5 Happy Inspirations: From Sweden - Part 2

As promised last Wednesday, today's '5 Happy Inspirations' are the second part of my little loot from my trip to Stockholm. Yesterday's black and white inspired 'Craving' post has come as a sort of intro to these goodies. I was drawn to the sleek look of monochrome Scandinavian ceramics in particular. Thus, I couldn't resist but expand my little collection of nice tableware. Two weeks ago I blogged about them, now they are mine - the cool Bono bowls by the Design House Stockholm. Moreover, this hand-painted, striped café au lait cup and the cute little egg cups made their way from the Bruka Design store right into my shopping bag. The simple and classic cotton napkins with navy stripes as well as the hand-made bowls caught my eye in the homewares section at PUB department store and traveled back to Munich with me. Well, now I only have to move into a bigger apartment to fit in all my little goodies! Happy hump day, friends!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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From Place To Space: Stockholm

Here it is. Finally. My special, dedicated post to a fabulous, design savvy city that I visited a week ago: Stockholm. You've been flooded here on Happy Interior Blog with Swedish inspiration over the past few days. I hope I haven't been bothering you too much, but I loved my little Swedish trip so much and it was so inspiring that I had to share all my ideas and thoughts with you. But let me take you now on a little Stockholm trip in a retrospective. Ready? Let's roll!

Stockholm, as almost every city, is organized in various boroughs and the most central and most relevant for visitors are Norrmalm, Gamla Stan, Östermalm, Södermalm, Djurgården and Kungsholmen. I visited every quarter but the latter one. I was staying in a solid, mid-class hotel in Norrmalm and it was just a stone's throw to one of the major shopping thoroughfares, the Drottninggatan. This street leads from the north to the south and it is an ideal way to experience a big variety of cafés, bakeries, shops, department stores. Here you will find amazing shopping temples like the PUB department store with a super extensive homewares section, Scandinavia's biggest department store, the Ahléns with great home decoration and Scandinavian fabrics, and a huge H&M with a big H&M Home store. Luckily, many cafés invite you to have a little break while the number of your shopping bags is continually growing. Just a few streets further, check out the brand new MOOD department store (it opened during my stay) and opposite of it you will find the super lovely Bruka Design store with adorable tableware and home décor. For a great dinner, try the super cool and urban B.A.R. restaurant at Blasieholmsgatan. You will love the industrial interior design and enjoy the delicious cuisine with a focus on fish and sea food. Another tip: For a fabulous start into a Sunday, head to the amazing design hotel Nordic Light Hotel for a fantastic American brunch. The food is beyond yummy, the selection huge, the local DJ takes good care of you for a smooth start into the day and the design surrounding you - I have no words. It was one of the highlights! Not to mention the fact that it is super value for money! At the end of the famous Drottninggatan you will reach the end of Norrmalm and set over to the 'Old Town', to Gamla Stan. 

Gamla Stan is something like the touristic heart of Stockholm. Here you have a big number of sights that are must-sees. The Parliament building, the Stockholm Palace, the Storkyrken church, the Stortorget Square, the Nobel Museum, the German church (Tyska Kyrken), and the city's narrowest pathway, the Marten Trotzig path. Västerlånggatan is the main shopping street on Gamla Stan and usually packed with picture taking tourists. Nonetheless, risk a little stroll as you will pass the cute little store E. Torndahl with fine Scandinavian design. However, do make a turn and wander the paths off the beaten track and you will find cute, quite corners like the Chaikhana tea salon or the Magnus Ladulås restaurant with traditional Swedish cuisine. For a little break, stop at the magnificent tiny Chokladkoppen at Stortorget Square - you will enjoy a cup of Stockholm's finest hot chocolate and cakes to die for. 

At the end of Gamla Stan you can cross one of the city's many bridges and step over to the hip, southern island named Södermalm. Climb the Slussen Square and you will end up in Götgatan, the island's main commercial street with great stores like Granit with fine homeware in black, white and grey hues. Keep on walking and you will end up in the bustling, hip heart of Södermalm (the area between Götgatan, Folkungagatan, Renstiernas gata, and Ringvägen). Many cafés, restaurants, and shops are lining the way and you will be drawn to real treasure spots: the vintage stores have a huge density in this quarter. Don't miss the cool concept store Grandpa with fashion, deco and vintage furniture. If you love good chocolates, make a pit stop at Chokladfabriken - you won't leave the store empty handed (well, I didn't). On the way back, climb the Katarinavägen street for a great panoramic view of Stockholm and its numerous waterfronts. If you feel like walking a bit more, try the Hornsgatan street and walk it all the way down to the western tip. You will pass the fabulous Mellqvist Kaffebar for a little 'fika' break (traditional coffee and cake break) and at the end of the street you will be rewarded with a visit to the grand Bio Rio cinema from the 1940s with original interior design and a café that takes you back in time. Adjacent is the quirky little Copacabana café with homemade sandwiches and cakes. Both places well worth the walk!

If you fancy a little trip to the opposite island named Djurgården, take the ferry from Slussen. You will enjoy a 20 minutes ferry trip to the park island with century old flora, a huge park, and some fine museums like the Nordic and Vasa Museum. I wandered back from Djurgården via Östermalm (with a fantastic, maritime waterfront - enjoy the many little anchored boats along the water) to Norrmalm. In general, I suggest a lot of walking as it is the best way to see the varieties of Stockholm and discover some hidden, unexpected gems along the way. The city's size is also very ideal for walking adventures - moreover, the public transport is rather costly. 

Oh my, there is so much to see and experience. I am pretty sure I forgot many other cool and great spots. But hey, you should discover some places by yourself, too. In a nutshell: If you love design, you'll love Stockholm! Happy start of the week!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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Happily Ever After: Swedish Perfection

Blame me. Booh me. Diss me. I can't help it - this week has been deeply influenced by my trip to Stockholm and yes, this Friday is not different. I am taking you once more to this nordic, highly design-conscious country. And folks, to be honest, wouldn't you be living happily ever after in this Swedish perfection?

The spacious rooms, the high windows with old-style handles letting in tons of natural light, the classic sliding doors, the wooden floors, the scattered design classic, the pops of colour against the dominating whites - what's to not like about it? And seriously, that balcony? Are you kidding me - I so need this kind of apartment. Then it's all done and settled. With the 'happily ever after' I mean. A big hug to all of you. Oh, and TGIF!

Photography via Alvhem Mäkleri

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Lovin' Designer Agneta Livijn

You might have seen on my post yesterday that I stocked up on new, beautiful handmade cups. They are the sublime work of Swedish designer Agneta Livijn. After being back from Stockholm, I took the opportunity to look up the work of Agneta Livijn online and loved her different collections so much that I've decided to share it here with you. The trademark of her work are the unique handmade shapes of her products that make every single piece a unique gem. 

Agneta Livijn provides a complete design concept for the kitchen - her collection stretches from hand-produced café latte cups with saucers, plates, bowls, mugs and kitchen textiles. The line of exclusive stoneware is designed in Sweden with production in Italy and Portugal. She not only designs and produces for her own brand Agneta Livijn AB but has also successfully worked for international superstar brands such as Ikea, Habitat, or Marks & Spencer. 

The designer launched its brand Agneta Livijn back in 1995 in Stockholm. Well, isn't this a brilliant discovery of my shopping roaming in Stockholm? Do you like her happy collection?

Photography via Agneta Livijn AB

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5 Happy Inspirations: From Sweden - Part 1

I am a globetrotter, yes, I admit. And I do fall for souvenir shopping. But not the kind of regular souvenir shopper who brings home some dust collecting, tacky knick-knack. Instead, I always buy something adorable and beautiful for my home. And when I travel to countries like Sweden that have are a design stronghold, well then my budget suffers but my interior & decor loving heart is happy as it can be! So, no wonder that I returned from Stockholm with a bag full of stylish goodies to remind me of a perfect trip on a daily basis. I bought ten different things and decided to share all of them with you - in two subsequent '5 Happy Inspirations' posts. Here we go with part 1. Check next week for the other five goodies I brought home from Scandinavia. Happy hump day, friends!

1. A super cool planter with Swedish printing from Granit, a store that offers everything practical for homes in grey, white, black and metal tones. Super cool & urban. By the way, this planter is a one of a kind since it was an item on display. The normal planters come without the print.

2. These handmade mugs won my heart over from the first sight when I spotted them in the extensive homeware section of the PUB department store. They are handmade and hand painted by Swedish artist Agneta Livijn and will cheer up every of my mornings from now on!

3. I couldn't resist when I found this Olle Eksell poster entitled 'Ögon' (Eyes) in a tiny little Scandinavian design store called E. Torndahl in Gamla Stan. It went right into my shopping bag. Now I only need an adequate frame for it!

4. This cute little Chinese teapot for one person was just what I needed to complete my kitchenware. I found it at the PUB department store.

5. It was clear as a sunny day that I won't leave Sweden without a Dala horse. But I didn't want a brand new one as you can find in almost every store in Stockholm. I wanted a black one. I wanted a vintage one. And I found it! In a little, tucked-away store in Gamla Stan. 

Anything here you like in particular? Next week I will share the other five goodies from Stockholm!

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Last Minute Souvenirs From Sweden

Hello folks! I am back from a fabulous trip to Stockholm and - as you can imagine - enjoyed every bit of it! If you were following my Instagrams and tweets, you've had the opportunity to get a glimpse of my adventures in the stylish Swedish capital. Today I wanted to share with you my last minute souvenirs from the Stockholm airport: two great Swedish interior magazines, Sköna Hem and Allt i Hemmet. I couldn't resist to buy them and although I don't speak Swedish, the styling and interior tips speak to me nonetheless. I noticed an ever present trend of kilims in any variations: from rugs, to pillows and other textiles. Apart from that there is an abundance of spring colours to brighten up homes. But have a look by yourself, here are some of my favorite tear sheets. 

Photography taken by Igor Josifovic from Sköna Hem and Allt i Hemmet

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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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5 Happy Inspirations: From Sweden With Love

Now don't you wonder about my 'oh so' Swedish passion today. I am so happy to tell you that  I will be off to Stockholm as off tomorrow! It is my first trip ever to Sweden (can you believe that?) and I am so über-excited to discover the best of Scandinavian design in one of Europe's design capitals itself. I can reassure you that you will be part of my trip too - soon I will feature a special 'From Place To Space' post dedicated to Stockholm, and if you like to have a more real-time experience follow me on Instagram and Twitter as I will be updating you live from Stockholm. But now let's get in the mood with five happy inspirations from Design House Stockholm!

Photography: 1. Work Lamp, 2. Nordic Light candelabra, 3. Cobalt tableware collection, 4. Bono bowls, 5. Manana lamp, all via Design House Stockholm

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