In.Good.Style

The Top 6 Features Every Event Space Should Have

2022-11-02T05:10:00.001-07:00

Planning an event in the near future? Make sure your ideal venue has these 6 amenities before you reach an agreement

For your next big event, you want everything to go perfectly. However, pulling off a flawless event is more difficult than you may imagine. A great event requires the event planner to juggle several responsibilities and make sure that each team is working together to make sure food, drinks, and entertainment are perfect and on time. In order to make sure your event will go off without a hitch, you need to make sure that the venue of your choice has all of the amenities you need to throw an unforgettable party.

When viewing different venues, you should make sure that you have a checklist of the essentials you need to pull off a successful event. If the venue is lacking a few of these features, then it may be time to move on to a different option. To get you started searching for the perfect venue, we’ve come up with the most important features every event space should have. Keep reading to make sure you have everything you need in a venue for your next big event!

Robust Event Lighting Capabilities

Create unique lighting profiles to make your event stand out from all of the others

Unique lighting will set your event apart from all of the others.

Throwing a great party is all about cultivating a unique environment. If the venue you’re viewing does not have any built-in lighting capabilities like DMX lighting equipment, gobo lights, and uplights, then you may want to consider a different venue. Unless you are a lighting technician, there is a good chance that you don’t have this type of equipment available to you. That’s why it is so important for the venue to have proper event lighting fixtures in place and ready to use. You will also make sure that there is someone on staff that knows their way around a DMX controller so you can collaborate on the type of lighting you want for your event. A DMX controller is a type of lighting control that is used in stage productions, concert tours, and events.

When you are viewing different venues, you want to make sure that there is a staff member on-site that will be able to execute the lighting you have in mind. If there isn’t a lighting technician on staff, you may have to hire someone externally. Alternatively, you may want to only seek out venues that are able to accommodate the lighting requirements for your event. Beyond the DMX controller, you should also make sure that they have the right fixtures to pull off your ideal lighting design. For most events, the types of lighting fixtures you should look for are spotlights, wash lights, gobo lights, and uplights. These are basic types of lighting that are used for events—and when they are used in combination can create stunning lighting landscapes.

1. Reliable Internet Connection

If a prospective event space has spotty WiFi connection, you should consider other options

Encourage your guests to post their photos to social media.

Though we take it for granted that most spaces we enter will have a stable internet connection—it is not always a given. That’s why you need to take extra care to ask about and test out the WiFi connection for each venue you consider. No matter the type of event you are hosting, stable internet connection will be required. If you are hosting a promotional event for your business, it is crucial that guests have a connection on their smartphone so they can share images from the event. If you have any A/V requirements for your event like a slideshow or a video, you’ll need to make sure that the internet connection is stable enough to present without any hiccups. Beyond WiFi connection, it is also important to make sure that there is a backup, hardwired Ethernet connection that you can use in the case of an emergency. Just to make sure that you won’t encounter any issues, you may want to test out the connection for yourself before making a final decision on your venue.

2. Dedicated Staff Members

Having an event staff you can trust is the key to pulling off a flawless event

Excellent staff will make your guests feel welcome.

If you’ve planned or attended events before, you are probably well aware that with even the smallest oversight, things can go very wrong. That’s why you need to work with an events team that you trust. From your point of contact—usually the event coordinator—to the waitstaff, you want to make sure that the team is capable of delivering high quality service. The key to recognizing a well-run event team is determining how they anticipate needs. If you are in charge of the event and need to be asked about every detail or get confused answers when you ask about different elements of your event, you may not be in the best hands when it comes to staffing. You do want to choose a venue that has staff that can anticipate both the needs of the event planner and the individual guests. Bonus points if they are able to offer suggestions to improve your event experience as the date grows closer.

3. Space for Signage and Decorations

Cultivate your brand a make sure everyone knows how to get to your event with the right signage

The right signage helps guests navigate your event.

One of the things that is too often overlooked when it comes to party planning is signage. All too often, guests get less-than-accurate driving directions, parking directions, and a path to get to the venue entrance. To prevent confusion and late arrivals, you should make sure that the venue you choose has space for signage. This means signage along the road to let guests know where to turn, signage to show people where to park, and signage that clearly points to the venue entrance.

Signage also presents a great opportunity for branding. If you are throwing a corporate event or a conference, make sure that the signage clearly represents the brand. A great way to integrate signage into your event is by creating a branded display designed for photo opportunities. That way, attendees can share their pictures with your company’s brand represented in the photo.

Of course, the only way you can accomplish this is by choosing a venue that has enough space for your branded signage and other decorations. While not every event requires special decorations, it is always a welcome addition as long as it isn’t too overwhelming. If your event is taking place around the holidays, you may want to implement a few festive decorations in addition to your signage.

4. Commercial Kitchen and Prep Area

Ensure that any type of food you want to serve is feasible in the event space kitchen

Preparing food on-site guarantees the best possible quality.

One of the best parts of attending an event is the food! Great food and drinks are the backbone of any successful event and likely one of the things attendees will remember the most. In order to serve the best hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and meals possible, there needs to be a commercial kitchen on-site equipped with dishwashing capabilities and a dedicated prep area. If the venue does not have a kitchen on-site, you take the risk of having the food transported from an offsite location. When this happens, it is possible that the food will arrive late or cold due to transportation issues. If the event space you are visiting does not have an on-site commercial kitchen, you should probably consider different options.

5. Accessible Restrooms

Make sure that the restrooms in the space are convenient, large enough, and accessible

Insufficient restrooms could cause a logistical nightmare.

Though you may not have initially thought about restrooms when you are searching for an event space, it is super important to consider. The reason for this is that not every restroom is built in the same way. If a restroom is too small, long lines will form. If a restroom is located at the far end of the venue or in a different location it may be very difficult for guests to find their way. You also need to verify that everyone who attended the event is able to access the restroom and that the restroom is ADA compliant. If you’ve inspected the restrooms on-site and find them satisfactory for the number of attendees and sufficiently accessible, then you may have found the right venue.

Putting on an event means making sure everything is perfect—especially the venue! By following these steps while viewing an event space you can make sure that there are no surprises when the bid day rolls around. With the right venue, the right lighting, and the right food and drink, you can put on an event attendees will remember for years to come!

Recent Innovations in Commercial Real Estate Development

2022-06-09T01:57:00.005-07:00

Find out how developments in BAS systems, sustainability, and are impacting the industry

As the world changes, so do the demands for commercial real estate. As technology advances and people return to work after the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the requirements for real estate have changed. To stay competitive and develop cutting-edge properties, development companies need to incorporate several new concepts into their buildings.

Today, we’re examining some of the many ways our culture has changed commercial real estate and how developers can meet these demands. We’ll be discussing the advantages of using building automation systems for property management, how COVID-19 has impacted how we interact with commercial spaces, and how new builds can prioritize sustainability. If you are interested in learning more about the most recent innovations in commercial real estate, keep reading!

Advancements in Building Automation Technology

As BAS systems become more widely adopted among commercial spaces, developers will need to outpace their competitors when it comes to automation

Businesses save money when all building systems are automated.

In just the past few years, building automation technology has become more widely adopted as tenants search for ways to optimize their space. For developers, this means that you not only have to stay up to date with current technologies—you need to be constantly looking toward the future.

BAS systems are designed to manage different operating systems in a building simultaneously and from a single point of control. Before buildings relied on BAS systems, each system functioned independently and without any data reporting. Now that more and more commercial properties are adopting automation, building managers can view and control HVAC, plumbing, lighting, security and more all using a BAS. While some may be hesitant to have their property rely on automation, new builds must be designed to work with a BAS. If developers do not consider automation, they will likely be passed up in favor of a more technologically advanced property.

The benefits of automation are massive and stand to save companies money both on operating and labor costs. With a streamlined and automated system, building management becomes much easier and requires fewer staff members to constantly monitor each system. Using sensors installed at different locations in the building, a BAS system can immediately predict and report any issues that may need maintenance. Because the BAS can predict potential breakdowns, building managers can address the problem before it can get worse. Thanks to the robust reporting capabilities of automation systems, companies can be proactive when it comes to repairs and prevent costly system shutdowns.

Greater Emphasis on Sustainability

As more companies realized the benefits of environmentally sustainable spaces, what was previously a trend has become industry standard

Many businesses are searching for ways to decrease energy consumption and emissions.

Humans are currently dealing with the increased temperatures and destructive weather patterns caused by climate change, there is more of a focus on corporate sustainability than ever before. When it comes to property development, prospective tenants will be searching for spaces that prioritize sustainability and energy conservation. Many companies have launched very aggressive sustainability goals recently, and to reach them they will need to choose a property that can conserve energy and limit harmful emissions. Since most businesses are currently striving toward better sustainability practices, the more features you can include in a building, the better. Let’s take a look at a few key features that companies are looking for in a sustainable commercial property:

Adaptive lighting
Automated security
Efficient waste management
Solar power
Energy conserving HVAC systems like mini-splits
Minimal water usage
Reduced CO2 emissions

In most cases, environmental sustainability also leads to major savings on energy costs. If your property is conserving energy by limiting lighting levels, businesses will end up paying less in total energy costs. This is a great selling point for tenants who are searching for a property that can operate efficiently and circumvent rising energy costs.

It is currently unlikely that energy costs will stop rising any time soon, so if you are not prioritizing sustainable energy practices in your developments, you will likely have a more difficult time finding tenants to fill commercial properties.

Additionally, state requirements for sustainable properties will likely increase in the coming years, and it is much better to be prepared than behind the curve when it comes to sustainable tech applications.

Spaces Engineered for Hybrid Working Environments

Since more businesses are adopting hybrid working models, commercial architecture needs to workplace demands

The way we work has changed more in the last few years than ever before.

Since the beginning of 2020, the way that we work has changed drastically. More people than ever before are working from home and businesses are moving to a hybrid work model. Because of this, the list of needs that businesses require from commercial spaces has changed as well. Previously, open-concept workspaces were the dominating trend for offices. However, because of the popularity of video calls, the open-concept space is no longer appealing to businesses looking for office space. Some who are returning to the office may also have lingering COVID-related concerns and will want to have their own office space as opposed to a large communal office space.

The pandemic has also changed where these developments are being built. Throughout 2020, many people fled busy cities in favor of more suburban or rural communities. Because more professionals are working in less populated areas, the demand for office space in these communities has risen. For this reason, developments in suburban or rural areas will be more enticing to prospective corporate tenants than developments in highly populated cities.

A Shift Toward Multipurpose Developments

Developers need to diversify how their spaces can be used to entice a wide variety of prospective tenants

Developers should feature both traditional office spaces and coworking spaces for new buildings.

Another product of our changing working environments is the need for multipurpose spaces. Now that fewer people are working in corporate offices, coworking spaces have become far more popular. To appeal to as many different types of tenants as possible, new developments should cater to the needs of the 2022 workforce. That means that buildings that previously housed office space exclusively will now need to include office space, coworking space, retail, a gym, and other features that will entice people to come to the property to work.

These buildings must be designed with the inhabitants in mind. What are their motivations? How will the modern worker interact with the building and what will entice them to work from your development, rather than their home? While there is not one single answer as to what will attract tenants, real estate developers need to understand their customer profile and design spaces that are catered to that profile.

Prioritizing Natural Light Over Artificial Light

Buildings that use natural light sources are more inviting than buildings that feel closed off from the outside world

The more daylight you can feature in your property, the more appealing your property will be to tenants.

People who are returning to the office for the first time in a long time will likely have higher expectations for their workspace. People who were previously content working in an office or a store with minimal natural light will be less likely to return to an uninspiring—and in some cases—unhealthy working environment. Working in a building with little natural light or harsh fluorescent lighting can lead to eye strain, headaches, and fatigue among employees. That is why it is so important for developers to consider how natural light will affect the architecture of the building. Studies have shown that employee satisfaction rises with more natural lighting and that lighting costs decrease as buildings rely less on artificial lighting during the day.

Natural lighting is also the best option for retail-focused developments for many of the same reasons. Sunlight makes it easier for employees to work without fatigue while also showcasing products in the best light possible and creating an inviting space for customers. Overall, natural lighting is preferable to artificial lighting in almost every case when it comes to commercial developments. That’s why developers need to design buildings that allow for as much natural light as possible.

And there you have it, the current commercial real estate innovations that developers will be implementing in the coming years—if they haven’t started already. Using strategies like building automation and sustainable practices, developers will be able to entice tenants while also decreasing emissions and energy costs. The future of the commercial property is looking green, automated, and naturally bright.

How POE Technology Improves Smart Home Automation

2021-10-21T02:46:00.001-07:00

As more residential homes begin using the power of POE lighting, it’s time to discover exactly what sets this state-of-the-art lighting system apart from the others.

Smart home systems are becoming more popular than ever for new builds. Many home builders interested in convenience and energy efficiency are opting for smart home integrations rather than sticking to the standard options.

One of the tools that allows for more automation opportunities in smart homes is Power over Ethernet lighting or POE lighting. POE lighting systems are able to send electrical pulses over ethernet cables rather than electrical cords. When ethernet cables are used to power lights and other household smart appliances, more complex information can be transmitted from the controller to the individual devices in your home. This means that POE technology doesn’t only apply to lighting, but several other smart home integrations — like security — that would have previously relied on wireless communication. In this article, we are going to explore some of the best benefits of POE technology for smart homes.

What is POE Lighting and How Does It Work?

Let’s discover how POE lighting saves electricity and provides superior home lighting options

LED lights can operate using far less energy than other lighting options.

Starting with the basics, POE lighting has the capability to easily power low-wattage LED lights. LED lights have up to 6x the lifespan of fluorescent lights and use much less energy during daily operation. Because LED lights require such little energy, they can be powered using the relatively low voltage capacity of an ethernet cord.

As we previously mentioned, POE technology has the capability to power and transmit information to lighting systems around your home, giving you more control over your home ambiance than ever. Let’s learn more about how this technology works and why it has improved smart home lighting.

Smart Home Lighting Options

When you opt to install a POE lighting system in your home, you get much more than just energy efficient lighting

There are so many ways you can use POE lighting to customize your smart home.

Beyond simply using less energy, there are several more incentives for smart home builders to go for POE over traditional fluorescent lighting options. When you install a POE system, you now have access to the many advantages of smart home lighting. With smart lighting, you can control your lights remotely from anywhere. That means that if you forgot to turn the lights off before you left the house — there is nothing to worry about! You can use an application on your phone or tablet to turn the light off remotely.

Another great feature of POE is that you can use other smart devices to control your home lighting. For example you can use your smart speaker to adjust the lighting in your home. Just by using a simple voice command, you can turn on, off, dim, or even change the color of the lights in your home.

It is also a great option to pair your POE lights with motion and light sensors. That way, your lights can appropriately adjust based on the time of day and the occupancy of the room. By fully automating your lighting, you aren’t just making your life more convenient, you are also saving energy.

Applications for Your Home Office Space

By applying smart lighting to your workspace, you can use lighting increase your productivity

Use your new lighting options to get into your workflow.

When you use ethernet cords to light your home office, you are putting yourself in control of your workspace lighting. As most office workers know, the quality of lighting can majorly impact your productivity. That’s why so many more people are using POE lighting to easily customize their lighting preferences.

Now that more people than ever are working from home, why settle for inadequate or invasive lighting. Using your smart home integrations, you can adjust the quality, color and brightness of your home office lighting. As we mentioned previously, you can also use sensors so that the lighting will adjust based on the amount of light from outside.

No More Wireless Service Interruptions

When it comes to smart home security, wireless connections tend to be unreliable

You can use ethernet cables to control security lights and security cameras.

Another huge advantage of POE technology over wireless controls is reliability. When it comes to devices sharing information via WiFi, there are sometimes network interruptions. In most cases, these interruptions are little more than annoyances.

However, when it comes to devices like security cameras, these interruptions are unacceptable. By hardwiring your security cameras, you can guarantee that there will be no accidental interruptions due to your network. This feature of POE powered devices gives many smart home owners an additional sense of security.

As POE systems become more popular for new smart home builders, it is expected that POE systems will continue to provide homeowners with unique advantages made possible by using ethernet connections. Because of their lower cost, efficiency, easy automation, easy installation, increased user control, it looks like ethernet cables are shaping up to change the way our homes work for us.

Recipe of the Week: Rasperry-Summer-Nicecream

2018-07-26T02:56:00.001-07:00

Everybody is talking about Nicecream at the moment, a new kind of icecream made of bananas which is really easy to prepare but tastes delicious. For making it you can take different kind of fruits, I have chosen rasperries for my summer-nicecream.

What you need (for 2 persons)

2 bananas
150g rasperries
coconut milk
agave nectar

First of all you have to cut the bananas into slices and freeze them - as well as the rasperries - for several hours or even a day. Put them out of the freezer and unfreeze them a little bit, before you start to puree the fruits. Put the nice cream into a bowl and decorate it with some frozen rasperries. Enjoy!

Shop of the Week: Pappsalon

2018-04-17T02:45:00.001-07:00

Have you ever heard of Pappsalon? It´s a shop in Itzehoe which was opened in 2014 but they also have an online-store where they sell beautiful stationery from all over the world. The things they sell are mostly produced in small manufacturies and are chosen with a lot of love. Moreover, they have also got their own label called "Holsteinsalon" with products that only come from Schleswig-Holstein and which are made in their own small workshop or in small manufacturies as well. Today I would like to show you some products from their online-shop which I like very much.

1) I´m really fond of this card called Heart Eyes which was designed by Anna Bond

2) I like to travel therefore I would also choose this beautiful travel journal also designed by Anna Bond

3) "Tausend Sachen" (1000 things) is a book for children with which they get to know a lot of words, shapes and colours

4)Redfish is a cute little bag for your pencils designed by Julia Castaños and Don Fisher and sewed in Barcelona

5)And of course this fantastic illustration called "Magic Bus" by Blanca Gómez

Photos: Via Pappsalon

Artist of the Week: Ylva Skarp

2018-01-12T02:20:00.001-08:00

Ylva Skarp is an artist who "brings letters to life". She has been making calligraphic prints für about 15 years by changing words into modern figures and new forms. Apart from posters she also offers T-shirts or ceramics and I must confess that I absolutely love her extraordinary work.

Source: Ylva Skarp

DIY-Project: Greenery Christmas Ornaments

2017-11-29T05:15:00.001-08:00

Via The Merrythough t I discovered this super cute and easy DIY-project. For the greenery bulbs you just need some clear ornaments and fresh greenery which you put into the bulbs. On The Merrythought blog you also find a video on how to put them together. So jump over to Caitlin and Manda to have a look at this fantastic idea!

Foto: The Merrythought

Nordic Autumn - Decoration Ideas

2017-11-08T03:28:00.003-08:00

The weather has been quite awful here in Austria for the last days, so what about not leaving your home:) and making it yourself comfortable instead by decorating your room in Nordic Autumn Style and sipping some tea....

When decorating I like to keep it as simple as possible. I like materials taken from nature and natural colours as well. Here are some ideas which I collected for you.

Sources:

Foto 1: Domino
Foto 2: Vitadrom Maroch
Foto 3: Xakt
Foto: 4: Damask & Dentrelle

Candles: Highlights in the cold season

2017-10-25T03:16:00.000-07:00

Although I like candles the whole year long, I especially use them in autumn and winter. It´s so comfortable spending an evening on the sofa, reading a book and lighting some candles. I prefer to place them on a plate in different colours which looks elegant and makes a stylish decoration.

Here are some scented candles which I really love and which I found via Amazon:

1) The first one is a scented candle which is available in coconut and vanillia and which looks quite luxurious due to the elegant packaging.

2) I am also really fond of this modern candle which smells like tea and could also be a perfect present for birthdays or Christmas.

3) For all who like black and white the scented candle by Parfum Berger could be the right decision. It also looks quite elegant and comes in a black glass with a box in black and silver.

I wish you a cozy and comfortable start into the cold season! Enjoy it!

Ferm Living: Autumn/Winter 2017

2017-10-06T00:58:00.002-07:00

The Autumn/Winter 2017 collection by Ferm Living is a bold and vibrant collection with a touch of Nordic decadence. I am really fond of the exclusive Pouf series in velour and the striped wallpaper. With the Sekki unglazed stoneware series Ferm Living wants to honour traditional craftsmanship. Geometrical shapes also play an important role this autumn and winter which can e.g. be seen in the Bubble Glass series. Enjoy looking at these special products that create a very elegant atmosphere in your home!

Photo: Ferm Living

Freebie of the Week: Autumn essentials

2017-09-25T01:50:00.000-07:00

It´s been quite cold here in Austria for about two weeks now, although I really hope the sun will come out soon again so that we will be able to enjoy some nice autumn days too. I love autumn. I love baking pumpkin cakes or pumpkin bread, I love hiking in autumn when the temperatures are not too high and you can enjoy the beautiful views on the mountains. I love going through colourful woods and starting to light candles in the late afternoon. In the meantime I am going to enjoy this beautiful autum print which you can download here if you want to hang it on your wall as well. Enjoy your week and have fun!:)

The Home of Interior Stylist Anna Truelsen

2017-09-17T02:25:00.003-07:00

I came across this beautiful photos of Anna Truelsen, an interior stylist and writer from Sweden. Together with her husband and her children she lives in Västragötaland in this fascinating home. Do you love it as much as I do?

Photos via My Scandinavian Home

Art-Love

2017-09-02T06:50:00.000-07:00

I love art. I love going to exhibitions and just stand in front of paintings and marvel at them. I like buying pictures for my flat and some years ago I also painted pictures myself. Today I would like to show you some paintings and pictures which I discovered this week. In order to get more information about them just click on the photo.

1.) Picture Torso I

Some time ago I attended a course for life drawing. This was such an amazing experience because you have to be very fast and concentrated on the same time which is really challenging. This is a reason why I like that picture a lot.

2.) Flamingos

Then there is this painting with the flamingos on it. I am really fond of flamingos and I like the colours as well because the painting gives a very fragile and esthetic impression.

3.)The Stage of dreams

This is also an amazing painting. It´s a lithograph and I love the mix of colours and figurative presentation.

4. Forgiveness Sunday

Practicing forgiveness is such an important topic. This is what the picture wants to tell us and I could look at it for a long time as it has such a quiet and calming effect and everybody can for sure remember a situation in which somebody forgave you and what a relief it was.

5 things I liked this week

2017-08-25T08:19:00.001-07:00

The week is nearly over and it has passed to fast. I don´t have so much to do at the moment and I´m really really enjoying to have more freetime than I normally have. At the beginning of the week I have tried Stand Up Paddling for the first time and it was so much fun. It was such a great feeling to paddle out and enjoy the calmness of the lake. Here are five more things which I liked this week. If you want to see the product in detail just click on the picture.

1) Amiri Destroyed Skinny Jeans

In my opinion you can never have enough jeans. Sometimes I am really looking for a new pair of jeans but then I never find any. And sometimes I don´t have the need to buy new things and just in that moment I discover something I like. Like these pair of jeans e.g. which I think are really pretty. I am fond of the colour and I also like the destroyed details which give the jeans a kind of Rock´n Roll touch.

2. Beautiful dress by Marina Hoermanseder

I have no idea when I would wear such a dress but I really love it. It has floor-length and wonderful flower applications on it.

3. Down vest with hood by Moncler

Ideal for autumn and for cold days: This vest by Moncler which is filled with goose down.

4. Top with flounce by Alexander McQueen

I am also fond of this extravagant and elegant top by Alexander McQueen. It is made of pure cotton and has a Chinese collar and a waisted silhouette.

5. Embroidered skirt by Marc Jacobs

This is a very feminine looking skirt which can be worn in an office as well as in your freetime. You can either combine it with an elegant blouse but also with a more casual pullover.

Travelstory #1: Venice - my love

2017-08-06T03:40:00.002-07:00

Venice. It´s like meeting someone and falling in love immediately. Or like eating freshly baked banana bread. Or both. Venice can be recognized by its smell. This really intensive salty smell from the sea. And the hustle and bustle. There are a lot of things going on but nevertheless you know that you can also find quiet places there. Like for example at the Lido, where I have booked my hotel. There are sandy beaches, chic hotels - like the Grand Hotel Excelsior, which became famous through Thomas Manns book "The death in Venice" - but also a lot of native bars and restaurants where you can enjoy your pizza. Without knowing what you will do next. Venice is so much more than just the Markusplatz oder the Rialtobrücke. The island Pellestrina, for example. So incredibly quiet. Without any sights. Nearly no people. There the inhabitants have built so called Murazzi, walls which protect them against the wind and the water. And the colourful houses, which give the impression as if they would like to hide behind the walls. The beach is wild. The whole island is really authentic and it´s very windy there. There you will find no package tourists and no beach bars. But you can walk to the peninsula Caroman and you can listen to the monotonous blowing of the wind.

5 things you should do in Venice:

- Visiting the Jewish district in Cannaregio

- Going to Giudecca, a small island in the south of Venice

- Touristfree: the Campo San Ciacomo dell´Orio

- Eating ice cream in the tiny salon Alaska, where you will find really extraordinary sorts

- Going to Burano, where you can sit in the sun and have a look at the colourful houses

Reading recommendations for your holidays:

Venedig: Eine Verführung (insel taschenbuch): A really good book by Hanss-Josef Ortheil with recipes and a lot of tips apart from the most famous sights.

Leben in Venedig: Dirk Schümer who lives in Venice himself, gives a fascinating impression into the lifestyle of the city´s inhabitants.

Reiches Erbe: Commissario Bruntettis zwanzigster Fall: Because there is no Venice without Donna Leon.

For film lovers:

Der Liebeswunsch: A young girl marries an older man, but the marriage isn´t really happy. Then she starts a love affair with a younger one.

Der talentierte Mr. Ripley: Tom Ripley has the assignment to bring back the playboy Dickie Greenleaf from Italy to the USA. This encounter has far reaching consequences.

Beautiful ideas for Poster Walls

2017-05-31T05:30:00.000-07:00

Decorating your flat or house with posters is a very original and cost-saving idea. Wether you would like to choose a special topic or just look for posters in black and white, there are loads of shops on the internet which offer posters in all varieties. There are also posters which can be quite helpful for you, e.g. recipes for the kitchen or calenders. Here are some nice ideas of how to add style into your home with the help of a poster wall:

Sources:

1) Tanja van Hoogdalem
2) Boat People Boutique
3) Desenio
4) Nordicdays
5) The Posterclub

Decorating with Bird Cages

2017-04-14T00:13:00.002-07:00

I have often thought about using a bird cage for decor because for me it´s like adding something really extraordinary into a room. Bird cages can be just beautiful decor pieces but you can also use them for lighting, for organizing jewelry, for plants or as center pieces. Here are some great ideas of how to use bird cages in your home:

Photos: DigsDigs

Photographer of the Week: Loes Heerink

2017-03-26T06:36:00.000-07:00

I just discovered the photographer Loes Heerink who decided to take photos of people in Vietnam who pass by vendors in streets every day. I really love these little colourful pieces of art because it makes so much watching them and having a guess what these people are going to do next. Loes Heerink will also publish a book about "Vendors from Above" and prints will be available in her webshop as well. So hop over to her website where you find a lot more beautiful images she has taken.

Artist of the Week: Shanna Van Maurik

2017-03-11T07:48:00.000-08:00

I just discovered the artist Shanna van Maurik who comes from Toronto and likes to paint characters especially women. Her paintings are really vibrant and she often uses neon colours. Shanna doesn´t want to reflect a message with her work but rather wants to tell stories. In order to get inspiration she looks at magazines or scrolls through social media networks to find new subjects. Have a look at her interesting paintings...which one is your favourite?

Recipe of the Week: Spelt-Quark-Rolls

2017-03-05T01:26:00.000-08:00

Some time ago I started using spelt flour instead of white flour and I also began to bake bread and rolls on my own. Via Deli-Magazine I found this quick and easy recipe for Spelt-Quark-Rolls which taste delicious especially if you eat them when they are still warm. You can put some butter on them or eat them with jam as well.

This is what you need for baking the rolls:

250g Quark
1 egg
2 tablespoons of olive oil
salt
sugar
350g spelt flour
1 package of baking powder

Put quark, egg, salt, oil and some sugar into a bowl and stir until it has a smooth consistence. Then add flour and baking powder and kneat it to a dough. Form small rolls out of the dough and bake them in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes at 200° C. Serve them with butter or jam.

Beautiful ideas for your succulents

2017-02-26T07:41:00.001-08:00

I really love succulents. They are quite uncomplicated plants and if you arrange them nicely, they can really add some beautiful touch to your home. In this post I have collected some ideas how you can style your home with succulents. Have a look and enjoy!:)

Via Craftifair I found this beautiful picture. She arranged her plants in different pots, mostly in black and white. Really extraordinary is the black wall on which she painted some succulents with chalk.

I also fell in love with this vintage plant styling which I discovered via Look! Pimp your Room.

Paperbags can also be used in combination with succulents and I love the idea of putting the plants into rustic bags. Foto via at {mine}.

Cozy fireplaces in the kitchen

2017-02-18T05:41:00.001-08:00

Via Onekindesign I found these fantastic fireplace design ideas for the kitchen. I love cozy fireplaces and integrating them into a kitchen would be something really extraordinary.

I really love this kitchen here, especially the wooden table and chairs and together with the fireplace the room looks very warm and friendly.

This is a farmhouse kitchen with a fireplace in a herringbone pattern firebrick which looks also quite interesting.

A historic cottage with a brick fireplace. I like these old looking seats in the middle of the room as well and in that case I also like black although I could never imagine having a room with a black wall.

What about you? Would you like to have a fireplace in your kitchen?

Artist of the Week: Christoph Niemann

2017-02-12T05:57:00.000-08:00

Some time ago I discovered the artist Christoph Niemann who is a German illustrator and author. His work has already appeared on the covers of The New York Times Magazine, WIRED or The New Yorker and he has also published a number of books like "Sunday Sketching" or "WORDS" which is a visual dictionary for kids.

In the introduction of this wonderful book he writes: "For me drawing a writing are very closely related. Both a word and a picture have the power to express extremely complex thoughts and emotions with amazing simplicity....Being able to understand words and images opens the door to knowledge, communication and connection to people all over the world."

"Sunday Sketching" is a collection of funny illustrations and his views on how to be creative. Niemann is a very good observer and shows things we use daily in a completely new context. How do you like his work?

Recipe of the Week: Apple-Pumpkin-Cake

2017-02-05T04:03:00.001-08:00

Via SZ-Magazin I found this delicious recipe which I tried last weekend. The cake is easy to bake and it tastes delicious, especially if you eat it warm and with a lot of whipped cream.

And this is what you need for 4 persons:

185g flour
2g cinnamon
3,5 g baking powder
200 g sugar
1 pinch of salt
2 eggs
80ml olive oil
20ml pumpkin seed oil
50g melted butter (lukewarm)
60g grated appled
180g grated pumpkin

Mix all dry ingredients with the egg and oil as well as the melted butter. Then add the apples and the pumpkin and fill the mixture into a cake tin n which you place some parchment paper before. Bake the cake in the preheated oven (200 degrees) for 12 or 15 minutes and serve with whipped cream afterwards. Enjoy!

Freebie of the Week: Free Printable Flower Bouquets

2017-01-25T09:11:00.000-08:00

Are you already looking forward to Valentine´s Day? If yes, these free printable flower bouquets by A Bubbly Life could be a great idea if you want to surprise your beloved ones with beautiful flowers. All you have to do is to print them, shape the paper into a cone and tape the edges to keep them together. Put in flowers of your choice then and your Valentine present is ready!:)