INSPIRATION: OUTDOOR MARKET

Today I wanted to share a little of what I consider to be major inspiration - outdoor markets! These are snapshots from a few years back when I went to the Naschmarkt in Vienna, Austria-  it's so good, it even made the love list. The Naschmarkt came to be in the 16th century + it was love at first sight!

The smell of the fresh dishes being cooked, the texture of unusual fruits, the sound of the hustle and bustle, and the sight of some of the most thrilling colors - it's sensory overload - in a really wonderful kind of way. 

The most beautiful and unexpected colors are always found in nature - coincidental? I think not! So why not go and scout out a local food market this weekend, and take a walk around - you're sure to be inspired!

Fancy, huh?

I'm not much of a fancy gal, but when I went to Paris for the first time a couple of years ago for Christmas, I fell for the city of glamor. The grand scale of Parisian architecture made a powerful statement as I strolled through the city streets, and the store windows of the Galeries de Lafayette were luxurious and filled with glitz. Even two years later, I'm still in awe. Inspiration overload!

Bright Sunshiny Day!

Happy Good Friday to all!! What a beautiful day today is in Central Louisiana. Today's weather made me crave a nice patio lunch while seated in one of these...

Yes! A french woven cafe chair. These chairs are absolutely adorable! I went to Paris, France for a VERY short weekend while living abroad, and I drooled over these cafe chairs.  They can be seen on just about any sidewalk in Paris. I really wanted to just take one and run...all the way back to the States!!  

Well now I don't have to think of a mischievous plan for my next Paris adventure. I've found the answer! Look no further than good ole Pottery Barn. We can now live and dine like a Parisian with one of PB's new woven cafe chairs!

One of life's simple pleasures!

Spring is here!

Vibrant colors, mixed patterns, shabby chic decor. 

 I scoped out one of my favorite European sites to find some real inspiration, and it definitely delivered!

Drumroll please.....Introducing Pip Studio.
Pip Studio is a dutch design company based in Amsterdam, Germany.  For all those shabby chic fans you will go wild Pip Studio.  You can find bed, bath, and kitchen accessories. Also they carry an extensive wallpaper collection. It's a definite must see site!

Barcelona: an inspiring city AND fabric collection

The Mediterranean Sea, one of the most naturally beautiful sites I've seen. 

 I was brought back to this lovely place upon finding the new spring/summer 2010 designer's guild barcelona collection.  The color combos and cool geometric curves, not to mention the collection name, brought me back to the wonderful city of Barcelona, Spain.  My husband and I were given the amazing opportunity to live abroad for 6 months and we were fortunate enough to travel to a few locations, Barcelona being one.  Here's a little of what we saw on our weekend excursion along with some fabric swatches and gallery photos that I hope will bring you to a happy place, as it did me.

Unique rocks washed upon the shoreline. 

sagrada aqua swatch

barcino cobalt swatch

structure designed by Gaudi at the Guell Park aka Dr. Suess's house?!

colorful tiles at the Guadi designed Guell Park

ramblas rose swatch

Barcelona fabric inspired room

yummy lobster at the boqueria 

Barcelona ramblas fabric featuring red-orange lobster love

Berlin finds...

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to go to Berlin for the weekend.  Boy, did I ever fall in love.  There are so many great things about Berlin, especially for design fanatics and french food lovers.  I found so many great design and interior stores in Berlin and was fairly surprised  by it.  I guess, I missed the known fact that Berlin is the "up and coming design capital of the world".  Well, that's what some claim, and frankly, I can see why. Let me share with you the best of Berlin's kept secrets...

Twinkle Twinkle

Kollwitzstrasse 52

Prenzlauerberg district

This little shop makes me dizzy! It's an "oh my gosh" kind of shop for me. This retro inspired store brings back patterns and designs from yesteryear.  This store features popular kitsch brands such as pip studio and cath kidston, and also other brands such as clayre and eef as well as house doctor. A must-see in my books!

Cole Dammpf's

Offnungszeiten 39

Prenzlauerberg district

This kitchen store caught my eye with their lovely holiday decor. What a wonderful way to incorporate color and fun to an ordinary cereal bowl display.

cache coeur

 Schoenhauser Allee 174

Prenzlauerberg district

Unfortunately I came across this shop on a Sunday, in which it was closed.  From the looks of it, its a vintage shop that handles clothing, shoes, accessories, and furniture.  I see it as an upscale vintage gem.

push gallerie

 Kollwitzstrasse 97

Prenzlauerberg district

This store of modern design carries products similar to those you might find in a MoMa shop, but with gadgets and gizmos galore it's even better.  Products of a particular function used to make a product of another function all in a sleek design. What more could you want?

Bateau Ivre

Oranienstrasse 18

Kruezberg district

This cute little corner cafe has much to offer.  It seemed to be a local hotspot with its packed out tables of Berlin-ers coming in for their Sunday brunch. Served here? French cuisine - simply put, Meat or cheese tray, a basket of yummy sliced baguettes, and a cafe au late on the side. Atmosphere? Chill. Those who rolled out of bed just to drag themselves down the road to their favorite Sunday brunch joint, which happens to be an adorable french cafe.

Interior: hipster paper lanterns strung from a rope, old wooden furniture, and  a nicely selected sage wall color makes for a pleasant atmosphere.

french cuisine: meat and cheese tray accompanied by sliced baguettes and a cafe au late.

Delightful.

Nord Sud

small street off of Oranienstrasse

Kreuzberg district

A daily selected menu of french cuisine. Three courses and three options, with one fixed low price.  Only a few tables in this little restaurant, but it  serves as a cozy little nook. We happened to pass by and it looked so inviting we decided to pop in just in time to snag a vacant table. There was only a staff of two the night we went, one cook and one waiter/greeter/etc, who happened to be the owner, and yes, he is French. Some of the nicest people doing what they love, loving what they do, and doing it to perfection.

Isn't she lovely?

Prague. My home for the past five months. It's truly lovely!

 Vintage abandoned doors are everywhere, and get this, made of real wood!  So much to adore.

Vibrant inspirations of color!

A little pot of gold.

Eye candy for pop art fans.

The last five months have been exhilarating with all the inspiration that surrounds me in Europe, particularly Prague.  Whether its a breath-taking view of Prague's skyline, a vintage door around a cobblestone road corner, a glance that hits you with a splash of color, a pile of too-precious-for-words vintage cabinet pulls or an overwhelming pop art wall, its all here to find in Prague. Surely, there is more to come...