How To Create A Moodboard

Yesterday I presented my first moodboard ever on my Facebook page and Instagram account. It was a little collaboration with Farrow & Ball including a giveaway - so if you need 10 liters of good Farrow & Ball paint of your choice, make sure to leave a comment HERE. When I was asked to do the moodboard I felt challenged - because I have never done a moodboard but I admire all the talented people out there who manage to pin down their ideas in a visual and inspiring moodboard. So this was reason enough to take on the challenge!

The starting point was quickly set - I had a certain collection of images in mind that I had pinned over the past few weeks on my Pinterest account. I recalled that they all had a similar vibe - an earthy, slightly moody, slightly boho touch. The dominating colours were darker hues of blue and earthy tones like terracotta, clay and raw leather. These images also symbolized my love for ceramics, for handmade pieces, the perfection in the imperfection. I had a story in mind of a life we create with our hands, made from the soil we walk on. It is a feeling of being rooted, belonging to where you are, and creating with your hands. This story unfolded in my mind when I settled down to start the moodboard.

Then I started collecting pieces that I had at home. Images, ceramics, stones, felt swatches, dried flowers, driftwood, twine, bowls and a the lids of three little paint pots by Farrow & Ball - I opted for the colours Stiffkey Blue, Cook's Blue and Book Room Red. I laid out everything on a white cardboard and started shuffling and removing pieces. This is the really fun and interesting part. I felt challenged and that was the point when I asked for some professional advice by my dear friend, fellow blogger, trend expert and moodboard genius Gudy Herder of Eclectic Trends.

She was a wonderful mentor giving me helpful advice how to bring my moodboard to life. I worked on and voilà - I felt I accomplished the task. It is not perfect but my perfection lies in life's imperfections. And I am happy about it!

If you like moodboards too and feel inspired, I have great news: Gudy is sharing her knowledge in an e-course as of June 2015. I have already enrolled to follow the e-course and master my moodboard skills. You can find all relevant information HERE. And if you sign up for the Eclectic Trends newsletter, you might get the chance of a discount for the e-course - sign up HERE.

See you in the e-course!!

Photography: First image by Igor Josifovic, others by Gudy Herder

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Book Review: The New Boho Book

I have been a passionate follower and reader of Justina Blakeney's blog over the past few years. I love her unconventional style, her eclectic collections, her love for plants and colors. She is a sort of a beacon who reminds me that styling a home is a personal matter, it allows for all aspects to be included that reflect your personality, it is your playground to get creative. She is something like the antidote to the overstyled interiors devoid of personality as seen in some glossy interiors magazines. All those inspirations, ideas and decor tips including some cool and simple DIY ideas are now condensed in one wonderful book: The New Bohemians - Cool & Collected Homes, shot by the impeccable Dabito (have I mentioned I am a fan of his work too?).

The New Boho Book takes us on a tour through various cool and collected homes. By guiding us through inspiring real homes, Justina highlights the aspect that boho or bohemian is not a fixed, determined term. It is not you are either boho or not. Bohemians come in various forms of expression and intensity if you want so: You could be the modern, the earthy, the folksy, the nomadic, the romantic or the maximal bohemian. After going through the entire book you are tempted to look around you and ask yourself: Am I a bohemian?

If someone asked me to define my bohemian style after consulting The New Bohemians, I'd say I'm a modern bohemian with slight influences of the earthy bohemian. What exactly defines those styles? Well, I think you simply have to grab a copy of this amazing book and look it up for yourself!

Photography: First pic by Igor Josifovic, others by Dabito 

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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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