100 Per Cent Norway, LDF: Mr. Bazaar's Five Favourites

One of my highlights from last week's London Design Festival was being shown around 100% Norway by one of the show's Curators, Henrietta Thompson. Although simple in form, many of the pieces on show were both bold and imaginative at the same time. Having the opportunity to speak with a mix of experienced and up and coming designers was a real treat. Here's my top five favourites designs and what I learned about each from their respective designers:

1. Hallgeir Homstvedt's Tangent vases explores the theme of how a flower pot compliments a tray; there are magnets in the base of each vase, which allows people to experiment with different compositions and combinations, and even visual illusion as the vases appear to be fixed to the tray until moved.

2. The Ola Windsor chairs were designed by Alf Sture to help create an environment of security and warmth, which is why the chair 'wraps' around the body when sat in, and the reasoning behind colourful nature. I love how they paired the vibrant Ola Windsor chairs with the elegant simplicity of their Vang dining table.

3. Despite being displayed at the back of the show, my eye was drawn to Andreas Engesvik's 'bunadspledd' blankets from the outset. I learned that a 'bunad' is the Norwegian national costume for men and women, dating back to 19th century National Romanticism, and there are more than 400 different types in total, each depicting a regional difference. Each 'bunad' consists of a certain number of colours, each distributed in a certain manner. Andreas simplified the patterns to create this range of throws that nod to their original 19th century heritage. Aren't they just fab? A big thumbs up from me!

4. Oscar Narud's Hunter sideboard might be simple in materials but it's certainly a statement piece. The three sliding doors, which draw inspiration from traditional Norwegian architecture, create a graphic look when overlapped, resulting in a colourful lattice effect.

5. I had to include this snap of Victoria Gunzler and Sara Wright Polmar because they were so darn charming and enthusiastic when we chatted about their 'Benkt' bench. Explaining their obsession for details and quality, Victoria stressed her love for nature and craft, whilst Sara looks to add a playful yet elegant edge to their work. They explained that the bench was purposely designed to be a functional, contemporary interpretation of a traditional Scandinavian kitchen bench, which provides comfort during social meals. The duo also designed the accompanying 'Benkt' blanket, which echos the geometric lines of the cushions. For me, this was the standout piece and if my kitchen was big enough(!) I'd incorporate it into the scheme, no questions asked. Tell me, which of these Norwegian designs are inspiring you?

Home Tour: Colourful Country, Scandi Style

Well, it's official, I've properly fallen slap bang in love with Katti Grönstedt's home in Österlen, Sweden. Her delicate and tasteful use of colour against the soothing palette of whitewashed wood is a real winner in my book. Katti's home is an intriguing mix of eras and designs as she effortlessly pairs personal heirlooms and flea market finds with newer pieces from the likes of IKEA. Despite there being several different themes to the home (look closely and you'll spot folk elements, New England style and Moroccan pieces) there's still a synergy to the space. For me, the three standout areas are the kitchen, dining area and terrace. The kitchen's country colourful look makes me beam from ear-to-ear and I love how it's both stylish and practical with all her kitchenwares on display and easy to access. As for the dining room? Well, I dream of one day having a home with enough space to create such a lovely area for entertaining, working and chatting with friends. The soft sky blue hue of the dining table is the perfect accent to the rough, weathered chairs around it. Notice how Katti has continued accents of blue throughout most areas of the home - it's little decor additions like this that help with the synergy of the overall home. Finally, the terrace looks like my ideal summer hideout. With the billowing white linens, Moroccan lanterns, yellow chairs and zesty fabric print textiles, Mr. Bazaar would feel right at home! Tell me, what do you like about Katti's country colourful home in Sweden?
// Hus & Hem | Photography by Gabriella Dahlman

Happy Weekend: A Creative Collaboration

If you're like me then your idea of an enjoyable weekend includes time reading, surfing the web or getting out into our local neighbourhood to get inspired. One of the wonderful things about living in London is the abundance of creative people and projects constantly popping up across the city. The most recent is a collaboration between Tamasyn Gambell and Eva, who have combined their print design skills and eye for sourcing mid-century Scandinavian furniture into a new store in east London. The store stocks the mid-century pieces which have been re-upholstered in Tamasyn's graphic and colourful prints. As well as furniture the store will also be stocking lampshades and soft furnishings that compliment the main pieces. I love the lampshades (all of which are designed and hand-screen printed in London) especially the below, charcoal and soft peach colourway. Anything catching your eye? What creative projects have inspired you recently?
// Photography by Steven Aron Williams

Home Tour: A Festive Scandi Home

Home | Photography by Federikke Heiberg | Market Picks: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Oh, boy! This home is SUCH a festive treat! Owned by couple Mille and Christine, who holiday there with their two girls, the home shows how simple, organic elements can make for a charming, sophisticated and understated Christmas decorating scheme; this quite ironic given the home was originally built as a summer house! The couple decorate with vintage ornaments and family pieces handed down from generations before them, which gives the space a personal and welcoming feel. Despite extending the home, I like how the couple have maintained the building's original character, such as the light wood floors, adding colour through the barn red doors inside and the black doors outside. As for that natural festive tablescape: isn't it just beautiful? What do you like about this wonderfully festive home?

Home Tour: Cosy 40sqm Swedish Apartment

Plenty of storage for magazines. Check. Lashings of natural light. Check. White washed floorboards. Check. Armed with these three instant wins and backed up with beautifully stocked open shelves in the kitchen this delightful Swedish apartment packs a serious punch despite being small in size at 40sqm. Luxurious drapes in the living area soften the space, whilst storage is maximised throughout the open plan areas making it the perfect city pad. With all that space for magazines I think I would be right at home! What do you like about this apartment?

Home Tour - Inside The Home of a Finnish Stylist

Dwell have pulled a corker out the bag with one of their latest home tours. The space belongs to Stylist, Susanna Vento and is a veritable treat of whites and brights. One of the standout details for me are the paint dipped dining chairs, which lift the predominately black and white scheme. There's also plenty of other small, delicate details that add interest to the space, namely the softly accessorised windowsills and impromptu art walls. What do you like about Susanna's home?

Dwell | Photography, Petra Bindel

Home Tour: Scandinavian Brights

Battered industrial finishes seem to come alive when teamed with brilliant whites and colour pops; so effortlessly stylish, such spaces ooze laid-back, serene style. This Scandinavian home is no exception - everyday areas, such as the log store, are 'framed' by their all-white surroundings, subsequently making them features of the home and preventing any opportunity for the space to feel cold or uninviting. Meanwhile, the quirky vignettes add personality and interest; a personal favourite is seen below - the shutter and collection of three saws in the corner of the room. Plus, I'm tempted to try something similar to the empty photo frames (seen on top of the cabinet below) in my own place. So simple, but so effective! What inspires you about this uplifting home?

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