Pillow Talk By Wool And The Gang

One of the advantages of social media is bonding with likeminded people. Yes you could call it the gangs of the 21st century. One of those gangs that unites people with a love for knitting or knitted goodies is Wool and the Gang. I had the opportunity to meet the creative minds of Wool and the Gang during our Bloggers Tour in London in March and I even managed to knit a row - can you imagine! I still officially claim that I have two left hands when it comes to any kind of DIY! But Wool and the Gang caters to all people with a passion for cosy knitwear - even to those who are happy with ready knit goods.

Wool and the Gang is above all known for its knitwear - it can be bought either ready made or as knit kits for talented hands. When I met Wool and the Gang during our visit to Heal's in London (thanks to the interiors community at{mine}), I heard their news about launching a new home collection and it's launched by now - they extended their collection with knitted cushions, pillows and a blanket.

I've been cuddling up with their knitted pillow for a while now and I can confirm that it has become my favorite sofa cuddle buddy - while I am working, watching a movie or simple cozying up with a good book and coffee. The pillow is super soft as it is made of a unique yarn that has been made from up-cycled t-shirt scraps.

Are you a talented knitter (unlike me)? Or do you prefer the ready-made version? Whatever version you opt for, one thing is for sure: it is super cosy and comfy. And you'll be part of the gang - Wool and the Gang.

Photography by Igor Josifovic, second image by Wool and the Gang

This post has been brought to you in collaboration with Wool and the Gang

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5 Happy Inspirations: Outdoors Goes Indoors

With the new monthly blog series 'Urban Jungle Bloggers' I am sharing my passion for the outdoors world that sometimes can be brought indoors in the form of little plant collections, flowers or windowsill gardens. This has been the guiding thought for today's selection of five goodies: They all bring the outdoors indoors. A bit of nature for your happy home if you want so. Let's have a closer look on what I've curated for you:

1. 'Into The Wild' wallpaper by Hibou Home: What a lovely wallpaper design, especially for a nursery or a even a little feature wall for the reading nook. It's like spending a time out there in the woods while gazing at this playful wallpaper design.

2. Joules Yellow Garden Boots by Garden XL: Here comes the ultimate fashion accessory for all you urban gardeners out there - now how fancy are these yellow and blue striped garden boots? Oh my, I wish I had a garden to jump around with these boots. I don't even care that they are marked as 'for women'. Oy!

3. Blue ocean cushion by Tye: The new Swedish online store boasts with beautiful, nature inspired home textiles. My absolute favorite is this blue ocean cushion. It brings the waves right onto your sofa!

4. 'Flower Child' art print by Clare Elsaesser via Etsy: How about a fresh bunch of flowers? If you couldn't make it to the flower market or your local supermarket, you can adorn your home's walls with this wonderful flower art print.

5. Linen wrapped pots by Terrain: If you are growing a little indoor or outdoor garden with potted plants, opt for these vintage looking pots. They look like they've been outside forever facing the ever changing weather caprices. 

So, will you bring some outdoors indoors in your home?

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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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Happily Ever After: Villka Hillka

It is an open secret that I have an issue with cushion. I have too many. Even my mum told me during her last visit: enough cushions! Well, luckily she left in the meantime and I got to play along with two new cuties - two adorable, handmade felt cushions by the German design label 'Villka Hillka'.

The creative mind behind the label 'Villka Hillka' is the designer Zuzana Hillenbach whose motto is to create with lots of love handmade homewares for a wonderful home. I would put it in my words and add wonderful and happy homes. Her portfolio encompasses selected furniture, poufs, rugs, lamps, accessories, a kid's line and cushions. 

I particularly love her handmade felt cushions. They are super soft, perfectly sewn and happily coloured. I mean, look at the pompom cushion - isn't that a happy eye-catcher for every bed or sofa? The softness of the felt cushions stems from the exquisite material chosen - every felt cushion is made of 100 % merino sheep wool. 

Check out the wonderful selection of 'Villka Hillka' HERE.

 

Happy Friday, folks!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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5 Happy Inspirations: Cushion Happiness

Nothing is as easy as adding a fresh, new vibe to your interior design. If you start with the simple trick of adding one or a few new cushions to your sofa or your bed, you will feel invigorated and inspired to spin on and recreate your home decor. I love cushions and I admit, I have way too many. But on the other hand cushions are the best, quickest and quite often the cheapest way of redesigning your home. Swap the cushion covers, add them to your sofa, now think of another little item to tie in the colour, shape or pattern of your cushion, put it on the coffee table, the wall or sideboard and voilà - you've recreated your home with just a few tweaks! Here are five happy cushion ideas to get you started:

1. For colour loving hearts, this Fine Little Day cushion will hit it off and underline your style.

2. Sometimes we all need a little reminder to be happy. Easy peasy with this great happy cushion by Yellow Velvet.

3. Lindsey Lang plays with retro inspired shapes and vibrant colours in this cushion. Combine it with one-coloured cushions to highlight the design.

4. Personalize your sofa by boldly stating your zodiac with Jonathan Adler's Zodiac Pillow. 

5. If your heart skips a beat when you think of neon hues, then opt for the new Ferm Living cushions. Dotted, with lines or little triangles - the range is great with pattern and (neon) colour. 

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Win A Suzani Cushion And Get Inspired

I have a soft spot for home textiles. And I certainly love traditionally produced and locally sourced pieces from around the world. Today I would like to take you to central Asia, to be precise to Uzbekistan, the home of traditional Suzanis and Ikats. 

The colourful designs, rich patterns, handmade embroideries add textures and interest to any home. Sometimes the bold designs and vivid colours could be scary, but don't be afraid, a Suzani or Ikat cushion could be blended into nearly every interior. Whether you go for a statement piece in a rather monochrome home (think of a white room, grey hues, black and white interiors) or you decide to go eclectic and bold like in the first two pictures by my fellow blogger and impeccable stylist Justina Blakeney, handmade Ikats and Suzanis from central Asia will definitely add interest to your home. 

A crucial fact when sourcing traditional textiles is its origin. I love to learn where the textile comes from, how it was sourced or produced. And I've found a great source for you: the Etsy shop Ikatsuzani. There you will find handmade pieces, new and vintage ones, all sourced from Uzbekistan. It can't get any more original. 

So my friends, be brave! Be playful! I'd like to give one of you the chance to try it in your very own home. Thanks to Ikatsuzani shop you can win the Suzani cushion cover as shown here. It's a Lumbar vintage Suzani that is hand-embroidered and rich in colours. All you have to do is visit the Ikatsuzani Etsy shop and leave a comment here under the blogpost telling me which piece is your personal favorite. 

The giveaway is open worldwide and runs till coming Thursday! Go for it, friends!

Photography: Coffee table and bedroom by Justina Blakeney, all other pictures via Ikatsuzani

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5 Happy Inspirations: Kilim Mania

I am suffering - of that interior decoration frenzy called 'kilim mania'. I feel like buying a vintage kilim rug and adding some more kilim cushions to the cutie I already own - see it here. So I was browsing some of my favorite sources for kilim goodies and here are five hotties I am flirting with these days.

1. I am in love with the colours of this striped kilim cushion.

2. Vibrant and truly vintage - a great statement rug by Orientina.

3. This Turkish kilim rug from the Antalya region was almost mine. I lost by a hair's breadth. 

4. and 5. These cheerful cushions are on top of my wish list. Is it long till Xmas?

Happy hump day!

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5 Happy Inspirations: Happy Algebra

Is it just a cliché or is it true that people who are more adept in arts, languages and the like are somewhat weak when it comes to mathematics and algebra? Well, I admit maths was not my favorite subject, indeed. Luckily, I've found the kind of algebra that works perfectly for me. The kind of algebra where you add one goody for your home, then another, plus yet another, and all that equals happiness for you and your home. Now don't you agree with me? Are you an advocate of 'happy algebra', too?

Today's algebra task was inspiring and rather easy: I started with a profound and happy basis aka retro double-seater by designer Alex Valder, I added a divine coffee pot by Kähler Design, enriched it with a limited edition cushion by Lucille Clerc via Cocoon Fabric Art and a porcelain platter by Liebe Shop, spiced it up with Helbak cups via Story North - and all that equals happiness. Lesson accomplished! Your turn!

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My Latest Buy: A Kilim Cushion

I have a problem. A serious problem. With cushions. I have too many. And, I keep buying them. Ok - any cure? I don't think so. Cushions are the best, most simple and most affordable way of redecorating your home, adding new accents, changing a style. For a very long time I have been looking around for the perfect little kilim cushion for my sofa. And after a long research I found the perfect one. I bought it on Ebay and it arrived today directly from Turkey. It is made of a vintage kilim rug with a plain cotton back. The colours are stunning - I love the combination of a soft mint green and dusky pink tied together with bold black. The pattern is amazing too and the vintage surface shows small imperfections which add character to this cutie. And all this in one cushion. For 20 bucks. This I call a happy Thursday!

Photo by Igor Josifovic

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Show Me Your Cushion...

...and I'll tell you who you are. Well, it is a funny assumption to reveal the personality of a person according to her or his cushion picks. 

Do you love unpretentious cushions in natural hues? Or do you fall for chunky, textured pieces? Bold patterned? Handwoven? Ethnic? Graphic? Colourful and playful? The selection is abounding and the choice can be rather tough. Luckily, cushions are the little pieces that are ideal for a seasonal or personal decoration change - after all you won't through out your sofa due to a deco maniac attack, right? With cushions you can add pop of colour to monochrome interiors, textures to sleek furniture or patterns to single-hued rooms. So who are you? A worldly explorer? A fiesta fan? A flower child or a daydreamer? Tell me, I am your 'cushion whisperer':-) 

Photography: Coffee sack pillow via Etsy; feather cushion via Story North; botanical cushion via H&M Home; Spear cushion by Ferm Living; map cushion via Etsy; kilim cushion via Etsy; madur grass cushion via Toast; Splash cushion via Fine Little Day; Trio cushion via Future & Found; Stairs cushion via Louise Roe.     

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