IKEA WINTER 2017

The Winter and Holiday collection at IKEA is inspired by Iceland and showcases a pared down, more neutral collection than usual. I for one love to see inspirational imaged showing tables the way I actually dress them rather than over the top fantasies. Table settings without tablecloth and only simple white china is underrated. My favourite inspiration-take-away here is placing all silverware on the right side of the plate for a cleaner look. 

IMAGE: PRESS IMAGE IKEA 

A TALL ORDER

We live in small quarters, but with a large family and good neighbours there are plenty of occasions to invite people over for a Swedish fika. I've been looking for a tiered stand to serve many while leaving plenty of room on counters and tables for hot drinks and more snacks. This one from Bruka Design is best in show so far. You can take it apart between uses, so it stores easily. Pretty enough for a party, casual enough for a family gathering.

Now, if they would just make the rod in two sizes, so I could choose how high I want to stack my baked goods (a.k.a how much time I used sleeping the night before instead of baking) it would be a definite winner.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE BRUKA DESIGN, USED WITH PERMISSION

POKER

Besides tasting, there's only one way to check whether your cakes, potatoes and carrots are cooked. 

Our tester is broken and its substitutes are leaving ugly holes in our food. The best looking potatissticka from Iris is now available at Bagaren och Kocken. 

IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE BAGAREN OCH KOCKEN WEBSHOP

KANONBRA SENAP

Aside from flavourful hard cheeses I miss Swedish mustard. If my kitchen was large enough to house the traditional bowl and ball, I'd love to make mustard myself. Or punish disobedient teenagers by making them perform this ardous task. Until then, I'll take the shortcut a.k.a a blender.

IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE SKEPPSHULT 

A GREEN HOME

Red is the ubiquitous christmas colour, but I'm leaning more and more towards green accessories for the home. Iittala has added a soft "Forest green" to the Kartio range and it's perfect.

Why green? Well, would it look good on a harvest table? Yes. Would it look good in a christmas decorated home? Yes. Would it look good filled with the first flowers of spring? Yes. 

Done deal. I just have to find IRL to make sure the screen doesn't lie.

IMAGE: TOREBRINGS WEBSHOP

LET'S GLÖGGA LOSS

One of the first entries on this blog was about wanting to find a better way to serve glögg. But the Rosendahl thermos jug didn't look as good IRL. So our glögg still ends up a sweet sticky mess with big ladles and tiny cups. Apparently Eva Solo felt the same way. Mulled wine decanter, available at Scandinavian Design Center among others.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE, SCANDINAVIAN DESIGN CENTER WEBSHOP

WIPE IT OUT

We've put the blue Lexington kitchen towels (thank you Sissel) to good use. Still going strong after 7 years of intense kitchen labor. Now I'm contemplating red ones for the winter season to match the rest of the kitchen's holiday get up.
 IMAGE: LÄNNA MÖBLER WEBSHOP

A NEW TAKE ON BESKOW

Catharina Kippel has interpreted Elsa Beskow's storybook characters into charming patterns. I am completely smitten with the collection. The colour scheme, and the whimsy of the illustrations work surprisingly well in both modern and country style Scandinavian interiors. Available through Designhouse Stockholm among others. 

IMAGES: DESIGN HOUSE STOCKHOLM 

JARRED

If there's anything I find universally useful it's good looking containers with lids. A jar of snacks for the desk at work, vitamins on the breakfast table, almonds by the computer, coin savings, sallad toppings, dog treats, secrets on the night stand, jam and chutneys on the smorgasbord. Scandinavian style, functionality and christmas spirit rolled into one: Höganäs burk in glazed stoneware.

IMAGE: DESIGNONLINE WEBSHOP

PINTERESTING

Desperate enough to consider baking my own knäckebröd (crisp bread).  Trying to find a good rolling pin for the purpose, or more precisely a kruskavel. Anyone who knows the accurate name in English? This one from the Swedish Cordon Bleu webshop.
IMAGE: CORDON BLEU SWEDEN

THE KITSCHEN DEPT.

I do love the illustrations of Björn Berg and how he's brought to life the rambunctious but sweet Emil of Lönneberga by Astrid Lindgren. Åry trays has licensed a collection of illustrations that make me long for bare feet in green grass, kanelbullar and saft (cinnamon rolls and lemonade). 

IMAGE: ÅRY TRAYS, USED WITH PERMISSION

WAX ON, WAX OFF

Isn't this a neat idea? The iconic pattern Virrvarr from 1958, by Sigvard Bernadotte (you know we're a fan) now as waxed tablecloth for the table. Surface protection handsome enough to deck the table in between meals as well? Could this be a dream come true for all parents, or just for me? Available in 2 sizes at Designonline. 

IMAGE: DESIGNONLINE WEBSHOP

UNFAITHFUL

I'm usually one to advocate loyalty, but dear Mateus, this porcelain from Gerbera can do for me what you can not: tolerate heat without cracking. I placed an order two weeks ago and am getting giddy at the thought of the pastels that will grace our table this summer. The best selection online is available at Bagaren och Kocken. 

IMAGE: GERBERA.NU

TRIV(ET)IALITIES

I'm thinking about how to streamline mealtimes without making the kitchen into a feeding station. Erika Mörn is rethinking the trivet and this snakelike necklace in cork doesn't have to hide in the cupboard between meals. Produced by HETTA and available world wide. 

IMAGE: HETTA.SE

WEDDING GIFT: CUT THE CHEESE

In 1925 a patent was registered that would change Scandinavian cheesecutting forever. Knives and strings were abandoned and the ostehøvel from Bjørklund became a staple of our kitchens. Since then the original factory alone has produced more than 50 million cheesecutters,  and the original model still du jour. I even saw several in a cooking shop in the American Midwest a few weeks ago.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE BY BJØRKLUND, ALTERED BY SCANDINAVIAN CHRISTMAS, USED BY PERMISSION

KNOCK ON WOOD

Wooden cutting board durable enough for every day use, but handsome enough to work the night shift serving hors d'oeuvres of crisp breads with smoked reindeer, rye bread with smoked salmon, mini Västerbotten cheese pies, stacks of miniature waffles with lingonberries... I'm getting hungry just looking at it. Hand made from birch, available at Designtorget.
IMAGE: DESIGNTORGET WEBSHOP

RINSE IT

The original Margrethe bowls were designed by Swedish Prince Sigvard and named after his mother, former queen of Sweden. I'm a big fan despite that they aren't "microwaveable". These new, tiny, colanders are perfect for those of us often preparing small meals and lunchboxes for children. Better yet, they make it easier for our 3-year to drain pasta, or wash ingredients himself. The Margrethe series are produced by Rosti Mepal. 

IMAGE: MEPAL.COM

SUPER BOWL

The irregularities of a few handmade items on the christmas buffet, the julbord, is that small detail that makes the difference between good and great. PS bowl from IKEA is versatile (punch, fruit, ricepudding, greens) and matches both modern and traditional dishes.
IMAGE: IKEA.SE

DECK THE TABLE

I've been trying to let go for more than two years, trying to remind myself of the difference between need and want, but I can't help it, I want more. Tableware from Mateus, designed in Sweden and produced in Portugal, still holds a firm grip around my heart.
IMAGES:MATEUS 

A NOBEL AFFAIR

Since 1901, the Nobel Prizes have been presented to Laureates at ceremonies on the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death, the 10th of December. The official webpage of the Nobel foundation is wonderfully comprehensive, with everything from educational games to science documentaries to live webcasts of the awards.

Most commissions for the banquet,  from Swedish suppliers, are available commercially as well. A bit on the pricey side for every day use, but great souvenirs for the design oriented. Beats a plastic viking helmet.

Table linen Nobel from Klässbols by Ingrid Dessau
Tableware Nobel from Rörstrand by Karin Björkqvist
Silverware Nobel from Gense by Gunnar Cyrén
Stemware Nobel from Orrefors by Gunnar Cyrén

Other ways to sample the event: Visit the Nobel Museum. Take a virtual tour of the City Hall. Enjoy the Nobel menu of previous anno at The City hall restaurant, Stadshuskällaren. Your cheat sheet to the event from Sweden.se
IMAGE: GENSE.SE