A few of my favorite things: Spagat
Hi everyone and happy Friday to you! My name is Sidsel Gaustadnes from the blog Spagat and I live directly north of Holly, only in Denmark. I’m visiting while Holly is settling in to her new life in northern Germany. A little about myself… I’m a graphic designer – running my own design studio Spagat in Århus, Denmark where I live in the old city center with my husband Klaus and our 5-year-old daughter Nanna. Would you like to see a few of my favorite things?
My dinning room, photo by Hanne Stroyer. My favourite room in my home is our dinning room because it’s the heart of our home. This is where we eat all our meals, draw, play games and spend time with our guest. It’s also the room with the most natural light and the room where my favourite painting hangs by local artist Søren Behncke.
Cabinet – My puffin and my collection of shells, seahorses, stones and sea urchin are also some of my favourite things. I love to collect stuff when I walk on the beach and by the sea – and these are all souvenirs from trips near and far. The acrylic cabinet, Display Me is by Hay.
Map – Another favourite thing is the huge world map hanging in our bedroom. It’s like the old school maps with a 3D effect – and I love to look at it to discover new places and learn about the sizes and locations of various countries, rivers and mountains. We like to travel a lot – especially to Asia – so the map is also a great way to teach our daughter where we’ve been and where we’ll be going next.
Flowers – Fresh flowers and art work are some other favorites you’ll find in my home. I have quite a collection of vases in all shapes and sizes – because I ALWAYS have fresh flowers in my home either from the local market or someone’s garden. My collection of art work mainly consists of collages and paintings by creative friends – and prints that I’ve found online. I love Etsy!
Girly things - Other favorites are some of the toys ( not all) that comes when you have a 5-year old girl in the house. I actually collected childrens books and toys long before I became a mother – but now I have the perfect excuse to keep on doing it! The wooden blocks and the Japanese kokeshi doll was also intended for my studio – but they somehow ended up in Nanna’s room.
My studio, photo by Hanne Stroyer – My design studio is another favourite thing – it´s my second home and located only 5 minutes by foot from our apartment. The studio is like having “a room of my own” – even though I share the space with my lovely studio mate Line who works as an artist/architect. The studio is located on a small path, and the doors open out to a small garden with apple and pear trees. I used to live just next to the studio for 5 years and always dreamt of having my studio there some day – even though I didn’t really need a studio back then – well 18 months ago I moved in!
So I guess it’s very appropriate to finish my little visit here at decor8 with my favourite quote; “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams – live the life you’ve imagined.” -Thoreau.
I think this is exactly what Holly is doing right now – and I wish her so much luck and happiness with her new life in Germany – and I wish you all a great summer! – Sidsel
(images: Spaget and photographer Hanne Stroyer)
Tags: favorite things
August 14th, 2009 at 6:52 am
What a lovely, bright and cheery home! Thank you for the wonderful quote – just what I needed to hear today!
.-= Brenda´s last blog ..Chocolat Neckwarmer =-.
August 14th, 2009 at 8:10 am
Thanks for sharing the name for this type of Japanese dolls. I received one as a gift from my father (from a business trip to Japan) when I was about 7 and just brought from my parents’ house to my own! It is good to know what it is called.
.-= Martha´s last blog ..Pure Modern on Sale =-.
August 14th, 2009 at 8:22 am
OMG, absolutely gorgeous home!
I’m so happy to know that there are many beautiful souls in the world who are following their dreams and creating the life of their own dreams! Thank you for sharing, it has brightened my day!
.-= eva´s last blog ..I finally … =-.
August 14th, 2009 at 8:24 am
your blog is awesome”spagat”.Great posting. Love the dining room I can see why it’s the heart of your home.Beautiful studio. That is sure a great quote very motivating. :=)
.-= Petergaye Kisielewicz/yahgie´s last blog ..Lazy Friday-sleep, relax and be calm =-.
August 14th, 2009 at 8:27 am
Sidsel,
Your room does in fact have lovely light. It looks very European to me. The light always seems different there.
You’ve got a great home. Thanks for showing us around!
Hazel Smith, Canada.
.-= Hazel´s last blog ..Dream On…It’s Time to Redecorate =-.
August 14th, 2009 at 8:39 am
I love the display cabinet! It really modernizes such a beautiful natural history collection.
.-= Diana´s last blog ..Creative Packaging =-.
August 14th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Great post! Love the house and the studio!!! We all need to be reminded of that quote on a daily basis.
.-= Marlene´s last blog ..Whimsical Bird Print =-.
August 14th, 2009 at 9:02 am
I can’t WAIT to have my own studio – that looks SO lovely and inspirational!!
August 14th, 2009 at 9:19 am
What a beautiful studio! I love the map too, my son and I are always getting out our little globe to investigate the world, I think a whole wall of world wonder would be way more fun. Thanks for a great post.
.-= Janet´s last blog ..Ok, I Give… =-.
August 14th, 2009 at 9:41 am
I love your studio!! So bright and airy. It looks perfect to showcase all your gorgeous designs. I bought the same doll from our last trip in Hong Kong in a street market, well one yellow for my daughter and one red for me..I love them, they are really cute and cheerful.
And where did you get the gorgeous blue top you’re wearing on your Spagat website? It’s beautiful!
http://bodieandfou.blogspot.com/
http://www.bodieandfou.com
August 14th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Oh….I am in love! Your home is absolutely gorgeous and I adore your sweet puffin/ sea life scape…that display case is perfect! Your studio is heavenly and you look to be as beautiful as your home! Thank you so much for sharing!
xp
Melis
.-= Melissa de la Fuente´s last blog ..Melissa loves: Kari Herer =-.
August 16th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Very nice studio!
.-= Penny Patten´s last blog ..Name My Birds,(Chickens that is…) Contest =-.
August 17th, 2009 at 4:12 am
Beautiful space…I love the dining room, especially the light and the painting.
August 17th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Thanks for all your sweet comments – I must say that Holly has some lovely readers :)
I´m so happy you like the quote – because I really believe it to be true…
@bodieandfou- the blue dress I´m wearing on my website is by Danish designer Susanne Rutzou – http://www.rutzou.com – but it´s from spring ´07.
.-= sidsel_._´s last blog ..Decor8 – Favorite Things =-.