Mixing Old Spaces with New

My husband and I went to view a house last week. Not because we need or want to move, but simply because the opportunity came up. It is a grade-II listed old house from around 1720 and has bags of atmosphere with old floors, big fire places, lots of beams and sash-windows with window seats. There are always compromises to be made no matter what budget you have, but it didn't tick all the boxes after all and it needs a lot of work, which we wouldn't be able to afford if we did get it. So unfortunately I think I just have to put it out of my mind as I could so see what an amazing house you can make of it, but I did dream on for a bit.....

My other half isn't so hot on old features like I am, he is more into contemporary design. However, I can appreciate different styles, which is probably why my personal style is a mix. I do like old as well as contemporary design, and so I dreamt for a bit what style we could turn this house into... I found the above pictures on Light Locations and wanted to share with you this snapshot of mixing new into old spaces. How gorgeous does this design kitchen look in this space with old beams? And I LOVE the combination of this beautiful shower with a roll top bath! White washing the beams looks fabulous too, although I think some people would be horrified if we did that in a grade-II listed house.... We live in a new-built property and are lucky to have a soft grey limestone floor with underfloor heating everywhere. That wouldn't be so easy to put into an old property, so I think my next choice would be the light washed herringbone wooden floor!

Have you had any opportunities coming past that really made you think? What do you dream of sometimes?

Lots of love,
Trinske x

A Touch of Black

Light interiors with a touch of black are often associated with Scandinavian interiors and perhaps that is the case, but I'm Dutch, I'm not deliberately trying to create a Scandinavian style, but I always am drawn to light interiors and I love the power of black. Especially in a strong classic design like the Eames Lounger above. As some of you may know, I have a soft spot for Eames designs as I used to work for Herman Miller, the original manufacturer of all Charles & Ray Eames designs. And I am the proud owner of exactly the version featured - black leather with rosewood veneer, the finish it was originally designed in in 1956. Although you can specify it in different leather colours, it has to be black for me. Hella Jongerius designed a lighter version for Vitra with white leather in cooperation with The Eames Office, but that doesn't do it for me either. BLACK it is. Together with the Eames walnut stool a perfect combination, but the stool is still on my wish list!

A touch of black can really work in many different style of interiors, not just contemporary. The below selection of pictures shows just that and really inspires me to do something more with it:

Images clockwise by Home and Delicious, Las Cositas de Beach & eau,
Rockett St George, Inside Your Inspiration

It may not be the obvious choice to go for a black kitchen, but doesn't it look fabulous in this country style kitchen?!? It works because there are no hanging cupboards. Something I'm a real fan of, as it creates a greater feeling of space and makes it less heavy. Instead, the shelves create storage. A Black/Grey/White scheme is also the perfect background for an injection of colour like this bright pink stool proofs. Notice the subtle link with the pink flowers by the way, making it even stand out better.

A vintage school board is something I'm still planning to put up in our kitchen when I come across one, as it doesn't only look great, it is such a practical tool too. And painting an old side cabinet or putting up a black roman blind is an inexpensive way to create a bit of a statement! 

The left picture is by Anna-Malin from Helt Enkelt blog, who I adore for her style. She always knows to create the most beautiful displays and even in her Instagram pictures she is consistent in her colour scheme and styling! 
And I wish I had a workspace like that (image by Stylizimo Blog). Unfortunately our house isn't big enough to allow a separate workspace for me and the office space we have has been gradually 'confiscated' by my husband as he is not particularly the tidiest person and so there are piles of paperwork on the desk that I'm absolutely not allowed to touch.... Maybe one day, I keep dreaming on...  

Images clockwise by Anna Truelsen, My Scandinavian Home, StyleCookie 

The pictures above inspire me because I love the warmth of the white painted slatted walls and white washed wooden floor, in which the black painted cupboard and a collage of black framed picture frames really link and make it stand out. If it was down to me, I would have painted a lot more in our house, but there are different opinions in our household and hey, sometimes you have to meet somewhere in the middle (grey?!?)... I also love the use of untreated wood and a black soft throw really works on the white bedlinen. The giant black & white button hooks on workspace picture are a bit of fun. They are by HKliving and actually available in my webshop Nordic Rose! 

Lots of love,
Trinske x

Rituals for a new beginning

Gosh, I don't know about everyone else, but it really has taken me a while to get myself back up to speed after all the festivities! Once it is all over, I do always suddenly really feel like clearing all the christmas decorations up and start thinking about some changes. A new year, a new beginning kind of thing. Firstly, I feel like a big tidy up and clear out. Get the house organised and looking clean. I've already taken a few bags to the charity shop but I have lots more to go through. 

Images by Helt Enkelt and Style-files.com

I wish I had a chest styled as lovely as Anna-Malin's from Helt Enkelt above, but one day I
will get there! 

Secondly I like to bring some nice flowers in. January is still such a dark month with often dull weather, but thankfully there are plenty of bulbs available already to cheer your home up with some 'pre-Spring' feeling. They don't cost the earth and it's easy. And once flowering hyacinths stems start hanging, I cut them off to enjoy them for a bit longer in a vase. Or how about some simple branches (from your garden) in a big vase? I left my branches that I used for some Christmas decorations in the vase and guess what, they're starting to blossom!

Images by Batixa, A Cottage in the Woods and Vintage Blog

So do you have any 'rituals' at the start of a new year? What makes you feel good? Any good tips?

Lots of love,
Trinske x

Happy New Year!

I hope you all enjoyed a great festive time with your loved ones. We certainly did, and hereby I wanted to wish you all an amazing 2013!

The lovely baskets on the picture are by HKliving, which are a new item that HKliving will launch in February. 2013 will start with some good work on the Nordic Rose website as I have taken it a little easy on that front over the December period, but there are lots of new items to be added. So keep an eye out!

Lots of love,

Trinske
x