a S u c c u l e n t Story for Urban Jungle Bloggers

... this last Wednesday of February 2014

is finding me on board Urban Jungle Bloggers movement,

meeting some great participants & blogger friends,

initiated by Igor & Judith.

I joined in just a few days ago & wanted to make it to submitting my entry

for this month, well... before it ends ;)

So, promised  B i s c o t t i  recipe coming as a next post this week!

Honestly I could not be absent, being myself such an avid, little, urban gardener...

Plants have always been part of life in my homes.

I can say with certainty that the best

option I have to share so far

is the little, happy, ever growing, green family*

* remember our  w i n t e r  g a r d e n   just about 2 years ago?

living in our current home,

often referred to as the  P e a r l   B i r c h e s   H o u s e.

U r b a n   J u n g l e   B l o g g e r s challenge this month

was to present "one plant in three stylings"

I decided to adjust the theme a little to my needs,

so that I could also at the same time take the chance

to share with you a corner of the bedroom,

which organically evolved after the decision for seeing it with

fresh, new eyes

Any recollection of  the Hello new wall!  post?

that wall has been hosting our Malm chests of drawers,

while providing sufficient horizontal space {2,40 x 0,50 cm } for displaying favorite objects,

or just having useful free space at our disposal.

This is how it currently looks

and this is from where I took things

building around the theme for the 3 different stylings.

Protagonist is the little succulent seen above,

brought from a trip to Fuert Ventura this past December,

growing roots in a grey, stoneware mug,

which otherwise serves favorite cups of tea or coffee.

Rather than creating totally differentiated stylings,

I chose to demonstrate the  e f f e c t   s h a p e s  of plants

have as a decorative element.

Instead of totally changing the materials / objects

surrounding the plant,

{ something that has been so wonderfully demonstrated by many participants ! }

I kept on adding plants.

Below you see our growing succulent fellow

in the company of a round, green leaved friend, as a 2nd version.

... and in the 3rd version, the addition of a madly growing

aloe vera plant { flash back h e r e  }

which totally turned the whole vignette

into a family of plants,

all distinguished for their rather "architectural" character.

Which version do you like the most?

And what about you? Are you growing currently any plants at home?

If yes, what kind of? Where?

  

saying goodbye with a little "bonus" picture

of a glimpse into an idea

you might want to try out yourselves:

wrap a   p r e t t y   s t r i n g  around the

relatively, grown & strong trunk of one of your 

tall house plants { mind you, not too tight! }

Here is our Seflera plant,

begun barely a few centimeters tall with only but three little leaves,

now all grown up,

wrapped in a cotton white string with golden accents.

It gives an air of surprise

while turning the plant

into an even more decorative element, don't you think?

P r o d u c t s  in this post:

1. "Golden ratio"  p o s t c a r d s : S n u g

2. large & small  f r a m e s : RIBBA /  Ikea

3. star  c a n d l e   h o l d e r  & "Calm"  c a n d l e  in a silver glass: h&m Home

4. metal grey  c a n d l e   h o l d e r s : from a local shop, saw exactly the same in white

while visiting the House Doctor stand in Ambiente a couple of days ago.

5. simple, grey  c a n d l e s: Ikea

6. light brown ceramic pot: MANDEL / Ikea

7. D a l a   h o r s e : Swedish souvenir present from a friend,

spray painted in silver grey

8. grey stoneware  m u g  { here holding the little succulent }: John Lewis

9. green leaved plant in a concrete  p o t : from the flower section of our local super market 

10. decorative woolen & beaded hearts : from local stores

morning sun...

... morning sun shining in the kitchen makes me happy,

and I thought sharing this is a nice way to thank you for your tender support in yesterday's post 

and wish you a nice Friday

So happy Friday it is!

... with a little glimpse in the organised studio corner, yet to be shared...

Pictures: Iro - Ivy Nassopoulos for Domestic Stories with Ivy 2012 

our rooster says it's Friday ...

 our rooster says it's Friday and he's in the mood to abandon once more* his role as a door stopper

  and do instead something more creative end enjoyable:

 show you around a favorite corner in our bedroom, where rather unexpected splashes of color

 in neon pink or else bright strawberry red shake up the tranquility of neutral tones,

 just enough to not be feeling like taking naps and relaxing all the time...

 {* during Easter time, this cute little rooster was seen a... chicken and jumped on our dining table to lay  eggs for us... isn't the world of writing & pictures so convenient sometimes... 

 everything can be curated as we wish ; ) }

 isn't it a nice example of how a little color in just a few objects can

 brighten up an otherwise neutral palette,

 wh ile at the same time leaving the space feeling light & airy,

without being overwhelmed with colors?

 what is happening here?

neutrals meet neon 

+ 

white sleek surfaces meet the texture of natural materials,

like the dried banana leaves from which this big basket is woven

 (so so long in my wish list and just a couple of days ago added to our home force)

- here holding an all cotton summer blanket from Habitat, purchased during sales of course, when I was renting my first individual home in Greece back in 2003, a 40 sm bungalow with its own garden .

the little basket on the surface of the wall mounded "sideboard",

 made out of two kitchen cupboard units as described here,

brings another color to the picture, that of orange, which is also found in the stripes of the pillows featured on the cover of a book which is all about exactly what the title says: a beloved Home or else a geliebtes Zuhause.

"wonderful" thinks the rooster ...

and proceeds with showing you around a little more...

look! the wallpaper meant to go on the wall of the bed's headboard like described here,

is unpacked and almost ready to be applied.

&

and an olive tree is enjoying the loads of light by the big windows,

after arriving here this winter in February,

when mother visited over and actually carried it in her suitcase

Yes, indeed, such things we do.

it is planted in a white ceramic pot with its own plate

and holds a little house shaped label,

where an important reminder is written:

"here lives Love"

period. hard times or not. this is the essence of life here.

  the rooster kindly asks you to not pay attention to the metal skeleton of our helping table,

the top of which is still not adjusted, as new screws are needed to be found.

instead he says, "focus your attention on this amazing London illustration print created by equally amazing

Laura Amiss!"

how more adorable can a city's illustration get?

not a single little bit.

to celebrate the occasion of welcoming long wished new items at home,

a new garland has been created,

to be added to the shelves of our on line store,

where you'll find "her" during the weekend.

"hurry up!" Mr Rooster is advising you,

"this is a one of a kind piece made from incredibly long lasting wallpaper samples,

which are though not available any more"

and to give you a rest to sink in all that has so far been said ans shared,

here is a little chance to relax by staring at the wonderful light of this

blurry image:

lost in light are here a pair of two more darling wallpaper garlands,

which though will be presented and revealed during the next post here,

when another secret corner of this bedroom is shared...

till then, enjoy a delightful Friday !

from our rooster and me the best of regards,

Iro, xx

                                               ..........................................................

All images of this post are styled & shot by me. Thank you for sharing/ linking / pinning with love & care.

Picture styling & creation: Iro Ivy Nassopoulos for Domestic Stories with Ivy 2012.

expressive neutrals & muted tones

today, as many other days in fact,

 my love for neutral and muted tones finds a way to be expressed through this post by sharing some favorite  corners shot recently in our home.

 above, my beloved grass woven slippers brought from my trip to Greece,

 are just an excuse so that I can share with you our finally finished

 step in the area between the kitchen and the winter garden.

 (look here for reference)

 sometimes it's worth to patiently - or perhaps quietly impatiently - wait for the final touches to be made.

 being no professional hand workers, the need to hire someone in order to have work done in a correct way  is often crucial.

 the edges of steps being areas where extreme care needs to be taken in order for safety and endurance

 to take place, we had ours finished with a mat L shaped "bar" of inox;

 specially made & placed by our hand worker,

 who also did a remarkable job in covering the pre-existing marble step

 in both its horizontal & vertical surface, as if the wooden waves of the floor naturally pass from one

  area to the other.

then, it's the rocking chair in the bedroom with the curves of which I have been totally falling in love,

as much as its fabric's texture and the details.

the leather straps on the head pillow being one of them.

 it feels as if a fine piece of Scandinavian design lives with us, when it is in fact a rather affordable 

Ikea product (Scandinavian still... )

I'm also enjoying much the sliding ceiling of the roof, and feel quite cosy under it, rocking with a warm cup of tea in hand in the evenings, looking out the big windows.

speaking of windows, they are calling for some kind of curtain treatment,

now that the summer period is here.

The sun currently rises at about 05:30 a.m and sets around 21:30 p.m

needless to say these six months pay off for the short and often dark winter days.

needless to say that I have come to love this northern light in ways I could have never imagined should we turned the clock back some let's say 5 years ago.

in the bedroom wall, where the bed's headboard is, there has still been not 

much of a progress. in fact, there has been no progress at all.

the five cupboards planned to be vertically placed the one under the other in the corner where now the plant camouflages things, are still stacked there.

the wall is still undone and waits to be sanded before the longingly wished wallpaper with black and silver grey circles finds its way on it.

Till all these are done, I simply brought home a pair of 80 x 80 cm inner cushions from my last trip to Ikea, so that finally one of the four pairs of pillow cases found at h&m home some years ago - patiently waiting the day they come out of the cupboards -

freshen things up a bit.

Typography has always moved my interest.

and despite dark blue not being in the color palette of the bedroom,

their presence has been both visually and practically welcoming.

and how could I avoid making a garland?

I borrowed it from our shop, on the virtual shelves of which it  is heading these days, until it comes to live in one of your beautiful homes.

the glass lantern in a huge pine corn form, is a spontaneous present from a friend with whom I spent heartwarming times when in Greece...

it's a typically Greek lantern, often found on islands and I seem to have forever been meaning to bring one here, at home in Germany.

"oh come on now... as if there is not enough stuff to pack with after spending time

in my parents' Apart 44"

I kept on thinking... and never actually bought one.

the appreciation of the situation totally changes when someone you cherish from the depths of your heart

offers you something, simply just like that:

" oh how do I love this lantern!" said I when visiting his uniquely styled home*

 "take it" he said...

after a few refusals insisting that should I have thought that this would lead to that,

I would have never said that,

I left that night with a wonderful souvenir to cherish...

something made in the country of light where I proudly originate from, currently going through such incredibly dark times,

something given from a person I deeply cherish and feel connected to...

it is lit almost every night, its flame reflected in the round mirror...

the room is different... a little bit of magic takes place...

with all walls undone and other things unfinished,

this room feels like a warm place to be at.

{* how could it not, he has been the art director of my beloved Maison et Decoration magazine}

kind regards & wishes for a wonderful rest of the week to everyone.

please be visiting our shop often, as garlands and other updates are to be taking place these days.

                                                 ..............................................................

Picture styling & creation: Iro Ivy Nassopoulos for Domestic Stories with Ivy 2012.

Studio & shop update

Hello there lovely people!

 I'm here, well, and have been quietly busy working in the studio,

since I returned from my two week trip in Greece,

just in time to enjoy a wonderful 1st of May spent pic nicking by the lakes close to our home.

Spring here is wonderful & I seem to be returning to routines I had tremendously missed,

such as spending quiet time with myself, taking care of the house & its domestic chores,

doing everyday even a little tiny thing in order to settle us in.

The precious help of our hand worker is resulting in pretty finishes all around,

and this place is forming into a beloved home, despite all things still undone and unfinished.

The studio corner is finally set up and almost completely organised.

I'll devote a whole post in detailed pictures any time soon.

The shop is also looking good and currently serving elegant cups of comfort.

 I would truly love to see you there!

For now, just a few pictures to share & connect with you: 

I hope your days are wonderful in meaningful to you ways.

Love, always.

Iro

..............................................................

All images of this post are styled & shot by me. Thank you for sharing/ linking / pinning with love & care.

somewhere there, under the sky, near the woods... ~

since the last post, (to which you have so wonderfully contributed in the comments section and I thank you so  dearly for) it seems that a long time has passed, yet it has been only a week...

Easter came and left here in Germany and though I posted a spontaneous little 

chicken & egg gathering quickly put together on the dining table to wish everyone

a happy Easter, it remained posted only on FB and flickr...

sometimes I get the feeling that I like my posts to stay here a while...

not being exchanged every other day...

then off course come weeks where posting occurs more frequently.

I accept both patterns and only wish to share with you that lately

I've been content remaining mostly silent, 

focusing on creative processes when working in the studio,

or simply enjoying listening to music or going through pages of favorite books

so forgive my rather low communicative profile,

also reflecting in only but a few if any visits or comment exchanges

on social on line places

these days have been somehow working wonderfully for me

the older I get the more an internal approach is appealing to me,

while creativity and work are the highest means to be expressing myself.

there was time to enjoy being a housewife, also working from her home studio,

with all the immense pleasures it involves...

April showers have been exchanging with strong sunshine,

leading to experiencing the new place 

all over through this first time lived here season.

blooming trees & tiny green leaves appearing at the woods

are emphasizing birth and hope

and I'm simply taken by their beauty.

despite feeling a little uncomfortable to have done so,

on Easter day I returned with a few blooming branches,

which I placed on the dining table...

a little sort of amazing the prettiness they so effortlessly bring inside...

the few shots shared here have been snapped around while the camera was actually 

taking a break from being busy for professional reasons.

some of the pretty things you see, like this shabby chic

double tray are part of the styling props

staying here for a while, for product shooting to be completed.

I love working in slow rhythms and I'm feeling awfully grateful

that the quality, care and engagement involved are being appreciated.

in an era where all seem to rush to produce and do more,

I simply choose to do less with more care and depth.

... somewhere here among the sun rays that were shining on Easter day this past Sunday,

I'll be leaving you till our next meeting here, with the warmest of thoughts and wishes for all things

turning out the best possible ways.

Spring is here and so is the chance for renewal, re appreciation of situations, 

spring cleaning & joyful emotions.

enjoy!

Image credit: Iro - Ivy Nassopoulos 

Simple Maths for a... geliebtes Zuhause!

hello dears!

am coming rather unexpectedly to post about a simple... mathematical equation {yes indeed!}, 

leading to a  "geliebtes Zuhause" or else a beloved home

... got your inspiration notebooks ready?

 ~> 2 inexpensive & providing super storage kitchen cupboards, adjusted on the wall next to each other, while the doors are facing each other +

~> 2 white glass elements: a lamp & a vintage milkglass candle holder +

~> 2 elements in neon colors: 

1 book + 1 basket 

+

~> 1 comfortable rocking chair

equal =

a  cozy corner set by a big window!

{here in the main bedroom on the 2nd floor of our new home}

here is the simple mathematical equation:

~ don't you love it when things are easy? I know I do ; )
~ find the products clockwise from top left here ~> book, lamp, rocking chair, basket
~ and the kitchen cabinets used to create a sideboard here

See you later tonight with the surprise mentioned in yesterday's post! I just had to pause a moment and take a few shots of this beloved corner in the bedroom, as the afternoon sun was making it look sweet & fresh as ever... smiles :*)

... the good old ways ~

... the most adorable little card, with a minimal & very essential message arrived to our new home a couple of days ago, from a very dear family friend residing in New York & vacationing in her apartment in Greece, where we usually meet:

                                                    " I wish you peace & joy throughout the year "

 ... how could any one ask for more? Thank you so much Mrs Angeliki! Sending you all my love, xoxo

~ happy till my heart melts... 

~ this darling handwriting and to find a card in our new home address - even if after the holidays, has been such a lovely surprise... 

~ oh how do I treasure the "good old ways" in our kind of crazy, virtual, often overloaded & hectic world...

~ have you written & sent any cards this year? 

  I so tremendously missed it due to our movement & ongoing house renovation works this year

~ memories of {last year} bring some compensation & a happy longing for the next holiday season to come.

Wishing everyone  peace & joy  throughout this year!