Ideas For A Happy Weekend

Happy weekend, friends! I hope it is as beautiful and warm where you are as it is here! This weekend I will be spendings lots of time outside: enjoying the sunshine, having breakfast with a friends, visiting a beautiful interior store slash café, and strolling down my neighbourhood's 'courtyard flea market'. And maybe I will find a new happy goodie for my home. 

So this week I want to warmly recommend to add a bit of happiness to your home. Your choice what it is - a big smile, a warm hug, a pop of colour, new decoration. Just let it be happy! For a rough idea here are four of my Instagram shots from my home. Oh, and if you want to see which design classic I would wish to have, check my guest post for 'Furniture Friday' on Canoe Design. Have a great one, folks!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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Happily Ever After: More Of Sasa Antic

In February, I swooned over the inspiring work of interior stylist Sasa Antic in this blog post. Now I though it was about to time to check out his portfolio and see what this talented gent has been up to recently. And I sort of expected plentiful of inspiring interior styling examples to enjoy. 

In my last post on his work I highlighted some vivacious, colourful interior designs with a playful twist. This time, I found a more traditional approach in his work with a country home inspired series. I love the use of ethnic rugs and textiles, the use of linen, and vintage details to add interest to the stylings. Do you like his style? Have a happy Friday!

Photography via Sasa Antic

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Tile Love: Made a Mano

I've always loved tiles. I think it's the abundance of materials, styles, colours and patterns that executed a great deal of attraction to me. I've admired traditional tiles from Morocco, Portugal, Italy and imagined their use throughout times for interior design reasons. I've also imagined them in my kitchen for the floor or the splashback. Or for the bathroom floor or walls. Yesterday I happened to stumble over an amazing producer of tiles while reading the Llamas' Valley blog. And I was enchanted.

Made a Mano is a Danish producer of tiles, countertops and sinks and they magically combine traditional handicraft with modern techniques. All this is topped with amazing photography on their website and the beholder is left behind with the almost insoluble question: which design to pick? So, which one would you pick?

Photography via Made a Mano

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5 Happy Inspirations: For A Leisurely Wednesday

Wednesdays or as I like to say hump days are  the moment when we catch a first glimpse of the upcoming weekend. So there is nothing better than to pause for a moment and enjoy a leisurely Wednesday. To bring that laid-back feel into your home, I've picked '5 Happy Inspirations' for you. So let's kick it off and sip a cocktail in anticipation of the upcoming weekend!

1. Artwork 'Flower Girl' by Kate Pugsley via Thumbtack Press

2. Ceramic Dip Cups via Folklore

3. Handprinted fabric via Dawanda

4. Linen Day Blanket via Folklore

5. Arcadia Platter via Mary Jurek Design Inc

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Colour Combination: Grey & Pink

Recently I have been thinking about a very specific hue, a colour that polarises. Pink. While some are all for it, others are - gently put - rather reluctant. I was never head over heels into pink, but lately I was coveting a special combination: pink and grey. If I had to narrow it down more precisely, I would say dusky pink with an anthracite hue. In order to give you an idea what I have in mind, I've put a little collage together for you. Plus a few market finds to bring that style into your homes. Hope you enjoy!

Photography: Living room via Style Essentials; Subway map via Söderbergagentur; Letter via La Maison d'Anna G.; balloons via We Heart It; Bedroom via Est Magazine; Pendant via Etsy; Eames DSW chair via Vitra; Cushion via Fine Little Day; Vase via Etsy; Candleholder via French Connection; Bedcover via H&M Home.

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From Place To Space: Salut From Paris

Hello back my friends! Just in time with the start of a new week I am back from a quick weekend get-away to Paris. I won't bother you with too many words, instead I will let the pictures speak for themselves. Just a few highlights from this weekend:

- Picnic with friends along the Seine. It was so beautiful!

- Brunch at 'Un Jour, Un Chef' with daily changing chefs. Yesterday, two food bloggers were cooking!

- Shopping marathon in Le Marais with a pit stop at Fleux.

- Amazing chocolates from Georges Larnicol.

- I bought a vintage book by Colette and a 19th century drawing of folk costumes from the Ottoman Empire. I adore it.

- A Sunday afternoon at the Jardin des Plantes.

- I brought heaps of food back home.

Happy week, friends!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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Ideas For A Happy Weekend

Salut mes amis! Why do I address you in French? Well, most of you know that I am an avid traveler, and yes, yet again I am hitting the road. Actually, when you read these words I am already in my 'second home city' Paris. 

I will chase some new inspirations for you here which I will share right on Monday. But for this weekend I want to tell you all: travel, travel in real, travel in your mind, make travel plans, make travel dreams. Traveling keeps me sane. Widens my horizon. Makes me understand that life is precious. And that we got it to see and experience this crazy world around us. Have a happy weekend, friends!

Photography via Etsy

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Happily Ever After: Singulares Magazine

What I love about Twitter is that it literally opens the doors to the world with a mere 140 characters. Through Twitter I've met some of the most inspiring people and just yesterday I tweeted with Justina Blakeney about the funny fact that after a while we kinda know the style and taste of other bloggers. But I digress. It is through Twitter that I got aware of yet another super cool e-magazine. Actually, the first Spanish interiors e-zine ever, Singulares Magazine.

Now I would like to inspire you to spend some Friday with this beautiful e-mag and get a notion of what is perceived as trendy and cool in Spain. Plus you will see some great interior shops in Barcelona, just in case you plan to visit the bustling Catalan capital.

No matter if you understand Spanish or not: I assume you all are very visual people just like me, aesthetes who read through images as well as through words. So if this is the case, then you'll have some good time with this Spanish e-zine. In this sense: ¡Friday, olé!

Photography via Singulares Magazine

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Style Under The Sun

With this post I openly admit: I am ready for some sun spoilt vacations! So I was getting some inspiration on the web and while thinking of the upcoming summer holidays I couldn't help but reminisce about the time when I lived in Greece. The extremely clear sunlight, the white houses, the stark blue Aegean. And then I remembered that last year I wrote an article for a local German-Greek magazine and introduced its readers to the tiny Cycladic island of Folegandros. As I am a design lover and enjoy beautiful interiors, I picked the stunning Hotel Anemi as the place to stay on the island. So I decided to share the same hotel here on the blog today. 

I love how the hotel combines traditional architecture with a modern design. The typical Cycladic houses are filled with carefully chosen design classics and huge photographies of the island cover feature walls to set the tone. The colour theme remains neutral with the ever present white as a great backdrop and spiced up by mellow colour pops such as the blue Eames chairs. 

Wouldn't you just love to spend a week there? Or two? Or three? 

Photography via Hotel Anemi

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5 Happy Inspirations: The Blogger Wishlist

Today's '5 Happy Inspirations' come as a blogger wishlist. To be precise: as my blogger wishlist. The idea was triggered by a blogger competition organized by the German community 'So leb ich' (literally: That's how I live) for everyone loving homes and interiors. They are celebrating the 'six months-versary' of their shopping section which rounds-up some of Germany's finest design online stores. Bloggers were asked to pick five favorite pieces and at the end of the competition seven lucky bloggers will win one of their chosen goodies. Well, you don't have to tell me twice - here are my '5 Happy Inspirations' from the 'So leb ich' shopping section:

1. The Ferm Living cushion is one of my all-time favorites - loving the colours and the graphic design.

2. The absolute classic: The Eames DSW chair in black by Vitra. Sigh. Just sigh.

3. I would be as happy as a pear if I had the Enzo Mari illustration 'Due, la pera' in my home!

4. I fell in love with the Mañana lamp by Design House Stockholm during my Sweden trip in March!

5. There is no happier hanger in the world than Eames' 'Hang it all' by Vitra. A must for a happy home!

Now fingers crossed that I am one of the lucky winners! Happy hump day, folks!

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Summer In The Kitchen

With the rising temperatures outside I am getting all into the summer mood. Now the best thing with interior design and decoration is that you can recreate your home according to your mood or season. So why not season up your kitchen with a few summer details - depending on the budget this can go from big to small. With a well-stocked wallet you can bring an all-year summer fell to your kitchen with this happy Smeg fridge. Yes, a long time wish on my list! Way more reasonable are the new kitchen stools from Ikea's PS collection. And for the smallest budgets just go with little details such as these lovely tumblers by Zara Home or the happy green linen tablecloth from H&M Home. And when we think of kitchen we should also think of the food we eat - so why not be creative and healthy by cooking fresh & easy as suggested in this cookbook as seen on Anthropologie? A happy cuisine summer!

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From Place To Space: Salzburg

Two weeks ago I spent an adorable weekend in Salzburg. Some of you know that I was born in Austria, but up to now I had not the opportunity to properly visit one of Austria's most popular touristic destinations. The city of Mozart. The city of 'The Sound of Music'. Salzburg.

A perfectly overcast afternoon set the dramatic scenery for Salzburg's beautiful old town featuring some amazing sights: The famous street Getreidegasse is the main commercial thoroughfare in the old town with must-sees like Mozart's birth house and the famous Café Mozart. Don't miss the side alleys though - they feature some beautiful courtyards and somewhat more serene cafés for a little break. A visit to the ciy's castle, the 'Hohensalzburg', is compulsory and you will be rewarded with a beautiful panoramic view over this alpine city. Moreover, stroll through the beautiful park 'Mirabellgarten' and enjoy the feast of colours and the adjacent castle 'Mirabell'. For the 'hop on, hop off' fans among you, I recommend the 'Sound of Music' double decker tour bus. Discovering the city's sights and sounds can be as easy and comfy. 

Speaking of 'The Sound of Music' I always love to state one fun fact. As someone who was born in Austria, I haven't heard of this movie and musical until a few years ago. It was completely unknown to me and to a wide scope of the Austrian population. The immense popularity and success of the movie and musical happened mainly in the US and other countries. And that is how I got into it - through my international friends. Well, it is always funny to see a country's clichés from another perspective - as someone who was born and raised in Austria. 

Salzburg features many cultural institutions, theaters, museums, and a widely known summer festival and the nearby mountains and lakes offer scenic hiking trails to enjoy the nature. So, if you happen to plan a visit to central Europe, don't miss a little detour to Salzburg. It is definitely worth a visit. And if you are a sweet tooth, don't forget to bring a box of the famous Mozart chocolate balls (Mozartkugeln) back home.

Happy Monday!

Photography by Igor Josifovic; poster via Movieposter.

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Ideas For A Happy Weekend

Finally, the weekend is here and it's time to accomplish at least one creative or fun weekend project. How about some vintage love for your home? Have you ever thought of checking those old boxes in the basement, on the attic, under the bed, to rummage around some old stuff at your parents' or grandparents' house? Actually, that is something I will do this weekend. I am off to my mother's place in  Austria and I will have a more thorough look on all those old but so beloved things that remind me of my childhood. You know, those things you hated as a kid and now, as an adult, they seem like precious souvenirs from a past time or simply - a little bit of vintage love for our homes today. Have a happy weekend, friends!

Photography via Old Brand New Blog

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Happily Ever After: Introducing 'Presive'

Up to now I've usually presented stylists, interior designers and photographers in this Friday blog series. Today, I am introducing an online platform/shop named 'Presive' to you. I got in touch with one of the founders on Twitter and Facebook and we caught up in a chat where he explained the reason why Presive was born. And I really liked the idea. So here it is!

Presive is a Barcelona based project and founded by three smart minds who immersed in the Catalan design scene, finding the struggles of the average designer to be incredibly tough. The designers they had met had difficulties finding customers outside their area, and were battling in an industry that favors distributors not designers. Thus, local and good design is hardly ever accessible to a wider audience. In order to change this challenging situation, Presive was brought to existence.

The team of Presive believes that behind every authentic product there is a person and a story. However, gaining access to the millions of showrooms, galleries and websites around the world is difficult. This is where they come in - they work directly with designers to bring their products to the forefront, making them available for a limited time on their site. This keeps the online store fresh and allows designers to grow their business organically and sustainably. A great idea, isn't it?

I've picked a few favorites for you - most of them are on sale now, some will be featured soon! Check it out here. Happy Friday!

Photography via Presive

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Summer Idea: Southwest Ranch Escape

Summer is almost here and I am daydreaming about new travels and adventures. This time I am coveting a southwest ranch escape. A lot of wood, Navajo patterns, vibrant colours and an open shower under the hot sun. Add all this to a fresh breeze through the home and an ice cold Mojito in my hand on the ranch's porch. Now tell me this is not a fab idea for a summer escape?

Photography: Home via Marie Claire Maison; blankets via Pinterest; tablecloth via Mira Qué Chulo; Navajo bucket bag via Etsy.

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Book Review: Marrakesh By Design

Decorative tiles, oriental patterns, rich textures, vibrant colours - close your eyes and imagine yourself in the sumptuous city of Marrakesh. A dream of 1001 nights comes true when you open the inspiring book of one of the absolute experts of Moroccan style, Maryam Montague of MyMarrakesh.com. As a blogger I am totally excited to read another book that roots in an adorable blog and as an online friend of Maryam I am beyond honoured to call this gem mine and add it to my collection of interior design reads. 

What is it about Moroccan style that keeps enchanting us through times? Maryam puts it eloquently: "Moroccan style is attainable yet exotic, practical yet mysterious, and a little splash of it goes a long, long way." And believe me, there is so much more to this style then just oriental tiles and wedding blankets. This books opens the gates to a magical and creative approach to interior design on 250 pages. And Maryam makes it more than easy and enthralling to follow her along. 

The book is structured into three main parts: Discovering Moroccan Style, Living Moroccan Style, and Sourcing Moroccan Style. Hence, the reader get a full scope of understanding this peculiar and so acclaimed style. First we learn what defines this style, then we accompany Maryam through each room of a home and learn tricks and tweaks on how to add that 'oriental spice' to every home, and last but not least  we get hands-on tips for buying Moroccan goodies. And the bargaining? You better train that at home before your next visit to Morocco!

What I love about this book apart from its very smart content structure are its rich and amazing photographies. With Maryam's words and pictures you can grasp the essence of Moroccan style no matter where you are. Prepare yourself a Moroccan mint tea for the full experience (yes, Maryam also gives us the recipe to this traditional refreshment in her book) and be prepared for a dream-like voyage to Marrakesh. Now I feel like I would love to have one of those flying rugs to head off to Maryam's Peacock Pavilions and go for an interior decoration shopping spree with her to Marrakesh's souks. The book is now available on Amazon and a must-read for anyone loving interior design and decoration!

Photography by Igor Josifovic from the book 'Marrakesh By Design'

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