Giveaway: Win An Art Print By Minted

I am a self-confessed sucker for art prints. If I lived in a bigger apartment, I'd probably have a serious budget problem. But hey, how can you not be a lover of art prints with companies such as Minted who offer incredible designs with a more than teasing price tag? Well, when the guys from Minted approached me and asked if I'd like to host a little giveaway on Happy Interior Blog I was more than - you guessed right - happy!

To give you a glimpse of the beautiful selection offered by Minted, I've chose just a few of my favorite prints here for you. But you are free to choose any art print you like for up to $65. And the best thing: This giveaway is open to all international readers and all you have to do is leave a little comment under this blog post and tell me which of your rooms could get along with a fancy art print from Minted. The giveaway is open until Tuesday, September 4th, when a winner will be drawn randomly and announced here in the comment section, on Twitter and on Facebook.

Oh and a little tip for the upcoming holiday season: Minted offers super cute holiday photo cards for a personal message of love. Feel free to send me many of them:-)

Happy Tuesday, folks!

Photography via Minted

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Sponsored Post: Hello Canvas!

Have you ever thought of this: How much do you love your digital snapshots? For example your Instagrams? I love mine. But I have never thought of bringing a tiny on-the-go Instagram shot onto real canvas. Not until I was approached by the German company 'HalloLeinwand' (literally: Hello Canvas) and asked if I'd like to give it a try.

Honestly, I hesitated at the beginning. A photo on a canvas for my home? Nay, I am not so fond of. But then I gave it a second thought. I remembered how much I love my quick Instagram shots and how much I like to share them. Now having a canvas with one of my personal shots could be a cool one-of-a-kind decoration for my home or a super unique present for a friend. So I said yes. And I was very surprised.

I quickly chose a simple Instagram shot I'd taken on my last trip to the Italian Lago di Garda in May. The only requirement was that the pic has a minimum of 250 KB. I was pretty sure this will not work and not look good at all. A few days later I was proven wrong. The canvas surprised me tremendously. The quality of my shot is incredibly high and the colours are very vibrant - the lightsign seems even to glow on the canvas. Now I am pretty happy with the outcome and think it is an ideal and personal piece to decorate my kitchen or a breakfast nook in the future.

For anyone who likes this idea I am pleased to tell you that HalloLeinwand offers a 15 % reduction on any order by using the promotion code 'Happyinterior'. Now the hardest thing is to choose one of your cool Instagrams or digital photos. And then there will be more happiness in your home, too! Happy Tuesday!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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5 Happy Inspirations: Eye-Catcher

Sometimes it just takes a little to catch my eye - a beautiful hue, a quirky design idea, refined materials. And this week is not different from the other weeks - I am constantly smitten by the beauty of those little things around the world wide web. And these '5 Happy Inspirations' caught my eye this week:

One: The handmade and happily coloured square colour chip boxes by Leif are on my wish list.

Two: The delicate and sumptuous watercolour paintings by American artist Malissa Ryder make for a great art piece on any wall.

Three: This apothecary like scented Apolis candle is absolutely my kind of thing. Want!

Four: If you have a soft sport for nautical goodies just like me, you'll love this turquoise driftwood frame by Butlers.

Five: The soothing composition of natural materials, soft colours and gentle fragrances are a winning combination. These precious scented sachets are made by Paris based Mi-Septembre. 

Anything you like in particular? Happy hump day, friends!

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Happily Ever After: Witty Design Posters

One fact that I haven't spoken about so far is that I am a TV show junkie. I love to immerse in characters, storylines, settings. And with a good TV show you usually get to do this over several seasons. 

When I spotted these fabulously and wittily designed TV show posters I just knew I have to share this with you. Every poster has a delicate connotation to the TV show and most of them play with a bold, signal colour associated with the TV series. 

The posters have been designed by Albert Exergian of a Vienna based design consultancy. You can see the full range here. And as I was born and raised in Austria, I felt like it's almost a 'patriotic' duty to flag witty Austrian design and share it with you. 

What do you think of the poster design? Is your favorite TV show covered? Do you like to decorate your interiors with design posters? As for me, I tend to comedies and crime series. Some of my favorite TV shows encompass Pushing Daisies, CSI, The Closer, The Nanny, Modern Family, Monk, Boston Legal, Will & Grace oh and so many more. Ok, I am a real TV show junkie!! Happy Friday!

Photography via Print Process

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Geometry For Interiors

Back in school, geometry was not my favorite subject. In a retrospective this might have been due to the cruel teacher. Anyways. But recently I have spotted many geometry inspired beauties for the home - from furniture to decoration: sideboards, beds, pendants, throws, cushions, vases, art, deco objects. And I must admit: I like it. I like it a lot. Be it triangles, cylinders or diamond shapes, the clear lines and the forms combine style and a sense of visual functionality to any interior. 

In my home, I've added some geometrical focus predominately through textiles. I have a zigzag rug, the geometrical quilt as seen here on the blog post and a lamp with a twisted triangle lamp base. Moreover, I got myself that cute little porcelain tray with the triangle pattern. Do you have anything geometry inspired in your home? 

Photography: Bedroom via Pinterest; print via Designspiration; pendant via Design Milk; living room and bedroom via Blackbird; jar via Present & Correct; tray via Etsy; zigzag pattern via Lost At E Minor; art print via Lisa Congdon; geometrical quilt via Urban Outfitters; plant pot via Etsy.

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In Love: The Paris Print Shop

Some of you might know that I am emotionally bound to Paris. The City of Light. The City of Love. Well, above all it is a fascinating city. Now, this weekend I am off to Paris again for a four days retreat and it came as a sort of coincidence that just yesterday one of my fellow bloggers and great Paris lovers, Nichole of Little Brown Pen, has announced the opening of her new web shop 'The Paris Print Shop'. 

In her new online boutique you will find some of her finest shots of Paris. Her artful eye captures those tiny, little moments that convey the unique spirit of the city and enchant every art loving and Paris adoring heart. And how charming are the colour stories of her shots? Well, this weekend I will pay due attention to all those fine little details in Paris! Á bientôt, mes amis!

Photography by Nichole Robertson for The Paris Print Shop

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Give-Away: Win A Ylva Skarp Print

Personality, Creativity, Integrity, Curiosity. These characteristics describe a good human being. Or the latest work of the Swedish designer Ylva Skarp. She was one of the big shooting stars at this year's Formex, the Stockholm Interior and Design Expo, and the 'talk of blogs' all over Scandinavia and beyond. Her inspiring prints speak of her passion for letters. After studying calligraphy at the Roehampton Institute in London, she decided to combine calligraphy writing with traditional Swedish craftsmanship. The result are sleek yet playful, bold yet delicate prints.

Now can you imagine how thrilled I was when my friend Marianne from Nordic Bliss offered the unique opportunity of a give-away on Happy Interior Blog. Well yes, happiness galore! Nordic Bliss not only is one of the most beautiful and best treasure chests for Scandinavian home accessories, but also the first UK store to represent products from Ylva Skarp's collection. And Marianne is offering one of the four 50 x 70 cm big art works to one of you, my beloved readers!

If you'd like to add some state-of-the-art Scandinavian bliss to your home, all you have to do is like the Facebook page of my friend and sponsor Nordic Bliss and confirm it with a little comment here. Don't forget to mention in the comment which print you'd like to win - simply pick one of the four shown here. A winner will be chosen randomly and announced here on Happy Interior Blog next Tuesday. Due to VAT restrictions, this give-away is open to readers across the European Union. Big apologies to my readers who can't join in - hope you don't mind too much!

So, what else to say? Like, comment, and keep your fingers crossed for one of the great Ylva Skarp prints offered by Nordic Bliss! Good luck!

Photography via Nordic Bliss / Ylva Skarp

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Happily Ever After: Illustrator Blanca Gomez

Let me tell you how I decide on what to feature on my blog. I either see something in a magazine, I get inspired on-the-go or - yes - I browse the internet for inspiration. Then the progression goes something like this: I open a website and then it happens - the first sight puts a big smile on my face. Yes, beautiful and inspiring content makes me happy. And then it is more than clear. That has to go up onto Happy Interior Blog. Now that exactly happened when I opened the site of Blanca Gomez, 'Cosas Minimas', a talented Spanish illustrator and designer from Madrid. 

Her playful illustrations inherit a healthy dose of happiness and cheer. Bright colours, fine lines and a pinch of wit makes her illustrations the right choice for a happy home. Don't you agree. And the best: Her designs are all available through her Etsy shop. Well, sometimes happiness is just a click away. 

Photography via Cosas Minimas

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Happily Ever After: Olaf Hajek

I have already shared my passion for arty illustrations and art prints for interior decoration. Today I want to present one of my favorite German illustrators - Olaf Hajek. Olaf Hajek's work is marked by an extremely original style and working process. None of his illustrations is digital, he rather works as a painter and uses acrylic on paper, cardboard or wood. Thus, each of his illustrations has a refined touch of handmade art. Ever since, Olaf Hajek has become an internationally renowned artist and has been commissioned illustrations for big clients such as Financial Times, The New Yorker, Carrefour, Rolling Stone, Coca Cola and many more. His work exhibits a striking array of vibrant colours and his style recalls memories of Frida Kahlo and other folk art interpretations. The illustrations surprise with unexpected combinations of elements coming from different cultures and convince with a unique and lively interpretation of nature and people. An amazing round-up of his artwork can be seen in his book 'Flowerhead'. For the record: I have his book and one of his illustrations (the very first presented in this blog post). Isn't his artwork simply stunning?

Photography via Olaf Hajek

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Happily Ever After: Freunde von Freunden

Today I'd like to introduce you to a close group of friends from Germany who are the driving minds behind the international interview magazine 'Freunde von Freunden'. This magazine portrays people of diverse creative and cultural backgrounds in their 'natural habitat' - their homes or within their daily working environments. The interviews reveal the personalities and the numerous photographies offer a glimpse into the world of a creative mind with multifaceted impressions of cities, various art scenes and international urban living. In November they have published their first book featuring some print only exclusives and a selection of highlights from the past two years. Jump over to their website but be warned: you might forget about time and lose yourself in heaps of creativity and urban inspiration. Happy Friday, friends!

Photography via Freunde von Freunden

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Happily Ever After: Lisa Congdon Art

I'd like to live happily ever after...with art by fantastic San Francisco based illustrator and fine artist Lisa Congdon. While reading some of my favorite blogs I spotted Lisa's work and fell instantly in love with it. The vibrant colours, the extraordinary motives, and her love for detail made me go weak and with Christmas approaching I've put one of her amazing prints right up on my wish list. Her art draws lots of inspiration from nature yet it is so urban - this amazing juxtaposition of feelings evoked by her art made me a huge fan of hers. So, here is my ode to Lisa Congdon in San Fran from remote Munich, Germany.

Photography via Lisa Congdon

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Happily Ever After: Arty Illustrations

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I’d like to live happily ever after with...arty illustrations!

Tight budget, limited space, no time. Constraints that often challenge our inner desire to reinvent the space we live in. At least I am constanly faced with those restrictions. However, there always seems to be a way to appease my inner thirst for interior bliss. Like arty illustrations. I love how easy it is to add a tad of sophistication or humour to any kind of interior – from romantic over rustic to urban. I personally love the use of retro designs, carefully chosen colour palettes and whimsical illustrations to evoke interest and to weave in a pop of colour. I do have a few at home by myself and I can hardly beat my desire to acquire new ones.

With illustrations you get triple interior fun: First, the adventure of spotting and choosing one, second the fun of picking a suiting frame and framing the artwork (you can add so much drama with adequate framing), and last but not least the fun of deciding for the right spot in your home to feature your latest arty finding. There are so many beautiful examples out there – here I’ve made a little selection of some of my highlights. Currently, Etsy is one of my main inspiration sources for colourful, arty illustrations, and Swedish artist Therese Sennerholt for sleek and eye-catching black and white illustrations. Do you like to decorate with illustrations?

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