Tine K house tour - new pictures..

Hi all. Hope your week is running smoothly and that you are basking in sunlight and good health! 

The other day I came across a gallery of new pictures of Tine Kjeldsen's beautiful home in Denmark, and there had been some fundamental changes to the look & feel of the interior since I last shared images back in October 2009 (HERE).

The earlier contrast and drama created by those glossy black floors have been replaced with a much softer, lighter, more feminine and less strict atmosphere. Though the runner rugs are wonderful, I do have a real weakness for the hallway as it looked 'before'. The floors work particularly well here and I love the idea of a black front door. Especially against the white facade and the stone steps.

There is a lot of 'white on white' in the house after the renovation, and also a little flair of 'Shabby Chic' coming through here in the new hallway. The latter is not my personal favourite but Tine has great taste and I think she has executed it well.
This new and whiter direction feels very close to Tine's early business days when her little interior design shop 'Tine K' first opened in the affluent area of Charlottenlund, Denmark. Back then, her concept was very much 'white on white' with strong French influences.

 

There is a recurrent appearance different shades of 'plum', 'mauve', and 'thunder greys'. These two seem to have formed the theme for almost every room. Though on one hand I feel it is a little bit too 'safe' to repeat a colour theme in an entire home, Tine has used many different types of materials, textures and objects to create contrast and interest. It may not be for me, but somehow it works here.

Of all the rooms in the house, I think I like the work room leading onto the veranda the most. Here the stark white works well, and though I am a little bit 'over' the so called 'Industrial trend', I wouldn't mind getting my Swedish mittens on that tall chest of drawers. Isn't it just wonderful!?!

I also think this 'family room' with this work station is pretty nice. This would be the perfect place to sit and blog don't you think..!?! :)

The black wall art, the table and the cabinet in the background are all beautiful, and also create a nice anchor for the eye to rest on in this overwhelmingly white room. And that's coming from a Swede..!

This here is Tine herself with her three little blondies - aren't they gorgeous!? The master bedroom was once white with black floors but now a vision in greys, with one Tine's famous quilts draped across the bed. 

Despite the tangible warmth throughout the house, there is also a sense of minimalism coming through. This too is very true to the roots of 'Tine K' and perhaps also a typically Scandinavian trait of interiors. It creates a restful canvas for the often unusual and beautiful objects that Tine collects from all over the world. Add to that the way it magnifies the natural light and you can understand why she took this direction.

The master bathroom is nicely executed with quirky and personal little twists here and there. Despite the boldness, it feels warm, dressed and full of love. I particularly like the idea of that chair next to the bath. Such a wonderful place to sit and chat when one's darling is soaking in the tub.  Or the kids for that matter..!

I also like the way that Tine has used the adorable little window to enhance the composition of the artworks on the wall. Simple and playful. 

Last but not least, note how fun those leather straps are on what seem to be very ordinary cabinets. Such an easy-to-replicate idea when renovating on a shoestring. Not that Tine probably did, but you know what I mean..

The light in the dining room is amazing - such a bright sunny place to share a meal. It is quite clear that the photo shoot of the reno took place in Spring or Summer time, when decor in Scandinavia tends to be scaled back.

For Autumn and Winter, I can see this new room being layered with lovely rugs and perhaps some gorgeous deep grey 'Gotland Sheep' skins on those beautiful Asian chairs. I can also envisage Tine's trademark silver candle stick clusters as a center piece, and a few of those silvery floor lanterns scattered around the room. She is so great with ambience don't you think?!

The very first time I saw Tine's kitchen I loved it, and especially so that wonderful Moroccan silver tray. I have since tracked down similar ones and am determined to pick up a couple (one large and one medium) before the end of Autumn this year!

The new white floors have certainly given the kitchen a lift. Though I didn't dislike the previous black floors, I think this room now feels a little more current. Also, there they are again, those quirky little leather straps. I love them.

Last but not least. Here are some of the old shots from the surrounding garden, and also the famous guest house. All of this is so typically Scandinavian to me, and I can't wait to go home to Sweden to experience a proper Nordic Summer in only a few weeks. Yay!

Hope you enjoyed this my dears.

If you want to see more pictures please click into 'Tine K Home' right HERE.

xx Charlotta

Mauritian island home..

Can it get better than this? Your own private island retreat set in tropical paradise.. I think not, and I'd be a very happy Swedish girl if I was to skip across that walkway and into this stunning home..!

This much loved home has been in the family since the 1930s,  and is located on the East coast of Mauritius. Such a heavenly setting don't  you think!?!

Though the villa was recently rebuilt after having been demolished by a cyclone (oh horror!) it has maintained its originality and uniqueness. In fact to me, it doesn't feel like a 'new build' at all and one can tell that a lot of love and heart has gone into re-erecting the home.

I love the mix of modern elements such as the poured concrete floors, and sleek design mixed with local rustic materials, colours and craftsmanship. The simplicity of the design elements and detail are wonderful and there seems to be a seamless relationship between the house and the setting.

The use of organic detail to add warmth and texture works beautifully without over-dressing the beautiful features of the house. And as a typical 'Swede' I must say that I really appreciate the lack of growth and greenery too close to the house because of the wildlife lurking in it.. Since moving to Sydney I have battled many 'un-welcomed creatures' in our home, including possums, lizards and gigantic spiders.. At first I was terrified (OMG the 'spider nightmares'!!), but over the years my courage has grown and I am now able to catch a Huntsman spider without squealing in fear. (pride!)

The house looks inviting and comfy yet has that 'practical simplicity' that I have learned to value since moving to Australia. With the hot & humid weather, sandy feet,  and little bodies smeared with sunscreen things need to be scaled back to feel clean, fresh and inviting. Less is definitely more here!

 

I love all the bursts of colour. They feel so in tune with the surrounding landscape. Aqua and blues from the ever changing ocean & sky. Lime, tangerine, mango and reds from the abundance of tropical fruits.  Yum yum! 

I think this approach to colour is very true for all international styles of decor - just thinking of my very own 'Swedish Style' and the soft, paired back colour pallets it it is known and loved for.

  

Yes please! I LOVE lobsters - actually all seafood, except snails & urchins.. - and think I could quite happily live on a diet of just that..! Add to that being able to fish them off the jetty in one's own back yard and then cook them out in the open.. Heaven!

The best news about all of this is that you can actually rent this house.. For more details, just click HERE . And please. make sure you book it outside of cyclone season dearies..!!

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Before I go. GRAZIE MILLE  to you dear Julie (aka 'Julie Being Ruby') for the kind award! You're a lovely friend! xx

x Charlotta

Forest glass house..

I really love this stunning 1 500 square foot forest retreat on Decatur Island, Washington. The seamless relationship between the inside and outside, and the way that this house embraces it's beautiful setting resembles the approach taken by architect icons Mies van der Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright (two of my favourites).

 The house was designed by 'Suyama Peterson Deguchi' - founded by architect George Suyama in 1971 the practice draws on traditions of Japanese as well as NorthWest Contemporary styles, with a strong focus on marrying the structure with it's surrounding landscape.

As a lover of nature, I have a huge weakness for houses like these - one can't get much closer to the surrounding forest than this. Can you imagine the amazing shifts in the scenery pending the weather, season, or time of the day..!?! I'd be transfixed.

images via Remodelista

xx Charlotta

Taking 'industrial chic' that little bit further..

Though we may all be a little bit worn out by the past year of 'industrial chicness' I thought I'd share this rather unusual take on the style..

An old machine hall transformed into a kitchen / dining room.. including the original industrial hardware. The large artwork behind the dining suite is by Eric Poitevin and those two pendant lights by Marcel Wanders.

A section of the 700 square meter conversion is this kitchen, designed by Antonie Bertherat with a mix of designer pieces and IKEA (!)..

I think these original structural inclusions are just wonderful - an honest tribute to the history and origin of this old Swiss mountain factory.

The gigantic art piece by Ugo Rondinone is somewhat secondary to the stunning views through the panoramic window. What a view! As you know, I adore the mountains and I can only imagine the spectacular Winter performance as the snow falls thick and fast..!

Images via Marie Claire Maison

Elizabeth Taylor...

 

What a woman. What a life.

Some of Elizabeth Taylor's best known quotes:

"Big girls need big diamonds"

"I've been through it all, baby, I'm mother courage."
"Success is a great deodorant."
"It's not the having, it's the getting."
"I fell off my pink cloud with a thud."
"So much to do, so little done, such things to be."

May Richard Burton greet her with open arms.

May she rest in peace.

x-x-x

More on her life HERE and HERE.

Hungry lamps eating up my hard drive..

Friends be ware, it is time to release some of the 'hungry lamps' that have been nibbling up my hard drive space for some time now..

They lurk in the most elegant and splendid settings, and their electrifying beauty easily seduces those around them.. People and decor items, be afraid. Be very afraid..

Note the wide eyed sun flowers and the praying statuette.. They know this small but ferocious table lamp is about to demolish the bowl of blushing apples.. It may even take out the hiding stools!

The tension is tangible here as this industrial beauty closes in on the poor little laptop.. The black socked old chair inches itself away in utter fear..

A seemingly harmless house lamp makes its move on a bunch of terrified flowers. The wooden vases are scared stiff, and the poor throw seems to have fainted leaving it's long silky tassels limp..

Invisible at first sight perhaps.. but look carefully towards the window and you will see the long legged wolf, ready to strike a stack of books. Let's hope there are no children's books in there..!

The air left the lungs of the poor poof when this tall monster entered the room..! You can cut through the air here..!

A devastated string of pom poms is desperately trying to hide as this orange retro beast firmly clamps on to a stack of books before making its move..

This silent hunter raised from behind the curtain and made one of the young pillows change colour... It is oblivious to the fact that we think the room is beautiful..

It's snack time in the library and the logs in the large basket have fled the scene as a sexy studio beast glides in to the room... The ladder is desperately trying to calm the noticeably frazzled books, and some of the photographs have slid down the wall in preparation for a quick exit..!

These sly, fierce and effective twin hunters are totally ignoring the stunning rustic beams in the ceiling. All they care about is how they can reach down to nab one of the tangibly scared pillows on the bed..!

This elegant chair is clearly anorexic and is not up for a fight with this hungry gold digger. The heavy drape is creasing itself in the knowledge that the prevailing peace won't last much longer..

Two sleek Italian designer demons search high and low for edible treats in this fabulous apartment. The herringbone floors seem to have gone dull from the tension and the poor vase on the mantle is about to explode from holding it's breath..

Don't be fooled by the relaxed feel of this lovely guestroom.. This stunning but dangerous little bedside monster has just taken out the duvet. The scene was so horrid that the photographs in the lovely black oval frames decided to slip out of the room..!

For history on the subject of 'hungry lamps' please click HERE and HERE.

xx Charlotta 

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P.S. Please visit 'A Tranquil Townhouse' to read my rambles on 'global style'.. You will love this warm and humorous blog that is authored by my dear friend Kerry Martin (when she is not gallivanting around DC and NYC..!)