JAPAN'S DANISH MODERN MEETS DESERT CALM

Every time I stumble across this first photo on Pinterest I'm flooded with inspiration. Inspiration for my own home, for my work in other homes and creative projects. It's funny actually. The photo isn't even a wide interior shot -  it's merely the tail end of a very large room. However, it's just enough to see a light-filled room, high ceilings, wood framed folding doors and baseboards laced with danish furniture and black modern accents. A combination of elements that drives me crazy with excitement. Another blogger coined the phrase "danish modern meets desert calm" to describe the space. I never could quite nail down my own personal style in words, but if I had to, I think think this phrase sums it up just perfectly. The original source of these images has disappeared but what is left of the link description leads me to believe this home is located in Japan - a nice little surprise. 

One day I will own a cactus this tall. 

Eames around the dining table and guessing that's a Hans Wagner in the back. Also, windows and doors for days. 

Mid century inspired kitchen. 

Another Hans Wagner to die for 

A DANISH STUDENT'S BEAUTIFUL HOME

Six roommates, hand-me-down couches, IKEA everything, and a variety of contradicting band posters- this was the house I lived in when I was a student. It was a far cry from this Danish student's beautiful space in Aalborg, Denmark. There are so many fantastic details to love about this home- the shelving arrangements, the DIY shoe rack and photo wall, the mix of mid century and modern furniture and those gymnastic rings! I love when something like sporting equipment (in this example: bike + gymnastic rings) is incorporated into the docor, adding character and a hint of lifestyle, while maintaining the overal aesthetic appeal. 

I got excited about the below photos and quickly began pulling this post together. I later discovered a whole new set of photos of the same apartment with different paint, couches and an overall different look. Unsure of which were the most recent, I reached out to Julie Writtrup Pladsbjurg, whose home this is, and confirmed the below photos were taken about a year and a half ago, and these photos are of the most recent interior. 

Julie is clearly a talented interior designer, who was able to evolve one beautiful space into multiple functional, fun and sophisticated living spaces. Which of the two is your favourite? 

VEGGIE COLLECTION BY VONTRUEBA

How many plants are too many? Would it be considered overboard if I covered my walls in posters of plants when my entire apartment is already full of live ones? Maybe, maybe not...

The Veggie collection by Carmen Trueba, Spanish Architect and Designer, and founder of Vontrueba Studio, was inspired by nature and botanical illustrations. Simple, bold and vibrant - these works of art allow anyone, green thumb or not, to bring a little "life" into their home.

I'm delighted these luscious prints caught my eye as they also led me to fall in love with Trueba's other collections inspired by materials, textures and geometry.

A RENOVATED BLACKSMITH'S WORKSHOP

I've come across this picture (the first one below) several times while surfing around on the internet. Each time the picture would stand alone without a link to other photos of the full home tour, as they usually do. My imagination was left to wonder what type of space this room lives in? Is it in a studio in Quebec, a cabin somewhere in Norway, or maybe a loft space in New York?? I was delighted to stumble across this photo again recently, this time with photos of the space and outer walls that surround it. Turns out it's in an abandoned blacksmith's workshop in Lesbos, Greece that dates back to 1930. The shop was later rediscovered by a group of Danish architects who have since renovated it into this quaint modern retreat home. I'm a huge fan of the combination of materials: original wood beams; new wood used for cabinets, the kitchen and a few walls; cement floors and outside stone walls; and touches of copper, stainless steel, and rod iron throughout. 

 

A GUIDE TO DISPLAYING WALL ART

This post may make a few of my friends chuckle considering the largely barren walls of my apartment. Although I have taken a minimalist approach to displaying art (simply due to the fact that I don't own any, yet), I have spent enough time analyzing wall art arrangements to understand the different directions one can take. 

Hanging art is often overwhelming due to the copious amount of rules surrounding the "art of hanging art" and the commitment level involved. But for a moment, let's throw out all the rules and understand the only thing one needs is inspiration. The following guide is broken down in a way meant to inspire and allow us to take a less serious and more fun approach, so that we all can all enjoy a little (or a lot of) of art on the daily.  

 

THE GALLERY WALL- 

dreamsandjeans.comFULL GALLERY WALL- stagger art across the entire span of a wall from top to bottom and wall to wall. 

dreamsandjeans.com

FULL GALLERY WALL- stagger art across the entire span of a wall from top to bottom and wall to wall. 

cocolapinedesign.comSMALL GALLERY WALL- a gallery wall also works well with small wall or space between two doors or windows. 

cocolapinedesign.com

SMALL GALLERY WALL- a gallery wall also works well with small wall or space between two doors or windows. 

desiretoinspire.netLEVEL GALLERY- stagger art work at eye height, each level with the other. 

desiretoinspire.net

LEVEL GALLERY- stagger art work at eye height, each level with the other. 

domainehome.comGRID GALLERY- for a more structured look, hang art work in rows and columns. This approach works well with photography.  

domainehome.com

GRID GALLERY- for a more structured look, hang art work in rows and columns. This approach works well with photography.  

thedesignchaser.comWRAP GALLERY- stagger art work across the wall and around fixed objects like a door frame, T.V., or a large piece of furniture. 

thedesignchaser.com

WRAP GALLERY- stagger art work across the wall and around fixed objects like a door frame, T.V., or a large piece of furniture. 

lovelylife.seCORNER GALLERY- bring life to a lonely corner by hanging art work on either side of the walls that meet the corner in a cluster formation. 

lovelylife.se

CORNER GALLERY- bring life to a lonely corner by hanging art work on either side of the walls that meet the corner in a cluster formation. 

 STAIRWAY GALLERY- make use of the stairway by hanging art on the walls that follow the staircase. 

 

STAIRWAY GALLERY- make use of the stairway by hanging art on the walls that follow the staircase. 

THE LEANING GALLERY- 

quincewithsugar.tumblr.comFULL WALL LEANING SHELF GALLERY- install shelves along an entire wall from high to low and play around with the placement of art and other objects. The best part about this approach is having the liberty…

quincewithsugar.tumblr.com

FULL WALL LEANING SHELF GALLERY- install shelves along an entire wall from high to low and play around with the placement of art and other objects. The best part about this approach is having the liberty to change it up from time to time. 

cjwho.comSINGLE SHELF LEANING GALLERY- a single shelf with a small gallery works well over a bed or alongside a dining room table. 

cjwho.com

SINGLE SHELF LEANING GALLERY- a single shelf with a small gallery works well over a bed or alongside a dining room table. 

lifeonsundays.comFLOOR LEANING GALLERY- for an effortless display, lean art along a wall using the floor like a shelf. 

lifeonsundays.com

FLOOR LEANING GALLERY- for an effortless display, lean art along a wall using the floor like a shelf. 

poppytalk.comLEANING GALLERY ON FURNITURE- make use of surface space and display art on top of your furniture. 

poppytalk.com

LEANING GALLERY ON FURNITURE- make use of surface space and display art on top of your furniture. 

THE FRAMELESS ART- 

residencemagazine.seFRAMELESS ART-  frameless art gives off a simple and casual look, allowing you the opportunity to change up the artwork from time to time. Get creative with hanging these pieces using clips, pins or a goo…

residencemagazine.se

FRAMELESS ART-  frameless art gives off a simple and casual look, allowing you the opportunity to change up the artwork from time to time. Get creative with hanging these pieces using clips, pins or a good tape. 

trendenser.se FRAMELESS ART CLUSTER - a cluster of pictures, sketchings, clipping or postcards instantly beome art by displaying them together on a wall. The cluster formation lends itself nicely to this type of artwork…

trendenser.se 

FRAMELESS ART CLUSTER - a cluster of pictures, sketchings, clipping or postcards instantly beome art by displaying them together on a wall. The cluster formation lends itself nicely to this type of artwork and works especially well above a kitchen table or a desk. 

inspire.neuetoyou.comSINGLE FRAMELESS PIECE- a single frameless art piece, big or small, can make for an alluring display. 

inspire.neuetoyou.com

SINGLE FRAMELESS PIECE- a single frameless art piece, big or small, can make for an alluring display. 

ART IN NUMBERS- 

blogmilkblog.comSINGLE LARGE ART- go for the minimalist approach and only hang a few charming pieces here and there. One large piece of art has a bold impact on any space. 

blogmilkblog.com

SINGLE LARGE ART- go for the minimalist approach and only hang a few charming pieces here and there. One large piece of art has a bold impact on any space. 

trendenser.seSINGLE SMALL ART- don't overthink where or how the art should be hung. Let a small piece of art sit alone and speak for itself. 

trendenser.se

SINGLE SMALL ART- don't overthink where or how the art should be hung. Let a small piece of art sit alone and speak for itself. 

cocolapinedesign.comODD NUMBERS- as a rule of thumb, things in odd numbers are always more interesting. Three pictures could be hung asymmetrically or symmetrically (as shown above). 

cocolapinedesign.com

ODD NUMBERS- as a rule of thumb, things in odd numbers are always more interesting. Three pictures could be hung asymmetrically or symmetrically (as shown above). 

trendenser.seEVEN NUMBERS- hang an even amount of art close together to create the illusion of one display, oppose to multiple individual pieces. You can hang these symmetrically or offset for more interest (as shown above). 

trendenser.se

EVEN NUMBERS- hang an even amount of art close together to create the illusion of one display, oppose to multiple individual pieces. You can hang these symmetrically or offset for more interest (as shown above). 

SMALL APARTMENT WITH CLEVER USE OF SPACE

I love this small apartment for its clever use of space and simple and pared down approach to decor and living. The white painted floors brighten and open the space up, while the broken in leather chair, antique kitchen table and light fixtures add subtle character. 

Found on- stadstem.se

NOTED: MARBLE

A GUIDE TO A SCANDINAVIAN CHRISTMAS

When it comes to Christmas decor, I like to take tips from the Scandinavians. With their Northern Lights, vast amounts of snow, winter sports and Christmas markets, they seem to really know how to make the most of this time of year. Staying true to Scandi-design, Nordic Christmas decor is simple, clean, and fresh, with warm and rustic touches. Minimalism is always the key, which allows one to really focus on the seasonal holiday details.  

A few tips to help you bring a Scandinavian Christmas into your home: 

  1. Keep things simple, less is always more. Take a pared down approach to everything including the tree and decorations (with the exception of candles). 
  2. Choose a natural palette of black, white/cream, and grey with touches of red, silver, and gold.  
  3. Introduce fresh greenery throughout the house, bringing life to a dull time of year. Fresh pine tree clippings placed in a water vase, or made into wreath. 
  4. Candlelight is essential in the Northern Hemisphere where the days are very short this time of year. Place a variety of lanterns, and candles sporadically throughout the home to bring warmth, luscious scents and mimic this nordic decor detail. Don't be afraid to use candles in abundance. 
  5. Add wool blankets and animal skins for texture and warmth. 
  6. Scandinavian homes are tight on space, so bigger is not always better when it comes to the Christmas tree. Use little pine trees, or make a bare branch tree for a low maintenance approach.  
  7. Make homemade ornaments from things in natures or of raw materials, and place them sparingly on dinning room tables, fireplace mantels, and the Christmas tree. 
  8. Keep the gift wrapping simple by using solid or simple patterns, and twine and/or simple embellishments such as rosemary clippings or a photo.  

 

CANDLES & FRESH PINE CLIPPINGS IN WATER 

1.thehousethatlarsbuilt.com 2.minted.com 3. Flickr.com 4. awakebysunrise.tumblr.com

 

BARE BRANCHES WITH FEW ORNAMENTS 

ELEVATIONS BY STUDIO ESINAM

Studio Esinam is a creative studio based in Sweden, founded by an art director and architect duo who created Elevations, a series of city posters that have certainly made an impression in the world of interior design. The studio released three new prints recently- Stockholm, an addition of the Elevations series, Goteborg and Brooklyn to launch their new series Landmarks. 

"In our first print series elevations, we seek to capture the unique feeling of various cities around the world. Cities that most of us have some kind of relation to, but probably haven't seen in the format of architectural drawing. By studying the facades, directing attention to details that mostly pass unseen, we hope to touch upon qualities to the architecture that contribute to that specific feeling the city imposes on you."

Now I will just be awaiting the release of the Toronto print to either of the Elevations or Landmarks series- patiently waiting I'm sure. 

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