Opening the Doors on this Super Bowl Sunday
I hope everyone enjoy’s the big game today! I grew up in Denver so I am rooting for my Broncos but boy, Carolina looks really good. I guess that’s why they play the game….anything can happen!
Speaking
how anything can happen….It’s always interesting to see how one comment, idea,
or suggestion can be just like tossing a rock in still water and then watching
the waves that then can virtually go on forever…..Such is the experience with
my now sixteen year relationship with Lacole’ and the Belli family from Umbria
Italy. This week, Gabriele Belli and his assistant, Luca, are here from Italy
measuring the opening for the doors they will be manufacturing in Italy for a
Candelaria Design home we have under construction in Desert Mountain.
Flash
back to 1999. I was still working at CCBG Architects. I had set up a meeting
with a new client who was coming in to talk about having me design a new home
for them in Paradise Valley.My now good friends, Drue and Cathy Engels came in
and sat down in my conference room. As I start every meeting, I asked them if I
could get them anything. Drue responded with, “Anything?” I said, “Sure what
would you like?” Of course in true Drue fashion he asked for the tallest bloody
Mary you can make me. I followed with, “No Problem”. Always our answer!
Well
I had no idea where I was going to get a Bloody Mary fast, so I excused myself,
grabbed my office assistant, and told him to go and get the tallest Bloody Mary
he could and get right back. I returned to the room and assured them that is
was on it’s way.
WelI
I don’t know where my assistant went, but he returned with not just one, but
two amazing Bloody Mary’s garnished in style. Drue said, “You are hired!” And
that’s how we got the job and started our friendship that still goes to this
day!
So
how does this all tie into the doors…??? Well as we started the design of the
home, Drue and Cathy said they wanted the home to be a true, Tuscan style home.
So I casually suggested we should go to Tuscany. Drue loved the idea and like
the Bloody Mary he said, “Let’s do it”. Well I was one for one and I had to
keep my streak alive! It so happened that at the same time I was designing a home
for a travel agent, and I told her the story and she jumped at the opportunity
to set up the trip and in fact she and her husband would join us. The first
Candelaria Design Tour Italy journey was born!
So
how does this all tie into the doors…??? Well as we started the design of the
home, Drue and Cathy said they wanted the home to be a true, Tuscan style home.
So I casually suggested we should go to Tuscany. Drue loved the idea and like
the Bloody Mary he said, “Let’s do it”. Well I was one for one and I had to
keep my streak alive! It so happened that at the same time I was designing a home
for a travel agent, and I told her the story and she jumped at the opportunity
to set up the trip and in fact she and her husband would join us. The first
Candelaria Design Tour Italy journey was born!
Well
during this trip, the owner of the farmhouses we were staying in while in
Umbria told us of a place where we could see wonderful artifacts for the homes.
We jumped at the opportunity and so our introduction to Lacole’ and the Belli
family had begun.
On
our most recent Candelaria Design Tour Italy this past September, my beloved
client, Phyllis Lerner, enjoyed a day at Lacole Casa Italiana and their other business Porte del Passato Porte
del Passato where she discovered their marvelous treasures. The Belli family
has supplied items for the likes of George Lucas and Dolce and Gabbana.
Nearly
every trip since this first trip in 2000 we have made the visit to Lacole’ and
Porte del Passato and a quick hello to Gabriele Belli. It is exciting to have
him and his assistant here and their first visit to America. They arrived on
Wednesday and they leave today, Super Bowl Sunday. Although this is a work trip
they did work in a little fun and luckily the weather has been fantastic. From
Harold’s in Cave Creek to the Rokerij to the night life in Old Town Scottsdale,
I think they did get a little fun in to. 
I’m
looking forward to seeing these beautiful doors in this amazing Candelaria
Design home. The work and follow through by my long time Associate, Vivian
Ayala, in the creation of this home is beyond words. This home will be a
Candelaria Design masterpiece.
Little did I know some 17 years ago, getting that Bloody Mary for Drue Engels would lead to the Candelaria Design Tour Italy, and the importing of these doors into the Lerner Residence among many other homes, and my long lasting friendship with the amazing and talented Belli family in Italy.
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