Glow: Greek e-mag

On line magazines are a part of the deco-blog community. Since the folding of Domino, two years ago, a bunch of on-line magazines has sprung across the Atlantic.

There is

  Lonny 

the pioneer

and 

Rue

with its lovely website

and 

the very american

High Gloss

and 

cheerful

Adore 

from Down Under

and

last but not least

Matchbook.

I am glad to report that the Greek design and glossy worlds have their own equivalent of hip lifestyle.

It's called 

Glow

it is based in Thessaloniki, the northern Greek metropolis

and in its latest issue features one of my favorite magazine and more recently tv people,

gossip girl extraordinaire

Christina Politis

(her blog is eloquantly named Cosmopoliti )

and her lovely holiday home on the island of Myconos.

Take some time to leaf through Glow magazine and let me know what you think!

P.S. Leaf through to page 104 to see Greece's hotest male chef.
 (D) can't hold a sigh everytime she sees him. lol!

The come back of dark wood

After years of Scandinavian whites reigning supreme as household staples, dark wood makes a come back.It feels warm and homey and it hides many sins.

This time it is rough, more rustic, with the different shades and scars of natural wood showing through the waterwash varnish.

A modern chalet in the Alps

An artist's Brazilian retreat using rough surfaces, modern decorative items and traditional elements such as the flokati rug and the hand finished mattress.

Dark waterwashed wood kitchen ad

Rough fabrics and rustic textures

In the same Brazilian home, a touch of modern colour and the rough texture of the walls are neighboring the wooden exposed beams of the ceiling.

Kids' rooms follow similar rules of rough surfaces, where nothing really matches, but everything looks pulled together and balanced.

All pictures Maison et Decoration, 2.2011

Chalet made by IKEA

Wooden homes have been gaining friends in Greece over the past 30 years. I remember very vividly a countryside home where we were guests when I was a child. It looked like out of a fairy tale to me.

In recent years, wooden home builders experience a renewal in styles and popularity, although I doubt they will ever outdo conventional buildings. I for one have many doubts about the materials they use to fireproof and guard the wood.

However, the appeal of a wooden home remains undiminished in my list of mountain retreats.

The house I am posting about today is situated on mount Parnassus, central Greece.
It was furnished from head to toes with IKEA products. What I like best is the use of traditional elements such as the rugs with modern furniture as in the kitchen. I like the result: light, airy and easy to live in and take care of.

I like the open, well organized entrance.

I absolutely love this rug and the cozy use of this otherwise dead space

A little too minimal for me, yet relaxing, and I am sure it gets more alive when  people move in!

The kitchen is a big success. The transparent chairs help the eye focus on the stunning red cupboards.

Hey, we have the same closet!

Love the kids' space: cheerful and grown up.

(All images: Vima Deco)

Current dreamroom : my favorite desk

Hello dear friends,

Do you have a picture, a file saved on your laptop, a cut out that stays with you whenever you daydream?

 I love this desk, this chair, this view. It is currently my ideal space. It is open, and light, and fresh, and I like my yellow chair!

photography: Richard Powers, published at Vima Deco, February 2010

What's your favorite fantasy room, right now? 

Please share!

Our products in the press

woolen rug and green floor pillow in natural rubber and organic cotton

From our Fall/Winter 2010 arrivals via "Maison et Decoration" magazine, Greece.

I also like this composition of natural wood, green themed plates and greenery that appeared in the same feature with us.

*Did you join my September giveaway? If you did already, Bonne Chance! There are two ways to be entered, so check it out here*

The Novogratz home in the Greek press

Known for their signature eclectic style as well as their successful entrepreneurship, the Novogratz family (of sixx design and Downtown Chic: Designing Your Dream Home: From Wreck to Ravishing) are the epitomy of contemporaty neo-bohemian lifestyle. This is a spread on their pastorial retreat in South Egremont, Massachusetts.

this room is perfect for reading and games

touches of bright colour add zest

{ All pictures: Costas Pigadas / Casa Viva Greece }

Vacation in Greece

Hello,
Welcome to the Happy Turtle!

So glad you are joining us on our croisiere around our beautiful Globe. This is such a great idea and I am thrilled to be joining Designing DNA for the vacation.

And welcome to Greece, the Eastern frontier of Europe.

Breathe in the fresh air as we drive through the beautiful countryside.

 Let yourselves appreciate the sparkling blue of the waters.

Pick your hotel room. They have all been furnished with matresses, bed linen and furniture from the company my husband and myself work for. So rest assured that you will enjoy your rest.

Doryssa 

Orlof

There. Take a moment to relax, pampering yourdelves with naural Greek cosmetics and make up.

Apivita

Korres

Now that you are all ready, would you like a light vegetable lunch?

Green beans in tomato sauce

Ready? Let's pop outside. It's Spring in this part of the world. The weather is mild and the air fragrant.

There are some great spots you may want to visit. The Acropolis is a unique historican and spiritual place to visit, and the exhibits at the new Acropolis Musum are just amazing.



There is currently an exhibition at the National Gallery with architectural plans by Ernst Ziller who graced many Greek cities with his neoclassical buildings.

In my favorite Museum there is currently an exhibition on clothes across time. "To dress", at the Benaki Museum.

Would you like to go souvenit shopping, now? I think I have just the thing for you.

I suggest some special souvenirs, like these stylish column shaped weights, and this granny-chic i-pod case.

 Perhaps you would also like a serious girly treat for yourselves or a friend.

Vassili Zoulias 

Lito~Cabinet de Curiosites

Tea or coffee? Sit back and watch the world go round.

As we people watch, shall we leaf through the 10th anniversary issue of Vogue-Hellas?

 These are some lovely Greek homes from its sister publication, House and Garden.

Our company was also featured in House and Garden Greece.

 
 It's getting late. Shall we walk some more before dinner?

 Look, here sings one of my favorite singers.Come on in.



There is so much more I want to show you. I hope you'll visit again soon. Meanwhile click here to join my Spring giveaway. 
And while we set sail for the next stop of the cruise, let's dance to something more familiar, accompanied with great 'vintage' views of Athens.



See you soon!