Go Green With IKEA!

Today I am very excited to announce a fantastic new collaboration between the Urban Jungle Bloggers and IKEA Germany! Judith and I have teamed up with the German IKEA team for their new outdoor campaign and we want to encourage you all to go green together with us and IKEA Germany. In order to inspire you, both Judith and I have styled a few pieces of the beautiful new outdoor collection in our homes.

What I love about the new outdoor collection of IKEA is its versatility - it is made for any kind of homes. Whether you live in a spacious house or a tiny apartment, whether you have a balcony, a rooftop terrace or just a windowsill - the new outdoor collection will give you plenty of ideas and opportunities to add green into your own home.

My personal favorite is the new self-watering planter SÖTCITRON from IKEA. I love the simple yet smart solution - in fact I shared this idea with you as part of an Urban Jungle Bloggers post quite a while ago, do you remember (see it HERE)? The planters are Scandi minimalistic, typical for IKEA and ideal for all kinds of interiors. They have a lower part to fill up with water and an upper planter with soil and the plant. Both parts are connected by a nylon string that slowly transports the water from the lower to the upper part. With this pot you can literally go on long holidays and your plants will stay happy and healthy!

But we do not want to only show you our ideas, we want to see your green ideas and therefore we have come up with a green Instagram styling challenge that is packed with amazing goodies from IKEA Germany that you can win. Feel inspired to go green?

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
How do you use IKEA products at home, in your garden, on your balcony or windowsill? How do you create that green jungle feeling? Share a picture of any kind of IKEA product and a plant(s) on Instagram with the hashtag #IKEAgogreen (for international participants) and/or #IKEAmachgrün (for German participants) as well as #urbanjunglebloggers. The first 50 pictures will win a nice little IKEA prize. From all entries, Judith and I will choose 3 favorites that will win a very special IKEA surprise package. Next week we will reveal what's in the surprise package on the Urban Jungle Bloggers website. You have until April 5th, 2015, to post your picture(s) with the hashtags on Instagram. Go green!

Styling by Igor Josifovic, photography by Lina Skukauske 

This blog post has been brought to you in collaboration with IKEA Germany

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Style Up Your Ikea Furniture With Bemz

Not long ago it was deep wintertime and I was roaming the streets of Stockholm with eight design blogger friends. It was one Stockholm evening that we were invited to the beautiful Bemz showroom in the Swedish capital. We were welcomed by a super friendly crew and the Bemz founder Lesley Pennington. Naturally, we made ourselves comfortable on colorful sofas with Bemz covers and enjoyed tidbits and drinks while we were introduced to the success story of the company and asked to accept a little design challenge: we had to create our own cushion cover.

The design challenge was really fun although I was totally out of space and had no idea where to start from and then I had too many ideas so that the end result was pretty chaotic to say the best. But I didn't mind because I was surrounded by beautiful fabrics, swatches and colours. Thanks again for a fun evening, Bemz!

Bemz is a fantastic way to freshen up the most popular Ikea sofas and chairs and style up your cushions. The custom covers for Ikea furniture come in all kind of colours, patterns and fabrics - it is up to you to choose and define your personal lifestyle. This idea really speaks to me - it gives you the freedom to decide what you want for your home and it enables you to update your furniture without being forced to buy new pieces and spend a lot of money. 

Do you own an Ikea sofa or chair at home? And what about the cover? Would you consider changing your cover any time soon?

Photography by Igor Josifovic and via Bemz

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Style Up Your Ikea Cabinets With 'Superfront'

I am often asked what I think of Ikea furniture as an interior design blogger. My answer is always: I like Ikea for it democratized Scandinavian design and made it appreciated and affordable all around the world. But as with any other brand I do not like interiors that are solely equipped with furniture from one store or brand. It is the individual mix and match that makes a home unique and adds character. I also like when people get creative and tweak their Ikea furniture to make them different. Currently, there are a few companies out on the market supporting interior fans when they want to individualize their Ikea furniture. One of them is the pretty new Swedish brand 'Superfront', founded in March 2013 by Mick Born, Sander Aarts and Monica Born.

'Superfront' designs fronts, side panels, handles, tops and legs for some of the most favorite Ikea cabinets like Bestå sideboards and cupboards, Faktum and Metod kitchen cabinets and Pax wardrobes. Interior design fans can combine Ikea's furniture with etched patterns and details in robust classic materials like brass, copper, marble, birch wood and leather. 

One of the founders explains the inspiration for 'Superfront': "We noticed a very clear pattern among our friends and acquaintances. Almost all of them had some sort of cabinet base from Ikea that they had pimped with specially made doors from a local carpenter. Many of them even added marble tops. It was a bit like seeing Ikea dressed in Prada", says Mick Born. 

The wide assortment of fronts and accessories enables almost endless combinations. And all this comes with a very reasonable price tag. Thus, your Ikea furniture will not only become individual but will also look way more expensive than it actually is - a good deal for both, your design loving eye and your wallet.

Photography via 'Superfront'

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New Home Textiles: Bemz & Designers Guild

Two weeks ago I was invited to the press event of Bemz at the Designers Guild store in Munich. The reason was the new home textile collection of Bemz and Designers Guild. So I rushed directly after work to the store and was welcomed by the charming founder of Bemz, Lesley Pennington. 

While sipping on a glass of bubbles and nibbling on tasty tidbits, Lesley introduced me to the beautiful new collection. Bemz is known for its custom made home textiles that match a big variety of Ikea products, thus add more personality and individuality to your favorite Ikea pieces. The new collection is compiled of luxury linen for happy homes, all made of Designers Guild's popular Brero pre-washed linens. I am currently craving linens so I was totally in love to see and feel the new collection. I love the haptic of linens and the subtle colours are ideal for a summery vibe at home.

I particularly fell in love with the Brera Lino fabric in the pale blue Duck Egg shade as curtains - these look so dreamy and cosy and remind me of salty sea breezes blowing into the home through open windows. Now if a fabric can make you daydream like this, I think it's a safe investment for the happy home. Well, I better get measuring my windows.

If you want to see more of the new Bemz collection, click HERE.

How do you like linen for home textiles? Do you own any at home and where do you use them?

Photography by Bemz, shot 2, 3 & 4 by Tanja Bruch Photography, last shot by Littlestar Blog

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Ikea's New Stockholm 2013 Collection

Elegant, a contemporary mix of mid-century designs and nature inspired hues, a grown-up look for stylish urban homes - voilà, that's what comes to my mind when I look at the brand new Stockholm 2013 collection by Ikea which will hit the stores as of April. My second thought is: perfect timing as I am planning a little living room redo this spring.

Design, materials and colours for grown-ups
The new collection is the upscale line in Ikea's broad assortment of furniture and home accessories and has a strong design angle - every piece seems consciously designed and aimed at a grown-up clientele. Refined materials such as velvet, shagreen, nut wood and bone china underline the collection's sophisticated approach and please the the visual as well as tactile senses. The colour range transmits a timeless idea of interior design with cues from nature such as green, various brown hues like cognac, chocolate, mud and others, but also yellow, mustard, black.

Paying due respect to its name and Ikea origin, this collection is strongly influenced by classic Scandinavian design and makes reference to the stylish 50s and 60s of the past century. The Stockholm 2013 collection focuses on the living room, dining room and bedroom and is accomplished by selected decoration items.

Personal Favorites
My personal highlights are the soft green sofa, the round mirror with nut wood framing, the green vase and bright yellow cabinet - now I only need to decide what to pick for my living room redo. I sort of have an idea already…

What do you think of the new Stockholm 2013 collection by Ikea?

Photography by Ikea

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Ideas For A Happy Weekend

Happy weekend, my friends! What are you up to? No matter to tell you how much I love weekends. Sometimes, I also like to plan my little 'Ikea weekends'. Like in most other cities, Ikea is located on the outskirts of Munich so I only get to go there on a weekend (after I've convinced some friends with a car to join me - and consequently drive me there). And after seeing this month's new products, I must plan a weekend trip to Ikea very soon. I mean, how cute is this little blue bedside table? 'Selje' comes in bright blue and white and is definitely a happy fellow for a cosy home. I really have to consider revamping my bedside styling and adding a dash of bright, Mediterranean blue to visually welcome the warmer season. How do you like the cute sidetable? Blue or white for you?

Oh, this time I am off to a little weekend getaway and I will discover the beauties of a historical town in southern Germany for you. I will see you back on Tuesday here on the blog and in the meantime I will snap along my weekend inspirations on Twitter, Instagram and Vine (only on iPhone). Feel free to join me along!

See you soon!

Photography via Ikea

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5 Happy Inspirations: Good Mood Treats

Every Wednesday I am compiling a little round-up of goodies that inspired me this week. These five treats really boosted my good mood. Sometimes I am so simple as to be happy with a little cushion, a lovely illustration or a happy plant pot. But being simple is not equal to being dumb, right?

1. The 'City Sunday' magazine rack by Finnish Design Shop is the right potion for my Scandinavian design loving, urban heart. Ok, I admit, I bought it!

2. This apple cushion is such a fruity refreshment for any sofa. Certainly for mine! Found via Etsy.

3. Last Saturday I spent my afternoon in my local Ikea. I wandered around, shopped, and got hooked by this beautiful woolen bed throw in ecru with delicate, colourful threads. 

4. I also stocked up on new succulents. And this Anthro plant pot would be such a happy pal for my succulents.

5. I loved 'Pushing Daisies' back then. Do you know that series at all? If you do, you will understand my passion for this illustration - The Piemaker. Seen on Etsy.

Happy hump day, friends!

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5 Happy Inspirations: A Little Guessing Game

Yet another Wednesday and yet another hump day - we've almost made it to the weekend, folks! And to cut the remaining time short I was browsing the net for five new inspirations that I love and could see myself buying...ok, you got me, I've already bought one of these goodies. Can you guess which one?

1. Side table by Slow Wood

2. Amber Orbs Lamp by Anthropologie

3. Doug Johnston's 50s basket via Monoqi

4. SY - Love For Textiles book by Ikea

5. Henning vase by Zara Home

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Happily Ever After: Ikea Family Live

I will tell you a short story that happened five years ago. Back then, I moved from Austria to Munich, Germany, to start my new life. I found a great job and loved the new city. Plus, I found a cute little apartment in the city's heart, set atop of a building overlooking Munich's Old Town. When I moved into the apartment, on a gloomy winter day in January, it was literally 'stark naked'. There was nothing in it. Not even a light bulb. 

As I was already working in a full time job and had no car, buying furniture seemed like a tough challenge. With a small budget and even smaller time frame, I was determined to accomplish this task the best possible. The question where to get nice and reasonably priced furniture was quickly resolved: Ikea. I browsed their website, jotted down furniture pieces I liked and set off to the closest Ikea on a snowy evening after work. I had to use the public transportation and I need not mention that it took me a 45 minutes ride on the suburban train plus an additional 25 minutes of walking through the snow. Finally, I arrived there an hour before the store closed. I went to a salesperson, went through my list (I pre-checked the availability of my chosen pieces online) and got everything I needed in 30 minutes. Another 30 minutes later I paid around 1.000 Euros for the furnishing of my entire apartment. Of course, I had the goodies delivered and assembled - and after a few days I had a fully furnished and lovely apartment that I've called my home up to today. 

And that's why I love Ikea. It is beautiful design. It is super affordable. It gives you a lot of possibilities to arrange and hack their furniture. After all, Ikea is not about having the same things everywhere. It is about interpreting their products in your personal way. And this is proven if you visit the inspiring Ikea Family Live website. Have a fab Friday, friends!

Photography via Ikea Family Live

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5 Happy Inspirations: Cosy Fellows

After all the feasting and celebrating during the past weeks, I love to cocoon in my little apartment during the first days of the new year. These days I love to stay in, light a scented candle, read a new book, watch a DVD, blog on my sofa or in my bed and surround myself with lots of cosy fellows - cushions and pillows. And I admit, I have a soft spot for them and maybe too many at home. But then, can you have too many cosy fellows? Here are a few recently spotted beauties that I am flirting with.

1. This amazing huge pillow by young and aspiring Finish textile designers Saana ja Olli (an adorable couple) is part of their new Yö Metsässä (Night in the Forest) and is made of eco-friendly European hemp and is produced locally in Finland.

2. These new linen cushions of H&M Home's Spring/Summer 2012 collection are absolutely meeting my current craving for tactile materials and neutral colours.

3. This handprinted cushion with its floral understatement is made by the creative Swedish trio behind the brand HAPPYsthlm.

4. To be honest, I hardly ever leave a Ikea store without buying a cushion. Next time, I might go for this embroidered beauty, the Birgit cushion.

5. Minimoderns is always a safe source for style and quirky design. I already cuddle with their Whitby cushion and love these two fellows too, the Pavilion and Festival cushion.

Happy hump day, friends!

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