5 Happy Inspirations: The Blogger Wishlist

Today's '5 Happy Inspirations' come as a blogger wishlist. To be precise: as my blogger wishlist. The idea was triggered by a blogger competition organized by the German community 'So leb ich' (literally: That's how I live) for everyone loving homes and interiors. They are celebrating the 'six months-versary' of their shopping section which rounds-up some of Germany's finest design online stores. Bloggers were asked to pick five favorite pieces and at the end of the competition seven lucky bloggers will win one of their chosen goodies. Well, you don't have to tell me twice - here are my '5 Happy Inspirations' from the 'So leb ich' shopping section:

1. The Ferm Living cushion is one of my all-time favorites - loving the colours and the graphic design.

2. The absolute classic: The Eames DSW chair in black by Vitra. Sigh. Just sigh.

3. I would be as happy as a pear if I had the Enzo Mari illustration 'Due, la pera' in my home!

4. I fell in love with the Mañana lamp by Design House Stockholm during my Sweden trip in March!

5. There is no happier hanger in the world than Eames' 'Hang it all' by Vitra. A must for a happy home!

Now fingers crossed that I am one of the lucky winners! Happy hump day, folks!

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Summer In The Kitchen

With the rising temperatures outside I am getting all into the summer mood. Now the best thing with interior design and decoration is that you can recreate your home according to your mood or season. So why not season up your kitchen with a few summer details - depending on the budget this can go from big to small. With a well-stocked wallet you can bring an all-year summer fell to your kitchen with this happy Smeg fridge. Yes, a long time wish on my list! Way more reasonable are the new kitchen stools from Ikea's PS collection. And for the smallest budgets just go with little details such as these lovely tumblers by Zara Home or the happy green linen tablecloth from H&M Home. And when we think of kitchen we should also think of the food we eat - so why not be creative and healthy by cooking fresh & easy as suggested in this cookbook as seen on Anthropologie? A happy cuisine summer!

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From Place To Space: Salzburg

Two weeks ago I spent an adorable weekend in Salzburg. Some of you know that I was born in Austria, but up to now I had not the opportunity to properly visit one of Austria's most popular touristic destinations. The city of Mozart. The city of 'The Sound of Music'. Salzburg.

A perfectly overcast afternoon set the dramatic scenery for Salzburg's beautiful old town featuring some amazing sights: The famous street Getreidegasse is the main commercial thoroughfare in the old town with must-sees like Mozart's birth house and the famous Café Mozart. Don't miss the side alleys though - they feature some beautiful courtyards and somewhat more serene cafés for a little break. A visit to the ciy's castle, the 'Hohensalzburg', is compulsory and you will be rewarded with a beautiful panoramic view over this alpine city. Moreover, stroll through the beautiful park 'Mirabellgarten' and enjoy the feast of colours and the adjacent castle 'Mirabell'. For the 'hop on, hop off' fans among you, I recommend the 'Sound of Music' double decker tour bus. Discovering the city's sights and sounds can be as easy and comfy. 

Speaking of 'The Sound of Music' I always love to state one fun fact. As someone who was born in Austria, I haven't heard of this movie and musical until a few years ago. It was completely unknown to me and to a wide scope of the Austrian population. The immense popularity and success of the movie and musical happened mainly in the US and other countries. And that is how I got into it - through my international friends. Well, it is always funny to see a country's clichés from another perspective - as someone who was born and raised in Austria. 

Salzburg features many cultural institutions, theaters, museums, and a widely known summer festival and the nearby mountains and lakes offer scenic hiking trails to enjoy the nature. So, if you happen to plan a visit to central Europe, don't miss a little detour to Salzburg. It is definitely worth a visit. And if you are a sweet tooth, don't forget to bring a box of the famous Mozart chocolate balls (Mozartkugeln) back home.

Happy Monday!

Photography by Igor Josifovic; poster via Movieposter.

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Ideas For A Happy Weekend

Finally, the weekend is here and it's time to accomplish at least one creative or fun weekend project. How about some vintage love for your home? Have you ever thought of checking those old boxes in the basement, on the attic, under the bed, to rummage around some old stuff at your parents' or grandparents' house? Actually, that is something I will do this weekend. I am off to my mother's place in  Austria and I will have a more thorough look on all those old but so beloved things that remind me of my childhood. You know, those things you hated as a kid and now, as an adult, they seem like precious souvenirs from a past time or simply - a little bit of vintage love for our homes today. Have a happy weekend, friends!

Photography via Old Brand New Blog

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Happily Ever After: Introducing 'Presive'

Up to now I've usually presented stylists, interior designers and photographers in this Friday blog series. Today, I am introducing an online platform/shop named 'Presive' to you. I got in touch with one of the founders on Twitter and Facebook and we caught up in a chat where he explained the reason why Presive was born. And I really liked the idea. So here it is!

Presive is a Barcelona based project and founded by three smart minds who immersed in the Catalan design scene, finding the struggles of the average designer to be incredibly tough. The designers they had met had difficulties finding customers outside their area, and were battling in an industry that favors distributors not designers. Thus, local and good design is hardly ever accessible to a wider audience. In order to change this challenging situation, Presive was brought to existence.

The team of Presive believes that behind every authentic product there is a person and a story. However, gaining access to the millions of showrooms, galleries and websites around the world is difficult. This is where they come in - they work directly with designers to bring their products to the forefront, making them available for a limited time on their site. This keeps the online store fresh and allows designers to grow their business organically and sustainably. A great idea, isn't it?

I've picked a few favorites for you - most of them are on sale now, some will be featured soon! Check it out here. Happy Friday!

Photography via Presive

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Summer Idea: Southwest Ranch Escape

Summer is almost here and I am daydreaming about new travels and adventures. This time I am coveting a southwest ranch escape. A lot of wood, Navajo patterns, vibrant colours and an open shower under the hot sun. Add all this to a fresh breeze through the home and an ice cold Mojito in my hand on the ranch's porch. Now tell me this is not a fab idea for a summer escape?

Photography: Home via Marie Claire Maison; blankets via Pinterest; tablecloth via Mira Qué Chulo; Navajo bucket bag via Etsy.

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Book Review: Marrakesh By Design

Decorative tiles, oriental patterns, rich textures, vibrant colours - close your eyes and imagine yourself in the sumptuous city of Marrakesh. A dream of 1001 nights comes true when you open the inspiring book of one of the absolute experts of Moroccan style, Maryam Montague of MyMarrakesh.com. As a blogger I am totally excited to read another book that roots in an adorable blog and as an online friend of Maryam I am beyond honoured to call this gem mine and add it to my collection of interior design reads. 

What is it about Moroccan style that keeps enchanting us through times? Maryam puts it eloquently: "Moroccan style is attainable yet exotic, practical yet mysterious, and a little splash of it goes a long, long way." And believe me, there is so much more to this style then just oriental tiles and wedding blankets. This books opens the gates to a magical and creative approach to interior design on 250 pages. And Maryam makes it more than easy and enthralling to follow her along. 

The book is structured into three main parts: Discovering Moroccan Style, Living Moroccan Style, and Sourcing Moroccan Style. Hence, the reader get a full scope of understanding this peculiar and so acclaimed style. First we learn what defines this style, then we accompany Maryam through each room of a home and learn tricks and tweaks on how to add that 'oriental spice' to every home, and last but not least  we get hands-on tips for buying Moroccan goodies. And the bargaining? You better train that at home before your next visit to Morocco!

What I love about this book apart from its very smart content structure are its rich and amazing photographies. With Maryam's words and pictures you can grasp the essence of Moroccan style no matter where you are. Prepare yourself a Moroccan mint tea for the full experience (yes, Maryam also gives us the recipe to this traditional refreshment in her book) and be prepared for a dream-like voyage to Marrakesh. Now I feel like I would love to have one of those flying rugs to head off to Maryam's Peacock Pavilions and go for an interior decoration shopping spree with her to Marrakesh's souks. The book is now available on Amazon and a must-read for anyone loving interior design and decoration!

Photography by Igor Josifovic from the book 'Marrakesh By Design'

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