Happy Guest: Happy Mundane

I love finding interior inspiration from magazines, blogs, websites, and stores, but one of my favorite sources is vintage decorating books. I've been collecting these books for many years and can not resist checking out the interiors/decor section of any used bookstore, thrift store, or vintage shop I pass by. My favorite eras are generally from the late 60s through the 70s and 80s. One of my favorite finds is this book: Young Designs in Color, by Barbara Plumb. It was originally published in 1972 (here is the link). Here's a few of my favorite pages: 

Pic 1:  I love the overall white scheme. The use of pop colors only in the pillows and artwork is something that I've actually used in my house as well. All the tonal textures, such as the ceiling and the mix of natural leather, wicker, and textiles give the space warmth (not to mention that awesome long fireplace!).

Pic 2: While the first pic was all about white - this room goes the opposite direction and gives you full drama of super dark walls. I love the high contrast use of white moulding paired with the wood floors. Interesting that they kept the insides of the built-in book cases white. It breaks up all the dark and allows the accessories to stand out. Also love the oversized leather sofa and the fun and unexpected use of a Matisse painting as a piano bench cover!

Pic 3: How amazing would it be to live in all this natural light?! Excellent mix of textures, and a great reminder that rugs can act as large scale artwork and bring depth and interest to a big wall. I love the graphic painted bench/low cabinet! This could be an easy DIY idea!

Pic 4: Another amazing home with so much natural light. Similar to pic no. 3, a great mix of textures and although the 70s are notorious for the use of wood paneling, I feel like the way it's used here still feels fresh and gives the space a "modern rustic" feel. Love the bright yellow sofa in the back and bold modern artwork scattered throughout. I could imagine spending a wonderfully relaxed weekend afternoon just lounging in this space.

I hope you've enjoyed taking a little step back in time with me. It just goes to show that good design is timeless. Maybe some ideas from the 1970s will inspire you today in 2012?

Thank you again Igor for having me on the blog today, and please follow more of my mundane musings over at Happy Mundane (happymundane.com) as well as find me on Instagram and Twitter (@happymundane).

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Happy Guest: Vosgesparis

When Igor asked me to write a guest post for you 'happy' readers, I had to think for a while, because he and me...we are quite different. When thinking of Igor's blog I think of color and  for a girl like me who is known for her monochrome interiors and blog posts it is a total different world. But Igor and I get on really well online and I love to have followed his blog-career from the very first start. So for me it is a real pleasure to be here.

When visiting the Woonbeurs, I was thrilled to see all the colorful homes the Dutch interior magazines created this year. Both the VT Wonen home and the 101 Woonideeen home had lots of greens and blues. Both homes had plenty of beautifully styled corners and I made lots of pictures. I love to share a part of the 101 Woonideeen homes here on Igor's Happy Interior Blog. I hope you like it and it will give you some inspiration for your own home. 

Part of the home was a huge outdoor garden with walls covered in plants and with items beautifully brought together. There was so much to see in this home!

Oh and I would love to show you more on my own blog: Vosgesparis - you are more than welcome! And Igor thank you for having me. 

Photography by Desiree/Vosgesparis

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Happy Guest: Bright Bazaar

Hello, Happy Interior Blog readers! It's so fun to be guest blogging here today whilst Igor escapes to sunnier climes! My name is Will and I blog daily over at Bright.Bazaar about all things colourful and eclectic in interiors. I thought it would be fun to replicate one of Igor's fab regular features, Five Happy Inspirations, so here are my top five Must Haves of the moment:

1. I'm pretty sure my heart skips a beat each and every time I see the Wilmot sofa in the window of my local Habitat store. The Scandinavian simplicity appeals to my urge to keep key pieces of furniture pared-back - I like to use them as a canvas to add lots of colourful brights. Rest assured, if this piece made it into my Bright.Bazaar home, it would soon be acquainted with a pile of vibrant textiles. I'm thinking hot pink or yellow would be a match made in sofa heaven!

2. Another Habitat lust item is their Saunders rubber pendant, which I've been crushing on since I saw it at their press show in the height of the summer. The use of rubber makes the piece all the more interesting as you expect it to be metal at first glance. I also like how it has a light filter underneath to produce a softer pool of light.

3. I discovered Baines & Fricker at TENT London during London Design Festival and their take on the fruit crate is a winner in my book. I love how they've used both type and colour to create a striking graphic effect.

4. I've been waiting a while for Robert's radio to release one of their Retro Revival radios in a colour I could get down with. Well, their Mustard Yellow Radio certainly ticks that box, I love it.

5. To me, scrolling through School House Electric's emporium of lighting and office goodies is as enjoyable as being in a candy store is for a kid. The brand's yellow clock is hand assembled in Portland, Oregon and the second hand moves continuously - a must for me as I'm not a fan of ticking clocks in an office!

Thanks for reading, folks. If you like, you can find more colourful inspiration from me on my blog | facebook | twitter | pinterest.

Mr. Bazaar, aka Will

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Happy Guest: My Paradissi

Hello Happy Interior Blog readers!

I'm Eleni from My Paradissi and I'm delighted to keep you company here for a while as Mr. Igor is having some great time on his vacation. How about some bright, warm and cozy interiors to fight the mid-autumn blues? Follow me...

First I'd get myself some fluffy, super soft pillows and throws to hug, then let my artsy instincts run wild and fill a wall with pieces of inspiration and art. I'd be oh, so lucky to have a marble countertop island in my spacious kitchen, which I'd decorate with aged lanterns I'd find from the flea market. And, last but not least, I'd host a kick-the-moodiness-away dinner party with my stripy runners and my handmade crocheted vases. Feel better already ;)

Come over at My Paradissi and say hi! I'd love to meet you. You can also find me in facebook and twitter.

Thank you Igor for having me around! xoxo

Image credits: 1.sanctuary, 2.ellens album, 3.Charles de Lisle, 4.dronning maud

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Happy Guest: Shop Sweet Things

Hello, Happy Interior Blog readers! How’s everyone? I’m Jeanne from Shop Sweet Things, a San Francisco lifestyle blogger who loves to share her discoveries on shopping, fashion, and living. I’m really excited to be here today while Igor is away enjoying his well-deserved break.

Just like you, I’m a HUGE fan of Igor! So when he asked me to be one of his guests this week, I was really flattered! I met Igor a little earlier before he started the Happy Interior Blog. We met through a virtual Pinterest party he hosted with Holly of Decor8, and from then on I was smitten by his charming personality. When he launched his Happy Interior Blog, I followed it from day one. I just knew it would be good stuff. And boy, do we share a similar taste?!  I think we both are very fond of fun, quirky and stylish design. I’m always impressed with the products and inspirations he finds for his blog (who isn’t, anyway?!) And while he talks about all things happy, I talk about all things sweet. So, in a way, we complement each other like peanut butter and jam.

However, I think where we really connected is that we both enjoy finding happiness in simple things – without giving up on style, that is! I believe this is why Igor has always been a huge supporter of my column, “Sweet Things Under $20.” So for this guest post, I thought it would only be fitting to turn his favorite column on my blog into “Happy Things Under $20”.  Do you like? I apologize in advance that this is in dollars and not in euros, but you get the idea. J

Hope I did a good job filling in for Igor. It’s truly my pleasure to be here and happy day to all!

1. Salad Servers 2. Art Print 3. Face towel 4. Milk Bottle 5. Washable Slippers  6. Bath Soap7. Gather Journal 8. Blue Two-Tone Mug

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Happy Guest Blogging!

This week is a pretty exciting one for me as a blogger. I received a call from a German national TV station and they interviewed me about my blog and even wanted to film my apartment. Well, I had to refuse the filming as it was really at a short notice and my day job would not allow such quick adjustments to my schedule. But there was more happiness this week! 


I was very honored to guest blog on one of my favorite US lifestyle blogs, Shop Sweet Things. Ever since I discovered this San Francisco based blog, I've followed and enjoyed Jeanne's refined taste and style. I've particularly grown accustomed to her Monday blog series entitled 'Sweet Things Under $20'. Now can you imagine my happiness when Jeanne asked me to guest blog for this very blog series?! Exactly, first I needed to shake off my happy frenzy and then I got myself ready to chase some lovely and inspiring picks under $20. Read my full guest post over at Shop Sweet Things. Thank you, Jeanne!!

Moreover, I was asked for a mini online interview and a personal selection of pretty things on the creative hub DaWanda. DaWanda is a European online marketplace for unique and handmade items and bursts with creative goodies. So it was a breeze to select products with the tad of happiness required. If you understand German, see my mini interview here (otherwise, have a look at my product selection). Thank you DaWanda team!


And let me tell you one thing...there is more to come these days! Stay happy, my friends!

Photo collage by Jeanne for Shop Sweet Things; DaWanda images by DaWanda.

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