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. 

Zhenya Zhuravlyova Illustrations

ME by ZHENYA ZHURAVLYOVA :))

(all published pictures credited to Zhenya Zhuravlyova) 

I came across Zhenya's wonderful blog, Newbloodstyle Haute Couture, approximately 2 years ago and the moment I realised that all these drawings are actually her own work, I was overwhelmed.

Being attracted to fashion illustrations for a long time now, Zhenya is definitely one of the most talented illustrators I found in the broad world wide web. Her love to detailing her works unites highest precision and deep perfection. The realness her illustrations reflect mixes up with a richness in fantasy and always leave a fine note of a beautiful fairytale.

The variety in her interpretations of people perfectly combine the latest fashion and keep up with her personal point of view. Her perception together with her wonderful fantasy just keep on surprising and astonishing me every time she publishes a new outcome of her ultimate talent. Finely drawing every little detail, Zhenya balances a great mixture of colours and still leaves some parts black and white - something I absolutely adore. It somehow leaves me behind to "fulfill" the rest of it and gives the observer the chance to interpret her images with a personal thought.

While I'm currently working on my blog (and there will be some changes pretty soon), I received this amazing illustration of myself personally drawn by Zhenya. I immediately knew: This is going to be displayed in my blog & this is going to deserve a whole post about this woman! She didn't meet my expectations - she did much more than this! I love it! 

Whoever said that beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, must have been not completely right. Zhenya's illustrations ARE simply beautiful. You can't deny.

Check out Zhenya's blog with a broad range of her illustrations:

 http://www.newbloodstyle-hautecouture.blogspot.com/ 

Like what you see? Then show your love on Facebook HERE! 

A huge huge huge thank you once again to Zhenya for doing this wonderful sketch. Please keep up with your work. I'm truly appreciating this outstanding talent!

20 years of DAZED & CONFUSED

I don't know if I made it clear in the past but I simply love this city. The fact that there is an exhibition for free is nearly as absurd as the imagination of Wikipedia not working for 24 hours.

Between all of the essays and exams I needed to get done by this and last week, I found some time to visit the Dazed & Confused exhibition  at Somerset House, where London Fashionweek will take place again. I've never been there before, which I regret the moment I entered this building. Located directly at the River Thames, I just got overwhelmed by the size and old style.

"Making it up as we go along" is the title of Jo-ann Furniss' published book consisting of all the amazing editorials and frontpages Dazed & Confused published over the past 20 years. And so the exhibition gives an insight with a great compilation of all those works.

The contrast of highly modern images of Agyness, Beth, Kate & Co. and the wonderfully old styled rooms held me for more than 20 minutes per room to feel the atmosphere. The faithful part of my readership knows how much I love Kate and so it was kind of going through her life while walking through each room. No wonder co-editor Jefferson Hack fell in love with her.

The two adjoining rooms of this exhibition are dedicated to Alexander McQueen being so special and out of space for me that I didn't take any pictures.

Personally, I've been always a huge fan of Dazed & Confused. Founded in 1991 by Rankin and Hack it is said to be "the barometer of underground style" and international counterculture ever since. For me it is the British magazine of the scene and represents that fresh, alternative and controversial look of what the youth represents.

Sadly, I'm leaving UK tomorrow again but for those of you living or currently being here, there's a  talk with Jefferson Hack and Jo-ann Furniss (editor of Making it up as we come along) at Somerset on the 27th of January at 6.30 pm. Online it says that all the tickets are sold out (5 pounds is simply nothing... we all understand) but there are still some tickets available at Somerset House directly. Damn it I can't attend this.

The exhibition is still running until the 29th and I can assure you - it's definitely worthy to visit.

The ice rink in front of Somerset House sponsored by Tiffany & Co. 

Mixed Pictures of New York

Okay, I promise this is the last photo post about my trip to New York. But since there are soo many pictures I took, I just felt like sharing them with my readers and followers. 

Hope you have a great day! 

PS: I thank Deborah (http://www.hopethinkknow.com) for giving me the Stylish Blogger Award! So cute of you. I will mention that in a separate post as soon as possible & pass it on to others. Love 

For Information: 

First two pictures: Broadway in the morning and my mum & me heading back to the hotel

MoMA 

Room and view 

Different pictures from my shoppingtrips

Hall at Mondrian SoHo

Lunch at Imperial No. 9 at Mondrian SoHo with my cool, fashionable dad who's proud of his newly bought sunnies. How I love him ;)