Oooooh I have some gorgeous inspiration for you today from a magazine that is new-to-me called Mad & Bolig published in Denmark. The more I see Danish magazines, the more I want to drive up north to visit a country that obviously has amazing taste and style. Mad & Bolig is a magazine that I found today via the lovely artist Sidsel Gaustadnes who authors the Spagat blog (please be sure to visit her blog!).
But yes, back to this fab magazine… as I sit here and get lost in the virtual pages of Mad & Bolig I’m starting to feel like the winter lull will soon be over and perhaps then I’ll feel motivated to travel. I’m excited to plan some Summer vacations up north because I’ve never stepped foot into Denmark and I think going there would be just delightful. Plus, why move to Europe and not see these places, right? Many of our German friends drive up and stay in vacation homes on the Danish coast, it’s pretty common for the northern Germans I think — so perhaps I’ll join them. But for now, until I can be there myself, I will bask in the glow of the beautiful Danish magazines that I’m finding online. Ah.
Don’t you just love these rooms? They make me daydream of owning a summer cottage by the shore. Fresh, colorful, position — each injected with such spirit and personality.
(images: mad & bolig)
February 2nd, 2010 at 4:48 pm
Loving that blue checkered floor in the first pic. What fun!!
thedoodlegirl´s last blog ..Illustration Friday: Focus
February 2nd, 2010 at 4:52 pm
There is a reason why design is one of the first things that come to your mind when you hear about northern countries! They are just simple, cozy and beautiful, no fuss. Thanks for sharing these, Holly! And I almost forgot – you should totally go there when you get a chance!! That would be so awesome :)
Iva´s last blog ..DECO myplace
February 2nd, 2010 at 4:56 pm
Well, as you may remember I live in Denmark but I’ve yet to see an actual home look anything like this. It’s not that Danish design isn’t good, it’s just that the standard Danish home is much different from this. If you visit I hope you’ll come to Copenhagen as there are many places here I think you’ll love! Let me know if you want a personal guided tour. :-D
Honey´s last blog ..Wondeful work by Shaz Madani
February 2nd, 2010 at 5:28 pm
All the flooring is to die for!!
laura trevey´s last blog ..Lucky Bee Press
February 2nd, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Oh Holly, you HAVE to make the most of it. I was in Denmark and we drove to Germany for a beer :) Denmark and Sweden are so close and full of the best design stores, the nicest houses and people with exceptional taste! It’s a shame Europeans don’t travel more, with everything at their doorstep (compared to here in Australia, neighbours are a little further afield)!!
Kate´s last blog ..A Desert Safari
February 2nd, 2010 at 5:31 pm
totally love it – could imagine moving straight in here and being blissfully pleased about it all!
jules
jules @ the diversion project´s last blog ..Turquoise Pad
February 2nd, 2010 at 5:57 pm
I really like danish interior magazines too :o) For years my favorite has been Bolig Magasinet. I also wanted to mention that Copenhagen is well worth the visit, either in December for the beautiful decorations in the Tivoli or in the summertime when people enjoy their beer out on the streets :o)
February 2nd, 2010 at 6:00 pm
gorgeous! i love the little bunny on the 1st one :)
Helena´s last blog ..Julia you are my heroine
February 2nd, 2010 at 6:01 pm
…you must to go to denmark…you will love it there, holly…with relatives in Sweden, I have a very strong relationship with the Scandinavian countries…is for me like a “second home”…as children we were always very much in the holidays in sweden and denmark…and I love their eye for the simple and natural decorating…is so amazing…so plan your summertime really there…;)…
frauheuberg´s last blog ..collector´s passion
February 2nd, 2010 at 6:39 pm
LOVE. Ahhhhhh……..
susan ´s last blog ..Delta Pilar Faucet – Touch20 Technology
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:32 pm
Yummm! Such delicious eye candy. I adore all the pops of color, especially paired with the earthy browns.
Mama Without Borders´s last blog ..Lusting for pink and gray
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:19 pm
The corner bench with the different-patterned cushions is just utter perfection… Looks like such a relaxed and relaxing place…
Ivana´s last blog ..beauty
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:59 pm
Egad, this might be a sign that I REALLY need to paint my hardwoods.
Katie Stephenson´s last blog ..meet art wall artist: jennifer squires
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:25 pm
I love those floors in the top photo! It’s like a modern take on when Martha Stewart painted plaid floors…
Juliet´s last blog ..Tearoom Toy
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Does all of Europe only have white walls?
Sprout´s last blog ..Flora in Winter – Challenge Design Class
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:29 pm
Oh, thanks. Like I wasn’t already excited enough about moving to Copenhagen! My husband is there now and keeps telling me how amazing it is. He has met quite a few artists already (apparently the Danes are very friendly and happy to introduce him to their artsy friends.) He told me earlier that there is going to be a huge art fair in CPH in July, so I am super excited about getting there in time to attend.
Travelingmama´s last blog ..traveling {vicariously}
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:05 pm
Love the “old world feel” and yet so very freah and new!
February 3rd, 2010 at 3:53 am
Wonderful inspirational images. I once wrote in an essay in school “Das rauschens des Wellens will ich am morgen höre wenn ich aufwache”. Could be in this house!
Like the light photographs a lot.
I think you should go to Denmark and combine it with a trip to the Swedish west coast and visit the archipelago outside Gothenburg.
Caro-lines-images´s last blog ..The Art of Life
February 3rd, 2010 at 5:35 am
I really like the colorful chairs.
amber kane´s last blog ..Wrapped in Dreams
February 3rd, 2010 at 5:40 am
I go to Denmark – Aarhus-every year for work and just can’t get tired of it. And my friends from there sometimes send me those magazines or I’ll buy them at the airport (no Danish magazines in Portugal :( ). But it is a great country indeed. You must go there!
Ana´s last blog ..The Yellow Submarine
February 3rd, 2010 at 6:07 am
There is such a freshness in the feel of these spaces! We live in Australia in a old workers cottage and have polished the wooden floors…I do really love the rawness/painted look of the floors in the 3rd picture together with that amazing blue…WOW! Makes me want to renovate our kitchen!
MiniStylista´s last blog ..Monkeying around: Noosa
February 3rd, 2010 at 6:33 am
I love the couch with all the different cushions on it!
Muriël´s last blog ..Fresh
February 3rd, 2010 at 7:26 am
You definitely should go to Denmark. I live there too, and I agree with “Honey” that there is not many people living like the magazines show, but I have actually been fortunate enough to see a couple of homes which was pretty close to the glossy pages of a magazine.
sandra´s last blog ..Nature is showing off
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:37 am
I wish I could copy and paste pictures from the internet into my real life…hello cute little blue cabinets!
Evie´s last blog ..DIY: Framed
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:37 am
LOVE those rooms…especially the white-washed floors…
stacy di´s last blog ..the mad hatter.
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:50 am
wow, nice room setup and the theme as well. helpful in hot summer days to reduce the temperature.
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:19 am
SO beautiful….I particularly love those floors and all of the spots of color throughout….lovely.
xo
Melis
Melissa de la Fuente´s last blog ..Cheap & Chic: inspired by art on flickr
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:02 am
We do have some great magazines here in Denmark. I can also recommend Bolig Magasinet as well as Boligliv. I can also warmly recommend a visit to Denmark :)
Indie Mom and the Reluctant Banker´s last blog ..My latest purchase
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:54 am
Ooo, what fun! I love that sink. And the counter in the last photo. I can’t wait to explore their site!
Meredith´s last blog ..A Little Give: Lila Frances + a Giveaway!
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:00 pm
i do love these rooms and all the pops of color! i will definitely be saving this website for inspiration. thank you!
Down and Out Chic´s last blog ..Orange Crush: Wedding Style
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:11 pm
I love all of those rooms I really love those peach/shrimp colored chairs.
Debra´s last blog ..Chocolate Daisy Hair Jewelry
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:58 pm
When it comes to design the Danes are at the top. They have such a sense of humor in regards to color, it always makes me smile. Thanks for the beautiful spread…Cheers!
February 3rd, 2010 at 1:01 pm
I like the granite (?) top on the old desk in the kitchen. With the raised lip on the edge. Great old furniture piece with very functional top.
Countries in such close proximity to each other, that one can do lunch in one, and dinner in another. It isn’t often that we Americans would hear,
“Honey, can we go to lunch in Poland and then do Dinner in Denmark?”
That’s sort of cool.
Andy Mathis´s last blog ..Jerry’s Artarama- My ArtStars Entry
February 3rd, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Travelingmama – You are moving to copenhagen??? I didn’t realize that! Wow! Are you excited or what? Big change from Morocco. And will you study and learn Danish?
February 3rd, 2010 at 1:15 pm
I too love all this “Danish” and Scandinavian! I had a Danish grandfather, therefore I think I AM Danish too! I live in Canada but have visited Copenhagen 3 times and for some reason we are drawn to this country. It does not have the most beautiful scenery in Europe, but there is something about the city and danish style and the gorgeous people that is so inviting and “cool”. Jump on a train and you will arrive in Copenhagen a few hours later!
February 3rd, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Sprout – LOL ha! It does seem so, at least in magazines. :)
February 3rd, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Love the blue chairs in the first pic. I purchased swivel chairs in the same color at an estate sale for my basement. Thanks for the color inspiration!
February 3rd, 2010 at 2:35 pm
That couch with all it’s patterns and colours is great! And those are Tolix chairs in the first picture, right? They seem to be very popular right now, I see them everywhere!
Julia´s last blog ..Homework
February 3rd, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Agh, in the second picture, I mean…. I should have scrolled all the way back up before I commented..!
Julia´s last blog ..Homework
February 3rd, 2010 at 2:52 pm
I totally understand what you mean. I want to drive to Denmark for a couple of years now but everytime my spouse thinks of a different country to join our vacation with our kids… he think Denmark looks a lot like our country (The Netherlands). So we went to Iceland as a compasation (LOVED IT!) and this year he wants to go to Sweden… probably i will enjoy that just as much but cant help myself thinking: “WHEN ARE WE GOING TO DENMARK!” ;-)
February 3rd, 2010 at 5:03 pm
Sprout – I’m speaking for myself… Yes, most of the walls at my place are totally white…but I also have some that are… off whitish :D!!
Ana´s last blog ..The Yellow Submarine
February 3rd, 2010 at 5:31 pm
These rooms look like how I believe my house would be everything were tweaked and heightened. =) Perfection.
Shanon´s last blog ..Liquid Blues
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:08 pm
I love the blue tiles and the use of blue through out the pictures. I am quite mad about blue.
Shell´s last blog ..The Happy List
February 4th, 2010 at 1:03 am
we lived in Germany for a few years and I was always amazed when we crossed over into Denmark for short trips. Their decor is such a great mix of modern and cottage – something I am still trying to master myself! Luckily my best friend in Germany still sends me her mags that she buys from there…they are dreamy to peruse!
February 4th, 2010 at 7:53 am
Ana – LOL! I guess I’m just a little bored with so many pics (not just here, but all over the interwebs) of Euro homes with white walls, tall usually bare windows, with clear bright diffuse light. They’re all looking the same to me…
Perhaps because my apartment has white walls, ivory trim, tall windows (which have window coverings because, OK, I like a little privacy from the neighbors) that I’m not allowed to paint, makes me dream of more color!
Sprout´s last blog ..Centerpiece Prices
February 4th, 2010 at 8:07 am
Sprout – Maybe you are bored for a reason? Perhaps white doesn’t really suit your lifestyle or personal taste? Maybe you naturally like more color on the walls then you currently have? Or perhaps you need to take a weekend and refresh things in your home? Even if you just paint a really large canvas in a bold color or wrap it with fabric, or add some new curtains with a pattern, you can dramatically change your space. Sometimes when we find ourselves bored with a certain look it’s not because the look is boring but because it doesn’t really suit us personally.
February 4th, 2010 at 8:15 am
Maybe it’s just too much like the look I have? I’ve got as much color as one can put in a white apartment, like your photos, but I’m ready for something new!
Sprout´s last blog ..Centerpiece Prices
February 4th, 2010 at 9:03 am
Sprout – Well go for it, no one is holding you back! :) :) Throw up some wallpaper and have some fun!
February 4th, 2010 at 9:31 am
Only thing holding me back is the landlord! (tenant at will…)
Sprout´s last blog ..Centerpiece Prices
February 4th, 2010 at 9:55 am
Sprout – Landlords = Ugh.
February 4th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Oh, you definitely should go to Denmark! I lived there for a year after high school, and thought it was such a great country! If you go, and if you have time, definitely check out some of the small towns along the coast north and south of København – sleepy, but quaint.
monaluna´s last blog ..feeding my craft book addiction: Sew Liberated
February 4th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
decor8 – Indeed!
Sprout´s last blog ..Centerpiece Prices