Gemütlichkeit

Gemütlichkeit is the German word for "coziness" or "a place where one feels well", and Germany is a very cozy place at Christmastime!  No country on earth does a more magical Christmas than Germany, in my opinion.  :)

To kick off our holiday weekend, we will visit the Christmas Market on the main square in Munich called Marienplatz, shown below.  This picture doesn't even look real to me it is so magical.  I sometimes have to pinch myself that we really live here! 




{http://www.germany-christmas-market.org.uk}

 

There is a wonderful window display of Steiff stuffed animals in winter settings, similar to FAO Schwarz in New York City, that we'll also look at with the kids. 
I am really looking forward to seeing the wonder in their eyes.




{Steiff.com}

 
Wishing you a peaceful and joyful Holiday!

The Magic of Urns

I am absolutely smitten with urns.  Maybe I have lived and traveled in Europe too long, but I keep finding more and more uses for them and think they are just beautiful!  Here are a few ideas for urns in many different sizes and settings.  I could go on and on...contact me if you'd like more ideas!  

{wisteria.com}

The scale on these is pretty small but so nice. 

They'd be great in a powder room or on a mantel.

I saw a ton of these in Provence last year and fell in love.  I think one on each side of the front door with evergreens would be so lovely! 

Ah...orchids.  You can't go wrong. 

(Also love the horn although the vegetarian in me shivers a little bit when I see them.)

Limes in a black urn are a bit more contemporary so it gives it a very clean look.

Very traditional, but stunning nonetheless. 

Casablanca Lillies are right up there on my list of favorite flowers, so they get me every time.  Look how pretty they look with the fir boughs too...

So cool.  So airy.  Love it!

Photography by Barbara Jordan Dettweiler

I took this picture at an antiques market in Provence last summer.  I love the idea of a few urns outside my kitchen with rosemary, thyme, basil and sage spilling out of them....

Call of the Wild: Zebra Ottomans

I find a touch of animal print in a room very refreshing because it introduces surprise in a sophisticated way.  I particularly love zebra prints on ottomans.  Two matching ottomans are great for extra seating of course, but they also look great tucked under an entry or sofa table and even here and there throughout the house - perhaps in a boring hallway- for a fun unexpected punch.  Here are some great examples of them in beautiful settings.  I have compared them to a lot of different color schemes and they paired quite nicely!

I love this one with the great gallery wall behind the couch...




{source unknown}

 

 This combination of shells, dark woods, zebra ottomans and Hermes orange
combine some of my favorite things for a tailored look!



{source unknown}



 I like the zebra here alongside Lucite to give it a modern edge.




{source unknown}

 

 Here zebra also goes well with some classic elements...




{JK Place Hotel}

 

 I love the oversized plant in this room for an exotic feel!




{Windsor Smith}

  I think a little goes a long way, but I really love it!  What are your favorite designs for zebra?  Or do you hate it altogether?