Tag Archives: Design

Innere und aeussere Schoenheit (1)

10 Jan

 Personal Note: “Man goennt sich ja sonst nichts… –

 So stay tuned and have a happy and wonderful day!”   Beate

Ich gebe zu, eine meiner Lieblingsbeschaeftigungen ist Shopping (typisch Frau – wuerde mein lieber Mann jetzt sagen). Allerdings gibt es einige Produkte, deren Erneuerung zwar von Zeit zu Zeit noetig ist, aber fuer die ich mich nicht so gerne ins Einkaufs-Getuemmel stuerze. Eins davon ist ein neuer BH  und das andere ist ein neues  Nachthemd!

Waehrend ich im Oktober ein Buch ueber die kleinen Freuden und Schoenheiten im Leben las, die man sich als Frau ab und zu selbst bereiten sollte (man goennt sich ja sonst nichts…), kam ich zu dem Kapitel ueber innere und auessere Schoenheit.  Die amerikanische Autorin des Buches empfiehlt dringenst, sich auf keinen Fall und niemals gehen zu lassen und selbst in Situationen, wo es niemand sieht, huebsch und gepflegt auszusehen. Das bezog  sich besonders auf das Tragen von Unter- und Nachtwaesche. Mit einer Mischung aus Selbstkritik  und schlechtem Gewissen liess ich meine persoenliche Dessous-und Nachtkollektion vor meinem geistigen Auge auffahren und sah der Tatsache ins Auge, dass es hier enorme Gelegenheit zur Verbesserung gibt.

Ich beschloss, mir so schnell wie moeglich einen neuen BH und ein neues Nachthemd zuzulegen, vor allem, da mein lieber Mann mein Lieblingsnachthemd als „Sack“ bezeichnet. Normalerweise ist mein Selbstbewusstsein ausgepraegt genug um seine unqualifizierten Auesserungen bezuegliche Mode und Geschmack zu ignorieren, aber unter dem Aspekt der inneren und aeusseren Schoenheit und der kleinen Freuden im Leben gemaess Kapitel 5 meines Buches, musste ich gestehen,  dass mein Nachthemd nicht besonders vorteilhaft geschnitten war.  Wie konnte ich ueber Jahre dem irrtuemlichen Glauben zum Opfer gefallen sein, dass in meinem Nachtleben Bequemlichkeit wichtiger ist als Representation? Der Stil war vermutlich dem Alltag zum Opfer gefallen, insbesondere weil ich schon sehr, sehr lange verheiratet bin und jeden Abend todmuede  ins Bett falle. Aber nun sollte sich alles aendern! Aesthetik ist das neue Motto,  und so zog ich eines Tages fest entschlossen ins Shopping Center nach Albany, um mir ein schoenes, neues, elegantes Nachthemd zu leisten  und mein Leben drastisch zu aendern  (und um meinen lieben Mann zu ueberraschen!)

Aber schon nach der ersten Stunde der Recherche in Shops und Kaufhaeusern musste ich mit Ueberraschung und Entsetzen zur Kenntnis nehmen, dass entweder mein Geschmack oder meine Altersgruppe eine echte Marktluecke darstellte.  Hoffnung und Enttaeuschung wechselten sich ab beim Eintreten und Verlassen neuer Shops und Warenhaeuser und mir stellte sich spontan die Frage: Wer entwirft eigentlich Nachthemden fuer die Frau um 50? Offensichtlich niemand!

Das Angebot liess auf jeden Fall zu wuenschen uebrig. Erstens war die Farbpalette extrem eingeschraenkt: hellblau, rosa, weiss, rot  und schwarz. Und zweitens gab es nur zwei Schnitte: entweder Hemd mit Hose  aus Flanell oder ueberdimensionales T-Shirt bis zum Knie aus baumwollartigem Mischgewebe!

Nach drei Stunden und 20 Shops kam ich zu dem Schluss: That’s it! Das ist die eingeschraenkte Quelle, aus der ich meine neu gewonnene Nachtschoenheit schoepfen muss. In Entscheidungssituationen behalte ich normalerweise einen klaren Kopf und gehe systematisch und mit dem altbewaehrten Prinzip der Elemenierung vor. Hemd mit Hose oder T-Shirt? Das war keine schwere Entscheidung. Hose trage ich den ganzen Tag und T-Shirt ist einfach praktischer, da unten offen! Die Auswahl von  Farbe und Muster bereitete mir mehr Kopfzerbrechen.  Es gab Weiss mit roten Punkten, Rot mit weissen Schleifchen, Schwarz mit Glitter oder riesige Aufdrucke in Form von Katze mit grossen Augen, Hund mit grossen Zaehnen, Micky Mouse mit grossen Ohren, Herzchen, Sternchen oder Kroenchen.

Was soll denn das? Ist das was Frauen in meinem Alter nachts im Bett tragen? Sollte das denn wahr sein, dass es zwischen heimlichem Online-Erwerb von kitschiger Stubenmaedchen-Reizwaesche und gedruckten Kindermotiven auf  ueberdimensionalen T-Shirts keine Alternative gab? Sollte ich wirklich mein Bett mit Micky Mouse oder einem farbenfrohen Haustier teilen? Ach ja, und dann war da noch das rosa Nachtkleid mit Rueschen am langen Aermel und am bodenlangen Saum und den fuenf Knoepfen am Hals, das vor Vampiren und Triebtaetern schuetzt. Das Design (auch noch in hellblau erhaeltlich) habe ich von vorneherein als nicht altersgemaess ablehnt! 

Ein Blick auf die Uhr – schon halb drei – keine Zeit mehr um lange rumzufackeln. Kurz entschlossen und ohne anzuprobieren (Einheitsgroesse!) waehlte ich das grosse schwarze Nachtarrangement im lockeren T-Shirt-Style,   mit dem silbernen Glitter-Aufdruck einer riesigen Krone und dem Wort „Princess“ an der Stelle, wo mein erdanziehungskraft geschaedigter, fraulicher Busen nach einem anstrengenden Tag seine Entfaltung findet.

Als ich am Abend stolz mit meiner neu gewonnen Schoenheit und wie Sissi bei der Kroenung zur Kaiserin grazioes die Treppe herunter schritt, stellte selbst mein ignoranter Mann ueberrascht und begutachtend fest: „Hast Du einen neuen Sack?“

Es gibt gewisse Dinge im Leben, mit denen muss man sich einfach abfinden!

Interior Design Principles: Balance

31 Oct

Balance can be described as the equal distribution of visual weight in a room. An object’s visual weight is the amount of space it appears to occupy. A well-balanced room gives careful consideration to the placement of objects. The relationship between them, their colour, form, texture, pattern, and light are important aspects to achieve a great look and a feeling of completion.  In a room the mere arrangement of fireplace, doors, windows etc. can create the balance already. Unbalanced rooms create discomfort.  

There are three styles of balance: symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial.

Symmetrical balance is usually found in more traditional interiors. Symmetrical balance is characterized by the same objects repeated in the same positions on either side of a vertical axis, for example in bedrooms, where both sides of the bed have the same night tables, lights, chairs etc.  Symmetry is a good way to achieve a sense of order and is often used, when formal effects are wanted, when focusing attention on something important is desirable, when the use of the room suggests symmetry or when contrast with natural surroundings is sought.

Example for a symmetrical balanced bedroom

Asymmetrical balance is often used in modern designs to create more lively interiors. Here balance is achieved with some dissimilar objects that have equal visual weight or eye attraction. Asymmetrical balance is more casual, but more difficult to create, because it suggests movement, spontaneity and informality. It is less obvious than the formality of symmetry and allows full freedom and flexibility in arrangements for utility as well as for beauty and individuality.

Example for an asymmetrical balanced bedroom

Radial symmetry is when all the elements of a design are arrayed around a center point, as in the spokes of a wheel or the petals of a daisy. Its chief characteristic is a circular movement out from, toward or around a centre. In homes it is found mainly in circular dining settings or spiral staircases. Though not so often employed in interiors, radial symmetry can provide an interesting counterpoint if used appropriately.

Example for a radial balanced dining room

 

Personal Note: “I hope you’ll enjoy my Blog and the new topic “Interior Design”.  In my next Interior blog I will write about the second principle  “Emphasis”.

Last night I went to a Halloween Party with the theme “Rocky Horror Picture Show”. That was the craziest and most bizarre costume party I ever went to….  

Later today we will go to a park and have a “Halloween Picnic” with the kids and lots of  families and lots of lollies. Fingers crossed, that the sun stays with us!

 So, stay tuned and have a happy and wonderful day!”   Beate

Make your own beautiful Storage Boxes

12 Oct

Personal Note: “I am a huge fan of what I call “Design on a Budget”.  After giving you tips and tricks to reorganize your closet, today I will show you how to make your own beautiful storage containers from shoe boxes.  This is the first post in the new Craft series.

My next post will show you how to de-clutter your wardrobe (not always easy to let go…) before you sort everything back into your freshly organized closet.  So, stay tuned and have a wonderful and happy  day!”   Beate 

Make your own beautiful Boxes – Design on a  Budget!

 

You will need

Empty shoe boxes

Sheets of beautiful gift wrap or wallpaper

Glue stick or spray adhesive (wall paper paste)

Scissors, craft knife, ruler, pencil, needle

Old plastic card or make one from thick cardboard

Optional:

Primer and/or Acrylic Paint (test pot), brushes

Handles, knobs, printed labels or stickers

Recycle old shoe boxes, wooden wine crates or other cardboard boxes, cover them with stylish gift wrap, colour coordinated decorative papers, patterned wall paper or newspaper prints, depending on the style, theme or colour scheme in your newly organized closet. If you buy gift wrap sheets (I like to use standard sheets, approx. 68x50cm, which fit one box, if the inside is not fully covered and it has no lid) look for great designs, same colours in different patterns, one colour in different hues, white or black in different textures or just the same paper for lots of boxes. Find papers that you really enjoy. Ask your local shoe shop for empty boxes, recycle your own or use other empty boxes in good sizes to fit your closet. If you have a dark box and light paper, it is a good idea to give the box a coat of primer or white Acrylic paint and let dry properly before you cover it with paper.If unsure, what size paper you need, wrap a piece of newspaper around your box, cut to size and measure. That gives you the minimum sheet size you need. If you go for expensive Designer papers, think of covering only the outer sides and paint the inside with acrylic paint first. Test pots of Acrylic Interior paints are perfect for the job, as they come in hundreds of colours, perfect for matching to your paper and they are not expensive). Or you can use a plain colour matching paper for the inside and the designer paper for the outside. If you only cover the outside, still fold the paper over the top edges of the box to the inside (min. 1- 2cm).

 

(1) Cut your paper to fit around the box on all sides. Cut a separate piece (you might need a second sheet of paper) for the inside bottom of the box 5mm smaller than the dimensions of the box outer bottom. If your box has a lid, first cut the paper to fit the top, the sides and the inside sides of the lid. Then cut an extra piece for the inside of the lid top 5mm smaller than the outer top.

(2) With a long ruler and a pencil, make two thin lines, corner to corner, on the wrong side of the large paper sheet to find the exact center. Or mark half of the length and half of the width and find the center point. Do the same on the bottom of your box and mark the middle with a tiny needle hole.

(3) With the needle in the hole of the bottom, try to find the middle of the paper and place the box on top. Gently outline the bottom of the box on the paper.

(4) Take the box off, cover the bottom of the box with glue (stick or spray adhesive) and place it on the marked paper rectangle.

(5) Turn over and rub down the paper carefully with an old plastic card to bond and prevent wrinkles. Run the card along the paper down the edges of the box (This helps prevent pockets from forming along this edge after the paper is folded over). Be careful not to damage your beautiful paper.

 (6) Apply the adhesive to one of the long sides of the box and fold up the paper. Again run the plastic card over it. With scissors cut straight down to the top of the box at both corners. Repeat on the other long side of the box.

(7) Fold the two ends of the paper for the short sides of the box into triangles to create nice edges of the paper.

(8) Cut the triangles off about 2 cm from the folding line, then glue the folded stripe to the inside of the paper. Apply adhesive to the short side of the box, fold up the paper and run the plastic card over it. Do the same on the opposite side of the box.

(9) Take the box, so that the first paper triangle lies flat on your table and apply glue to the paper triangle.

(10) Make a nice corner, by folding the paper up and rub it to the box with your plastic card. Do the same on all corners. By now you have covered the bottom and all four sides of your box.

(11) Cut the paper in all corners straight down to the top of the box.

(12) Lay each side of the overlapping paper flat on your work surface and with a ruler draw a line on the inside (take your shortest paper piece as the maximum with).

(13) Then cut all four sides nicely with scissors or a craft knife to the same length.

(14) Glue the long sides of the paper first, fold nicely over the edge and rub with the plastic card. Repeat on the other long side, then the short sides.

(15) If you have painted the inside of your box first or if you don’t care so much about the inside, you are finished. If you want to cover the rest of the inside, cut fitting stripes of paper for the walls and finish with the bottom paper (take the bottom of the box as template and cut the paper 5mm smaller than the marked rectangle. Glue it in and it’s finished. If you have a lid to cover, just repeat all steps of covering the box in the same way.

When I use the boxes in my closet, I use them without the lid to store belts, scarves, bras, socks and so on.

If your box has a lid, repeat the steps accordingly. 

You can buy a nice handle or knob to screw onto the box or with a hole punch and hammer add two holes on one side of the box and pull through a beautiful satin ribbon, braided leather, beaded wire or any other nice ribbon as the handle (be creative!). Fix it with knots or glue ends to the inside. You can print your own labels in fancy letters on nice paper with your computer.

Tips:

  • If you use wallpaper on thick cardboard boxes, try wallpaper paste and apply with a small brush
  • If you use very expensive or Designer paper keep the off-cuts (triangles etc) for scrapbooking or card making.
  • Make it a fun project with your children and let them create their own special box.
  • These boxes also make beautiful gifts for family and friends. Choose paper of colours they like, insert a gift and let them keep the box for photos etc.

 

If you wish to read more about storage ideas and container, these are some interesting books:

  • Wonderful Wrapsrecycling or making boxes and wrappings by Marie Browning
  • Transform your Home in a weekend – instant, easy decorating ideas with impact by Stewart & Sally Walton
  • StorageStylish solutions for every room in your home by Joanna Copestick & Meryl Lloyd
  • Complete Home StorageGetting organized by Barbara J. Braasch & Lisa Stockwell Kessler
  • Simple Storage Solutions – effective storage, drawers & cupboards… by Elizabeth Hillliard

A trip to Wellington and new topics for this Blog

1 Oct

Hello,
We finally made it to Wellington to visit the Te Papa Museum. Last Sunday afternoon I flew out to Wellington with my son Henry and we spent three days visiting Museums, Galleries, Wellington Zoo, and Mount Victoria. We took a guided tour through Parliament and the famous Beehive, went up and down the hill by Cable Car, walked through the Botanic Gardens, visited Weta Cave, where they create these astonishing props and computer animated designs for movies like Lord of the Rings and King Kong by Peter Jackson, Avatar by Steven Spielberg and other famous Hollywood movies.

For dinner we went to a small French Restaurant in Cuba Street and we did a lot of window shopping. And I have to admit, I loved any minute of it. I just love cities! You see so many things and it is so inspirational. What a nice break and start of the school holidays this was after 10 weeks of preparing animal and plant costumes for the stage production at Red Beach School.
Back at home, I will work and improve this blog. I have a lot of new ideas and many topics I am passionate about, which I will add step-by-step. Family (especially my husband), friends and people who know me well, have long accepted the fact, that I can’t be without creating. When I am not painting or designing, I am changing Interiors, making costumes, clothes, cards, homewares, I am sewing, crafting, gluing, work with fabrics, papers, cardboard, wood, and other materials. I love Second Hand and OP-Shops and I have a passion for recycling items and turning them into something useful and beautiful. I am also a big fan of saving money by making things and give them a personal touch or create practical gifts for people I love.

In the future I will share many projects and I will also write about Healthy Living, which not only includes healthy food, but also covers caring for the environment, parenting, beautiful things in general and the little changes in life, that can make a big difference.
I will add these categories step by step:
Healthy Living
Craft projects (on a budget)
Interior Design Tips
Practical Tips for Artists

So, if you are interested, stay tuned or subscribe to my Blog today!
My first Healthy Living topic will be the Household Emergency project that started as Henry’s homework from school after the huge Earthquake in Christchurch. We turned it into a family project that made a lot of sense. More details to come…