Curing A Cold With Rue Magazine

These days are quite mean: work is piling, I am supposed to go to the international furniture fair IMM in Cologne this weekend, and a treacherous cold has put its grip around me. So I was wondering how to cure my lack of time and this nasty cold. And then I found one way to unwind. A pot of hot ginger tea with lemon and honey, a warm blanket and lots of cushions on my sofa - and the latest issue of Rue Magazine. So, today I am inviting you over on my sofa to share some of my favorite snippets from Rue Mag's January issue. Want a cup of tea, too?

Images via Rue Magazine

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5 Happy Inspirations: Kitchen Friends

One thing I'd like to do more often is cooking. I'd love to spend more time in the kitchen (to be honest, first I'd like to have a decent kitchen and not a teenie-tiny kitchenette) and try out some concoctions found in inspiring cooking books and on Pinterest (oh yes, Pinterest has turned into an online cooking book, too). But my daily job keeps me from developing my chef qualities. But I strongly believe the day will come, when I will rock the kitchen - and I will be prepared! With many things. Among them, these five happy kitchen friends.

1. Paper napkins? Yeah right, if you organize a kiddo birthday. But not for decent table settings. How about these ethnic inspired Tulum napkins as seen at Anthropologie? Definitely a nice pop of colour!

2. Storing herbs, homemade jams, sauces, secret ingredients is a necessity. Storing them and blissfully arranging them on open shelves is another story. An all time favorite are these Weck jars as seen on Terrain. 

3. A good espresso is compulsory to round up a fine lunch or dinner. Here, the buzzword is 'classic' - like this espresso cooker as seen on Butlers.

4. I love a bit of a worn and rustic feeling - even in kitchen. No wonder I fell in love with this wooden bread board by Toast.

5. Surprise your guests with unexpected starters. And place them decoratively on this adorable Kate Spade tray. What's not to love about it, right?

Happy hump day, friends!

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Home Tour: Swiss Chalet

It is still wintertime and some of us might envisage a little ski trip to the cosmopolitan Swiss Alps. Well, if you do, I hope your accommodation will be as sophisticated and refined as this Swiss chalet - the stunning refuge of Belgian antique dealer and interior designer Axel Vervoordt. 

A symphony of wood and stone at the end of a winding and steep pathway to an alpine peak in Swiss winter resort Verbier combines traditional architecture with sublime interior design and thus redefines the notion of a winter chalet. 

The amazing fact here: This chalet was built ten years ago by local artisans to preserve the typical local architecture with stone and wood. This whole concept was transferred into the chalet's interior, too. And here you can see the owner's passion for antiques with valuable treasures set in scene within a quiet and laid-back interior. The reduction to the essentials plus the breathtaking location with a fantastic view over the Alps - what else can you wish for a wintery dream in a Swiss chalet?

Photography via Westwing Magazin

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From Place To Space: Amsterdam

Yes, it's Monday. Ok, my virtual suitcase is packed. My craving for new discoveries and inspiring interiors is set high, as usual. So are you ready? Yes, cool, then buckle up. We are traveling again. Destination today: Amsterdam!

I was lucky enough to be invited to travel to Amsterdam - it was a birthday gift. So I set off to the vibrant and inspiring Dutch capital with a little tour guide and lots of expectations. And believe me when I tell you: My expectations had not been met. They'd been exceeded! This city was one of the most vivid places I've visited in Europe. Plus Amsterdam's lifestyle is so unique and unlike in other European capitals. Forget traffic jammed boulevards, forget stressed faces running around, forget huge office buildings limiting your views. I think the Dutch were smart enough to remove all that to Den Haag or wherever. Fact is, Amsterdam is everything but a stressed country capital. 

The numerous canals, the so-called 'Grachten', create an easy-going, constantly surprising and loose atmosphere. And they are one of the must-sees when you're there. I recommend a double approach: Take one of the organised boat trips through the most famous Grachten and see some of the most remarkable buildings and sights along your ride. Second, rent a bike (yes!!) and do your own tour discovering adorable little shops (like my favorite cheese store 'De Kasskamer' and many cute little interiors stores) and cosy cafés. Make it a ride-and-stop experience and enjoy to the max. 

Don't miss the famous 'Anne Frank House' to get a notion of this touching and tragic story. Enjoy a movie in the stunning Pathé Tuschinski cinema with its eclectic mix of style dominated by Art Déco. Take a walk around the bustling port, stroll down the main shopping streets like Damstraat, visit one of the inspiring city markets like Noordermarkt and try some yummy food - go from Dutch traditional to exotic dishes from the country's former colonies like Indonesia. Visit the red-light district to get an idea of its 'popularity' and round your trip up by visiting the fascinating Van Gogh museum and enjoying some of the world's most famous art pieces. To round up this little blog trip I want to present you a very inspiring example of interior design in an Amsterdam townhouse. Judge by yourself, but I love the dominance of white and natural light combined with surprising, colourful details to accentuate the owner's personality. By the end, I am sure you'll conclude like me: Amsterdam, I'll be back!

Photography: Interior pics via Dizain i Dekor; other pics by Igor Josifovic.

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Ideas For A Happy Weekend

It is weekend, finally! After a busy week at work, I couldn't help but share this amazing quote with you, folks. I think by doing this I am reminding myself of it, too: Be kind to yourself! Maybe we really need to be kind to ourselves first to spread kindness and happiness to others as well. How often do we catch ourselves being our own slave driver, questioning our decisions, rushing ourselves from task to task, cutting us short of quality time to relax and do what we love to do. Is this all about modern life? I don't think so. I don't accept! So let's take this weekend to step on the break and be truly kind to ourselves. Find your way to slow down, to calm your senses, to focus on your body and soul. Ok, I am getting now too esoteric - but you get the point. I will obey to this quote and stay in bed. As long as I want to. And remember: no feelings of guilt. Be kind to yourself! 

Photography: Art print via Etsy; Bedroom via French By Design

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Happily Ever After With Mr. Jason Grant

Now this Friday is all about colour! About the vibrant and happy colour palette by super cool Australian stylist and blogger Mr. Jason Grant. He has collaborated with Murobond for this fantastic colour range that is compiled of two themes: 'Road Trip' and 'Welcome To My Wonderland'. The premium quality acrylic paints are such a happy treat for happy homes, don't you agree? 

'Road Trip' is a very vibrant, summery and cheerful colour palette that raises moods and whimsically paints a smile on every face that beholds its colourful powers. Moreover, one of the blue hues is named 'Happy Days' - the perfect choice for Happy Interior Blog I'd say!

'Welcome To My Wonderland' enchants with more subtle, sensuous hues that translate into serenity and cosiness for homes. A quiet and calming palette to soothe our senses and make us really feel at home.

Now I feel the urge to grab a paint tin and colour me happy! With this in mind: Happy Friday, folks!

Photography via Mr. Jason Grant

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New Read: Couch Magazine

Yesterday, the brand new home and fashion magazine, Couch Magazine, launched in Germany. The pocket-sized lifestyle mag is the latest gem from one of Germany's biggest publishers, Gruner+Jahr. The glossy magazine focuses on homes and interior decoration combined with fashion and beauty topics that address its core target group, young women. Although I am not part of their core target group, I still enjoyed the first issue. Here are some peeks into it, for more you have to buy a copy! 

What did I like most? First, I absolutely adored to find some of my favorite international bloggers like Joy of Oh Joy, Grace of Design Sponge, Emma of Emmas Blogg and Ez of Creature Comforts featured on a page dedicated to apps and blogs. Then, I loved the small apartments presented with shopping tips to "steal the style". A little designer retrospective gave good background knowledge while a colour consulting helps readers steer through the oceans of wall colours and painting. 

So, after going through the little magazine from cover to cover, what is my humble verdict? I like it. And I'll buy it again. I'd love to see more homes, more blogger news and - well, I am free to state any wish here - I'd love to see a little section or a page dedicated to male readers. After all, some of us do love interior design and home decoration just as dearly as our more beautiful counterparts. Don't we Will, Jon, Bradford, Dab, Jason, Gerard, Stu...? 

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