The 10 Winners Of Association of German Furniture Industry Global Photography Contest

Sponsored by the German Furniture Industry:

What does #beingathome mean to you? This is the question that formed the basis of an exciting global photography contest held by the Association of German Furniture between 5 - 18 August, 2019. Contestants were asked to submit photographs that depict their favourite place in the home, across ten categories as part of the #zuhausesein / #beingathome initiative. A total of 232 entries were received from 19 countries as far and wide as India, Switzerland and South Africa!

It was an honour to be a part of the jury, and so inspiring to see so many beautiful entries, thank you so much for taking the time to enter!   

Here are the 10 winning photographs: 

1. Outdoor Living

Winner: Silvia Ferrando, Italy 

Copyright / Instagram: Silvia Ferrando @illumino_home_ideas

Category prize: SK 07 Ritual bowl: designed by Stefan Knopp for JANUA

2. Tiny Spaces

Winner: Karst Rauhé, Netherlands

Copyright / Instagram: Karst Rauhé / @krrrrst

Prize: Super Light by Bordbar

3. The Hallway

Winner: Agata Dimmich, Italy

Copyright / Instagram: Agata Dimmich / @passion_shake

Prize: LINE coat rack by Schönbuch

4. Kitchen Lover

Winner: Mike Klar, Germany

Copyright / Instagram: Mike Klar / Mensur Liang, homemade studio / @herrklar

Prize: Fabella light designed by Laura Straßer for Caussa

5. Relaxed Sleeping

Winner: Anastasia Benko, Germany

Copyright / Instagram: Anastasia Benko / @stilzitat

Prize: Pfeife Night Stand designed by Vitamin Design

6. The Living Room

Winner: Roger Lemoyne, Canada

Copyright / Instagram: Roger Lemoyne / @rogerlemoyne

Prize: Rolf Benz 953 footstool / Rolf Benz

7. The Bathroom

Winner: Alex Schälar, Germany

Copyright / Instagram: Alex Schälar @dieartige

Prize: L-Cube shelf element / Duravit AG

8. Living with Children

Winner: Elizabeth Barrett, USA

Copyright / Instagram: Elizabeth Barrett & Kristen Fiore / @kristenelizabethdesign

Prize: Birdy stool from Hülsta 

9. Working at Home

Winner: Vicson Chan Chua, Philippines

Copyright / Instagram: Vicson Chan Chua / @neonvixx

Prize: Cantilever chair / Tojo Möbel GmbH

10. Other Forms of Living

Winner: Pepper Schmidt, Germany

Copyright / Instagram: Pepper Schmidt / @heimatbaum

Prize: S18 side table / Thonet

A huge congratulations to all the winners!  We feel they really captured the essence of #zuhausesein / #beingathome.

In addition to a piece of furniture from a German furniture manufacturer, the winners can look forward to: 

• Integration of your picture in the photo exhibition at IMM Cologne 2020
• Integration of your picture in the German Design Book 2020
• Two tickets and one overnight stay to IMM Cologne 2020 (the VDM will provide a travel allowance of up to €500. The winner is responsible for making the booking which will be refunded by the VDM).

You can find out more information about the #zuhausesein / #beingathome initiative on this website as well as on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Niki

This post is sponsored by the Association of the German Furniture Industry - however, all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too.

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A Pared-back, Warm Family Home With Handcrafted Pieces

Why, hello there! Any plans to celebrate lil lördag (little Saturday) in style? Maybe this home tour will set you on the right path! Schirin lives in an old house dating back to 1928, in Bremen, North Germany with her husband Thomas and their two children Mattis (8) and Karlotta (4). Schirin works for a non-profit organisation by day - and at night pens Schmasonnen, a blog focusing on sustainable interiors. When Schirin and Thomas first bought their house over 7 years ago it was incredibly run down and in major need of repair. The duo set about renovating the property with a sustainable mindset, being careful to retain the original details. Today, the family enjoy a pared-back home which exudes warmth thanks to the abundance of natural materials, handcrafted pieces (Schirin and Thomas designed and built the kitchen table, shelving unit and children's climbing frame among other things! yep, I know!) and vintage finds. Step this way for the tour! 

There are so many pieces to love in Schirin's sitting room including: Nomad chair, Hay sofa, Kristina Dam table. I also love the woodturning stove tucked into the corner of the room - such a cosy touch in wintertime! 

Schirin and Thomas built the shelves (try Tylko for similar), Stockholm 2017 coffee table, Kristina Krogh print and Louis Poulsen Panthella lamp*. 

Schirin designed the climbing frame and slide, and Thomas, who is an engineer for wood technology, built it. Oh, how I'd have loved this when I was little! Lilla Gunga sells wonderful wooden indoor toys like this (Allie has the gymnastics rings in her bedroom and absolutely loves them!). 

Feeling very inspired by Schirin and Thomas's home - not least because of all the handmade pieces! 

Do you have any handmade pieces in your home? If so, I'd love to hear more about them! 

You can see more snapshots from Schirin's lovely Bremen home on her blog and instragram: @schmasonnen. 

Looking through the archives, this is actually the first time I've featured a home from Bremen (I'm guessing this won't be the last time, though!). But there are a load of other lovely homes from Northern Germany to drool over, including an inviting family home in a small village,  a charming home in kassel, North Germany and a playful home that will put a smile on your face! 

Have a wonderful day friends!

Niki

Photography: Schirin / Schmasonnen shared with kind permission

*affiliate links

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Feel Inspired By a Delightful Colourful Family Home

Eva Kaiser's home has been on my radar for a while now. When I first spotted it on Instagram I assumed it was Danish, since the Danes are doing wonderful things with colours right now. But then I bumped into Eva at Formland design fair and we chatted about her life on an old farm in Northern Germany with her husband, three sons, two dogs and seven Icelandic horses. I was so curious to hear more about the family's recent move across Germany, what it has been like to work with a blank canvas and how she combines colour in her beautiful home. Read on to feel inspired! 

I understand you and your family recently relocated; can you tell us more about your move?

Well, it was the most exciting change of my life. We didn't just relocate, we started a completely new life with our three children. Before, we lived in the South of Germany in Karlsruhe in a beautiful house that we renovated 8 years ago. But one day my husband and I asked ourselves if it was the place we could see ourselves growing old in - and it wasn't.

We had a dream, but we didn't know how it would look in detail. Two years ago, we were on holiday and found that we loved to live with our horses (we own Icelandic horses) but also that we were looking for a challenge. So, we were looking for something that would give our life new meaning. 

We found this beautiful place where we live now, and it took all our courage to sell everything we owned in the South and move away. It was the most difficult - and best decision I've ever made. Within one year we completely changed our lives and now we feel the rewards: we are so happy here, it felt like home in an instant. We are very lucky that my husband and I are both self-employed but nevertheless it took a lot to make the move! 

What was the best thing about having a blank canvas to play with? 

What a question! So difficult to answer! For me, it's been really hard to work with a blank canvas. I've had to make many decisions within a short space of time before we moved in. I was also not completely free to choose colours since there were already some colours present in the house - such as the old terrazzo floor. To be honest, it has been so hard to decorate and finish our new home and it's far from being finished. I've moved many times, but it has never taken me so long to make decisions! You really have to take care to strike a balance between not rushing and yet still moving forwards. That's not easy and you have to allow yourself to make mistakes. I've made many - I can tell you! 

Utzon pendant light 

Shuffle table

Flower pot pendant light*, Grand Prix chair, Eames chairs*, Mayor AJ6 sofa, tiles from Mosaic Factory

Are there any tricks you use to combine colours?

My favourite trick is to remember your first idea and remind yourself of it after you make your mood boards and have thought about it night after night. Your first, instinctive idea is usually the best. Another trick is to take a magazine and cut out all the colours you love. It doesn't matter if it's a picture or an advert. Or select shades from colour samples from paint producers. once you have picked out all the colours you love, you'll start to notice the same colours appearing. Play around with these colours and create a mood board or just allow them to come together randomly. It's a really fun and creative process. 

How do you find the perfect wall colour?

This is the most difficult thing for me because I always have a really specific colour in mind and I always try to perfectly match it. My partner in crime is Kolorat - a local paint company. They offer bespoke samples. After receiving these, I hope to have the perfect match and test it on every wall. 

Your home is full of interesting furniture and accessories, where do you find them?

Everywhere. I'm always keeping my eyes open. I find pieces at flea markets, on my travels and find inspiration online. 

When I first saw your home, I thought it was Danish, are you inspired by Danish design?

Yes, I am! I love the way Danish people play with colours and the creativity and ease with which they move away from the mainstream interior. But I always try to find my own way and hope to stay unique! 

What's next?

Our home is far from finished. Art is very important to me and we have a wonderful collection of paintings that are waiting to be hung on the walls. 

Hay Star Throw, wardrobe from Reform CPH

I understand you work within the world of interiors?

Yes, I offer workshops around the topic of colourful living and I also produce and sell homeware including cute colourful cushions from second-hand fabric and recycled yarn. You can also stay at our farm in a small holiday cottage that I have just finished furnishing (you're welcome to contact me directly for bookings)! 

As soon as we can move around a little more, I know where my stop will be! Thank you so much for telling us more about your renovation Eva! 

What do you think? Are you also feeling inspired by these beautiful colours? 

Is there anything that stood out to you?

See more pictures of Eva's incredible home over at @lumikello_ and on her blog www.lumikello.de. 

For more lovely colour inspiration today check out: 

A fabulous Danish home in a plethora of colours

Home tour: how to add colour the Danish way

Lessons to learn from a colourful yet calm Norwegian home

So friends, that's it from me today. I hope this home tour has offered wonderful bubble of respite from all that's happening right now! 

Have a lovely sunny day! 

Niki

Photography: Eva Kaiser, shared with kind permission

This post contains a few affiliate links marked with * which means that if you click through and buy something, I might make a very tiny amount of money. 

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Layering Up My Bedroom For a Super Cosy Autumn!

Sponsored:

Borta bra, hemma bäst. I'm not sure if you're familiar with this Swedish saying which means 'away is good but home is best' (or 'there's no place like home'). And I have to admit it was soooo nice to be home again after the summer holidays. Don't get me wrong, I loved our little family adventure, but it was BLISS to be back in my own bed! Do you find this too? Admittedly, it helped that I've also given our bedroom a heavenly revamp with the new Granit premium collection. I'd never want to will away the rest of summer, BUT the collection is an absolute DREAM and perfect for Autumn! It's made up of layers of super soft bedsheets, blankets, pillows and curtains in five muted, earthy tones inspired by nature: sand, shell, clay, stone and soil. I also love that every piece been made using super soft, high quality materials including 100% organic cotton dyed with OEKO-TEX certified colours and 100% European Flax Linen, velvet and corduroy. And the collection is designed to work harmoniously together to create a restful and relaxing space. Bring on the chill! 

Our bed is layered with duvet covers in clay and soil and a mountain of cosy pillows in clay, soil and cotton rib stone. 

This corner of our bedroom is a little like a mini living room - and one of the few places you can actually escape the rest of the clan - needless to say, it's one of my favourite spots in the house! I added linen curtains in shell which slip in a soft light for a really calm feel. 

I've always had a bit of a thing for velvet, especially with - dare I say it - the weather starting to turn colder! These three pillows are in soil, clay and shell tones. 

And finally, this is the cotton rib blanket I was talking about.  I chose the sand which I really love as it goes with absolutely everything in our home - and I do love to move blankets around depending on where we're cosying up!

What do you think? 

I was particularly excited that the collection matched the existing colours in my bedroom so perfectly  - I love it when a plan comes together! But since the tones are earthy, they'd seriously look good in any space. 

Granit's first ever premium collection will be available throughout Europe online at granit.com from 15th August and in selected stores including Münster; Germany, Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö and Helsinki from 22nd August. Note, the bedding will be available in Scandinavian measurements only. If you're a Granit community member, you can look forward to a pre-launch in the next few days! 

Oh yes, in addition to the textiles, Granit has developed an indoor paint in collaboration with Byggfabriken that will be available in five organic colours that directly match the new premium collection! The Auro paint is completely organic, plastic-free and non-toxic. The paint will be available at Byggfabriken in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö, and you'll be able to pick up colour samples in Granit stores. Auro in Germany can also mix the colours upon request. 

I can't wait to pick up the samples - I'm thinking of revamp Liv's bedroom. Don't tell Per, he's still recovering from the kitchen renovation....    

In the meantime, if anyone's looking for my entire family, we'll no doubt be right here feeling restful and relaxed in my newly revamped bedroom! 

Niki

This is a paid partnership with Granit, however all words and pictures are my own and I only ever work with brands that I love and think you will too! 

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A Warm and Inviting City Apartment For a Rescue Dog and Her Owners

Hi there kompisar! Scrolling through my instagram this weekend (as you do); I struck upon this dining room shot from the feed of Johanna Brüggemann, and it stopped me in my tracks. After a little messaging, I discovered that Johanna is founder of Studio Gingko - a digital creation agency, and lives with her husband and Spanish rescue dog Elli in Kiel, Germany. A quick google maps route finder search tells me that Johanna's home is a mere 4 hour's drive from where I live in Malmö, Sweden - which might account for the touch of Scandi (I'm seeing so many fab Scandi design pieces!). But let's not kid anyone here, Elli totally steals the show - I love that she's made herself completely at home in almost every corner of the home. Perfect Monday vibes!

In Spring and summer, the family head to their allotment cottage nearby. 

Such a lovely relaxed, vibe. Thank you Elli (and Johanna) for showing us how to do Monday in style!

Quick lamp round up as there are so many statement ones here: 

Dining table lamp: Zappy Lamp, Schneid

Kitchen lamp: Octo 

Sitting room: Vertigo

Were there any details in particular that stood out to you? 

A few other homes from north Germany today: 

A pared-back, yet warm family home with handcrafted pieces

Snapshots from the dreamy home of a ceramicist

An inviting family home with warm pools of sunlight

Have a great start to the week! 

Niki

PS So many exciting things have been happening at our tiny cabin this weekend. We now have a bed (with lots of storage underneath)! You can see a very short film about it here! 

Photography: Johanna Brüggemann, shared with kind permission. 

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