Happily Ever After: Pia Jane Bijkerk

What happens if you wander the world, you live in Paris, on a boat in Amsterdam, in Australia? When you collect delicate little gems, transform vintage pieces into remarkable ideas for the home, have a refined sense for a romantic and eclectic style? Well, I haven't got an answer for you, but I have an idea what it would look like - like the work of the Australian stylist, photographer and author Pia Jane Bijkerk.

Earlier this year I've reviewed her amazing book here on the blog, and it is illustrated with that specific and unique style that she creates and captures magically with her camera. No matter if this is your style or not, I've learned one important lesson from Pia's work: to notice the little details. To acknowledge their beauty. And to create ideas that stem from just one tiny peculiarity. Like a dried flower. Or a wandering heart. Happy Friday!

Photography by Pia Jane Bijkerk

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Happily Ever After: Stylist Susanna Vento

Yet another Friday, yet another happy post about a professional out there in the interior design, styling and photography world that keeps on inspiring me. This time I'd like to dedicate the post to the utterly talented Finnish interior & prop stylist Susanna Vento.

When I went through her extensive portfolio I couldn't help but gasp a few times. Gasp of awe. I love her great eye for forms and colours that sparkle through all her stylings. I am also impressed by the wide array of styles she covers and plays so skillfully. Whether it's a romantic setting, a very graphic setting, industrial charm or ethnic inspired theme - her work is professionally executed, the props are carefully chosen, the setting a real composition for the eye. What a great way to visually celebrate this Friday, don't you agree? Have a great day!!

Photography by Susanna Vento, Kari Hautala, Kristiina Kurronen, Mirva Kakko via Susanna Vento

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Happily Ever After: Stylist Caroline Davis

What a happy Friday it is today. First of all, I am off to a mini vacation in Italy and secondly, I am very honoured to present the inspiring work of one of my blogger friends, British stylist Caroline Davis of Trend Daily. I am pretty sure that some of you know her or her work, but I wanted to dedicate this 'Happily Ever After' blog post entirely to her work as she keeps inspiring me on Instagram and her blog. I love the dreamy touch to her vignettes - the little vintage details embedded in a simple setting, the delicate play with colours or the retro elements in a light-flooded home, all these made me want to learn more about Caroline and her way of working.

As a family mother and someone who followed an interesting career path I decided to ask her a few questions in order to find out more about her way of thinking and creating. Here is my mini interview with Caroline and her really inspiring answers:

Coming from textile design and fashion you've maneuvered your way into interiors consulting and styling. What attracted you to change your career path?

Caroline: I kind of fell in to it by chance after being in marketing and PR. I loved the freedom of being able to create a feature from the simplest object or colour and build it into a photographic story. You also have to move on from project to project really fast and constantly re-invent the wheel, which is perfect for fidgets like me! Textiles, fashion and interiors are all integral to styling, so I'll always have them in my life!

Describe your personal interior style in three sentences.

Caroline: A little bit of Scandinavian. A little bit of Ethnic chic. A little bit of Retro!

Where do you find inspiration?

Caroline: Packaging; nature; car boot sales; colour in everything; textiles; wonderful window displays created by the most incredibly talented people!

What are the qualities of a good interior stylist?

Caroline: Stylists require never-ending vision to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary; energy and enthusiasm to source something new and different;a magpie instinct for collecting anything and everything that may just come in handy one day!; an almost incurable habit of styling every conceivable corner in your own home and the desire to do the same to everyone elses too!!

Being in the business, is there currently a specific trend in interior styling?

Caroline: A stylist will take a trend and make it very personal to them. Pastels for the Summer months and the enduring popularity of mixing vintage with new classics will be interpreted in every conceivable way in the magazines.  The end look could be as natural or as staged and dramatic as you like-the variations in styling are endless!  

Thank you Caroline!

All photography by Caroline Davis of Trend Daily

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Happily Ever After: Stylist Daniella Witte

Hello my friends! As some of you know, I am currently spending some spring days in Stockholm, Sweden, enjoying the full power of Scandinavian design in this amazing city. So it was pretty clear that this week's 'Happily Ever After' blogpost will be dedicated to a Swedish topic. In fact, I chose a fabulous lady: the Swedish interior stylist, photographer, blogger and shop owner Daniella Witte.

Daniella gives an insight into her creative world over on her blog and you will fall in love with her work and inspiring spaces - natural hues, tons of textures, timid bits of colour. A stylish approach that inherits the sophistication of Scandinavian design with the personal musing of a creative mind. My favorite here? That extremely stylish yet comfy and cosy living room with the massive sofa embellished by those cushions and throws. A Friday dream...

 

Photography by Daniella Witte via Daniella Witte Blog

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Happily Ever After: Interior Stylist Irina Graewe

When I buy fresh produce I try to remember one motto: buy local. Now when it comes to blogging, why not sharing a bit of local interior love with you international peeps? Hence, today I am shifting the spotlight on Germany and a talented interior stylist: Hamburg based Irina Graewe. 

Irina studied fashion in London and during her studies her focus of interest shifted towards interiors and prop styling. Ever since, she has become a successful interior stylist and has worked for leading publications in England and Germany. Her work has a strong artful twist highlighting details in atmospheric interiors. Whether it's a bright and vibrant composition such as in her work 'Africa Meets Neon' or a moody, muted palette as in 'Through Time' - the thread through all of her work is a nifty, sophisticated touch of art. For more of her inspiring work visit her website here.

Photography: Picture 1 & 3 (Africa Meets Neon), Picture 4 & 6 (Nowhere But Here), Picture 7 & 8 (Through Time) all by Michael Fitzthum; Picture 2 & 5 (Culture Club) by Janne Peters; styling by Irina Graewe.  

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From Place To Space: London

Today we are traveling to a city that I've visited many times and will keep visiting as I have many good friends living over there: London. The UK capital is the perfect weekend get-away destination for those moments when I feel bored, uninspired or in need of a bustling city adventure and shopping spree. 

It is not new to any of us that London is also the home of so many stunning interiors and interior shops and brands. Thus, I think I could write dozens of 'From Place To Space' blog posts about London. For today's post I've picked the East London based modern and sleek home of interior stylist Abigail Ahern. I adore her talent to make such strong design statements without overdoing it - a cautious number of design classics, neutral and natural hues, a variety of textures for tactile highlights and lots of natural light - sounds like the recipe for an immaculate sense of style.

Moreover, I've come across a fabulous London based photographer with a stunning interior photography portfolio - Jake Curtis. Here are a few snippets of his amazing work. You must visit his website and see his opus of photography - he's shot for great names such as Elle Decoration, Esquire, Living Etc, Marks & Spencer.

 

So, after all these inspiring people and their work, let me get back to London itself. Some of my favorite spots are the Columbia Road Market on Sundays. You can enjoy the great flower market, inspiring little shops and cute cafés. For a sunny afternoon I love to take a walk in one of the many parks - an all time favorite is Primrose Hill with a beautiful panorama view of the city and shops and cafés galore dotted along the streets (make sure you visit the sweet Primrose Bakery). And for a good and (un-)healthy shopping marathon I love to head to Regent's Street. Well, why do I feel the need to book my next London trip now? Happy Monday!

Photography: Abigail Ahern home via Interiormagasinet; Jake Curtis's work via Jake Curtis; all other photography by Igor Josifovic. 

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Happily Ever After: Stylist Sania Pell

Every Friday, I love to feature a talented stylist, a gifted photographer or remarkable brand. Today I've picked one amazingly talented lady that is widely known in the creative scene: London based stylist, designer, book author and blogger Sania Pell. And just for the record: she is also a mum of two kids (seriously, I don't know how she does it all). 

 

I am pretty sure that the majority of you know her name and her work. She is the author of the inspiring book 'The Homemade Home' that's been published in various languages. Her book gives you an idea of how to become crafty yet cool with projects for every room in the house and additional gift ideas. This strong focus and creativity with handmade projects is seen in her work as an interior stylist, too. In fact, she is known for her creative input and a unique, handmade aspect to her photo shootings and styling projects for renowned publications such as Elle Decoration, The Sunday Telegraph, Easy Living and more. 

I really love her romantic, playful approach to styling with that mentioned handmade aspect - you can literally see how much thought and love has been dedicated to each styling. You can see her beautiful portfolio on her website, read her inspiring blog and get her book here.

Happy Friday!

Photography: All pictures via Sania Pell. Stylist credit: Sania Pell. Photographer credit: Disco ball photos, romantic bedroom photo, grey wall and grey linen photos, flowers and buttons photos by Penny Wincer for Cico Books; black and white photos, rugged wall photos, black oriental photos by Uli Schade for Elle Decoration; 

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Happily Ever After: Stylist Sasa Antic

For my Friday series 'Happily Ever After' I love to feature the work of amazing interior stylists, photographers or designers. Today, I've picked the Sweden based stylist Sasa Antic (pronounce Sasha Antich). I happened to stumble over his work a year and something ago while researching the web on interior design. I spotted his work for Ikea and loved the creative approach and playful styling of one of Ikea's colour specials. Plus, his name draw my attention as it indicates roots in the former Yugoslavia. So one thing we have in common. 

Now, I've revisited his website and browsed through his styling work. I've selected a few inspiring photographies that I loved instantly. I like his refined colour compositions, the mix of Scandinavian style with eclectic flavors of a well-travelled man, the playful and boyish use of colour pops and accessories. Claim it on our similar ethnic roots, claim it on our similar tastes - but I've recognized myself in his work. Happy Friday, friends!

Photography via Sasa Antic

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Happily Ever After: Stylist Myrica Bergqvist

Today I'm featuring another great stylist on Happy Interior Blog: The Swedish stylist and furniture designer Myrica Bergqvist. When I spotted her work, I knew immediately that this must go on the blog sooner or later. I love her eye for details in interiors, the open and unconventional approach to colours, and the quirky and sometimes almost odd touch to her styling. The interiors surprise with playful and original details yet avoiding a stuffy or over-styled look. Just have a look at these pictures. Isn't it great? For more please visit her website here.

Photography via Myrica Bergqvist

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Book Review: My Heart Wanders

Yesterday, while taking the train from Austria back to Munich, I finished reading one of the most wonderful books I've recently got between my fingers: 'My Heart Wanders' by Pia Jane Bijkerk. A book that truly touched my heart and that seemed so familiar and honest, I almost had the feeling I knew well all the words that unfolded before my eyes. Reading those lines full of emotions and thought, feelings and rationale, gave me goosebumps. Let me give you a little snippet of this moving heart travel. On the bookend cover it reads: "Four years ago something very peculiar happened. My heart wandered. It simply packed its suitcase and wandered away. I wrote it a letter in heart language but it never responded. So what does one do when one's heart wanders? Follow. For being without a heart is to be no longer alive."

This enchanting book was written by internationally acclaimed stylist, photographer and author specializing in interiors, still life and food, Pia Jane Bijkerk. With the book 'My Heart Wanders', Pia takes us on a very personal journey that is simultaneously so true for all of us. Pia is Australian and packed her suitcase leaving her homeland to live in Paris where she met her love. There, she discovered that sometimes we are tricked by our own ideas and ideologizations from time to time. Consequently, her heart wandered on to Amsterdam... She not only takes us on a wisely and carefully spoken journey along memory lane, but on an inspiring one, too. Through her artful photographies she manages to transmit a sensuous feeling of traveling, pondering, and questioning one's decisions over and over again. On the trip, we learn again what we've always known but most of us have forgotten or lost along the way. The importance of nesting, renewal, acceptance. The power of a sense of place, the importance of going with the flow to eventually find home. 

I warmly recommend this book. I have never found another book that weaves emotions, words and interiors so wisely and adorably together. I felt like taking off immediately after closing the book's cover. For I want to follow my own wandering heart. Do you?

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