The New Cape Town Collection By Esprit Home

With home accessories it is a little bit like with fashion. Once the temperature are rising to simmering heights, everyone in the business is talking about autumn and winter collections. The kind of saturated colours, warm and heavy materials, rich patterns kind of talk. So it comes as no surprise that I am sitting on my sofa, typing these word, sipping on a glass of ice cold apple juice and sweating - while I have another autumn collection for your home on my screen.

Esprit Home has been launching home accessories since 2006 and recently all their collections have been named after major world cities. So for the upcoming autumn season they have chosen the South African metropolis Cape Town as an eponym. And carrying the promise of the African south, this collection comes with vibrant colours dominated by red hues and rich textures and patterns for your floors, beds, sofas and walls.

While glancing over the pictures of Esprit Home's new collection launching in August 2014, I have noticed the patterned rug in particular. With its black and white pattern and red rim, it adds so much emphasis to a room that I can literally imagine it in a rather clean, scarcely furnished room as a visual anchor and highlight. 

Oh and Cape Town made me think of another fact: While I am sweating here in anticipation of summer, the folks in Cape Town and on the entire southern hemisphere are in the midst of autumn. So after all, this collection does come just in time - at least for some of us on our crazy planet! 

Happy weekend everyone!

Photography via Esprit Home

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Happy Interior Blog Recommends...

I'll tell you a little TV Story today. Now as someone who likes interior design and styling and someone who also shoots his apartment, I always find it terribly difficult to photograph the corner  with my TV. Maybe I just don't have a fancy TV. Or maybe I just don't know how to properly style and photograph that corner. Anyways. Recently I was talking with one of my friend who works for a home entertainment brand about the fact that many people don't have TVs at home but rather watch their favorite movies and series on their laptops. Sounds good but still - I really appreciate my TV for a good movie night at home.

You cuddle up with your cushions (like the fun new ones by Berlin based label 'Bermuda') on your sofa (like the North sofa by Bolia), you prepare a few snacks and drinks (on happy tableware by Skandinavisk) and you switch on your TV - better yet, you activate your entertainment center like the brand new BeoVision Avant by Bang & Olufsen. I mean this is really like a little home cinema - super flat screen, sleek design, unfolding sound panel and more. Admittedly, the price tag is cinematic too - I think my entire furnishing at home won't come up to this TV's price but sometimes you just have to treat your cinemaniac soul, right? 

Are you a fan of movie nights at home?

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New Home Textiles: Bemz & Designers Guild

Two weeks ago I was invited to the press event of Bemz at the Designers Guild store in Munich. The reason was the new home textile collection of Bemz and Designers Guild. So I rushed directly after work to the store and was welcomed by the charming founder of Bemz, Lesley Pennington. 

While sipping on a glass of bubbles and nibbling on tasty tidbits, Lesley introduced me to the beautiful new collection. Bemz is known for its custom made home textiles that match a big variety of Ikea products, thus add more personality and individuality to your favorite Ikea pieces. The new collection is compiled of luxury linen for happy homes, all made of Designers Guild's popular Brero pre-washed linens. I am currently craving linens so I was totally in love to see and feel the new collection. I love the haptic of linens and the subtle colours are ideal for a summery vibe at home.

I particularly fell in love with the Brera Lino fabric in the pale blue Duck Egg shade as curtains - these look so dreamy and cosy and remind me of salty sea breezes blowing into the home through open windows. Now if a fabric can make you daydream like this, I think it's a safe investment for the happy home. Well, I better get measuring my windows.

If you want to see more of the new Bemz collection, click HERE.

How do you like linen for home textiles? Do you own any at home and where do you use them?

Photography by Bemz, shot 2, 3 & 4 by Tanja Bruch Photography, last shot by Littlestar Blog

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Happy Cushions For Happy Homes

These days I am busy scouting for the perfect new sofa for my home. I was considering colourful sofas, big sofas, small ones, dark ones, bright ones. For the moment, I've come to one conclusion: I want a neutrally coloured sofa cause I am too much in love with cushions. I mean all kind of cushions. Ethnic ones, graphic ones, bold ones, pastely ones and so on. Hence, I need a neutral background to make them work on the sofa.

So I thought it's cool to share some new cushion designs with you that I've spotted recently and really liked. So here we go with a little European 'cushion tour': 

France: Juliette Beaupin

The charming, Paris based French designer adds happiness to your home with colourful cushions with geometric patterns (see also top image). Simple yet playful, the cushions by Juliette Beaupin are all created in her little Parisian studio with lots of passion. For the future, I will put happy French cushions right next to macarons on my souvenir list! HERE you can see more of Juliette's work.  

England: Chocolate Creative

The folks at Chocolate Creative are dead-on when it comes to cushion design. The cushions with photographic prints of nature sights and landscapes perfectly transmit the hipster vibe of 'back to nature' and taking the outdoors in. These cushions will not only make a statement on your sofa but on your bed, too. I fell like I need one…

Germany: Philuko

Philuko is the design label of Germany based Julia Schenk. She creates unique handmade home accessories and her cushions combine her various design approaches - from typography, to photography and illustrative art. These cushions seem very urban and cool to me. Want, want!

Hope you liked today's little 'cushion Eurovision'. Let me know which label is your favorite!

Photography via Juliette Beaupin (room shots by Premier Reg'Art), Chocolate Creative, Philuko

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Happily Ever After: Studio Meez

In today's 'Happily Ever After' post I'd like to present you a super cute Etsy shop with a small but fine selection of home goodies. I really love handmade, unique products because they are the best way to add something to your home that is not available in stores around the world. And Studio Meez is certainly a good source if you like something playful for your happy home.

I instantly fell in love with the soft apple cushions in grey, pale green and soft pink. They would be a great accessory for a nursery as well as for a grown-up scheme in grey on a bed or sofa. Well, plus it is supposed to be healthy. You know, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Even an apple cushion. 

You can find all goodies on sale in the Etsy shop HERE and more inspiration on their blog HERE.

Happy Friday my friends!

Photography via Studio Meez

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Happily Ever After: Villka Hillka

It is an open secret that I have an issue with cushion. I have too many. Even my mum told me during her last visit: enough cushions! Well, luckily she left in the meantime and I got to play along with two new cuties - two adorable, handmade felt cushions by the German design label 'Villka Hillka'.

The creative mind behind the label 'Villka Hillka' is the designer Zuzana Hillenbach whose motto is to create with lots of love handmade homewares for a wonderful home. I would put it in my words and add wonderful and happy homes. Her portfolio encompasses selected furniture, poufs, rugs, lamps, accessories, a kid's line and cushions. 

I particularly love her handmade felt cushions. They are super soft, perfectly sewn and happily coloured. I mean, look at the pompom cushion - isn't that a happy eye-catcher for every bed or sofa? The softness of the felt cushions stems from the exquisite material chosen - every felt cushion is made of 100 % merino sheep wool. 

Check out the wonderful selection of 'Villka Hillka' HERE.

 

Happy Friday, folks!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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5 Happy Inspirations: Cushion Happiness

Nothing is as easy as adding a fresh, new vibe to your interior design. If you start with the simple trick of adding one or a few new cushions to your sofa or your bed, you will feel invigorated and inspired to spin on and recreate your home decor. I love cushions and I admit, I have way too many. But on the other hand cushions are the best, quickest and quite often the cheapest way of redesigning your home. Swap the cushion covers, add them to your sofa, now think of another little item to tie in the colour, shape or pattern of your cushion, put it on the coffee table, the wall or sideboard and voilà - you've recreated your home with just a few tweaks! Here are five happy cushion ideas to get you started:

1. For colour loving hearts, this Fine Little Day cushion will hit it off and underline your style.

2. Sometimes we all need a little reminder to be happy. Easy peasy with this great happy cushion by Yellow Velvet.

3. Lindsey Lang plays with retro inspired shapes and vibrant colours in this cushion. Combine it with one-coloured cushions to highlight the design.

4. Personalize your sofa by boldly stating your zodiac with Jonathan Adler's Zodiac Pillow. 

5. If your heart skips a beat when you think of neon hues, then opt for the new Ferm Living cushions. Dotted, with lines or little triangles - the range is great with pattern and (neon) colour. 

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New Collection: Mariska Meijers

She's just back from the famous Maison & Objet design show in Paris where she presented a vivid colour injection for truly happy homes - I speak of Amsterdam based designer Mariska Meijers. Now since I couldn't make it to the Paris Maison & Objet and the London Design Festival in one month, I asked Mariska to send me some pics of her new collection that comprises textiles and tray tables.

The visual impact of the 'Jungle Fever' collection is striking - the design seems to mix ethnic patterns with spacey lines and ties it together with flashy colours. For those who love a more traditional approach, the Ikat line is just right. Whether it's the micro Ikat print or the arty painted Ikats with warm shades - happiness for the sofa or bed is guaranteed!

For more pieces and information check out Mariska's colourful website. And now go and get some colours to brighten up this Thursday!

Photography via Mariska Meijers

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5 Happy Inspirations: Cosy Fellows

After all the feasting and celebrating during the past weeks, I love to cocoon in my little apartment during the first days of the new year. These days I love to stay in, light a scented candle, read a new book, watch a DVD, blog on my sofa or in my bed and surround myself with lots of cosy fellows - cushions and pillows. And I admit, I have a soft spot for them and maybe too many at home. But then, can you have too many cosy fellows? Here are a few recently spotted beauties that I am flirting with.

1. This amazing huge pillow by young and aspiring Finish textile designers Saana ja Olli (an adorable couple) is part of their new Yö Metsässä (Night in the Forest) and is made of eco-friendly European hemp and is produced locally in Finland.

2. These new linen cushions of H&M Home's Spring/Summer 2012 collection are absolutely meeting my current craving for tactile materials and neutral colours.

3. This handprinted cushion with its floral understatement is made by the creative Swedish trio behind the brand HAPPYsthlm.

4. To be honest, I hardly ever leave a Ikea store without buying a cushion. Next time, I might go for this embroidered beauty, the Birgit cushion.

5. Minimoderns is always a safe source for style and quirky design. I already cuddle with their Whitby cushion and love these two fellows too, the Pavilion and Festival cushion.

Happy hump day, friends!

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