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Light or Dark In The Bedroom?

There's so much to be said for a great night's sleep. You know, when you wake up rested and raring to go? As part of my research for Lagom, The Swedish Art Of Living a Balanced, Happy Life,  I interviewed a Swedish sleep psychologist who advised that before going to bed you need to prepare yourself both mentally and physically. Great pre-bedtime preparations include banishing screens up to an hour before in favour of reading a book, taking a warm bath, cuddling with family and pets or listening to calm music. Your bedroom environment also plays a key role in maximising shut-eye, with banning screens and completely shutting out natural light as well as creating a clean, calm and comfortable sphere being the key to sleep success! I was reminded of this when I saw the beautiful bedrooms Pella Hedeby styled for IKEA recently. Void of clutter, clean and simple - they are the epitome of calm.  But, I'm curious to know: which look do you prefer: the cool, white and pale grey with subtle tone on tone texture, or the darker, cosy, womb-like feel?

The Light Side








The Dark Side








I'm still so happy with my blushing peach tones, but at a push I'd go for the soothing, lighter tones (like I once had in my bedroom) because I feel it would feel lovely and bright by day (especially when the Swedish winter can get so dark and gloomy!).

How about you?

See the complete product lists for the white and dark bedrooms and read an interview with Pella (in Swedish) here.

Have a lovely afternoon friends!

Niki

Stylist: Pella Hedeby (with support from Anna Lenskog Belfrage)
Photography: Ragnar Omarsson
IKEA Livet Hemma

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Photo Competition: What Does #beingathome Mean To You?

Paid partnership with the Association of the German Furniture Industry:
What does #beingathome mean to you? This is the question the Association of German Furniture has asked manufacturers, experts and designers as part of the #zuhausesein (#beingathome) initiative. And now they would like to hear from you! You are invited to enter an exciting global photo competition to show what #beingathome means to you. 

Sound interesting? Wait 'til you hear what the winner of each category will win:
  • Integration of your picture in the photo exhibition at IMM Cologne 2020
  • Integration of your picture in the German Design Book 2020
  • Two tickets and one overnight stay to IMM Cologne 2020 (the VDM will provide a travel allowance of up to €500. The winner is responsible for making the booking which will be refunded by the VDM)
  • A fab piece of furniture from a German furniture manufacturer
And the competition is open globally! Yes, really!

You can enter a maximum of one image per category, with ten categories in total. Details on how to enter can be found at the bottom of the page. But first, here's a list of the categories:

Outdoor Living


SK 07 Ritual bowl: designed by Stefan Knopp for JANUA, the winner of the Outdoor Living category will receive this expressive bowl which traverses the border between furniture and objet d'art. Turned out of a piece of wood, the bowls are then char burned, resulting in a unique surface with cracks, holes and fractures. Perfectly imperfect, the bowl can be used in daily life or regarded as art (or both!).

2. Tiny Spaces


The winning entry in the Tiny Spaces category will win a Super Light. This small light has a BIG story and is lighter than you think. The reason? It has been expertly crafted using the same light construction process found in the aircraft industry. Made to last with powdered aluminium and 41 rivets set by hand, Bordbar designed this fab light so you can have a little piece of aircraft construction in your home!

3. The Hallway - the ticket to your home





LINE coat rack:  Hallways are all about making people feel welcome. And that is exactly what Schönbuch prides itself on in the production of creative, functional furnishings, fittings and concepts. The winner of the 'The Hallway' category will win a classic LINE coat rack which is available in countless colours and finishes and can be used solo or in a group - monochrome or multi-coloured. You decide!

4. Kitchen Lover





The winner of the Kitchen Lover category will take a home a beautiful Fabella light! Inspired by a Fontane poem, this pear-shaped porcelain light was designed by Laura Straßer for Caussa. Depending on the strength and colour of the light bulb and the colour of the glazing, the porcelain shade becomes translucent and emits a warm glow for a wonderful, hygge atmosphere. Choose between four colours and a white or black textile cable.

5. Relaxed Sleeping





Pfeife Night Stand: Designed by Vitamin Design, who pride themselves on ecological and timeless, modern solid wood furniture, the Pfeife night stand is the dream prize in the 'Relaxed Sleeping' category. Made from a single oak trunk and characterised by open knots and cracks, it will look beautiful by the bed!

6.  The Living Room - my private retreat



Rolf Benz 953 footstool: Since it's foundation in 1964, Germany's best-known sofa brand Rolf Benz, takes cultural changes into consideration in the design of every piece.  In recent years, living spaces have become more flexible - calling for creative pieces of furniture. The winner of 'The Living Room' category will receive a 953 footstool, which can be moved effortlessly so you can put your feet up anywhere in your home!

7. The Bathroom - the private wellness temple





L-Cube shelf element: Quiet, clarity, space for contemplation. This is how designer Christian Werner described his vision for the L-Cube - a range of bathroom furniture for Duravit AG, a leading international manufacturer of designer bathrooms. The less distracting the bathroom, the more likely the occupant will find peace and relaxation. And the lucky winner of 'The Bathroom' category will certainly find peace with an L-Cube shelf element! 

8. Living with Children


Birdy: Poufs can take up a lot of space, but not this one! The 'Living with Children' prize is the birdy stool from Hülsta - an ideal piece for putting your feet up or as extra seating. Available in ten different pure new wool colours, the designer stool works equally well in the living room or a children's room. Plus, it's super cute!

9. Work at Home




Cantilever chair: Dynamic and innovative, Tojo Möbel GmbH develops multi awards winning furniture at affordable prices. The highly functional, space-saving and comfy Cantilever Chair has an exchangeable seat shell and can be dismantled when not in use - and has been reserved for the lucky winner of the Work at Home category.

10. Other Forms of Living (e.g. caravans)



S18 side table: The clever design of the S18 side table by Uli Budde for Thonet reads like an ode to the first Thonet bentwood classics. Made from a powder-coated base frame and a lacquered surface in black, this circular side table is waiting to add an exciting new perspective to the home of the winner of the 'Other Forms of Living' category.

Feeling inspired to enter the photo competition? Here are the next steps:

How to enter
1. Take a picture that answers the question 'What does #beingathome mean to you'? (you can enter up to ten photos - one for each category).
2. Share your image/s on your preferred social media channel: Instagram, Facebook or Twitter using the hashtags #zuhausesein and #beingathome and tag VDM (Facebook: (@zuhauseseinVDM), Instagram: (@zuhausesein_VDM) or Twitter: (@zuhausesein)
3. Like VDM on your preferred social media channel (Facebook: (@zuhauseseinVDM), Instagram: (@zuhausesein_VDM) or Twitter: (@zuhausesein)
4. Send your entry (photos must be at least 300 dpi) to zuhausesein@real-communications.com along with the following details:
  • Name of the category you are entering
  • Name
  • Date of birth
  • Country
  • Telephone and email
  • Name of your social media channel
The deadline for all submissions is 23.59 (GMT+1), 18th August, 2019. The winners will be announced here on 27th August, 2019.

Wishing you best of luck - I can't wait to see your entries!


Terms and conditions:
This competition is global; there are no country restrictions. Participants must be over 18 years of age. Only one entry can be submitted per category (maximum of ten submissions in total).

Data protection and legal Recourse:

Responsible: The Association of the German Furniture Industry e.V. (VDM is the organiser of this competition and is responsible for data protection. Real Communications will run the competition as an authorised service provider and handle the personal data entered or left behind by the participants in this campaign responsible. If you have any questions, you can contact the data protection officer of the association at info@moebelindustrie.de.

The essentials in brief; personal data requested from participants in order to participate in the VDM competition will be processed primarily for the purpose of running the competition. The processing of personal data takes place lawfully on the basis of the DSGVO, names - depending on the purpose - for the fulfilment of a contract or the execution of the competition. Only our service provider Real Communications has access to the data, which is only used for sending the prizes by post. We do not receive the data ourselves and do not pass it on to other third parties within the meaning of the DSGVO without our consent. We delete the data records as soon as the winners have been determined and notified, the prizes have been dispatched, no complaints or complaints regarding the competition are to be expected and, above all, insofar as there are no individual obligations under commercial or tax law to retain data. The latter may last up to 10 years.
A cash payment of the profit is not possible. The profit is transferable. legal recourse is excluded.

*The winner retains copyright of their own image but agrees to VDM using it on their social channels, website or publications for an unlimited period for the purpose of the #Zuhausesein campaign. All sources will be acknowledged. 

This post is sponsored by the Association of the German Furniture Industry - however, all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too.



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A Copenhagen Apartment in Soothing, Earthy Shades

This week some images dropped into my mailbox that made me sit up and go 'wow'! At a first glance I assumed it was a home tour. But on closer inspection, I realised that the pictures were taken as part of a campaign for high street brand Zara Home! Yes, I know! To create the down-to-earth space, stylists Colin King and Rosie Seabrook used a Copenhagen apartment as a backdrop for Zara Home items alongside vintage and designer pieces as well as beautiful art to create a simple, organic contemporary home in the heart of the Danish capital. Time for a little Friday dreaming....




The stylists have opted for muted, tone on tone colours - which, if done badly could lead to a very uninteresting living space. But it works in this apartment because of the blend of textures. Look closely and you'll notice the walls have a subtle patina that shifts with the light, the fabrics have a course, tactile finish and the furniture and accessories feature an array of different materials including linen, stone, rattan, cane, porcelain, wood, brass etc which adds interest and depth. 




Guh! I could move right in and not do a thing! How about you?

Which is actually strange, as the space doesn't look very Danish. In my mind, it would feel more in place on the Swedish island of Gotland (see this home) at a push -  or the Mediterranean (I guess Zara is Spanish, after all) but there's something about it that just works! 

Do you feel inspired too? 

In case you feel like rushing down to your local Zara Home  - keep an eye out for items made from 100% recycled material, there are some beautiful pieces in the collection. 

On an ENTIRELY separate note, my family and I are enjoying our last couple of days of our summer holiday at the cottage before heading home. I'm going to miss these carefree days with my family!! But, it's back to the grindstone and actually I'm looking forward to blogging full time again (i.e. daily!) come Monday - I've got so many exciting things to share with you! 

I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Niki

Photography Frederik Vercruysse and styling by Colin King and Rosie Seabrook for Zara Home.
Thank you to Bungalow 5 for the tip

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Off The Grid: 'The Hut' In The Woods Of Ohio

It takes something pretty special to appear on an episode of Discovery Network's Building off the Grid series. And it's easy to see why The Hut in Belmont County, Ohio cut the mustard! Designed and built by owner and founder of Midland Architecture Greg Dutton with the help of family and friends, the 600 square foot / 55 square metre cedar-clad cabin features bleached eastern pine floors and whit clad walls. Sustainable and off-the-grid, The Hut was completed last year and has been kitted out with furniture made from natural materials in shades of cream, beige and chocolate. A wonderful, tree-house inspired, Scandinavian style retreat, designed to ensure you can completely switch off - in every way! 


Could you imagine hanging out here in the woods - living completely off the grid? 

Imagine how easy it would be to relax?! 

Feel inspired by a load more rural retreats and log cabins from the archives - do you have a favourite?

Happy 'hump day' (nope, still not used to that phrase!). 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Midland Architecture found via Style Files

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