Happy Interior Blog Recommends: Herr M

Two days ago I attended the launch of a US interior design platform in Germany and we got caught up in discussing what is typical German design for the US interiors market and I heard words like sleek and puristic design, industrial design, eco-friendly design. All true, I admit. But German design can be more than that - it can also be quirky and fun. Like the puzzle side table from the German design label 'Herr M'.

But what's a puzzle side table you might ask pretty puzzled? Inspired by a children's toy the designers  Christopher Heider and Vicky Müller have designed the side table named 'Schiebepuzzle'. The front doors can slide both up and down and from side to side revealing just a little bit of the content at a time, the rest is a sort of seeking-game - for magazines and a little minibar for bottles, glasses, coasters or a deck of cards. A pretty smart side table for any home but especially for small apartments, don't you think?

But what makes this quirky side table typical German? Not only that it is rooted in functional and sleek industrial design, but it also is impeccably crafted by hand in a carpentry in Porta Westfalica in Germany. 

So I hope you are less puzzled now and appreciate this little design puzzle from Germany. Happy hump day, folks!

Photography by 'Herr M'

Tweet

Why This Room Caught My Eye

Truth be told, if I looked back at all my Tuesday blog posts entitled 'Why This Room Caught My Eye', one could say put some blue in it and a plant and it is an eye-catcher for Igor. To be honest: That works! Blue is my all-time favorite colour and I don't know why I don't own a blue sofa. And a giant cactus. And, and, and. But if I had all of these, what would be left to dream about and blog about? So why did this room catch my eye? In a nutshell:

• Blue Sofa: This room's centerpiece and true star is this navy blue sofa. Its deep blue hue, its wooden legs, its comfy shape - this looks like a fantastic option for a relaxed living room. And it looks great combined with darker and brighter colours alike!
• Layered Rugs: For an instant cosy look, layer some rugs. Combine monochrome rugs with colourful and patterned rugs, new buys with vintage kilims and so on - the look adds a boho look to any room!
• Giant Cactus: Here's my story - just three days ago I went to a big garden center and I saw a giant cactus (not as large as this one on the pic but big enough) and I wasn't brave enough to buy it - even though it was affordable! I was afraid that my apartment is too tiny to host such a big specimen - but looking at this photo I really want a giant cactus now! Such an eye-catcher!

So, what catches your eye? The blue sofa? The cactus? Maybe the coffee table?

Photography by Sarah Natsumi via The Everygirl

Tweet

From Place To Space: Volkshotel In Amsterdam

It's been a few weeks by now that I went to Amsterdam for the 'Design Bloggers Tour', but for me it feels like ages. However, I wanted to share with you the fab hotel I was staying at in Amsterdam: the Volkshotel. A cool, urban hotel with a strong Urban Jungle Bloggers vibe. But judge for yourself!

The Volkshotel feels like an open place that welcomes all passers-by with its open door policy. The entry area is a vibrant café, reading nook, piano corner and coworking space in one. A real jungle of plants, vintage ceramics, flowers, vintage furniture and relaxed staff are there to make you feel very welcome and comfortable from the very first minute. 

The rooms are simple and reminded me of a cool, urban student's dormitory, but of course cleaner and a tad cooler. However, the hotel also features nine special rooms designed by various interior designers, architects and other creative minds. Another highlight is the hotel's spa area on top of the building with fantastic Amsterdam city views while you are sitting in a open air jacuzzi. Not bad, right? 

The hotel's last floor is reserved for a great restaurant featuring Dutch and international cuisine and a good breakfast buffet - again, the feeling is very convivial and easy-going, like eating with friends and family. 

Last but not least the hotel is located next to a metro station so it's pretty easy to reach every corner of Amsterdam from there. So, now you know where you should stay for your next Amsterdam trip, right? 

Happy new week, friends!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

Tweet

Coveting Ceramics: Artist Maryam Riazi

There is one thing that always draws my attention when I look at interiors - personal collections, little eclectic groupings of things that seem to be dear to the owner. They always tell a little story about the dweller's character, what he or she likes, what kind of personality they have. I too am a collector - I collect ceramics. I mean I am not collecting on an elaborate art level, but I always fall for handmade pieces and vintage finds. My latest discovery is the work of the L.A. based artist Maryam Riazi. One word: swoon. Two more words: want all!

Maryam Riazi is a fantastic, multi-talented artist of Persian origin. In her studio in Los Angeles she creates amazing pieces in clay, metal and thread. While all of her work has an incredibly beautiful appeal and a somewhat archaic appearance, it is her work in clay that fascinates me most. Her pots, bowls, planters, mugs seem to be almost archaeological gems - you can see their earthy origins, you can see the artist's hand that shaped them. Each piece is unique and would definitely enrich a collection.

My absolute favorites are her planters - that planter on a tripod in the first picture is just a dream piece and I will put it on my wish list with destination Santa Claus. Let's see and hope. 

Happy weekend everybody!

Photography via Maryam Riazi

Tweet

Styling & Decorating A Small Apartment - Part 2

A few weeks ago I shared the first part of my styling and decorating tips for small apartments with you. Today I want to share the second part with a few tips learned by living in a tiny 32 square meters apartment over the past seven year. Additionally to the tips in the first part, I would like to highlight the following points when it comes to tiny and small apartments. 

I like to use rugs to structure zones in my home. Especially if the small apartment has an open space, it is practical to use rugs to structure and define areas. According to your personal taste and interior styling these can be either one-colored rugs or colourful ones, with or without patterns and so on. I like a wide array of rugs. My latest addition is a beautiful design rug by the Finnish design duo 'Saana ja Olli' made for the Finnish label Mum's. This rug defines now my bedroom area because there is an open arch connecting the living and sleeping area in my home.

Another tip is to use plants in your small apartment. Of course I have to repeat this like a mantra (as the founder of Urban Jungle Bloggers) but I really believe that plants liven up a space and create a cosy feeling no matter the restrained size of the apartment. Plus they purify the air and make living a tad healthier.

My third tip today is a very, very important one. Please take this one hyper super dooper serious! Keep your small apartment clean and neat! Chaos and clutter is the killer number one of a stylish small apartment. What sometimes works in large, spacious rooms, creative high-ceilinged studios, does not apply to small apartments. I really try to keep my home as clean as possible. Pile books up, put them away after reading, same with magazines, put your clothes back into the wardrobe, keep your shoes in a closed cabinet, make your bed every morning, do the dishes after eating. You know, all the inevitable things but trust me - you will feel so much better even in the smallest of apartments when it's clean and neat.

When it comes to colour, I like to keep it focused around a certain colour palette - you can see my personal choice on Roombeez where I blogged about decorating with my two favorite shades.

Last but not least: Don't judge your home by its size. Think of it as your little realm, the kingdom you rule and design, the place you create and recreate. Happy dwelling!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

Tweet

Happy Interior Blog Recommends: Huzi Design

We make gifts for the curious, the playful, the imaginative bunch, the ones who never grow old. This is the mission of young and creative design studio called Huzi Design. Based in Hong Kong, this creative bunch of people lives the 'back to the basic' mantra, a design aesthetic often seen in Scandinavian and Asian approaches. Simple, functional and playful, with an unexpected twist - this is how the products of Huzi Design speak to the observer.

If you consider yourself a dreamer, an explorer or a visionary, take a look at the playful world of Huzi Design. I am smitten by their charming candle collection as well as the 'Lost In Sofa' armchair with its fun and comfy look. 

And since it's hump day today, we all need a little dreamy inspiration, right? Here's to the dreamers and explorers in all of us!

Photography via Huzi Design

Tweet

Why This Room Caught My Eye

Hello back! I am sorry for skipping one day on the blog, but I was kept busy in Paris with a filming crew for Urban Jungle Bloggers - here are some snapshots, more about this adventure soon! But today I want to catch up with my Tuesday series 'Why This Room Caught My Eye'. And today it is a relaxed and somewhat bohemian reading nook that caught my attention. But let me put it in three points what really caught my eye:

• Round Wicker Chair: Let me put this straight - I have no wicker piece at home. Yet. Wicker furniture makes me always think of the Golden Girls but I really like one statement piece like this round chair to add texture and a visual cue in a room.
• Unique Table Lamp: This table lamp seems to be a vintage find and probably additionally altered as a DIY. The lamp base is the real highlight for me - the wooden tripod is fantastic and adds a touch of mid-century charm to this reading nook.
• Little Jade Plant: As an Urban Jungle Bloggers founder I can not NOT notice the little jade plant on the table. I have the same at home, it is even the same size and shape like this one. Jade plants are great for your home - they are so easy to care for, you can leave them like a month neglected and yet they will grow and thrive. Plus they are beautiful with their fleshy, succulent leaves. Get one!

Would you sit down and read a book or magazine in this reading nook?

Photography via Ethanollie

Tweet