Let me present to you " La Grande Mamma " .

She has been with me always, but finally I can present her to you all ..... " La Grande Mamma ".

I call her "she" and " La Grande Mamma ", because she is the first and biggest and most important in my new furniture collection - LA FAMIGLIA . And as we all know, it´s always Mamma who gets everybody together. Before I became a mother myself, it would be my mother and before that, my grandmother . I designed " La Grande Mamma " many years ago, for my house in Sicily. The table represent to me, togetherness and happy times, which I usually spend with my family, so this is the reason I have named the collection - LA FAMIGLIA. My family could easily be Italian. I dare say, we are maybe even more Italian, that most Italians. On top of that, being married to an Italian and also having had all of his family around the past 22 years, I would say I pretty much qualify to know a little something about family, gatherings, coziness, giant lunches and dinners involving a table.

I hope you like it, half as much as I love it.  Christina

My first sketch of " La Grande Mamma "

Join us for a glass of bubbles at the SPOTLIGHT EVENTS showroom Tuesday 15th of December from 3 o’clock St. Kongensgade 103, 1264 Copenhagen - and see the real thing.

 

Blue home next to The Danish Royal Theatre.

I found these amazing pictures in BO BEDRE , the danish interior magazine, taken by KIRA BRANDT and styled by GlottiPress . It´s the private home of NINA NYBORG, which she has created from her trips around the world and favorite shops in Copenhagen like OLIVER GUSTAV, FIRED EARTH, TAGE ANDERSEN, GREEN SQUARE, RUE VERTE, GALLERIE EGELUND, all my favourites as well. It´s such a lovely mix of new and old, blue and light colours, cozy and clean. LOVE LOVE LOVE . The blue color is going to be used a lot in the future I am sure. Enjoy these great inspiration pictures below.

credit www.glottiPress

credit www.glottiPress

What a lovely mix of delicate blue velour and oak .

credit www.glottiPress

credit www.glottiPress

Lovely mix of new and old.

credit www.glottiPress

credit www.glottiPress

Private coral in Oliver Gustav decor.

credit www.glottiPress

credit www.glottiPress

Light blue chairs against heavy dining table .

credit www.glottiPress

credit www.glottiPress

The amazing tiles from Fired Earth gives such an interesting breath in a simple bathroom.

credit www.glottiPress

credit www.glottiPress

Sandstone and soft colours gives that clean and light 

It does not have to cost a million to look a million.

With a little creativity and research, you can find great things around, which are reasonably priced, but looks amazing. Take your time and get inspired here.

If this kind of interior is what you are dreaming of, then take time out and go trough magazines , Instagram, tumblr or wherever you like to get inspired. Then make research in the different stores to make your perfect home. If this is not your strong side, then contact me and I will be able to assist. 

China, ashtray, lamp, table from ZaraHome

Couch and vase from ILVA

Wall lamp, carpet and pillows from IKEA

GERANIUM, a very different but amazing food experience.

We went to have lunch at restaurant GERANIUM on Saturday. First I was totally confused about the address . Geranium is situated in PARKEN where we usually go to support our National Foodball Team. It just did´t make sense to me that a restaurant in this caliber would be placed there. But as soon as you enter the lift to go the 8 flights up to the restaurant you get it. From up there you have a great view of the city all the way to Sweden. It´s a very posh and elegant restaurant which has won many awards for their experimental but great food. They say it best themself in this way : Geranium is a lucid, light and dynamic kitchen. Our mission is to create meals that involve all our senses - restores, challenges and enriches.

And for sure all your senses will be involved and tested and pleased. The location, the interior, the staff, the chef´s and the food are all amazing. Everything which has to do with GERANIUM is designed in,  made by , come from, found in or grown in Denmark and Scandinavia.

We brought Oliver, our 10 year old son to the restaurant. I know it´s not normal to bring kids to places like this, but we have always brought Oliver wherever we go, and he is used to a lot of different things and places. When we entered most people looked a little sceptic, but within no time everybody understood that Oliver was properly one of the guests, who appreciated and enjoyed the food experience of the 13 dishes the most, -much better than his mother who has difficulties sitting still for so long :-)

Geranium has been voted 42nd best restaurant on San Pellegrino's "The Worlds 50 best restaurants in 2014".

The top of Geranium, Søren Ledet and Rasmus Kofoed.

Lovely Interior at Geranium.

The crazy amazing Cellar at Geranium.

Amazing and decorative plates, which Oliver was loving.

Danish interior design.

More delicious and decorative food at Geranium.

Christmas wreath done by me !!!!

To say the least I really impressed myself this morning. I was invited to an amazing event at SØLYST  by Rungstedgaard with a theme of Christmas. First everybody had a tasteful breakfast and the smooth TREVERI ROSE , which by the way is served at the Royal Palace. After lovely songs by NELLIE ETTISON , we were introduced to EDITION POSHETTE who quitely walked us through the making of a christmas wreath. I am not much of a DIY girl normally, but I did it sooo well today. I am very proud and happy :-)

You still got time, let me explain you how. 

1. Start with a good glass of wine or Champagne  ;-)  

Then buy a " naked " straw wreath, green wire and different pine branches at your local flower shop. 

2. Buy some lovely christmas decorations and candles of you like, WITH wire.

3. Fasten the wire to the wreath with a knot , and slowly fasten the different branches around the wreath, with the thinner branches on the inside, to not make it too full. And finish everything off with a knot.

4. Then use you creative side and fantasy, apply you decor and candles as you like.

And voila´ - You just saved yourself a fortune and had the best happy time and meditation you could wish for.

Merry Christmas, my favorit time of year !

Christina

KVANUM, KLARLUND, GUBI & CAFE´ PLATEAU. It´s been a great week for me with lots of cozy and amazing events.

The past week or two I have been having the pleasure to be invited to some great events.

KVANUM KØKKEN.

It started at KVANUM KØKKEN in Hellerup last Thursday. KVANUN KØKKEN hosted a lovely evening where you could find an amazing mix of all the best from kitchens to cars to ceramics to hunting to travel to rugs to food and coffee. KVANUM KØKKEN , the host of the night with their luxury designed kitchens. MADEAMANO , and their lovely coloured ceramic wall and floor tiles. KNOTHOUSE , and their beautiful silk rugs. VOLVO , with the brand new 4 wheel drive for family and hunting. PEACOCK TRAVEL , with their great designed trips to the best places in the world and many many more. Thank you KVANUM KØKKEN for such a great and interesting evening.

GUBI.

Thursday this week GUBI had a nice x-mas event, presenting LEIF SIGERSEN celebrating his 25 anniversary. He in cooperation with  LA GLACE presenting their lovely flower pasties and with Anne Fabricius Møller,  cute x-mass candles and much more.

CAFE´ PLATEAU.

We, who live 10 minutes out north of the center of Copenhagen in " RESERVATET " had a nice surprise last week with the opening of CAFE´ PLATEAU, on Hellerup Strandvej,  by the former owner of our ´hang out bar ´ from our youth, ZEZE . This cozy small place is already busy by us driving in and out from the city everyday. So nice finally to have a place to meet having a place to enjoy a glass of wine and a salat after work. 

KLARLUND.

Creme della Creme of events this week I have to say was KLARLUND´s event at BØRSEN ( the danish stock exchange ) First of all, the building is one of Copenhagens oldest and most beautiful, build at the same time as The Round Tower during the reign of King Christian IV. The view coming up to the entrance of the event was amazing with lit up trees in red and the whole facade of the building with light and fire. Security at it´s highest because of all the valuable jewellery, both vintage and new,  inside for us to look at and try on. I got a few good ideas for x-mas ;-) Thank you so much, Klarlund.

Great event week, Christina.

Carpets & Rugs

We are getting closer to the cold periode of the year, and one way to make everything a little warmer is to use carpets or rugs in the house. Specially next to the bed it is fantastic to have something warm to step on to in the cold mornings, but even in the bathroom you can use a smaller decorative rug without it getting humid and disgusting. I have always loved wall to wall carpet, and with a powerful hoover you dont have any problems with dust or germs. These are some good and very different options from   1stDIBs  ,   CARPET VISTA  ,   THE APARTMENT  ,    IKEA     ,    ILVA   ,    GARANT    ,  THE RUG COMPANY .   

Public toilets may get better in the future.

Public toilets as we know them usually looks like this, .......scary and disgusting.

I totally get that anything public is a target of vandalism and destruction, but the better it looks from the beginning, the better ( any normal people ) will take care it. And that´s a fact !

 

The public toilet in Narita Airport, Japan has won Japans Transport Ministry Price as public toilet of the year. Which clearly was deserved. I don´t expect all public toilets to look like this, but you can do a lot for a lot less, and make a great difference in the way people will behave in these places. The right light, color and materials makes us behave with more respect towards things. Imagine yourself using these toilets in Narita airport, and coming out of there with no feeling of fear of diseases or disgust.

Christina

YAYOI KUSAMA

If you visit Louisiana Museum north of Copenhagen these days you will experience the great art pieces of YAYOI KUSAMA. These graphic childlike colourful pieces can only make you super happy and you are even allowed to touch :-)  Definitely worth a visit.

La Signora herself YAYOI KUSAMA, slightly eccentric you might say, but in a great way.

If you are smart you will go there on a week day, otherwise you might not be the only one there. Enjoy, Christina

L´hotel Paris.

We were going to Paris a couple of weeks ago and I wanted to try something new this time as for hotel and area. I was recommended L´hotel in Saint Germain. The hotel has great history and the interior is full-on over the top, just the way I like it . L’Hotel was built in 1828 by Célestin-Joseph Happe in the exact location occupied by La Reine Margot’s Pavillon d’Amour (a pavilion of love) in the 17th century. The building became Hotel d’Allemagne in 1868 and then Hotel d’Alsace after the war of 1870. Oscar Wilde took up residence at the end of the 19th century and lived at L'Hotel until his death, famously claiming to 'live above his means'. Head Chef Julien Montbabut, returned to the kitchen of Le Restaurant in April 2011. Julien was sous-chef in 2008 when Le Restaurant was awarded a Michelin star in recognition of its outstanding cuisine, quality and service. We didn't end up here this time but I can´t wait to go there and enjoy the amazing surroundings and cuisine next time we are in Paris.

I can´t wait to sit out here and enjoy my croissant and caffe au latte.

The rooms are full of fantasy and colour and will make you feel amazing.

After a long day of walking I will be looking forward to try the hammam pool.

It does not have to cost a million to look a million.

With a little fantasy and research you can create the interior of your dreams without spending a fortune. Go to different reasonable priced stores and flee markets and find furniture and lamps for a fair price. And get it exactly how you like it :-)

White lamp, Zebra skin, vase from ZARA HOME

Chair , floor lamp, daybed from ILVA

Lamp and side table from IKEA

 

Art créé sur iPad.

The talented and dear Dorthe Zangenberg is having a lovely exhibition until 15th. of November in Chapelle Sainte-Elisabeth in Villefranche sur Mer, if you should find yourself in or around this area you should definitely go and see the paintings made by hand on her iPad, David Hockney-style.

Lovely Bernard and his shirt :-)

Get inspired and enjoy, Christina.

6 best boutique hotels in New York, ........in my opinion.

We were supposed to fly out to NY today, but that ain´t happening :-(    At least I am well prepared for next time. Originality, interior and location are the most important thing for me,  here are the 6 hotels I would have gone for.

The Greenwich Hotel

This New York City hotel is located in the city’s elite Tribeca neighborhood. It features an underground pool and fitness center, as well as an on-site restaurant and spa.

The NoMad Hotel

Views of New York City or the atrium are featured in each room at The Nomad Hotel. Mahogany work desks along with an iHome docking station and an in-room safe are also included. Nightly turn down service is provided for guests.

The Jade Hotel

Nestled in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village, this boutique hotel is 10 minutes’ walk from the New York University campus and Washington Square Park. 

Boasting elegant 1920s-inspired décor, guest rooms at The Jade Hotel feature luxurious leather chairs and rich fabrics. Guests are pampered with a designer bathrobe, slippers and spa quality toiletries.

Soho Grand Hotel

Situated in the upscale SoHo neighborhood, this luxury hotel is close to art galleries, designer shops and popular restaurants. This modern hotel features an outdoor restaurant and all rooms have city views.

Hotel Americano

Boasting an outdoor rooftop pool in the summer which turns intimate lounge in the winter, 2 gourmet restaurants and modern rooms with city views is this 4-star hotel. It is centrally located in the heart of the Chelsea Riviera between the High Line and the Hudson River.

Hudson New York, Central Park

Featuring an interior lobby garden with trees and ivy walls, this boutique hotel is within 5 minutes' walk to Central Park and the Columbus Circle Subway Station.

Have a safe trip and enjoy, Christina.

Petit at Øregaard museum.

My mother and I just went to see , The Danish Cabinet Makers autumn exhibition, which runs til the 18.th of Oct. 2015 at Øregaard Museum in Hellerup. Young, older, famous and not so know cabinet makers were asked a specific job and the outcome was beautiful and skilled. The exhibition itself was very interesting and the surroundings at Øregaard museum are amazing thanks to a generous donation from A.P. Møller and wife Chastine Mc-Kinney Møllers Fond and the Commune of Gentofte which made it possible to make a ´true to history´ beautiful renovation of the main house. All colours in the house has been selected carefully in line with the past in delicate soft colours which will not disturb any kind of exhibition in the museum. You should visit and get inspired from both the exhibition and surroundings.

WHO WOULDN´T WANT TO BUILD SOMETHING LIKE THIS FOR THEIR KID.

I just could´t help myself. I know it´s a " bit out there ", but these amazing children´s room are to die for. Can you imagine the smile on you baby´s face if they would open up the door for the first time and see something like this :-) I am sure you would be MOM or DAD of the year.

If you have ever been to MONZA for a real F1 this is what you would build for your boy or girl, everybody likes a fast car.

For your little girl who love space and air.

If they are dreamers and want to fly the world this could be the start.

Since Denmark has it´s first person in SPACE at the moment, properly this will be the choice for quite some time.

Are you having a dream of creating a great sailer maybe this could help.

And of course there is always The Princess.

12 great styles of using ceramic tiles for interior.

Ceramic tiles are usually used for interior in bathrooms or kitchens, and often only in warmer countries like in the south, because the ceramic tiles take the temperatur of the surroundings and keeps the cool that is needed there . But for wall´s and in modern isolated houses like we have it here, ceramic tiles are easily used without problems . My 4 favourite tiles companies are ...MADE A MANO  ........   FIRED EARTH    ........   DAHL STUDIO  .......  CASA CHRISTINA . Ceramic tiles are great to give a room that little extra to make it delicate and interesting.

 

Simple tiles kept in white on wall´s and black vucanic tiles for the floor.

Silver mirror-like ceramic tiles make a simple kitchen wall like this much more interesting.

 

Beautiful glazed tiles in white gives the feel of a room warmth in the bathroom.

 

Dark green glazed tiles gives an amazing effect in a simple bathroom. 

 

Very chick and elegant with a mix of tiles, marble and brass.

 

Made a mano´s amazing light green floor tiles put in a herringbone effect is a new and beautiful way of using ceramic tiles.

 

Countertops costume made from Made a mano made for kitchens, bathrooms, bars and other.

 

Special mirror effect tiles are a great way to create a different kind of decor in a room.

 

The more traditional way to use ceramic tiles with colored decorated classic tiles like these or hand made tiles from CASA CHRISTINA.

 

Mini tiles to create you own costume made sink for kitchen or bathroom.

 

New "antique" rustic tiles in beautiful shapes gives this classic look in a modern way.

 

Beautiful, simple and light at the same time.

 Let it go all the way through from ceiling to floor .  

 

Let it go all the way through from ceiling to floor .

 

 

 

Super dramatic effect with the glazed black tiles on wall´s and the beautiful decorated floor.

 

A classic and beautiful way to use tiles in diamond shape in hallways.

AMASING LAMPS BY HERVE´ MATEJEWSKI.

I am in love with these crazy, lovely and magical lamps by french HERVE´ MATEJEWSKI  who is not just a designer, but a cook, a decorator, a tailer and a craftsman. In Copenhagen you find his lamps at SPOTLIGHT in St. Kongensgade. Go there and go crazy :-) Each lamp is a piece of art. I would love to use them in a interior decoration some day. Each and one of them should have as much light and air around them to bring forward their uniqueness in a room. I am also loving the small detail like the coloured cords in each lamp.

POMME D'AMOUR

MUSHROOM

BOULE