Why This Room Caught My Eye

Temperatures are up again in Munich and my rooftop studio is boiling. The fan runs in infinity loop and I feel the need to shower three times a day. Speaking of showers - I've neglected the important private spa for too long here on the blog. So today's room that caught my eye is actually a shower. And a fabulous one, too! Why this rather simple yet exceptional shower caught my eye? Here come the reasons:

• Ombré effect tiles: The blue glazed metro tiles have a fabulous ombré effect in this bathroom and seem to be changing the hue from side to side. Actually, this could be my shower - I love metro tiles and I love the blue colour used here!
• Simple & soft towels: These super soft yet simple towels with Hammam like stripes are the best accomplishment for this blue spa.
• Natural light: This point is catching my eye because my bathroom at home has no window with natural light. And I think it makes such a huge difference to have natural light in your bathroom. I mean, everything looks better with natural light - even my squeezed face in the mirror every morning!

So what do you think of this bathroom/shower? I will definitely post a bit more about bathrooms over the next few weeks.

Happy Tuesday!

Photography by Annie Schlechter, styling by Matthew Gleason

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Why This Room Caught My Eye

Hello to my new Tuesday blog series 'Why This Room Caught My Eye'. I started last week and hope you will enjoy my little observations on interior design every Tuesday. It so happens that my eye got caught once again by a remarkable example of kitchen design. Actually, it is a little corner of a kitchen. But this corner is so exquisitely styled, that I've picked this example to tell you what caught my eye.

Three factors got me hooked on this kitchen:

Green Colour Coding: The green colour code is a fabulous example how one statement colour can draw the eye's attention to a certain room. A playful yet moderate use of decorative green decorative elements adds a great flavour to this kitchen.

Simple, white tiles: The simple, old white tiles make the perfect backdrop to make the colour coding and the vintage oven pop. Use white to add visual highlights that catch the beholder's eye!

Vintage Oven: This tiled vintage oven with a weathered top and fronts - no words needed to say why it caught my eye!

I hope you liked this room as much as I did. Is there anything that you liked or disliked in particular here? Let me know!

Photography via Scandinavian Deko

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5 Happy Inspirations: Autumn Hues

I love the change of seasons. And I love the beginning of autumn. Most certainly when it's a golden and warm autumn with crisp nights. Then the nature prinks itself up with the most charming colours - I think of yellow, red, orange, purple, brown, forest green. I took this as a starting point for today's '5 Happy Inspirations' that have one thing in common - autumn hues.

1. You love tiles and you love plaids? How about a combination - these tiles come in plaid or gingham patterns and wonderful colours. Seen on New Ravenna.

2. Love this XL glass bottles in warm autumn hues. Found them on the fab and super cute webshop Pierrot & Coco.

3. Two weeks ago Zara Home opened its first store in Munich. And this chunky knit and happily coloured throw will make its way into my apartment soon!

4. The best treat for your next DIY project - the environmentally responsible paint range by Mini Moderns!

5. My friend and illustrator Tanja added a super happy autumn idea to her home by transforming hazelnuts into cute little bears. So adorable!

Any favorite here?

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Style It Up: Bathroom Idea

When I get up, it's the first room I enter. Before I go to sleep, it's the last room I leave. The bathroom. Interior design and decoration doesn't stop in the living room, bedroom, or kitchen. A beautifully styled bathroom is actually a must: it pays aesthetic tribute to the bathroom's purpose - perpetuating personal hygiene, beauty, and aesthetics. 

The picture above got me swooning over a black and white schedule for a sleek and stylish bathroom. Whether you are going to redo the entire bathroom by choosing new tiles, faucets, sinks, showers, tubs, and furniture or you're going to add a few new accents like accessories, textiles, and decoration items: decide on an overarching theme and scheme, and work your way until you've reached your aesthetic standards. And then enjoy spending hours dedicated to your personal aesthetics.

Photography: Bathroom via Loftenberg; 1. tiles via Lapicida; 

2. shelving unit via Ikea; 3. faucets via Hansgrohe; 4. cup via Ferm Living; 5. towels via Bed, Bath & Beyond; 6. basket via Ferm Living; 7. shampoo via Stop The Water While Using Me; 8. candle via H&M Home.

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From Place To Space: Lisboa

Today I am taking you to the Portuguese capital - to Lisboa as it is called in Portuguese. Prior to going to Lisbon, I heard so many promising comments. Lisbon is young and vibrant. Lisbon is creative and vivid. Lisbon is sunny and beautiful. And after my little trip I can say: yes, yes, and yes.

Alcantara, Chiado, Baixa, Alfama, Bairro Alto - these are the dulcet names of some of Lisbon's central quarters and main spots for visitors. Lisbon is also referred to as the 'City of the Seven Hills' and thus quite hilly indeed. The best is to discover the city by foot to get an idea of the layout, architecture and hidden corners. But no worries, Lisbon has a good metro network and you shouldn't miss the famous tram no. 28 - a great way to enjoy the city's sights from a sitting perspective.

I adore Portuguese 'fado' so I would recommend a visit to one of the fado bars in Alfama, one of the oldest districts. Moreover, take a walk down to the Tejo river to see the world heritage, the Belém Tower. From Tejo river back to the city you will pass through some major shopping streets. For a good afternoon break head to the famous Café A Brasileira - as popular and crowded as it can get, it still is a real gem with its original Art Deco style from the 19th century. Enjoy a good, strong Portuguese coffee - a 'bica' if you're the espresso type or a 'galao' if you love it milky. To accompany your coffee don't miss a 'pastel de nata', the famous Portuguese egg tart pastry. 

Tiles are also a big thing in Lisbon. The 'azulejos' tiles are evident on many buildings, in parks, for interior design purposes. Moreover, you will find many shops selling tiles - from antique to contemporary to souvenir style. Make your choice and bring a bit of Portugal back home. One of my friends actually bought many different styles to tile her balcony. Well that's another type of souvenir, don't you think? Have a happy week!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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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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Loving Metro Tiles

I am back from Paris! I think you've seen how inspired and happy my prolonged weekend was and of course I came back with a strong inspiration for an upcoming interior design project. I am definitely in love with metro tiles. I enjoyed daily the simple yet beautiful tiles in the Paris metro. The beauty lies in their simplicity: they are white, rectangular, shiny, with flattened edges. So simple. So stylish. So urban. I would love a kitchen backsplash with metro tiles or a bathroom tiled with those beauties. I could see the lower half of the walls covered with metro tiles and the upper half of the walls painted in a sleek anthracite. Oh well, the only thing that I need now is an adequate kitchen and bathroom. Up to then, let's enjoy the inspiration!

Photography: Kitchen via Red Online; Paris pics by Igor Josifovic

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