One more thing...on food

Just hopped by at Beatrice Peltre's La Tartine Gourmande and had to show you this: Isn't it delightful? Not only she creates these dishes, but she knows also how to present them!
Voila!


Picture via La Tartine Gourmande

In the garden

What a wonderful morning, the sun shines so brightly and I can hear the sounds of all the
exhilarated birds...
I took some pictures in the garden, I can't wait to begin some cleaning there, to ready everything for the season.
Hibernation is finally over.
Our garden is the extension of our house, we spend so much time during all the warm weather month outside!
Breakfasts and dinners, reading and relaxing and some work hours too...
We feel fortunate to live surrounded by the trees, flowers and all the creatures out there.
Door to door with birds, squirrels, raccoons and the occasional deer and fox.
The other day I had a little exchange about gardening with a fellow designer, we agreed that garden design reflects interior design, outdoor spaces can be treated like rooms...
Imagine all the possibilities!

All pictures by V.Zlotkowski

Living with my collections

My ever growing collection of daily used china and pottery needs housing and has slowly moved into our bookshelves. Living with a tiny kitchen makes it necessary, but I don't mind it. I love to see them there, cups and plates breaking up rows of literature, reminding me to use them. Polish, German, Italian and French pottery share the space with some Meissen pieces, glasses of mixed heritage, bier stein and Alessi juicer getting along just fine...
I love to set a pretty table every day, even if it's 'only' for the four of us. The children are getting used to living with breakable and lovely pieces and know how to use them.


One of my cherished memories is my mother's regular coffee and cake hour in the afternoon, an institution in Germany, which I cannot do without. Nowadays we love to drink tea as much as coffee, but usually between 4 and 5 o'clock we sit down for a little while, sometimes all of us, sometimes just my husband and I.



Picture via Domino

How often do you sit down at your dinner or coffee table? Do you feel it's not practical? One meal a week? Where do you eat?
Why not start a lovely tradition and make the dining room a Saturday night destination? Go all out, put down the silver from you wedding or the glasses you inherited from an aunt, bring candles and celebrate your life...


Picture via House beautiful

All other pictures by V. Zlotkowski

Make it a weekend together

Let the spring air in your heart...

XX
Victoria



Picture by V.Zlotkowski

Lamps to dream by

Ingo Maurer's chandeliers and light fixtures are wonderful, there is a dreamlike quality to them. They are so poetic and playful. I just love them.


I saw one of his fixtures, a heart with wings, as sweet as this one...





I love the transparency, maybe in a modern kitchen?



Pictures via YLighting.com

Black and white

There are many tried and true color combinations in decorating and among my favorites is black and white. It stands for classic, elegant and timeless form and most of all it effortlessly combines the charm of antique pieces with reduced shapes of modern furniture. It works in different styles and settings from French country to contemporary. I see it in a study, bedroom, elegant living or dining room. Black and white kitchens can be stunning. To prevent it from looking cold combine it with rich creams and naturals, warm reds or yellows. Gold or silver are wonderful accents. Different textures, finishes and the unexpected piece will always make it unquestionable sophisticated. And flowers and plants look great with any black and white scheme.

All above pictures by V.Zlotkowski




Picture by Lisa Bukall

Food

A couple of days ago a came across Beatrice Peltre's fabulous gourmet blog, more then just food and drink, she is very inspiring, I am planing on baking her chocolate cake for the weekend. She takes the most delicious pictures as well, ready to eat....so to speak. I have the link for you food lovers on the lower right corner, just click on: www.latartinegourmande.com

Picture via La Tartine Gourmande

Mirror, mirror

Sunburst mirrors!
Oh, I love beautiful mirrors. They bring a new dimension to any room and create - when hung correctly - a space within a space. They become windows reflecting light.
And of course, you could always check your looks....

Picture via Inside Avenue

Early days of spring

Today my youngest son brought me some of the first crocus blossoms from the garden...

Sunday afternoon

Playing keeps me balanced, it is like meditating and it challenges me.
It is a time out of time....


Picture by V.Zlotkowski

Carnival in Cologne

I could not help myself to show you this picture of my friends' kids walking in the traditional carneval parade this February in Cologne, Germany! They are so adorable!
I lived and studied in this city for a couple of years and still have the fondest memories...

XX
Victoria

Be amazed...

by Ephraim Rubenstein's painting



Yesterday I visited one of my favorite blogs and found the paintings by Holly Farrell, who paints these unbelievably realistic paintings of books....and just last month I happened to be at a gallery opening of his in Manhattan! I love them! Don't you like those moments, such coincidence, when certain things come around at the same time?
Click on my blog list under 'absolutelybeautifulthings' and see Holly Farrell's fantastic art.
Ephraim Rubenstein @ George Billis Gallery 511 W 25 Street, NY NY or www.georgebillis.com

Have a magical weekend!
XO
Victoria

My picture of the invitation, sorry about the quality, it's so much better in 'real life'... : )

Something vintage

I have a soft spot for many things vintage. When they show their age gracefully I feel connected to times past. There is something lovely and faded about them. I like to mix up modern with vintage, be it furniture, artwork, china, pottery or cutlery.
I love my grandma's old tea cups and mama's fifties table clothes, I love old childrens games and amateur paintings....

All pictures by V.Zlotkowski

decorating...

It must be something in my decorator blood to have the need to change things around once in a while. It gives me pleasure to show different pieces from my collections and display them in new ways. Sometimes it is seasonally related, but more often just the feeling and joy for certain objects. Stones, feathers, nests, small sculptures and jewelry are among them.




For a while I have been playing with butterflies, birds and botanicals. Plants sit on a very deep window ledge together with pottery or small objects. I get endless inspirations from visits to botanical gardens, parks and other places.







And if you don't know where to begin, spring cleaning is a great way to lift your spirits and change winter blankets and pillow cases on your sofas.
You do not have to move furniture to get a fresh feeling for your home, you can start with a bookshelf, your hall table or fragrant candles in your bedroom.
Wherever your inspiration will take you - have fun playing ...

XX

Victoria

All pictures by V. Zlotkowski

Spring basket

It is still so very gray outside! I always love to bring some fresh green inside, nothing beats the winter blues more. Cut flowers are fine but often expensive. I think some potted plants give much more back when you want to keep an eye on your budget.
It takes very little effort to create something lasting.
My local nursery had the plants and with the small basket all I had to do was to stuff them all nicely together...
After hyacinths and daffodils have bloomed I can pull them gently out and replace them with something new. They can be planted in the garden later and bloom next year again. The ivy and clovers last a long time, light and some water is all they need.
It makes a lovely center piece for Passover or Easter as well.
Other containers will do fine and the same idea can work outside on a deck or a small window ledge once spring is here with frost free nights.

Picture by V.Zlotkowski

Relax...

After this busy week, I am in need for some quiet time with my family, just being together and taking all for a walk somewhere...

Have an invigorating weekend!

XO
Victoria

Picture by V.Zlotkowski

More Brooklyn

Being in Brooklyn recently resulted in serious fun and more places I like to visit again over time.
Among them is the interior design shop called 'WONK', where local furniture makers are favored,




'Luggage', a vintage shop with mixed offers from used luggage to sixties chairs and much in between.




Another of my discoveries is the lovely bookstore with the great name 'Spoonbill & Sugartown', books for art and design lovers as well as philosophy and local literature. Wonderfully mixed and the cat naps under the counter...




As you can see, I can hardly contain my enthusiasm!
You can find all that and much more on the strip of Bedford Ave in Brooklyn, NY between Grand Street and about N 10th Street.

There are small traders and cafes, hip clothing stores and old vinyls for sale, street vendors and high end design, a colorful market for all budgets!
Something I love!

All pictures by Victoria Zlotkowski

Brooklyn by design

Over the last years I have discovered many interior design shops in Brooklyn, one of them 'Abode'. Today I visited again and I love their modern collection from furniture to rugs, lamps, dishes and much more.
The friendly owners are passionate and their sense of humor reflects in fun pieces.
Craftsmanship is a quality I appreciate in furniture making, their pieces are well made and mostly environmentally friendly. Go see!
ABODE NY Inc., 179 Grand Street, Brooklyn, NY (718)388 5383
www.abode-newyork.com

Pictures by Victoria Zlotkowski

Places I love

Wave Hill, a beautiful estate in the Bronx, NY is a public garden, a place I love for two reasons: The gardens and greenhouses and the small, but exquisite Glyndor Gallery, located in the estate's manor house. Exhibitions are usually themed fittingly to the setting; nature related and often found on the grounds as well.
The garden shop offers small plants, books and jewelry among other things and a cafeteria overlooking the Hudson welcoming visitors.
A treasure a little off the beaten path in New York City and worth many visits.
For information go to: www.wavehill.org

Pictures by Victoria Zlotkowski