IN THE MOOD FOR SPRING

Last year on my trip to Copenhagen, I visited, among many gorgeous spaces, this stunning apartment set up like a gallery/showroom right in the middle of the city. I have to say it was quite the treat. You might remember it from a post I did featuring The Apartment in all its glory. A few days back, I was pleasantly greeted by an email from its Co-founder and Creative Director Tina Seidenfaden Busck with pictures of the space newly decorated for Spring with the most amazing furnishings. I'm particularly enamored with the bench by Ilse Crawford (above) they've recently introduced in their kitchen. Come on, that tall back is to die for. Don't you think? Luckily, most the pieces in their beautifully curated vignettes are for sale in their site.

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FOR A RAINY SEASON

Just in time for Spring, this gorgeous umbrella stand by London Undercover and Method Studio makes a fine debut. Handmade in Linlithgow, Scotland, its design is duly inspired by the opening of an umbrella and is constructed from twelve solid oak staves individually jointed around a specially designed waterproof upper ring and drip-tray base. A darn good-looking addition to the foyer. I'd say. Curious? These are a few other of my favorite umbrella stands.

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AN IDEAL MARRIAGE

Born out of the partnership between the famed Danish design house Fritz Hansen and Italian firm Spotti, the first Republic of Fritz Hansen showroom opens its doors in MIlan. This magnificent space combines the best of both of both worlds—classic Nordic style and Milanese tradition—creating a fresh new look. Undoubtedly, the limited edition pieces and site-specific installations ultimately make the store a unique place to visit. Is anyone game for a trip to Milan? This might be worth a visit. Happy weekend!

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INSPIRED BY THE PAST

I'm always fascinated to learn how designers come about their wonderful creations. A few weeks back I visited my dear friend and talented designer Deborah Ehrlich at her gorgeous Hudson Valley farmhouse (which I featured here) and had a glimpse at one of her new pieces — the Crystal Jelly Jar Shade. Although she's mostly known for her paper thin, clear-as-water, and absolutely flawless crystal glassware, Deborah thought it would be cool to venture into the world of lighting. Her inspiration came from the ingenuity of farmers who back in the days transformed basic jelly jars into impromptu shades for their lighting fixtures. Her classy version is meticulously hand blown in Sweden and is a testament of the purity and delicacy of her work. So guess what? To celebrate the start of its production Deborah is having a launch sale on Fab.com through this Thursday (hurry, time is runnin out). The lamp iincludes the ceiling fixture with porcelain base, patinaed brass fittings and the crystal jelly jar shade. I'm beyond-words thrilled to see the final product come to life.

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THE POWER OF BLACK & WHITE

There's nothing more pure and beautiful than the use of black and white in interiors. Although it's a very basic color palette, this two colors make a dynamic duo when placed in the same room. I recently came across Universal Blueprint and I spend quite some time drooling over the exquisite curation of their Tumblr page. Since I don't like keeping great finds to myslef, I thought I'd entice you to pay their site a visit with a few of the heart-stopping images that caught my eye. Enjoy!!

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A FRENCH LOVE STORY

Do you believe in love at first sight? That's exactly what happened to the Norwegian designer Steinar Berg-Olsen and his partner Mark when they drove by this 1910 abandoned mansion in the French countryside. When the couple took over the house they found inspiration in its former glory and gave it a much needed facelift. Most of the furniture and accessories they used to create these beautiful vignettes are pieces they have collected along the years. I can't say enough nice things about this place. I'm quite fascinated with it. Happy weekend!

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AN ALPINE OASIS

A destination that's always been on my short list of places to visit is Salzburg, Austria. I guess I've always been drawn to this Alpine city for its history and my love for Mozart. Just an hour away from Salzburg and set smack in the middle of beautiful rolling hills, the Hotel Wiesergut re-opened its doors after a complex renovation and extension by GOGL Architekten. Their goal was to upgrade the existing traditional structure with purist architecture and transform it into a modern retreat that exudes organic warmth and comfort. By using local wood, natural stone, granite, glass and exposed concrete they created a timeless style putting nature at its center. The furnishings were entirely commissioned to Austrian designers who gave a contemporary twist to classic materials like linen and weather-beaten leather, all of which factor prominently in the hotel’s design concept. I'm really impressed with their attention to detail which gives the the hotel its harmonic and elegant overall impression. No doubt Hotel Wiesergut has become yet another reason for me to cross the pond and visit my beloved Salzburg.

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EDITING AT ITS BEST

It's quite obvious this is not the home of a hoarder, but the serene sanctuary of a meticulous couple like Jesper and Majbritt. Their Copenhagen nest is a beautifully edited composition of mid-century pieces accented by an eclectic mix of artwork. For them less is more and to avoid cluttering their space the follow a rule a live by: when something comes in, another must go out. Trust me, as hard as it is to get rid of some of your precious pocessions, it's the only way of keeping things tidy. Surely, keeping your color palette to a minimum as they did also helps.

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