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| My beautiful family |
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| And a newer photo. |
First of all, are you wondering how I came up with the name Cuckoo4Design? Well, here it goes in case you do!
Several years ago when my son was still a toddler, he had a play date with the son of one of our friends. And you know how kids (especially older toddlers) say things that they’ve heard from parents but shouldn’t repeat? Well the little cutie pie came up to me and told me that his daddy calls me the crazy German. Haha…! Now I don’t know if this was meant as a compliment, but I take it as such. I really do! After all I leave an impression ;)So when I thought about what to name my blog, this little scenario came to my mind and I had just found my new love for cuckoo clocks (click HERE to read about it). It all made sense to me. I know there are lots of “cuckoo for” websites out there but it fits perfect for this “crazy/cuckoo” German.
Design and art are truly my
passion. I’ve known this since I was a teenager and enrolled in art
school in Germany. I loved anything that had to do with creating!
The town I grew up in is Lohr am Main and I went to school and worked in Würzburg. Two very beautiful German cities!
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| Lohrer Bayersturm |
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| my beautiful kiddos in Lohr |
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| Lohr am Main |
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| Festung in Würzburg |
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| Würzburg |
When I finished art school, I worked at one of the largest furniture stores in Germany while I was getting a degree in visual merchandising. I guess that’s where it all began! It was the funnest, most creative job without having to sell anything. I loved it! I learned from the in-house carpenters, painters and coworkers.
After that I started an internship in Marketing here in the United States where I met my future husband (click HERE if you want to hear what he has to say about my blogging). I never thought I would end up here! I get really homesick at times and my projects keep me sane and from getting sad.
While working in Marketing I finished a degree in Graphic Design. It was fun as well but just never as fulfilling as working hands on with a room and furniture. I love transforming an ugly piece of furniture. And working on a project is my “safe place”.
So I ended up at home with my two beautiful kids. I love being a mom and creating our home. So many of my friends and family have told me that designing, painting and creating things is what I should be doing and I know they are right.
We live in a small home and I’m a firm believer that in this case, size doesn’t matter. You can make the smallest apartment and home beautiful and functional.
It actually makes me angry when people state “oh this is only our starter home, so we don’t want to put too much money into it, because we won’t stay here long”. Who says you can’t do this on a budget? Like me, a lot of people will end up longer in their “starter” home because life gets in the way…. So you might as well make it look nice. After all if you do decide to sell your home, it will show much better to potential buyers.
So this is my story and I hope you will check in again once in a while or maybe even follow my blog.
You can contact me at cuckoo4design(at)gmail(dot)com
Guten Tag fellow webbers and thanks for stopping by!
Here are more of our Germany posts:
I purchased your lamp last Sunday at an estate sale near Akron, Ohio. Exact same lamp with different colors. “F.L. Co. c 1963!”. Guess what I paid for mine? It was marked down to $7.50!!!. No kidding! A pair of slightly different style lamps from the same company dated 1965 are on E-Bay. They’re asking 299.00 for the pair. I have the same shade , too. Do you know anything about the F.L. Co? I haven’t been able to locate any information about them. Thanks for your column about these fun lamps. Kent
Oh how cool! I actually had to seek mine again because they were just to big for my small house. I tried to find out about them for the longest time but couldn’t find anything. Let me know if you do. Good luck!
I saw the heated igloo photo on Pinterest and came to your site. Just wanted to let you know that I have many boxes from the pharmacies, especially hospital pharmacies that receive meds in the Styrofoam coolers. I put plywood sheets over several in an L shape to create a porch for them – no rain or snow gets in. I’ll be purchasing the heating pads. Thank you!
Hope it works out for you! Good luck Marlene and have a happy New Year.
it’s a pleasure to visit your blog. I enjoyed my visit. You have a lovely family. Hugs
Thanks so much Katherine
Your story is so beautiful, and your hometown is absolutely gorgeous! Everything you touch turns out so beautifully.
I especially relate to your last points about people speaking ill of your ‘starter’ home. Well guess what starter homes, can be forever, or long lived beautiful homes. We tend to feel criticized (mostly through eye rolls) for our ugly home, but guess what, our dreams are slowly becoming reality as we tackle OUR ugly duckling. And guess what, their reactions to remodeled sections are priceless. So worth it.
Thanks Trisha. It’s awesome that your dream is slowly becoming reality!
Hi I seen your post on doing your cabinets. I’m getting ready to do mine and I’m wondering what sand paper you used. I just bought the same paint as you. I’m very nervous to start this project. If you have any tips, that would be awesome. thank you so much.
I saw a picture that you have hanging in your kitchen. Its a picture of an owl. Love it! It was in STYLE magazines March 2016 issue on page 63. Can you please tell me where you purchased it? Thanks so much!!
Your son should have kept his hair like that. I like his hair now but he was even more adorable than now!!
Hi Andy 😉 Should I tell him you said it’s adorable? LOL but I agree it was pretty cute. He wanted it gone though
I agree with Andy
He hates it long when I show him pictures now. He does have great hair 😉
Your daughter is a very lucky girl to have have you .and your husband as parents,
I so hope you find solution for her issues. I empathize with her, she must be in mental turmoil everyday.
I firmly believe that foods can be a remedy for health issues.Though not easy ti adapt to I commend you and your husband for your efforts. I am not sure if you our familiar with Joy Bauer. she is a nationally recognized circadian. I love her approach of eating for health, I am not suggesting that she is appropriate for your daughter but if may be reaffirming to your family (if you just review her website, books and or articles) to see that foods can actually alter health issues.
One more ( unsolicited ) recommendation 🙂 Andrew Weil He is an American physician that promotes a a holistic health approach. His books and or articles may be of some help tp you .
I really have no words to express what I think of you and your husband for taking “this” on, It is very admirable!
On a lighter note…..the town in which you are from looks simply charming!
P.S. Don t stay away from designing too long. You are very talented and I know it must bring you joy,
Thank you so so much! And I really appreciate the recommendations. I believe that food can heal too and wish it would be widely recognized by physicians. Our daughter is doing much much better and I’m so thankful for that. My hometown is very charming that is true 😉
Hi, I used to live in Schweinfurt and I worked in würzburg! I miss Germany too 🙂 I’ll be following from now on! Some great stuff!
Oh hello Emma. I love Würzburg so much. Glad you will be around. Lets keep in touch
I came across your blog this morning while searching for painted concrete inspiration. Two hours later I’m still browsing your beautiful posts! I spent my elementary school years in Germany and miss it every day. I love seeing the familiar places in your photos and reading about your travels. I’ll be signing up to follow you – thanks for the inspiration, Julia!
Oh thanks so much Molly for following and I’m glad you like it.