All good things come to an end, so I would like to say goodbye to this blog by thanking all those who have helped me in the development of content or improving my posts.
I have enjoyed every moment of the elaboration of Interiors with a Soul, it has been a new experience and has also been really helpful because it helped me to better understand the phenomenon of mass communication and its signs in social media. Interior design has always been a hobby for me, but thanks to the creation of this blog I have been wondering if I should take this hobby to the next level, if dedicate to this is what I want. This is, turn blogging as my future and job habitat, who knows ... But one thing remains clear, if I do not continue on writing, I will miss publishing a new post every week! I hope I have fulfilled my goal to show you how to discover and express your aesthetic style in your environment and make it unique & personal. As through our places we can create art and decorate with our soul, for making the rest perceive what we hide within ourselves. At the moment you can follow me on Instagram, and of course if I create another blog or I continue working on this one, I will let you know! Until then, stay artsy! ✨
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Hello Artsies! I am back with a new story where I spent a day in a very close family friend's carpet & antiques shop. Mr. Ali Karababa is a very well-known -if not the biggest- collector from Ankara! From museum assigned pieces belonging to The Great Seljuk and Ottoman Empire, to family heirlooms discovered in the distant villages of Turkey, many great antiques and carpets can be found in Alibaba's store in the Esat neighbourhood of Ankara. There is a twist however, although it is a "store", many of the items here are not for sale because of their rarity, historical value and Alibaba's devotion to them! Come and join me on today's post where I spent a day exploring the the most valuable pieces in their store and listening to his son, Mr. Kemal Karababa!
Mr. Ali Karababa, known as "Alibaba" and his 2 sons, Kemal and Eyup has been doing this business since 1960's. Although Alibaba started his career as a contractor, his interest in antiques and carpets started in his teenage years. "My father started this business because of his love for antiques and travelled to many distant villages in over 64 out of 67 cities in Turkey (in 1960's and 1970's) and collected historical artefacts" says Mr. Karababa. According to him, the reason his father decided not to sell many items from his collection was due to the fact that he loved all of his pieces as a "children" and refused to part ways with them. He adds, "he opened a store in Tehran Street (a very popular street in Ankara) and sold many antiques in 3 months, he then realised that he couldn't find the same or similar pieces again, after then, he never sold a rare piece." I have translated the important points into English in my texts, you can see the full Turkish video below.
After his experience in store in the Tehran Street, in order to ensure the safety and care of the artefacts, Alibaba decided to register his most valuable pieces to museums of Turkey. According to "Law No. 2863 on the Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage", trade of registered pieces with ethnographic and cultural value can only be done under very specific requirements and legal procedures. Like with Alibaba's pieces, The Museum Directorates arrange a "Movable Cultural and Natural Property Certificate Subject to Registration" With this procedure, Alibaba makes sure that the artefact goes under minister control. The purchase-sale and exchange transactions of the such items can only be carried out by the owners of this document at the nearest museum directorate, and the new situation is declared in writing to the museum where the document was issued. It is forbidden to transfer it to someone else, sell it and take it abroad illegally. You can see just a minor portion of the artefacts aforementioned, in the Turkish video below.
Alibaba's collection is displayed in 4 stories, extended over a 600 sqm. space in their store in Esat. As we have seen from the video, there are items dating even back to 11th century Seljuk period to 18th century pieces used by the Ottoman Sultans in Topkapi Palace. There are also more recent pieces such as 18th century furniture owned by Otto Eduard Leopold, Prince of Bismarck, Duke of Lauenburg. Alibaba pays the utmost care to his items, I am a first-hand witness to this as I visited the store many times during my childhood years as well as very recently, and the items are still in the same, if not in better condition! Here is a collage I made from the endless rooms of the store.
Phyrgia Kingdom Treasure found in Divrigi
When asked to share a story told to him by his father, Mr. Karababa tells a story of a deep buried treasure discovered in Odur, Sivas Divrigi. The treasure belonging to The Phyrgia Kingdom of 1100 B.C., was unearthed by illegal treasure hunters where they discover a tomb. "They first let down a rabbit down the tunnel, and the rabbit died because of poison" he says. After seeing the rabbit die, a villager reports the incident to the local authorities. With the help of the ministry, the tomb and all of its treasures -25 kg. of pure gold relics and coins- are excavated and now are being displayed in the Kayseri Museum.
Ataturk Statue by Italian Sculptor Pietro Canonica
Mr. Karababa also shares a story of a valuable piece in his father's collection, a bust of the great founding father of Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. The bust, made by the Italian Sculptor Pietro Canonica, was commissioned by Ataturk in order to see the craftsmanship of Canonica. According to him, the famous Victory Monument located in the center of Ankara Ulus Square, was approved by Ataturk after seeing this exact bust made by the sculptor. I have translated the story into English above, but you can also hear the Turkish sound recording.
Making Alaaddin Jealous, Always Magical: Carpets
Mr. Karababa also introduces us to the most valuable carpets in the store. Spoiler alert, some of these carpets that are over 300 hundred years old! He and his staff of over 25 years Aydin Bey tells me the location these carpets were woven, as well as what is making them special. As you may tell, the age is a contributing factor to their value, but their dye and condition are also in the upmost importance. You can take a look at aforementioned carpets below.
As we learn from Aydin Bey, the reason these carpets are considered valuable lies within their dye. Natural and Madder dye, which are extracted from roots of various plants and vegetables such as walnut shells, herbs, and even onion peel are used in these carpets! When cared upon, the dye of these carpets never age he claims. I also learn that black parts of the carpet are the most easily deteriorated, since the onion peel used to make the dye is the most prune to rot. Mr. Karababa adds that most of these carpets are in fact not used daily, but only displayed in houses when special guests come over. I have summarised and translated the important points above. In the video below, you can see the details about the most valuable carpets in the store, and Mr. Karababa and Aydin Bey's explanations.
I spent an amazing day with Mr. Kemal Karababa, exploring the most exquisite antiques, listening to stories and learning about the details that make a carpet special. If you'd like to pay a visit to Mr. Alibaba's Esat store, I have added their address in the map below.
I hope you liked today's post as much as I did, I can't wait to hear your comments below. Until then, stay Artsy! ✨
Hello Artsies! As you may remember from last week, we have conducted a research together on what were the most popular interior design styles, and how they have differed between men & women participants. With an abundance of unique design styles, it can be daunting to decipher which style will work best for your taste. But with this week's post, I am hoping to give you a great starting point by introducing further into the 2 most popular design styles of 2020, selected by you! 1. Female Artsies' Choice: The new chic, Bohemian!Bohemian is a popular style for home design and fashion. It reflects a free-spirited lifestyle with little rules, except to follow your hearts desire, quite literally, putting your soul into your space! When you walk into a home that has a bohemian design style you immediately feel immersed in another culture. Souvenirs from travels are displayed and the whole vibe feels very eclectic. Bohemian homes may include vintage furniture and light fixtures, and pieces that possess ethnic or nomadic vibes. Moroccan, Southwestern, or tribal-inspired designs, globally inspired textiles and rugs, displays of collections, and items found in widely varied sources including local antique markets. A variant, boho-chic loves textile, wood, animal hide, and metallic accents. It’s not uncommon to find floor pillows and plushy seating spaces when incorporating the bohemian style. A subtle boho atmosphere puts an emphasis on nature. However, it’s very common to find bold patterns and bright colors for furniture and accents, likewise, mixing patterns and using things in unconventional ways are highly encouraged. The key is to carefully present a purposefully “carefree” look. Don't hesitate to layer on textiles (throws, pillows, rugs, tapestry) for a cozy ambience to capture the adventurous spirit of the avant-garde lifestyle. Anthropologie offers a great variety for Boho-chic home pieces in USA, and Zara Home is a great international example. When we compare different design styles Bohemian is one of the few where order isn’t necessary. There’s a laissez-faire spirituality where anything goes as long as you love it, so don't be afraid to think outside the box! 2. Male Artsies' Choice: Virile and unpolished, Industrial!While one may argue that industrial interior design is not common, it does have a past. With raw and unpolished elements, as the name implies, Industrial style draws its inspiration from the turn-of-the-century industrial era buildings. When factories in the west Europe were shut down at the end of the second industrial revolution, it left many large vacant warehouses behind. With the population boom, people started to convert industrial areas into residential neighbourhoods.
There’s a sense of unpolished rawness in many of the elements, and it’s not uncommon to see exposed pipes and beams. The style emphasises liberal use of steel with distressed wooden elements, frequently complemented by exposed walls. Materials like brick and concrete are great at giving the space a lot of character. In terms of atmosphere, industrial decor is often rustic and mature. Furniture is often raw or unfinished and paired with antiques. Tufted Chester sofas, rustic coffee tables, old timber, high ceilings, metal light fixtures with sparse functional furniture are enough to describe the art of this style. With a neutral colour scheme derived from the primary materials of wood and metals, the modern form commonly employs copper-tone accents. In USA, Restoration Hardware is a go-to source for higher-end industrial designs, and in Turkey, Pera Bulvarı is a very popular choice. Industrial style's manly tendencies are tamed with the use of ample texture. You won’t use the words “soft” or “intimate” used when describing this unique interior design style, on the contrary, its power comes from its virile character, all contributing to a space that feels like it was just renovated from a former industrial warehouse. Which style would be your choice? Let me know in the comments. Until then, stay Artsy!✨
Hello Artsies! I am sure that one of the biggest dreams of any of us is to finally have our own house, a dream house! Imagine living in your dream house you can freely design and decorate your own way and make it reflect your soul within. But what will your dream house look like, which style it will adapt? I asked you this question last week from my social media accounts, and the results are just in, and they are indeed very interesting!
According to the results, we see a clear differentiation in terms of interior design style between the men & women participants.
For the female artsies, Bohemian style, which favors layers of lush textiles, bold patterns, vibrant colors, and free-spiritedness at heart is the most preferred with approx. 43%. Considering some feminine aspects such as macramé woven planters, handwoven Moroccan rugs, or Malian mudcloth pillows, this style is the most preferred comes as no surprise. Eclectic style earns 2nd place, with its artistic, creative, and rich details. Although at times tough to characterize because it makes use of a little bit of everything—that's where its magic lies— and the female artsies seem to be enjoying it! At the 3rd place, Traditional style stands with its silk, velvet, and linen details featuring floral, striped, and plaid patterns. Considering the "girly elements", this style too proves that the feminine details and color palettes play an important role in women's preferred styles.
When we look at the male artsies' results, we see a clear winner with 41 votes, the Industrial style. With oversized artworks, exposed steel with distressed wooden elements, raw/unfinished furniture combined with copper-tone accents, you won't hear the words "soft" or "intimate" used when it comes to describing this unique style. The Industrial interior design style loves the raw and virile details that bring masculinity to space which might explain why it was the 1st place in male artsies' preferences. The 2nd place is a tie between Scandinavian and Modern styles, which have some similar elements when it comes to the sleekness and simple color palettes. Modern style brings clean and crisp lines that employ a sense of simplicity in every element, while Scandinavian style has some distinctiveness which seems to attract male artsies, such as the usage of natural materials, thinking light, airy and organic. Modern and Nordic spaces give off a relaxing and inviting vibe which might be preferred by men who do not want the brute elements of the industrial style, on the contrary, want to feel sophisticated and relaxed.
Overall, although there are exceptions, it wouldn't be wrong for me to say that the dream house interior design styles of men & women differ heavily with respect to feminine & masculine characteristics attributed with that style. While one style is a top choice in one gender, for the other, it might be the least preferred, Bohemian and Industrial styles are a great example of this. The results of the survey and my analysis afterwards is exactly why I think that the interiors have a soul within and reflects its owner's personality and character.
In my next post, I will go into further details of the most popular 2 interior design styles as an inspiration to help you reflect your soul in your space! Until then, stay artsy! ✨
1. Choose a desirable location.There aren't any bad places to hang your gallery wall, from bedrooms to bathrooms, they can be placed anywhere in your home, although popular areas are often in the hallway, up the staircase, or like in my case, a blank wall in your living room. 2. Find your aesthetic style.While creating your gallery wall, it is important to choose a coherent theme or style that will make you happy whenever you look at it. Inspiration is everywhere! Find yours online, in your favorite cafe or restaurant, or a museum. Some sites I found to be useful are Desenio, and Pinterest. Don't be afraid to combine themes and styles, we want it to reflect your soul! I found that oriental, Moroccan/Mediterranean themes reflected my soul, and went with this combination. 3. Collect, collect and collect.After finding your style, take your time while collecting artworks or choosing prints that fit your theme. You can use items that you already have, or acquire new ones from antique shops or even IKEA. Another option is to find artwork online and get them printed, which I opted for. You can buy print downloadable prints from Etsy or Desenio. Also, many organisations and websites offer free to use photographs. Metropolitan Museum Open Artworks, rawpixel, Unsplash, are just some of them. 4. Plan it.When you have a selection you're happy with, use an online tool to see if they create a story together. Remember, it is important to put a piece of your soul & creativity in your gallery wall, so take your time while playing with sizes, or layouts. Pay attention to contrast, colors, and style. I experimented with many tools and pre-made template sites and found the one that is the most useful and easy to use. It allows you to change the sizes freely, and the checkered background is useful when measuring up. You can access it by clicking here. 5. Frame-up!If you opted for artworks with already existing frames, you can skip this step. If you opted for downloading your prints, it is time to get some frames that will best elevate your gallery wall. You can choose to have frames of different styles, colors, or materials. In my case, I found IKEA Lomviken frames to best fit my requirements. 6. Get your selection printed.After curating your artwork, downloading them, and buying your frames, it's time to get your selection printed out. I found the best way to do it is the big photographing studios. From shiny to matt, cost-efficient to museum quality Hannemühle, there is a varied selection of papers to choose from. After trying multiple studios and looking at the price/performance ratio, the best option in Ankara for me was Asdoğan Photography. In their website, you can find their contact numbers and ask any questions you may have. 7. Decide on the final layout.Before hanging up, decide on the final layout. I found the floor is to be the best way to visualize your final selection before hanging. Don't be afraid to lay everything on the floor and do some last-minute changes if needed. Pay attention to not go too high up to the ceiling, as well as not too low on the furniture. Use painters’ tape to outline the gallery wall especially on the top, to make sure that it is located in the best location possible. The optimal amount of space is usually 20-30 cm higher than your furniture, centered at your eye level. 8. Hanging.Depending on your surface, you can choose to use sticky bands as well as the traditional and the safest way, nails. The paper backings inside the frames are very useful guides on where to nail. If you have wallpapers and renting the space, I got a pro tip thanks to my interior designer neighbour. Cut upside-down V shape on the wallpaper and to nail inside of it. While moving, you can glue the V-shaped flap back in place and save your security deposit. 9. The final look.Stand back, enjoy, and bask in the glory of your new creation. You have successfully put a piece of your soul and creativity in your place. Don't forget that your gallery can be easily be swapped or updated whenever you feel like. For instance, I am planning to switch it up for a new season to introduce an autumnal/winter theme. Just decide what you want to take down and either reframe with a new print or replace it with a similar sized piece. I hope this post helps spark some ideas inside you. If you try, don't forget to send me your gallery walls via mail or leave a comment below!
1. A gift Ankara gives us once a month: Ayrancı Antika PazarıSince 2009, Ayrancı Antique Marketplace (Turkish: Ayrancı Antika Pazarı), is established on the first Sunday of every month in Ayrancı Market. On carefully put together market stalls, you can find many precious and rare antiquities that have survived test of time awaiting their new owners. In the market, if you get the sense that everyone knows each another, you are completely right. It is very likely to see similar faces in the market every month. Depending on the seller, items are gathered from Turkey, as well as all around the globe! Each stall has a story that smells like history. However, they all share a common ground, their age. The bazaar has set a limit for the age of the products, so the youngest item you can find is 20 years old. While looking around, I even found a piece that was more than 200 years old! When asked about the sales, a stall owner in the market, Bayram Öncel (60) states, "I am in the antiquities business since 40 years, I want to see the interest coming from the younger generation. The bazaar needs more fresh faces." You can access marketplace's website by clicking here (TR). Since it gets crowded, while you are there, keep an eye on your belongings! My rating: ★★★★★ / ₺₺₺₺ Address: Ayrancı Pazarı, Güvenevler, 06540 Çankaya/Ankara, Türkiye Open: First Sunday of Every Month 8:00-18:00 2. Uniqueness without breaking the bank: TASİŞIf you consider yourself a bougie on a budget, the place I am going to recommend now is your haven! TASİŞ, (Turkish: Tasfiye İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü), offers products from many different categories, all budget-friendly. The store is run by the Turkish government and is used to liquidate items that are found to be imported/exported illegally. On right times, TASİŞ is my favourite place to buy unique home items, however, there is a catch. Since the store only sells items to be liquidated, what is offered changes daily and never constant. Sometimes, it is packed with home objects and sometimes there isn't any at all. Fortunately, their website has a useful tool to check what is offered at that point of time. If you are lucky, you can find items from very different parts of the world for incredibly cheap. My rating: ★★★★☆ / ₺₺₺₺ Address: Under Melike Hatun Mosque, Anafartalar, Atatürk Blv No:17, 06050 Altındağ/Ankara Open: Weekdays 10:00-17:30, Saturdays 9:15-12:45 3. 16th century European Antiquities in Ankara: Serkan AntikIf the budget isn't a concern for you, located a 4-min walk away from the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Serkan Antik is a great place for rare and precious antiquities. The owner, my namesake, Serkan Neşeli is has 15 years of expertise in antiquities. The store has French, Italian, and British objects as well as furniture from many different eras, although Mr. Neşeli says that the antiquities especially from the Early Republican Period are in more demand. He loves to use his social media accounts as a medium to reach antique lovers from all around the world. His instagram page is filled with pictures of the items in the store and his twitter bio is short and to the point for his passion for Antiques, "I love my job." The store also provides a restoration service for items you want to turn to their first condition. If you are looking for unique home decor/furniture, and willing to pay the price, you should definitely pay a visit to Serkan Antik! You can find more information on their website. My rating: ★★★★★ / ₺₺₺₺ Address: Koyunpazarı Yokuşu Sokak No:99-101, Samanpazarı Ankara, 06101 Open: Weekdays & Sat. from 10:30-18:30 Phone: 0312 310 73 68 4. A hidden gem for home decor in the Oldtown: İtfaiye MeydanıAnother place for Artsies who want to have eye-grabbing pieces without breaking the bank. From Barbie dolls to Islamic manuscripts, championship trophies to teddy-bears, you can find many budget friendly objects in, İtfaiye Square (Turkish: İtfaiye Meydanı). The square's exact location is between Yenice Sk. and Derman Sk. It is located in the old town of Ankara, while you are there, you feel like you are strolling around in a living time capsule. If you are planning to go alone, don't be scared, although dated, it is a very safe place. If you couldn't find what you were looking for in the the small shops (very unlikely) there is a big local shop named Koç Antik for your taste. If you are planning to visit by car, I recommend you the parking lot under the newly built Melike Hatun Mosque. While you are there, you can even visit my 2nd recommendationTASİŞ before driving home! You can find more tips on square's Foursquare page. My rating: ★★★☆☆ / ₺₺₺₺ Address: Anafartalar, Kosova Sk., 06050 Altındağ/Ankara Koç Antik: Anafartalar, Yalçın Sk. 1/B, 06050 Altındağ/Ankara Phone: (0312) 240 40 46 Open: Everyday from 10:30-19:00 I am looking forward to your comments and recommendations in the section below! Until next time, stay artsy!
Meraki, a Greek word, meaning, the soul, creativity, or love put into something. Hello Artsies! My name is Serkan and I am a senior Management student from Bilkent University. The word Meraki resonates with me in every aspect of my life. Be it fashion, art, or design, I always liked to admire and create all things aesthetically pleasing and to tried to put the essence of myself inside to everything surrounding me. My interest in interior design however, have all started when I decided to move out of my family's house and rented my own place. By combining my aesthetic with items I have already collected throughout the years and finding new unique pieces, I had the perfect chance of creating an environment that truly reflected "me". My aim here is to show you how to discover and express your aesthetic style in your environment and make it unique & personal. Everyone unconsciously wants to add a bit of their personality in their living space but it usually stops after a few small touches. The best results however, are achieved after getting out of your comfort zone and committing to this impactful journey of doing Meraki in your interiors. Do not be afraid to put some time and effort to make your house reflect "you", because after clothing, it is the only place people will be able to see your style. An empty space is a blank canvas waiting to be explored and decorated with a piece of your soul. Are you ready to take the journey to put your creativity & love in your space? "An interior is the natural projection of the soul" -Coco Chanel- |