Being on my first trip to Mexico, I have seen many nice places already in the few days we have been here, but best of all is definitely, Posada Margherita. An italian owned boutique hotel with fantastic food, the best fruit juices, amazing interior and uniq shopping. Really laid back, classy and with great atmosphere.
Translating Mexican into Danish.
Sitting here in Tulum, Mexico, for the last few hours, it´s strange to think that tomorrow we will be back in cold and grey Copehagen. But at least I can take the images and colours with me. We use colours that surround us. In Denmark obviously that would mostly be earthy colours, but why not throw a little Mexican colours in, to brighten up you life, without going all "Sombrero e Tequila".
Taxes Taxes Taxes :-(
Since I will now start working in Denmark and finally will be earning a bit of money. Off couse I must pay my taxes like everybody els. Then it´s just fantastic to have an accountant who shares an office with MADE A MANO so I can enjoy and be inspired by all this fine Italian ceramic on my way to pay my approx. 40% ;-)
Made a Mano was founded in 2001. The company produces a variety of high end ceramics such as tiles, countertops, sinks, bathtubs and a range of living items that combine traditional handicraft with modern production techniques.
The owner, NanaKi Bonfils, find inspiration from many corners of the globe fusing these influences with Scandinavian style, colour and glazing.
The most exclusive Made a Mano range is made using lava stone from Mount Etna, the vulcano I have lived on for the past 20 years, and Vesuvio. The raw and extremely resilient lava stone is transformed into long lasting beauty.
In 2013 Made a Mano has developed a new production using the latest and most advanced technologies. The new modern techniques allow Made a Mano to cut the lava stone into amazing shapes and forms and the new improved silkscreening methods enable sharper and more refined patterns.
All products are exclusively handmade, from the cutting through the glazing and free hand drawing decorations, hand printing and silkscreening. Tiles and ceramic like this is usually used for bathrooms, kitchen´s, floor´s and so forth. But now even to create a little drama in rooms as wall covers or just as cutting boards, countertops, plates.....
If you need help to get an idea for your home please contact me at ARCHITECTURE & INTERIOR and check out my ceramic at CASA CERAMICA which I produce in Sicily.
Like being in Aladdin´s Cave.
It´s been raining all day :-P
When it gets to me and I just want to escape, I go for a little walk and find myself at Tage Andersen. Perhaps Denmarks best flower artist. This mystic place full of decorations, flowers, cages with live birds, caves and stairs leading to secret places draws me. Here you find such beauty, inspiration, originality and fantasy. If you have the time you can spend hours studying the details on each object. And you go out from there with lot´s of energi and a smile on your face.
I have always been a sucker for soft colours and soft materials.
Just as an inspiration.
Soft colours and soft materials are great, whether it´s for summer or winter. In these day´s which are grey and sad, it helps to use other than black. The big sweathers, boot´s, scarf´s or even fur in soft colours can definitely brighten up your day and help you along in this dark time of the year. If you need help please contact me at CASA CHRISTINA.
Nice lunch with a good old friend.
What I love most about being back home in Wonderful Copenhagen, after 20 years in Italy, is that I can call any old friend or family member on a spare of a moment and arrange for a coffee or a lunch. I have my favourite places, I am super traditional ! But I have sworn to see new things here from now on. Almanak, was the choice for the day. With it´s great setting by the waterfront of Copenhagen it give you that nice feeling of air and space. And it´s simplicity in decor and food, you feel light and full on energi to take on the rest of the day. Thanks for a great lunch, Old friend ;-)
Old traditions in a new way. House of Amber since 1933.
House of Amber is parting with the old ways and getting new creative designers to give a new look to something traditional. With designers like Ann Sindlev , one of my personal favourites, but also Kopenhagen Fur, Mai Manniche, Louise Sigvardt and many more on board, with their great ideas and modern way of designing, they can contribute with a look which will appeal to lots of younger women out there. Its interesting to see what brought spectrum Amber has, from an almost black colour to pure green, which most people do not know. And as a company ´House for Amber´ is amazing with their more than 40 boutiques, just i China.
Maximalism in 2015 in a more affordable manner.
I love the English way of overdoing things, in a stylish way. Mix and match colours, materials, stripes and shapes. And lot´s of it.
If it´s a little too much for your taste, you can build it up slowly and in an affordable way. Start with one key piece and quietly find smaller objects which suits you, to build further.
As an example you can get fantastic things for a good price in all the bigger comercial stores. A really good way is to go to the lesser costly places, in this case ILVA, where you can find great things for a reasonable price. And if you can´t manage by yourself, I can definitely offer my services as a personal shopper, read more....
Le Cap Horn, the best maritime place in the mountains.
The last day of our vacation we treated our self to a great lunch at Le Cap Horn. A MUST when in Courchevel ! This amazing decadent restaurant is like walking on to a movie set. You are met with loud dance music on the terrace, really glittery looking people, very nice looking staff and a 6 ft. Swarovski skull!!! Inside you are, right away, presented with the opportunity to purchase a pair of 14 ct. earrings from Moussaieff, if you should feel the need for that, after a great lunch of ousters or their famous chicken or the choice of one of their more than 600 listed wines. Or if you don´t have the ´trillions´ you would need for that, you can do what I did, ....... just dive into the best desert table, know to mankind, which has everything from home made crepes, mini ice-creme cone´s, amazing fruitcakes to the most wonderful chocolate mousse. At Le Cap Horn, the vibe is great, friendly and fun. It´s the perfect playground for grown-ups, with a "little" extra to spend :-)
Christmas at my house.
As you may have understood by now, if you have seen any of my previous blogs, I kind of loooooove x-mass. My house this year I keep white, grey and silver. Nice, clean and calm. I have been collecting christmas decor for more than 20 years and I have a bit to choose from now. Every year it will be different up to my wishes and mood.
North has a new sexy site up and running, go and see www.north.dk
My cool sister, Marie Louise, has been working long and hard to get her new site for North ready before X-mass, and she did! Check it out and shop for all your friends and family, to make sure they have great things waiting under the tree this year.
A speaker I actually want in my living room!
Music is a big part of my life. As a background…… or how I really like…….. full blast !!
But MG, most of the speakers I have had through my teen´s and up, were monsters. Fortunately lots of beautiful things has been designed since then.
Bang & Olufsen is the absolute TOP.
Many will argue that its possible to find better and for less, but B&O were the first with the greatest and cleanest design,………… and in my opinion still is.
With B&O design you will incorporate design, functionality, quality and art in one.
BeoLab18, this classic beauty will lift any room. It´s a sculpture on it´s own.
BeoLab20, this cute new design goes everywhere.
Lovely day at the hairdresser........like being at home!
I just love coming here, in this private stylish apartment at Cim Mahony and have my hair done by the amazing Mie. The interior is impeccable, luxurious and cozy at the same time. Best of all is the washing station which you will actually get out of feeling nicely relaxed :-)
Christina
19 day´s to go........ Let it snow...Let it snow...Let it snow :-)
The Christmas decorations at Hotel NIMB , one of Copenhagen finest, looks fantastic and delicate . It´s a joy to walk around the hotel and get that nice x-mas feeling.
GUBI has opened up a new shop......... Thank you for turning Møntergade into something which looks like London.
We went to a great opening at GUBI the other night. Fantastic place and super crowd. Congratulation.
Brilliant architecture.......by Roman Vlasov.
I just can´t take my eye´s off of this. Striking conceptual projects by Ukrainian designer and architect Roman Vlasov. Roman Vlasov is truly amazing and have to be studied. Imagine to have the possibility to build something like this !
Roman´s understanding of luxury.
Roman´s amazing shapes.
Roman´s architecture as sculptures.
Amazing ... Amazing ... Amazing !
Roman´s understanding of light and space.
Love love love. Christina
On a rainy day or on a sunny day...... What to do ? Hotel Chocolat.
Hotel Chocolat, in the center of Copenhagen is the perfect little spot to go and treat yourself to a wonderful cup of hot creamy chocolate or an nice bag of sweets. Hotel Chocolat's elegant facade with it's lovely blue color draw you to the nicely decorated entrance where you can relax and enjoy while watching life going by on Strøget ( the pedestrian street of Cph )
Hotel Chocolat, click here
Elmgreen & Dragset at The National Museum of Denmark.
All weekend we were baby-sitting my sisters kids.......alias my favorite nephews,.... Alfa & Bjørnis. What to do .......think think think ?
Friday just relaxing with Popcorn and a good film, saturday the Zoo and Sunday we went to The National Museum of Denmark. This stunning building is full of wonderful experiences for both adults and children. Apart from their amazing permanent exhibition, they have at the moment, three modern large-scale installations, the ´Elmgreen & Dragset biography´ which is absolutely worth seeing. But proberly best of all, the many workshops for children. In the workshops children have the posibility to create anything they want, paint and build. Good fun for all :-)
Christina
Cash&Rocket tour 2014.
First Cash&Rocket tour 2012 Paris.
We are ready to leave for Milan.
Miss Lily Becker & Miss Jo Wood.
The lovely Lady herself, CEO and founder of Cash&Rocket, my energetic cuz, Julie Brangstrup Watts.
I had car #002.
My little RED Porsche :-)
Miss Lily and I, ........we finally made it to Paris after a few diversions :-/
Miss Jodie Kid.
La bella Sig.ra Beretta & Sig.ra Olivia with so many other lovely ladies.
Beauty herself, my baby cuz, Melissa.
My privat pictures from Cash&Rocket tour 2012.
I was invited to the NET-A-POTER and Cash&Rocket, launching party of "Cash&Rocket tour 2014" which runs in june, ....in London tonight.
Sadly I could not join, but I know my sister, Marie Louise Brangstrup Schmidt, the founder of North, is there with a big smile on her face sipping drinks mingling with the most interesting people in London, even as I write.
I feel a tiny bit jealous :-)
Cash&Rocket was founded by my cousin, Julie Brangstrup Watts, to bring fashion and luxury brands together in order to make a difference to global issues;this empowering, female tour, supports and helps women and children in third world countries.
Each year Cash&Rocket has a new charity partner.
I myself, drow in the first Cash&Rocket tour in 2012. The charity partner that year was (RED).
(RED) engages business and consumer power in the fight against AIDS. To date, (RED)partners and events have generated more than 180 million US dollar for The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
It is a great way to engage a large group of very interesting and fantastic women to go together in doing something important for a very worthy cause and at the same time having a lot of fun on the way through the cities of Europe. Every evening enjoying cocktail parties or wonderful dinners, in elegant dresses, after being on to road in jeans and t-shirts for hours and hours.
I had the time of my life, meeting so many beautiful women and getting to drive my bright red Porsche from London to Paris to Geneva to Milan ending up in Monte Carlo for the big final dinner and the auction to raise money for (RED).
Christina
Cash&Rocket, click here
(RED), click here
NET-A-POTER, click here
North, click here
Rick Joy.................a true joy.
When you start looking at pictures of Rick Joy's architecture it's hard to stop.
He has been producing stunning buildings from his office in Arizona for more that 20 years now. Most of his work exists in the desert, which he considers a " dreamlike fantasy of a landscape,......"
Rick Joy, click here