Robin Baron Design

Alain Berteau Designworks sticks it to old, boring hangers by repurposing branches in a way that seems almost natural! http://ow.ly/nqia

At first, I was disappointed to find out that the Bauhaus Archives were closed for renovation until October 2009.   How could I, an interior designer, not go to see the ultimate Bauhaus exhibit in its birthplace?  I was relieved to find out, however, that they moved a large part of it to the Martin-Gropius-Bau Museum (appropriate because Martin Gropius was the great uncle of one of the pioneering masters of Bauhaus, Walter Gropius).

Bauhaus was all about bringing art to the masses by finding utility in architecture and craft.  It was about breaking down a piece to its essential components, finding what elements were necessary for function.  One school of thought stressed mass production of these “simplified” home furnishings, making them available to all people, not just the elite.  Even in the early part of the 20th century, they recognized that everyone should have a beautiful home!

On our hunt for the smaller, more contemporary art exhibits, we went to the Hamburger Bahnhof, a “museum of the present day”.  It is housed in an old train station like the d’Orsay in Paris, but not anywhere near as grand!  It shows modern paintings, installations and multi-media art from artists like Andy Warhol, Cy Twombly, Robert Rauschenberg, Anselm Kiefer and Joseph Beuys.  I have no photos, alas!

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No VOCs here…A green, interior painting company that’s got health (and the earth) in mind! http://ow.ly/lCfS

Guten Tag from Berlin!  My husband and I have been so busy taking in the sites and the culture, scouring everything from flea markets to delicious restaurants surrounded by art galleries.

Like true die-hards, we hit two fleas back-to-back on Sunday, both unique in their own ways.  Straße des 17 Juni, an established “higher-end” flea was chock full of antique home furnishings, vintage clothing and even handmade crafts, while the second, Flohmarkt Mauerpark, was definitely younger, more hip and a bit cooler. (Continue Reading..)

Be a peeping tom! A glimpse into the creative homes of artists, designers, stylists through the lens of Todd Selby http://ow.ly/lycd

Got to love Nkuku!  Fair trade, eco-friendly company featuring stylish home and lifestyle products http://ow.ly/lrbG

Tres cool resource! Beautiful woven textiles from London-based Margo Selby. Check her out… http://ow.ly/lfo5

Thinking of shopping, even as I’m leaving town! Stop by the Shoe Inn Warehouse Sale if heading to the beach, 8/20/09 through 8/30/09, 9-5:45pm http://ow.ly/kLPm

All packed up and somewhere to go!  I can’t believe how much I was able to get done this week with the help of my staff.  Now, I finally feel like I’m ready to leave for Berlin, Prague, and Budapest…at least, as ready as I’ll ever be!  Don’t worry, I’ll be checking in from time to time to fill you in on my fabulous adventures.  Mark your calendars because I’ll be back to my “regular” daily posts after Labor Day.

One last thing: Does anyone have any travel suggestions for my European trip? Please share! Enjoy your final weeks of summer!

photo via flickr

Taking a risk in business is key to success.  Here are some smart interior designers thinking out of the box! (via @NYTimes) http://ow.ly/kLWX