I don’t know about you... but I’ve been having the hardest time getting into the Holiday mood this time 'round. You can probably tell by the following tweet:

Random lady: "Ah! it smells like Christmas". . . Me: Smiles while thinking, "Really? 'Cause to me it smells a lot like hot, dirty sewage water." #notinthemood

Don’t judge me, it’s stifling down here in my neck of the woods.

The good part is the the internet provides us with an abundance of daily inspiratio –so instead of wallowing in my weather issues or my drops of sweat, I’ve decided to give the spirit a chance and try all (or at least one) of the following things, so me and my little one can move towards some sort of Christmas enjoyment.

If you, like me, are in need of a little... try these:



Maiju Saw

1. No tree, no problem
Instead of racing out the door to get a Christmas tree just so you can get some excitement, try new and more creative avenues. Scavenge some nice branches and make your own tree.





Elisabeth Heier

2. Christmas gifts wrapping theme
Wrapping presents is usually on our list of obligations and there’s very little enjoyment drawn from a chore. Can we agree on that? I personally always pick a theme for my present-wrapping. The fun in this is that there are no rules and you can go the extra mile by personalizing everyone’s present–from wrapping to gift.





Kim Grimshaw & Aimee Twigger

3. Shake things up in the kitchen department
If you’re a regular here, you might have heard about the disaster that I managed to concoct last Christmas while trying to be an overachiever. Clearly, I wasn’t about to repeat my luck this year... so instead, I’ve planned on doing 2-3 things well. By that I mean if I’m going to embark on making, say, Christmas cookies and side dishes, they better knock everyone’s socks off.

Pictured above: Caramelized Shallots with A Chestnut Crumb and Mushroom Shaped Ginger Cookies that will make part of my repertoire. Wild, I know.




4. Make a one-of-a-kind wreath
This is something I have never tried - but earlier this year I got a brass ring and some materials to make my own… and what better way to get into the holiday spirit than with a simple and inexpensive project you can do at home with a ring and some eucalyptus?





Maiju Saw

5. The smell of Christmas in garland shape
A lot of my childhood memories are triggered by smell. Orange and cinnamon are right up there along with pine and mint for my Christmas memories – so yes, it only makes sense to make a garland out of them and hang it right above my bed. I won’t have any excuse to wake up Grinch-ey anymore, will I?

The best part about these projects are not that they will keep you busy or that they will bring you some “holiday feelings”... but that we can do them with our little ones. Extra family time is the goal, because in the end that’s what the Holidays are about.

Do you and your family have any recurrent DIYs for this season? Do share.

'Open' is probably the most appropriate adjective that we used when describing Scandinavian design in the past–but through time, it’s become a lot more than that. 2017’s refreshing new wave of nature-inspired designs came as a nice surprise after what had become a battle against colors on the interior front.












Photography: Alice Johansson

As an expat living in beautiful Brazil, I find it exciting to invite some of the rich ethnic vibe that Brazil offers into my home and add impact with texture and the unpredictable patterns of nature. My go-to’s are jute baskets, raw linens, hand-crafted rugs and ceramics... and combine that with modern furniture–as pictured above.

Scandinavian Interiors are truly a work of art: it’s not just about scaling down but about the playfulness of layers, eco-friendliness, light and the never-ending experience of midsummer in the wonderful Nordic lands.

Apiece Apart

Mamie Gummer is an actress known for movies like The Guard, Side Effects and television shows like Emily Owens M.D–which is how I first found out about her. Mamie also happens to be Meryl Streep and Don Gummer’s daughter. She is a true New Yorker and very talented at what she does.





Mamie was recently interviewed by Leigh Patterson for Apiece Apart Woman–An online store planned and nurtured by Laura Crammer and Starr Host. The team has turned the shop into an inspirational haven.

Apiece Apart has–in recent years–brought a network of talented, clever and self-starting women through their series, revealing the versatility of women and their creative selves. We’re talking about beautiful and empowered women, like Mamie herself, Kim Gordon, Emily L’Ami, Eugénie Frerichs and more.

Read their interviews or buy their stunning products via Apiece Apart.

Vipp

Vipp is better known for their range of home accessories and minimalist kitchen cabinetry but now they are also a reference in the world of comfort and accommodations. Vipp has been developing a collection of meticulously designed spaces through Denmark, where fans and clients of the brand can experience their products and have a unique experience.

The Vipp Loft is the newest one of all. The apartment was designed by Copenhagen-based architecture firm Studio David Thulstrup, perched at the top of an only printing factory from 1910. The 2-bedroom, 4,000 sf space showcases beautiful exposed beams, natural wood floors–and it’s accented by wonderful pieces of art: Vipp’s products, Tired Man sheepskin armchairs by Flemming Lasson and several pieces by Poul Kjaerholm.












vipp

The place is divided into a mezzanine and a downstairs lounge area. The upstairs is a study and library with a sky bridge that connects to a second secluded bedroom at the peak of the loft space. The space is decorated with Vipp’s first lighting fixtures and furniture, dating back to the 80’s.

Downstairs, we find the living and dining areas, embellished by the kitchen of everyone’s dreams: A Vipp Kitchen. The steel cabinetry collection is showcased in the Vipp Loft by a long, multifunctional island and open shelving system for displaying the company’s classic housewares.

Needless to say, we are all waiting to see what their third (and soon to open) Northern Copenhagen Hotel will look like.