Happy Interior Blog Recommends: Fatboy

For many years the Dutch brand Fatboy used to be synonymous for bold, huge beanbags to me. But lately I've noticed that they slowly expanded their product range with new products like stools, cushions, rugs. But it was this year's bloggers' tour to Amsterdam that made me change my perception entirely. Fatboy was one of our sponsors of our design bloggers' dinner and we were seated comfy on their new concrete seats and Baboesjka cushion seats, enjoyed a dimly lit atmosphere thanks to the Edison lamp and we had the opportunity to meet their brand new product launching in 2015 - 'The Klaid', an oversized and super soft blanket for a snuggly evening.

The large blanket was a tactile highlight - it feels super soft and you instantly want to wrap up yourself in it - which some of us did, like my friend Susanna:-) But we also used the opportunity to ask the Fatboy representatives one interesting question: why is the brand called Fatboy? Now take this: It was back in 1998 that a creative Finnish guy named Jukka Setälä, a designer from Golla in Finland, was listening to the edgy tunes of Fatboy Slim (ha, I knew it) and designed the first original beanbag. Now everything makes sense and Fatboy has a quite cool vibe to it, right? And their new products are pretty cool, too!

Happy hump day and let's listen to some Fatboy Slim now!

Photography by Linda Elmin and Susanna Vento

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From Place To Space: Bloggers Tour Amsterdam

Lately I took you to our magic, coastal inspired bloggers dinner in Amsterdam and to the showroom of Moooi. Today I want to give you another insight into what our group of European design bloggers was up to in Amsterdam. Our 4-days bloggers tour was packed with design, bloggers, good food and lots of fun of course.

We kicked off our bloggers tour at the interior design fair 'Woonbeurs' where we were invited along with other Dutch bloggers by Dutch interiors magazine VT Wonen - we all contributed to their special blogger issue. We had the opportunity to discover the beautifully styled VT Wonen house at the fair and browse the other halls too. No wonder that I was absolutely happy to see lots of greens at the fair - a real Urban Jungle Bloggers playground!

The next day was reserved for the 'Meet the Blogger' conference where we mingled and networked with a huge bunch of international bloggers, listened to a Q&A session with Kinfolk Magazine and gave presentations/workshops. I teamed up with my friend Elena and we spoke about green trends and how to trigger a community - but I will blog about that in more details another time!

Apart from our appointments with local brands and designers, we also had time to roam the city and discover nice restaurants, cafés and sights - mostly we traveled in style with limousines and chauffeurs order through the easy Uber app.

One evening we were invited to dine at the fantastic Bluespoon restaurant in the Andaz Hotel - a real 5-star delight and a hotel design that makes you feel like amidst the bewildering beauty of 'Alice in Wonderland'! And we couldn't skip the compulsory canal tour in Amsterdam - thanks to the great 'I Amsterdam City Card' we had not to worry about getting tickets for the public transport nor the canal tour - it was all inclusive! A real recommendation if you plan a weekend trip to Amsterdam anytime soon!

I hope you enjoyed this little Monday voyage to Amsterdam. Have a great new week and let's see where I'll take you next Monday!

Photography by Igor Josifovic, Uber pic by Susanna Vento

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Design In Amsterdam: Moooi Showroom & Marcel Wanders Design Studio

Last week I spent four days on a design bloggers tour in Amsterdam. One of our first stops was a visit to an iconic Dutch design address: the Moooi showroom and the design studio of Dutch designer Marcel Wanders. Moooi sounds pretty fun but in fact it is the Dutch word for 'beautiful' with an additional 'o' to emphasize the brand's extra value in terms of beauty and uniqueness. Moooi is a venture by the designer Marcel Wanders and his business partner Casper Vissers.

My very first impression when I entered the showroom was sheer awe - a grand space full of design, from modern to Scandinavian inspired to totally quirky - and all with a huge dash of greens. A fantastic design urban jungle if you want so. Everything was much more clear to me when I heard the mission of Moooi: Making environments more beautiful, exciting and inspiring. And they showcase it perfectly in theirs showroom - Moooi shows interior ideas in terms of how a room can be transformed into a rich and colorfully dressed living area with a variety of patterns and colours. 

Apart from all the wild indoor plants I was particularly fascinated by their lighting solutions: the light Heracleum pendant, the dreamy Random Light or the glamorous Prop Light. Apart from discovering design, we were also asked to personalize the new Egg Vase for each of us - a really fun experience!

Later on we went upstairs to peek into the design studio of Marcel Wanders. Imagine conference rooms like out of an 'Alice in Wonderland' set-up, open, bright offices, eclectic details and a family like atmosphere. 

Even though this was just the first day of our Amsterdam bloggers tour, I felt already very inspired with a good load of original Dutch design. Stay tuned for more over the coming days!

Happy weekend everyone!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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Saucy Event: Bed Hopping With Auping

Sometimes blogger events can have a saucy touch. Ok, I admit, only when I attend and interpret them that way. Two weeks ago I was invited to Hamburg with a few other fellow blogger friends to attend a little event for Auping, a Dutch bed manufacturer know for its excellent box springs beds. Well, I've been sleeping for six years now in my rather 'normal' bed so I was very curious to test the acclaimed bed live - and thus the event turned from decent to saucy with my bed hopping action:-)

We were welcomed in the Hamburg based flagship store Auping Plaza in the cool Stilwerk department store in the harbour area by a super cool PR gang and Auping rep including a smart bartender with tangy cocktails and yummy tidbits. Business before pleasure was the order so we started with an informative intro to the company's background and a detailed insight into its products that include beds such as the Essential (I blogged about it HERE), the Royal, the Tozza or my favorite the Dublin (I tried this intensively and it is AMAZING - actually I really want this when I move into a new home). We also got a surgeon look into the inside of a box spring mattress and it is crazy - it's like an entire little spring world down there! Apart from beds they also offer super soft duvets, cushions and cheerful bedlinen - support me with my little Pinterest contest by liking some of my pins HERE and if I win I will get some of the happy bedlinen for you to giveaway!

So after the 'business' part was over I ventured on a bed hopping experience to see whether the Auping beds can cope with a flying, happy blogger. Let me tell you: Yes they can! Here are a few little proofs. Buckle up and fly with me:-)

The blogger event was rounded up by a scrumptious lunch with typical Hamburg dishes and a fun 'design your bed' session including watercolours - I felt like a school kid again! Thanks to Auping for a fun and cool event. May I soon sleep in one of your super soft beds. Amen!

Photography by Igor Josifovic except my 'flying' photo courtesy of Auping

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5 Happy Inspirations: Refresh Your Interiors

Hello my friends! I'm back after a little getaway to sunny Greece and a fabulous design hotel. Soon more here on the blog. But for the time being let us indulge in a new '5 Happy Inspirations' post. 

Some of you might know that I am one of those indecisive persons when it comes to interior design, styling and decoration. I love colourful details, I like natural styles with lots of wood, I adore rich textures and patterns with an ethnic vibe. Chaotic? Maybe. But one could also say eclectic, right? It's all about how you mix and interpret the pieces.

So this week's five happy finds have also one thing in common - the happiness they bring into a home. But let us have a closer look at those goodies:

1. My German fellow blogger Kai of Stilsucht has launched his first product in collaboration with the designer Thomas Schmitz. The hook named 'Cliffhanger' has its natural habitat in primarily - but not exclusively - typical German 'Altbau' (old buildings) high ceilinged, raw, pre war buildings, since two parallel water pipes are necessary to utilize the clever helper which is simply clipped between them.

2. Add a dash of summer with the 'Palm Trays' by Smart Living Objects. Made of rubber wood and coated with summery hues they are perfect to make you smile, even with the current weather!

3. I 'luuuuv' me some copper! How about this sleek pendant light with polished copper and a textile cable by the Dutch design team Ontwerpduo with Vij5? Yes, iconic Dutch design!

4. Cushions are my soft spot. And this one with a calming natural look is my 'coup de coeur' - the 'Sea Grass Cushion' by Nordic Elements is on my wish list!

5. The 'Lock' bamboo dinner table by the Dutch design label Plankton is an eye-catcher due to its spectacular base. Moreover, it's made of sustainably grown bamboo thus good for your home and for our environment!

Happy hump day, folks!

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Happy Guest: Vosgesparis

When Igor asked me to write a guest post for you 'happy' readers, I had to think for a while, because he and me...we are quite different. When thinking of Igor's blog I think of color and  for a girl like me who is known for her monochrome interiors and blog posts it is a total different world. But Igor and I get on really well online and I love to have followed his blog-career from the very first start. So for me it is a real pleasure to be here.

When visiting the Woonbeurs, I was thrilled to see all the colorful homes the Dutch interior magazines created this year. Both the VT Wonen home and the 101 Woonideeen home had lots of greens and blues. Both homes had plenty of beautifully styled corners and I made lots of pictures. I love to share a part of the 101 Woonideeen homes here on Igor's Happy Interior Blog. I hope you like it and it will give you some inspiration for your own home. 

Part of the home was a huge outdoor garden with walls covered in plants and with items beautifully brought together. There was so much to see in this home!

Oh and I would love to show you more on my own blog: Vosgesparis - you are more than welcome! And Igor thank you for having me. 

Photography by Desiree/Vosgesparis

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