Artistic Tile carries an irresistible interlocking stone mosaic tile line called "Chateau". There are four styles available, this one is named Danse Blanc. The scrolling coils of marble seem to defy the very properties of cold stone. The flawless patterns are achieved by their modern technology of waterjet to produce a perfectly intertwining tile. Made to order, these custom tiles can be ordered in other tones and stone combinations.

The Trina Turk Boutique in Los Angeles is a feminine and glamorous shop designed by Interior Designer Kelly Wearstler. One particular piece of furniture caught my eye.

The white painted display table with two gold bases featuring a pair of addorsed dolphins is beautiful and has alot of history. This is no doubt a replica. Dolphins in design are quite ancient and can be dated back to the days of Greek mythology. The dolphins are symbolic to Neptune and Venus and were carved into friezes at the Temple of Neptune. 

Andrea Palladio recorded the design found in fragments of the temple in his book The Four Books on Architecture published in Venice in 1570 (since rewritten). This motif became popular again in the late seventeenth and eighteenth century, during this time in England William Kent made the dolphins a signature of his. Above is an antique English Giltwood Dolphin Console from that period.

Oscar de la Renta has a table identical to this in his Dominican abode. The outdoor dining table with dolphin base is made of cast resin and stone. The antique dolphin motif is a very glamorous timeless design.

My favorite architectural element would have to be columns. Out of the three types; Ionic, Doric, and Corinthian, the later is the most detailed and sublime. This image is taken from the Lantern Slides of Classical Antiquity from Bryn Maur College. This capital detail shows the volute (the scroll) and acanthus leaves that generally indicate a Corinthian column. This particular capital is from the Forum of Augustus, Temple of Mars the Avenger. It is certainly impressive how the artisans sculpted this so intricately out of stone.

The best examples of these original columns are from well preserved sites like The Treasury (Al Khazneh) in Petra, Jordan. Over the years however, most originals are battered emblems of old grandeur. The well kept Fontana di Trevi (pictured above) was commissioned in the 18th Century and shows us what the ruins would have looked like in their better days.

The Temple of Neptune has few intact sculpted freizes and columns, but the ones that are left look fantastic. See the two addorsed dolphins on either side of the shell? We will talk a bit more about those in the next article......

Can you guess which of these handkerchief vases is a steal at $25.99? How about the one that retails at $950.00? Take a good look then scroll down to see the answers.

Answers: 

A. Clear Handkerchief Vase by Target $25.99

B. Steuben Handkerchief Vase Large by Bergdorf Goodman $950.00

C. Extra-Large Handkerchief Vase £29.50 or $48.81

Either way, the handkerchief vase is a gorgeous curvaceous shape that allows flowers to fall into organically shaped arrangements.