We finally managed to escape for a week of sailing in the Argosaronic Gulf on our boat “Cap Rou”, an amazing and new experience for me. Well, some might argue that it’s not entirely novel for me having sailed on cruise ships for 8 years. So what’s the difference? A lot! For starters you are totally independent and can go wherever you please and whenever you feel like it. You are responsible for your safety, space is restricted as are your comforts. In 7,5 m of cabin cruiser all you have are a foreward cabin, a small wc, a kitchenette and a sitting area on the rear deck and the cabin sitting area which converts to a bed. Apart from that you quickly learn the value of water and electricity and learn to economize on these in clever ways!

 The most important thing is, however, that you are finally able to slow down a few notches and quickly realize how frenetic our every day lives are. At night you light candles, you don’t zone out in front of a tv, you really communicate with your family, you watch the stars (I’d forgotten how many stars there are out there!) and you read a lot (halleluyah!) You leave your pc and internet at home and if you’re really disciplined you switch off your mobile phone – although I must admit here that this last one was difficult, especially for George since his responsibilities at work didn’t allow him to totally disappear and I wanted to maintain some contact with my daughter who now refuses to follow us on holiday (teenager, you see). :(

Our first port of call was Poros where we stayed the first night, followed by Dokos, Chinitsa, Sabateki and Kyparissia (one of the most beautiful places we visited), Monemvasia (unique, as always) and Hydra on the way back. On our voyage we visited amazing coves and beaches, accessible only by boat.

Wherever we went we saw old friends and made new friends with 2 things in common – a love for the sea and a love for Greece.

For more photos of our voyage click on the photo below….

sailing argosaronikos 2010

For the last 2 and a half weeks I’ve been without my personal pc, or laptop – which was brand new, I might add as it was only 2 months ‘young’. It just kept crashing, showing a blue screen and a long message I couldn’t read in time before it would shut down and restart. All I could read in the 2 seconds it appeared was that there was a fatal error with the hard drive and windows…..

Technology has become such an important part of our lives…evident in my feelings of utter loss and desperation when I was faced with living – even for a day – without my ‘faithful’ laptop. These feelings shocked me more than the actual fact of not having my laptop– my ‘faithful friend’ (hah!) to work with.

Lately my husband had started telling me that I was growing too dependent, or, to put it in his words, “addicted” to the internet and my pc. I would scoff at him telling him that my work depended on my research over the internet and contact with others interested or active in my field. I had to be connected. At the same time I would express concern at my daughter spending hours chatting to her friends on FB!

Reality hit home when I was faced with living without my laptop.

As I said, the feelings I experienced terrified me more than anything else. George, my husband, was right. I had grown dependent, if not addicted, to being or having access to the internet.

So, I began to think things over. What was life like before the internet, before mobile phones even? Not quite so stressful, I’m sure. Although access to information and easy communication has helped us in numerous ways it has also made us more vulnerable. Privacy and security have become issues of concern. How much do we want the world to know about us? In the final analysis is it good to expose yourself to the world on a personal level? Does chatting to friends on FB and other platforms really relieve our feelings of loneliness and isolation? To some extent yes. But when I found myself without this window to the outside world I felt lonelier than ever. Why? Because in depending on my FB friends (who are wonderful, I must add!) I had ‘abandonned’ my real-time friends and family. Ok, so I’m a bit of a solitary person anyway. I’ve learnt to live on my own for days at a time and can keep myself occupied with my work, interests and hobbies. But there does come a time when you do need person to person communication and connection.

On a work level, I found that the internet had started stealing my creativity. Spending excessive amounts of time on the internet I was depriving myself of the joy of creativity. Instead of my designing and painting taking priority it was coming second, if not third. Designing and painting by hand, mixing my colours, playing with shapes and motifs all the while listening to inspiring music has changed my outlook and temperament and made me happier, more confident and positive. I am spending more time doing what I should have been doing all the time and making more definite steps to realizing my visions and goals.

I still don’t have my own pc back yet. I’m using an older one that I had given my mum. But I’m spending minimum time on the internet. In fact, I’m writing this as a word document to post later. My internet connection is switched off. Mornings and afternoons are my most productive hours so I spend this time doing my truly creative work and taking the necessary steps to realizing my goals. I only allow myself a couple of hours in the evening checking my emails, checking in on FB, twitter & linkedin, reading a couple of blogs that I follow and perhaps posting something myself.

Rather than being reactive I have become more proactive. I am taking control (or at least more control than I had before) of external forces rather than them controlling me. It takes some effort initially, but it’s surprisingly easier than I expected and the benefits are immeasurable.

This post also marks a shift in my blogging style, but more on that next time…

Till then,

Smile, be well and find your bliss – creatively

Lena B

Do you believe in coincidences? As the years go by I have begun to believe that the universe has incredible timing and knows just when you are ready and open for a particular experience.

It was then that by total chance, coincidence or fate (call it what you will) my mum came across an ad in the local newspaper announcing the commencement of a series of art lessons by a well-known artist, Ageliki Tseva, close to my home town. Now, I had, many years ago, wanted to attend pottery classes with Ageliki, but for one reason or another it just hadn’t worked out – bad timing, whatever. I wasn’t aware that she was now teaching art as well as pottery. I was so excited that I immediately called her to secure a place on the course!

Well we’re now 7 lessons into our course and I can honestly say it is probably the best thing I’ve done for myself in a long time. I had taken some other art classes in the past but none had really fulfilled my expectations and my needs. Ageliki, however, is more than I could have hoped for. Her approach to art is so open, free and liberating.

One of the things I’m trying to get over in my painting is a ‘fear’ of a blank canvas. Fear of not finding the ‘right’ inspiration. Fear of making mistakes. Fear of failing. Fear of disappointing. Fear that my art will not be technically correct. Will not look real.

I think that with Ageliki I might be able to overcome this. She believes that there are no mistakes, as such, in art. What one might call a mistake can in fact lead you in another direction. Art is an expression of the soul. An emotional outlet that should be practiced for the health of our psyche. A way of externalizing our inner worlds. So, just for that fact, there can be no ‘wrong’ art, as such.

Ageliki uses mostly acrylics in her paintwork but she skillfully combines many medium together to create vibrant works that reflect her zest for life, her curiosity and her willingness to look at things in a different way.

Last weekend I was priveleged to be present at an event that was held in her honour. A tribute celebrating her 50 years of contribution to the world of art. Prominent speakers narrated their impressions and experience of Ageliki’s art and all that it means to her and to us. And Ageliki was hugely generous when she gave each and every one of us a book of her work in the preservation of the art of traditional dough sculpture and prints of some of her works which are pictured below. A few days later we also received a copy of the dvd of the documentary that was made of her life and work!

I felt and am incredibly proud to be one of Ageliki Tseva’s students and I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for the wonderful gift she has given me and others. It is certainly a rarity today when someone of her creative talent gives of herself so much and so generously.

Pictured below are some photos of the tribute to Ageliki Tseva and some of the works in her art gallery that we are very fortunate to be inspired by as she teaches us in this very same space.

Some interesting information about Ageliki Tseva, she….

• was born in the town of Koropi in Attica where she still works today.
• took lessons in painting and ceramics.
• has been actively involved, since 1977,  in a continuous pursuit for the cultural development of the Mesogeia region.
• became a member of the Artistic Chamber of Greece (1977) whereupon she was elected to sit twice on the Decorative Applications Committee and once on the Penalty Committee.
• founded the A. Tseva Cultural Centre in Koropiin 1977 and in 1985 the Museum of Art & Tradition – Museum of ‘Embroidered’ Dough.
• has given lectures on many Folkloric Art symposiums.
• has published 3 books on art and folk tradition
• has collaborated with Greek magazines, newspapers and radio stations.
• has taken part in several international and 41 joint and 100 personal exhibitions in Greece in painting, ceramics and sculpture.
• has won 4 prizes and 2 recommendations from the Cultural Ministry of Greece and other artistic foundations

Are you feeling overwhelm at the task of finding the best and most suitable interior designer/decorator for your project, let alone the enormous design &/or decorating job that lies before you? One of the most important factors in finding your most suitable designer is knowing what you want as regards the type of project at hand. First of all, do you need an interior designer or decorator?

An interior designer can (and in most cases, should) be involved from the initial build/planning stage, providing valuable advice and insight into the arrangement of interior spaces that will improve the functionality of the interior and be the most suitable for your needs and lifestyle. A lot of people find it difficult visualizing a space before it is built, and only then do they see that perhaps they could have done things differently. An interior designer, however, can provide you with 3d images and walkthroughs of your building interiors helping you to make any alterations before the actual build. Much cheaper don’t you think, than making the alterations afterwards!

An interior designer will be needed if re-designing a pre-existing building where major changes are likely to occur, for example, removing walls or creating new ones, extensions, interior constructions, for example, built in bookcases, fireplaces etc. Having said that, when major alterations are likely to take place a responsible interior designer will cooperate with either an architect or civil engineer, acquiring appropriate planning permissions from local authorities, should they be necessary, but most importantly, assuring the stability of the building is not compromised.

If, however, you are looking for someone to help you with just furniture and lighting arrangements, upholstery, window treatments, colour schemes, surface treatments, for example, wallpaper, tiling, stone cladding etc then either an interior designer or decorator can help you.

Don’t hesitate to interview several interior designers &/or decorators before making your choice. Not all designers are the perfect match for their client. Making the right choice for you will ultimately provide you with the best result.

Why is it so important to find the right designer or decorator?

Apart from the above-mentioned aspects, it is important to realize that the design process will require you to spend a lot of time working & discussing the project with your interior designer or decorator so it will be easier and much more enjoyable if you like the person you’re working with. Therefore the right professional will be someone with whom you will feel comfortable with as they will with you.

Can the interior designer cope with the scale of the project? The right professional will understand your needs, even if you don’t, and should be totally honest with you as regards their capabilities. A professional (and responsible) interior designer or decorator will tell you whether they can or cannot take on your project and will refer you to another professional should they not be able to.

Does the interior designer’s/decorator’s style suit yours? Look at their portfolio and inspirational images of interiors that reflect their, and your, style to gauge both your tastes and preferences.

Your designer/decorator should be open, communicative and willing to accommodate your preferences and taste combining their interior design knowledge, skills and creative talents to produce an interior that’s perfect for you.

lena blonsky …creating beautiful interiors for beautiful lives…….

email: lena@interiordesigners.gr

mob: +306937327645

The reason I haven’t written a post in a while is because I went on a surprise and spur-of-the-moment trip to dubai uae. Dubai is truly amazing in its developmental and constructional enterprises that have embraced western style and ideals and married them beautifully and with some sensitivity with the Arabian style and culture.

From the moment my journey began I did not once have the feeling that I was travelling to an eastern or arab world (and whatever that means to each person). From flight (I flew with Emirates), personnel, service, amenities and comfort I felt I was in the most modern and advanced environments.

Dubai airport (terminal 3 for Emirates airline) was a vision to behold. Huge in scale, it preceded the theme of what I would witness in the following days. All design and construction is aimed at making an impression, and it certainly does that. Nothing is constructed or designed just for the sake of its end purpose. Everything is given a futuristic design concept with elements of Arabian culture and style added.

It is easy to forget that dubai is a city built in the desert, but we are quickly reminded by the intense heat that hits you as soon as you step outdoors, and the sandy/dusty atmosphere that seems to prevail most of the time. Buildings and bridges quickly become dusty and I wonder if these are washed periodically. I was amazed at the huge effort to provide greenery, but what is most amazing is that everything grows in the sand. Millions of gallons of water are consumed every day in dubai, but it is worth remembering that about 97% of water comes from the sea having undergone a desalination process, an example that many countries will need to follow in the near future if we are to save on water resources.

I was told that most of what I see of this ‘new’ dubai has sprung up in the last ten years and from what I could see 70% of dubai is still under construction. I would love to come back in another 10 years to see the completed dubai. The economic crises has, however, hit this city and a lot of construction is in a state of pause. What I also found impressive was that fuel production comprises only 7% of the nation’s GNI, which is spent on real estate investment, construction and city development. The shopping malls in dubai are the most impressive malls I have ever visited. Seemingly endless and a labyrinth of the most amazingly designed stores, no store is missing from dubai. Two of the most impressive, must-see malls are The Dubai Mall, which features an olympic-size ice-skating rink, a walk-thru aquarium and beautiful, breataking fountains. The stores themselves are some of the best designed stores I have ever seen…here’s a sampling….

Then there’s Wafi…an absolutely unforgettable experience. Designed in an ancient Egyptian theme, I marvelled at this wonderfully designed building, externally and internally, and the best treat of all …..the authentic 14th century Khan Murjan souk (traditional market) hidden in the two-storey basement of the mall – a labyrinth of alleys and passageways decorated in traditional materials and techniques provides that authentic touch…most breathtaking of all, one of the world’s longest stained-glass windows, painstakingly assembled by hand over many months that decorates the ceiling of the souk. There are Moroccan, Syrian, Egyptian and Turkish quarters where you will find traditional products from all these wonderful countries.

The crafts and products on sale are a feast to the senses…luxurious gem-stone jewellery, intricately-woven persian rugs, moroccan furniture and damascene mother-of-pearl mosaics…..and a final treat, an authentically cooked meal in the open-roofed, yet air-conditioned courtyard restaurant serenaded by Syrian musicians…..my mouth waters just in memory of our wonderful meal…

Sitting having coffee in one of the malls I would watch the world go by and take in the different styles of local costume and ways of getting covered that the locals used. From being totally covered from head to foot where not a millimeter of flesh is revealed, to totally European dress, it seemed obvious to me that people dressed either according to depth of religious belief or used it to intrigue and charm. I also discovered that styles of headdress follow their own fashion and I suspect that men’s headdress follows a style depending on social standing. Funnily enough I was not taken aback by seeing so many covered women. It seemed totally natural and expected in this environment and, apart from the women who were totally covered or those wearing their cover in a style other than what seemed to be the fashion of the day, seemed very comfortable in it and very modern.

It occurs to me that dubai arabs are more tolerant of other people’s religious beliefs and dress code than we Europeans are. If we were to see arabs in their customary dress in a western city we would stop and stare. But I was not once made to feel uncomfortable just because I wore sleeveless tops or cropped trousers. Finally, on my last day there we went on an amazing desert safari featuring dune-bashing, camel rides and a rest at a bedouin camp with refreshments, a freshly-cooked meal, henna tatoos and belly-dancing to finish off. The highlight for me? dune-bashing is an experience not to be missed…WHAT FUN!…just like a roller coaster only better! this is only for tough stomachs and those not frightened by the unpredictable lunges, dips, turns and swerves you will be taken through, not to mention the feeling that you might just turn upside down at any moment! great, great fun….but what made it fun was the incredible beauty of the endless desert. This was totally unexpected for me…the feeling I would have in the desert. The colours and textures of the sand were always changing and the sunset provided a breathtaking backdrop to the scenery. But also, seeing the locals in their customary dress in this setting and then the camels and bedouin camp took me back to scenes of Lawrence of Arabia – I felt I had travelled back to another age (apart from the 4×4 jeeps that would make me aware of the date!).

I hope you found my account of my trip to dubai interesting. Dubai is definitely a city worth visiting, but a word of advice….I recommend visiting in Nov-Feb since temperatures fall to a more bearable 25-30 C rather than the 40-50 C I experienced!

Anyone else been to Dubai? I’d love to hear your impressions too…..

I just love this fun circular bookcase designed by Roderick Vos for Dutch company linteloo. It will be on show at the salone del mobile this April. The bookcase can be spun around like a carousel to access the books at the back. I can see this being used in bookstores but also as a fun, original element in the corner of a living room. I’d like to see this in different colours too like black, red or fushcia to match other colour schemes.

as seen on Design Boom...

The onion domes of Russian churches oblige you to look up to the heavens and thank God for such beauty. And there has got to be something said for seeing each object in the right context. Although I admired Russian architecture from afar I had never truly appreciated it up until my trip to Russia last year.









For more info on Russia’s famous onion domes go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onion_dome