It’s about time to invite you all on a quick tour of my native town. Shadrinsk (I actually can’t believe that someone was kind enough to create the Wikipedia page for it:) is a small town lost somewhere by the border between Europe and Asia. As one of my school instructors said, if you close your eyes and throw a dart in the map of Russia, it ‘ll be somewhere there. Founded in 1662, it was a trade point during the monarchy.
[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps?q=shadrinsk&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Shadrinsk,+Province+of+Kurgan,+Russia&gl=us&ei=LYidTNraF4mqsAO38e3VAQ&ved=0CBgQ8gEwAA&ll=56.0877,63.636089&spn=53.548555,180.527344&z=3&output=embed&w=425&h=350]
But what I really like and miss the most is the nature: lush forests, rivers and lakes, mineral water. 
What I really wanted to focus on the most during my last visit is the architecture. Nothing major there but we do have a few buildings left from the 19th-early 20th centuries, which really give the town its charm. 
These brick beauties as if still carry the pride and honor of their once wealthy trade masters. I really wanted to capture the buildings before they turn into these… 
It makes me so sad to see the history being abandoned while instead we are rushing to build the faceless concrete boxes.
Anyways, what you really want to look for when visiting a small Russian town is the window legend. Literary, old windows have some legends. Look at these incredible woodwork which is unique and made by hand. 
So if you ever in that area – drop me a line, my mom is always happy to meet the guests.
<images via me>
As for me, there’s never enough of wallpapers, wall coverings and decorative panels. They always make such a profound transformation in a room at a minimal effort. So I was so exited to discover the ModularArts, a solid mineral composite panels with a such variety of patterns. Painted, lit or just as is, they would add architectural interest to any space. Incredible source of inspiration.
<images via www.modulararts.com>
As I’m working on my Thesis project, I’ve been awfully drawn to all sorts of inspirations from nature. Here’s another one, which have influenced me a LOT. Patrick Blanc, a French landscape architect, is a developer of the concept of the vertical garden. Quoting his website, vertical gardens “rely on the new way of growing plants without any soil. … The vertical garden can be implemented outdoor or indoor, in any climatic environment. For indoor location, an artificially lighting is usually required. Watering and fertilization are automated. The Vertical Garden acts as a phonic and thermal isolation system. It is also an air purification device”.
And it’s GORGEOUS. A much-needed oasis in our hectic lives.
<images via www.verticalgardenpatrickblanc.com>
For me the best part of Sacramento is its residential part. Rarely I see such a perfect combination of beautiful architecture dawning in greenery and a peaceful atmosphere.
I started my trip with the tour of the Governor’s Mansion. With the rich history behind, the place is like a time machine where you can see the transfer of style from Victorian to the 50s turquoise kitchen. 
Leland Stanford Mansion was just as impressive if not more. Unfortunately no photography is allowed inside. 
As for the mere mortals, they have nothing to complain about. The regular streets are full of old charms. 
<images via me>
Being a soccer wife does have some benefits. Besides witnessing games’ highlights live, every now and then we get the unplanned road trips. So last weekend we went to Sacramento (hence the lack of posts). Surprisingly small town (for the capital of California), it possesses such an irresistible charm that I couldn’t help but snuck out in between the games to just walk the streets and take it all in.
Sacramento’s architecture is a clad of Victorian, Colonial, American Federalist, Greek and all sorts of Classical Revivals. Yum! Needless to say that my whole historical entity was having a blast.
Capitol Building (1861 – 1874) 
California Western Life Building (now Citizen Hotel) – 1925 
Ruhstaller Building – 1898
Masonic Temple – 1920
Elk Building – 1926
Pioneer Hall – 1868 and Merchant National Bank – 1921
Old Sacramento 
<images via me>
