Apartment Under the Eaves

Converting attics to beautiful apartments is an art and it requires a skillful architect to make the most of the space. Whomever created the below has really done well. High ceilings. lots of natural light and beautiful windows that looks like they have always been there not new additions.

Pictures: Lagerlings

The Journey to the Finish

I do not mention my husband often on Willow Decor, but today is a special day! After many months of training (getting up at 5:00 am), Dave is running the Boston Marathon. Its wonderful how opposites attract! Dave has a passion for running (while I have a passion for chocolate)! Training happens all through New Englands dark, cold winter and his commitment to this goal has been really amazing!!!

Dave is running with Miles for Miracles to support the Childrens Hospital. Many of us have been touched by their experiences at Childrens Hospital in Boston. So, if you feel inclined, click here to read more about the work they doing and consider sending them a donation.

And, if you happen to be on the Marathon route today - send a shout out to Dave as he runs by!! We are so proud him!!

The Wedding and Wengen

What a spectacular wedding my sister had last night at Mielcke & Hurtigkarl. This gourmet restaurant is located in the beautiful Frederiksberg Have of Copenhagen. The location and restaurant were as impressive as the outstanding gourmet food.Here is the entrance to the restaurant and the lovely outdoor gardens. The gardens were spectacular and we had our cocktails there when we arrived. The children enjoyed playing with the peacocks which roamed the grounds. But the gardens were the most beautiful under the stars. We were warmed by the outdoor fireplaces while we had after dinner drinks
And here is the room where we had such a wonderful time. The chairs were Gustavian and in two styles. I loved the white rubbed paint and chippy gold accenting. I think I took fifty pictures of the chairs. The ceiling was enchanting. Between the crystal chandeliers were hundreds of individual crystals hanging down catching the candlelight; and later they were illuminated by blue lights when the dancing began. Really quite stunning. It was a beautiful start to what should be a beautiful life together for her and my new brother in law.


We were up way too early this morning to head to Wengen in the Switzerland. We finally arrived and here is just one of the beautiful chalets I see while looking out at the alps. So much inspiration at every turn. Cant wait to share more when I return!


Auf Wiedersehen!!

Off To The Big Easy!

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I am so excited to let you know you that I am off to New Orleans for a shopping trip for some of my clients. While I am there I will be meeting with a few great talents!!!

First, I am headed to Julie Neill Designs - The wonderfully creative and artistic Julie Neill, will be meeting me and showing me some of her exciting new products and designs.

Veranda

Ill also be meeting with the stylish and talented Tara Shaw! Well see some of her new shipments from Europe and shell share with us her visions for decorating the home.

Decorpad

Ill also be meeting the famous, Suzanne Kasler as she launches her elegant new line of furniture for Hickory Chair, and get to see her new designs in person.

Also, get ready for some exciting information on an antique collectible that is gaining in popularity, (which you are going to just love), as well as several other goodies and surprises along the way.

On Thursday and Ill announce the winner of the gorgeous, antique grain sack pillow. Thank you all for entering - Kym Fraser of Three Fine Grains and I are absolutely overwhelmed by your response!

On Friday Ill begin my series on my trip to "The Big Easy" - I hope you are excited as I am!!

See you in few days!!!

xx-Gina

The Swiss Chalets of Ballenberg

One of the highlights of our trip to Switzerland was the day we spent at the Ballenberg Museum. This Open Air museum is situated on over 160 acres, in the Haslital Brienz-Meiringen-Hasliberg region and nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains.

Over 100 buildings are separated into 13 building groups representing the various regions of Switzerland. The different construction techniques of the farmhouses, barns, cheese making and storage sheds, outbuilding, and even operating mills are represented for each region. The buildings, some as old as the 1500s, reflect the daily lives of both the wealthy and poorer day laborers of the periods. These buildings have been moved to the museum and preserved in natural settings that gives you the feeling of actually being able to step back into that time.

Museum workers also dress in period clothes, perform the daily chores of the farmers, craftsmen, and artisans of their respective era. We saw cooking over an open fire, lace making, and workers tending to the many farm animals and gardens on the property. The Apothecary above was a beautiful building surrounded by an amazing herbal garden.
Inside were rooms filled with herb and areas where medicines would have been prepared.
One of several thatched roof houses.
I was impressed with the iron detailing on this door. What incredible craftsmanship.
A poorer laborers home with grain storage under the living area.

A wealthy land owners home - notice the carved wood detailing on this building.

The inside of this home - the lovely furniture suggests that this family was very well off.

The diversity of the architecture was amazing. Another area of Ballenberg that had a Hansel and Gretel feeling.

Here is a close up of the window boxes and the fruit trees.

The interior with traditional furnishings - Notice the corner cupboard shelf. Charming!

Yet another area of Ballenberg - the building detail and the window boxes were beautiful. My children especially loved this house. It had many floors and an attic bunk-room. A traditional built in bed. Though hard to see, this one was built in a small alcove by the stove to keep the family warm during the winter months. This building was extraordinary. The detailed carving all over this structure made this a unique architecural treasure. How lucky this is preserved this for all to see.

To be honest, I was a bit nervous that my children and husband would be bored and begging to leave. Just the opposite happened - it was my feet that wore out as they excitedly explored each and every building.

Ballenberg Museum is a place to visit if you are ever in that area; an incredible Swiss treasure and a wonderful day for us!! For more information check out their website.

marvin the paranoid android wallpaper

"T Plays It Cool"---Marvin Gaye The soundtrack to the blaxploitation film

Here's the first page of a real letter from some sad panda named Marvin D.

and some other crap coveted gift guide items for Marvin.

I defy Marvin to remain gloomy when the survival of the beautiful world of

radiohead wallpapers. Below are more information related to: "green eyes

Those from an Excel PivotTable background would

as Marvin the Martian would say, “isn't it lovely? hmm?

Fighting Space 3x3, Cover total. Base Atk +1; Grp +8. Atk Options autofire

moved on (although I'm fairly sure he can be spotted in the background

Transparent Backgrounds

Transparent Backgrounds

It would actually be the background that flashes, or "fades in and out".

Yes, Loanna is a self-styled "Ghetto Tory" with a background that would

Elements: rocky foreground, tall trees and foliage in background,

The large shapes in the background are statues of some sort.

Biggles On Mars also for best background art/short game! d-do it for biggles

-Best Background Art -Best Music

Paul Moose In Space World for. best background art, I guess?

MYTHOLOGIC, ETYMOLOGIC and SYNCHROMYSTIC BACKGROUND of PARANORMAL and

5. Murtagh [in reference to a stone wall he and Eragon have run up against