Sunday Reading

I received this book in the end of November, sent to me by my Family in Denmark. I had seen it written up - don't exactly recall where, by now - and had a discussion with my mother about the book...

The first response from her was, that it contained a little too much fashion for an Interior Design Book, but I still insisted, as I truly find Naja Munthe's world of Fashion and Interior to be an interesting mix, and her universe is - to me - beautiful and very Scandinavian, perfectly accented by the unexpected exotic element. Take a look at City Living at it's best.

Besides the typical Scandinavian all white backdrop, are some interesting textural elements. Notice the high polished chrome coffee table, the black and gold - oh so current - hanging light fixture, mixed in are pottery and wood... and books, boy does she collect books! When traveling Naja always brings books home with her, so her collection is ever evolving. I suspect she uses them for inspiration, as I do mine...

It's probably not often that you read these words in the same sentence; Deer, Art, Parquet and Designer chair... But, this is typical of what you will find in this book, amazing mix of styles, textures and travel mementos, all tied to it's owner by a strict color pallet, making everything work seamlessly, keeping the eye wandering.

While traveling, Naja (Danish Fashion Designer, behind the label Munthe plus Simonsen) also "collects" Spa experiences, and has subsequently launched an accessory line for the home appropriately called CASA de LUXE. Candles and soaps with names like Wild Fig, shower curtains and neck rolls with elaborate embroidery, all in muted colors.

While we all need to get away sometimes, having a sanctuary as stylish as this Summer Home in Tisvilde, North of Copenhagen (I vacationed here with my grandmother many years ago, sort of like what the Hampton's are to NYC), is just plain enviable!!

... same color pallet, just a little more rustic, weathered and raw.

 

It's all about the light, the view and outside living, but why not make the interiors amazing as well... Looks like this vacation home is also equipped for cold and windy fall days, I spy a fireplace!

Many of these images were shot by Morten Koldby, and it is with his permission that I am using them. Morten shot the majority of images from this book and I asked him about working with Naja, and if there were any insight he would like to share...

I met Naja last year when I was shooting for a danish book about entrepreneurship, featuring Naja and a few other successfull danish entrepreneurs.

I have been working with Naja quite a bit this year, doing the images for her book and other projects. Working with her is a great pleasure, because of her always good mood, great confidence and straightforwardness when explaining her ideas. It was also a fun experience doing both living & interior, office moods and backstage photography from the fashion show for the same client.

If you look closely in the two images above, you see one of Morten Koldby's Animal Portraits, this beauty to be exact, isn't she amazing?? And if you would like that Deer featured in the City Home, well, that too, was photographed by Morten!

Munthe plus Simonsen and CASA de LUXE live happily together in the two story Flagship store in Copenhagen. Here you can get your fill of both worlds... Downstairs the sound of trickling water from a gold mosaic pool emphasizes the spa feel, yet the entire home collection can be found here, along with lit candles, books and jewelry.

I love a good vignette, and this shop has many... and really, if you look closely and study what the professionals have done, you can replicate this in your own home!

(The above image was taken by me with my cell phone, hence the glare and all the price tags :)  )

Venture upstairs, and you will be tempted beyond belief... Amazing clothing; restrained colors, urban, ethnic, knitted, leather, embroidery... if you are not buying, at least "feel your way around"!

Hope you hung in there with me? I could go on & on, so in awe of the creative universe of Naja Munthe, but then there would be nothing left for you to discover in the book.... :)

Fashionable Living is written in both Danish & English, so don't hesitate to order.

I am now totally inspired to do my house over in these tones, lots of texture and a Leopard on the wall wouldn't hurt :)

Happy Sunday Reading,

Natasha

Most images by Morten Koldby, with permission, thank you!

PS. I have received an email from MK this morning.... to purchase his prints go here!

A quiet start!

So... it's February already, where does time go??

Figured I would start the month off with a very calming image... to me at least :)

I am loving all the black ceramics, all the different shapes, and the matte black console table! Punches of pink, well, that's right up my alley! With a white backdrop and lots of natural light, this dutch home is super interesting!!

Check it out here and there are even more images here, but don't forget to come back and let me know what you think!?

Natasha

Image via Blackbird

New on the Virtual Newsstand...

OK, so I can't wait to really dive into this new issue.... by the look of the cover, this is a home I would totally love to live in!! The mix... it's all in the mix, and I am super excited to see more of Lori Grahams home!

What do you think? Is this just right, or too much for you??
And one more question.... Have you started to prepare for the Holidays? This new House of Fifty issue is full of great suggestions, tips and beautiful images to help you get started! Enjoy :)

Natasha

Image by House of Fifty

Arabian Nights

Come on in....
Let's explore this wonderful space in Dubai together. The promise of the beauty that is to come is evident in the beautifully carved door jamb, the plasterwork and the wonderful lanterns! (Expect a modern place, not the typical ornate version!)

A large open courtyard greats you; there is a dining space.....

... and a tiny, tiny little lawn, probably the smallest I have ever seen! I can just envision sitting on the low Moroccan stools with your feet in the cool grass! Well aware that the climate makes it difficult to actually have a lawn in Dubai, I am just wondering out loud how to maintain it...
I mean, do you cut it with clippers, or....? Surely not a lawnmower :)

Wonderful, large terrace extends the living space, and with the daybeds covered, this could indeed be a very cool hangout space! LOVE the pops of orange, it seem to lend itself very well to the desert location!

Perfect way to make your indoor and out door space work together; carry the accent color with you "where ever you go", here the burnt orange has been brought inside.

Full shot of the living area. The black and white artwork on the walls are actually speakers, so surround sound is at it's best visually, don't you think??

Living in the shadow of the Burj Khalifa (worlds tallest building) does not seem too shabby to me, actualy, it's kind of cool :) !

This courtyard is so well designed with lounging and eating areas, with a little greenery to break up the stonework, fantastic lighting! If living in an apartment, what more can you really ask for??

Looks like a totally modern space to me with nods to both local architecture and design, as well as traditional plaster and wood work.

How cool is the dining table, the textured carvings are wonderful! Looks like the top is actually a re-purposed door... Either way, it highlights the Arabian / Moroccan "theme" that's going on in this space... the lanterns, the pipe, the urns, the desert colors.

How can I get to visit?

Natasha

All images by Gert Skaerlund Andersen via Bo Bedre

Sneak Peek!

Welcome to the home of Danish design duo Marianne Brandi and Keld Mikkelsen.
To view the full tour of the house, check out the post below...

... the house is full of interesting collections, and travel souvenirs... no, no, not those tacky plastic ones, but real, pretty, interesting travel mementos! Scroll down, this house is not to be believed :)!

Enjoy the house tour,

Natasha

Images by Nils Mogensen Svaleboeg

Designer at Home

Look at this house... all 400 square meters of it! Built in 1917 and renovated top to bottom by the founders of the Danish brand Day Birger & Mikkelsen. The house sits on a huge lot, in Kerteminde, on the island of Fyn in Denmark. Budding up to the woods, views of the water, the house is so super duper cool, I hope you will enjoy this virtual tour!

In the entrance one is greeted by a wonderful personal art collection, complete with old hat forms as sculptures. To the right you get a glimpse of what's to come......

"Relaxed Elegance" is the description of the multi cultural interiors of the home. Owners Marianne Brandi and husband Keld Mikkelsen travel extensively for work and bring with them treasures from all over the world!

Small terracotta statues from China in the deep window sill, Juju hat from Cameroon on the wall, leather chair from New York, Asian wood furniture, Indian print pillows.... Complete with an antique crystal chandelier! Notice the specially stuccoed walls, keeping the room very warm and soft, even in the natural bright light.

How would you like to have a home office space as pretty as this? I don't think I would get anything done, starring out the window, looking through the trees down at the water.... Pure joy!!

Working in fashion and interior design, Marianne explains that calm surroundings at home is the only way to go! I concur! Not a lot of adornment, classic and simple lines, lots of natural light, warm wood counter top...

Home wears designed for DAY home. Easy to see where some of the inspiration comes from, huh? I really like those horn (?) bowls, they look so great with their colors variations, against the white serving pieces, don't you think?

As the Creative Director of successful Danish Lifestyle Brand, DAY Home, Marianne's touch is everywhere! Even in the bathroom; the style is calm, neutral and with great texture! A cohesive look that reaches every room in the house. Notice the three metal containers piled high with shells... perhaps brought back from their vacation home in the islands..?

(I will do a post about that house another day!)

A look of the house from the garden. To the very right is the newly added sun porch....

.... Spending part of the summer here would not be too bad! Notice how even the tile work on the porch works with the color scheme of the rest of the house! Small detail, but great impact!!


The TV room, at the very top floor of the house, under the eves exudes pure coziness!!! Notice the wall texture... When renovating this house, craftsmen from Portugal were flown in to complete the plasterwork. It's a special technique, the end result; walls that feel like velvet, shimmer in the light and looks like polished marble!! FANTASTIC!

The floors through out the house have also been treated with extra care to create this shiny, high gloss lacquered look. Six layers of lacquer to be exact!! I love how the shiny floors are balanced by the matte texture of the walls.

Everywhere in the house you find goods from far away lands; here Chinese urns mingle with a Zebra skin...

Simple, calm and beautiful master bedroom.

Why hide your jewelery collection?
Marianne uses this lamp, found in New York, as a prop.

In the "man room" Keld keeps this red cabinet, purchased on a trip to India, its origin is Tibetan. Take a closer look, the detail of the work is incredible!!

A view of the facade of the DAY Birger & Mikkelsen store in Copenhagen. Next time you visit, be sure to stop by, you will not be disappointed... and browsing for ideas is free :)!

For a peek inside this couples Copenhagen apartment, check out this Northern Light post.

Have a wonderful DAY!!

Natasha

Images by Nils Mogensen Svaleboeg

Picture Perfect

Hi again, sorry for the silence.....




Thank you, to all of you who have been stopping by, I encourage you to leave me a comment, any language will do, they totally make my day!!!

I am sharing this image from Day, Birger & Mikkelsen with you, I have had it in my files for a while. I think the reason I have been hanging on to it, are the colors.... And looking a little closer I just realised I have the small silver box next to the shell necklace! You can just make out that it's a face, right? Actually, I purchased this "silver" box and also one in black. Originally I had intended to give one away to a friend of mine, but just could not split them up, once I got them back home.....

Have a wonderful week!

Natasha

House Love

In my mailbox this past Friday was the new Elle Decor, couldn't wait to dive in, but didn't really have time until Sunday afternoon....

I now have a new House Love!



Well, to be fair, not really the house, but the interiors, the location and the view!!
The house belong to Ellen Pompeo and husband, Chris Ivery.



What a great idea to have artwork in the kitchen!

Seem like a big wall too fill, and Sebastiao Salgado black and white image of an Indian train station fits perfectly, even visually extending the room.

On a side note; the antique hexagon terracotta tile were imported just for this house, and are featured in the kitchen, on the terrace and even in the bathroom.



How about the mix of items from so many cultures; Moroccan lantern, Chinese table, African art, Indian fabric for the pillows, Afghan dhurrie, Iron sculpture with prayer beads.... all mixed in a Spanish-style house. I think it all works so beautifully, it comes across to me as sophisticated world traveler, bringing home treasures from far away places, it is what makes this house so interesting!! I would love an afternoon to really explore, what about you?



...I spy a Hermes throw, but what is even more exciting is the Nick Brandt photograph, leaning against the wall! Lately I have been spotting his images in interiors, perhaps an "I spy..."-post at a later time....

The house was decorated by Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, and the shoot was styled by Carlos Mota. I say GREAT JOB!!

You inspired me to look for more ethnic accessories, and I hope my home one day will reflect my travels.

Natasha

Images via Elle Decor