Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Inspiration in Vienna

It is everywhere.  Every corner I turn, every museum I enter, every walk I take, every playground I visit, I am continually inspired while living here.  And, quite frankly, I can't adequately express the degree to which I am caught off guard (visually) by the art and architecture that fills every nook and cranny of Vienna.  I try to take my camera wherever we go.  Here are some photos but they don't fully capture the beauty or in many cases the scale, but this is what you get! :)



Riding Stables at The Hofburg Palace

Hofburg Palace

Natural History Museum

Natural History Museum

Hofburg Palace

Graben

Escada @ Graben

Natural History Museum

Natural History Museum

And, one last picture for good measure....me before a night out on the town!  Woohoo!


And, on a separate note, my good friend Camille from The Vintique Object, nominated Green Street for Apartment Thearpy's The Homies Home Design Blog Award.  Feel free to hop on over and vote!  Go here.  You'll see Green Street way at the bottom of the list! ;)

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Vintage Wooden Chests (with some styling thrown in)

One of the many things I have been on a lookout for is a good sized vintage wooden chest that would serve as a nice piece in an entryway or in a living or dining room.  I figure this won't be too difficult to find and I've been gathering inspirational pictures so when I see the right one I can nab it.


In the image above, I like the flat front drawer panels and the two toned wood.  It doesn't hurt that this one is paired with a gilded louis philippe mirror (another thing I want to get, btw).  


Again, I like the flat front drawer panels and the knobby knobs.  It's rather simple with no observable carvings or details.  I like it.  A rather simple wooden chest that won't mind if the styling steals the show! :) 


Another chest with flat front drawer panels.  I would replace the drawer pulls.  


Perfect - flat front drawer panels with substantial wooden knobs.  Just how I like it!  


This chest has more detailing than the previous ones and gives off a different kind of air - a bit more refined.  I posted it because I love the marble top.  The styling is incredible.  

Have you noticed the contrast between dark and light with most of the styling in the pictures I posted?  A dark chest and a light (either glass or white) table lamp.  Hmmm, I need to make a mental note.


All images via pinterest

I found this at bdantiques which has the look I like.  This is a more of a dresser than a chest (with the two smaller top drawers), but nevertheless I like it.   I hope I am lucky when we're back stateside!  

Friday, February 24, 2012

Chic DIY Art

One of the things I want to ensure our new home has is layers and layers of art.  I have noticed that every home I love is filled with beautiful art.  And, as many of you know, art can be terribly expensive.

So, today I thought I'd leave you with some very chic DIY projects for affordable art.  I found all of these via pinterest.  I seriously can't wait to try them these when we are back home.


Here, they cut out circles from a poster board, spray painted it gold, layered it on fiberboard in a fish-scale pattern and framed it.  So beautiful and graphic!  Such a great idea if you are in need of a large piece of artwork and don't want to spend a lot of money.  


Ribba frames (from Ikea) spray painted gold.  They look amazing and high-end.  Who doesn't want a touch of metallic in their home?


Definitely not a new idea, but framing a vintage scarf is instantaneous artwork.  I am on the hunt for a vintage scarf while here in Vienna.  


So clever.  Framing a letter, postcard or memento that has sentimental value. I particularly like how they framed the envelope along with the letter.  Given where technology is going, handwritten notes will be a thing of the past - what a great way to preserve meaningful letters, notes, etc.  

Aren't all of these so great and doable?  That is my kind of DIY - super easy, affordable and looks design worthy!!  Have a great weekend guys!!  Bis bald....

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Mecox's Winter Windows

Mecox Gardens NYC is collaborating with some of their favorite interior designers to design their NYC storefront window.  Currently on display (until the end of February) is Rita Konig's vignette.


I promise I'll get off my Rita kick, but I've been really enjoying reading her blog and website lately.  So, how do you like her vignette?   I could totally see myself curled up on that gray mohair chaise with a hot cup of tea!  I love the vibrancy of the accent colors (chartreuse, purple, pink, coral) against a rather neutral (gray and white) palette.  


The rug is fantastic and I like the playful gray lacquered table with the polished metal base, it keeps things from being too serious.  And, how fun are those lacquered ice buckets?  Yes, those are from Rita's new line of furniture and accessories.  Yes, you heard me - how awesome is that - she is designing a line of furniture and accessories.   



To see the complete line-up of interior designers, go here.  What a brilliant idea!!  So fun!

Monday, February 20, 2012

Black Fireplaces

I am slowly trying to pinpoint my likes and dislikes in regards to what I want in our future home.  It won't be long until we're back in CT buying a new home.

The other day, I was perusing my 'pins' and I noticed a trend - black fireplaces.  I like the contrast.  I like the masculine edge.  Especially against a neutral backdrop, it can really create a dramatic effect.




In the above three photos, I especially like how the touches of pink, cream and gold soften the spaces which contrasts with the masculine feel of the fireplace.   


Carrie from Hazardous Design recently painted her fireplace a dark color and it turned out fantastic.






Images via pinterest

I admit painting a fireplace black would be stepping out of my comfort zone.  I think I would typically want to play it safe and go with a traditional white one, but I'm trying to push myself a bit and force myself to take some risks.  

So, how about you - would you consider a black fireplace in your home?


Friday, February 17, 2012

Sweet and Feminine


I thought this was a nice picture to wrap up Valentine's week; a sweet and feminine girl's bedroom. 

 Hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Kristen Panitch Interiors

I stumbled across the portfolio of the Los Angeles based designer, Kristen Panitch, the other day while doing a search on wallpapered rooms.  I now know why her pictures popped up - she is not afraid of using wallpaper.  And, I love it.  I can't help but think that the style these rooms portray is exactly what I want to achieve in our next home.












I also found an interview that Nicole Gibbons, from So Haute, did with Kristen Panitch.  Below is a snapshot of Kristen's office.  I guess Kristen's home is being shot by one of the shelter magazines so I can't wait to see that!  I assume it hasn't been published yet?


So, what do you think?  Don't you love her mix of wallpapers, patterns and moody colors?  I like the eclectic yet traditional feel.  Doesn't it make the interiors feel so real and lived in?

Haven't seen enough?  Paula from Two Ellie (here) and Erin from House of Turquoise (here) also did posts on Kristin Panitch.  Go check them out!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Rita Konig's Website

Did you know she had a website?  It was by chance I stumbled on it after posting last Wednesday about Domino's comeback.

I love her style and approach to designing.  See a sampling here and here.  And, if you were to ask me to choose one designer to be my mentor (or to work with) it would be her.

So, while perusing through her website, I found these new (to me) images of a NYC apartment she decorated.  It has to be her apartment because they contain so many of her personal belongings!  Let's take a look....


If you don't mind, I'm going to bore you with my observations while I deconstruct her living room.

1. The color palette.  In classic Rita style, it's a light palette with pops of jewel toned colors.  The walls are painted a cool gray.  It could be her signature paint color called 'Rita Says', that she used in her east village apartment, I'm not sure.  But if you look around her room, you'll see pops of amethyst, pink, sapphire blue, and emerald green all against a light pale backdrop.

2. Patterns.  She typically uses one dominating pattern.  Here she uses Kelly Wearstler Groundworks Bengal Baazar fabric on her sofa.  I've noticed she either uses a piece of furniture or the walls to introduce a pattern (on a large scale).

3. Flowers.  Her flower of choice when it comes to styling, I've noticed, is tulips.  If you take a look at her other apartments she had decorated, there are always tulips.



4. Lamp shades and pillows.  In my opinion, she introduces more patterns in this apartment than she has in her other decorated apartments.  It appears that she might have stepped out of her comfort zone of English style sensibilities when decorating this apartment, but even so, it works and she is able to remain true to her understated elegant yet comfortable approach to decorating.  Once again, she uses pillows and lampshades to introduce more patterns.  

5. Tablescape styling.  She is a pro at this and I love looking at all her details.  Her coffee table is styled to perfection.  Here, we see her pink mercury glass match striker and three candy dishes.  I'm surprised we don't see her signature pink ashtray, but I think the candy dishes serve the same purpose.  She likes stacks of books in a pyramid style and the emerald green vase adds another dimension so it doesn't become a horizontal bookcase.

So, what do you think?  Are you a fan of Rita's?  I always get so excited when I see a favorite designer add new images to her/his portfolio.  If you haven't seen her website, go take a look - you won't be disappointed.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Gruss Gott Weeks 4 & 5

I'm a little behind on our Vienna posts.  The past three weeks we've been battling a nasty virus that has run its course through each one of our family members (poor Luke even got it twice).  We're finally starting to feel normal again.  Today, we made it to Vienna's Eistraum, the outdoor skating rink that winds through Wien's Rathaus (City Hall) platz. The rink is a kilometer long!  Luke had so much fun skating.  It was great!!


Am Rathaus


Drinking Gluhwein! Yum! :)


Luke and Mr. Penguin (Kiddie Rink)


Luke & Daddy! 

We hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Domino's Rebirth?


Did you hear?  Conde Nast will publish a Domino special edition entitled Quick Fixes; it was announced yesterday by Conde Nast's editorial director.  Domino Quick Fixes will be full of Domino's best home decorating stories, focusing on easy, inexpensive (DIY) changes that make a big impact.  Domino Quick Fixes will be available on newsstands from April 17th through July 16, 2012 for $10.99 and a second edition planned for fall.  Read the rest here.

I have to say I'm excited, but also a bit skeptical.  And, $10.99 is a hefty price to pay.....I guess we'll just have to wait and see.