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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A Bright And Airy Paris Loft

Looking at the home of interior designer Marika Chaumet, you'd be forgiven for thinking it's somewhere tropical. But the predominantly white loft is actually located in the heart of Paris! Talk about an oasis! Marika has kept the space fairly minimalist and added interest through a combination of textures such as concrete, wood, rattan, metal and sheepskin. I could seriously see myself returning here after a day in the city, how about you?!

Afteroom bar stool, Bamboo pendants, Dualit toaster.

Bertoia side chairs, white juju hat.

Bertoia asymmetric chaise

Butterfly outdoor chairs, ALSEDA rattan footstool.

Aperol spritz on the terrace, anyone?!
See more of Marika's projects here and step inside other inspiring homes in the French capital here and here. Vivre French style!

Meanwhile, we've just arrived in Edinburgh for a few days to visit a friend. I was at university here and it's so great to be back (admittedly a lot of my student years were spent in the pub so it's nice to see loads more of the city, and show my girls where I used to hang out. Might have to get them to sample a little haggis along the way - although I'm sure they'll be more tempted by the deep-fried mars bars - bah!).

Hope you have a great day too!


Photography courtesy of Atelier Marika Chaumet - and found via Style Files with thanks! 

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Blog Survey and Give-away

I started My Scandinavian Home in 2011 - can you believe that?! After seven years of blogging, I'm so happy I feel just as passionate about creating posts. But I'd love to find out a little more about you guys and what you'd like to see more of on My Scandinavian Home and your thoughts on potential online workshops. If you have a few minutes, please fill out my short survey.  As a thank you I'm giving away three signed copies of my book Lagom, The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life. If you'd like to be in the prize draw, please let me know in the comment section below that you've filled in the survey.



 
If you are unable to access the survey above please enter it here. 

Thank you so much again, I'm so looking forward to reading each and every response. 

 The winner of the three signed books will be announced here on Monday 9th April. Open to all!

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Simple Easter Table DIY: Bunny Ear Napkins

If you're looking to do something a little extra this Easter but don't have much time - these bunny ear napkins are so easy to make and look super cute on the table!

THE KIT

- Square napkin (any material - even paper works!)
- An egg (you may like to opt for different colours for each place setting). 
- String or ribbon
- Scissors (for cutting string)
- Baby's breath or other pretty flowers (optional!)

THE KNOW-HOW:

And that's it! Five minutes and you'll have an entire table of bunnies!

Here are mine in action on our Easter table.

Wishing you a lovely Easter break!


PS I'll be back here early next week. 

PS Don't forget to enter the spring give-away to win a TRIWA watch!

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My Easter Table with Apple Blossom and Bunny Ears!

There are so many lovely Easter traditions in Sweden - from attaching feathers and eggs to branches to påskkärring (children dressing as bright coloured witches and knocking on the doors in the neighbourhood for treats) and rolling dyed eggs down hills to see who's is the last to break. Sadly we'll miss these this year as we're in London (great to be here all the same!). So before we left we had an impromtu Easter lunch and I couldn't help going that egg-stra (sorry) mile. I hope you like it! 

 I kept it simple in a palette of white and beige and then added a hint of colour with branches of apple blossom and baby's breath. 

These pretty glass eggs also helped to bring a little colour to the table. They are quite a lot heavier than I thought (the clue was in the 'glass'!) so if you're looking to get some for your Easter table - make sure you source sturdy branches first. They look lovely arranged in a bowl too.

These bunny ear napkins are so incredibly easy to make (trust me, I'm not a DIY person at all, just ask my family, and they took me all of 60 seconds to hop to it - (err...) - the girls loved them! In case you'd like to make the same, I created my very first DIY know-how film (told you I'd gone that extra mile!) which I'll share later today.

I hope you like the results! If you're wondering where the items are from - here's a get the look from wonderful Danish homeware brand Nordal*.

Get The Look

1. Glass bottle 2. Stoneware dinner plate and Stoneware cake plate 3. BLACK cutlery 4. Pitcher vase
5. Hanging glass egg 6. T-light holder 7. RETRO redwine glass and RETRO whitewine glass
8. White cotton table cloth

* Nordal ships throughout Europe (sorry friends from further afield). There's a complete list to online stores and retailers here. 


If you've got any questions, just give me a shout in the comment section below and I'll do my best to help!

Have a lovely day!



This post is in collaboration with Nordal, 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 Dreamy Little Cottage By The Sea

Every now and again I come across a home which takes my breath away. This little cottage is one of them. Charmingly named Captains Rest, the secluded heritage cottage looks out over the water from it's vantage point in Lettes Bay, Tasmania.  Owner Sarah Andrews, an interior stylist, writer and sailor, describes it as "my pride and joy, my haven of peace and serenity." The cabin has been decorated with "love and delight" with objects and furnishings from around the world and is "brimming with curated collections, fine linens, cosy textures and objects of delight". Guests (yes, it's actually available to rent!) are invited to read in front of the fire, take long baths, walk in the forest, swim, fish, and dream. The question is, would you ever want to leave?! 

"When I’m here I can tell when the rain is coming, when the salmon are in the bay, if the sun will rise rosey and when to turn to look and see a rainbow."

Sarah Andrews

GET THE LOOK FROM CAPTAINS REST COTTAGE



1. Nectre 15 Radiant Wood Heater
2. Barrel Picnic Basket
3. Original Continental 18th Century Bearded Gentleman Oil Portrait
4. Raul Gorgeous Grey Medium Curved Factory Style Lampshade
6. Limited edition vintage cotton and linen striped cushion
7. Green decorative pillow cover
8. Vintage wooden oars
9. Isabella striped jacquard robe
10. Off white linen decorative pillow cover
11. White pillow

You can see more picture of this beautiful one bedroom cottage on the Instagram feed and homepage and make a booking here.

I am so inspired by this delightful cottage that I am completely lost for words. But please feel free to leave your own in the comment section below - I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Have a lovely day!


Photography courtesy of Sarah Andrews / Captains Rest.

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