home design

At the beach

Walking the beach and combing the surf for treasures is one of the most enjoyable times I can have. I loved it already as a child running along the cool waters at the Baltic Sea.
The beaches here at Hilton Head Island are wonderful: The water is warm and clean, the beach, depending on the tide, enormously wide. But there are very few shells, something I missed in the beginning.

But after weeks of walking along the shore I have learned to fine-tune my search. Now I spot small things where I have seen only sand before.

There are Sand Dollars buried under a thin layer of slick and water, they look different then what you might know from the species in collector's boxes! They are dark gray, with a hairy bottom side, rough to the touch. Tiny shells, clams and starfish can be found, the latter slowly moving towards the water. I found a large piece of a conch shell, small broken off coral pieces, tiny horseshoe crab bodies and the shells of small crabs, usually cleaned up fast by the birds.

Did you know they grow missing limbs?

I found a small baby turtle, unfortunately not alive anymore.

R.I.P.

Look at this playful dolphin... we had a few unforgettable encounters!

We also had a few nasty ones with jellyfish, their stings are painful and their appearance unpredictable. We have been braving the waters and all got hurt in the process.

But sitting at the edge of the surf, my feet in the water and my head in a book I am at the most content.

Reading R.Wells' The Crowning Glory of Calla
Lily Ponder

Looking up I watched the sea birds majestically gliding over the water, diving for fish and crabs, sea gulls filling the air with hungry cries and sandpipers running in the shallow waters, digging for whatever they enjoy eating.

The pelicans are such a ragged bunch, cruising low or high and ever once in a while I see an egret in the marshlands between the islands.
To catch dragon flies with my camera has almost been impossible, they are so fast! But at last I caught one...

There is such an abundance of wildlife! I am humming the island melody of birds and listen to the sounds of unseen creatures in the trees!

We have had some immense tropical thunderstorms, where huge amounts of water came crushing down, drowning the streets within minutes, all accompanied by scariest lightnings and thunders so loud, you might wanted to hide in a closet....
Where the coast at midnight would be lit like under an ghostly day light, multiple flashes of lightning at once illuminating the wild sky!

Onset of a storm

These weeks have it all, glorious hot summer days, wild thunderstorms, mild evenings, sweltering nights and heavenly mornings. We enjoy everything a wonderful island vacation could offer, from sailing to bathing and biking to walking. We have lovely dinners with the entire family and the most exquisite times in Savannah, the city I cannot get out of my mind.

This Saturday it's time to drive home! We are filled to the brim with relaxed memories of one of the most beautiful times we have had at the South Carolina coast!

And soon we will be ready to face a new school year, work and chores but in our hearts we will be carrying a little summer island spirit until next time...

Miss you all!
Victoria

All pictures by V.Zlotkowski

Savannah

On Chatham Square

I fell in love with the city the first time I wandered the squares and tree lined streets a few years back. On our way to Florida it had been on our must-see list. At that time we only had two nights and the children were much younger. There was just time for a trolley tour and a few short walks among the small park like squares in the historic downtown.

We had to part reluctantly.
Life did not bring us here again until now and my first impressions from so many years ago have not changed.
Spending the summer in South Carolina, only 20 miles outside Savannah has given me finally a chance to come to the city more often, walking the streets again and discover more then the paths laid out for tourists.

Savannah has the beauty of a Southern Belle of a certain age, sitting pretty, cocktail in hand...
Self assured and confident, not afraid of the wrinkles which have appeared and full of confidence and youthful energy. There is such poise and grace to everything there is around Savannah.

The local pride in preservation is something I notice this time much more then at my first visit. Even the smallest alley is well kept and without being overly groomed glows gently in the heat of an afternoon or the sparkle of an early evening.

The influence of the SCAD, Savannah's foremost art and design institution has made it's mark and I have heard more then a few times about their positive impact on the city's need for maintaining and restoring historically important structures. Walking the small streets I have come to see that the school owns quite a large amount of properties around town and it's industriousness can be felt literally around every corner.

Walking with my daughter along Bull Street

There are shops operated by the Savannah College of Art and Design, short SCAD, selling great student design from artwork to well designed cloths, jewelry and pottery and surely the sales of not only Savannah related items must give the city much needed finical support. There is also a online shop here!
It still feels as if everybody knows each other and the fruitful exchange among the city's inhabitants and their mutual love for "their" town is visible.

More then one time have I wished now to be a part of it. There is a friendliness radiating and for many reasons I feel right at home here. The climate is wonderful and the heat is bearable. The old fashioned ways of Savannah suit me well.

The food reminds me of back home, although it might seem strange to think that my mother's home cooking back in Dresden, Germany could have anything to do with Savannah! But apart from the Southern influences and the more spicier versions of everything I eat it's the hearty and earthy feel of the food which reminds me. Skillets with fried meats, bacon and potatoes, grits and sausages, cool refreshing beer or coffee and cakes.

Then of course there is the seafood, the shrimps and gumbos, different from what I know but it agrees with me perfectly.
The only thing I would perhaps avoid is the deep fried everything one can find here.
The deserts are to die for. Key lime pie, all kinds of French pastries, chocolate tarts and most delicious coffees. And the ripe peaches, apricots, plumes...
I am afraid living here I would hopelessly dive into the rich local fair!

People love their gardens, the smallest spaces between houses are carefully planted and decorated. There are entire outdoor rooms, complete with chandeliers and sofas, water fountains fill the air with the refreshing sounds of splashing water and birds can be heard singing. Sitting under the tall trees laden with Spanish moss I also can hear the crickets and cicadas. Their sound is so soothing and seems to keep the time in Savannah!

More then once now I have found empty places here calling my name and maybe one day my husband and I will be be back for longer...

For the first time after leaving Germany I have found a place where I feel instantly and utterly comfortable. It is also maybe the first time that I feel that not having roots reaching deep anywhere in the world anymore has benefits too. I can freely choose to put them in wherever I feel the most suited. What a difference between the suburban wealthy, homogeneous and sometimes emotionally depleted neighborhood where I live now and a place like Savannah!

I know, I am not being fair right now, but I am in love, what can I do?

Cultured and artistic, Savannah has pulled me close and I am holding on to the embrace.

All pictures by V.Zlotkowski

Modern Bedroom Design Ideas - Italian Presotto

air bed

bachelor bedroom

chocolate luxury bedroom furniture

cloudcbed bedroom decor

curvy minimal bedroom ideas

Platform beds are much healthier, much more fascinating version is perhaps the equivalent of 1970 trend with water. Furniture designers transformed it in to self-sufficient islands, Suite-ready single floating squares & cloud structure. Beds like these by Italian Presotto, a modular furniture design company, numerous combinations of structure, style, color offer & makes use of leather or wood, bowed headboard & rectangular, square or floating heavy furniture that appear self-sufficient, with tables & sofa-like platforms.