Euro Chic

I had the chance to volunteer my design services to a German Christian High School. 

The goal was to create a coffee bistro that was modern and fresh, inviting the students to stay around during the optional lunch periods and breaks instead of hanging out at the local McDonald's. 

The wooden bar was built according to my CAD drawings by a talented teacher/carpenter of the school.

The stools were found online and added a fun punch. 

The bar was a great way to separate the sitting area from the rest of the cafe. 

The wall graphic was designed in photoshop. With an overhead projector and masking tape, two students and I marked the areas and painted them green. 

My dear friend, also a teacher at the school made the hats... that is her son.

Pictures courtesy of my father-in-law, Wolfgang Ley 

Pit Stop in Paris

Paris is worth it, even if it's only for a few hours between flights. . . 

. . . and inspires even on the cloudiest of days 

we had only time for a pricey breakfast and a rather expensive lunch. . . 

but enjoyed ourselves. 

imm cologne 2013

Every year in January, Cologne hosts a modern furniture and design fair, one of the largest in the world. I went last year and it was so great I knew I wanted to see it again. 

Luca Nichetto was this year's 'Das Haus' exhibitionist, most of the furniture in his installation designed by him. I liked this stool very much.  More on what 'Das Haus' is and Luca Nichtto here.

This vase by Wonderable blew me away. Ceramic knick-nacks invade the outside porcelain walls. 

Pastels were everywhere.  The lanterns and candles were playful. 

Vitra's divider walls were made out of translucent, simple, stackable, plastic boxes.

Indoor/Outdoor Furniture swirls and bends. 

The cafe area was made successfully intimate via illuminated cylinders, quite the feat considering the hall's high ceilings.   

This carpet type was everywhere: colorful, stitched, and vintage-feel.