Good-Bye Vienna

We will definitely miss you!  Thank you for a memorable experience that we will always treasure and hold close to our hearts!

Blogging will definitely continue but probably will be a bit sporadic as we transition back to the US.  But, I'm looking forward to all the new and exciting changes that await.  See you soon!

Antiquing in Vienna

When we first moved here, I found loads of antique stores located in the innerstadt (downtown Vienna).  It didn't take me long to realize these stores were outrageously expensive.  They are highly specialized in European art, history, antiques and the decorative arts.  The history alone in these stores is absolutely amazing, much less the beauty!

It took me a long time to find the kind of antique/vintage stores that were more affordable and reasonable.  Here are some snapshots of what I've found on the outskirts of Vienna.

I wanted this glass jug so badly.  It was reasonably priced (not cheap) at 50 euros.  The packing and shipping home would cost me an arm and leg.  And, how I do love that scroll leg table at only 35 euros.  And, how cute are those chairs in the background?

Love this rattan bench.  How cute would this be in a girl's room, sunroom or even an entry!  I stumbled on this antique warehouse called Die Glasfabrik located in Ottakring.  WOW!  This place is a mecca for interior design lovers.  Endless inspiration in this place.  I'm going back. 

Lucite and chrome towel bars.  I might just have to get these!! :)

I actually liked the fabric on this antique chair.  

This was a gorgeous burl wood pedestal table.

I like the striped Louis XVI oval back chairs in the background and I also liked this marble industrial accent table.  

I plan on going back to pick up some little things that I can stuff in my suitcase.  I already have one (maybe two) suitcases reserved for all my finds!!  

Gruss Gott: Our Final Weeks

We are wrapping up our time here in Vienna and slowly getting ready to leave at the end of this month.  Ahh, it's going to be so hard.  We are now accustomed to living in Vienna, with the museums, concerts, shopping, easy transportation (U-bahn and straßebahn), a great school, and the numerous playgrounds!  Top it off with great food and wine, friendly people and a few close friends and you've got a recipe for staying.  But that's not in our cards.  And so we've been packing in as much as possible.  This is what we've been up to....

Luke and mommy went to Schönbrunn Palace to see a marionette production of Mozart's opera Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute).  It was shortened down to an hour, to accommodate a child's attention span.  And it was great!  In addition to the music and the story, the marionettes (and their handlers) were unbelievable. We loved it.  

And here's Luke, waiting for the second act to begin.

The next day, we decided to walk into the innerstadt for ice cream at Vienna's most famous eis (ice cream) salon.  While we were strolling along eating, we noticed a carousel set up in Stephansplatz.  So Luke got a ride on a mermaid/horse thing.  Ice cream and an amusement ride, Luke was in heaven.  

In the spring, there a number of bank holidays here.  So on one of them we took the train with some good friends to visit to Baden, an old resort/spa town for the rich people of Vienna back in the 18th century.  It's a 45 minute straßebahn ride south of Vienna.  It's a beautiful little town with great architecture and gardens.  

Here are daddy and Elizabeth at the entrance to one of the gardens (sorry, it's a little washed out).

Here is one of those rare instances where Luke wasn't on his scooter (or "roller" as they're called here).  He abandoned it briefly to ride on a seesaw.

Horst and Elizabeth, good family friends and natives of Vienna, came with us to Baden.

Luke was begging to climb up on this statue.  He had to settle for this pose instead.  

In the largest garden, you can rent row boats and see the garden in style.  We were tempted but with Luke and Kevin horsing around we may have capsized.  

At the end of our day, we went to a heuriger.  This is a really unique experience.  A heuriger is a small restaurant (usually serving just cold food) that is connected to a vineyard and offers only it's own wines.  And you eat on the grounds ... usually in the yard of the owners.  A heuriger isn't strictly a restaurant (they have a different license) and they operate intermittently, for maybe a week or two per month.  Here we are with Horst and Elisabeth, as our food was just arriving.  

K went inside to get some more silverware and took his translator (Luke) with him.  Luke did all the talking - in his new language, German.   

There are so many more things I wanted to include, but I'll save it for another post.  Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!  

Let me introduce: Flamant Home Interiors

The other day, while wandering through the cobblestone streets of the Vienna, I stumbled across Flamant Home Interiors.  Let me just start off by saying, "Why is this store not in the US?"

What started as a family run business in Belgium has grown into an globally recognized home interiors brand.  

Run by the three Flamant sons, they have expanded their father's antique store and started producing reproductions of antique furniture and decorative objects.

Flamant Interiors has a Belgian feel, similar to Restoration Hardware, but a bit fresher, in my opinion.

When I walked into the store, I could see they have realized their vision.  You're encouraged to take your time, sit, relax and enjoy the beautiful furnishings and ambiance.  And, this is exactly what I did. 

Here are some pictures I took while browsing...

After doing some research, I did find that while not physically located in the US, there is a US based store called, Copper Strawberry, that does carry their products!!   Their prices are similar to Restoration Hardware. 

BTW, they have the most gorgeous linen lampshades in beautiful colors.  Case in point....

Go check them out!  Mark my words - given their growing success,  I wouldn't be surprised if they open a store in the USA.  Watch out Restoration Hardware.....

My week in pictures...

E can finally wear her Mabo outfit.  It was the first outfit I bought when I found out she was a girl!

Beautiful blue and white china

Antique brick

My view of Vienna from the Belvedere.  I got to see a lot of Gustav Klimt's work and when I saw the 'Kiss' in person it brought tears to my eyes. So incredibly beautiful.

Beautiful ironwork

A cup of coffee at my favorite cafe.  Don't you love the heart?  

Well, I wish you all a great weekend!  It's a holiday weekend here and we plan on visiting Baden to see the Festival of Roses.  I can't wait!

Wishing....

Mother Teresa by Sunita Kumar

a Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers and mothers to be.  We will be traveling this Mother's Day to visit my own mother's family in Trier, Germany.  It will be very special.  See you next week!

Currently Coveting

There are SO many unique boutiques here in Vienna displaying budding artist's talent and work.  One boutique I came across the other day is called Feinedinge (Fine Things) which is a beautiful handmade porcelain and home accessories shop.  The owner and designer is Sandra Haischberger.

my photo

My favorite are her Alice Vases here in the forefront.  So simple but simultaneously so exquisite.  It has a jonathan adler-esque feel, but the colors are subdued (unlike jonathan adler).  I love them.  How about those 'cookie jars' in the background on the left?  Gorgeous.

my photo

I googled her store when I got home and couldn't believe that her work has been featured on Design Sponge, Oh Joy and on Decor8 blogs.  She sells her products in the US and though One Kings Lane.

my photo

Her design studio in the back of the boutique.  Each of her pieces are individually made by hand.  Amazing!  

BTW, I love the wallpaper!!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

Randomness

Happy Friday!  Thank you all who commented on Wednesday's "I Spy" post.  Wow - your comments were so insightful and really helped in honing down the look I want for our new house.  So, thank you again.

In other news, E and I have been spoiled and have gotten used to almost a daily ritual.  Now, that Vienna is sunny, we hit Cafe Sperl (right across the street from our place) and sit outside where I get my daily Viennese coffee.

Don't you love the presentation?  Silver tray, coffee in a porcelain cup and saucer, glass of water and a tiny glass bowl of sugar cubes.  I could get used to this on a daily basis.  And, here is my partner in crime, Miss E!

And, if you're looking for a cute birthday gift for a toddler, I highly recommend these shirts from Bob & Blossom.  I told you this post is random!

I got one for Luke when he turned 5!!  They are really great quality - so soft and thick!  I definitely am planning on purchasing some baby clothes from them.

Happy Weekend!!

A Snapshot

If you've been following Green Street you know that I was beyond estatic when I found the furnished rental we are currently residing in here in Vienna.  The location is killer and the apartment is spacious and has old world charm.  You can see more photos here, but here are some photos of the living room I recently took and thought I would share.

A snapshot of the living room from the entry hallway.  

I never thought I'd say this, but what I love more than the herringbone floors are the 13 foot ceilings.  Having tall ceilings make all the difference!

A weird angle shot, sorry - but I was trying to get the artwork with the chandelier - both of which I love.  I wish I could decorate this beautiful apartment to my liking, but I'll be honest it has been nice to take a break  and just fully enjoy living in a european city.

So, on a different note, who is picking up the new Domino (Domino Quick Fixes) that hits the newsstands tomorrow??  How lucky am I that my sister in law is not only picking me up a copy, but has offered to mail it to me!! :)

Gruss Gott Weeks 11, 12 & 13

I feel like I'm so far behind on these Gruss Gott posts - sorry!  So ... what's been going on.  Well, with the spring weather here for good, the parks are filled (but not overfilled) with people. Here I am with the kids at Stadtpark, about 20 minutes walk from home.

Here is Luke next to a famous statue of Johann Strauss II, playing the violin.  Luke is sporting his Detroit Tigers t-shirt (one more sure sign to the locals that we're not from here).

Here's a shot of Stadtpark in the early afternoon on a sunny spring day.  It's great because there are people of all ages out.  

Luke and his Dad went to the Musikhaus Museum a few weeks back.  K told me it was a great museum, very interactive for the kids.  Luke got to conduct the Wiener (Vienna) Philharmonic ... well, almost.  Note the baton in his right hand.  He's standing in front of a large screen with a video of the orchestra projected onto it (look left).  Luke would conduct and the video would move along at the pace Luke conducted at (of course, he tried to make them go super fast).  The music?  Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Mozart), of course.  

About two weeks ago, we headed to Belgium to visit my brother and sister-in-law and their kids.  It is so nice to hang out with family and watch the kids just play, play, play.  Luke and Campbell were on autopilot - they would just go play for hours.  It was so great for them (and such a break for us).

Here I am with my brother and Elizabeth in the kitchen of their 19th century farmhouse.  The farmhouse was so quaint, though perhaps a bit cold (temperature-wise).  

We got back to Vienna just a few days before Easter Sunday.  It was Elizabeth's first Easter and Luke's fifth (yikes)!  Elizabeth looks so happy in her Easter dress, but that lasted 10 minutes.  She cried all through Mass. 

Elizabeth trying to free herself from the clutches of one of Luke's hugs.  He won out.  

Here are Kevin and the kids, just before we head to Church.  Elizabeth is still smiling at this point.  

And, for good measure, we had Luke's 5th birthday party this week (5 years ... seriously?).  But more about that in a later post.  I hope all of you had a wonderful Easter!!