Igor's Happy, Plant-filled Space

Tjena! It's been great to get to know other bloggers over the years. I can go a little stir crazy at home day in day out by myself sometimes and these guys have become an amazing support network. We often get together in person or online to share ideas (and have a laugh). A few months back I met Igor Josifovic (such a great guy!) - creator of the hugely popular Happy Interior Blog and co-author of the best selling book Urban Jungle. Igor recently moved apartments in Munich and has set about turning his new place into one happy home too. I caught up with him earlier this week to find out more about his home and love of all things green (and blue!).




How would you describe your style?
I would say it is a very personal style above all full with details and hints about my character, my interests, my passions. I like to describe it as an eclectic bohemian mix of vintage and contemporary items with a nod to timeless Scandinavian design.




Would you say you are quite thrifty?
I think so as I really enjoy thrifting and finding items for the home with a previous life. But I love to combine - I like to match vintage finds with new items for a more contemporary look.








Where did your love of plants come from?
I think it is something that reaches back to my childhood when my mum had lots of plants in our home. In general I love the nature and anything natural so plants are an obvious obsession. And I enjoy the fact that you can bring in a bit of nature into your home with houseplants. A home without plants feels utterly void to me.



Do you have a favourite plant?
Oh this is like asking a parent if they have a favorite child haha. They are all special and unique in their way and I love them all. I tend to have some inclinations to certain plants or plant families from time to time though. Currently I enjoy my Staghorn fern with its lush and crazy foliage as well as my tropical Philodendron Red Emerald.






Do you have any tips for anyone looking to start their own urban jungle (or simply introducing more plants to their home?
Tip number one is our book Urban Jungle - Living and Styling with Plants. Together with my Urban Jungle Bloggers friend and co-founder Judith I wrote this book for anyone looking to introduce more plants into their homes and lives. I also encourage people to go step by step and refrain from trendy impulse shopping. Give it some thought and inform yourself about the plant in order to keep it happy and thriving and avoid any disappointments. After all a plant is a living thing too and it is great if we manage to keep them alive, right?!






I love the deep blue hues in your home, do you have a go-to paint colour?
I tend to look at the hues offered by Farrow & Ball as well as Kolorat, a young and up-and-coming German paint label. I have opted for two blue hues from Kolorat in my new apartment and I love them - the paint codes are K/74-46-10-59/T in the bedroom (dark blue) and in the kitchen and hallway (medium blue).




All photography: Igor Josifovic / Happy Interior Blog


GET THE LOOK


1. Antique Persian Area Rug
2. Wooden Monkey
3. KALLAX Shelf Unit
4. Velvet Cushion Cover
5. Cotton Velvet Cushion Cover
6. Bommel Korb
7. String Pocket
8. 3-Sitzer Tom Sofa
9. Cotton Tablecloth
10. Rattan Basket Square
11. Kissenhülle T-Bamboo
12. Tabouret pliable
13. Korb • RAUTEN
14. State of Independence
15. Tropical Green Rug
16. Bølling Tray Table

Thanks so much for showing us around your home Igor!

You can follow his latest renovations and projects over on his blog and instagram - and find more urban jungle inspiration in his wonderful best selling book here.

Have a lovely day!

PS I'd love it if you have the time to pop into my blog survey - it only take a few minutes to complete and it would be really helpful to find out your thoughts on My Scandinavian Home and ways I can improve it. As a thank you I'm giving away three signed copies of my Lagom book too!

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Going up in 2018: indoor climbing plants

After yesterday's awe-inspiring home tour, all I can think about today is house plants. And if there's one type to top all others right now, it's climbers. Climbing plants seem to be taking over the plant world (and homes) right now! Whether used to frame a window, wrap themselves around ceiling beams or winding their way up shelving, the green beauties provide a lush boost of green which will brighten up the dreariest of January days (I'm in, are you?!). Here's a little inspiration...

Michelle Hayes

Indoor living plants MR Kitly

Anders Bergstedt / Entrance

Natalie Jeffcott

Jonas Bjerre Poulsen / Höst restaurant Copenhagen

Kara Healy

So beautiful, don't you think? If, like me, you're already plotting where your climber should go (my home is suddenly feeling decidedly ungreen), here are 5 great climbers and two inspiring books to set you on the right path...

Get the look

Urban Jungle: Living and Styling with Plants
The Green Home

Training your climber

So we kind of know which plant and where to put it, but how on earth do we train them to go where we want them to go (and stop our house from becoming a scene out of Little Shop of Horrors)?! The methods vary depending on the type of plant - so do ask about the best way to train and care for your climber at the point of purchase. When it comes to support, you can either train your plant around whatever's already in place (pipes, beams etc) or invest in a trellis of some kind (there is a large variety of different supports you can use depending on the look you're after) - here's a helpful guide. My parents-in-law have had one as long as I can remember and they simply use evenly spaced tacks around the window frame - so it definitely doesn't need to be complicated!

I'd love to see your climber in action (don't forget to tag me on Instagram too!).

Have a great weekend and see you Monday! 

PS I love how this climber goes up and around a door frame!

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My home: garden updates with Ryobi One+ System

What does your outdoor space look like? We have a small but cosy backyard, which after a little work has become our very own outdoor oasis. It still requires a little TLC here and there - for example last weekend we sanded down the table and made a new plant box out of an old discarded palette (link to tutorial below!). It's amazing what you can do with an old palette and Ryobi tools! For those of you not familiar with the company, Ryobi specialises in cordless tools, specifically the ONE+ System with which you can power over 50 tools with the same battery, which is super convenient (and they're sooo easy to use). The day turned out to be really therepeutic (who would have thought DIY could be so mindful?!) - and most importantly had so much fun! Oh and now we have a beautiful table and plant box too! Hope you like it! #feelingempowered.

1. The sanding

2. Our new plant box made from a disused palette (using a jigsaw and drill). 

Photography: Niki & Per Brantmark / My Scandinavian Home

You can see a great tutorial on how to make a similar plant box here. 

For now we've loaded the box with pretty heather (I love the autumn colours) but come spring, we'll be starting the new vegetable patch (inspired by the The Rurbanite)- wish us luck!

A quick guide to where other things are from: the garden table, chairs and candle holder are from ILVA,  plates and cutlery from Nordal, blanket from The Beach House.

Have a lovely day!

This post was sponsored by Ryobi. However, all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and trust and feel you will to. Thank you for supporting the sponsors who help me to create fresh and exciting content here on My Scandinavian Home!....And thank you Ryobi for my amazing new power tools!

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A White Swedish Home With An Intriguing Hanging Plant!

It's Friday - tjho-hooo! I was hoping too slope off early, after all, it's POETS day - but then I remembered I've got to write an entire article for a magazine by 4pm - eeeeeeek! How did I forget about that?!  More details to follow (if I get round to finishing the piece, that is!). No matter how busy (or disorganised) you know I'd never leave you without a beautiful home tour to enjoy over the weekend though. So I'm nipping in to share this beauty with you. The 89 metre square (957 feet square) apartment is located in the heart of Linnéstaden, Gothenburg and it's waiting for one very lucky person to move in! Think period features, white washed walls, she fabulous furniture and one very intriguing hanging plant!

Menu Carrie lamp*, Source beautiful custom made rustic tables and benches like this here*. 

Vertigo pendant light*

Asplund Palais table

Grey linen bedding*, I'm having a total mental block on the lovely table lamp - help! 

What do you think, could you imagine living here?!

I'm fascinated by the plant arrangement over the bed, I think I might have to explore this more over the weekend - how does it work do you think?! Is it actually a living plant, or cuttings? If real, how would you water it? Questions, questions! It does look pretty fab!

I must say, it feels great to end the week with a Swedish home - especially after I was lamenting only yesterday about heading off somewhere warmer (admittedly I am still dreaming about the waterside cabin in Australia!). Sweden, this is proof that I do love you really - rain or shine!

I hope you found this week on My Scandinavian Home as inspiring as I did.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Niki

Photography: Anders Bergstedt, styling Nouvel Interiör for Entrance 

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Wednesday DIY - simple cluster pendant lamp from IKEA

If you're looking for a new project to start 2012, how about this light? All you need is several IKEA SKURER plant pots and a few electrical cords. Drill a hole in the bottom of each plant pot and voila! A cluster pendent light like the one below! Thank you Plaza Interiors, for the inspiration. 

Plaza Interiors Blog

The beauty of this light is that you can also just make one or two to hang over a table. Or if you prefer the more colourful approach you could also choose a coloured flex or spray paint the plant pots. Personally I love the simple nature of the white design above. Happy DIY! Oh and if you make one, don't forget to share it with us!

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3

A Relaxed Artist's Home Full of Plants

I started the week 'keeping it real' with a relaxed Copenhagen home, and thanks to the wonderful response (I've loved reading all your comments!), I thought I'd end in the same vein. In my mind, nothing brings a home to life quite like pets (and people of course, but today it's all about the furry friends!), throw in plants and a load of sunlight and you're really onto something. Artist Laura Agustí shares her 'urban jungle' in the heart of Barcelona with her cat Oye and Fox Terrier - Gos D'atura mix, Crasti. A self-confessed 'plant addict', Laura has filled her home with over 100 plants which thrive in the mediterranean sunlight. Art also adorns the walls. In the mornings, Laura throws open the balcony door to create a wonderful airy environment in which to live and work. Welcome to Laura's relaxed world! 

What a gorgeous space. I can practically feel the warmth from the Barcelona sun (well needed in a very grey Southern Sweden today!). 

I love the presence of her furry flatmates Oye and Crasti too!

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

If you have a moment, hop over to Laura's instagram to discover her art and more inspiring shots of her home (as well as hundreds of plants!). 

On the subject of plants: I'm proud to say I've turned over a new leaf (see what I did there?) and am taking way better care of my greenery.  And I'm proud to say they're actually starting to thrive! I might be getting ahead of myself here, but I was even thinking of investing in some form of indoor tree.... although I'm guessing this might require a whole other level of care! Gulp. Should I take the plunge?

If, like me, you love an 'urban jungle' - here's a little more plant inspiration:  

At home with the Arctic gardener

Igor's happy plant-filled home

A white Swedish home filled with plants

And a little know-how: 

The ultimate guide to hanging plants

Indoor climbing plants

Watering cans at the ready! 

Have a great weekend friends, see you Monday!

Niki

PS I hope my posts have provided a little escape for those feeling anxious over the election in the US this week. We're even on the edge of our seats in Sweden! 

Photography: Laura Agustí

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