LICHTGRENZE: 25 YEARS AFTER THE WALL FELL

This project has gotten a ton of press over the past several days but it was simply too beautiful not to share here. Featuring 8000 LED filled balloons, Lichtgrenze (literally: 'border of light') is an art installation-cum-historical awareness piece that stretches 10 miles over the path of the Berlin Wall—even blocking streets and cutting through parks as the wall once did—to commemorate its destruction 25 years ago.

These perfect glowing globes were installed for two days this weekend and were released last night as part of Berlin's anniversary celebration. Each balloon was funded by a specific individual or group and each balloon was released last night by a person holding a unique key; once freed the balloons floated away into the night air, carrying personal messages and symbolizing humanity's struggle to continue to rise above oppression and violence.

There are lots of great articles about this, but I recommend the writing published here and here. See footage of the balloon release and celebration here. More information about the promotional video (warning: it's mostly in German!) here.

MY DREAM HOME: PATTERNED WOOD FLOORS

You know what one of my favorite parts of traveling in Europe is? Gawking at all the beautiful architecture, particularly the historic homes and museums. And, obviously besides the paintings and furniture and all around finery, the best thing to check out is the flooring. It seems that Paris and Florence and other historic cities across the pond have a monopoly on gorgeous inlay flooring. Since I have an unending war with the terrible square parquet floors in our rental apartment (there are huge gaps that seem to spit splinters every couple weeks!), I am taking a minute to channel the perfectly patterned pavement of European mansions and file them away for dream home inspiration. Join me, will you?

My preferred style—and likely the most replicable in real life—is tie between herringbone and chevron. There are a lot of ways to modify these common patterns to add some extra visual interest, including an inset of contrasting wood or long, straight plank across the middle of the room. You pretty much can't go wrong.

links: sunshiney chevron, chapel herringbone, stripe-divided chevron room, herringbone with contrast squares

Click through the link for more floor-tastic inspiration . . .

IT'S ELECTION DAY!

In case you have been living under a rock (or live overseas, I suppose), I am here to remind you it is election day! And with this year's Presidential race as tight as ever, I hope you all will be exercising your rights and hitting the poles today to cast your vote, as these amazing illustrations from the tumblr site #GoVote encourage you to do. Lamely, the timing of changing my last name (post-wedding) precluded me from registering to vote under my new name in New York in time to weigh in on this election . . . sad! So I will have to live vicariously for you all and hope that all goes well!




On a separate voting-related note, do you remember what you learned in your eighth grade social studies class about the electoral college? You probably remember that it is important to the outcome of the race but not the particulars about how it works, right? Well here is a beautifully illustrated little video that gives you a tidy recap just before the poles close.

Happy Election Day! See more beautiful #GoVote designs here.


(Hat tip to swiss-miss for the tips here and here)

PORTRAITS OF RESILIENCE

Along the lines of this post, I just discovered this beautiful website put together by TIME Magazine to commemorate 9/11. If you need a moment of poignant remembrance, or just a foray from the hustle and bustle of the everyday into the realm of pure humanity, visit the website here and watch some of the numerous video testimonials. They are sure to touch your heart.

OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE

November 19, 1863. One hundred forty-seven years ago and yet these words still ring so true. Adam Gault has made a beautiful visual representation of President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Watch it and note how your jaw drops—it is stunning! It helps that Mitch Rapoport has the perfect voice for narration, especially when it is for a historical subject.

See more of Gault's work in his portfolio here.

(Found via OK Great)