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Stolen moments

I do not know about you, but sometimes I sneak in some stolen moments at a small cafe around the corner, which makes me feel like I am on vacation in France. I know,

I am pushing it here...

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I indulge in a delicious soy latte and unfold a magazine or two, just to browse and to get some inspirational juices flowing.

There is a seat across from me, so why don't you sit for a moment and have a peak?

Truthfully, I have no idea which magazines they are from, I guess Elle Decor, House and Home, House Beautiful?

Anyway, there is something about a white kitchen....

and patterned walls and a sofa with a pop of color....

And ... oh, should we try this perfume? It says here it's unisex (LOL), but I think there is no such thing, really?

And speaking of unisex.... this bedroom just appeals to me, very feminine/masculine

While this one is just girly, wouldn't you say?

And so happy!

Next magazine: Another gorgeous kitchen, in the city I adore??? Ohhhh...

Sorry, the light here.... this turned out pink, but its a lovely off white on white....

Another glam bedroom! Three pillows....

But this one here is an ~~killer~~ amazing room! I absolutely love the moody feel of dark walls in a library, with the cozy seat.... and a silver ceiling? Get out! Sorry, a really bad photo, but you get the idea?

And this one? Can it get more elegant and fun?

Turquoise, white and gold with a dash of red!!!

J'adore!

Shhh, we are way to noisy, the patron over there gives us already the evil eye....

Are we done?

Let's just go home now and put to good use what we have learned here!!!

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Au Revoir!

See you next week darling, have a splendid weekend!

All images via various current shelter magazines, sorry no exact source.

Looking ahead to linen

The coming months always inspire for me the use of linen. I do love the slip covered look, although I shy away from it, since my household is still filled with kids going all over the place and a black dog, making things not easier. I can't stand smudges and stains, so I stick for a while longer to leather. And constant washing is also not economical, time- , green -and otherwise...But they are gorgeous!

Oh, maybe I want to reconsider...via

So I admire this from afar...

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But as much as slipcovers I do love linen cloths! Summer says linen to me. There is a softness to it and an easy going spirit. I smell lavender and sun screen, sand between my toes and sunshine!

Wicker, linen and lavender....via

The wrinkles make them classy and the soft colors give me nothing but pleasure.

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And I feel feminine and a little lazy and luxurious!

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Oh, I can't wait to pull out a nice linen dress and feel a little like summer's queen...

All images as indicated.

Rainy day

This rainy day has inspired the strangest thoughts...I found myself gazing into the soggy garden, looking at the decaying blossoms and the watered down flowers, the slowly dying daffodils and small weeds and wild herbs, which have taken hold in some of my flower beds.

There I found beauty within the decay and after that, looking at the abandoned breakfast table, I sense the same. The candles are still burning and the bread has not been packed away, eggs still sitting half eaten in their cups, yet left behind. Maybe it's this, this being abandoned, which makes me look at these things again.

I think of the just passed conversations and how our words have evaporated into memories already. How some words turn into actions and some into nothingness.

I love the lived-in table, where I read the paper and begin to think of this and that!
It is the beauty of ebb and flow, it's of being born and death, the steady rhythm of on and off, beginnings and endings...laughter and tears. I am not sure I am making sense to you.

These are the moments, when I muse about life and it is a feeling hard to grasp...
I am thinking of impermanence, the only constant.
We try to reach equilibrium, just to realize a moment later the permanent imbalance of it all.
So we shall enjoy every moment of imbalance, for it is the fabric of our lives.

March is leaving us, he has been kind and gentle and April knocks...

Emily Dickinson wrote:

Dear March, come in!
How glad I am!
I looked for you before.
Put down your hat -
You must have walked -
How out of breath you are!
And the rest?
Did you leave Nature well?
Oh, March, come right upstairs with me,
I have so much to tell!

I got your letter, and the birds';
The maple never knew
That you were coming, - I declare,
How red their faces grew!
But March, forgive me -
And all those hills
You left for me to hue;
There was no purple suitable,
You took it all with you.

Who knocks? That April?
Look the door!
I will not be pursued!
He stayed away a year, to call
When I am occupied.
But trifles look so trivial
As soon as you have come,
That blame is just as dear a praise
And praise as mere a blame.

What can I add?
It is still raining out there and, watching, I sit patiently, knowing the future will bring sunshine.
All is in flux...

Wishing you all a delightful Sunday!

All images by V.Zlotkowski

Friday love

Good morning!

This little fellow was singing his heart out this morning!

While I was preparing breakfast.

And there was nothing better then to listen to his happy song while doing it!

For it all made me grateful to be alive!

Happy weekend!

All images by V.Zlotkowski

Girl power

For the first time our daughter (15) has been leading an interior design project all by her own.

She designed her room (10'x12'), selected colors, created a layout and worked with a - rather tight - budget. She was also the project leader and her own contractor, doing most of the needed work herself. She asked for help when she felt needing it and otherwise was her own cheerful happy client....

Before

The only thing my husband and I have been involved with were to shop with her for necessary items and to hang a curtain rod and shelves.

We did not want to let her use the power drill just yet. Of course, one day soon I will teach her this too. Every woman should know how to use a least some power tools!

Attaching the wall lamp

She prepped, sanded and painted the walls.

Metallic Tin color and shag rug

She had packed up all her belongings, telling me with a wistful smile that all she owns does fit in two boxes.....Unlike me, she is not a pack rat! She parts with things she doesn't need rather quickly!

Apart from the contents of her closet. Which stayed thankfully untouched.

She had picked Glidden's 'Light blue' and Martha Stewart's metallic 'Tin' color for an accent wall. She bought a shelf and desk at Ikea and a wall lamp at Home Depot. After realizing wall to wall was not within her budget, she got a rug - a lovely gray melange shag - at Home Depot as well.

While I am typing this, she is upstairs, cleaning the floor from some of her paint splatters. We had explained the importance of a good prep work, but some of this must have gotten lost along the way. Well, she knows now.

All the while music is blasting from her room, telling me of the great mood she is in. The crowning glory, literally, are the three dimensional clouds she has painted on the ceiling! I am very impressed.

Our daughter has shown great girl power! We are so proud of her determination! She is happy with the results and all I can say is: Very well done indeed!

The room after:

She had chosen early on a faux four poster look

A look at the shag rug

Wall shelves, a wall lamp and a cozy full size bed

She hang the lamp herself!

Between bed and closet

Check out the sky...

Now we are still hanging art work, particular her own lovely photography, of pets, friends, family and travels....

Furniture, curtains: Ikea

Chandelier:Westelm (existing)

Wall lamp, rug and paint: Home Depot

Table lamp: Home Goods (existing)

Budget: $ 650

Being proud and happy about her own achievements: Priceless!

All pictures by V.Zlotkowski

Magic colors

The garden was tinted in the softest colors this morning and, while taking pictures, in my mind the garden turned into rooms. Misty, magical rooms. Soft boudoirs, feminine flair.