Monday, March 25, 2013

OFF-TOPIC: Apologize again...

... for not posting for some time but we had some emergencies with "our" poor pigeons again.
We had released Jimi after he had completely recovered from his PMV relapse and not even 24 hours later he came back, life-threateningly injured probably by another pigeon. He probably went back to his old nest somewhere and it was occupied by another pigeon. Jimi probably claimed it back and had a fight with his opponent for death or life.

His beautiful face was all bloody and his beak cracked at several places. His cere was a bloody mess - thank heaven his eyes were not injured. Now he is recovering but still needs intensive care...

read the Pigeon Tales

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Sunday, March 3, 2013

Dark blue Walls and Roses in the Bedroom

I absolutely love this colour concept: dark blue walls, white furniture and a white floor or carpets. A classical composition that makes a room light and floating. Of course I also love the chair that is shown here with its delicate but simple stripe pattern. I even love the pillow with the embroidered flower design, the small side table etc. Everything very harmoniously decorated. Only the art on the wall is an issue I would personally change. The reason - there is just too much sweetness in this room.


Why would it be better to find an alternative for the wall? Because in my opinion too much repetition leads to boredom and disinterest. The images on the wall too show flower motives. Now look at this image and you will find lots of flower motives in the same style. To try something different would be nice - wouldn't it?



Admittedly the alternative painting shows some flower-like motif too but it is modern style and adds more interest to this room.


  "WhiteWall"
(from the Reminiscences series)
acrylic, 26" x 18"
©Petra Voegtle

The painting belongs to the Reminiscenses series, a painting series that was created from my photo documentary about the Olympic Student Village in Munich, torn down a few years ago in order to be re-constructed.

In order to create a kind of memorial for the beautiful and often funnily painted walls which are now all lost I took hundreds of photos from the village. But this was not enough for me - I also decided to create a painting series from the most impressive and beautiful parts i.e. walls, doors and windows. The peeling paints and especially the marks all the vines left on the plaster created wonderful patterns and structures. There is an extra photo series only about these wall motifs which you will find here.


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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Dreaming of....


...floating beneath the surface in crystal clear warm waters...


 
found here

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Thursday, February 14, 2013

GUEST POST: The Latest at JHID

This morning I received a newsletter from Jessica Helgerson, Interior Design and I could not help but I had to publish this completely on my blog because everything that was created for this Yoga studio was simply marvellous and right up to my alley:

The latest at JHID

"This project was an interior remodel of a historical building in NW Portland for The Yoga Space.
We were fortunate to start with such a beautiful space as we added an entry, two bathrooms,
and two studio spaces for large and small classes.


In the large studio we used a very simple palette of white walls and dark beams, which highlights the lovely stained glass windows. Tall arched niches hold yoga mats, blocks, and other props. Mirrored niches reflect light to create a feeling of openness as they duplicate the beautiful beamed ceiling.
In the bathrooms and entry we used encaustic tile for the floors which adds a subtle pattern that feels harmonious with the mediterranean style of the building.

 In the small studio, the space is intimate and meditative with Moroccan metal sconces, and a vintage wooden alter.
We also transformed a former foyer into a cozy lounge area with lush plants, rugs and large ottomans.


The front entrance is marked by an inviting collonade lined with olive trees; a lovely example of the charm this building brings to Northwest Portland. We hope you'll come by and take a class! For more photos check out our website.

 
Photos by Lincoln Barbour
The project manager and lead designer and for Yoga Space Northwest was JHID designer Mira Eng-Goetz."

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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Please add more Surprise to the Bedroom

The following bedroom is beautiful and very elegant but as usual I really don't like the decor on the wall. The cross above the bed is probably very valuable and may have a very special meaning for the owners but it is also too predictable for my personal taste. Rooms should look as if someone is LIVING there - not so much like a museum.

original image source: www.southernliving.com

I could see an alternative on this wall that would rather add a surprising exotic element to this classically designed bedroom without destroying the elegance and aura of this place. I am convinced that too many correspondents make a room static. It is like using too many colours of the same hues - you need a different object or area which attracts the eye and that delivers a counterpart in the symmetry.


The art on the wall is a so-called silk carving, a silk sculpture created with a technique that I developped out of the trapunto techniques you can find in quilting. If you would like to read more about the "making of" please check this link.

"Ganesha"
( from the Angkor's Faces series)
39" x 19" x 2" silk carving
©Petra Voegtle

A few details show you the depth of this "carving":






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Monday, February 11, 2013

OFF-TOPIC: Sick Pigeons again...

I am way behind posting again but I have 3 sick pigeons again who require a lot of extra care. But I love these birds so much - therefore everything else has to stay behind.

As you may remember - when you are reading the Pigeon Tales - we had several cases of PMV infections among our balcony pigeons. All of them recovered completely. But these days our beloved Pina was showing severe symptoms again such as stargazing and she refused to fly out with her mate Rudi for several weeks. She felt insecure and as she is a very clever girl she preferred to stay in the saftety of our appartment.

Then Micky started to show severe symptoms also, flying like a Kamikaze but she somehow managed to land safely every time. Curently she is often inside together with her mate Gino and I am glad about this. Because this way she can relax better and therefore stargazes less.

Finally Jimi came late in the afternoon 2 weeks ago and did not want to leave again. So I put him into one of my hospital boxes and there he is since then, sitting on the edge most of the time, protected behind a mosquito net so that neither Rudi nor Gino can molest him. I have to tube feed him 3 times a day as he refuses to eat by himself. His intestines are affected by the virus therefore his digestion is pretty poor. But baby cereal with applesauce and joghurt help. Additionally he gets some pro-biotics. Jimi is also a very clever pigeon. He came back home to his mommy when he felt bad. Isn't this sweet?

Yesterday was a good day though for everbody. They all had a bath and afterwards they relaxed on the sofa, on our bed etc....
Pina and Rudi


Micky and Gino

Jimi relaxing on his box

Jimi soaking in the bathtub

~~~



Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Dreaming of...


...the perfect bedroom in a perfect world...

 found here


 ~~~

Sunday, February 3, 2013

First Spring Messengers...

Although it had snowed during the night again I am happy to have the first spring messengers here. It makes such a difference to see some other colours than grey and white again and the fragrance - oh my the fragrance cannot be surpassed. And of course these living flowers could be part of any tablescape if you like them - ideas are galore...











 all photos ©Petra Voegtle

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Thursday, January 24, 2013

YIPPEE - I passed the 200 K views mark and did not realize

I just realized that I passed the 200.000 views mark on this little blog and did not realize.
Indeed I am very proud of it and want to thank all my readers for their loyalty. Without YOU I would have given up already.

So a big

 THANK YOU
to you






~~~

Friday, January 11, 2013

GUEST POST: Beauty Lies in Simplicity



Beauty Lies in Simplicity

This is a guest post contributed by Eva Stephen.

The well-known saying “Less is more” can sometimes be a wonderful guide to people looking for ideas on how to decorate or remodel their home. There’s some charm in over-stuffed rooms, full of interesting details, especially if they are exotic. However, simplicity brings beauty and grace to a home that no crowded space can match.

Positive aspects of simple solutions

If you are not a big fan of loud, shocking colours, elaborate decorations on walls and ceilings, unusual furniture and making sure no corner remains empty, you’ll enjoy the positive aspects of simple décor. Minimalistic style:

• brings out the beauty of your home’s architecture
• makes your home look more spacious and elegant
• makes it much easier to keep your house clean and tidy
• has a calming effect on the house’s inhabitants

What’s lovely about minimalistic homes owners is their love for plants. Plants are usually that lively, colourful “detail” that interrupts the sheer simplicity and brings out the house’s beauty.


 Trend Decoration Via

Colours that spell out elegance and style

When decorating walls, there are many factors to consider: the purpose of the room, how many windows it has, how big it is, how you want to feel in it. Teenagers and older people will no doubt want different things from their surroundings.

When going for a simple style in your home, you’ll want your eyes to rest on soothing colours: earthy tones, different shades of brown and cream, peach, very light green, or simply white. Different rooms can have different wall paint, to match the furniture appropriately, but they should all have a soothing effect.

Children’s room is probably the happiest, most colourful room in the house, so even when you want to keep it simple and toned down, the yellow, orange, baby blue and bright green are definitely allowed in the play room.

If you decide on the white throughout, make sure you put up some nice photos, quality paintings or similar details that will open up your home, and not make it look sterile.

In healthy surroundings, healthy body

People who lead messy, disorganized lives often don’t eat properly and have problems with their weight. It’s well known that people who pay attention to how they make and serve food are healthier.

 Jeannies Kitchen Via

You should not eat standing up, hurrying on to some other task, or plopped down on a sofa, watching TV. Food should be eaten at a tidy table in a pleasant atmosphere. Most happy events, whether private or business, are celebrated during a meal, which is why a great amount of care should be given to dining room decoration.

Many people, especially women, are very interested in how their kitchen is decorated. The bigger, more spacious and brighter it is, the easier it is to spend hours in it. Don’t clutter the kitchen with unnecessary elements, but maximize its space and potential putting only what’s necessary in it.

Shop 4 Furniture Via
Beauty and simplicity go together

Another reason to go for the minimalist style in your home is - it is less likely you’ll do a bad job decorating this way. When you clutter your home with many things, the chances are higher some of these things will not look good together. You don’t want your house to look distasteful, but you do want it to be pleasant to live in and beautiful. Keep it simple and you’ll love it.

~
Thank you Eva for this lovely article

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Thursday, January 10, 2013

STRANGE: What should I do with this?

Some pics I find on the internet really puzzle me - especially when it comes to interior design. The question here is "what the heck am I supposed to do with this special piece of furniture?" I mean the long brown piece that reminds me so very much of the exercises you were supposed to carry out on these vaults in old stinky school gyms.

If this is supposed to serve as seating furniture then I would really fear to lose my balance while reaching for a cup of coffee on the table not to mention these lamps which remind me strangely of hanging boobs...


found on homesolute.com

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Thursday, December 27, 2012