Ode to Berlin

The Berlin tv tower, former East Berlin's symbol of potency (!) has by now become beloved by all. The pictures below where taken by me last spring from exactly there. The day had been hazy, there was not a perfect visibility.



Above the view in to the Oranienburger Strasse, you can see the golden dom of the newly restored Berliner synagogue.


I love Berlin. I've never lived there, but I visit very often. My oldest two sons live and study in Berlin, very good friends are there and it reminds me every time I arrive there of my childhood. You need to know that I grew up in the 60's and 70's in Dresden, East Germany. The country does not exist anymore, but bits and pieces of lost places, the atmosphere, the colors and the smells I still find here and there in Berlin. I know it is very sentimental, but I cling to it, it gives me a warm feeling of being back home at mother's kitchen table...(my parents moved away from former East Germany long ago)
Berlin is now the capital of Germany again since the re-unification of the divided parts after the Second World War and a lot of money has been invested in its reconstruction. Berlin has become a beautiful city. But what I love the most are the old Berlin living quarters, whole neighborhoods of 19Th century housing complexes with tall buildings, consisting of many court yards and connected in blocks. Gardens are hidden there for the recreation of the tenants. The houses have been mostly brought back to their old splendor and still make out the majority of living places for the regular Berliner. Families, students, retired folks live there and it has not lost its charm.
Berlin is a very green city, parks, tree lined streets and quiet oasis are to be found even in the center of it.
Well, there is so much more to the city then I can tell you in a few sentences. Germany's capital is modern, young, at the same time very classic and colorful. Berlin has countless museums and fantastic shopping. Canals, lakes and the Spree river lend charm to the city, there is nature all around. Go and visit one day!
The boys gave me recently a lovely pocket Taschen book of Berlin homes and I let you have a glimpse inside...





I love the large double windows in Berlin houses.





In many of the court yards you can find galleries or outdoor beer gardens!


A beautiful villa somewhere in Berlin.







What a great library and handsome Bluethner grand piano!





These are images I remember from my childhood. Many people lived like that in East Germany.



Almost hip again...


An old picture taken probably in the 1920's in Berlin and even in my childhood 40 years later it was that gray, but we had fun being out there no matter what!


I wish you all a great weekend, sunshine where ever you are!

XX
Victoria

City pictures by V.Zlotkowski, all other from Taschen book 'Berlin Style'

Today I remember...

Paris, where I spent wonderful weeks with my husband...10 years ago - has it been that long? It still seems fresh as yesterday. We bought a painting in a small gallery with the same name as ours.
That time in Paris had all what we wished for: romance, adventure, time to walk, talk, dine and leisurely enjoy life in the great City of Lights. We have seen many other places since then, but Paris holds a very special place in our hearts.
I wish for all of you to have lovely memories to keep...and the chance to create new ones!




The painting 'Boudoir' is by the contemporary Spanish painter T.Raysse, it is actually only 7 x 19 inches, without it's wonderfully hand finished frame. We were drawn to the artistry and the beautifully painted boudoir (presence) and still life (memento mori), the black area symbolizes the unknown future. We often try to find some piece of art to commemorate travels and bring some lasting memories home.


Arrangement and photos by V. Zlotkowski

My dream spaces...

My blog serves me in so many ways, one is to show you and myself what I am drawn to, which colors and rooms make me sigh with joy, what my dream home would look like. This house needs to be large since I have many moods and all need a place to roam!
I love colors, contrast, living plants and flowers, artwork, natural objects, organic flow and a bohemian feel.

This also shows, that there is quite a gap between my house of delights and my work reality ...
I think many designer/decorators face the same situation.Or dilemma...
How much do we want to put our stamp on our work? Are we hired for our particular style (the lucky ones, or the ones who have proven their visions to be worthy of some repeat?), or are we supposed to fulfill someone elses dream? What is expected of us? Ideally we meet somewhere in the middle and the designer/client relationship is based on deep trust and an admiration for mutual ideas. We sometimes have to turn into psychologists, couple's counselor and mediator between parents and children and often become friends.
From my own expirience trust is the first and formost quality. Getting to know as many aspects of your clients lifestyle is another. Having an impeccable work ethic. One of the things I've learned is the ability to compromise. Spending time talking and figuring out exact needs is very importend to me. Only then I begin to think of color swatches and layouts.

Well, but for myself I dream and don't have to worry about compromises yet!
These images are a sheer pleasure ride and I enjoy sharing them with you.

















Pictures via my own (1), HouseBeautiful,vi.sualize.us, housetohome, stylebeat, desiretoinspire, CotedeTexas, Designers Guild
If I forgot to mention any source I appologize!

Still life

I like to create little vignettes around the house, this one is special for two reasons: I love corals, coral red and I display my late grandmother's old coral necklace.
She was 101 years old when she died, myself already a grown woman and I miss her dearly. We were very alike in attitude and life style, she was a fabulous lady with a great sense for beauty. This is in your honor Omi Susanne!






Pictures by V.Zlotkowski

Project 2008 - 2009

I was called fairly late into this project, the owners had started out renovating this house after a move from abroad and somewhere along the way got a bit stuck.
It seemed overwhelming to pull everything together since most of the furniture had to be bought. Paint selections had to be made, bathrooms and kitchen installed. There were no carpets or more then basic lightfixtures, no window decoration, artwork or decorative items such as vases, candle holders or pillows and throws.
Together we sorted through everything and created a master plan to work by. We worked out a budget and a time line. Since the owners had just painted we decided to work with it and create the rooms around the existing color scheme.



The hallway got a small sideboard, a table lamp and dramatic mirror, baskets for storage and a runner underfoot.






Like with many older homes this one too had been converted to modern living standards and has an open floorplan. Views from one room to the next are importent and we paid attention to such details.


Living room



Sofa and chairs had been ordered before I started working and we found a focal point in the architectual rather bland living room: We installed a fire place and floating shelves. Additional literally everything else in the room. The husband is British and we build our decorating scheme around the idea of an English inspired living room.




The painting was a custom order and depicts an old English landscape.



The three prints above the mantle and shelves are reproductions of famous English country estates.







We found the mantle clock in a wonderfully stocked clock shop in Nyack, NY. It has a lovely hourly Westminster chime.



The reading chair with footstool has become the most popular place in the house...
A floor lamp and a small mirrored side table complete the cozy corner.



Some of the details: Wall scones...



candle holders...



and a lovely Chinese lacker box.

Dining room

Table, chairs and break front had just been bought by the owners and provided the beautiful base for the reminding pieces in the room. The space is rather tight for a dining room and we balanced the right side with floating shelves, which are useful to set down glasses, bottles or dishes when entertaining. They are slim enough to allow access to the deck.



The round chandelier is a nice departure from all the angular shapes in the room.



The Tiffany style lamp cast a warm glow in the room and illuminates the gorgeous curtains.




The small table was a lucky find in a midcentury vintage shop, we had it refreshed and it fits perfectly to our lamp.



The hurricanes sit atop the dining table.




Daughters bedroom

Again walls had been painted, furniture existed, I brought in the yellow carpet to balance out the cool purple wall color and the northern exposure. All shelves, chair and bedside table are white to freshen the look and bring in the girlie aspects...



Some curtains soften the windows and frame the garden view.




This has been a wonderful work relationship and as you may noticed, it is not finished yet. Usually I consider projects not finished since rooms are supposed to change along with the people who live in them. I merely give them a starting point.


All interior decorating and pictures by V.Zlotkowski