Copenhagen - The Happiest Place In The World - Part 1

I am so excited about re-visiting one of worlds most uber-stylish cities. This week I will be travelling to Copenhagen for four days with my family. This city is a unique, eclectic mix of Scandinavian style which I love, Michelin-starred restaurants, the coolest bars, quirky vintage shops, museums and so much more. I have put together a brief guide, some of the best places to visit for all you design lovers.

For the second year running, Denmark has been crowned the worlds happiest nation. Its position at the top of a list dominated by Northern European countries suggests that there's something about the high-latitude attitude that promotes happiness in it's inhabitants.

I will be posting many photos of the trip on my return, so keep a look out...

shop...

If you want to see the best Danish furniture and homeware these stores are a must visit.

Hay House

www.hay.dk

Normann

Illums Bolighus

www.illumsbolighus.com

Gubi

www.gubi.com

Department Stores

Illum

One of the leading and most attractive department stores in Scandinavia when it comes to Fashion, Interiors, Design and Beauty.

www.illum.eu

fashion...

Copenhagen is the home to world leading fashion brands.

By Malene Birger

bymalenebirger.com

Day Birger Et Mikkelsen

www.birgermikkelsen.com

Acne

www.acnestudios.com

sleep...

Hotel 27

www.hotel27.dk

eat...

Sticks 'n' Sushi

www.sticksnsushi.com

culture...

Ordrupgaard Museum

Zaha Hadid's 2005 extension to the Ordryogaard museum

www.ordrupgaard.com

fun...

Ice Bar located next door to Hotel 27

www.icebarcph.com

www.tivoli.dk

Interior Colour Trends - Grey - Nude

At this time of year I always start feeling like re-decorating the house after spending the summer months outdoors and concentrating on our gardens we tend to neglect the inside of our homes. You may start to notice that certain rooms are looking a little tired and are in need of a new coat of paint or maybe a complete make-over.

I have decided to write a few posts on my favourite colour schemes, today is about grey, with nude/blush tones.

Grey works perfectly on its own, a peaceful, timeless, unobtrusive colour which is a firm favourite with the French. Walls are wonderful painted pale shades of grey that can reflect the light and shade of the day. One of my favourite colours to use with grey is nude or very pale blush tones. These colours sit beautifully together and create an elegant, feminine scheme. 

Images: Pinterest,Veranda

Decorex - Highlights

I had a fantastic day at Decorex last week, the exhibition stands were beautifully executed and the show had a diverse mix of exhibitors. I wished that I could have spent more time at Decorex this year and attended some of the inspiring seminars hosted by leading designers in the industry, anyway until next year... 

The top lighting company for me was Teranzi, each piece is so unique and sculptural, they truly are exquisite works of art. I could just see one of these dramatic lights in a hotel foyer.

Philip Watts Design wowed me with their oversized glamorous rock style door handles pictured below, again I could see these in a beautiful boutique hotel, restaurant or bar. The skull heads can even be finished in Swarovski crystals, just imagine...

I was also impressed by Ginger & Jagger, a brand that was only launched this year in Portugal. Their products are made from the combination of nature's most fascinating forms and the knowledge of the designers, definitely a brand for beauty lovers. I also was inspired by the colour palette of Munna's products.

Here are some of the talented brands that I had my eye on...

Terzani

Skull Head Handle
Philip Watts Design

Skull Head Handles
Philip Watts Design

Skull Cushions
Alexander McQueen
The Rug Company

Ochre

Philip Watts Design

Sculptural Handles
Philip Watts Design

Munna

Munna

Wood And Copper
Pebble Stool
Ginger & Jagger

Walnut Cabinet
Ginger & Jagger

Autumn Colour Palettes

Yesterdays post on 'Preparing The Home For Autumn' started me thinking about Autumnal colour schemes. I absolutely love the palettes created by Colour Forecaster Jessica Colaluca (creator & creative of designseeds.com)

My favourite Autumn colour palette is shown below, Mustard Yellow, Moss Green, dark chocolate brown with shades of grey, beautiful...

I have linked the colours to these amazing cable knit pouffes which are inspired by nature and bang on trend. They work as extra seating, create focal points and add interesting texture to any room in the home, they remind me of giant sea urchins!  

100% Wool Pouffe €510.00
www.thomaseyck.com

Image:Pinterest

Ursula Cable Knit Pouffes,
inspired by nature
£175.00 grahamandreen.co.uk

Autumn - Time to start Nesting...

Autumn is officially here, the leaves are turning colour, slowly falling and you can feel a chill in the air. Although I am always sad to see summer behind us for another year, there is something to look forward to at this time of the year.
Preparing your home for the winter months
Now is the time to prepare your home for the colder months ahead, invest in some new bedding, change the duvet to a higher tog, put your mattress topper on, treat yourself to a new cosy pair of slippers, a lovely new throw/cushions for the bed, sofa or both!
For me there is nothing quite like a freshly made bed with crisp linens and layers of warmth. 
Throws and cushions are a great way to instantly update a bedroom or living room, they add interesting texture, warmth and colour. The trend for chunky organic knits continues this season, wool is tactile, stylish and elegant. Silk is opulent and luxurious, if the budget will stretch a luxury cashmere throw will last a lifetime, feel beautiful against the skin and you will probably never want to get out of bed or off the sofa!
Sheepskin, fur and animal hides create an alpine/ski chalet style, Mongolian Lambskin and ostrich feather cushions will add amazing texture and glamour to your room.

So as we get ready for hibernation, I will be lighting the fire once again, surrounding myself with candles, cuddling up in a cosy throw wearing my new slippers, with a good book and a glass of wine or two...
To give you all some ideas, here are a few of my favourite A/W 2012 products from the leading Home online/mail-order companies.

Image:Pinterest

Image:Pinterest

Shearling Babouche
£65.00 Toast 

 Reindeer Hide
£145.00 Toast

Sheepskin Rug

£99.00 Toast

Image: Toast

Large Sheepskin Rug 

£500.00 The White Company

Sheepskin Beanbag
£950.00 The White Comapny

Image:Pinterest

Chunky Hand-Knit Throw £400.00
Cushions £85.00
The White Company

Image:The White Company

Image:The White Company

Silver-Grey Plain Cashmere Throw
£500.00 The White Company

Cosy Moss Stitch Cotton Throw
Grey/Brown £69.95
Rockett St George

Made in England wool Throw
Silver-grey £69.00
Rockett St George

 Mongolian Lamb Skin Cushions
£39.09-£100.62 West Elm

Ostrich Feather Cushions
$255.00 Calypso St Barth 

Image:Pinterest