LA Stories V: Navigating the Venice Canals 2

LA Stories V: Navigating the Venice Canals 2

Venice, like Los Angeles, like really most anyplace when you get up close…is a study in contrasts.  Seeming contradictions, unless you both look closely and widen your view. Even in the storied Venice Canal District, one sees the fascinating contrasts which give the place its unique texture and flavor, and perhaps aren’t such contrasts after all.

Architecture, Design, and Landscaping….

A cottage, its blue body and white trim punctuated with an energetic red door, nestled into trees and foliage,

and a stately stone and glass structure graced by palms.

Color…

Warm, vibrant, high contrast hues,

vis a vis earthtones, neutrals, black and white, and bricks….

And whether it be
warm and winsome sculpture,

hand-painted tiles,

or mosaic-ed columns,
The angels, are in the details!

Here’s to the beauty of contrasts, in all its forms.

What magical neighborhoods have YOU explored recently? What angels in the details have YOU discovered?

If You feel so inspired, please share about it with us here.

We love to hear from You.

Remember, we are all comparing and contrasting our way through this Life, together.

Cheers!

LA Stories IV: Navigating the Venice Canals 1

LA Stories IV: Navigating the Venice Canals 1

The canal district of Venice is one of the most amazing urban areas I have ever seen.    Just for that reason…how extraordinary to have picturesque waterways crisscrossing the urban landscape of this beachfront district on the Westside of Los Angeles, lined with residences ranging from the charming to the spectacular.  The stone design  of the embankment is a unifying factor, framing the multitude of creative energies and architectural styles.

The canals were built in 1905 by tobacco millionaire, and developer Abbot Kinney, who  sought to recreate the appearance and feel of Venice, Italy in Southern California.

Did he succeed?

A color friend of mine likened this residence to a sherbert sundae! I love the color reflected in the water…

A “boulevard” of water…can create a feeling of such peace.

Reflection of a palm darkly…everybody uses that water, and crosses it.

Yes, that is a swimming pool, adjacent to the green wall, under the blue roof, and next to the orange post.

The perfect vista…a bridge over untroubled water.

From formal to funky, stately to sculptural, and shutters to shingles,  the whole district is architectural eye-candy.

Multitudes of watery reflections turn the world upside down…a California preoccupation.

Classic forms remain.

Holidays on the Canals, anyone?

Have You ever visited the Venice Canals?

If so, what was Your impression?

If you so choose, please share it with us here.

We Love to hear from You.

Remember, we are all navigating this thing called Life, together.