MUST HAVE: IKEA THE BOOK

It's been a while since I've talked about IKEA with you but guess what I can't resist to do it again. Because they have just launched: IKEA The Book, a 450-page account of their products and the creative minds behind their designs. Written by Staffan Bengtsson, the book takes you behind-the-scenes and digs deep into some of the secrets behind their success. It's a pictorial treat that shows some of their earlier designs and tells the tale of how IKEA became an international design phenomenon.  You can purchase this book online at the Sweden Book Shop.

via: The Designer Pad

ABOUT LIFE...

My dear fellow bloggers. Time flies when havin' fun. It's time for the weekend. Thank you for all your hearthwarming comments, e-mails and sweet notes. You made my day! Have a wonderful weekend and don't forget to enjoy life because:

HOME TOUR: VERTICAL LOFT IN SWEDEN

Today I stumbled upon this beautiful loft home, located in the south of Sweden and as you know I love Sweden for its nature and Swedish design. This white box home was replaced in between the traditional rural homes. Inside it has an open plan kitchen and a lovely small garden with light from above. This home really surprised me by the athmosphere and light, the white basics and the stunning home office.

Q. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS PLACE??

images via At Casa

ORCHID FLOWER POWER

The days are getting shorter and it's getting colder outside. It's autumn here in Holland and that's exactly the time of the year that I start to create some extra warmth inside my interior. Today I bought these lovely orchids. They are so colorful and charming. At this stage I'm not sure where to put them but the pink ones do pretty well on the white wall and so do the white ones against the oyster wall.

Q. WHAT DO YOU THINK? DO YOU LIKE ORCHIDS?

images: Lise M. for Urban Style Vibes*

BEACH HOUSE NEW ZEALAND

Do you remember the cool container house that I posted here last week? Today I'd like to show you a similar concept in New Zealand. This beachhouse was designed by Parsonson Architects. This holiday home was built by using simple modular contstruction techniques, combined with a very simple form. This layout allows the living room to face both east to hills and west to the sea. It allows sun into the house throughout the day, for passive solar heating of the concrete slab and creates a sheltered outside space on the east side that still keeps a strong connection to the western sea views.

Q. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS CONCEPT?

images via The Contemporist

X-MAS INSPIRATION PART 1

Good Morning! Welcome to the new week! How was your weekend? I had a wonderful relaxed weekend. I had time to read all your blogs and sweet comments. Thank you so much for all your kind words and inspiration. I love it!! In only 7 weeks from now it's Christmas. Can you imagine? It still feels long away but you know, time flies when havin fun. Today I'd like to share the first holiday season inspiration with you. This is the lovely Finnish brand Iittala. I love their philosophy: 'against throwawayism'  and that means the desings are timeless!

I'm currently collecting a new series of plates and cups of this brand but I would love to add this seasonal range to my collection.

Q. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS COLLECTION?

images via Iittala

HOME TOUR: COPENHAGEN

Oh my sweet bloggerfriends. I need to share this with you. This is the lovely apartment from Rupert Landendinger in Copenhagen. Do you remember my post about the lovely home of Danish fashion deisgner Malene Birger? This is her husband. He is a Brand and Product director for Malene's company. And if you take a close look, you can see similarities in both interiors. By the way, both apartments are located in Copenhagen. What a treat!

I love all the frameworks and the use of serene colours combined with black.

Big grey tiles in the kitchen. Stunning!

A wooden hallway is just a beauty itself!

via: Skona Hem

YOUR WEEKEND...(VIA URBAN STYLE VIBES*)

Are you ready for the weekend? What are your plans? Enjoy to the max and see you back on monday.Today I'd like to share some Cuban inspiration with you. These images are made by me on my roadtrip in Cuba. The image above is the pristine beacha and diving spot at Maria la gorda. However there are many more reasons to visit Cuba as soon as possible. Nearly 50 years after Fidel Castro first rolled into Havana Cuba remains famous for its longest-standing socialist state, its unique historical heritage and clapped-out old cars.

Q.HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO CUBA OR DO YOU WANT TO GO TO CUBA SOON?

FRESH INSPIRATION AND ENERGY...(VIA URBAN STYLE VIBES*)

Today I'm back with fresh energy and inspiration! Thanks for all your lovely comments and sweet words while I was ill. You made me instantly feel better:-) I had a relaxed evening and good night of sleep so I feel much better. My inspiration for today comes from Poteet Architects who were recently honored with the 2010 San Antonio AIA Design Award. They created these awesome freight container houses. I think this will be a new trend. These affordable living spaces become very affordable and innovative living spaces. It's an eco friendly and a very flexible solution. Imagine to buy a container home and move it from continent to continent. Wouldn't this be a great idea?

Q. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS CONCEPT?

images via Designer Pad

AND THE WINNER IS...

Today I'm happy to announce the winners of our Blogcouture give-away! The winner of the Tote Bag is Carole King from the lovely Dear Designers blog

And the winner of this lovely Modern Blog T-Shirt is the lovely lady from this website


Please send me an e-mail with your address within 2 weeks and I will send you the give away as soon as possible. Next week we will post a new give-away here on Urban Style Vibes*

image via Simply Colette & Blogcouture