Design Escandinavo.

A casa é sem dúvida o reflexo da nossa intimidade. É nela que somos nós próprios, sem tirar nem pôr, sozinhos ou em companhia.

Na última década começamos a dar-lhe mais importância. As cores que escolhemos, a marca do sofá e o algodão do lençol começou a ser assunto mais presente nas conversas entre amigos e família. 

Penso que isso se deve ao facto de passarmos mais tempo em casa. Damos mais jantares entre amigos, trabalhamos de casa e a vida social acalma. Portanto, este nosso palco íntimo passa a ser prioridade no nosso dia-a-dia.

Os Escandinavos sempre deram muita importância à casa. E não tenho dúvida que é exactamente pelo facto de passarem imensas horas indoors. A falta de Sol não convida a andar pelas ruas, como nos convida a nós Lusitanos. Claro, que também se deve ao facto de darem importância a outras coisas que nós não damos, mas isso ficará para outro post. Agora fixemo-nos na casa. 

Eu diria que o design nórdico resume-se (ou desenvolve-se, depende do ponto de vista) pelo branco que traz a luz, as madeiras o calor e as linhas simples a calma. 

Na Hansen & Co, uma pequena loja de objectos para a casa em Kristiansand, encontram-se estas peças lindas 100% Escandinavas que mais ou menos vão ao encontro daquilo que acredito ser a base do deste estilo.

O que é que comprariam para o vosso espaço? Apostariam no branco ou nas madeiras? 

Cosy Winter.

A chuva veio para ficar. O frio faz-lhe companhia. Altura ideal para todos nós entrarmos em "retreat mode", uns sozinhos, outros nem por isso.

Em qualquer dos casos, encontre aquele objecto cosy que lhe trás o aconchego necessário, como por exemplo, uma pele de ovelha (sintética) num tom terra.

Tons Terra | Ajudam a criar ambientes de bem-estar, tranquilidade e calma. São as cores mais quentes da palete, e sempre boas escolhas para épocas frias, como o Outono e Inverno, ou para espaços e ambientes mais húmidos, como por exemplo casas de campo ou praia.

Romantisk Helg I Norge.

Norway has probably the most romantic houses in Scandinavia. I not quite sure if it's because the daylight is so scarce, but the spaces really call for romantic environments.

Here's a few ideas for cold and rainy days we all expect ahead. Cosy is the new black.

furs are always welcomed in cold winter days

fell in love with these crochet placemats  

pastels on the background enhances pretty nicely white furniture, doesn't it?

rusty iron lamps 

big dinner tables for big friends

romantic as it should be 

Scandinavian Design.

Depending on the country, languages are different though they all come one from another. For example, I got to know yesterday, Student in Norwegian Student (Estudante in Portuguese, my first language). All very similar, though with different accents.

Design is a language too, therefore, and depending on the country, the "accents" are different. From Asian to European, American or Arab, you can tell by the look where it is come from, don't you?

Scandinavian Design is probably my favorite language. It embraces simple traces and organic look, though it's the colour and the textures that actually defines all the details and maybe that's why I feel so comfortable with this language.

Hay | Denmark

Ferm Living

Ligne Roset @ Rue du Bac.

Ligne Roset has the stylish sofas I've ever seen. They're comfy for sure, but what I really love about them is the personality they emanate, like a french woman riding a bike along the Seine.

Here's my selection form the Rue du Bac main shop, where trendy people mingle and design is written all over the place.

Moël |

 Inga Sempé

Moël |

 Inga Sempé

Ploum | Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec

Facett | Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec

Nomade Express´| Didier Gomez (on the right)

Nomade´| Didier Gomez (on the left)

Okumi |  Elisa Catoir, Studio Catoir (on the right)

Parisians Details We All Heart.

From architecture to the simple sunlight, Paris means a lot to all of us, doesn't it?

Every opportunity I had, Paris was mine. 

Walking down the streets, writing my journal in a cafe or falling a sleep in a garden chair, I think I've done it all.

Here's a few fragments of my last and short visit to Paris, the city where the ladies ride the bike in style.

It's always an enigma crossing these halls, though we all know on the other side there's a nice garden with a cosy entrance to a gorgeous building

This one here takes us to a nice hotel at the rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré

French windows

Small shops | Big impact

Flowers to welcome yourself in your own home, why not?

Waiting for my monsieur, croque-monsieur

The last, but not the least

Conran | Paris, Rue du Bac.

Conran is probably one of my favorite shops in the design business. Love the contemporary and relaxed approach to design and decoration.

Every time I visit one, I always feel the idea "design is not an option, it's the only choice you have" and I must say, I love it!

I love to watch people checking furniture out. Sometimes crazy questions pop up yet quite pertinent when you think about them. We all have different life choices and different habits, therefore furniture different needs. 

Plates are the new paintings. Glassy finish the only option. 

Huge coffee tables in wood finish is all you need at home. Your home parties appreciate. 

Light wood is the new black.

When working at home is the option for many of us, a good desk and chair are the key for success. Though a lamp by Studio Ilse is the key for happiness. 

White and silver plates on the wall to recall our grandmothers' home.

A great shelving unit, but if books are the main decoration, forget it. Not an option.

White on white.

More plates. More walls. More colour. 

French(iness)  

The right touch if you're in a country mood.

I've always loved everything about laundry, specially the smell of washed bed linen.

Paris Design Week 2012.

Tomorrow morning I'm off to Paris for a business meeting. Sunday afternoon I'm back in sunny Lisbon, though I promise to report as much as I can from the city center and the Maison & Objet.

Stay tuned.

Fonte dos Frades | Thermal Baths.

For the first time in my life I took 3 weeks holiday! It was great.

First days I spent in Lisbon, where I live, and the other 18 days by the beach in my hometown, Maceira.

In Maceira I don't have only the beach to enjoy. I have thermal baths which is often referred to as a spa. To wrap up what was a great holidays I went there to enjoy well-being.

Here's a few pictures. Get inspired.

The entrance of Fonte dos Frades (Friars Fountain)

Ladies chit-chatting

The building on the right where the baths happen 

The fountain where you can taste the mineral water,

TECHNICAL INFORMATION |

Fonte dos Frades source is chlorinated with sodium chloride-magnesium, and has a mineralization level of 3,200 mg/liter.

Skin | eczema, acne, cellulitis, ulcers
Gastro-intestinal | gastro-oesophageal, colitis and hepato-biliary pathology
Circulatory | varicose veins, haemorrhoids, hypertension (controlled) and migraines
Respiratory system | chronic rhino-pharyngitis, chronic sinusitis, chronic laryngitis, asthma and chronic bronchitis

Of course, everyone is welcomed to enjoy a simple relaxing bath, the gardens and even the space itself, which is inspired on its own.