HOUSE TOUR | Villa Vals

I recently saw this house on TV and decided to investigate it a bit further and share it with you. What captivated me was it's architecture so there may be a bit more talk involved on this post... I think it's worth it so bear with me please!

The house was designed by Bjarne Mastenbroek (seARCH) and Christian Müller (CMA), and it was completed in 2009. It's unusual shape and the fact that it's partially buried in the mountain slope came from the architects wish of completely integrating the building into the landscape. 

Villa Vals got it's name from it's location, in the Swiss Alps, in a village called Vals. You may have heard of this place before because that's where the amazing Therms designed by Peter Zumthor are located. They are actually just a short distance away from this house. When I visited the Therms I was very turned off by the hotel in which they are integrated. I will never forget that the wonderful experience that was to perambulate through Zumthor's spaces came preceded by the most awkward feeling of entering through some sort of parking lot with neon lights... (those neons are engraved in my mind and not in a pleasant way). So I was very happy when I found out that Villa Vals is actually a holiday house that can be rented for couples or family vacation, and would definitely, oh most definitely!, make the whole visit to the therms and this beautiful valley a much better experience. 

The entrance to the house is made through an old barn with an underground tunnel that leads to the main building.

The kitchen is the heart of the house. 

It's situated on the lower level of the building and has direct access to a terrace and an open view to the alpine landscape.

The interior design and decoration involved the collaboration of several modern Dutch designers and companies. You can find a list of said collaborations here.

The bedrooms are a play of volumes in several levels and with a much more intimate and secluded feeling. The windows frame and condition the views. Nooks and crannies provide spaces of contemplation.

all photos by Iwan Baan

I just love the whole scheme of the house, and all it's delicious details... 

If you are curious about the plans you can find them here. 

I tried not to be to exhaustive and I hope you liked the tour!

SCANDINAVIAN LIVING | Lilja Löwenhielm

Let's start the weekend with this apartment in tones of grey and soft pinks from the Swedish real estate agency Fantastic Frank 

Designer Lilja Löwenhielm (who designs, amongst others, for IKEA and Asplund) was invited to style it. As a result you can find many of her creations all over the house contributing for a consistent modern and soft atmosphere.

I really love the details in the nursery... especially because I was told today that (it seems like) my brother's baby is going to be a girl! 

image source: Fantastic Frank

design crush | BOOK HANGER

Designed by Sanna Trotsman. 

A great solution for the book or magazine you're reading at the moment.

photography and styling: A Merry Mishap

Pure Poetry About Bread | by Ninkipen design studio

Today my inner nerd is completely in love with a bread displayer!

...sigh...

The interior design of this bakery, called Panscape (how perfect is that?), is the work of the japanese studio Ninkipen.

Stunning!

photography: Kawada Hiroki

via: facing north with gracia

And did you notice the little mouse hole on the wall?

Can't have a bakery without thinking of those tiny fellows...

Christmas decorations | Oohh collection

Yesterday I saw this product in a shop and thought it was adorable for a Scandinavian Christmas.

These  ornaments belong to a collection called 'Oohh' by the Danish company Lübech Living.

They are made of eco-felt, a material made from recycled plastic bottles and bags, and each envelope comes with 24 pieces inside, in grey, black or white.

all images via: Lübech Living

(here in Varde I found them at Yebo Design House)

Design Crush | CEPA - Port Wine Bottle Coaster

With Christmas around the corner, it's time to start thinking about what presents to get for the entire family. I personally love the simple things that, nonetheless, come with good design and full of significance. So I decided to share with you this design piece which I have a serious crush on - especially the cork edition. 

Designed by the Oporto based atelier Clínica de Arquitectura, the CEPA is a support for Port Wine Bottles that aims to inspire new ways of presentation and serving rituals. It creates a way of reviving old traditions, like the wine and the wood and cork industry, with a contemporary look and attitude.  

all images via Clínica de Arquitectura with permission

"The support is a cylinder made of one single piece of one of the materials - solid wood or cork - both strongly related to the identity of this wine and the Douro Valley, in which two connected cavities are cut out. One of the cavities is dimensioned to fit the bottle. The other is designed to land the stopper..."

You can find the two versions of the coaster for sale on DesignSpray: Cork edition | Wood edition

Design Crush - Candlepin

The Candlepin - A multi candle holder in polished or painted steel.

Designed by Sebastian Bergne for Eno.

images via: Vosgesparis

A diferent Point Of View

The POV (point of view) candle holder.

Created by the Stockholm based atelier Note Design Studio for Menu.

A series of steel candle holders that change accordingly to where you stand and look at it.

Alone or as part of a pattern, the possibilities are impressive. 

images by: Menu

via: Dezeen and Menu

'Writing Table' |by Roel Huisman|

Today I want to share this adorable desk by Amsterdam designer Roel Huisman.

For all it's simplicity, the desk includes a lamp, a vase and a hidden small storage compartment.

The pigments in the polyester resin gives the 'Writing Table' this green pastel tone, which adds a nice softness to it.

all images via Dezeen

Elina Dahl | Illustration and Inspiration |

Like many other fellow bloggers, I spend a big (huge) amount of time on the internet, searching and researching, following link after link, always looking for new sources of inspiration to my next post. Sometimes that can be a frustrating and fruitless task. But every so often I come across with what I like to call a 'complete story'. That's what happened when I discovered the work of the Swedish illustrator Elina Dahl.

I started by exploring her illustrations and collages on her web site. Looking at the pastel tones and black accents, the touch of copper and the geometric patterns, was like looking at the Scandinavian homes I like to share on my blog, but this time on a poster. Captivated by her work I then moved on to her blog, where Elina shares bits of her personal life and her creations. There you can see how her illustrations are present in her home, and through her own styled photos you can understand her work's process and sources of inspiration. A complete story!

I'm sharing some of my favourite images here but visit her blog and web site for more. 

Hope you like it!

all images by Elina Dahl 

With kind permission

ferm LIVING | a collection full of MORE |

The new catalogue from ferm LIVING is out and it is all about MORE of the inspiring things that this Danish design brand has gotten us used to, and MORE of the trends for next Autumn and Winter. The new photos have a homey feeling in tones of grey that seems just perfect for the cold that will soon be coming.

And 3 new products that I think would make for a great addition to any home. They are such wonderful ideas!

The wooden top for the classic ferm LIVING wire baskets, allowing them to be converted into a side table.

The wooden frame with a leather string to apply to any print you'd like and hang it on the wall.

The iron cloth rack, with leather belts, for clothes or kitchen utensils (or anything you want really).

photography: Heidi Lerkenfeldt, Bjarni B. Jacobsen

Styling&Art Direction: ferm LIVING

all images via: ferm LIVING