Just a Fall Afternoon

There is nothing quite like a fall day. I spent the afternoon outside, collecting leaves and walnuts, chasing the cat around the garden (and also chasing the neighbour's cat who was also chasing my cat) so I can say business as usual. 

By the time I finished collecting and chasing, the garden looked like as if no work had been done there - the tree is big, has too many leaves and drops one every ten seconds, so I can start again tomorrow. Yeah, this is autumn for you. 

The air cools down quickly, so after a day like this I could really do with a blanket and a cup of nice tea warming me up. Luckily the cat has also calmed down, and curled up in my lap. 

What else do you need in a fall day like this?

Farmers' Market

Let's enjoy the beginning of the new season with shopping at the local farmers's market. What would you buy? :)

Summer Camp

The last days of summer are always more precious. The days are growing shorter, the light changes, the summer sunset has the promise of a crisp autumn. There has always been something magical about the last days of August. I tried to capture my late summer feelings in this moodboard - in fact, the middle photo was my jumping off point for this board. It shows the light, the clouds, the sunset in the way I see them around this time. And why not enjoy the passing of summer with camping out? 

Roof terrace for stargazing

He was a free spirit. 

At nights he took his motorbike out of the garage, and through the empty, dimly lit streets, his bike took him out of town, where the stars shone brighter, the grass was tall and wild, and he was laying on the ground for hours, gazing happily up the starry sky. 

A long time passed this way, and he thought this was how things were supposed to be.
Then came the moment when he finally found the one, the one he thought he would never meet; but settling down came with a price. She lived far in a big, noisy city where the street lights outshone the stars, the grass in the park was well-kept and cut short. She led a totally different life that included last minute meetings, presentations, rush hours and Starbucks takeaway lattes.  

The choice had to be made.

He gave up his motorbike, bid farewell to the sleepy town and moved in with her. The first months were spent with decorating the new home, the top floor apartment in an older red brick building - the love nest as she called it. 

Naturally she adored every moment of the renovation. He - well, he did not. What is so enjoyable in selecting cushions, discussing durable materials and harassing the carpenter with a new storage bench? And, by the way, he still could not make up his mind between green and brown. These natural colours reminded him of the tall grass outside of his birth town. After a mild row she bought furniture in both colours. He did not say a word. There was only one thing he insisted on: the Route 66 wall marquee. When she saw it, she just rolled her eyes with an indulgent smile. He did not notice, as he was too busy with hanging the string of light bulbs above the table. 

Over the coming months he gradually settled in, found a job and new friends. The rooftop terrace was the center of laugh and fun when their friends came over for late night dinner. It was good. 

But sometimes, in the middle of the night, when he could not sleep, he climbed out of the bed quietly and went upstairs, to the rooftop terrace. 

There stood her gift - the telescope.
He could look at the stars anytime now, whenever he wanted, closer than ever. So he was laying on the bench for hours, gazing happily up to the starry sky. 

greek style terrace

Summer is in full swing and you have a terrace. Let's suppose you have white walls, stone floor and hopefully gorgeous blue sea for backdrop (blue sky can do). How do you make it look like as if it was straight from Greece?

The answer is surprisingly easy. It does not matter if you have a modern building or a rustic one, this style can match both. You can not do wrong with neutral furniture: this one is the minimalistic Adelaide outdoor collection by BoConcept. (If you pick rustic furniture, white and brown are safe colours for that style, too.)

For instant Greekness you can do basically two things. Just think of the Mamma Mia! movie poster with Donna and Sophie standing in the arched doorway - it has all the features that makes the Greek mood (warning: actors of the movie do not make Greek mood and are considered pretty much unavailable). 

So the two key elements are:

1) Deep sky blue accent colours. In this mood board, it can be found only on the cushions, but you can paint your door blue, acquire blue chairs or stools. Even blue flower pots will do. Just remember the exact blue colour. 

2) One word: Bougainvillea. It is that creeper plant with that signiture vibrant colour that grows ideal in the Greek Islands. (It originates from South America anyway.) It does not like cold weather, but can be kept inside in the winter periods. 

If you want to add lanters, flower pots, cushions, it is up to you: with white walls, blue accents and deep pink flowers the mood is already set.

Grab a bottle of Mavrodaphne, and enjoy summer!

Uptown Rooftop Terrace

Come with me

And we shall run accross the sky

And illuminate the night

Oh I will try and guide you

To better times and brighter days

Don't be afraid...

Come up the ladder to the roof

Where we can see heaven much better

Come up the ladder to the roof

Where we can be closer to heaven...

- The Supremes sung this song long before I was born. 

It is summer in the Northern Hempisphere, so let's move up, but I doubt that ladders are leading to a rooftop terrace like this.

This elegant set is dominated by the classic combination of black and white. Adding concrete and rich dark wood it gets a contemporary swift, while green provides a natural touch. The cubic forms reflect the surrounding skycrapers. Perfect place to chill out on a Friday evening with your friends. 

Garden Picnic

The last couple of days were a bit rainy. I do not mind rain, but I do look forward to spend more time outdoors. I do not mean hiking, I mean having a picnic in the park, hillside or even the far end of your garden. Just out of the house. Go and grab a colourful blanket, pack your basket with goodies: homemade sandwiches, lemonade, fruits, anything you like. Make it a lazy afternoon, just enjoy the lovely weather and each other's company. Take your time.