5 Happy Inspirations: Little Treasures

Reinterpreting our homes is a sort of catharsis. Some kind of rebirth. Yes, a 'decor renaissance'. We change, accentuate, de-clutter, add details - and all of this is a visualization of our inner feelings. Ok, you might roll your eyes now and think 'why this psycho-crap'? I am just trying to decode the enigmatic force that ignites that restless drive to decorate our dwellings. After all, we are no superficial shopaholics remotely controlled by a vicious consume machinery, are we?

Think of your last decoration endeavour at home. What did you do? And what was the real driver of this undertaking? And trust me: it's never the first answer that comes to your mind! But enough said here, I could go this week with the following five treasures for a bit of home happiness:

1. The amazing vintage rug would be a real eye-catcher on a wooden floor. Seen on Artilleriet.

2. This fruit calendar from Anthropologie has to be mine. Love, love, love!

3. Pair a colourful lampshade with a differently coloured cord. Result: Visual happiness. On Coloured By you can customize your own design.

4. How about a handmade and fair trade Ghana basket? Seen on Baskets of Africa.

5. The happiest packaging tape ever - seen on Impressionen.

Happy hump day, friends!

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Ideas For A Happy Weekend

Hello friends! Easter holidays have kicked in in Germany so I just wanted to wish you all happy holidays & a happy weekend! I will spend this weekend with a dear friend from Paris, we will catch up, talk about life, love, work, art and enjoy a quite and relaxed weekend in Munich. In order to be a good host, I will take a mini break and see you back on Tuesday! Oh and don't forget, live a colourful life! 

Photography: Circus lights via Lola & Clive; print via Oh So Beautiful Paper

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5 Happy Inspirations: Pendant Lights

I think it is no interior design secret that good lighting is a prerequisite to style. Without adequate light or with the wrong light, a room won't have a pleasant atmosphere regardless of how beautifully the rest is styled. Luckily, today we have the choice of a big variety of light solutions to accentuate our interiors. Sophisticated rooms tend to have soft pools of light coming from multiple sources. Consider table lamps, floor lamps, sconces and pendant lights, think of exposed bulbs, quirky lamp shades, wooden solutions, enamel, metal, paper designs. 

So, for today's '5 Happy Inspirations' I've compiled five really inspiring pendant light examples to revive our lighting ideas and maybe trigger some inspiration for our own homes. Do you have a favorite?

Photography: 1 via Designboom; 2 via Coco Flip; 3 via Muuto; 4 via Dottir & Sonur; 5 via This Is A Design Blog.

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Happily Ever After: Tim Webber Design

Today's 'Happily Ever After' blog post is dedicated to a talented New Zealander: Tim Webber. You know I am in Germany and now I am about to present the work of Tim Webber, a designer from Kiwi country. 'How come' you might ask? Well, it's all courtesy of Twitter and my New Zealand based blogger friend Michelle Weir who featured some of Tim Webber Design's work on her blog. Ever since I got in touch with Tim Webber on Twitter and recently he sent me the link with these amazingly happy and cheerful designs. From the first glance I knew: This has to go onto Happy Interior Blog. And here it is. 

What I love about Tim's designs? He manages to transform mundane pieces like stools or lighting into unique design gems. His work is simultaneously sleek and simple yet happy and personal. Do I need to mention that I love the vibrant dashes of colour on his designs? I would love to have those tall stools in my kitchen, the 'Strip Lamp' with the colourful cable on my desk and one of those cheerful 'Tri-Ample Pendants' in a reading nook. What do you think about his designs?

Photography by Simeon Patience via Tim Webber Design

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Currently loving...

my new "hands free" baby sling, {thank you to my dear friend Lauren C.}, it is the only thing allowing me to steal a few minutes to scan the web and post my blog these days {I'm still officially on maternity leave}..here are a few more items on my favorites list this week!

Ines Fressange's style sense {I've actually admired the fashion model's layered style savvy since seeing her home in the final issue Domino} these images are a great motivator for me to whip myself back into shape.{although I will never look this tiny, I like food too much!} images: The Selby

My chic new diaper bag, from Stella McCartney's line for Adidas. {it's not actually a diaper bag, I think that's why I like it sooo much!}

Today's post on Fric and Frac. Every image lifted my spirits. I keep reminding myself that Spring is around the corner!

{i would switch out the bulbs for a round style}

All the goodies on Fyndes...these are a few of the items that would work at my house right now. Style Court initially brought my attention to this fabulous site full of vintage {some are actually affordable} finds...

Hope you are having a great day!

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Champagne Kissed....

I'm signing off for 2009 and very much looking forward to 2010. I think it's going to be a very exciting year both personally and professionally. The Shelter design website/new identity is launching in mid- January. I'll also continue to feature fresh ideas, amazing finds and inspiration on the Shelter-Blog.

I can't wait to share my recent projects and some photos of my home with you!!

I want to send A huge thank you to each and every-one of my readers for your support + loyalty! I wish you all the best for healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year!!

Now a little fashion/design bit. I predict that we're going to continue to see warm metallics; like gold and copper popping up everywhere in fashion and at home in 2010! {so I guess it's 010'}

Cheers xxoo, Julie

Images: Harper's Bazaar, Jeffrey Bilhuber, Decor Pad, Vogue (Nina Ricci), Jan Showers, Bazaar, ?, Lindsey Adelman, J. Crew, Homes and Gardens, via La Dolce Vita, Canadian House and Home

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I LOVE

this little rock crystal number from West Elm..I'm sure I could find someplace to use it in my home...;)

{maybe you've already noticed, but I def. have a bit of an obsession with lighting fixtures}

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Done. Decision Made.

My NESTING madness continues..If you are a regular reader of my blog then you'll most likely recall my post on my hunt for a kitchen pendant. The Circa Lighting fixture above was a contender..after seeing the pendant used in the Coastal Living "idea cottage" , my mind is made up. This fixture is classically modern, so it's perfect for my home. I'm going to order it next week!

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Friday Finds - What I'm loving this week...

EEK - The sneak peek of Deborah Needleman's NY home via Women's Wear Daily. {I can hardly wait for the release of Lonny - the accessible online design magazine dreamt up by the brilliant design duo, Michelle Adams and Patrick Cline}

THE J.CREW BELSTAFF BOMBER JACKET - {not loving the $1195 price tag, yikes}

BUNGALOW FIVE'S LATEST LAMP COLLECTION

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Decisions, Decisions..Let's talk lighting

{excuse my premature post earlier} I'm using the newest layout version on blogger, so I need to adapt.

DINING ROOM

So I promised you I'd share my exciting news on Friday, it's the reason I am in crazy nesting mode.{besides the Fall weather} I'm pregnant!! I didn't find out the baby's sex, so stay posted for my nursery options for both a girl or a boy. We're thrilled with the news, but I def. need the next four months to get my home ready!! {yikes}

I have long loved the light fixture in Ruthie Sommers first kitchen {posted in the first issue of Domino}. So I've been on the hunt for something similar for my dining room. I came across the first fixture pictured at Pieces but it was $895.00 and has now sold. So this weekend I was thrilled to find out that I won the Tole Palm leaf pictured below on ebay for..Can you guess how much??? Only $80.00!!. It needs a bit of tlc and some clear round bulbs but I think it will be perfect. {and so was the price}

Now onto the KITCHEN

My chalk board wall in the kitchen is finished {it looks great, I'll post when the area is finished} now I need to find a pendant to hang over the dining table. I want to cast a warm light, to off set the recessed down lights, so I thought a linen pendant would be a smart choice. I've narrowed down my options, here they are. Which do you prefer? I know it's hard to choose because you haven't seen the space.

The Maurice pendant from Jonathan Alder {love this, I wish it cost a bit less}

This is a great custom pendant from Pieces, Inc. but it's def. out of my "snack bracket". Don't get me wrong I wish I could purchase half of Lee Kleinhelter's shop for my home. Be sure to check out their fun new blog, it's full of before + afters. My dream is to someday house my design firm within a smaller shop much like the fabulous Pieces. {hopefully within the next few years}

Circa Lighting

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Happy Friday - Baubles + Bubbles

Design IS and should be FUN! Add a bubble-inspired fixture to your home!! This top image from Orange would look perfect in my foyer!!

Images: 1st dibs, 1st dibs, 1st dibs, Pieces Inc. , Lum Lighting, Elle Decor, Caboche pendant, Le Klint pendant, Bocce Lighting, Bubble vase - would look great wired as a lamp!

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