New Works: Objects Of Copenhagen

What happens when design craft mixes with art and comes to life in a country with a strong design heritage? New works obviously. Or better yet: New Works - Object of Copenhagen. Creative Director of New Works Knut Bendik Humlevik presented a brand new collection of design items at the last Stockholm Furniture and Light Fair featuring some beautiful and sculptural design pieces for contemporary homes.

New Works is a Copenhagen based design brand that unites design craft and art and interprets pieces for the modern home in the context of the rich design heritage of Denmark. They collaborate with different international renown designers and add a new notion to the highly appraised repertoire of Scandinavian design.

The new Bowl Table Lamp designed by Knut Bendik Humlevik himself is one of my favorites. The toned glass bowl surrounds the light bulb and emits a smoky light while sitting on a base of raw copper creating an interesting contrast of materials. Other interesting pieces include the Pi-No-Pi-No vases made of glass and wood as well as the sculptural Kizu Table Lamp combining marble and acrylic, the former designed by Maija Puiskari and Tuukka Tujula, the latter by Lars Tornøe.

Which piece could move in with you? I think my choice would be the Bowl Table Lamp.

Photography via New Works

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Buster + Punch Launches New Buster Bulb

Live with conviction - that is the motto of London based interiors brand Buster + Punch. Recently they opened their brand new showroom in London's Southwark borough showcasing their refined assortment of lighting, furniture and other limited editions. The new showroom reflects the brand's DNA - a Rock'n'Roll glam attitude with a wild passion for craftsmanship and perfect details.

In a few days Buster + Punch will launch the brand new LED Buster bulb and Heavy Metal light pendants - a sophisticated and unique LED bulb that comes in three finishings (gold, smoked, crystal) accompanied by a super cool pendant. The new Buster bulb is a glamorous piece and typical for Buster + Punch - it's daring, it's refined, it's long-lasting and with perfect finishings. Plus it is the first LED bulb that combines both, a warm ambient glow and a focused spot light.

Buster + Punch offers more than just lighting and furniture. Their Rock'n'Roll vibe is tangible in a motorcycle with beautiful brass finishing that is part of their collection as well as probably the best looking switches, dimmers and sockets ever in brushed steel, brass and black finishings. During the London Fashion Week they have even launched a limited fashion edition. More personal favorites comprise urban candlesticks that look like raw hardware and cool bracelets made of leather with brass and steel clips as well as the fantastic Hero Light.

Buster + Punch is actually way more than just an interiors brand. It is a lifestyle and a commitment - to a life with conviction!

We visited Buster + Punch in their new showroom as part of our recent Design Bloggers Tour to London.

Photography by Susanna Vento and Linda Elmin

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Light It Up!

There is one advantage of grey and gloomy days: You get to play along with all kind of light sources at home. And since it's a festive season too, you can unpack all your twinkling lights without the feeling of guilt to be childish.

In general I like to light up various source of light in my apartment (like my cool Bulbing light in my hallway, designed by Studio Cheha from Israel - I blogged about them HERE) - the main pendant lighting is only used when I need a full illumination of my apartment. But in winter time it's all about cocooning and cosiness at home. So light it up, put out your lights and get cosy this weekend - it's the last one before the holidays!

Happy weekend, friends!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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5 Happy Inspirations: An Autumn Shopping List

Autumn has stroke Munich - the mornings are misty, the days overcast, and the evenings foggy and cold. The changing of seasons always triggers a desire to change a few little things in my home, too. Today's five home accessories mirror my autumn feeling for the home - it is rustic, slightly industrial vibe counteracted by warm, fluffy textures in neutral hues and dusky blues. 

So my shopping wishlist for autumn has the following goodies on it:

1. House Doctor desk lamp via Design Vintage. 2. Copper pots by H. Skjalm P. 3. Fluffy cushion by milanari.com. 4. Vacuum jug in ocean blue by Stelton. 5. Botanical print by Wallography.

What's your pick for this autumn season? Happy autumn/fall!

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New Milk Lamp & Colour Crush

It is past midnight while I am typing this words and I am unnaturally late with my blogpost writing today. But the reason was quite fancy - I organized a little blogger meet-up for the local Munich blogger community and we had a great evening with food and drinks. So, this intro was necessary as I had two glasses of chilled rosé and hope to be clear and comprehensible in today's post:-) On this happy Friday I chose to share with you a new cutie that  has moved into my apartment: the fabulous 'Milk Lamp' designed by Norm Architects and manufactured and sold by &tradition.

I am in love with this lamp because it is simple and sophisticated at the same time. It is a well designed table lamp that carries the essence of Nordic design in its DNA. The simple lines, the combination of natural materials such as wood in combination with glass, the warmth of its light - all this makes this lamp a design masterpiece. I particularly love the dimmer as you can adjust the light and atmosphere according to your wishes.

I have placed my new Milk Lamp on the sideboard in my bedroom and have created a little vignette around it featuring my current colour crush - blue and grey. I love the two colours in combination and I've added two small ceramic houses by Bloomingville, a vase by House Doctor with some coloured ribbon in it and a lovely watercolour painting by Greek artist Fiona Zakka. 

I am pretty happy with this vignette. What do you think? Do you like it? What about the Milk Lamp?

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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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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Why This Room Caught My Eye

Tuesday candy for our interior design loving eyes - that's the purpose of my Tuesday series 'Why This Room Caught My Eye'. I was going through the various issues of my favorite Australian e-mag Est Magazine and got hooked by this dining nook. Here are the three reasons why this room caught my eye:

• Signature lighting: The industrial style, oversized wall lighting sets the tone in this dining nook. In combination with the tiled wall this lighting calls for a reduced, rather monochrome styling.
• Black & Wood Dining: The set of dining table and chairs in black with a wooden tabletop are the ideal counterparts for the lighting. I like the café style chairs as opposed to the raw metal table base.
• Floating storage: A little dose of quirk adds the perfect pinch of interest to this nook. The slightly irregular order as well as the use of dark blue shelves loosen up the raw industrial touch.

Anything you like in this room? Tell me!

Happy Tuesday!

Photography via Est Magazine

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5 Happy Inspirations: Style Finds For The Home

Can you believe there are just a few more days left before Christmas? Towards the end of the year the days seem to race and you finish this and accomplish that and suddenly it's Christmas. And before you're all done with the food feast and unwrapping your presents, it's New Year's Eve. And then a new year starts, new projects, new resolutions, new challenges. But hey, it seems I'm racing here, too. So let's slow it down a bit and wallow in the joyous pre-holidays season. And to sweeten the pot, I've curated five stylish finds for the festive home. 

1. The 'Surface Tension Lamp' by Swedish design group Front is a masterpiece of lightness and style. The bulbs resemble airy soap bubbles and add a sense of sophistication to the room. Love them clustered.

2. The bottle shaped candleholders by Peter van de Water look stunningly sleek on a sideboard or coffee table. 

3. A dash of festive glam for the home is just right during holidays. I love the Form Bowl Set by Tom Dixon.

4. How about a happy Christmas breakfast with homemade pancakes and yummy maple syrup? Yes. But I want the Old Field Farm maple syrup with the fab designy packaging. 

5. Cuddle up with your beloved one, this warm blanket by Country Road and a cup of hot cocoa and rejoice in the best present ever - more time for each other. 

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Why This Room Caught My Eye

Every Tuesday I am musing about a room that caught my eye. And this Tuesday is no exception. So I roamed the net and found a room that on the first sight probably lacks that flashy, catchy happiness factor, but still it kept my attention through its lived-in, cosy and very personal styling. It is a room to be. A room to live. Hence, I'd say it's happy after all! Here are three elements that caught my eye:

• Statement art piece: Opt for a personal art piece. Think of a photography that you've taken or a good friend. Nowadays you can even get your Instagrams on canvas (you remember this) so you can add a very personal statement to your room.
• Rough, linen bedspread: Go for a rough, crinkled linen bedspread in a muted hue to bring the calmness of the winter nature into your home. And the tactile feel is unrivaled. 
• Vintage lighting: How about sourcing some vintage desklamps on a flea market and transform them into sconces for your bedroom? A little touch of industrial style definitely accentuated this room and adds interest.

So, anything you liked here? Let me know!

Photography by Madeleine Söder for Sköna Hem

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Why This Room Caught My Eye

Tuesdays equal a room that caught my eye! And today's dining nook is such a happy place and so up my alley that I keep on asking myself why this isn't actually in my home. Anyway, I am pretty sure you will share my passion and happiness regarding this room, won't you? Here are three reasons that really caught my eye:

• Colourful cord & exposed bulb: A modern, cool and happy way to interpret lighting above a dining table. Opt for a big, round bulb and make a colour statement with a bright cord. This reminds me that I have to install my new colourful cord in my hallway...but I digress!
• Playful art: I am a real sucker for illustrative art. I keep on buying new illustrations although I am beyond the point of having space for them. But hey, illustrations can be easily exchanged from time to time and thus add a fresh flavour to your interiors. Love this playful and bold example in the pic!
• Black accents: I am absolutely attracted to the juxtaposition of the colourful elements to the black accents of the chairs, the rug and the cabinet as well as the black poster background.

What's your opinion about this room? Do you like it or is it too bold for you? I am curious!

Photography via Scandinavian Deko 

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5 Happy Inspirations: Little Treasures

Reinterpreting our homes is a sort of catharsis. Some kind of rebirth. Yes, a 'decor renaissance'. We change, accentuate, de-clutter, add details - and all of this is a visualization of our inner feelings. Ok, you might roll your eyes now and think 'why this psycho-crap'? I am just trying to decode the enigmatic force that ignites that restless drive to decorate our dwellings. After all, we are no superficial shopaholics remotely controlled by a vicious consume machinery, are we?

Think of your last decoration endeavour at home. What did you do? And what was the real driver of this undertaking? And trust me: it's never the first answer that comes to your mind! But enough said here, I could go this week with the following five treasures for a bit of home happiness:

1. The amazing vintage rug would be a real eye-catcher on a wooden floor. Seen on Artilleriet.

2. This fruit calendar from Anthropologie has to be mine. Love, love, love!

3. Pair a colourful lampshade with a differently coloured cord. Result: Visual happiness. On Coloured By you can customize your own design.

4. How about a handmade and fair trade Ghana basket? Seen on Baskets of Africa.

5. The happiest packaging tape ever - seen on Impressionen.

Happy hump day, friends!

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Ideas For A Happy Weekend

Hello friends! Easter holidays have kicked in in Germany so I just wanted to wish you all happy holidays & a happy weekend! I will spend this weekend with a dear friend from Paris, we will catch up, talk about life, love, work, art and enjoy a quite and relaxed weekend in Munich. In order to be a good host, I will take a mini break and see you back on Tuesday! Oh and don't forget, live a colourful life! 

Photography: Circus lights via Lola & Clive; print via Oh So Beautiful Paper

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5 Happy Inspirations: Pendant Lights

I think it is no interior design secret that good lighting is a prerequisite to style. Without adequate light or with the wrong light, a room won't have a pleasant atmosphere regardless of how beautifully the rest is styled. Luckily, today we have the choice of a big variety of light solutions to accentuate our interiors. Sophisticated rooms tend to have soft pools of light coming from multiple sources. Consider table lamps, floor lamps, sconces and pendant lights, think of exposed bulbs, quirky lamp shades, wooden solutions, enamel, metal, paper designs. 

So, for today's '5 Happy Inspirations' I've compiled five really inspiring pendant light examples to revive our lighting ideas and maybe trigger some inspiration for our own homes. Do you have a favorite?

Photography: 1 via Designboom; 2 via Coco Flip; 3 via Muuto; 4 via Dottir & Sonur; 5 via This Is A Design Blog.

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Happily Ever After: Tim Webber Design

Today's 'Happily Ever After' blog post is dedicated to a talented New Zealander: Tim Webber. You know I am in Germany and now I am about to present the work of Tim Webber, a designer from Kiwi country. 'How come' you might ask? Well, it's all courtesy of Twitter and my New Zealand based blogger friend Michelle Weir who featured some of Tim Webber Design's work on her blog. Ever since I got in touch with Tim Webber on Twitter and recently he sent me the link with these amazingly happy and cheerful designs. From the first glance I knew: This has to go onto Happy Interior Blog. And here it is. 

What I love about Tim's designs? He manages to transform mundane pieces like stools or lighting into unique design gems. His work is simultaneously sleek and simple yet happy and personal. Do I need to mention that I love the vibrant dashes of colour on his designs? I would love to have those tall stools in my kitchen, the 'Strip Lamp' with the colourful cable on my desk and one of those cheerful 'Tri-Ample Pendants' in a reading nook. What do you think about his designs?

Photography by Simeon Patience via Tim Webber Design

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