Home Tour: Simple Scandinavian Beauty

Ice cold winter days like today have an ambiguous effect on me. On the one hand, I start dreaming of warmer, sunny spring days with colourful blooms. On the other hand, I keep thinking of Scandinavia, the cold climate and the sophisticated designs and interiors. So, I've spent the evening browsing through some of my favorite Scandinavian interiors magazines and I got hooked on this simple Scandinavian beauty in Danish Bolig Magasinet.

The two almost mandatory elements of Scandinavian interior design - whites and wood - are the dominating factors in this airy home with an abundance of natural light. The well placed pops of colour underline the simple yet refined approach. A good number of design classics proves the owner's good taste as do the carefully chosen and exposed decorative elements throughout the home. In a nutshell: Simple love!

Photography by Tia Borgsmidt via Bolig Magasinet

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5 Happy Inspirations: For Little Sailors

I guess everybody knows the magic story of Peter Pan. The story of a mischievous little boy that never ages. Sometimes, I admit, I am a Peter Pan myself. A boy within who wants to fly and sail away. And truth be told, being a child within is essential - to keep us open-minded, to embrace the world and remember the simple things that used to bring so much joy and happiness in our childhood. What were/are you? I was and still am a little sailor. Sailing the world, inhaling the salty sea breeze, and feeling the unlimited freedom of the seas. Well, living close to the Alps requires enough fantasy and some little tricks and tweaks to bring the coastal feeling into my home. But that's where home decoration comes in handy, right? So, here are five happy coastal inspirations to sail the seven seas right there, in your home!

1. Sailor + Regatta Navy Duvet by Unison - ideal to dream of nautical adventures.

2. This worn sideboard by Kare Design looks like Captain Cook's booze storage.

3. The bathmat by H&M Home adds a coastal feel to any bathroom.

4. West Elm's geometric vase collection is perfect to highlight a little beach inspired corner in your home.

5. Ahoy there sailor! Anything to add? The perfect tea towel by Unique Boutique for little sailors.

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Blogger Happiness

Today is a great day to tell you about how happy I am with blogging. I had a rather tough day at work. Lots of tasks, tight time schedules, calls, meetings, frustration. A long grey and stressful Monday. Then I got home pretty late, pretty beat. Not in the mood for anything but snuggling up on my sofa and watching TV. I was even uninspired to blog. Not a happy day I'd say. But then, my cell phone vibrated and I read a few tweets discussing my blog with the hashtag #blogblitz. Suddenly, there were really big names talking about my blog and suggesting Happy Interior Blog as the design blog of the day - a great blogger support idea by IAMTHELÄB. I was so honored and so happy - all over sudden I was the old me, the happy, bright and optimistic person. 


And this is the magic power of blogging. It is the community. It is the blogger support. It is YOU, the readers, each and every of your comments, tweets, likes. This made my day and made me forget all the stress and rough times. I am so grateful to have such a great and ongoing support by all of you. Even though my blog is still very young and thus referred to as my baby by myself (I am afraid, I will keep calling my blog 'my baby' for the rest of my life), I am so happy to be regularly visited by all of you, to receive ongoing feedbacks and comments, support and love. Blogger happiness galore! Thank you all so much!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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From Place To Space: Athens

Do you have the tickets ready? Yes, it's Monday, and we are embarking on yet another inspirational voyage. Today's destination: Athens, Greece. Get ready for sun, culture, history and a vibrant nightlife. Here we go.

Some of you already know that I used to live and study in Athens, Greece. I spent a very cool and fun year as an Erasmus student in the Greek capital and combined studies with an Aegean lifestyle. That included swimming in the Aegean after classes, sipping frappés in the sun, buying fresh fruits and veggies at street markets, partying all night and cruising the country's numerous islands on the weekends. Moreover, it was a unique feeling in the mornings when I went to the university. I would leave my apartment in the quiet neigbourhood of Koukaki, stroll in flip-flops pass the Acropolis and take the metro to the university. Ancient history literally became part of my everyday life. 

So, when you are in Athens, don't miss out on these things: Of course visit the Acropolis and the new adjacent museum, have an afternoon walk underneath the Acropolis and get lost in the winding alleys of the Anafiotika quarter (you will feel like on an island and not in Athens), enjoy a frappé in one of the little tucked away cafés on the hill, walk down to Monastiraki and discover some goodies at the flea market, buy some handmade leather sandals in Plaka, have dinner under the illuminated Acropolis in the evening. Then head to the popular Gazi area for a vibrant and very long nightlife. I love the Micraasia bar-lounge with its big rooftop terrace and oriental flavours. In the same area you will find the amazing Mamacas restaurant which will give you a feeling of being on the Cyclades in the middle of the bustling city. For hot days, escape the city center and take a trip to the coastal suburb of Glyfada and enjoy the sun and sea in the Balux pool club with DJs and luscious big beds along the pool and on the beach. 

Well, and Athens is not all about ancient history and remarkable ruins. It is also the base for some amazingly refined homes with sophisticated interior designs and creative approaches to living under the Greek sun. Just like these two great examples: the home of the avant-garde lover Alketas Pazis and the bright and design packed home by Athenian architect Stella Konstantinidis. I think these are enough reasons to pack your suitcase and get a ticket to Athens. Enjoy!

Photography: Both homes via Yatzer; Mamacas restaurant via Mamacas; other pics by Igor Josifovic.

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Ideas For A Happy Weekend

This week I was happy to receive a very charming blog award passed along from blogger to blogger. Charlotte from the blog Lonette picked me as one of her chosen blogs to receive the 'Liebster Blog' award. I wondered what's it all about and it turned out to be a lovely idea to support smaller blogs.

The award is given to blogs with less than 200 followers and the lucky award winner is supposed to thank the award giver, to choose five other blogs and let them know about the award and to hope that the 'Liebster Blog' award will be passed on by the other winners. And then it dawned on me: Is there anything better to start the weekend then sharing a little bit of blogger love? 

Here are my chosen 'Liebster Blog' award winners:

1. What Wilson Wants

2. Mary Middleton Design

3. The Sneak Peaks

4. HvH Interiors

5. Yeah...Ok...Bye

Happy weekend, friends!

Photography: Flowers via Frolic Blog; Merci card via Rifle Paper Co.

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Happily Ever After: Stylist Sasa Antic

For my Friday series 'Happily Ever After' I love to feature the work of amazing interior stylists, photographers or designers. Today, I've picked the Sweden based stylist Sasa Antic (pronounce Sasha Antich). I happened to stumble over his work a year and something ago while researching the web on interior design. I spotted his work for Ikea and loved the creative approach and playful styling of one of Ikea's colour specials. Plus, his name draw my attention as it indicates roots in the former Yugoslavia. So one thing we have in common. 

Now, I've revisited his website and browsed through his styling work. I've selected a few inspiring photographies that I loved instantly. I like his refined colour compositions, the mix of Scandinavian style with eclectic flavors of a well-travelled man, the playful and boyish use of colour pops and accessories. Claim it on our similar ethnic roots, claim it on our similar tastes - but I've recognized myself in his work. Happy Friday, friends!

Photography via Sasa Antic

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Home Tour: Romantic Spanish Mansion

I'll tell you a little bit about me and my taste when it comes to interiors: I often love traditional homes, like, I love a classic Victorian house and its interiors. It inspires me (just like Victorian literature). But it does not mean I would like to live in such a house. However, I would immediately move into a traditional house with a modern twist in interior design.

When I spotted this amazing traditional Spanish house with a romantic twist, I instantly fell in love with it and felt the need to share it with you. It is the home of  Spanish fashion designer Jorge Vázquez in the northwestern province of Galicia. 

This old rural mansion with its exposed, century old walls literally breathe history. All this is combined with a romantic and eclectic interior design and carefully chosen decoration to underline the house owner's personality. 

I particularly love the strong contrast in the kitchen. The modern kitchen with shiny stainless steel surfaces   pops against the rugged historical wall backdrop. Well, I enjoyed this little home tour. Hope you too!

Photography via Nuevo Estilo

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