Skip to content

Tortus Copenhagen Ceramics: Studio + Collection

If you’ve been following me for awhile, you know I have a big thing for ceramics. I even have a pinboard dedicated to some of my favorites. So when I heard from the newly formed Danish ceramics company called Tortus Copenhagen over the weekend, I know at first sight that I had to share both their studio and work with you today. This is a cooperation between two established danish ceramists, Eric Landon and Karin Blach Nielsen. You have to watch this video showing Eric throwing a vessel on a pottery wheel, it really helps you to appreciate the process and to realize that each vessel is made with such care out of their studio. For me, this makes these unique pieces worth every cent. Tortus Copenhagen has three key collections, Unika (my personal favorite), Fluted and Basic. Here is a glimpse into their small studio along with some of their products. Enjoy!

Tortus Copenhagen Ceramics: Studio + Collection

Tortus Copenhagen Ceramics: Studio + Collection

Tortus Copenhagen Ceramics: Studio + Collection

Tortus Copenhagen Ceramics: Studio + Collection

Tortus Copenhagen Ceramics: Studio   Collection

Tortus Copenhagen Ceramics: Studio + Collection

Tortus Copenhagen Ceramics: Studio   Collection

Tortus Copenhagen Ceramics: Studio + Collection

Tortus Copenhagen Ceramics: Studio + Collection

Tortus Copenhagen Ceramics: Studio + Collection

Tortus Copenhagen Ceramics: Studio + Collection

Tortus Copenhagen Ceramics: Studio   Collection

If you would like to order, please visit their online shop.

(images: tortus)

Posted in Arts + Crafts on May 13, 2013

Berlin Apartment of Karena Schuessler

Good morning friends! How was your weekend? Before I show you this exclusive feature given to me from FvonF (it hasn’t been shown elsewhere until now), I have to tell you about my weekend! I went to my first flea market of the year and picked up some vintage porcelain and fabric, finished my tiny balcony spruce-up (photos here), found some great props for an upcoming shoot in a very random place (a garden shop in the country!), and went to the (ahhhh) Rosenthal outlet in Wolfsburg, Germany (about 30 minutes from where I live) and went a little crazy buying more props for a shoot next week. I walked away with the Fast White vase 10cm, Pollo vase 20cm, the Punktrelief vase 18cm and the 20cm one, Reunion vase 23cm (which I’ve wanted for two years!), Vibrations 32cm vase and the Surface white mat vase 20cm. I added them to my current collection of 11 white vintage porcelain vases from mostly Barvaria and West Germany from Royal Porzellan, Kaiser, Krautheim and Eschenbach. I want to photograph them in a very special way so I needed a lot of them to do the job! I think the best part about styling interiors is that you have the perfect excuse to shop!

Berlin Apartment of Karena Schuessler

Today, I’m putting in an order at House Doctor for more goodies and the lovely people at Little Owl sent over a roll of gorgeous wallpaper that I can use, too. Life can have some real high points sometime, can’t it?

Are you ready for another week of inspiration? Good! Today I thought we’d get started by touring the very artsy eclectic Berlin apartment belonging to Galerist Karena Schuessler who is originally from Hannover. She was also once a a shoe designer in Florence and Paris but now resides in Berlin where she collects and sells art and design pieces. Her period apartment drips in old world details but she kept the space light and bright to show off some of her favorite pieces of art but in a not-so-serious way – there is a lot of quirk in this space and I like that a lot! This gorgeous apartment is located in Berlin’s Charlottenburg district, which is known to be a very trendy place where lots of interesting people with cool jobs live. Check it out…

Berlin Apartment of Karena Schuessler

Berlin Apartment of Karena Schuessler
I like looking through the living room into the kitchen. And the kitchen has a fireplace – so rare in homes here – I love seeing this!

Berlin Apartment of Karena Schuessler
Here’s a peek at the kitchen workspace. I like the clean lines.

Berlin Apartment of Karena Schuessler

I love the ceiling in her kitchen, wow! That rhino on top of the cabinetry made me laugh. I like sense-of-humor in a home and this space definitely has character and wit!

Berlin Apartment of Karena Schuessler

Doesn’t that Louis Poulsen Artichoke pendant look so unusual and gorgeous at this angle?

Berlin Apartment of Karena Schuessler

Here’s a view from the living room into her home office. Look at that bookcase!

Berlin Apartment of Karena Schuessler

I thought I had a little problem with book collecting. I feel better now.

Berlin Apartment of Karena Schuessler

I love that Karena has a crush on white vases too. These look pretty in her bedroom.

Berlin Apartment of Karena Schuessler

Here is a close up of that low bookcase in her bedroom. When you see bookcases in photos, do you also squint to see if you can make out titles? I love to see what people are reading, I’m so curious like that. I really like that sculpture in the far left corner in the clear box, too. Want to see it close up?

Berlin Apartment of Karena Schuessler

Gorgeous, right?

Berlin Apartment of Karena Schuessler

I like this painting done on newspaper…
Berlin Apartment of Karena Schuessler

This light is rad!

Berlin Apartment of Karena Schuessler

Inspiring little corner…

Berlin Apartment of Karena Schuessler

What a pretty bag!

All of these photos came from the lovely FvonF who asked me if I’d like to pick and post a home tour from their site and I agreed right away as I’m a real fan of their work. Their new FvF iPad Magazine is online now and available in the itunes Store, too. You can find more information here. Thanks FvonF!

(Photography: Ailine Liefeld)

Posted in design on May 13, 2013

Debut: Abigail Ryan Hand-Illustrated Wallpaper

I love the gorgeous wallpaper care package that Abigail and her husband Ryan from Abigail Ryan design in Belfast sent over yesterday! I immediately tore into the pretty box (which was wrapped in wallpaper) and upon seeing their samples, I literally gasped. I love these hand-illustrated papers and the fresh and fabulous colorways. I immediately thought, “neon pink washi tape!”, so I grabbed a roll and stuck them to my wooden cabinet so I could show you how stunning they are. I think neon really works with these papers so if I were to design a room using one, I would definitely have a neon accent somewhere in the room.

Debut: Abigail Ryan Hand-Illustrated Wallpaper

Debut: Abigail Ryan Hand-Illustrated Wallpaper

Debut: Abigail Ryan Hand-Illustrated Wallpaper

Inspired by flowers, Abigail hand-illustrated four wallpapers using two patterns and four colorways: Flamingo, Powder Puff, Maraschino and Margarita. I love how vibrant these are! Abigail and Ryan Bell started their company based in Ireland back in 2009. Their products are sold at Liberty in London, Fenwick on Bond Street and have been featured in high end design mags like Elle Decoration and Livingetc.

They’ll be launching their Spring/Summer collection, which includes this wallpaper along with throw pillows and table linens, at Pulse at booth LP58 (wish I could go, this will be an amazing show!) from May 12-14 so if you are in London, do head over to Earls Court and pay them a visit. And in a few weeks, they will be available online so bookmark their site and visit them towards the end of May to place your order! I just ordered 4 rolls for a project, I’ll show you the results eventually… :)

What do you think? Which is your favorite?

(images: holly becker for decor8)

Posted in walls on May 09, 2013

Renovated Victorian Dream Home

Yeah, my eyes just about fell out as I gazed upon this renovated victorian home in Melbourne, Australia today. I mean, how gorgeous is this place? You can see more of it here on this fab site I found called Trendland though it seems they found it on The Design Files where you can read all about this home, see a ton more photos, and learn about the homeowners and things in it. I sometimes feel like I’ve seen it all when it comes to homes but then I come across something like this and think, wow, this is so posh. Yes, please.

Dreamy home in Australia

I love this cheerful painting and I love seeing it in-situ (below) even more. I think this is so important when it comes to interiors photography, to not just show tight shots but to zoom out and show a bit more action so you can get a sense of space. What do you think?

Dreamy home in Australia

Bright colors are so peppy, they look so inviting and energetic in this living room – and that rug is divine. I adore light, airy and colorful rooms like this and they seem to work so well in Australia as it seems to be a country bathed in light.

Dreamy home in Australia

It’s nice to see the living room from this angle, looking out towards the yard.

Dreamy home in Australia

And equally nice to see the home from the outside looking in. I wish more interiors books did this but I think it’s a privacy issue as well as a lawn maintenance issue – lots of people have beautiful homes but not so attractive yards. In this case, the photographer got lucky – gorgeous outside and in!

Dreamy home in Australia

When you need to “up” the cuteness factor, just add a cute dog or cat.

Dreamy home in Australia

I like all of the contrasts here in materials – wood, iron, marble… I also like how they’ve merged wood on the ceiling with a monochromatic kitchen, it really warms up the space making it feel a bit retro modern too. That oven gets crazy bonus points. Love.

Dreamy home in Australia

Dreamy home in Australia

Oh god that pillow. Stop it, please. TOO CUTE.

Dreamy home in Australia

Gorgeous blanket!

Dreamy home in Australia

Dreamy home in Australia

I really like this pendant light, and I mean REALLY like it. And the brass curtain rod is super pretty and perfect for the space for that touch of elegance. You need a little bling in a space, don’t you?

Did you spot any details that you fell in love with? Which ones?

(images: Brooke Holm)

Posted in design on May 07, 2013

Etsy Take Five Tuesday

It’s time to look at some inspiring Etsy sellers this week, are you ready? I hope you are and if not, you will be the moment you start scrolling down because I found some really pretty things for you to look over today.

Etsy Take Five Tuesday

I’ve been a fan of textile designer and illustrator Caitlin Shearer for ages. I love her recent work and think you will too. Gorgeous!

Etsy Take Five Tuesday

You have to check out The House That Lars Built if you love paper flowers or floral-themed prints, cards and wedding invitations. She takes custom orders, too.

Etsy Take Five Tuesday

Julie from Pamplemouss is a big fan of geometry, triangles and bright happy colors. Her zip pouches come in all sizes and are super cute.

Etsy Take Five Tuesday

I found out about pattern designer Joëlle Wehkamp from sjoesjoe in Amsterdam through a good friend and I have recently fallen in love with her butterflies over on Etsy. These illustrations are so cute!

Etsy Take Five Tuesday

Shade on Shape has some very nice looking stripe-y vases and I love their candle holders. Great for lovers of pastels!

(images: linked to their sources above.)

Posted in Etsy Take 5 Tuesday on May 07, 2013
Blogging Your Way

Books:

Available now on Amazon

Further editions available include: Portuguese, Danish, Czech, Slovak, French

Courses:

Next dates

Blogging Your Way At Home with Holly
December 8 & 9, 2012
Find out more and sign up now.

Blogging Your Way e-course
Photography and Styling, October 2013
Find out more and sign up now