Ferm Living Autumn/Winter 2014 Collection

It is no secret that I am a real Ferm Living fan. I had several opportunities to see their products on design fairs and also to speak to the founder of Ferm Living, Trine Andersen (I published an interview with her HERE). So it is no wonder that the new autumn/winter 2014 collection makes me frolic in front of my Macbook.

The new Ferm Living collection celebrates the little moments in life - dinners with friends and family, reading a book and sipping a cup of coffee in your favorite armchair, or simply enjoying the silence and listening to the nature. It reflects the beautiful moments and things that surround our lives. Mellow colours, faded hues, a very contemporary look and feel yet very simple and fresh - for a modern and happy home. No need to mention that I love the blue and yellow hues with dashes of dusky pink, shades of grey and the iconic graphic patterns. Add a few houseplants to that look and a home restyling this autumn seems almost inevitable!

How do you like the new collection by Ferm Living? Anything you would add to your happy home?

Photography by Ferm Living

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Why This Room Caught My Eye

During a regular work week I keep repeating to myself like a mantra: The biggest joy in life is time.  You know, those rare moments when you can sit down, sip a cup of tea and just let the day roll in. No schedules, no to-dos, no deadlines. Leaning back at the kitchen table and feeling the warm sun rays coming through the window. Even though it sounds so realistic, it quite often is sheer fantasy and remains a dream. Speaking of dreams: This Scandinavian kitchen is a dream too and it definitely caught my eye while I was daydreaming and repeating my mantra. What exactly caught my eye? Here we go:

• Photography as Art: Sometimes it's those visual anchors in the background of an interior that catches my first sight. In this case it's the framed photography that serves as art in this kitchen. It is pretty unusual for a kitchen but definitely works in this interior.
• Kitchen Table: This wooden kitchen table has a special feature - probably it's the shape or the colour. Probably it's also the shape reflection between the table and the mirror. It certainly has a mid-century vibe and looks very inviting.
• Graphic Blinds: The graphic black-and-white blinds on the kitchen window set a visual highlight and fit into the kitchen styling by catching up the black elements seen in the pendant, the frame and other decorative elements.

What is your opinion about this kitchen styling?

Photography via Stadshem

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Why This Room Caught My Eye

I've been traveling to Scandinavia so often recently that I feel like I've caught that Scandinavian interior design virus. You know, that rather black and white styling attitude, the use of graphic patterns, wood and leather elements, the inclusion of home plants - well, no wonder today's eye-catching room is a detail shot of Lotta Agaton's Stockholm home. The renown stylist is a sort of Scandinavian styling icon and her home is probably her best business card. Even this little corner has so much to tell:

• Black & White Styling: The balanced use of black and white elements in this interior set the perfect visual framing for any further styling.
• Indoor Plants: The generous use of indoor plants revives the interior - it freshens up the monochrome setting and brings the nature into the home.
• Natural Light: Scandinavian homes seem to be blessed with an abundance of natural light - high and numerous windows let in the maximum of natural light in a part of the world where light can get scarce during wintertime. 

How do you like this little corner? You can see more of Lotta Agatons's home on Emmas Designblogg.

Photography by Pia Ulin, Styling by Lotta Agaton

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Eight Reasons To Move To Sweden - Like Now!

This week I've been entertaining (or annoying) you with the fact that I am in the middle of a living room redo. After I'd painted my walls, I got rid of my old Ikea sofa and I am expecting my new BoConcept sofa next week. Until then, I am sitting on my floor and daydreaming of beautifully spacious interiors (unlike mine). After my design trip to Copenhagen I am strongly inspired by nordic influences and set off to find inspiration online. This is how I found eight very good reasons to move to Sweden - like right now!

1. Top image: I am dreaming of a living room with long bright wooden planks and sliding door in between the rooms. And that wall light fixtures.

2. A beautifully styled living room with grey and black, a fabulous hanging light with exposed bulbs and design classics. Yes please!

3. I love the fresh infusion of icy blue in this room. The patterns on the home textiles and the rug add interest and the pale pink ranunculus are the cherry on the cake. 

4. I love the comfy look of this sofa styling. The ottomans serve as soft coffee tables and the neutral colour palette is calm and serene. 

5. These windows, that green sight and the plants on the windowsill - big like. And I really like the zinc basket on the right side. 

6. This room is fabulous - the carefully placed lighting highlights different areas and makes the room look cosy despite its size. The vintage coffee table and the earthy hues are more reasons to love this room.

7. Can we just mention the natural light here? I mean seriously, that natural light? Love, love, love. Again, I like the dusky blue cushions here and the cool floor lamps. 

8. The grey, anthracite and black colour in this living room would look gloomy if not brightened up by the white bench/coffee table (have you noticed the cool black carving on the legs?), the patterned cushions and the white floor lamp. Great!

So who's moving with me to Sweden?

Happy Friday, friends!

Photography via Alvhem Makleri 

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A Bright Scandinavian Home In Germany

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you have noticed my Scandinavian adventures in Copenhagen as part of the 'Bloggers Universe' tour. I've always been a fan of Scandinavian design and interiors, but since my last trip I have thought and looked out for Scandinavian inspiration even more. Today I want to share a bright Scandinavian style home in Germany. Step in!

This absolutely stunning home is located in the German town of Wiesbaden, but it could easily be a home in Copenhagen, Stockholm or any other Scandinavian city for that matter. The dominance of white and wood perfectly sets the tone in this home. The entire interior design concept was created and executed by the German 'Studio Oink', a design studio run by two super creative minds, Lea Korzeczek and Matthias Hiller.

The depicted home is part of a typical German 'Altbau' building which means it is a historical building with certain architectural specifications that have to be respected. The owners contacted 'Studio Oink' and told them that they love the clear lines and inviting atmosphere of Scandinavian homes. This said, the designers started their endeavor by setting up the concept and then executing their ideas into reality.

The old flooring was removed and the original planks came into action, custom made furniture units were designed and produced, vintage elements like the old window frames were reinterpreted as a kitchen cupboard for the owner's extensive ceramics collection. Smart storage solutions were carefully planned in order to guarantee an airiness which is typical for Scandinavian homes. No hanging cupboards were used, in order to highlight the wood and its structure, no handles were attached to the furniture. Every little detail was carefully considered and the result is simply breathtaking. 

This home is most certainly a very happy home. And it perfectly showcases the advantages of Scandinavian interior design. If you want to see more of this home, visit the website of 'Studio Oink' and see my blog post for the DesignTrade blog HERE.

Photography courtesy of 'Studio Oink'

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Why This Room Caught My Eye

Now this is a happy room, right? The colours, the patterns, the personal touches - this room tells the story of its owner. I imagine the owner to be a creative, cheerful person, always with a smile on and a healthy sense of humour. It is actually the living room of Danish artist and illustrator Anne Bundgaard. And if you have a look at Anne's work, you will confirm my first room-character-analysis. She must be a darn happy person! Apart from having a happy home this example comes in handy this week as I am off to Copenhagen, Denmark, right today! But more about my Danish adventures tomorrow. Let's now have a closer look on what caught my eye in this room:

• Personal Collection: Nothing speaks more of a home owner than a personal collection united in a gallery wall. This personal collection seems to include the owner's own works with other illustrations and screams: Happy!
• Quirky Vase: The fun and quirky vase by Meyer Lavigne (I blogged about them HERE) is also a statement piece for cheerful people with a witty personality. It perfectly accessorizes this room.
• Kilim Rug: On the first glance I thought this is my room as I have almost exactly the same kilim rug in my bedroom (just a bit smaller in size). The colours and the pattern are such a happy highlight and strong eye-catcher. I love it so much!

How do you like this happy room? Anything that caught your eye in particular?

Happy Tuesday!

Photography via Bolig Magasinet

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