Bonjourno

Day 2

They have truly fantastic ham in Italy, and I should know as 'Ham' was my first word. It's also Helen's last name, which I may of laughed at (she took it well) while also being mildy jealous.

Was woken at half 7, saying Bonjourno to a tune down the telephone, not the lovely little man we had the previous night. So sweet and welcoming (maybe in response to my deer in headlights expression) that I wanted to keep in my pocket. We met for breakfast and then left for the B&B factory at 9. We were given an Introduction to B&B, or I should say C&B and then taken for a tour around early marketing publications, which included Kate Moss's mum, then onto the basement where unfortunatly cameras aren't allowed.

We were shown the entire production process from the individual moulds relating to the specific chair codes I had been sending over, through to the packing process. People are so involved, they are behind every piece of machinery or even checking things by hand. I had to refrain from diving in and curling around the leather, I fear it would have been frowned upon.

After a refreshingly light, yet delicious lunch (enter ham) where I met our agent, we were tutored about Flat C storage which even though we were all fairly enthusiastic about to begin with did put us into a semi coma due to the amount of information told:coffee supplied and the fact that the lights were out. I was furiously drinking my Cola in an attempt to postpone eye blinks which were taking longer and longer to open. At last we were given glorious cappuccinos and left to admire the beeeeaaauuutiful pieces in the showroom.

Put me in a 'design' environnment and I will swear blind that that is all I would need in my house, however plop me in a vintage/antique fair or market and I get lost in the story of the piece and I refuse to buy designer ever again. Today was definatly decide 'Designer' or put differently 'Beautifully made' and I am so glad I am here to appreciate the pieces face to face, or really Kims Bum to B&B seat. The journey was frightening as hell in theory but in practice totaly do-able. I sat on and smoothed every piece and really appreciated how they had spaceplanned the showroom. One large room with various partitions but really designed perfectly to allow 'sets' for each selection of pieces and styling. So much so I could take a photo and by moving slightly to the right or left a wall would appear to slide into place and become the frame to the item in question.

Dear lord, time has leapfrogged and I haven't even spruced! Few more facial layers needed before - if last night was to go by - I partake of some of the most delicious wine, coffee and food and listen to some very interesting conversations.