We were for dinner at Llama the other day, and its such a joy for the eye. The South American inspired restaurant in the center of Copenhagen, has just been nominated for the very prestigious " The Restaurant and Bar Design Awards" for its amazing interior and concept, which amongst others has been created by Torben Klitbo, August Lund og Christian Lytje from Cofoco, Jakob Lange, Lars Larsen and world renowned architect Bjarke Ingels. Definitely a place to try when you are in Copenhagen.
Design Awards 2015.
About last night. Most of the day I went from event to event. First ARPER with great showrooms, designs and speeches in Parkhus 48, then my sisters pop up shop for North.dk, with mega marshmallow in the center of Copenhagen and last but not least Design Awards 2015 which was hosted at Paustian. BO BEDRE, Bolig Magasinet and Costume Living, arranged ´Design Awards 2015´again this year , a lovely event to celebrate and choose the best designers, up commers, comebacker´s and many more. I enjoyed myself with great food, wine, and in company of old and new friends, and one of my big idols, former education minister, Bertel Haarder.
Best designers 2015 ´GAMFRATESI´
Bertel Haarder presenting best designers 2015.
Food, sweets, wine, old and new friends.
Copenhagen by night.
11 beautiful pictures of how velours adds that softness and coolness to a room at the same time.
I love velours. My next home will be adorned with at least one piece of furniture of velours. It´s that old fashion cover for furniture which give any chair or couch elegance and coolness at the same time. Just don´t overdo it and end up with a home that remind you of your grand- grandparents house. If you want some good ideas, check out shops like GUBI , THE APARTMENT and 1STDIBS
Soon the Sun will be shinning on everyone.
Little Sun Charge is a high-performance solar phone charger and light designed by artist Olafur Eliasson and my dear long time friend engineer Frederik Ottesen.
Little Sun is a social business and global project addressing the need for light in a sustainable way that benefits communities without electricity, creates local jobs, and generates local profits.
Little Sun is currently distributing in more than 10 African countries, including Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal, and Ghana – as well as in Europe, Canada, Australia, Japan, and the United States.
Launched in July 2012 at London’s Tate Modern, the Little Sun project has since distributed over 300,000 Little Sun lamps worldwide – and that number is quickly growing. When you buy a Little Sun, you receive a high-quality solar-powered lamp – but that’s not all. With each purchase you are investing in the delivery of Little Sun light to off-grid areas......... So what are you waiting for ?
Artist Olafur Eliasson
Little Sun Charge is a high-performance solar phone charger
Little Sun puts the power of the sun in the palm of your hand – creating safe, convenient, sustainable light you can take with you wherever you go.
Wood, marble, black and nature.
Lovely design by Alain Carle at " Le Phenix Residence, Quebec. So simple, classic and stylish. Super modern, yet warm and cozy. I love it ! The great mix of different types of wood, makes the interior interesting and warm. At the same time as the black marble also heats up the interior.
Black counter in marble used in the kitchen.
Smoked oak used as floor and oiled oak on wall´s and ceiling.
Black is powerful.
Black is usually a color associated with mystique, something negativ and many times even something frightening and evil. But still it´s the most popular color around. It makes such a strong statement whether it´s in fashion, architecture or design. Using black adds a lot of character, but you need quit the psyche to surround yourself in it. Take a look and see just how great it is.
Privat house with black exterior. It strengthen the look of the house.
E-type Jaguar 4.2 .A dream !
Arne Jacobsen The ´7 special edition in black with black legs. So much more amazing than the traditional one with steel legs.
Great mix of black and color in privat home. It gives a lot of character and collects the room.
Black tiles and brass in bathroom. Uber cool !
Laurent couch in black and brass from 1stdibs.com
Linnen in black from AIAYA. Sleep well IF you dare.
Black Spinning light BH2 from &Tradition.
Staircase in black lacquer finished with gold metal strip. A very exclusive look.
Fridge from SMEG in black.
Home wall in black marble. WAUW!
Amazing kitchen in black lacquer. Specially when mixed with raw stone. Great contrast.
Special edition EAMES chair in black and brass. I want !
Me on a really good day :-)
It´s impossible to mention black without showing my sisters swimsuit and lingerie brand North.dk which has got only things in black.
And of course my black baby, Caesar.
The 8 best places in Panarea, Isole Eolie, Sicily
I was in doubt if I should make this newsletter or keep it to myself. Because I love the fact that Panarea is so unspoiled and I have had it to myself for so long,... but here I go. Panarea is for me the absolute best place in Europe to stay for the summer. It´s one of 8 tiny islands called ´Isole Eolie´, on the north side of Sicily and we have been coming here for the past 9 years. Here you find the clearest waters and will go by boat all day long to visit other islands (preferably with the cutest captain you can find ), best restaurants, great nature, volcanoes, kind and beautiful people, super hotels and great bars. A mix of Ibiza, Portofino, Capri and St.tropez, but much more low key. No gold and diamonds. Everything here is magical. And you will be hooked for life.
Lisca Bianca is a beautiful little hotel down at the port, owned by one of the 3 sisters who basically own the whole island. The hotel is with sweet small rooms and amazing interior. A great bar for Aperitivo and lounge music and even DJ and dancing during week-ends. Everything is kept in blue, turquoise and white which makes it a joy for the eye.
Right across from Lisca Bianca you find The Bridge, a super nice and trendy sushi place which have been lucky to attract one of the best original sushi chefs to the island. Everybody meet up here after a long day on the boats and get a few aperitivi before going home to change into something more sexy for the evening. Great music and great atmosphere in relaxed surroundings where you can keep an eye on whats going on on the pier from the balcony, at the same time.
If you are interested in Michelin restaurants in a truly beautiful, balanced and harmonic setting with a hostess who are so delicious and "in gamba" that you can't take you eyes off of her, then you must try Hycesia. In this place you eat the most amazing and delicate plates and have a wine list bigger than The Bible. The owner also has a cute little hotel next to the restaurant which is lovely and simple.
The Crown Jewel of the island is Raya. Raya is situated at the highest point of the island and seems the have the power on Panarea. It´s an ecological hotel, with an enormous pure saltwater pool. The rooms are decorated with delicacy and the whole hotel througout is made in a style of a mix of Bali, Italy and luxury hippy. Down at the port Raya has one of my favourite shops with clothes made by hand in the most delicious materials, pattens and colours. Beach/sailing/party wear in a very luxury hippy way. At Raya you usually arrive barefood. To top it all off, Raya has the best Aperitivo place on top of the roof of their restaurant in the port. From here you see the sun going down on LiscaBianca, the magic cliff in the water just infront of Panarea. After your aperitivo, you go to the restaurant downstairs where later there will be music and dancing till the early morning.
Hotel and restaurant Sirena is actually situated on Filicudi, the island on the right of Panarea. This great little colourful place is yet another must see in the seas of The Eolie. Great food in another lovely island with black amazing volcanic beaches.
Quartara is another small lux hotel on the Panarea, definitely a place for couples. High in the mountain and romantic, with a great restaurant. From up here you have a very nice view of the island and the ocean and are able to stay a little apart from the rest of the crowd.
You want authentic Sicilian, you have to visit Da Pina where you will dine on original Sicilian ceramic and eat original Sicilian food. Some heavy.... some light. But lots of fresh fish, wine and melanzane will be on the menu.
If you are at Banacal Sushi you will dine right under the stars. You are basically on top of the roof of Lisca Bianca and across from Bridge and seldom have I seen something so amazing. You eat the best sushi which is served in a lovely way and enjoy the atmosphere from all sides. It´s just great to sit with great food, great wine and great family and live life to the fullest in these surroundings.
I must go back as soon as possible, Christina
12 amazing pool´s I would love to swim in some day. Even better if it´s in my own front yard.
I can´t help but day dream, when looking at these amazing pools. One day, if lucky, I dream to design, build and swim in one similar to these in front of my wonderful home, Casa Christina, in Sicily which I designed and build 10 years ago.
I crave light and clear waters, and will for sure choose a white based or very light green coloured stone to have the effect of sand-layered crystal clear waters.
One day very soon I hope to swim in a beautiful pool designed and build by me in front of this great home of mine in Sicily.
DENVER UNION STATION.
If you need a great reason to go to Denver, here is one. DENVER UNION STATION. If you’ve ever stood inside an Avroko-designed space, then you are fully aware of the visual feast of trinkets, vintage one-offs and authentic storytelling that ensues. The firm's principal designers, Greg Bradshaw, Adam Farmerie, Kristina O'Neal, and William Harris have an enticing way of transporting you into their world in a meals time.
It only makes sense that the New York based design firm would be selected to restore Denver Union Station, one of the city’s oldest establishments. The relic originally opened it’s doors back in the summer of 1881 and underwent a series of renovations over the following century. Fast forward 134 years, the 22-gate underground bus facility and light rail station is now a multi-functional space, that includes a hotel, several restaurants and shops — many of which, designed by Avroko.
Inspired by the idea of luxury train travel and the American industrial era, the designers created an eclectic social hub and two bars in this one of a kind historical preservation project. Beige and brown architectural elements and original textures were enhanced by painting everything white and focus was placed on custom lighting and furniture to bring life and a richness to each space.
The wooden benches, free standing lamp posts and shuffleboard tables create a fun-loving spirit in the Great Hall, the drinks menu in the Terminal Bar harken back to nostalgic days of train travel in the style of an old departure board, and the lush fabrics found through The Cooper Lounge are reminiscent of Pullman car drinking booths. Here's to the next 100 years.
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Create your own fantasy.
Without changing too much you can create you own, wish and fantasy, in your home. Whatever type you are, you will be able to find just the theme you love and need, and make you home or just a corner of it into your own little paradise, with these kind of amazing wall papers which you can find among others in stores like TAPET CAFE, THE PAPER WALL, SANDERSON etc.
Wall-paper for ´The nature lover´
Wall-paper for ´The reader´
Wall-paper for ´The luxury lover´
Wall-paper for ´The Queen and The King´
Turn up the volume in your bathroom.
Bathrooms are often overlooked in homes. But still each person uses 1-2 hours a day in there, wouldn't it be nice to be surrounded by something lovely. Have some fun re-doing you bathroom by filing it with colours, wall-paper, candlelights, lacquer, chandeliers, paintings, gold, fat cotton, lights and much more.
Enjoy, Christina
The effect of light is amazing.
Spice up a smaller and dull room with wall-paper and give it character.
Have fun with colours and create something completely different.
Make a "Wall of Fame" to spice things up.
Make a fantastic floor with lacquer and keep it clean and graphic at the same time.
Refine your bathroom with a chandelier and get that hotel mood.
Do it ALL wall-paper, gold, chandelier, stripes, paintings, lights .....go crazy.
Use candles to get the cozy and romantic feeling even in a very minimalistic styled bathroom.
Let´s go to bed.
Linens has always be a great deal in Denmark. We properly have the biggest export of feather duvets in the world,..... or at least used to. Where you usually sleep with blankets in other countrys, here we only use duvets, which are warm, light and comfortable. I love entering in a clean and crispy bed with soft coloured bedding. Since forever, I bought nice linens, which has always been put on my bed cleaned and ironed, .........usually by me ;-) . I believe you mentally relax and sleep better in white or soft coloured and crisp sheets. But obviously its a matter of taste.
Sleep well, Christina
I am in love with these tables in great forms, colours and shapes.
Tables from Lawson-Fenning are so amazing. I found some on an auction ones and have looked for them ever since. They spand in design from the ´20 till now with a great touch of old and modern at the same time. Uuh, how I would love to make an interior project with these great furniture.
Valentino 4 Cash&Rocket.
Valentino has in cooperation with Cash&Rocket designed a collection of shoes, clothes and bags with 20% going directly to charity. You can still make a different and help to donate money to 1 of the 3 charities chosen by Cash&Rocket, by purchasing some of the amazing things seen below. Cash & Rocket raised $1.7 so fare on C&Rtour2015 this year, well done Julie. xxx Stina
Julie Brangstrup and co-creative director of Valentino Pierpaolo Picciolo
Bring back wood inside.
A perfect way to give warmth to a home, is to decorate wall´s and other surface´s with wood panels. Use wood as the organic contrast to soften up a modern concrete house. The choises are many now, fortunately not only pine and birch like in the ´70. I remember some horrific examples from back then. Stickwood has a great variety of planks made from natural wood which can easily be attached to your wall´s.
MS-Navigator a luxury ship at the doorstep of The queen.
I was invited to a meeting with Kim Sørensen, the owner of the great MS-Navigator. An amazing ship in front of The Queens Castle in Copenhagen. Kim Sørensen rebuild the ship into a luxury hotel on the water some 5 years ago and she is now available for dinner, meetings, cruises or as a hotel. Kim Sørensen has keep 95% of the original ship and spared no cost to create his beautiful hotel on water. I was loving going around seeing the very stylish interior, the super shiny brass every where and specially the engine room down below, full of engines, instruments and cables from the 1940´s still intact. One person I would have loved to show this, is my late father, who would have appreciated such an experience a 100%. Most of my memories of him has to do with the sea. We would sail, waterski, swim, dive for mussels, go out early in the morning to watch the sun come up from the boat and enjoy lunch or dinner in harbours all over Denmark. Anything to do with the sea was our thing, basically. You should go and see for yourself and be impressed.
Lamps I would love to use in interior decoration one day.
Lamps has always been a big favourite of mine. Since I was guite young I would often wish lamps as gifts even the more expensive designer ones. Like I have said before, I think light has a major effect on any interior. Being brought up in Copenhagen with the many months of short day´s of natural light, I have the habit of using the electrical light all day long, even if there is light outside. I need that warm light and will often let lamps turned on in rooms I am not even sitting in because I love the feeling of passing by a room and see the beauty of it and have the cozy warm feeling the light gives. Apart of the actual feeling the light gives, they are like sculptures and are great objects to use for decorations in a room.
Arne Jacobsen, a true pride for Denmark.
Arguably Denmark’s most famous 20thcentury furniture designer, Arne Jacobsen was also a highly accomplished architect. Shortly after graduating in 1927 he opened his own design office, which he ran with driven determination until his death in 1971. Through his long and productive career, Jacobsen worked in architecture, furniture, product and textile design, and was a professor of architecture at the Royal Academy of Arts in Copenhagen for many years.
AJ himself
Being a Dane in Italy obviously I had to have as many danish icons in my house as possible, when I designed and build it 10 years ago. It´s a great mix of Arne Jacobsen, Verner Panton, George Jensen, PH and Luis Poulsen, when it comes to chairs and light. Børsen Pleasure made a very nice article about me when the house was ready back then. Now it´s time for a change, after more than 300-400 lunches with a minimum of 18 people at the time, I am going to reupholster all my beautiful, but much worn chairs, and I am thinking to go for leather this time.
An Apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Apples or pears, I choose Apple any day. They do it again and again, the newly launched, Apple watch , is on the street and there is no way around it. Even though everybody is talking about families breaking down because of too much technology and media around the dinner table, this one will be a hit anyway. All you info on your wrist to go.
Apple watch makes all the ways you’re used to communicating more convenient. And because it sits right on your wrist, it can add a physical dimension to alerts and notifications. For example, you’ll feel a gentle tap with each incoming message. Apple Watch also lets you connect with your favorite people in fun, spontaneous ways — like sending a tap, a sketch, or even your heartbeat.
I just bought a new Mac, mine died over night after 5-6 years of hard work, so I guess it´s reasonable. As usual they come up with something nicer, thinner and cooler just weeks after and I unfortunately could not wait for it to be launched. But here it is .... Lovely :-)
Its all about gold and marble at Saint Laurent´s, Paris.
Something great to see next time you are in Paris. Saint Laurent reopens in Paris. In years past, everybody fell in love with the sharp and sleek design of Saint Laurent’s pace on rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore in Paris. Outfitted in marble, complemented with mirror walls and glossy black interior accents, the space was a visual feast. Today, the fashion label has re-opened the 390-square-meter retail charm with the addition of tribal sculptures, gold coffee tables and creamy velvet loungers.
Designed by Hedi Slimane, French photographer, fashion designer and current creative director for Saint Laurent, the boutique features pieces by Jacques Adnet, Jean Besnard, Edith Borger, Théo Ruth, Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann by Alfred Porteneuve and André Sornay.
This time around, the space is so much more than a visual feast. It’s a museum of sculpture and fashion, a true reflection of the brand’s timeless presence in the ever-changing fashion realm.
