Cafe Life; Copenhagen Style

Remember this post?

While recently visiting Cafe Europa in Copenhagen, I took a few notes, wanting to convey the fantastic atmosphere of the place. I hope you enjoy my little "mood board"....

I am enjoying a late afternoon lunch, the waitress is talking about some tourists sitting outside - not knowing I am listening - "Two minutes and they will get up, figuring out it's too windy". Well let me tell you; It's forever windy in Denmark! I got prime realty, window seat and inside! My lunch was great; Real dark Rugbroed with smoked salmon, the coffee was super and the water cold! (In Florida the water is always luke warm...)  The service was good and with a friendly smile... I can tell the girl is not quite sure of what to make of me, as I write the notes for this post, she looks on curiously, but didn't ask any questions. The quintessential cafe chairs are lined up outside, as little soldiers, 37 + tables, and all but one free. At the very end of the row, where there is a sliver of sunshine sits a couple of die-hards! Cozy blankets are thrown over the backs of some of the chairs, a typical sign of fall!

 

Inside I am sipping my second latte. The floor is this great dark wood parquet, large windows between the exposed granite columns, worn leather seat cushions and flickering candles on each table. Great atmosphere and fantastic people watching!! Both the guys and the girls look chic; one guy is leaving, his suit is slim and he is tying a long scarf around his neck.... As I am sitting there, looking at everyone; tourists with there cameras, art school students sketching away, moms walking with their strollers, one girl stands out. She is apparently waiting for someone, as she is pacing the plaza. She is wearing tight skinny black jeans, saddle leather tall boots, very cool kimono style, fair island sweater, her blond her in a loose chignon, slightly windblown, dark sunglasses and a large oversize bag on her shoulder!

I thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon, even if I did sit there a little longer than normal, taking it all in....

Natasha

Image #1 via Flickr, Image #2 unknown

Life & Work

During Copenhagen Fashion Week Malene Birger launched not only a new collection, but also a new book!

Life & Work; Malene Birger's Life in Pictures. The book is a collection of fantastic images from Malene Birger's two homes in Copenhagen, as well as two homes on Mallorca.

Many of her own black and white abstract paintings are included in the book.....

.... and during a fashion show, Malene Birger's clothing is on display, but so is her art work!

When visiting Copenhagen, you must visit her flagship store! It's fantastic, could have spent lots of cash in there; Ballerina shoes with tiny metal studs, comfy knitted cardigans, leather bags and clutches, cool jewelery! .... I was good .... I only walked out with the book :) Never mind that it's over two hundred-some pages & weighs a ton!

Check out this post on one of Malene Birger's homes, featured here on Northern Light earlier this year.

UPDATE...
I walked around København for two days in my black boots, determined to blend in, but had to wear my dreaded sneakers the last day.... lot's of walking in Copenhagen, so be prepared!

Natasha

Book Cover Image Via TeNeues.

Shopping; Copenhagen Style

.... one of my usual stops in Copenhagen is the always fantastic Rue Verte! Part Interior Design Store, part Clothing Emporium (with all the right lables!!), part Juice Bar.

In the basment one can find rare, and sometimes odd, but always very cool items for the home; fabrics, blankets, books, lamps, accessories etc.

Pondering how to fit the skull in my luggage.... just kidding!

Upstairs, clothing.... even if the prices are high, it's always worth a look!!

... and we all know shoes are a girls best friend :) !!!

Rumor has it that the world champ in coffee making is working at Cafe Europa.... I will be stopping by for sure! Oh, and it's in the middle of town, so the people watching is GREAT!
Check out their web page here.

The very chic Cafe Victor, is also on my list, perhaps a fancy dinner with Mr. Wonderful, who knows?

Should I be wearing my sneakers (dead give-away of a turist, but oh so comfortable) or my black boots (perhaps too warm) ??
Hmmmm....... I'll keep you posted!

Natasha

Image #1 - 4 Rue Verte, Image #5 - 6 Flickr, Image #7 - 8 via Google search.

Designer at Home

Look at this house... all 400 square meters of it! Built in 1917 and renovated top to bottom by the founders of the Danish brand Day Birger & Mikkelsen. The house sits on a huge lot, in Kerteminde, on the island of Fyn in Denmark. Budding up to the woods, views of the water, the house is so super duper cool, I hope you will enjoy this virtual tour!

In the entrance one is greeted by a wonderful personal art collection, complete with old hat forms as sculptures. To the right you get a glimpse of what's to come......

"Relaxed Elegance" is the description of the multi cultural interiors of the home. Owners Marianne Brandi and husband Keld Mikkelsen travel extensively for work and bring with them treasures from all over the world!

Small terracotta statues from China in the deep window sill, Juju hat from Cameroon on the wall, leather chair from New York, Asian wood furniture, Indian print pillows.... Complete with an antique crystal chandelier! Notice the specially stuccoed walls, keeping the room very warm and soft, even in the natural bright light.

How would you like to have a home office space as pretty as this? I don't think I would get anything done, starring out the window, looking through the trees down at the water.... Pure joy!!

Working in fashion and interior design, Marianne explains that calm surroundings at home is the only way to go! I concur! Not a lot of adornment, classic and simple lines, lots of natural light, warm wood counter top...

Home wears designed for DAY home. Easy to see where some of the inspiration comes from, huh? I really like those horn (?) bowls, they look so great with their colors variations, against the white serving pieces, don't you think?

As the Creative Director of successful Danish Lifestyle Brand, DAY Home, Marianne's touch is everywhere! Even in the bathroom; the style is calm, neutral and with great texture! A cohesive look that reaches every room in the house. Notice the three metal containers piled high with shells... perhaps brought back from their vacation home in the islands..?

(I will do a post about that house another day!)

A look of the house from the garden. To the very right is the newly added sun porch....

.... Spending part of the summer here would not be too bad! Notice how even the tile work on the porch works with the color scheme of the rest of the house! Small detail, but great impact!!


The TV room, at the very top floor of the house, under the eves exudes pure coziness!!! Notice the wall texture... When renovating this house, craftsmen from Portugal were flown in to complete the plasterwork. It's a special technique, the end result; walls that feel like velvet, shimmer in the light and looks like polished marble!! FANTASTIC!

The floors through out the house have also been treated with extra care to create this shiny, high gloss lacquered look. Six layers of lacquer to be exact!! I love how the shiny floors are balanced by the matte texture of the walls.

Everywhere in the house you find goods from far away lands; here Chinese urns mingle with a Zebra skin...

Simple, calm and beautiful master bedroom.

Why hide your jewelery collection?
Marianne uses this lamp, found in New York, as a prop.

In the "man room" Keld keeps this red cabinet, purchased on a trip to India, its origin is Tibetan. Take a closer look, the detail of the work is incredible!!

A view of the facade of the DAY Birger & Mikkelsen store in Copenhagen. Next time you visit, be sure to stop by, you will not be disappointed... and browsing for ideas is free :)!

For a peek inside this couples Copenhagen apartment, check out this Northern Light post.

Have a wonderful DAY!!

Natasha

Images by Nils Mogensen Svaleboeg