A few of my favorite things: Hygge House

Hello I’m Alex and while Holly is living my dream of moving back to Europe, I’m posting here as part of her guest series. I’m especially glad that Holly only asked for a few things as I actually only have a few things as I live pretty minimally with the idea of buying only what you love or need. It’s a topic that I write a lot about on my blog, Hygge House where living well and living simply encompass the Danish word “hygge.”

When I first moved to Los Angeles in 2004, I felt really overwhelmed by the city, the lifestyle and all the mansions and Hollywood sets I was visiting – especially since I was living in a very small apartment. I had moved with little to no furniture (it was less expensive to buy new than to move what I had) and made my first priority buying something that would define my new home but also provide comfort. I had a custom made couch that was (and still is) my biggest home purchase. By paying cash and boldy asking for a discount, I ended up getting it for 25% off the original price (and I’m not a haggler and am shy, so if I can do it, anyone can). The couch is fully slipcovered in white denim and matilisse print on top of the pillows. All the pillows and sofa cushion are down-filled and because it’s 6′ long, it’s the perfect cosy couch or bed. It has been my staple piece and I’m thankful I had the courage to buy something expensive and big! It anchored me in more ways than one. In this photo are so many other things I love – my ottoman (made out of recycled tarps from South America), my first big art piece that I sold prints of, a Pottery Barn floor model chair I bought for $99 (and carried 5 blocks home!) and of course, my dog Jack. I love this room because it’s really comforting but polished enough for guests and nothing here was paid full price for. Living well doesn’t mean living expensive – it’s about buying the best you can even if it’s on sale.

When I was young I used to sleep under and make forts with this quilt until my mum decided it wasn’t able to withstand being used and took it away. I was devastated because I had begun to associate this blanket with comfort and cosyness (see a theme already?). But my mum explained that the history of the blanket to me; how it was made by my great, great aunt in Denmark 80 years ago and every square was cut and stitched by hand. And that delicate handy work needed to be carefully preserved. And so it was tucked away for a long time until a few years ago I ended up having very painful jaw surgery and had to sleep sitting upright at my mum’s house. She felt so bad for me that she brought out the blanket and tucked it around me. It wasn’t painkillers that got me through the night – it was the comfort of that blanket. My mum gifted me the blanket a couple of years ago and it’s been sitting out proudly since.

The location of this bookcase has moved since this photo but everything else is the same. It’s an inexpensive Expedit case from Ikea that I turned on its side and put all my favourite and colourful hardcover books on. I. Love. Books. Love them. I am guilty of sometimes buying a book for its cover and not reading it. I don’t own a lot of art so to me, having these books and colours displayed help give colour to my otherwise all-white flat. The treehouse on top was a project I made for Anthropologie a year or so ago which my mother helped make a couple of the flowers over Christmas break, so it has that little personal connection as does the two Royal Copenhagen Porcelain tea light holders on top. When I took my mum back to Denmark a couple of years ago, she bought these as a souvenir for me since Royal Copenhagen has been so dear to our family for generations. When I burn candles in them, I think of that trip and of her. Simple things, simple pleasures.

I’ve never been a huge fan of the inspiration board simply because a lot of the boards were ugly. But when I saw this one ($12 at a frame store) I knew I could finally have a place to tack up my favourite inspirational goodies. I go through phases of what is inspiring to me but these are the things that tend to stay the same. The print is from Kelly Rae Roberts and says “She learned to cup possibility in her hands” an idea I just love. The little glass girl is also a gift from my mother on our trip to Denmark. I draw stick figures a lot and draw myself exactly like that, so when we saw her in a little artist shop in Denmark (on my birthday no less) my mum bought her for me and introduced me to the artist that made it. It’s actually one of my most favourite possessions because of that memory and the way in which I identify her as totally possible.

There are a few things I’m known for and one of them is certainly my adoration of Anthropologie – there isn’t a photo here that Anthropologie hasn’t been a part of. And if you want to know what started it all, it was these curtains. I bought them about eight years ago when the stores actually carried curtains and rods. At the time, I could only afford two panels and they were the first fancy curtains I bought. They’ve since become a bedroom staple for me (and thankfully Anthropologie began to sell them again, and I was able to buy a couple more panels for 40% off!). I love this nook and use it almost every day; it’s my “getting ready” area. The hand-stitched linen was a gift from my mum to cover a very inexpensive table from Ikea (that she also found for $25 in the “As Is” section). The table has a shelf I keep my blow dryer and makeup on and I use the mirror to get ready. The flowers are actually hair accessories that I’m not bold enough to wear but like to look at. The photos are from Lady Beauchamp and Joséphine de Beauharnais; I like to be around fancy company when I’m getting ready! And my Orla Kiely suitcase has been one of my favourite and most-used purchases. With travel feeling more like a greyhound bus than an exciting adventure, every little bit of whimsy you can bring helps. And rolling through airports and pulling up to hotels with this bag helps me feel happy about travel instead of exhausted.

My style and inspirations… I love modern, I love minimal, I love shabby chic and bohemian mixed with a little fancy. I can’t define my style as one of these and I think looking through these photos you tend to see a little bit of everything. I really believe in the “live well, live simply” lifestyle but also believe that doesn’t have to mean spending a lot or living with nothing. I tend to buy the best I can afford or I just go without it. Making ‘do’ by buying something inexpensive in the meantime seems wasteful to me both financially and physically (since you’ll have to get rid of the product at some point to upgrade or it’ll fall apart soon and you’ll have to keep replacing it). Having a home that is filled with things that are useful and/or beautiful to me means I love being at home and also sharing that with a constant stream of guests. And I also don’t feel overwhelmed by my space nor do I ever feel like it’s lacking in anything (this doesn’t stop me from looking online and in magazines at home ideas, however! It just keeps me content with what I have now). Also, there’s nothing too precious that I’d be afraid to lose in a fire or if my dogs tail knocked over.

Because more important than any one thing is enjoying your life and knowing that’s the biggest and best asset you have. And hopefully your home reflects that. - Alex

Editor’s Note: Since this post was originally written, Alex has taken an exciting new job and will be relocating to the east coast tomorrow to Philadelphia, PA. And guess where? At the Anthropologie headquarters. Surprise, surprise! — congrats, Alex! – Holly

(images: alex, hygge house)

Tags: favorite things