Makrame

Makrame - the word that led me to Morocco and to Sweden and back to Germany 30 years ago... Not quite yet physically travelling, but a journey of the very young creative mind.

With a sailor in the family and much water around and grandma's small farm operation to enjoy, rope was everywhere: boats, horses, ornaments - they all depended on these natural threads.

It is not only a pleasure to see them reemerge, it seems that the longevity and versatility of rope has made a comeback for reasons of sustainability - we have come to understand that it is a much superior material to plastic!

Thank you, DS, for inspiring me again to assemble and braid some strings!!! With Easter holidays looming, Miss T will have to show some enthusiasm and may hop to school with a little makrame bag of her own soon...
Have you tried it? Please share your creations!!!

Naturally, Anke

Make An Entrance!

The girls from Nordic Fusion in Manly, Sydney, have done some great work bringing Nordic Design to Australia - they shared this beautiful home shot today on FB - a rare find!!!











It looks like it could be a weekend project!
And don't you love the wide entrance door with the glass panel? Practical yet stylish and visually pleasing! All shown materials could easily be sourced second-hand - particularly the glasswares and ceramics...
And that thought makes me want to go to Varmland this Australian winter and check out more loppis! ;-)

Naturally, Anke

Dream On

I am contemplating donating my Dream to the opp-shop. Remember those letters and words that you could/did/wanted to scatter throughout the house? My dear Sara dislikes them and she has a point: If you put love into your front window, are you a lovelier person? Is your household filled with positive energy? Are your family members content and happy? Better put happiness onto the living room wall,too, for good measure!

Dream was already at the front door on its way out, when both Miss T and my man objected, quel surprise!!! Maybe Dream is not as invasive as love or as pressurising as happiness...

So it got a second chance on the balcony wall... half out, so-to-say. Against the gritty brown urban background, it actually works much better than before!

Speaking of dreams:

I have a dream that Nordik By Nature will develop into a little creative studio with a tiny production line, making accessories, clothing and furniture from recycled fabrics and shirts, dresses, skirts, and other materials - a re- and upcycle hub really! I dream to be the creative director of a company that develops every aspect of the business with ethical and sustainable practice and technology in mind. I would love to see us taking our passions and dream to work, making a living and living our dream as the critical mass of people who appreciate reuse-reduce-recycle grows and grows.

Naturally, Anke

Bunnies by Anja

Frau Kaennchen has done it again: I am in love with Anja Rieger's bunnies!!! Animal friends, alive and imagined, are very very important in our household, see these beauties. They put a smile on our faces every single day. 

Aren't they adorable???

If you think so too, but are not quite sure where you could feature them, check out the Design Ideas. Anja's website is in German, but you can visit her on FB and she does speak English! Thank you, Anja!!!

Naturally, Anke

The Est Magazine

The Est Magazine is a revelation! To me anyway...!

Is is testimony to my friend B's remark yesterday that our life has been influenced by Nordic design, but less so by Nordic culture or food - but with the rise of Swedish thriller writing and Australian-Danish relations growing from top to bottom of society and business, this is changing. This issue of the mag is just plain wonderful, a treat for every design & decor sweet-tooth!

By the way, please watch the Swedish original, not the US release - you WILL enjoy the authentic plot and landscape more in its homeland setting, promise.










Naturally, Anke

Prada goes Pril

If you grew up in Germany in the 1970s, chances are your mum would have bought ONE brand of dishwashing liquid - THE ONE: Pril. We kids loved it, because there would be stickers on the back: the very decorative Pril flowers. Sooner or later, these would appear on kitchen appliances, cupboards, homework books, VW combi vans, etc etc.

Now, strike me down if I am wrong..., but I came across an image in HB mag yesterday, showing a nice little 2-piece outfit from the Italian fashion label apparently worn by the devil...

Am I imagining things or have they taken inspiration from the humble Pril flower? Not a bad adaption, though, definitely more wearable than the above Tee.

It is however another proof that some things should never get lost and never be forgotten - I think I will love the Pril flower forever - for its symmetry, its great original bold colours, it naive take on graphic design in its infant boots... A bit of melancholia for the past and great joy that it has surfaced again! ;-))

Naturally, Anke

Things that say who you are

Just my luck: I was blessed with these two beauties crossing my desk a couple of days ago - do they resonate with recent postings or do they...???

I have the need to carry or style or plainly own things that say who I am. I like to express myself in the details that I wear and live in and place around me. And I like to do so with found objects, read: second-hand, opp-shop, curb-collected, given, traded or otherwise-ly found items.





I have a sneaking suspicion that in the next few weeks, I will increasingly share some of these Anke-objects with you - so if you want to get to know me better ;-)

Naturally, Anke

My Inspiration: “Home is an invention on which no one has yet improved.” Ann Douglas

This is where I come from. And these will be my stories.

Naturally, Anke