Happy Interior Blog Recommends: Smood

Today's blog post comes with a few excuses and apologies as a preface. First of all, apology for inviting you unintentionally into my messy bed (ooops), excuse me for the chaos and ignore the fact that I have no sheet on my mattress. It all has a meaning. A good one. A very good one. Because the mattress is the leading cast today. Let me introduce you to Smood, my latest revelation to enhance my (too short) sleep hours!

To be honest with you guys: I have never paid attention to my mattress. Frankly, I bought my old one when I moved into my apartment seven years ago and all I did was flip it from one side to the other after a few years in use. So when I was approached by the Home24 team announcing the introduction of a brand new mattress called 'Smood', my passion level was lukewarm. A mattress? What's so special about a mattress? It was not until I watched their fun promotional video (see it below) that my interest was piqued. I wanted to know more!

I will spare you the adventurous story of receiving a huge mattress by mail, but once it was here and up on my bed, a new love story has unfolded. No worries though, this bed story is not risqué at all! By now, I've slept for two weeks on my new Smood mattress and the effect is amazing - believe me or not, I am not saying this because I got the mattress for a test! If it was terrible I would have not mentioned it on my blog at all. But this pretty thing called Smood is doing me good!

The mattress has a foam and gel body and a removable and washable cover and is higher than other mattresses - at least here in Germany. No need to mention that I've slept really well on Smood. But it also keeps me in bed on weekends. Spending late mornings in bed with a nice book (lately that is 'In Detail' by Swedish stylist Hans Blomquist) is a sort of ritual during rainy winter weekends for me.

What's the essence of today's story? Maybe just a little reminder that we should think about our mattress a bit more and put it in focus. After all it's where we lay our tired bodies for a good night's sleep. I won't give away my Smood anymore. No, no, no! It's here to stay!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

This blog post has been brought to you in collaboration with Home24

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Why This Room Caught My Eye

Yes, it's very festive here in Munich. Yes, Christmas is around the corner. Yet the weather is absolutely dreary and gloomy. I've gone in and out of my apartment in weeks without seeing the sun or the slightest bit of blue in the sky. That is the season when I wish I could go into hibernation - at least for an entire weekend. Staying in bed, pulling the duvet above my head, turning to the other side and neglect and deny the weather outside. A nice and comfy bedroom helps to boost this feeling. Like the one shown above.

This bedroom looks like a place where the dreariest of weathers would turn into a happy idle experience as long as you stayed in bed. Why exactly? Well, here we go:

• Fun Pennant: The fun pennant above the bed has much more meaning than just a decorative one. It reminds us: It's ok to stay in bed from time to time. It really is ok!
• Kilim Cushion: Sweet, playful and perfect to be hugged if nobody else is around. And it is very decorative and pleasant for the eye, this cute kilim cushion.
• Potted Succulent: How about accompanying your next breakfast in bed with a cute potted succulent instead of a flower in a vase? I think it's a pretty awesome idea. And yes, it's ok!

Would you hibernate in this bedroom too?

Photography via Wit & Delight

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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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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

Styling a bedroom can be very fun. Some like it very calm and serene, others like it more eclectic and vibrant. I think I tend to be somewhere in between with an ongoing desire to switch from one end to the other. In my bedroom I decided to paint the pitched roof wall behind my bed in a very dark grey to create a cosy sleeping nook as my apartment tends to be very bright and light-flooded. The above shown bedroom might have the same issue. But no matter what the reason was, I think the dark blue wall behind the bed is just fabulous! But let's break it down into three major eye-catchers:

• Blue Feature Wall: As said, I am in love with this dark blue feature wall. I might opt for such a hue when I get tired of my grey wall in my bedroom.
• House Plants: Decorating with house plants in the bedroom is another visual highlight here. In fact, house plants are beneficial in the bedroom as they purify the air and release more oxygen for a relaxed sleep.
• Vintage Portrait: The vintage portrait above the bed adds some more drama and perfectly works with the dark blue hue. Combined with the vintage books this looks like a wonderful bedroom nook to relax, unwind and sleep in.

What bedroom type are you? Clean and serene or eclectic and colourful?

Photography via Apartment Therapy

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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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Bedroom Holiday Feeling + Bedlinen Giveaway

I am an avid traveler. Yes. Anyone who follows me on Instagram will have noticed it - I am here and there, quite often on quick and short-termed trips as well as longer ones. But sometimes I do stay in Munich, in my tiny rooftop apartment and then, well then I pretend to be on holidays - at home.

Today, I have decided to declare my bed nook an official tropical holiday resort. You know, with everything that goes there - a jungle of plants, good reading material, a straw hat and a new set of bedlinen that look like I am actually in the sea or in a pool. Admittedly, the only thing missing is a good cocktail. Alas, next time, I promise! And before you nag, is a pool or sea ironed? Voilà! :-)

My bed is still the same - I've been sleeping on this rather unspectacular bed for the past seven years (notice: I've changed my mattress though). However, I am still dreaming of one of those super soft box spring beds from Auping - some might remember that I did some 'bed hopping' in their Hamburg showroom last year. Well, until I can afford one of those beauties, I've teamed up with them to show you their wonderful new range of bedlinen. But that's not it! I am also giving away a set of this fantastic bedlinen - for one of YOU my dear readers, I have the bedlinen set 'Misty Morning' in the colour 'powder' (as seen in the last picture). 

If you feel like your bedroom deserves a holiday makeover, feel free to join the giveaway. It is as simple as this: Just leave a little comment under this blog post or under the bedroom picture on my Instagram account and you are in the draw! Double chance if you double comment here and on Instagram! The giveaway is open to all readers and will be running until Wednesday, June 18th, midnight CET.

So what you're waiting for? Grab that cocktail and comment - your next holidays are just a comment away!

Photography by Igor Josifovic, Misty Morning Powder pics via Auping

This post has been brought to you in cooperation with Auping

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Why This Room Caught My Eye

Whenever I get asked to describe my interior style, I use expressions like 'Scandinavian inspired', 'ethnic elements', 'colour pops'. I think I have never used the word 'retro' to describe my own style. Of course the reason is: My personal interior style is not retro at all. But I've noticed one phenomenon, especially on Pinterest: I also like interiors that represent a style that I wouldn't want to live in constantly. Maybe that's what retro means to me in interiors. Anyways, this intro aims at today's room that caught my eye: a very retro inspired bedroom.

In fact, I've slept in that bed for quite a few nights last year when I went to Vancouver, Canada. It is a very retro inspired airbnb apartment in a historic building in downtown Vancouver. The dominating colour was a petrol hue with blue and earthy hues, giving the entire apartment a sort of quirky 60s vibe. You can see the whole tour of the apartment in my guest post on Roombeez. The bedroom caught my eye in particular as I was fascinated by the spacey wallpaper design and the blue hues. But let me put it in bullet points:

• Retro Style Wallpaper: The wallpaper is an instant eye-catcher. It has the perfect grayish blue colour to suit the rest of the room and the pattern is sort of delirious - pretty fun!
• Soft Bedding: Something I appreciate in North America - the bedding is always super soft and comfy. Here too, a great mix of textiles create a multi-tactile feeling and super soft sleeping base.
• Colour Coding: The interior design is carried out with utmost care. It is reduced but the shapes, colours and materials are well coordinated - the quickest eye-catcher being the blue colour coding in this bedroom.

Are you a retro person? Or is it too crazy for you?

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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Bed & Breakfast...And A Good Book

The weekend is just ahead of us and it's been now a week that I am back home. No matter how good and great the vacations are, there is no feeling like coming back home. No hotel, no airbnb, no bed & breakfast can replace the own home and the own bed. So I decided to celebrate my comeback with a little breakfast in my very own bed. 

For that occasion I have dressed up my bed with new sheets from the Swedish brand Beach House Company. When they approached me and told me how fabulous their jersey bedding is, I was interested to that point that I always love good bedlinen. I love linen sheets and I was intrigued to try the jersey version too. After one night I was already convinced - the bedlinen are super soft, comfy and feel like your favorite T-Shirt. To complete the perfection I treated myself to a relaxed breakfast in bed.

As if a good bed, fine bedlinen and a yummy breakfast were not enough, I had to top everything off with a new and good book: 'Das Grosse Wohnbuch' (The Big Interior Book) published by Callwey is a great compilation of inspiring interiors and practical interior design tips curated by Germany's leading interior magazine 'Schöner Wohnen'. 

Enough talking - now it's your turn to treat yourself this weekend. So who is up for a bed & breakfast experience this weekend?

P.S.: If you want to sleep in such wonderful bedding from the Swedish laben 'Beach House Company', you can find their products for sale HERE or HERE.

Photography by Igor Josifovic

This post has been brought to you in cooperation with Beach House Company

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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

Today's post is a great example to showcase that it doesn't take loads of furniture, numerous design pieces and an impeccably styled interior to catch my eye - and hopefully your eye too. The latest house tour over on Apartment Therapy is a couple's home in Portland, Oregon, and it stands out because it is full with character: with the owner's obvious love for nature and greens and a liking of mid-century design and a easy-going interior style.

I've consciously picked a shot of their home that is rather unspectacular in the sense that it doesn't clearly show a specific room - it is just a peek-through through a door into a room which seems to be the bedroom. And yet it captures my attention with a few simple elements:

• House Plants: The selection of robust, easy-to-care house plants like the monstera deliciosa and the rubber plant is a great way to add visual interest to a room. They look very sculptural and cause the least plant care. Plus they are smartly places - one to the left-hand side leading the eye to the rear of the room with the wild monstera cascading down from a closet.
• Kilim Rug: You must admit - a colorful kilim rug always catches the eye's attention. Place a long, rectangular vintage kilim rug as seen here to give visual guidance and invite the eye into the room.
• Wooden Floor: This 'basic' is a safe eye-catcher - wooden floors always get my attention as they create an instant homey and warm feeling. After many years in an apartment with real wooden parquet, I can not imagine myself in a home with laminate or other synthetic flooring. I just can't. 

Are you the 'simple interior' kind of person or do you prefer a more styled home? I am curious!

Photography by Jaclyn Campanaro via Apartment Therapy

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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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Dreaming Into The Weekend: Home Inspiration

Nothing is quite as refreshing as dreaming of new home ideas - my inspiration source number one is Pinterest. I always happen to be inspired to redo a corner in my home after seeing beautiful interiors from around the globe. To start off the weekend in style, I am sharing three favorite recent interior design inspirations: a living room, a kitchen and a bedroom. 

Do these rooms inspire you too? Happy weekend, friends!

Photography: Living room via Ohhh...Mhhh, kitchen via Hallonsemla, bedroom via Fantastic Frank

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