The second you hear the words Danish and Design in the same sentence I’m willing to bet beautiful images come to mind. What do you imagine? I see large rooms, clutter-free living, and a great sense of style and an attention to detail that feels very relaxed — like it all just fell into place without much thought. I also think of Tine K Home, a lifestyle shop based in Denmark that I’ve raved about here before. Time for more.
I did a little drive by today (it’s a site that I frequent with hopes of finding new content) and noticed their current 122 page catalog that you can browse right here while enjoying your afternoon tea (or coffee) at work today. Looking at the catalog made me feel inspired and depressed. I realized that I really need to get my act together.
I’ll start by asking you… what decorating plans do you have this year? I’ve vowed to clean things up a bit starting with my wall space. Just glancing at Tine K Home today made my resolution a bit stronger: time to remove all of my art, spackle, sand and paint the walls, and then install only my absolute favorite pieces of work to display vs. the current batch I have fighting for attention. I especially want to make this change in my home office because the spot above my desk contains an inspiration board and 2 calendars, 3 original pieces of art, a paper wreath, a screenprint (framed), a framed photograph, a gocco print, and (yes another and), this tiny faux deer head. I’m not happy with this massive inspiration board which is really just a cluttered wall that is NOT providing any inspiration at all. It’s one big blob of color, texture and pattern – all very beautiful things but nothing stands out. Must. Change. ASAP. I don’t know if you’ve done it before but get this, I make an effort — I TRY to avoid looking at the wall because it makes me feel overwhelmed, confused and out of balance. When I’m working I keep my eyes on my desk because glancing up disturbs my flow. Not good. I need to simplify so I can think.
In fact I’m going to start paying more attention to the visual clutter in my home, from the soap I use on my dishes to the shampoo in my shower. I have always paid close attention to product packaging but this year I want to step it up and make sure that everything I purchase that can be seen is not competing with something else in the room affecting the overall harmony of the space.
I know, you’re sitting there thinking I’ve lost my mind and you are right. That’s the problem. I am losing my mind amidst all this stuff. I never realized this was a problem until I came back from Germany in December. I noticed that I felt so much more at ease and even more creative in my German apartment because I have about 70% less there. The look is clean, bright, serene. I discovered that is exactly how I currently need to live to do my best work.
So those are my current plans in my home – to scale down, remove, de-clutter, have less on the walls but more peace in my heart.
Now let’s get back to the regularly scheduled program: Tine K Home. I see lots of black, pale pink, gray, purple and green tones, mochas, plaids, stripes, attention to detail (embroidery, crochet work, etc.), natural wood, and subtle ethnic influence… Ah. Breathing space.
(images from tine k home)
January 21st, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Love the simplicity of all these groupings… all so perfectly balanced. Just lovely.
Kotoris last blog post: Dress Me Up
January 21st, 2009 at 3:12 pm
i love tine k home. do they ship to the US?
jaimes last blog post: tamir sher
January 21st, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Very nice images, I wish we saw more of this style in the U.S. I am on a similar quest with my home. Since New Year’s day I have cleaned out all of my kitchen cabinets, refrigerator, hall closets, drawers, and am currently working on my master closet. I have vision’s of creating something totally organized like Carrie’s closet from Sex & and the City, although on a much smaller scale:) I want every part of my home to feel uncluttered and beautiful, yet still comfortable and unique. I think that when your home is organized, you can be more organized and relaxed in every part of your life. Good luck on your editing!
January 21st, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Oh, I so understand how you are feeling. I’m clearing out and painting my studio right now, and want to turn it into a simple, bright, peaceful space where I really can feel creative and not so overwhelmed.
All these photos arre so lovely and capture just the kind of feeling I’m hoping to create.
marnés last blog post: scarf series I
January 21st, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Holly, I hear you 200% on this! My husband and I bought our home in June of ’08. It’s a cozy Cape Cod, and while it’s not very huge, it is still a larger space than the apartment we moved out of.
I have found that in the months of settling in, I love the fact that my home is, in some senses, “bare”. The decor is simple and carefully selected… the walls aren’t cluttered with too much stuff, and the closets aren’t jammed full of unnecessary items. Living simpler, with less items, and only things that you truly find meaning in is a WONDERFUL way to go!! I love your thoughts on this.
(the photos in this post are also so, so lovely!)
Bethany at Emmy Lus last blog post: Crafty Girl {Linen Pinboard}
January 21st, 2009 at 4:15 pm
We are moving next week and I hope to be able to make a fresh start then. I have been living with boxes for weeks and haven’t really cared what it looks like in the apartment. All my focus was on our new house. The result was a totally cluttered and unorganized place to call home with lots of negative energy. I cleaned up and organized a closet today and immediately felt so much better.
January 21st, 2009 at 4:26 pm
I was just home from work yesterday, drooling over the crisp, bright work of others online. My thoughts became of white walls, single flower vases or branches covering my dining table, my closet cleared – open and inviting.
Thanks for reading my mind and giving me the visual gift of Tine K Home. I hope it will pave the way ahead to a bright, open new home.
Good luck on your “lightening.”
wendys last blog post: Light and Romance
January 21st, 2009 at 4:34 pm
I totally agree, less is more! Visual clutter totally hinders my creativity. My husband will attest (much to his annoyance) I’m on constant clutter control. With all the ideas I have swirling around in my head I need a serene calming backdrop or I lose my mind.
I once read that being a creative person, much like yourself, is like wearing a pair of glasses, that magnify everything, all the time! You cannot take them off. So it’s easy to take in too much, and feel overwhelmed…make sense?
lindsays last blog post: For the love of bread and jam…
January 21st, 2009 at 4:49 pm
I went thought the same thing in May. My husband and I spent a whole month clearing out stuff and organizing our office and storage space/shed. Now it only holds the things we really want and need. The office is my favorite room now.
We will be moving to a very very small place in September- I’m going back to school full time so we need to cut down on our spending – and rent it our town is steep.
We tried envisioning moving from a 2 bedroom place to a large studio and how we would not have room for all our stuff.
And then we thought about the things we really needed and what was just “stuff”… Makes you realize how much extra you have and don’t really need. It’s kind of liberating to keep the basics and eliminate the rest. I too want to use this as an opportunity to have less but more beautiful things. I would like each thing to be useful and beautiful at the same time. I think those are the things that will last for a long time.
Having too many things makes me nervous – I end up feeling suffocated – so I try to go through the closets and clean/clear our things every year or two. It feels great!
Good luck with your projects – you should post photos. I would love to see the befores and afters.
January 21st, 2009 at 5:11 pm
You are so so right! I am thinking that every other month. The only spave that can breathe here is the living room. MArkus constantly tells me to put less things. So I am trying to make monthly themed installments and to rotate my beloved things and it is a pleasure to have less and finally rediscover the beauty of things after a time.
We are doing the same in the children’s room. Our little girl, who is so creative claims she has too much stuff that hinders he (she is only 6!!!) So we decided to pack all her things in boxes and have a look at her room, I mean the bare room and then we will add slowly things she really loves. That will be a great experiance i hope.
Good luck with the changes at your place!
Yvonne
molines last blog post: Valentine in Istanbul
January 21st, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Oh, if only i could declutter! Sadly one cannot throw away roommates’ belongings.
ashley@decorologys last blog post: Interior designer portfolio
January 21st, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Ashley I nearly died from laughter reading your comment. Too FUNNY.
January 21st, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Moline your comment is cute about your daughter, I love that she is so in tune with her needs at 6 years old.
January 21st, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Monica – I notice you have a .de web address. Are you in Germany? Where are you moving? It’s a tough time of year to move I think with the cold weather so I applaud you for taking this on! Living out of a box isn’t too much fun. Enjoy your move and your new nest!
January 21st, 2009 at 7:43 pm
I can completely relate. We literally got rid of/donated/gave way/trashed about 75% of our belongings before we moved to Paris.
Both sets of parents threatened to cart us off to therapy.
But I feel free. I love simple, small, minimal living. We’re in a 700 sq ft apartment with two boys and haven’t been happier in years.
Good luck with your decluttering!
nicholes last blog post: Sweet Somethings
January 21st, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Michael and I have been married over 3 years and at last this year I get to start making our home into the calm, serene clutter-free house I’ve always wanted but couldn’t afford!
We’re getting rid of the 3 hand-me-down (20 year old!) couches cluttering up our lounge room with their yucky dark brown and green colours. We’re getting a lovely new couch in a soft, neautral colour. We’re losing the big old single bed in the spare room and getting a sofabed ottoman. We picked up some second hand Ikea expedit bookshelves and now have heaps more storage space. I also found 2 lovely 50′s style armchairs on ebay that I’m tidying up. I can’t believe it’s all happening (and all at once).
And all my wildest dreams would come true if DH would also let me de-clutter his things as well as mine, but I think that will take many more years of marriage before that happens!
Bonnies last blog post: Kicking Butt
January 21st, 2009 at 8:16 pm
i have a similar problem… my place is super colorful and has some “wacky” things like a giant ice cream lamp, a collection of ceramic unicorn figurines, etc.. i always think maybe i need a “more grown up” space. but in the end, my ice cream lamp and unicorns and colors make me happy and comfy cozy.
January 21st, 2009 at 8:44 pm
I am also feeling overwhelmed by my stuff, and planning a move, so the “junk” must disappear and only the treasures can be packed and go to our new home. I look at each item and ask “Is it beautiful? Do I truly love it? Do I use it (now, not maybe someday)? Does it bring back happy memories that nothing else can?” If the answer is no, then out it goes! My boxes for charity/ebay are overflowing and I still have many rooms to go. I fear that when I apply this method to my wardrobe, I’ll be left with hardly a stitch to wear! :-)
Michelle Hawkins-Thiels last blog post: new year, new space?
January 21st, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Will you please post a photo of your new inspiration board? thank you.
January 21st, 2009 at 9:48 pm
lovely new site to explore! I’m repainting my bedroom white right now, and making up some simple brown gingham pillow cases. I also just redesigned my blog and am working on my website..cleaning things up a bit.
Sams last blog post: Midweek Inspirations: Pure Style
January 21st, 2009 at 10:18 pm
I pull all the labels off toiletries and detergents and keep most of my food in jars or canisters. I also use reusable bags. Taking away ugly branded labels makes things look less cluttered while preventing the corporate colonization of my home. Ooh blissful!
Isabelles last blog post: harpy via unruly-things
January 21st, 2009 at 11:18 pm
oh for years i have been wanting to clear my room and make it the most comfy place but sadly, my mom doesn’t allow me to make any changes to my room (eg. the curtains, the walls etc…) I wish i can throw away my bro’s bed that is stationed in my room cos now i have 2 singles bed in my room and the height and looks of each bed frame is different. soooo frustrating!!! makes my room cluttered. :o( i am crossing my fingers and hope he moves the bed out soon and i can start on making over my bedroom!
ah Teos last blog post: Bacon Swiss Crispy Chicken Burger
January 21st, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Too funny, early this morning i was exactly thinking the same about getting rid of extra things that clutter my bedroom. BTW, on my resolutions list.
Thanks for the link, the site is definitely inspirational. I’m trying to find some other examples, but I feel that only Scandinavian master the art of non-busy rooms…
Kevins last blog post: Inauguration of a new First Lady era by Michelle Obama
January 21st, 2009 at 11:43 pm
I am in a real de-clutter frame of mind these days. I dream of it and I’m not very good at it. My husband (who is much more organized and less sentimental than I) and I are trying to plan a day when our son is at pre-school to remove the excess. For the two years we lived together before our son came along, we did well and lived without much extra… then so much stuff started coming from well-meaning but over-consuming family. How do you do away with all the stuff your mother-in-law brings? Ugh. It’s a lethal combination (her giving and my not being good at de-cluttering). I actually posted about decluttering last week and I ordered some pretty Komplement baskets from Ikea to replace some less than attractive plastic bins. It’s a start…
Lizas last blog post: Sofas
January 21st, 2009 at 11:52 pm
I am so with you on this one Holly! Living in an apartment as a family of 4 with 2 home-based businesses, the clutter has definitely gotten the better of us. *But*, I have started to create oases of calm and I’m forcing myself to say “no” to clutter and colour and pattern *most* of the time to give my mind and my eye a break. I am a huge fan of Benita’s Chez Larsson blog – I have learned so much about to create a peaceful and orderly environment, even in storage areas. I have a lot of fairly large original artworks that I love, but I think it’s time to start rotating them rather than displaying them all at once. No matter how great they are, sometimes a blank wall feels like a delicious luxury.
January 22nd, 2009 at 1:32 am
Hi Holly – Yes, I (we- my husband and son) are in Germany (moved from Brooklyn). We currently live in Darmstadt (south-west of Frankfurt) in Hessen and are moving to Gernsheim (a small town about 20 minutes from here). The cold weather wasn’t really so bad because the ground was frozen. We are moving to a new development and the roads haven’t been paved yet. With the warmer temperatures the front of my house has turned into a muddy mess. Thanks for your sentiments and have fun with your de-cluttering cleansing process!
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:57 am
Your blog entry made me laugh- I sometimes feel like losing my mind when looking at our bedroom, too.. We moved to a new apartment a couple of months ago, so we threw away LOADS of stuff, but there are still boxes and bags full of things I want to keep but don’t know where to put them and how to do it so it looks clean and nice. Any ideas? Maybe I’ll go to IKEA and get nice boxes. The thing is, it won’t lead to much if I get 30 boxes and put them all over the place!! Sigh…
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:41 am
Holly,
I am totally on board with you in the decor and declutter department.
You should see how empty my home is becoming and with each drawer,closet,wall i edit…the better i feel and more energy i have.
I have been very influenced by your Hannover apartment on Haus Maus and adore the minimalist and gorgeous palette.
Now it’s painting room by room…
Just think by the Spring we will feel refreshed and renewed!!!
And you’ll be back in Germany!
I’m going gaga for this catalog~thaks for the link!
Hugs
Tina
tinas last blog post: Fuzzy’s Little Birdie Giveaway
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:22 am
What an absolutely beautiful site! Her catalog is amazing for inspiration pictures…such a great use of white and color.
Thanks SO much for sharing!
Karas last blog post: Etsy shop…teaser :)
January 22nd, 2009 at 11:49 am
I recently gave away about half my belongings-furniture included. My plans for this year are to refine my current space, especially my office/closet. It’s a constant work in progress.
styleosophys last blog post: ecologically chic: recycle plastic bags and packing paper for use with your handbags
January 22nd, 2009 at 1:22 pm
I hear you, too! I do have a hint that has helped me to de-clutter. Find a nearby donation drop-off site, Goodwill store that accepts deliveries, consignment shop, etc – any place where you can regularly bring donations/items to. I found a Goodwill store nearby and find myself dropping a few boxes off every month during my lunch hour. Having such a convenient “out” for my things helps keep me motivated to keep up the de-cluttering, and knowing that others will benefit from, and maybe even greatly enjoy, my items makes me much more willing to part with things I’m wishy-washy about.
January 22nd, 2009 at 1:26 pm
I understand you so well! I also need to get my act together.
I’ll do a list right now just for you:P
1. Paint the headboard of my bed and before that decide the colour of it (that was from my mom’s when she was a teen:P)
2. Upholster a sofa I found on garbage almost a year ago. It’s quite astonishing how people throw away great things :/
3. Do something to my hall which is quite uninteresting right now.
4. Paint or cover my hall and kitchen floor which is quite ugly.
5. Organize my bad and good clutter
6. Paint my kitchen cabinets with a deep purple:D
I’m already tired:P
Sofias last blog post: Trendy carpets
January 22nd, 2009 at 2:10 pm
totally agree with your idea, it’s how I’ve been feeling myself. we have so much stuff, and everything fights for attention. so much nicer to just showcase a few pieces, they get appreciated so much more!
January 22nd, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Tine K Home really inspired me to clean up the clutter! Every year I find myself wanting more and more simplicity around my home. I don’t want it to look like I just moved in and haven’t unpacked anything, but I want it to look crisp and clean.
I’m going to retire some pillows that I made for my livingroom as they’re looking a bit sad. I’ll try some lighter colors for Spring. I’m going to completely repaint the master bedroom, add new linens, and make new, decorative pillows. I’m hoping to paint and freshen up the spare bedroom because it has never been terribly inviting. Oh, I could go on & on. I tend to have a lot of good ideas but think about them more than actually DOING them. Thank goodness my husband is willing to help out a bit.
Cheers to a year of simplicity and freshness!
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:38 pm
I had the opportunity to go to the Embassy of Denmark in Washington, DC this weekend and it was exquisite. I only wish I had a better camera than my iPhone, because the photos are sort of grainy. But it was a delight and, although I don’t know you, I thought to myself how much you would have liked the home.
janets last blog post: inauguration photos to tide you over
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:20 am
I have a Dutch webshop specialized in Scandinavian brands (including TINE K Home). Today I’ve visited the FORMLAND fair in Denmark and spoke with Tine about the new collection.
It is so so sooooooo beautiful. We couldn’t take ourselves away from the showroom she had created. If you like I can sent you some photos for your blog. I know I will be posting them on mine too: http://www.lillelykke.blogspot.com. They already have some of the new catalogue on also.
February 18th, 2011 at 9:01 pm
This is truly all I have been thinking about for months now. But, I live with a hoarding husband, and my mother recently moved into assisted living and left me with all of her years of collecting to deal with. HELP, I am being buried alive by other people’s STUFF! Anyway, love this post, and will continue to trudge forward, hope you will too! LV Your blog.
angela