coucou konnichiwa: July 2010

07.28.10 helsinki

1-3: when we decided to go to Helsinki, I had imagined it to be Alvar Aalto land, the home of nordic modernism ! the center of the city was punctuated by these ideas but were weighed down by the large soviet red guard feeling buildings. It was nonetheless an interesting mix of art deco, modernism, classical architecture...

07.29.10 helsinki

1-2: meet Iris, owner and muse of Iris. Shop, very well coiffed and dressed. We stumbled into her shop during a lazy walk through town and came out with a bag full of vintage clutches, sacs, belts...she was a killer sales lady. Her shop was a serious treasure trove of forgotten accessories. She was not shy to pose for a photo, and reassured us that she is used to the camera, as she was once a star singer in Finland. What a character !

07.28.10 helsinki

1: during our little road trip, we stopped by a village called Fiskars, the hometown of the orange scissors ! There was a museum where you could see their original products and how the brand evolved. Their cutlery and special scissors for taylors were very beautiful! Wish they still made them like they used to...

2-3: the nature right outside of Helsinki was so pretty. Lots of green and of course lakes everywhere. Do you see the hidden deer in the bush ?

07.28.10 helsinki

1-4: we rented a car and drove about 93 kilmeters west of Helsinki to a village called Ekenas. As the village was once occupied by Sweden, the architecture was very different - colorful wooden homes and buildings that were much lighter and free feeling compared to the massive structures we saw in Helsinki.

07.27.10 helsinki

1-3: The KIASMA, museum of contemporary art was fantastic. The shows were well curated and very stimulating!

07.26.10 helsinki

1: the sidewalks of Helsinki have clear indications of bicycle lane, pedestrian lane. We need this kind of sensibility in France!

2: as the city borders the ocean, there were seagulls (instead of crows) everywhere we went.

07.25.10 helsinki

1-3: Helsinki, Finland. We spent many hours with a cup of coffee in hand and steamy soft cinnamon rolls in our mouths, comfortably seated in all of the lovely scandinavian chairs.

07.23.10 venice

1: villa stucky, room 105, simple.

07.20.10 guethary

1-3: synchronized kitties in our neighbor's garden.

07.19.10 ilbarritz

1: little beasts with big shadows....it was a friendly encounter.

07.18.10 guethary

1: picnic at parlementia with friends, babies and a dog that is extending herself as looong as possible to get a closer whiff at the bread...

07.14.10 guethary

1-3: The 14th of July, France's Independance Day. No fireworks but a great bbq at Martial's home in Geuthary in their garden full of plants and flowers with a view of the ocean. It's nice to finally have evenings that are relaxed and easy....

フランスの独立記念日は７月１４日。アメリカと１０日違い。天気も良かったのでマルシャルのお庭でバーベキューしました！お庭から海が見えて久々のリラークスなひととき。

07.13.10 guethary

1-2: back in guethary, our little nest by the ocean. we're here for a couple of days to relax, surf and start packing up for LA...

07.12.10 germany

1: back on the train, this time to Cologne Germany on a shoot for Surface magazine. We passed through Liege station - a really impressive building. I'd like to spend some time in Liege one day...

2: at the Hansen Family atelier with Gesa, the designer. She makes really special hand crafted wood furniture.

Gesa is also a fellow Guetharian !

3: the wood mill where her solid oak comes from.

4: at the wood shop.

5: the table we ordered for our new house in LA - It has a hidden compartment inside the table, and the wooden panels can be reversed to become a board of slate safe enough to place hot pots and plates.

http://www.thehansenfamily.eu/

07.11.10 paris

1: AL GREEN in Paris ! Mr B was slightly disappointed that there wasn't a lot of soul, and it wasn't as intimate as he had hoped, (full on las vegas-y stage was not the frenchy's cup of tea) but I was bopping up and down to all of the songs we grew up with...

07.10.10 uremenil

1-4: after our tour around the bihr village we spent a night at a small bed and breakfast called La Cholotte. It was surrounded by deep green forest, wild blueberry bushes, beautiful horses...Dinner was served in their dining room, the menu - a sparkling rasberry aperitif from the region, a good local wine (pinot gris) and the main dish, traditional salted pork shoulder with fried potatoes. We wanted to stay the entire weekend...

07.10.10 uremenil

1: the bihr family rope factory - the oldest rope factory in france built by mister beard's great great grandfather Bihr. It is still running strong! in this tiny village in northeastern France. The village is very small, population of 200 ? where everyone works at the factory. There aren't so many places and businesses like this anymore in France...

2: going down memory lane...we visited the house that once belonged to his grandparents where he spent many summers skateboarding down the little hill below, jumping off big rocks with his superman cape, and went home after a hard day of play! to a plate of warm crepes.

3: mister b at the little bar of the village and the beast below trying to cool off. It was a very warm day...