The Washington Park Residence

picturecredit: http://www.sullivanconard.com/

Having parents who are not only attracted to outstanding art but also having a great sense for architecture and interior design had ultimately a major influence on me. 

Since I discovered the variety of architecture blogs, I always admired some specific ones that offer me a daily dose of amazing inspiration in that sector. As I'm not calling myself an expert (in contrast to what I call my parents), I can't tell much about the facts that attract me the most in terms of specific houses, buildings or interior. But something I can certainly say: I love puristic design. Straight lines, symmetry and that special something, which engages the person to a cool but welcoming atmosphere are the ultimate factors that always make crave to live in such an environment all by myself one day. That's why I'm an obsessive collector of pictures of this world's (personally considered) most amazing houses and that's why I found that it's time to share some of the over 1000 images with my readership. To start off with my newest label "Architecture" (for some other impressions, click on the sidebar and discover which amazing places I was able to visit and other stuff that perfectly matches this label), I thought about sharing The Washington Park Residence. 

Being a project by the Sullivan Conard Architects, this house is located in Seattle near Lake Washington and Cascades. The elements of rare stone and nature orientated elements and colours build a beautiful balance to the clean and structured shape. The picture that attracted my at first (and mostly!) was the one presenting the entrance with the sunlight flooding the room and offering an incredible sight. Thanks to the broad windows, the house holds a link to the surrounding nature and meanwhile maintains privacy. The way the light can flush into each corner if you want to but doesn't necessarily has to, is something I absolutely adore. As a contrast to the raw stone and wooden elements, the steel walls add that cool atmosphere and show some major awareness of modernity without exaggerating. 

However, there is one decisive thing that didn't convince me, thus makes the whole appearance a little harder to look good for those of us having not such an architectural affinity. It's the interior. Although I like furniture, which perfectly fits to the palish nature tones, I personally don't like the various pictures hanging nearly everywhere. It takes some essential room. 

Not convinced of the table + the art 

Again, too much of the art standing and hanging around. 

Moscow

I can't believe that these pictures are already a few years old. Moscow - Russia's capital and certainly one of the most interesting cities! So rich in beautiful architecture, I was completely overwhelmed by the cultural programme I once decided to do and so I thought about sharing these few impressions. It might be completely boring to some, but as I've been passed on a certain faible for architectural beauty, I just couldn't take my eyes off the various buildings I came across over my time. Especially the churches were my absolute favourite. The golden cones and roofs together with a clear love to detail and a deep history - simply breathtaking. There is surely no other place like Moscow that brings so many stereotypes with it but then again convinces with its overwhelming programme of culture, people and mentality. The spirit that surrounded me for the first time is just barely describable and can't be put in proper words. Yeah, that may be the first time I'm lacking of right description. It seemed as if I was finding myself in another world. A world full of busy people and a powerful influence (and beautiful girls with an unbelievable physiognomy which led me to a daily dose of jealousy and the question "why was I born in Vienna, the most Western point of the East? WHY"as well as the thought "Ok I'm not going to finish this amazing dinner" after seeing the disciplines of the girls at the other table). One of the funniest experiences over there was most probably the moment I got lost and realised that I'm a little nobody without the ability to speak or READ something. You all of a sudden feel completely insecure and like a little child getting lost in the supermarket and accepting the fact of never finding its way back home. Fortunately, I found some really nice people who were actually able to talk in proper English to me (something which is a little rare as I had to discover). Nevertheless, this experience was hilarious and I just can remember a similar event happening to me in Hong Kong three summers ago (yeah whether Mandarin or Cyrillic - I definitely missed out an important language class). 

However, and as always, there is also the downside of an impressive and beautiful city. The poverty living next to the absolute richness has never been so clear and shocking to me. Maybe this is something you tend to recognise when you're getting older but I was often experiencing a really bitter smack while I was about to take some drinks with my parents at the roofbar of the city's most famous hotel (or alternatively having some super nice dinner at beautiful places) after passing several homeless people who waited near to the flat. And let me tell you that I'm not talking about three.. no, possibly ten or even more. The  guilt that you feel is not pleasant at all and it all of a sudden hits you with the facts of reality. Where there is unbelievable richness and beauty, there will always be the opposite to it. Unfortunately, I was not able to visit another city (Saint Petersburg is something I'm absolutely wanting to see one day) but for the first, Moscow was rich enough in all its facets and differences. 

Although there were these moments of downsides, I will definitely be back to this city in summer and I just can hardly wait for it!! :) 

the sight of the flat :)

:)

O2 rooftop bar at the Ritz 

Trench Coat: Zara

Shades: Kate Spade

Ballerinas: Pretty Ballerinas

Bag: Marc Jacobs

Partly Home

Taking a little time out was most probably the best idea I was encouraged to do last week. That's why I left the city behind and flew over to Cologne. Meeting a friend who's been away for half a year and the feeling of being home and surrounded by your parents is irreplaceable and simply priceless.

Outfit 1

Cardigan: Bruno Manetti

Top: Gucci

Leggings: American Apparel

Bracelet: nobody

Ring: Cartier

Shoes: Kate Spade

Outfit 2

Coat: D&G by Dolce & Gabbana (from RAINBOW store, Cologne)

Fur Vest: Vintage

Oversized Turtleneck: Repeat

Leggings: Hallhuber

Bracelet: Collier de Chien by Hèrmes

Bag: Louis Vuitton

Boots: Zara

See this huge make up blotch? Love how I always fail to wash my hands before returning back to my 24/7-lover. 

INCREDIBLE IBIZA

I just came back from one of the coolest trips I could have had this summer. And fell in love. With Ibiza.

The facets, the weather, the vibe of the island and the right places with the right people - all of this filled me with so much energy that I'm ready for all the changes that will come pretty soon. One of the most beautiful places I visited, was definitely the trip to Formentera. The last time I saw such a water condition (no exaggeration), was actually when I spent my holidays on the Bahamas. 

I never expected an island like Ibiza (which I honestly supposed to be an island full of party-enthusiastic idiots that destroy most of the places with their behaviour) to offer so many inspiring locations being far far far far away from any ugly, dull party-people. Like all of those beaches I spent the mornings/middays at. Or  the Atzaró, one of the cool restaurants I got to eat at. Built in the middle of literally nowhere (on the more countrified sites of the island), a breathtaking area with a loungy atmosphere surprised me and was accompanied by a delicious cuisine. 

Another surprise that went behind my expectations was the variety in furniture-offerings. Sluiz, for example, shows an incredible amount of (sometimes useless but still funny to look at) interior decorations and La Maison De L'Elephant is one of the most impressive shops (you can actually call it HALLS) I ever went to. I will do a separate post about La Maison De L'Elephant since I hate blog posts with too many pictures (+ I want to avoid my "picture-editing-and-eliminating" problem, which then again results in complete dissatisfaction - it's all so complicated when you're 19 and this could be your only current problem). 

Overall, Ibiza is a beautiful place to stay and I hope that I will come back some time again. Possibly next summer. I wish ... 

SLUIZ

Me + my disability of taking pictures of myself more professionally therefore posing in the mirror like an idiot just because I'm that impressed of what I'm wearing 

FORMENTERA

HIPPYMARKET

ATZARÓ