Monday, October 15, 2007

Beautiful Vienna




Hi everyone! I'm back from my trip and I have to say that I think that Vienna is truly one of the most beautiful cities I've ever visited. The Baroque architecture, the design history (this is after all the birthplace of Wiener Werkstatte), the people- it's truly a wonderful place and one that I'm anxious to visit again. However, I won't bore you with the details of my trip- listening to someone drone on about their vacation can be a bit like watching paint dry. The trip did, however, make me realize what a small world it really is.

First, I was thrilled to meet Viennese interior designer Christine Oertel who also happens to write a design blog. Christine was kind enough to provide me with a comprehensive list of must-see shops and sites, and I also had the opportunity to dine with her. It was very interesting to hear about Austrian interior design and design blogging. Evidently, design blogging is just starting to catch on in Austria, and clever Christine is at the forefront of this trend. Thanks Christine for your hospitality!

Also, I had to share some photos of a great looking Viennese design shop called Evamaria Thonet bei Steinwender (At least that's what the sign said. I'm flying blind here as I know absolutely no German). Unfortunately, I passed by at night so I was unable to go inside, but I thought you might be interested to see how many of the design trends that we're seeing here in the States seem to be popular as well in Austria.



A little bit of glitz and glamour with mirror and crystal. If you like carefully at the back of the room, you will see some trendy ikat panels.


I love this yellow wallpaper with little gold stars, and the Deco looking border at top adds some real flair.


OK- someone refresh my memory as to what this wallpaper is. It's a bit reminiscent of a Florence Broadhurst print, no?


One of my all time favorite prints- Josef Frank's "La Plata" fabric serves as a backdrop to classic Chinese blue and white ginger jars.


Some blurry Hollywood Regency in the heart of Vienna.


If the pastoral look is more your thing, what about this Pierre Frey "Les Trophees" print? I've always liked this print but have yet to find a place to use it.

Image at top: Belvedere, a former palace that is now a museum.

14 comments:

  1. Vienna is absolutely gorgeous and a favorite city of mine, too. Do tell us what you bought, if anything!

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  2. Jennifer, thanks for sharing this with us! Love that La Plata.

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  3. Maryam- Not much to report on purchases- the dollar is so weak!

    Thanks Courtney!

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  4. Anonymous10:08 AM

    HI-I can't recognize that wallpaper, but the deco looking border is, i believe, is from osborne & little's vintage II collection, a re-issued (-colored, -scaled) series from the company's original intros in the '60s. hope that helps, too!

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  5. Anon- Thank you!!! Yes, that is very helpful! I think that while it has that retro look, it would still look right today. Don't you think??!!

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  6. Anon- You're on the ball. You're right. It's O&L's Inferno Frieze (http://www.osborneandlittle.com/osborne-&-little/vintage-ii/wallpapers/inferno-frieze/)

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  7. Welcome back. Vienna is an amazing source of inspiration (even from the music alone). You have refreshed my memory a bit from my trip 9 years ago. Glad you had a nice time. Feel free to drone on and on!

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  8. Thanks for sharing a bit of your trip with us. Vienna looks so charming and I loved the window shopping snapshots. Great post!

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  9. WOW. BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS, fabulous interiors. Thanks much!!!

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  10. Glad your are back and that you had a wonderful time in Vienna! Thank you sharing the beautiful photos. It's fun to live vicariously through fellow bloggers!

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  11. I loved Vienna too, its a beautiful city. I only had a few days there several years ago and didn't get to see any of the design shops, so thanks for sharing!

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  12. Anonymous5:01 AM

    Thanks, Jennifer for beeing so kind to mention my blog. It was a great pleasure to meet you and your husband and I'm glad that you liked Vienna. It is surely a city for inspiration, as tradition and modernity work well together. All the best. Greetings from Vienna.

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  13. I recognize all these wonderful fabrics.
    Vienna seems to be wonderful ..I have to go

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