From Place To Space: Capri

Here is a recipe from paradise: Put a rock in the crystalline Mediterranean, set a little town with colourful houses atop, add zesty lemons, and stir it gently. The result is called Capri. A true delight. A dainty Italian island that makes you yearn for more. 

Once you've decided to appease your appetite for this lush island, you will need to hop on a ferry and approach this rocky beauty from the sea. Quickly you will behold its edgy shape, the vivid port and a line of colourful houses climbing the hillside. Most tourists discover the 'three levels' of Capri. The port and its surrounding coastline with little beaches, many restaurants, the inevitable souvenir shops and - in summer time - a little open market. The second level can be reached by foot (good way to stay fit and get tanned), by bus or - the preferred way - by a cablecar that is worth every cent. Not only will you get up to the center of Capri Town, but you will also be rewarded with spectacular views of the Mediterranean. Once there, you are in Capri proper. 

The little town is a real gem. Capri is incredibly clean (which you will appreciate even more if you just came from Naples - see my report here) and the density of luxurious restaurants, hotels and boutiques is dizzily high. Hold on to your wallet, glue your credit cards and try, just try to resist. Pick one of the beautiful restaurants with a breathtaking panorama of the sea and the gulf of Naples to enjoy every bite and every sip double, triple and quadruple. 

The third level is Anacapri, the village atop of the rocky mountain. Take a bus from Capri Town and be brave. Cling to the seat in front of you and try to smile while the little, shaky bus is driving in super speed up the winding street to Anacapri. Try to enjoy, the view is really, really amazing (though take some tissue to dab your sweaty forehead). Anacapri is a sort of antipode to Capri Town. Quiet, tucked away, residential. You can easily get lost in the narrow little alleys. Look out for old churches, cute details on the houses (lots of adorable ceramics and tiles) and enjoy a somewhat cheaper coffee up here before you head down into the Italian version of Beverly Hills. 

Oh, but above all, enjoy. Just enjoy!

Photography by Igor Josifovic; Capri cushion by Jonathan Adler; Capri candle by Anthropologie; Capri vintage poster via Found In Mom's Basement.

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From Place To Space: Lago Di Garda

Traveling inspires the mind and the heart. However it requires enough time and money. Though not here on Happy Interior Blog. Every Monday it is my big pleasure to take you on a little inspiring voyage 'From Place To Space'. Today we are heading to the Lago di Garda and nearby Verona in northern Italy. Lean back, grab a glass of good Italian red wine and enjoy!

The scenic shores of Lake Garda are just a stone's throw from Munich so I decided to spend a little birthday weekend in this corner of northern Italy. The lake stretches from north to south and bursts with small beaches, picturesque little towns and an abundance of Mediterranean flora. The western coast is called the 'lemon coast' whereas the eastern side is named the 'olive coast'. Some of the cutest little towns are Sirmione, Garda, Salò, Limone sul Garda, Malcesine. I was staying in a little family-run hotel in the southern town of Sirmione. Renting a car is a good idea in this region since you are more flexible to discover the approximately 160 coastal kilometers of Italy's largest lake. 

Lake Garda is an ideal place to spend a relaxed time with extensive walks, bike rides, sunbathing and savouring the delicious Italian cuisine. Don't forge to bring home some lovely little souvenir: local, handmade ceramics are traditional in this corner of Italy and rich in colour and designs.

Moreover, the Italian city of Verona is close by. And don't miss a day visit to this Italian gem! The spectacular Arena resembles Rome's Colosseum, the shopping opportunities are abundant, the restaurants are great, the architecture so typical Italian and charming. But the majority of tourists travels to Verona to experience the magic of Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare set his world famous tragedy in this city and the assumed balcony of Juliet can be visited in downtown Verona. The sight includes some quirky phones where you can listen to snippets of the story, walls covered in love graffiti and hundreds of locks that seal the love of so many couples.

So if you have a spare weekend and need some good, relaxing times, jump over to Lago di Garda and enjoy the Italian 'far niente' with one or two glasses of good Spritz. Happy week!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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5 Happy Inspirations: From Bella Italia

Hello my friends! I am back from my little Italian getaway and enjoyed some relaxing days of best Italian 'far niente'. As you can imagine, the beautiful country has inspired me and I've decided to share some first happy inspirations with you in today's post. No worries, a full recap of my trip is due next Monday as a 'From Place To Space' blog post. Ok, and to be honest, I've missed you all a bit and - as some have noticed - I couldn't completely disconnect. But I digress. Let's feel a bit of Italian spirit for your life & home:

One: For a genuine Italian feeling you should be an Espresso drinker. And make sure to prepare your Espresso with style - for example with this foxy red Espresso maker. 

Two: Design is a key word in bella Italia. I fell in love with the contemporary design of the Italian Bent Wood Chair.

Three: When thinking of Italy we often recall the big names of the fashion world. Luckily, some of them have quite adorable homeware lines. Like Missoni. And its Jocker chunky-knit wool throw.

Four: Everyone who has visited Italy knows one fact about Italian traffic. It is chaotic, loud and full of cool Vespas. I love this vibrant, orange hued version.

Five: One of my favorite souvenirs from Italy besides food: good quality, handmade Italian ceramics. Definitely a good option: the amazing pieces of Bitossi Ceramics.

Arrivederci!

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Ideas For A Happy Weekend

The very moment you read these lines I will be there. Yes there, I am referring to the picture above! I am spending a relaxing prolonged weekend in Italy on the shores of Lake Garda. This is actually one of the best ideas for a happy weekend - traveling and chasing inspiration. Discovering new places, new people, new food, new interiors. I am carefully collecting all the lovely inspiration here and will make sure to share it with you in one of the upcoming 'From Place To Space' posts. Up to then, I am enjoying my little mini vacation and I will see you back here on Wednesday. I wish you all a fabulous and above all happy weekend! 

Photography via We Heart It

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From Place To Space: Naples & Pompeii

A new week, a new adventure. This time it’s even a bit more, it’s a ‚birthday adventure’. Some of you might know that I celebrated my birthday yesterday and I thought it’s a good idea to take you on a birthday trip. Last year a childhood dream of mine came true and I went to visit the excavations of the ancient city of Pompeii and climb the volcano Mount Vesuvius. I was staying in Naples and experienced that south Italian port town as well. But let me guide you through.

Let’s start with the host city, Naples. Napoli is located in southern Italy and is the regional capital of the Campania province. It is situated underneath the volcano Mount Vesuvius on a wide Mediterranean bay. Enough romanticism. The city is a mess. Let’s put it clear. When I arrived in Rome and rented a car, the person at the counter asked where I wanted to go with it. After saying Napoli he raised his eyebrow and I think he sold us a triple insurance. A fact I came to appreciate after experiencing the Neapolitan traffic. The only rule that applies: honk the hell out of it and don’t give in!

Beside the fact that Naples seem to be in a contant chaos and is plagued with several binmen strikes a year, I happened to discover some charming corners, particularly in the old town. The narrow streets and little shops are full of Italian authenticity – way more than the polished stradas of Rome or Milano. And the food, the food. No words. You must try it. I haven’t had one single mediocre dish while being there. Everything was incredibly yummy and fresh. And if you happen to visit Naples one day, don’t miss the best pizza in town in ‚Da Michele’ – a tiny little tavern with just a few pizzas on the menu and incredibly low prices. Plus, this little place hosted some world famous stars that are depicted on the restaurant’s walls. And another little culinary tip: In some pizzerias you will find a teasing dessert pizza - a pizza with Nutella. Nothing more to add!

The main reason for my trip was the ancient town of Pompeii. During my childhood, I always wanted to become some sort of Indiana Jones and Pompeii was the most fascinating spot on earth for me. Thus, I spent a whole day wandering the cobbled streets of the ancient town that gives you an excelllent idea of how people used to live 2000 years ago. The almost perfectly preserved examples of architecture and interior design – yes I paid attention to that too – is simply stunning. The richness of interior frescoes, the abundance of colours and the refined structures of ancient homes was worth every chaotic minute in Naples. To round-up my last year’s birthday I climbed the volcano Mount Vesuvius up to his main crater and enjoyed a magnificent view of the coast and Naples.

You might ask now ‚what about this year’s birthday trip“? Well, this on is yet to come and will be featured here soon. Happy new week!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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From Place To Space: Amalfi Coast

Today I am off to a belated start. But ok, just like in real life, some things start with a delay. Like holidays. However, the joyful expectation of a trip eases any waiting pain. I hope you are ready, too - once again, we are off to a little inspiring voyage. Destination: the stunning Amalfi Coast.

The Amalfi Coast is an epitome of an Italian dream trip. Beloved by many newly weds as the most romantic honeymoon destination, I was off to this southern Italian gem due to a more profane reason - it was part of my last year's birthday trip. Speaking of the timing, I can assure you that mid May is a beautiful season to visit the 'Costiera Amalfitana'. With everything in bloom and mild temperatures it was a pleasure to drive around, sunbathe and dip-toe in the Mediterranean. 

As I was staying in Naples it was the best decision to rent a car and do an individual round-trip of the Amalfi Coast. Be warned though, the streets are rather winding, steep, narrow and you should be a good driver to feel at ease while cruising this awesome part of Europe (luckily, I had a better driver on my side). But then you will be rewarded by awesome sights of the Mediterranean and the mountainous coastline. 

Coming from the Sorrento side you will pass through a number of charming and world-famous places along one of Europe's most beautiful roads, the 'Amalfitana'. Descend the narrow alleys of Positano first, have a drink and sunbathe on the beautiful beach while enjoying the dramatic scenery of this village fitted on a rock. Continue your voyage through the serene village of Praiano and a little bit further you will arrive to the patron city of the whole coast, Amalfi. Visit the grand Duomo and have a delicious lunch on one of the terraces overlooking the Salerno Bay. Passing through Atrani, Minori and Maiori head to the end of this trip, to Vietri sul Mare, a little town known for its fine ceramics. Enjoy a real Italian dinner, buy some precious handmade ceramics and head back loaded with inspiration, joy and happiness. Arrivederci!

Photography: Positano pic via Simply Bloom Photography; Tre Ville via Architectural Digest; Positano residence via Matteo Piazza; Hotel pics via Casa Angelina; all other photography by Igor Josifovic.

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From Place To Space: Rome

This time it's you have decided on our next 'From Place To Space' destination. I asked you on my Facebook page to pick the next inspiring place and the winner is Italy's charming capital Rome. Well, your wish is my command and here we go - andiamo a Roma!

I spent a prolonged weekend in Rome and discovered magical places, historical monuments, inspiring cafés and restaurants, beautiful hotels and food to die for. The 'Eternal City' has a lot to offer: Discover the ancient traces of the Roman Empire by visiting the grand Forum Romanum and the world wide known Colosseum. Wander the winding streets of Trastevere, sip on an Italian espresso along the Tiber riverside and get enchanted on the Spanish Steps. Don't forget to make your wish on the popular Fontana di Trevi and feel the vibe of religion and the 'Illuminati' movie when crossing the (invisible) border to Vatican. The  stunning St. Peter's Dome and the Sistine Chapel will leave you with awe. 

I need not mention the compulsory shopping in Italy and the divine food - pasta and pizza will never taste the same after a visit to Italy! And regarding accommodation you can opt for stylish design hotels to satisfy our craving for inspiring interior design. For this blog post, I've picked three amazing hotels for an unforgettable Rome experience - the Margutta 54 Hotel, the Pulitzer Hotel and the top-notch Portrait Suites. With such a balcony and view over the 'Eternal City' - what could one wish more? Alla prossima, ragazzi!

Photography: Hotel pictures via Tablet Hotels; other pictures by Igor Josifovic.

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