A MINIMALIST’S GUIDE to LIVING a MINDFUL LIFE
  • 02/10

























    In a world where everything seems to be about the hustle and bustle, it's important to take a step back and appreciate the simple beauty of nature. That's exactly what Orijins in Dubai does. Designed by VSHD, this coffee shop is a testament to the elegance of nature's flaws and a harmonious blend of contrasting shapes, textures, and furnishings.

    One of the most distinctive elements of Orijins is its color scheme, which draws inspiration from the soft tones of sand, shells, stone, and wood. The result is a minimalist space that exudes the natural beauty of its surroundings. The coffee bar, the focal point of the shop, is a unique, curved design crafted from a variety of marbles and serves as an anchor for the establishment.

    The serene ambiance of Orijins is further enhanced by the interplay of light and shadow created by the sun's reflection on the walls. The handcrafted brushed metal wall lamps and spotlights provide a touch of understated glamour to the space, making it a tranquil retreat for coffee aficionados and anyone seeking a peaceful escape.

    In a world where everything seems to be about speed and efficiency, Orijins reminds us to slow down and appreciate the beauty of nature's imperfections. Whether you're a coffee connoisseur or just in need of a serene little spot, Orijins is the perfect place to relax and unwind.
  • 01/27


    Minimalist fashion has long been a polarizing topic, with some embracing its simplicity and elegance, while others find it too restrictive and lacking in personality. Some people are drawn to the idea of building a capsule wardrobe and the simplicity that comes with it, while others fear that their personalities will be washed away by the "basicness" of minimalist fashion. However, there is a growing movement of designers who are pushing the boundaries of minimalism and infusing their designs with unique elements and personality.

    One such designer is Sara Bergman. Her eponymous brand is focused on not-so-basic basics–with each piece carefully crafted by hand in a small workshop in Portland, Oregon. Her designs focus on intriguing cut outs, flattering lines, durability, and freedom of movement.



    Sara's pieces are perfect for those seeking a sleek, modern, and one-of-a-kind look. Her new Bergie Jeans, available in black, cream, and cobalt blue, feature a flattering high waist and wide leg, crafted in a durable denim with just enough stretch to feel as comfortable as leggings. They can easily be paired with a variety of outfits, making them a great addition to any fashion-forward wardrobe. Additionally, the Bergie Jacket, designed to pair with the jeans or work on its own, features clean lines and deep pockets—think of it as a minimalist chore coat.

    Sara's brand has received rave reviews from customers and holds a perfect seller score on Etsy. Her commitment to quality and excellent customer service is evident in everything she does and creates. Not only is Sara one of the few designers making and selling American-made jeans, but she also takes the time to understand her customers' needs and preferences, and goes above and beyond to ensure that each customer is satisfied with their purchase.




    If you're looking for something fresh and unique in the world of minimalist fashion, look no further than Sara Bergman's designs. Her clothing is perfect for anyone who wants to inject some personality into their wardrobe while still maintaining a minimalist aesthetic. Whether you're looking for a statement piece or a versatile wardrobe staple, Sara's designs are sure to become a go-to in your closet, and so I enthusiastically recommend checking out her designs if you're looking for something fresh, unique, and interesting in the world of minimalist fashion.

    Some items you might love:

    Bergie Jeans
    Railroad Circle Dress
    Bergie Jacket
    Daisy Pants
    Hazel Pocket Dress
    Paid partnership © images by Ruh and Sara Bergman
  • 08/11

















    The way most minimalists approach color—specially the ones who jumped on the bandwagon as the minimalism fever was starting is a bit limited and we all know that. And even though that contrary to what many believe, black, white and beige are colors, I can also support that we need to stop being so afraid of all the other colors in the wheel.

    My constant urge to always question everything that looks "ruly" convinced me very early that there wasn't a point in simplifying, cutting down and making everything functional if that deprived me or anyone else of the joy that life brings and even if you are adept to the thinking that colors that veer from the old black and white (maybe some grey in there) isn't minimalism, you surely can agree that different strokes for different folks and that there is an inherit sense of joy that some colors bring to people's life and it would be pointless to remove that just for the sake of minimalism.

    If you, reading this feel daunted by the task of adding more color into your life / interiors and are holding back from fear that you will regret painting that wall or buying that set of blue sheets (that would be me) or maybe you just want to finally get some artwork on your walls let me tell you this: You won't regret doing something that will lift up your mood and that gives you a sense of new possibilities.

    The way to introduce color into a minimalist home is "slowly" and also mindfully:

    1. Don't tackle a big change but small changes and stick to the values of one in-one out so that you don't end up accumulating unnecessary things
    2. Add pops of color first; a vase, a pillow or maybe a nice coffee mug to replace that dodgy old white one with coffee stains stuck at the bottom—we've all had one of those, os is that just me?
    3. Stick to a palette by making two colors the base—let's say beige and black (let's give harsh whites a little rest)—and work around that adding complimentary pops of color like desaturated blues, earthy greens or muted yellows, whatever tickles your fancy but in a way it makes sense for you in your minimalist life
    4. If you're not ready to paint the walls add texture to it or a nice piece of minimal art
    5. If all of the mentioned above still scares you, bring in nature, whether a new plant or maybe flowers in a color you never got — and on that, I have to confess I spent years getting white flowers and clearly missing out. So bring in the hydrangeas, the daisies, the sunflowers — you name it

    Personally, I've never had anything against color but it just didn't make sense in my life before. Now I enjoy a beautiful beige surrounding with big pops of black, blues and greens and is it just me or does that dining room seem incredibly inviting, fun and nostalgic for some reason, all that the same time?

    © jake curtis
  • 07/26



    Today the term 'minimalism' is at the heart of conversations about sustainability, design, philosophy and mindfulness. And while maximalism continues to make its way back into people's homes, it's a new kind of maximalism—one less about buying more and more about design: more color, more shapes, more contrast.

    Warm minimalist design sits in the middle of both extremes. It is not deprived of any color, shape or texture, but it's also not a very out-there or (personally) overwhelming style—and don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with some "kapow"... but warm minimal is where I currently exist and so is my current obsession.

    Brands like Menu have equipped the design-conscious minimalist for years now but Menu has truly been a pioneer when it comes to minimal, responsible and durable design and it has long been delivering beautifully crafted furniture, lighting and interior accessories shaped by purposeful details, high-quality products—and now sustainable ones too.

    Their newest products carry through their minimalism philosophy while also bringing sustainability and a sense of warmth, calm and comfort to any space and we see it in the raw fabrics, textures, naked woods and organically-structured shapes—creating spaces that make you feel like you're in a welcoming home rather than a white room or a playhouse.


















    “How do you create a warm minimalist room?”, you may ask? Easy:

    01. Warm Colors: Warm colors have an earthy quality to them, meaning that they are colors that can be commonly observed in nature; like the sea, vegetation, land, stones, the sky etc.—as opposed to plain white, which, yes, brings a lot of brightness to a room. These colors help you bring in warmth. But I’m not just talking about your walls, I mean decor items, furniture and everything that comprises a room.

    02. Rich Textures: 'Touch' is one of the qualities we overlook the most when it comes to decorating our homes—and this is what brings that sense of "homeliness" to a home. Consider adding natural elements to a room, textured fabrics, naked wood and rugs.

    03. Mix Old and New: The combination of modern and vintage has always been a winner, so don't be afraid to bring in a family relic or think that it won't fit your minimalist principles ... because it will! Sustainability is at the heart of the minimalist philosophy, so whatever you can do to repurpose, all the better. Old furniture or decor pieces also usually have more character, which allows the decor to feel more interesting and unique.

    04. Think Comfort: Minimalism often feels stiff and uninviting, especially if we have the frame of mind that things just have to be functional. Things around us do need to be functional ... but also beautiful, significant and yes, comfortable. So, bring in softer sofas, mushy pillows, big throws, delicious bedding and soft rugs. Things that make you experience a sense of being embraced by them.

    05. Add Personal Touches: While minimalism used to be a little deprived of sentiment, now we understand that there are things we can still have in our homes because they simply bring us good memories and joy. Take out old photos and items you've collected from your travels and make them a part of the entire decor. This will undoubtedly infuse the room with more personality and uniqueness.

    Warm Minimalism is about being conscientious but not deprived. Is about understanding and applying the principles of Minimalism without feeling as if you're missing out. It's about choosing better, more durable, sustainable and enjoyable things and not just less for the sake of it.

    © Menu
  • 07/05
















    Beige has never been as popular as it is now. We used to think of it as bland, boring, old-fashioned, "blah" – and now we see it featuring in some of the top fashion and beauty brands as well as in some of the most stunning homes the world has ever seen. The thing about beige that we often missed is that it's affable... like a good friend who maintains timeless friendships with all kinds of folk. It doesn't need to go to any extremes and it effortlessly becomes a part of any space. My favorite combination of beige is when people pair it with raw materials and earthy colors – but being as amiable as beige is, there’s truly no way to put a foot wrong. So let it play our whichever way you like.

    © hover over images for credits
  • 05/08



    My smart, witty and ride-or-die (not so little) daughter Emma is turning 11 this July. She’s been brought up in a minimalist home since forever – even though she could argue it was she who taught me to be a minimalist even before she was born... and she’d be right. You see, contrary to the popular belief that babies are a handful and need a million things for their well-being, something in my mommy brain made me believe babies needed only the bare necessities to be safe, to feel loved and to grow up happy – and in my own particular situation, I was right.

    So much is told to women while they’re pregnant – not only by their doctors but by society in general (about the well-being of our children). We’re told that we need 1-1000 gadgets to feed, comfort, teach and entertain our babies and they do that by playing on our worries and our vulnerabilities. That’s how we end up with these tractor-like strollers, blaring "educational" toys, rockers, bottles... all tucked away in our basements – and as our children continue to grow, we continue to be pressured into buying the next fad that we think will make our lives easier and our little ones happier.

    The reality is that babies and kids, in general, need less than we think to grow up healthily and happily. I’m not saying that all they need is dry nappies and full tummies but however long our lists are, the reality is they probably need only a small percentage of that to be all they're meant to be.

    It is true what they say... that once you become a mother, you will never (and I mean never) know a life without worries. And it didn’t take me long to realize how the system manipulates women into becoming consumers by using that innate potential for worry to their advantage. Sadly, over-buying things that our kids don’t really need is like having a headache and taking a (placebo) pill to make it better. While we might get the sense that the problem is gone, it will continue to be there until we address it.

    Mothering as a minimalist gives us the power to raise kids that are mindful, healthy and that don’t suffer the pressures to keep up with oftentimes unattainable lifestyles. It creates little humans that feel a sense of responsibility and empathy towards others; and that has been the case with my daughter. Ever since she was little, she’s never had an issue hearing the word "no" when wanting a toy and not getting it. She’s detached from material things and takes care of what she has so when it comes time to give things away, she can give them away in the best shape possible. She cures her boredom with creativity and she doesn’t feel the pressure to get the next cool toy or wear the next line of clothes.

    So you might be asking yourself how you might mother as a minimalist too... and here are the basics of what you need to know:

    Care for your own mental and physical health first
    Even the littlest thing is capable of getting to us when we are not taking care of ourselves. We become more reactive and less rational when we don’t put our needs first; when we don’t feed our bodies and our souls the way we need.

    Connect with your kids
    There is nothing that children crave (or need for that matter) more than connection. Play with your kids, have conversations, ask questions, reply to theirs and truly spend time together away from phones, televisions and distractions.

    Do not purchase things for your kids by reasoning that either you want to give them all you never had or all you did have
    Emotion-driven purchases will always pile up. Forget about that toy you always wanted and never had. I can assure you the lack of or the abundance of something didn’t create your character and it won’t create your kid’s character either.

    Have conversations before you say "yes"
    Ask your kids why they want that toy or that one specific brand of glue to make slime (real-life scenario for me) and use that to teach them how advertising works. Use technology to your advantage and research the difference between the product that advertisements are telling them they need and other equally-as-good brands that might be cheaper (and in the end even better for our planet). We should all be making informed purchases in the end.

    Teach your kids to detach emotions from things
    Don’t encourage your kids to want material things to fill voids. They should feel happy, entertained, cool, interesting and more, regardless of having that one object or not.

    Use the "one in, one out" technique with them
    If buying something they want fits your life, your home and your budget ask your kids to get rid of one thing before you bring a new one into the house. If they are not able to let go, then maybe it isn’t time to continue to purchase things that will simply accumulate in your home.

    Teach them to save
    Instead of whipping out your credit card when your kids ask you for something, check out the price, have that conversation and offer your kids a part of the money to buy it. Explain that the other part can be paid for using their savings. This is not only to teach them the value of money but it also stops them from wanting everything and it makes them stop to consider their own desires.

    Prioritize experiences and knowledge
    Saying "no" to the unnecessary will open room to invest in things that will have a lifelong impact in their lives. Maybe you can trade the next Transformers for a nice theater play, an art course, Jiu-Jitsu lessons or something that will give them know-how and the comfort of time spent in a group of other children that share their same interests.

    Do not buy good behavior and do not punish bad behavior with material things
    Kids should be obedient, studious and kind simply because it’s good for them – not because they’ll get something out of it or they are scared that something will be taken away from them. Rewarding your kid’s common good behavior with things creates entitlement and that will be detrimental to how they grow up. Use your words to encourage them and teach them, not things.

    Spend moments in gratitude
    Everyone can overlook how lucky we are when we are on auto pilot. Have daily, weekly or even a moment once in a while in which you and your kids spend a moment to express gratitude for the things you have. Gratitude helps us to not take things for granted and to value what we have. It makes us happy and allows us to also be perceptive of the needs of others. This is a gift you could be giving your children, one that will change their lives forever.

    Living with less leads to a fuller life, no matter your status or age - minimalism can have a positive effect on your well-being and that of your family; it allows you to not feel like you are falling short all the time, it reminds you how to live, it gives you the freedom of "slowness", it allows you to truly delve into unforgettable moments of play and it inevitably and indefinitely takes a burden off your shoulders.

    Wherever you are at in your life and whatever your finances look like right now, give "less" a chance. That’s my proposal (and my challenge) to you.

    ph. cover: caroline birk other: sanne hop
  • 04/05



    I was reading a couple of articles lately and I came across one that explained in 10 points why this person believed minimalism to be toxic. The arguments ranged from things like, "It hurts your potential and ambition."... to, “It deprives you of buying what you want”. I read the entire thing waiting for it to teach me something but it was one big nothing burger.

    I find it increasingly difficult to believe that in 2019 there are still boxes to neatly package and categorize absolutely everything in life. The black-and-white minimalist still throws shade at the minimalist who doesn't find color to be indicative of whether or not they live a true minimalist lifestyle. Yes, I find it somewhat icky that we have to make everything so all-or-nothing.

    Minimalism has abolished the ball and chain of having to strive to acquire the unnecessary. It’s given freedom to people who wouldn’t dare travel because they couldn’t leave their “stuff” behind... and it has given more meaning to yet others who where constantly trying to climb the never-ending Jacob's ladder to reach the Joneses.

    I feel many of us don’t understand the power that the philosophy of minimalism has in how we purchase, how we spend our time and how we work towards our future – and that of our children. No, I don’t believe minimalism is toxic. I *do* however believe that our *lives* have become so toxic that the notion of pairing down, letting go and not constantly hoarding makes us feel like living a minimalistic life could even harm us instead of benefiting us.

    Minimalism takes on various shapes and forms. For some it is stoic and it keeps them in check... while for others it is freedom. No matter what the arguments are, the principles of minimalism are there to free people – not hold them down. It has done exactly that for me in times of plenty and in times of little.

    Ph. Cover 01. 02. 03. 04. 05. 06.
  • 02/19


































    Norm Architects have restored and rebuilt a historic villa in Copenhagen after a devastating fire. The story goes that the house used to be inhabited by the renowned Danish architect, designer and cultural critic, Poul Henningsen. Today, a family of three resides in the historic house–a modern home that holds references to its original state–with beautiful high panels, parquet flooring, low, paned windows, teak furniture and–of course–retro PH lamps hanging over the kitchen island.
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