Cosy Home with Urban Outfitters

December is upon us and even though I’m struggling with the lack of daylight, I love the cosy vibe. You know, when you feel like you want to stay in your slippers and pajama all day long. When you light scented candles, you brew some tea and you snuggle up with a good book in bed. The obvious cliché things for a cosy home, I know! But oh so true! At least for me. So how about I invite you to get cosy with me at home (in a totally prim and proper manner of course)?

So what is my winter remedy? It is good quality me-time. No seriously. Recently I was talking with my friend and photographer Lina over tea about me-time. About the importance of dedicating time just for you. Even if you live as a couple, even if you are part of a larger family – it is utterly important to have some time only for yourself. And me-time is best spent in a cosy home – a surrounding that makes you feel happy and at ease.

For the latest interior styling I have teamed up with Urban Outfitters. Every now and then I end up buying something from UO since they happen to have wonderful boho pieces. Remember my moon crescent planter? It went viral on Instagram! When I saw their new cactus print bedding, I was literally over the moon! I mean this was a full Urban Jungle Bloggers score! Using this bedding entailed the obvious need for more plants next to my bed. The solution was quickly found: the plant stand Zoe. Now it is a bedside table and plant stand in one. A new brass hanging planter above the bed and a cosy banana silk rug and the chill out zone is perfect!

Creating a cosy home is not only about tangible things. You need to appeal to all your senses. The touch and feel of your textiles, the scent lingering around you as well as the sound – all play a key role in creating a cosy home. For my green theme I opted for a scented candle by ‘Earl of East London’. The ‘Greenhouse’ candle is crisp and delicate leaving an almost elusive idea of an enchanted garden.

As much as I love total silence from time to time, I also like to relax with some good background music. The moody season calls for some moody tunes. And guess what – I am a good ol’ Twin Peaks fan so no wonder I got myself the Twin Peaks soundtrack on vinyl. Can you imagine how atmospheric it gets at home with this music? A lovely ceramic cup filled with soothing tea, a book, plants all around and I am as happy as one can be.

Do you allow yourself some quality me-time? Do it, take it, request it! It is nurturing, it is healing, it is essential. It is part of this whole concept when people tell us: First you have to love yourself before you can love others. And it is true. And to love yourself you have to spend some good quality time – with yourself! Happy me-dating!

Thank you to Urban Outfitters for sponsoring this post. As always all thoughts & opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help support this blog.

Photography by Igor Josifovic

 

 

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from Happy Interior Blog https://happyinteriorblog.com/2016/12/cosy-home-urban-outfitters.html

White House Surprise

I am beyond excited right now to share this I can barely contain it….I received a mysterious invitation last week out of the blue to get a private tour of the White House Holiday decorations. That was shocker number one and of course who would say no to an invitation like that?!  I was in Chicago for Read More

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from COCOCOZY http://cococozy.com/white-house-surprise/

Home Improvement Small Houses

I’ve been following this duo for sometime now and I had to share this home improvement project on their historic townhouse! Bryan and Catherine’s company, Beginning in the Middle, is full of inspiration for home improvements in small spaces and I love it so much…maybe because that has been my life in my little Hollywood Read More

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from COCOCOZY http://cococozy.com/home-improvement-small-houses/

Kitchen Remodel Update: Design Board

Hello, there! Today there is a pretty exciting development happening our kitchen. I can hardly believe it, but the cabinets are being delivered and installed! No photos yet of the progress since the work hadn’t started when I published this post, but you can imagine I’m doing a HAPPY DANCE AND SPORTING A HUGE GRIN ON MY FACE! If […]

This article Kitchen Remodel Update: Design Board is from The Inspired Room Republishing this article in full or in part is a violation of copyright law. © 2009-2013, all rights reserved.

from The Inspired Room http://theinspiredroom.net/2016/11/29/kitchen-remodel-update-design-board/

Rustic Stone Cottage

Thanksgiving is over and we are in full holiday mode, albeit without a home still…oh vey. If you saw my instagram this weekend, you saw my notes to self that buying a house is top of the priority list…so naturally what am I doing? Distracting myself with fabulous house tours. I love this rustic stone Read More

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from COCOCOZY http://cococozy.com/rustic-stone-cottage/

Antwerp Travel Tips: The darling city

Mid October I spent a wonderful weekend with seven ladies – all of them good friends and fellow design bloggers from across Europe. We gathered in the Belgian port city of Antwerp as part of the Function + Form event series. Our mission was to discover Belgian design and the vibe of Antwerp – a city often overseen when thinking of design destinations. To be honest I didn’t have any idea of Antwerp in general. And let me tell you one thing: I was absolutely surprised by the cool lifestyle and design scene in Antwerp. See why with these ‘Antwerp Travel Tips’.

Antwerp is a great destination to discover design and art. It brims with inspiring galleries, little shops, makers, design labels, and more. Not to mention good cafés, restaurants, hotels. But let me name just a few that I had the opportunity to visit (a few more will follow in separate blog posts).

Kaffeenini: This cute cafés serves ‘happy coffee’, yummy cakes and good breakfasts. The interior is cool too and it is located on a lively shopping street. Good to kick start your day in Antwerp!

Studio Helder: Studio Helder is a shop, design studio and platform for contemporary design with a lovely focus on local, Belgian design. They also feature a fine selection of international design objects. I brought back a wallet made of paper – the work of a Japanese design label.

Graanmarkt 13: This address should be on your itinerary if you visit Antwerp! Graanmarkt 13 is the name and address of a fantastic restaurant and high-end design shop. Both are highly recommended. And if you travel as a larger group you can even rent a huge penthouse apartment on top – with jacuzzi, refined design and personal concierge included. And you know what: It is not even that expensive if you come as a group of people!

Design Center Winkelhaak: Located close to the Central Train station in Antwerp, this incubator for creative entrepreneurs should not be missed if you are a design aficionado. You can discover a plethora of interesting local designs, from furniture to home accessories. An adjacent café invites you to take a break and indulge before you head out for more design input in the Belgian port town.

Eilandje area / MAS museum: This area is really interesting. Partly it is still being constructed and revived attracting local creatives like designers, architects and artists. This was the old port area before it moved further out of town (and growing to a size bigger than the city itself). We were so lucky to be guided through the area by local architect Hansi Ombregt of p8 Architekten Antwerpen. He not only built his own house right there (that he sold afterwards) but he is also a great connaisseur of the entire area. This part of Antwerp hosts the MAS museum among other places, a great example of modern architecture in Antwerp. You can also go up to the rooftop terrace for free and enjoy a fantastic 360 degrees view all around Antwerp. There are more amazing buildings lining the docks, as well as some good cafés (like Broer Bretel for a good brew or hot chocolate) and restaurants like Felix Pakhuis and Balls & Glory (it’s meatballs hahaha).

Native Bio Bistro: Time for lunch? Then I strongly recommend the fabulous Native restaurant serving scrumptious organic food. This bistro is absolutely adorable – the interior is sort of rustic and lived in, perfectly matching the good, healthy and hearty food. It is small so make sure you book a table. And the location is fab – just opposite of some more great design shops!

Arrangerie 13: Just opposite of the aforementioned restaurant you will find the shop ‘Arrangerie 13’. This is a design paradise featuring beautiful vintage furniture, mid-century classics as well as contemporary furniture design and home accessories. Additionally the entire shop has a warm and inspiring atmosphere being located in an old shop with tiled floors, creaky wooden floors, huge mirrors and raw walls. Go and enjoy!

Sjokolat: No trip to Belgium is complete without buying some good Belgian chocolate! My tip: Stop at the cute little Sjokolat boutique close to the central square in Antwerp’s old town. A delicious choice of good handmade chocolate bars and pralines. It was definitely worth the rebellious stop-over while our guides were waiting for us:-)

Ok, how does Antwerp sound to you now? I think it is a little hidden gem in Belgium as it really offers such a variety and a great lifestyle. Especially the amazing design and art scene were surprising. Stay tuned for an upcoming blog post about a wonderful art gallery in Antwerp. And check HERE a great furniture label from Belgium, that is currently exhibited in a cute little shop/showroom called Quatuor (located in Antwerp’s oldest building).

I hope you enjoyed today’s little virtual trip to Antwerp in Belgium. Thanks again to the Function + Form team and Visit Antwerpen for such a wonderful weekend filled with design, sightseeing, good coffee and yummy food. I will see you again, Antwerp!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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from Happy Interior Blog https://happyinteriorblog.com/2016/11/antwerp-travel-tips-darling-city.html