Urban Jungle Bloggers: Hanging Planters

Green love is in the air! I can feel it, I can see it! It is end of February and spring is approaching - slowly but surely. This month's Urban Jungle Bloggers theme encouraged me to create a tiny hanging garden in my minuscule apartment. Luckily I live in a rooftop apartment with pitched roof areas serving as the perfect basis for some hanging planters and floating plants. As I opted for a hanging garden above my bed, I had to make sure I also create a good energy vibe. But let's start from the beginning.

Maybe some of you remember my Urban Jungle Bloggers post a few months ago when we shared our green and cosy bedrooms. I had hung my little hanging planter with an airplant for the first time then and this served as a starting point for this hanging garden. I am no DIY-er so I had to come up with another idea and I wanted to only use things I have at home. Luckily, I had three hanging planters and adequate plants to go with. Even though one of the hanging planters is a handmade piece from my beloved London based Atelier Stella (the cute face), I felt this is not enough. This isn't it.

That's how I started to think about good vibes, good energy and the plant's ability to purify the air. If my hanging plants purify the air in my bedroom, then I need something more to purify the energy and disperse good vibes. I had not to look far: I brought two handful of quartz crystals from my last US trip and I had a Greek 'Evil Eye' that serves as a talisman and protects from any kind of evil. I got it from a hotel manager in Athens a few years ago. I knew instantly: I have everything to create a very good atmosphere in my home!

The rest is as pragmatic as hammering nails into the wall. One, two, three - after six nails I was ready to hang everything, arrange and rearrange and voilà, here it is: my little hanging boho garden with good plants and good energy. Spring can come - I am ready. Just a few more breaths of fresh, purified air and a few rays of good energy from my crystals. Let's rock'n'roll!

Urban Jungle Bloggers is a monthly series initiated by 2 bloggers: Igor (Happy Interior Blog) and Judith (JOELIX.com). Every month we share ideas to create an urban jungle through styling ideas, DIYs and green tips & tricks. You can find additional inspiration on our Urban Jungle Bloggers Pinterest board and keep up-to-date on our website and Facebook page. Want to join? Use #urbanjunglebloggers on Twitter and Instagram. Or let us know and we'll share the badge and upcoming topics with you. Let's bring some green into your homes and blogs!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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Why This Room Caught My Eye

What is the heart of your home? Is it the kitchen where the family comes together to cook, eat and socialize? Is it the living room where you spend relaxed and playful times? Or is it the bedroom as the most intimate space where you unwind from the daily routine? For me this is a hard question as I live in a tiny apartment where everything is sort of together. But I think I would be someone who'd say the bedroom has good chances to be the heart of a home. Certainly when I see such a wonderful bedroom styling as above. This bedroom caught my eye instantly and here is why:

• Statement Pillow: After looking at this bedroom styling I immediately wanted a statement pillow, too. It is such a great eye-catcher, fun and cool and adds a certain whim to the room. 
• Unexpected Wall Decor: Those crossed arrows are a pretty unexpected and quirky wall decor idea. Don't even ask me where to get arrows from, but I assume they speak of the owner's character and sports preference. In any case, it is pretty eye-catching as a decor idea!
• Moroccan Throw: The Moroccan wedding throw acts as a decent yet spectacular bedspread in this bedroom styling. It adds texture and perfectly ties everything together with its natural hue. 

How do you like this simple yet beautiful bedroom styling? What would you include in your bedroom?

Photography by Lauren Bamford, styling by Nicole Valentine Don & Jason Grant

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Urban Jungle Bloggers: Cosy & Green Bedroom

November is reaching its end and it has been a real cliché here - lots of grey and foggy days, cold and wet. It's the kind of weather that makes you want to stay in bed all day and just not go out. Probably this was the idea about our November topic for Urban Jungle Bloggers: Creating a cosy bedroom with green plants to make those dull, grey November days bearable seemed like a nice task. For me it was literally a last minute task: I was running from work to grab the last bit of gloomy November daylight to make a super quick styling and shoot the pictures.

I have shared images of my bedroom a few times already and I always have plants there. This time I have shuffled my plants a little bit and changed the selection: I have moved the monstera plant next to the bed, I have added my aloe vera plant, my purple succulent, my white fluffy cactus and my latest addition, an offshoot of a plant called purple heart that I received from my Urban Jungle Bloggers partner in crime, Judith. Additionally I have added a cutting of a succulent on my Kimidori stool (I actually nicked that cutting in a Greek restaurant) and I hung an air plant above my bed. 

Colour wise I love mustardy hues this time of the year. I have added a brand new bedspread from Urbanara in a soft and tactile waffle structure, paired it with a few blue cushions - that's it. I matched it with my yellow desk lamp, a mustard hued kitchen towel and I served myself a cup of green tea in my new, handmade Japanese mug also from Urbanara. Add a great new magazine (The Happy Reader) and voilà - after the shooting I jumped into bed and had a good read and finished my tea.

Since we're approaching the festive season I am continuing my Santa mission today too: I have teamed up with Urbanara to offer you the same bedspread in the wonderful mustard colour too. All you have to do to join the giveaway is leave a comment under this blogpost. The giveaway will be open until Sunday, November 30, 2014, midnight CET. It is open to all European readers.

Here's to a calm and happy weekend in our cosy and green bedroom!

Urban Jungle Bloggers is a monthly series initiated by 2 bloggers: Igor (Happy Interior Blog) and Judith (JOELIX.com). Every month we share ideas to create an urban jungle through styling ideas, DIYs and green tips & tricks. You can find additional inspiration on our Urban Jungle Bloggers Pinterest board and keep up-to-date on our website and Facebook page. Want to join? Use #urbanjunglebloggers on Twitter and Instagram. Or let us know and we'll share the badge and upcoming topics with you. Let's bring some green into your homes and blogs!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

This blog post has been brought to you in collaboration with Urbanara

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Art Crush: Urban Jungle Vibe For Your Walls

Will it come as a sort of revelation if I say I love plants? Ha, I can see you all rolling your eyes! As the founder of Urban Jungle Bloggers it comes as no surprise that anything plant related catches my attention - even art! Well, this seems to be the solution for those among you who are too reluctant when it comes to plants - maybe you want to add that urban jungle vibe onto your wall instead? I promise: No watering, no caring necessary! And it won't die away!

This wonderful art print with banana leaves is the work of Hungarian artist Ildiko Olah for her label Oldi Art. Her work is inspired by naturalism and the beauty surrounding us as well as by her two kids with a dash of playfulness in her works. I really like her animal drawings and the plant inspired works such as the shown banana leaves and another piece showing a cactus. Make sure you check out her portfolio here.

And if you like what you see, you might want to hop over to the Facebook page of Oldi Art and join her giveaway - if you are lucky enough you will win one of her art pieces. Now I have to leave you. I have to water my real plants and afterwards I'll relax on my bed with a book and enjoy the sight of the calming banana leaves. And if I fall asleep, I might wake up in a tropical resort. Who knows. It's the magic of art!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

This post has been brought to you in cooperation with Oldi Art

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Why This Room Caught My Eye

If I tell you that blue is my favorite colour, I will not surprise you, right? No wonder then that this bedroom caught my eye in an instant. When I spotted the interior styling in this bedroom I was totally inspired - I immediately wanted new blue bedlinen and I wanted to redecorate my bedroom area. 

Blue is a wonderful hue for the bedroom - it is calming, soothing, it makes me think of the ocean, the sky, fresh, crisp air. It makes me want to linger on, to stay in bed and daydream. But before I digress, let me break it down why this room caught my eye:

• Blue Bedlinen: I love these bedlinen! The deep blue colour, the playful Piñata inspired patterns, the softness of the cotton - I could literally jump into the bed if there wasn't my laptop screen in between us!
• White Backdrop: Blue against white is magic - it recalls Greek island trips, nautical adventures, seaside holiday. Simple colour matching perfection!
• Wooden Accents: Adding wooden accents to a blue scheme is wonderful. These colours complement each other and seem to translate the elements water and earth into interiors. Definitely something I will consider for one of my upcoming redecorating projects at home!

What catches your eye in this bedroom?

Photography via Hunting for George

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Why This Room Caught My Eye

Last week I was going through my stash of throws and blankets and found my Mexican throw that I bought in a store in Seattle last year. I decided to throw it over my bed cause I love the blue and earthy hues with the ethnic pattern on it (see it HERE). Shortly after that I stumbled upon a great article on Apartment Therapy with an ethnic patterned throw used as wall art in a bedroom. I loved it instantly as well as the overall interior styling of the room. Here in a nutshell what caught my eye:

• Ethnic Wall Art: Well this ethnic textile as wall art is an instant eye catcher. I would try the same in my home I think if only I had a normal wall behind my bed (but I have a pitched roof wall). 
• Earthy Hues: The entire bedroom styling is tied together with an earthy colour scheme. It perfectly matches the wall art and brings a serene and cosy atmosphere to the bedroom.
• Monstera Leaf: Monstera leaves have become a major styling trend. From Scandinavian interiors to American homes - people place one or severals Monstera leaves in a large vase and the room gets a very modern and natural touch. The best side effect: Monstera leaves develop roots when kept in water - so after the styling project you can simply plant them in soil and enjoy them for a long time as happy houseplants. 

Would this bedroom catch your eye too?

Photography by Jenny Kaplan and Chris Corrado via Apartment Therapy

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Why This Room Caught My Eye

I almost feel like I have to apologize for picking yet another bedroom shot for today's blog series (you remember last week's fab bedroom), but when my friend Dabito of Old Brand New styles and photographs an interior you can most certainly assume it catches my eye big time. And yes, it was exactly what happened when I saw his latest post - and here it is so that you know what I am swooning about:

• Art Collection: Art always catches my eye. Especially when it is a quirky and unique collection. Here an abstract painting meets a nude meets a natural motive. Instant eye-catcher!
• Yellow Desk Lamp: Yellow as a colour is the most effective when used as a highlight, as a colour to pop. Just like in this case. The desk lamp with its bright yellow cubic lampshade caught my eye immediately. And secretly I am happy because I have a very similar vintage desk lamp at home.
• Indigo Throw: One of my favorite hues that not only speaks a visual story but has lots of history to tell. In fact, I am currently reading a book called 'Indigo - Egyptian Mummies to Blue Jeans' which tells the story of this fantastic natural hue.

How do you like this bedroom? Love or loathe?

Photography & styling by Dabito / Old Brand New

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Why This Room Caught My Eye

Bedrooms have a special attraction to me. As the most private room in a home they are usually not as accessible to the curious eye of a beholder and the interior styling speaks strongly about the personality of its dweller. As a zone of relaxation and unwinding, some people keep their bedrooms minimalistic and clean, others like to decorate a bit more and some go all the way to liven-up to their eclectic style.

Today's bedroom that caught my eye belongs to the Swedish set & prop stylist Joanna Lavén and is part of her stylish home in Stockholm. The mid-century vibe caught immediately my attention and its grown-up and sophisticated style is definitely a benchmark for bedroom projects. Here's what caught my eye in detail:

• Vintage Art Piece: Lately I am totally drawn to vintage art pieces. This large, statement piece of art sets the tone in this mid-century inspired bedroom styling.
• Mid-Century Sideboard: Even though the wooden sideboard is pretty much on the edge of this photography, it caught my eye due to its sleek style and carved fronts.
• Houseplants: No mid-century styling without houseplants! These two plants perfectly accentuate the room's interior design and enhance the room's climate.

How do you like this bedroom?

Photography by Idha Lindhag via Dustjacket Attic

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Why This Room Caught My Eye

My wish for today: staying in bed. Believe it or not, but winter seems to be back and we had some good snowfalls yesterday. However, the daily duties are calling for my alert presence so I must abandon my comfy bed. As an inner rebellion I've decided to dedicate today's post to a bedroom inspiration. I noticed this bedroom styling a few days ago on the blog of the Australian interiors magazine Inside Out as a sneak peek of their April issue. And as a blue lover this was a winner styling and a definite eye-catcher for me.

But let's break it down to three major visual key facts that attracted my attention:

• Blue Abundance: First and foremost it's the abundance of blue hues in this bedroom. I am quite often afraid of using only one colour in a room as I dread the risk of a visually boring interior styling. But this room proofs me wrong - you can create a fabulous and sophisticated look with one dominating hue. In this case with blue.
• Blue Ombré Painting: The ombré painting above the bed is another eye-catcher and seems to be handmade, probably by the owner of the apartment. The colours in the painting catch up the blue hues from the remaining room and add a very personal touch to this bedroom.
• Pale Blue Wall: The designer/stylist/owner was not afraid to even go blue with the wall. Would you be that brave? I love the outcome - the pale blue shade is a perfect backdrop for the richer, more saturated blue hues in the furnishing and accessories of the room.

Is this bedroom catching your eye too? What is your stance on rooms with one dominating colour?

Styling by Julia Green, photography by Armelle Habib, via Inside Out

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Why This Room Caught My Eye

After all my travels I love to come back home. Especially to come back to my own bed. Don't get me wrong - I do get to sleep in very, very comfy beds in great hotels and homes, but there's always something that's not quite as at home, right? Well, with this in mind I am sharing a lovely bedroom inspiration with you today. And as usual on Tuesday, I want to show you why this room caught my eye:

• Statement Art Piece: Do you have a statement art piece above your bed? I do have one but on the wall to the side as my bed is perched under a roof pitch thus not ideal for hanging art. But if I had a regular wall behind my bed I'd go for a statement art piece like in this example. It draws the eye's attention instantly and it is a great starting point for stylings in the room as you can draw inspiration, colors and themes from the art piece.
• Matching Cushions: One pair of matching cushions with a print can be excellent to balance the bedroom styling. In this case, two throw cushions with a bold circle print do the trick - they mirror a color hue from the above hanging art piece and create a balanced look. Plus the mustard yellow pompom borders perfectly tie the image together with the bedthrow's color.
• Knitted Bedthrow: I love chunky knit throws - they not only create a comfy feeling but also add great texture to a bed or sofa. This mustard yellow hued throw is fabulously placed in the lower third of the bed and fulfills the styling by tying everything together color-wise: the art piece, the cushions and the bedthrow. Visual pleasure!

Is this bedroom styling catching your eye too?

Photography via Techne

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Why This Room Caught My Eye

The very moment I type this words on my MacBook, it's snowing outside. It is the first snow of the year here in Munich downtown and I am a bit excited. The first snow coincides with today's opening of all Christmas markets around town so I can surely say: Winter has arrived and Munich is getting festive! With the first snowflakes I am getting into a sort of hibernation mood. Layering various textiles, taking that extra blanket for your bed, adding a few more cushions to the sofa, adding muted colours to the scheme - the more frosty it gets outside, the cozier it gets inside!

When I spotted this bedroom on Pinterest, I felt like it perfectly conveys that winter cosiness I have mind. It caught my eye instantly and I could happily jump into the bed, snuggle up with a cup of tea and a good book and forget about time, weekday, to-dos or the cold winter day outside. 

What exactly caught my eye? Here are interior styling eye-catchers:

• Grey Symphony: I have a soft spot for grey hues. I think grey is a fabulous, calming backdrop for a cosy feeling at home. Whether it's just one feature wall, the entire room or a combination of wall, home textiles, home décor - the effect is cosy yet sophisticated. Just like in this bedroom.
• Muted Colours: The use of muted colours in this room perfectly blend in with the grey backdrop. The soft shades of green, purple and brown give the room a rooted, earthy base as opposed to the elusive lightness of grey.
• Ethnic Elements: Another soft spot of mine - everything with ethnic patterns catches my eye immediately. The kilim rug and cushion tie the whole interior styling impeccably together. 

Does this room catch you eye?

Photography via Klikk Bolig by Solveig Grovle and Ann Helen Lund/NIB

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Why This Room Caught My Eye

This Tuesday's eye candy comes from Sweden, to be precise from the Swedish blogger at 'Så fint jag vill'. I have no clue what that means, I just know she has a great style and lately I have stumbled over the pictures of her bedroom and loved the relaxed, cosy style she created. When I look at her bedroom I think of lazy weekend mornings, the moment when you turn around and sleep another 20 minutes, when you cuddle up with our duvet, grab a book and a cup of coffee and just stay in the warm, comfy bed. I am pretty sure you can relate to this feeling, right?

So, what caught my eye in particular in this room? Here we go:

• Grey color palette: The different shades of grey create a very calm and cosy feeling. It absorbs the daylight and makes for a perfect sleeping atmosphere.
• Linen bedding: Nothing, I mean nothing beats linen bedsheets. That feeling on your skin - trust me, it is a revelation. You will not want to get out of bed!
• Personal décor vignette: The shelf above the bed features a lovely, personal vignette with a figurine, fresh flowers, a book, an illustration, a candle, a vase, a plant - beautifully arranged and perfect for that dash of personality every room needs.

How do you like this bedroom? What catches your eye?

Photography via Så fint jag vill

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I Need Your Help: My Pinterest Bedroom Board

Today I am going to ask you for a bit of support: I need your likes! But let me tell you the story from the beginning: Last weekend I was invited by the Dutch bed manufacturer Auping to join a little blogger event in Hamburg, Germany. A very, very early Saturday morning I took off by plane from Munich to Hamburg and spent a fun day with fellow bloggers in the Auping Plaza flagship store. But I will tell you next week more about my visit and I brought some fun videos back to share with you:-)

Now to the Pinterest part of the story: We were also invited as guest pinners to share our bedroom inspirations on our own little Auping board. The blogger who gets most overall likes on his pins will win a little contest - that is, we will get beautiful bedlinen by Auping to giveaway to YOU, my readers and (hopefully) supporters. So please help me rock this contest by liking any of my pins on my Pinterest board HERE (the board will grow over the next days). You can just like on pic or more than one, whatever you choose. I am definitely thankful for each and everyone of you! 

Big hugs and thank you, my friends!!

Photography: 1 via San Giorgio Mykonos, 2 via Old Brand New, 3 via Pinterest, 4 via Marie Claire Maison, 5 via My Favorite and Best, 6 via Kronprinsessene

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Why This Room Caught My Eye

What I love about Tuesdays is that Monday is over and that I am sharing another room that caught my eye this week with you. Today I would like to share a bedroom, actually a guest bedroom, with you. I found this pic on 'The Design Files' and this room belongs to the home of Australian blogger Kirsty Davey. This room caught my eye because of its calming serenity and pureness. It is somehow simple yet totally refined. But let me break it down to three major visual cues:

• Ethnic wall hanging: The decorative centerpiece is the ethnic wall hanging above the bed. Being almost the only decorative element, it strikes the visitor's eye with its dominating size, pattern, texture and earthy colours which perfectly match the wood used in this room.
• Rubber tree: The second decorative element is the rubber tree. I am a huge fan of plants in homes and the rubber tree is a fabulous, sculptural plant to add to a room. Moreover, it reminds me of my childhood. My mother used to have several rubber trees in our home. 
• All white bedding: Even though I love colours and patterns, sometimes an all white bed is strikingly stylish and super inviting. The crisp white sheets recall the serenity of a good night's sleep and the happiness of waking up with the sunrays peeking through the window. Simple bliss!

What caught your eye in this room? Do you like it or is it too 'simple' for you?

Photography by Brooke Holm, Production Lucy Feagins for The Design Files

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Why This Room Caught My Eye

It's Tuesday and thus time for a new room that caught my eye. And this week I am more than happy to show you a fabulous bedroom styling from one of my fab classmates in the interior styling class by Justina Blakeney. My fellow styling classmate Valerie Mangum has restyled her bedroom in such an awesome way that I was absolutely smitten and couldn't help but share it here with you. If you want to have a 'before' peek into her bedroom  too, click HERE. But now let's talk 'styling':

• Various botanicals: One of the styling elements are 'botanicals'. And trust me, I was totally fascinated to see the impact of botanicals in room styling. Valeria has carried out this principle to perfection by adding various botanicals into her bedroom styling and thus adding lots of life and texture to her room.
• Hanging planters: Botanicals require an adequate container for display. Valeria has gone a step further and has added hanging planters that create a big deal of structure, interest and definitely caught my eye!
• Colourful & patterned cushions: An excellent selection of colours and patterns when it comes to cushions ties the whole styling concept together. The entire room tells one beautifully arranged styling story.

Well done, Valerie!! What do you think of this room styling?

Photography by Valerie Mangum

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Why This Room Caught My Eye

Are you ready for some Tuesday eye candy? Well, today I have something for those of you who love textures, patterns and colours - a remarkable bedroom styling with an ethnic vibe. When I spotted this bedroom makeover, my eye was instantly drawn to the plethora of patterns and colours. The kilim cushions mixing with an Ikat cushion and a furry fellow, the Kantha throw, the Tajine shaped basket, the huge plant…this room took me on a little visual voyage to unknown places full of mystery and promise. But I digress. Here are the three key factors that caught my eye:

• Big plant in the bedroom: This big fiddle fig tree in the back of the bed is an eye-catcher. It brings the nature into the bedroom and makes you feel like you are camping in the jungle. 
• Wooden headboard: The reclaimed wood used as a headboard adds texture and enriches the natural vibe of this room. Plus it ties the other wooden elements visually together.
• Ethnic mix of cushions: The richness in pattern, colour and texture is striking. The colour palette matches the Kantha throw and balances the entire bedroom styling. 

What catches your eye? Do you like this styling?

Photography via The Marion House Book

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