished).

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Art & Nostalgia: ‘Glass, Meet the Future’ (Video)

This film was commissioned by North Lands Creative, as part of the UK in Japan 2019-20 bilateral campaign, a partnership between British Council Scotland and Creative Scotland. Supported by project partners Toyama Institute of Glass Art, Toyama Glass Art Museum and Museum of Arts and Design, New York.

The Premiere is part of the “Glass, Meet the Future” Film Festival 2021”

In Collaboration with Rusty Coin Production and Daniel Del Risco Animation.

Project Developed in part OUR COMMON HUMANITY

Commission for the Royal Edinburgh Hospital —
by Edinburgh Lothian Foundation

Large Scale Installation in Partnership with GRAS Architects ( project lead — Jan Hajek )

Edinburgh, Scotland
2016-2021

Forest Homes: ‘Măgura – Eastern Romania’ (Video)

In Buzau Valley, following a charming road through forests, an unexpected view emerges: Carpathian Estate, a domain created as a micro-universe of relaxation and supreme comfort. Located on a previous 10 hectares orchard, the place enjoys a panorama that stretches to the balneary resort Sarata-Monteoru.

Măgura is a commune in Buzău County, Muntenia, Romania, located on the right bank of the Buzău River, in the hillside next to the Carpathian Mountains’ curvature. It is composed of two villages, Ciuta and Măgura. 

The rustic feel of the wood (Romanian pine logs) and natural stone (brought from the French Alps, Norway and Brazil) merges with contemporary elements that create a truly original building. The main residence has 1200 square meters and displays five accommodation areas, each with an individual design (3 double rooms with en-suite bathrooms and 2 apartments), a master bedroom area of 80 square meters with its own fire place, a day area with 2 fireplaces, open kitchen, lounge areas, generous terraces and a SPA with a 22 meters long pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam bath.

The domain also features a farm, two lakes, a young orchard, 49 hectares of forest with oaks, cherry and lime trees, a garden with strawberry and raspberry and a greenhouse. The proximity to Dealul Mare creates proper conditions for exploiting a vineyard. Carpathian Estate represents an escape from the daily routine into a world subordinated to nature, harmony and well-being, where seasons enchantingly pass by and time has learned to be patient.

Winter Walks: ‘Sandefjord – Norway’ (4K HDR Video)

Sandefjord is a city and the most populous municipality in Vestfold og Telemark county, Norway. The administrative center of the municipality. The municipality of Sandefjord was established on 1 January 1838. The municipality of Sandar was merged into Sandefjord on 1 January 1969.

City Views: ‘Arles – South Of France’ (4K UHD Video)

Arles is a city on the Rhône River in the Provence region of southern France. It’s famed for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh, which influenced the contemporary art displayed at the Fondation Vincent Van Gogh. Once a provincial capital of ancient Rome, Arles is also known for many remains from that era, including Arles Amphitheatre (les Arènes d’Arles), now hosting plays, concerts and bullfights.

Classics: ‘Some Like It Hot’ – Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis & Jack Lemon (1959)

After witnessing a Mafia murder, slick saxophone player Joe (Tony Curtis) and his long-suffering buddy, Jerry (Jack Lemmon), improvise a quick plan to escape from Chicago with their lives. Disguising themselves as women, they join an all-female jazz band and hop a train bound for sunny Florida. While Joe pretends to be a millionaire to win the band’s sexy singer, Sugar (Marilyn Monroe), Jerry finds himself pursued by a real millionaire (Joe E. Brown) as things heat up and the mobsters close in.

Some Like It Hot (1959)

Directed by: Billy Wilder

Written by: Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond

Cast: Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon

Mountain Views: ‘Aoni Village – Nagano, Japan’

This is a very small village in Hakuba, and unfortunately there is no public transport to get there. After driving up the mountain for about 20 minutes from Hakuba-station, you will come to an amazing view
with 14 large traditional Japanese houses and 7 warehouses, that were build during the Edo period (1603-1868) and the Meiji period (1868-1912).

This village is stated to be Japan’s important preservation district of historic buildings. It keeps it traditional atmosphere, has not been turned into a tourist spot.

You will be able to enjoy the primitive relaxing walk here just like the olden times. It is also famous for their beautiful terraced rice-fields.
If you visit Aoni Village, you should definitely go up the terraced rice-fields and take a look at the wonderful view of the Northern Alps over the village.

Timeline: 00:00​ タイトル(title) 00:23​ 青鬼集落(Aoni Village) 06:37​ 青鬼神社(Aoni Shrine) 07:38​ 棚田(Rice Terraces)

Aerial Views: ‘Oban – Western Scotland’

Oban is a resort town within the Argyll and Bute council area of Scotland. Despite its small size, it is the largest town between Helensburgh and Fort William. Oban occupies a setting in the Firth of Lorn. The bay forms a near perfect horseshoe, protected by the island of Kerrera; and beyond Kerrera, the Isle of Mull.