Stockholm minimalism..

Hi darlings. Due to one of the kidlets being ill I am a little bit behind with the next detox post, so I thought I would share this crisp and minimal apartment in the heart of lovely Stockholm instead. But don't worry I am working away in the mean time and will bring you no 3 or the 'detox series' in a few days. x

In the same way that minimal make-up only looks good on a flawless face, minimal decor only really works if the architectural bones and features have what it takes. And in my opinion this place certainly does. Flooded with natural light, to-die-for floors {sigh}, tall ceilings, and structural beauty all makes up for lack of decorational detail don't you think!?

The house was built in 1915 and was thoroughly renovated by owner Stefan Söderberg (founder of Swedish fashion label Hope) when he bought it in 1998. The place was gutted and painted crisp white, before it was decorated with a mix of designer classics, modern & vintage treasures in true Scandinavian manner. 
I just die over those copper pendants and the cool factor of the mid-century side-board (storage unit)..

Though my personal preference may be a little more 'dressed' than this, I truly appreciate the simplistic beauty of a bare home. It has a soothing effect on my senses and feels very zen to my soul, whilst it also is fiercely Swedish. How can I resist.. ha!

Photography: Birgitta Wolfgang Drejer

Sourced via: Interiorsmagasinet Norge

Warm hugs to all!

xx Charlotta

Norwegian house tour..

Hello luvies! As most of you know I have a real weakness for Norway. There is just something about the country and its people that make me feel like I belong. The years I lived in the divine mountain village of Lillehammer were some of the happiest of my life, and I have treasured friends and memories from there that will last for ever.

A few days ago I came a cross a lovely house tour that ran in a reasonably recent issue of the Norwegian edition of 'Elle Decoration'. It features the home of ceramic designer Silje Aune Eriksen and has such a nice personality and warmth to it.

Of course the stunning slate kitchen floor {love}, the exposed beams, skylights, and slanted roof make it instantly stand out, but I also really like the simplistic & neutral base with the pops of neon and the odd rare item.

The vaulted kitchen window is wonderful and my eyes also kissed those little wooden pine trees on the kitchen bench. Aren't they cute!?

Also note the irregularity to the architectural bones - there seem to be angles, curves and slants in almost every room. The wooden floor is on the bias near the dining area (see top image) and the ceiling in the kitchen (above) also seems to take an off direction near the window. I really like that.

The ceramic milk cartons are so much fun and are Silje's own design. As are the individual cup cake molds on the bottom shelf in the image below.

As I mentioned to my close bloggie friend Stacey the other day I have a real weakness for built-in bookshelves like the ones below. And my heart leaps also at the sight of the slanted window/skylight by the dining area.

All in all this place seems to be a wonderful mix of unexpected features, Scandinavian tradition, and designer items. In fact there are a quite a few pieces by up-and-coming designers in this place.

Images styled by Kristen Visdal and shot by Trine Thorsen.

Also, see Silje's own blog HERE and shop some of her designs HERE.

Back soon with the next post in the 'detox series', and I promise it will be a lot lighter than the last one.. ;)

Hugs and happiness to you my dears!

xx Charlotta

In love..

I just had to pop in and share pictures of my latest crush - a yellow metal cart coffee table by Scandinavian company 'Nordal'.

Though I am a bit over the so called 'industrial trend' this unique table really caught my eyes and would work perfectly in my living room. I am putting it on my wishlist for sure!

Nordal is one of my favourite Scandinavian interior companies and their collections are always varied and full of fun & quirky items. Their 'Spring/Summer' catalogue is no exception - just look at these colourful treats:

  

Woven basket bags in a bright pallet of colours. I'd personally love the green, yellow and corn blue ones. Perfect for the beach or Summery picnics!

This white cross-bar table would be the perfect addition to my kitchen dining area! 
I currently have an old Swedish antique which has been in our family for three generations. It is divine but very impractical with the children and I really do need to get a more hard-waring substitute. 

Please also note the fun 'Downtown' chairs and that divine floor.. Can one ever get past the perfection of limed herring bone floors..!?!

The chairs are made out of metal and come in 16 fantastic colours (!) and I would love to mix a few and team them with a more traditional table (like above). Perfect for a family room or informal kitchen dining area don't you think!?

I also fell for these little tables. How fun to mix 'n' match like in the picture above. Would also work a treat as a colourful and unique addition to a living room or hallway.

 And just look at this 'country cabinet'. Of course it also comes in more traditional colours as well, but I really like the unexpectedness of this petrolium blue.

Ok lovelies, I'll be back in a few days with my next detox post. 

Hugs and happy energy to all for now.

xx Charlotta

Note:

All images via Nordal Spring/Summer Catalogue.

Danish costal with a twist..

Hello darlings and happy Friday to you! I am so happy to be able to 'serial post' this week, and as always your comments & emails have really put a happy glow to my week! Thank you! xx

Today I came across this rather unusual timber cottage in beautiful Nordsjælland, Denmark. It's owned by Henry Busk & Stine Christa Engel Busk who run clothing company 'Munderingskompagniet' (we like our long words in Scandinavia..!)

The cottage that is located just 500 meters from the ocean, was built in 1924 in traditional style. However the inside tells a different and unexpected story..

 

In all but one room, the timber walls have been varnished a dark glossy brown, giving the house more of a 'hunting lodge' feel than 'costal abode'. 

The single white room is the result of the couple's daughter Nuka, who was given free hands when choosing the colour for her room. And she was adamant she wanted white from top to toe!

When the house was purchased it was layered with heavy curtains, artificial flowers and thick rugs. Horror! All of this was torn out to allow the house to breathe.

They wanted a raw, rustic and slightly 'worn' backdrop to their vastly eclectic mix of furniture and objects. In the living room, a black 'Togo sofa' by Michael Ducaroy blends beautifully with cushions from Istanbul (Turkey), an over-sized vase and a couple of 'Sweetbox' side tables by Green Square (a wonderful shop!).

On the bare kitchen floor stands a table by legendary Arne Jacobsen, together with seven Chinese stools from Rosmosegaard. And in the window behind, is Stine's collection of vintage vases from Germany.

Stine apparently has 'photographic memory', as such each piece of art becomes very important. Every item has been chosen carefully and tells a story that is meaningful & treasured by the family. The way it should be don't you think!?

So overall rather unexpected don't you think?! I at least was intrigued, and wanted to share it with you. x

Images via: Vårt Nya Hem

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Ok friends. I'll be back again tomorrow when I am participating in Anita's 'Irresistible Paris' party (ref 'Castles Crowns Cottages'). Oh la la, je suis tellement excitée! :)

xx Charlotta

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