It's official! Summer is here and I, Allan Torp, am back with great new finds and favorites that I'm hoping you'll like as much as I do. Have you made your summer plans already? I just came back from a visit to Lisbon, Portugal, and can highly recommend a visit, definitely check out no. 4 below, which is a few words about my stay at a very homey guesthouse. I will be spending the rest of my summer in Los Angeles working on updating my office and our own guesthouse, which might be listed on Airbnb at some point, who knows... If so, I'll let you know.

1 // FURNITURE:

Honestly, this Danish brand has not been on my mind much for the past years, but just recently  Klip Klap launched three new pieces of furniture, which made their way to my radar. A new console table, a lounge chair, and a bench, all produced with oak and a touch of velvet. Together, you can have a complete lounge arrangement that feels polished but not unrelated to Klip Klap's initial design. Very stylish, minimalistic, and perfectly Scandinavian.

2 // ART:

I heard that you'll want to book ahead for this one and you should probably expect queues for, 1932 – Love, Fame, Tragedy. Tate Modern’s first solo Picasso exhibition (VIDEO HERE) is a month-by-month journey through the artist’s prolific, “year of wonders”. The 100-plus works include Girl Before a Mirror, which seldom leaves New York’s MoMA, and The Dream, which has never been shown in the UK before. It also reunites three reclining nudes – of his lover Marie-Thérèse Walter – for the first time in 85 years. The exhibition is open until September 9th, so there is plenty of time to line up.

3 // DECORATE:

An item I’m seeing used more and more, which also has been overlooked in the décor world for a while, is the screen or room divider, which is really making a comeback. They come in many sizes, colors, and materials, one that I really like is the all natural oak screen by Danish brand Hübsch.

4 // SLEEP:

As mentioned in my opening hello, I went to visit Lisbon recently and loved it. This was certainly not my last visit. We were a group of 16 people and all of us stayed at the wonderfully modern and very homey guesthouse, Mi Casa En Lisbon, nested on the Graça hill overlooking Lisbon. Perfectly located, and within walking distance to all the great sites. It’s a beautiful house designed by Ábaton Architecture with interior design by María Ulecia, creator of the concept, owner, and soul of the place. The house has nine bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and beautiful common areas to be shared by guests and friends with stunning views to be enjoyed from almost every corner of the house.

5 // LISTEN:

I am obsessed with the Fab5 on Netflix, and season 2 just launched. Binge watched it yet? It really is some of the only feel good TV on right now, as everything is else is kind of dark. Anyway together with Betty Who the five guys have released a new version of the theme song All Things Just Keep Getting Better, which seriously makes me smile every time I hear it.

6 // GROOM:

I came across Nimu, an Italian company founded in Rome, and while they produce the most amazing home textiles, I simply needed to try out their handmade natural soaps. In Denmark, we traditionally don’t use soap bars but liquid soaps.  However, I find soap bars much nicer – extra bonus is the great scents you get in your bathroom as well. My favorite is probably the olive oil soap, as it’s basically nothing else than olive oil in a bar – ideal for your freshly tan but dryish skin.

Also this summer I'm packing products by The Lost Explorer, which is also 100% natural skincare. I’ve been using the Oil Free Moisturizer and Volcanic Face Scrub almost every night before bed on my travels which is making my face look clean, fresh and almost glowing in the morning. All of the products come in carry-on travel sizes, so no need to check-in your bags just because you’re bringing nice toiletries.

7 // READ:

I don’t always love Instagram, most days I do, but sometimes it can feel like a burden. I do look at it like its part of my job to share and curate my feed for all my followers. I sometimes find though that several weeks pass without visiting or seeing anything interesting. I have often asked myself: How many likes will this get? Am I funny enough? Hot enough? Does this look too edited? Or too real?  I am surely not the only one asking these questions! Just a few weeks ago, I came across an article, “ The Dark Side Of Social Media”, written by Emma Hope Allwood, which I really enjoyed, asking the question if Instagram is becoming a trap and seriously harming our mental health.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

8 // EAT:

I'm always on the hunt for new restaurants, especially in cities I know I’ll soon be visiting. A new Middle Eastern hot spot just popped up in LA’s Arts District called Bavel, with interiors influenced by Morocco and Turkey. Chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis have roots in Israel, Morocco, Turkey, and Egypt, so they wanted to open a restaurant that showcases the cuisine from their family lineage. Who doesn’t love a nicely designed restaurant with equally gorgeous food? I am for sure ordering lots of hummus, baba ghanoush, and flatbread when I arrive soon!

9 // SHOP:

If you find yourself in Stockholm this summer, drop by the modern family-owned concept store, 28quadrat, located in the center of Stockholm. They carry a cool selection of great designs from all over the world. Their assortment mainly consists of interior design and fashion accessories from contemporary and innovative design brands. They work with well-renowned brands but also with smaller, talented designers. Bonus: The store is always open for an espresso and a chat at around the big table when you stop by.

10 // ONE LAST THING:

Do yourself a favor and serve a Ripple Rhapsody – a taste of home according to Danish design brand Ferm Living, who created this amazing, easy to mix, cocktail which is perfect for the summer. Cheers!

See you in July for my favorite things! - Allan Torp

[Editor's Note: All grooming products are gifted as part of reviewing for this column on decor8 in partnership between Allan Torp and the brands. This review is provided by Allan Torp for decor8, any collaborations are his own. All words and opinions are his own.]