oh dear, Spring has sprung!

oh dears, yes, Spring has {so} sprung,

not only in the pages of Domestic Stories,

but also in our surroundings,

around the Pearl Birches House.

Trees are blossoming,

birds are unstoppably tweeting their melodies,

or who knows, perhaps

 they are exchanging views on how fabulous the weather is,

which tree branch they should fly to next

or how do their new spring feathers look...

perhaps.

Certainly, having this week proceeded with undertaking 

a major styling & photo shooting project,

to be taking place in our already functioning

{creative Studio}

- hooray for learning to function with imperfection and while things are still on {the process} of being done -

in the next few weeks,

has brought all the positive boost that was needed.

Do you remember this?

the person behind the making of these cupcakes,

after being satisfied with our first small projects

together,

decided to trust the eye, sense of style & flair of Domestic Stories

to build their upcoming business image.

Both the styling concept & photography of their portfolio

is going to be created here.

I'm excited.

A lot. And quite grounded at the same time.

You 'll have the chance to witness how we'll be taking 

a business hopefully from here to the moon,

by making the best of creative ideas.

The cupcakes themselves are delicious.

Lucky me I get to eat some, while photographing

"fake" ones.

Their maker enthusiastic, willing, capable & determined to make people happier

by pleasing their eyes shortly before satisfying their taste buds.

An image maker is needed

and hop on our lap these babies have landed.

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

Speaking of signing successful project agreements,

this gives me the opportunity to

keep the present I bought myself for my birthday.

Even though it's not on credit & is already paid by my earnings,

my recent realizations about the way I had been dealing with money in the past,

had brought me to the conclusion,

that however I found this coat {on my wish list since it got released last season}

for a super lucky 1/3 of its original price,

I was going to put it on sale,

in order to make some profit.

After all,  there are quite a few coats in my wardrobe, 

patiently & step by step built over the last 12 years...

yes, I know... I'm growing old.

but so long as I can graciously be growing old, getting more

beautiful from the inside, wiser in my thoughts,

more abundant in my heart & more successful professionally,

growing old is something I welcome

with ease & a smile.

I'm happy to share that I believe to be worthy of this present & I'm keeping it.

Yes, it's a keeper... isn't it beautiful?

made from 70% wool & carefully tailored,

makes h&m have the worth of a Christian Dior piece to me.

Here pictured hanging from our stairs together with his favorite scarf, 

which I happen to enjoy sometimes wearing, too.

oh yes, I do know that coat talking doesn't necessarily go together with Spring,

but the symbolism that the story behind it carries,

has everything to do with Spring.

Realizations.

New beginnings.

And most of all beautiful closures.

Yes, beautiful closures indeed.

Cause no fresh start can take place unless an end has been put.

No, not a stubborn end.

Not a slammed door.

But a slow, determined closure to everything that didn't work in the past.

Mainly past beliefs.

And most of all past traumas.

There are so many current lives going wrong based on past traumas.

Treating the wounds that life has left on us is like

an investment for a prosperous future.

Prosperous & abundant in every way.

Personally, financially, professionally. 

For one to reach to this point, there is not a mathematical formula that one can comfortably

follow and rely on,

quite easily avoiding also the responsibility of making decisions on his / her own.

To reach to such a point in one's life, it is a simultaneous outcome of at least two

major factors:

persistent and on going work over the years,

merging together with this one moment in time,

this fraction of the second,

where decision and the self {you, me...} are ONE;

where thoughts, wishes, visions & actions merge.

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

Somewhere here, I'll leave you for now with some shots from our living room, 

shot yesterday afternoon & {quite} early this morning,

renewing our appointment here again within the weekend,

as there is one inspirational woman's blog, shop & life

I' d like to share with you,

{among so many others... may time management become my best friend }

 as much as:

~ keeping these pages posted

about our home renovation process,

~ proceeding with the Sponsoring Concept which has almost taken a final shape,

 ~ elaborate on the creative & therapy sessions to be offered here,

while off course and as usually happily mixing stylish inspiration.

... blink! :*)

Hope you are already enjoying a wonderful weekend!

 

Styling & photography: Iro - Ivy Nassopoulos

collage curation: Iro - Ivy Nassopoulos

collage picture credit clockwise form top left: 

1. blossoms {by me} 

2. summer feeling by interior stylist Lo Bjurulf 

3. Jenna Lyons kitchen nook of her classic apartment in Spring,

and the rather {strange story} to go with it...

no, beauty, aesthetics & wealth alone do not guarantee

happy & balanced lives, do they?

4. woman in petits pois and pink hat: source lost somewhere in pinterest

Spring blossoms , hellos & give away winners ~

[via]

Hello there & happy Friday! Skipping everything else for the time being, let's talk about give away winners, 

shall we?

You must have patiently been expecting to find out, so here is how the story goes:

~> random order generators are not my kinda thing &

~> this time preparing 62 papers with numbers in order to pick one, is something that simply didn't fit in this week's schedule.

So before this procedure took forever, I took the easy way, which went somehow like that:

me: hey you... would you do me favor please?

J {him}: no

silence for a while...

J: so what... now? {imagine here how often I'm asking for favors for this reply to be coming my way ;)}

me: can you pick a number from 1 to 62 please?

J: again? 

me: yes

J: 33

me: oh great, everyone will think it is faked cause my connection with this number is rather known to be special... {while I was still rambling more... a next answer came out}

J: 27

me: mmm, thanks, it's a little complicated now, which of your two replies should I choose?

Well, here is what I came up with:

27 + 33 = 60

6 + 0 = 6

So the winning number is the 6th entry.

Congratulations Claudia from Chelsea Lane, you are the winner my dear!

Many kind thanks to everyone who participated and see you here soon ,

as I'll be blogging along this weekend,

in order to post all that was intented for this week.

So, from me, for now, I hope you are enjoying a great Friday!

                                                                           [via]

The winter garden ~

... how is a little winter garden tour for a Tuesday's post? 

; )

Do blame it all on being busy for the fact that I missed the chance  

 to wish you a wonderful  & positive in every way new week

yesterday.

Styling & photography sessions have been scheduled to be taking place.

Speaking of which, in case you feel that your products & the styling line presented here

can be good friends & make the best out of a cooperation

with each other, domesticstorieswithivy@live.com

is the address to drop your mail to.

I'm happy to give you quotes & arrange working with you,

even when we are not living physically close to one another.

Everything is possible here.

So, "polishing the space" where it is all going to be happening,

has been priority number 1.

Asides form a studio, our winter garden serves as an everyday dining area,

since it is also connected to the kitchen via a 2 meter wide opening.

It measures 2,5 (width) x 4, 07 (length) m

and consists of metal poles, which hold altogether

6 vertical windows {of which one is opening}

& 

6 more widows making up the sliding glass roof.

If you are wondering if it is a lot & hard work to keep those windows clean,

 you are SO right.

For about €300 and more a cleaning service would cost,

{yes, life in Germany can be expensive, too}

I climb wherever I have to in order to make these babies clean & shiny.

Yes, I so do.

Other than offering an amusing show to the neighbors,

I exercise myself & also have the satisfaction

of somehow contributing to the household.

Upon purchase, this very promising room of the house

was not exactly in its best condition.

{I will skip before pictures in this case, even though I know I'm missing a guaranteed "wow"

response from you}

Rusted, poorly isolated with sloppy silicon work,

we spent winter days almost unable to use the room

{despite it being equipped with floor heating like the whole apartment}

due to very low temperatures & dripping water.

Proceeding with placing the new floors

was getting postponed till the isolation works were finished.

After a few days, much more hours & quite a few tubes of silicon,

each & every window in all its width & length has been

siliconed in pure perfection by the patient & capable hands

of our German technician.

Pretty white lines underline the windows, while it can rain cats & dogs

and we'll be sitting comfortably underneath watching

it all happen, not needing to run for paper & towels to 

dry everything out.

Floors have been put.

White wooden skirting is to be ordered & placed.

Windows have received jalousies,

{these ones, which were cut to fit exactly each window}

offering us the choice between openness & privacy

& 

most of all providing the necessary backdrop for

product photography & styling.

The roof that you see in the picture below,

where green moss has been growing,

belongs to the barn /office of our neighbors.

I'd love for them to agree that something nicer

is made with its surface,

even when the costs will obviously be on us,

but till then, 

I have work to do 

in order to be able to afford that,

plus finding an equal communicative level

with them, which doesn't exactly seem like a piece of cake currently.

Nothing like mutual understanding & good intentions though,

while respecting one another.

So I trust the time shall come for that, too

and it' ll all somehow work out...

for now back to our renovated interiors ; )

Since many of you while getting inspired here are using these posts are a reference,

I think that sharing some product links,

would be helpful.

So:

dining table ~> Bjursta in white

bench ~> Bjursta in black

chair ~> Urban 

{found at the "as is" section in perfect condition asides its layers of dust

for less than 1/3 of its original price}

metal shelves ~> Lergerg 

white ceramic pots ~> Bladet 

{found in February while they were €2,99 each in our local Ikea store, so three were purchased}

a little ceramic pot with vertical lines ~> Kardemumma

a beige one with plate  ~> Mandel

and a few other white ones which are no longer available

All plants & succulents except from the two species of Rosemary,

which came home this Saturday,

have been found over the years at Ikea

& have been part of our plant family.

The garland is handmade by me from vintage Albert Van Luit Wallpaper

dating back to the 1960s.

There is enough material left to make one or two more for you too, 

in case you'd like to have one.

The two wooden lanterns in Asian style in white & grey,

were a Christmas present for the new home,

which I was happy to make since they were also found half price.

If you notice me too often referring to prices & the fact that things 

are quite often bought when on offer or a reduction,

is because I enjoy spending less for more whenever possible

&

 cause these posts sharing the making of our home

do not in any way intend in being a showing off of what money can buy.

Our line of thinking here is that money should  be invested in good services

rather than on products carrying a label.

Not that we don't like and appreciate pretty & expensive things,

just do not believe that there should be a confusion between

living with flair & living with money.

And however money is a valuable asset of our modern societies,

the need to also use it & invest it wisely & correctly

highlights the ethics of this company.

Yes, I just referred to Domestic Stories as a company, God knows why & it was about time.

The intention is to share that beautiful style,

serene interior environments & a high quality of living

can be achieved with correct, inspired planning.

Now let's return to some product facts, shall we?

The square linen cushions measuring 50 x 50 cm are from h&m home

and I'm very proud to have already bought them for €4.95 a piece instead of €17, 95

as early as in October, before we actually moved to the new place,

when my plans for the winter garden were being made.

Speaking of fabrics, the pillow with the black & white New York illustration

is also from h&m & it is identical to {this} one in green we have.

Ordered years ago when found for €1.95 per piece.

Not only do I love h&m home online service,

I also love the fact that when someone conquers his/ her need to have something 

as soon as it is thrown in the market,

has the ability to actually have more than one might be able to afford in total.

The only expense that I have for that is patience & good timing.

On line sites are regularly checked a few times a month

&

there is always a little amount in reserve for some extra expenses such as

ordering 4 + 2 pillows for €24 when they would have actually cost

€90.

Now isn't that nice?

Unless my yearly earnings severely multiply & with my current life attitude,

I just can't justify spending €90 on 6 pillows.

I'm also not willing to put my need for pretty things aside though.

So, I welcome alternatives.

Indeed I do.

oh, looking back up , I see that I forgot to mention what on earth  is {this} custom made by me bench without legs doing on the floor.

Well, nothing in particular my dears,

just practicing its soon new role,

when some birch branches will be brought from the woods

to make up the new legs.

hoping for some awesomeness... swoon!

Here are some more shots, as I truly loved the bright, white light

the space was taking this past, rainy Sunday...

Below, you can see the direct view to the woods in between our neighboring house.

Also my favorite vintage, glass pear, which has seen its more glorious moments as part of {this}

set up in our previous home.

 

And here are some shots, experimenting with natural light & camera settings,

as seen when one enters the kitchen:

And to bring you back inside the winter garden,

to its right side, it consists of all windows,

some of which have been dressed with curtains,

perfectly hand sewn {!} by my mother from {this} fabric

{poor woman came to visit & all she did was sew curtains, 

that's how bad of a daughter I can be}

and a little glimpse of the right part of the kitchen,

placed opposite the cooking area

{those promised floor plans I know!}

where you can see

our refrigerator & freezer

all secretly hidden behind white shiny doors,

so that the space looks more cohesive, calm & bigger.

Remember our bread bag from {here}?

It now hangs in the opening between the kitchen & the dining area,

so that it is easily accessible,

while its linen texture & ruffles soften a bit the space's many lines.

More on the right corner of the winter garden soon.

I have been taking so many pictures these days!

Last but not least, need I say that making these pictures & putting together a post such as this one is a lot of hours of concentrated work?

Domestic Stories are opening their doors to Sponsors,

cause they SO much want to go on existing,

 not on such a huge personal expense though.

Cause time & effort is precious.

Sponsoring concept soon to be shared, still you may already contact us in case you are interested in acquiring a spot in our stylish family ; )

And not to forget, the Fabric & Handle Tote Shopping Bag give away winner is to be announced.

The lucky one will find a notification in her/ his mailbox.

See you here very soon with lots of inspiration & more my dears  ~

Have yourselves a great day!

~ happiness is a decision, well didn't you know it?

after such a realization life may seem a little different

 & 

 in a way even dictating changes in one's perception and actions...

 seems like there is not much space for complaining...

 neither too many words about things.

 Just a pure diving into delight when happy moments occur and are also perceived as such

 &

 then just efforts & sincere commitment in taking action to changing everything

 that needs to be so, according to what life is showing us.

Yes, you read right, not what we always perceive as our need,

 but what life is persistently pointing its finger to.

Sometimes we humans are not clear about our needs.

Our egos get in the way.

Our false beliefs get in the way.

Missconceptions get in the way.

Pain gets in the way.

Fear gets in the way.

The past gets in the way.

Ambition gets in the way.

A rather long and on going list can be written...

So Mrs Happiness knocked on my door early this morning

and in fact I let her in...

no miracles happened.

neither did yesterday's problems & troubles magically disappear...

it will take a little more effort for that to happen

Miracles might have not happened but the sun was shining again here today.

I took some time to snap shots around our place,

journaling the little steps of renovation progress...

The wallpapered wall is ready. Indeed it is!

Wallpaperwise, cause there is still the skirting to be put.

It has enough imperfections so that you notice them & know that it is done by a non expert ; )

"Pearl Birches" is the wallpaper's promising in every way name. I truly love it.

As much as I love the design itself. 

For the height that it brings to the room & mostly for the light it catches.

It has shiny parts that do the trick...

little sort of brilliant, or?

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

The tulips seen bellow were part of Friday's grocery shopping,

which I was happy to do as early as 8:00 am in the morning when

they first opened today.

The paper bag usually carries lunches.

As it was lying there on our dining table

this morning catching sun rays, 

I knew it was about to have a new use...

blink! ; )

I really like that it is actually used.

And as soon as the tulips found their place

in the {simplest of vases}

(transparent, cheap, pretty, functional, Ikea)

a silver marker

& 

a deep realization

came to complete the image.

Happiness is a decision.

Yes, it is.

Have you perhaps also already made such a realisation?

Or even better are you actually living with such an attitude?

I'm really struck by its importance!

Of course taking realisation into actions is a different thing.

One that also happens day by day...

I've heard and can't help but totally agreeing

that pure & deep realization can only be followed by actions & changes.

we can't really cheat on life, can we...?

and this is me below saying hello! from our stairs,

the only part of the new place that has been left intact.

A part that it took a lot of effort & time to come to good terms

and peace with.

They are from marble but we like them. We do.

The same goes for the metal parts.

                         

                                        ... and do you notice the pretty headband on my hair?

It recently arrived from Florence,

 a present from Katia,

a wonderful in so many ways person... her smile, positive energy & hard working spirit 

is what I admire the most in her,

together with her beautiful creations!

 I'll show you more of them in a next post.

wouldn't that be nice?... : )          

     Wishing you to spend delightful in every way weekends!

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

Picture credit: Iro - Ivy Nassopoulos for Domestic Stories with Ivy 2012.

Studio on wheels, a favorite kitchen corner & 33 ideas ~

... good afternoon on a Wednesday evening where positive feelings

 are ready to take over the place...

 after having spent a big part of the day

 trying to figure out how a functional studio corner & office

 will be incorporated in our 10 sm² dining area,

 located in the winter garden,

 I must say that not much progress has taken place,

other than having removed the things from the corner

 where they were temporarily & stylishly 

{may I dare to say ;)}

 stored.

Still the action and only of making space for new ideas,

 has brought a refreshed feeling,

while positivism seems to

not be a far away memory.

My camera has also been busy snapping some

unplugged corners of the kitchen 

& the dining area,

fact which brings me great pleasure.

So even though there is not much of a stylish presentation prepared,

here is a little corner I'd like to share with you cause I simply love it so much:

as we enter the kitchen and to its right 

{I know, I know, you are so right, I should present some floor plans here!}

I've created a vertical open shelving area,

to mainly store everyday use objects like mugs,

while grasping the opportunity to selectively display 

my favorite ones.

In the picture above starting from bottom up,

you can see a square bamboo box where vitamins are stored,

{purchased from Habitat more than a decade ago}

above this basket which holds a pair of mugs in 

grey & beige

{I always love to color coordinate every detail ;)}

and some mini wooden & metal trays.

The 3rd shelf from the bottom 

usually hosts 9 everyday use mugs;

{we do drink a lot of tea here!}

some of them are not portrayed in the pictures 

as I was shooting spontaneously & didn't actually 

get to displaying the ones that had dried in the dish washer.

All in all, these three mugs seen below {found at Ikea during Christmas}

a pair of these ones {ours in light blue}

&

four white ones from Habitat which though

have different colors inside:

turquoise, beige, grey & bordeaux.

I'll share what's in the other shelves in a next post & continue with the

making up of this corner.

This board might be a little helpful ~>

To store bottles of mineral water for our weekly supplies as to not be needing to go to the cellar every little while, this can, which has been on my wish list ever since I saw it, is proving to be a treasure.

The two woolen, jacquard stars in white & grey

are remainders of the Christmas decoration,

but I like them anyway, so they have stayed.

Next to the vertical Lack shelves,

this mirror has been placed,

both to balance with its also rectangular shape

& to bring inside the kitchen glimpses of the dining area.

{this post's picture might help}

It is only temporarily resting on the floor,

 to be adjusted on the wall this weekend.

The linen bag with ruffles from h&m home's current Spring collection

plays the roll of our bread storage. I love to bits!

It's also going to be hung from a hook,

rather than from the mirror as seen in the picture above.

--------------------------

Concerning setting up my studio corner,

I hope to come here posting progress quite soon!

Styling & photo shooting projects

as much as creative gatherings have already begun getting scheduled

and all that is needed to be done is to stay focused 

on the enormous love & pleasure creative processes bring me.

You may also wish me some luck, so that everything functions properly...

I won't complain when you do so ; )

I' ll be leaving you with a glimpse of the rather chaotic

situation of my studio on wheels,

while I wish to quite soon be blessed with at least... 

33 ideas & practical applications of them ; )

{please ignore the layout of these last paragraphs ~ html is certainly not my best friend ; )}

The wonderful porcelain letters here forming the word "ideas" are from AM radio, 

Melissa's gorgeous etsy shop 

{read an article about her here & there}

The print pictured upside down in grey, white stripes & pebbles

is an ever favorite of Domestic Stories Shop

{you may find it here}

The 33 print is soon to be available on a limited collection.

 the white baskets & wooden crates adjusted on wheels are all from Ikea.

Have a wonderful night everyone! 

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

All pictures & collages are made by & are a property of Iro - Ivy Nassopoulos for 

Domestic Stories with Ivy 2012.