Holidays at Home

Like most of the people, I've stopped for a moment to reflect on this past year.  To be honest, I went through some major life challenges, and I needed time for grieving, learning my lessons and then getting back on track. Of course, with everything going on, the blog has been unfairly neglected. Since I've really missed blogging, I look forward to dedicating more of my mind and soul to it next year. At the moment, I am utterly enjoying my temporary home filled with love, passion, creativity, thoughtfulness and harmony. In conclusion: everything wasn't so bad after all... It never is. May you all have a blessed new year. Cheers, lads and lasses!

Therapy Furniture

Items of furniture aren't generally considered to be the most interesting purchases. After all, surely a chair's just a chair, and a bed's just a bed, right? Actually, wrong. Some of these products offer therapeutic benefits, meaning they are far more than just objects to sit or lie on.

If you’ve not come across these products before, you might be wondering what exactly a therapy bed or chair is. Basically, as well as offering all the comfort and practicality of regular items of furniture, these creations feature special massage systems.

Here are just some of the reasons why an increasing number of people are investing in products of this kind.


Easing a range of medical complaints

Lots of people turn to these items because of their various health benefits. The very best versions can help to relieve a variety of aches and pains and they can increase mobility too. For example, they can aid sufferers of arthritis, sciatica, hip pain, night cramps, varicose veins, water retention, poor blood circulation and spinal disorders. They can also assist people who are recovering from sporting injuries.

In addition, because of the soothing effect of the massage systems, these pieces of furniture can help to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, and they can enable users to enjoy more restful sleep.


The spa experience in your own home

Everyone likes to be pampered from time to time, and lots of people enjoy the luxury of relaxing massages. However, booking professional massages on a regular basis can be a costly indulgence. Also, not everyone has the time, ability or inclination to head off to these appointments.

By purchasing therapy furniture, people can benefit from the spa experience in the comfort of their own homes. All they have to do is recline on their bed or settle into their chair, press a button and away they go. Nothing could be quicker or easier.

Knowing that a soothing massage is available whenever they want or need it can really boost people’s quality of life.


Cyclo-Therapy

Of course, for the best experiences, it’s necessary to buy high-quality therapy beds and chairs. The products provided by Adjustamatic are a great example. These items feature a built-in Cyclo-Therapy system that offers the ultimate massage.

Unlike other systems, which rely on simple to and fro movements, this equipment employs a sophisticated three-way technique. The moving components rotate and pulsate out from the centre in a whirlpool motion. In addition, they vibrate in all directions for added effect.

Importantly, the products also have a number of different settings, ranging from soothing to invigorating. This means people can easily find the ideal massage for them, whatever their requirements and preferences.


Adjustable

These items of furniture are adjustable too. The chairs are riser recliners, meaning that getting into and out of them is simple and stress-free. Meanwhile, the beds can be raised and lowered to provide support for a range of sleeping and resting positions. At the press of a button, users can change the positions of their upper bodies or their legs, or both.


Could you benefit from therapy furniture?

If you’re intrigued by the items of therapy furniture now on offer and are wondering whether or not they would represent a savvy purchase for your household, it’s worth asking yourself some questions. For example, do you have a health complaint that could be eased with the help of these products? Do you enjoy massage treatments? Are you dissatisfied with the level of comfort your existing furniture provides?

If the answer to any of these questions is ‘yes’, you could almost certainly benefit from investing in one of these beds or chairs. Meanwhile, there’s no harm in doing a little research to find out more about the products.

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Alternative New Year's Eve Destinations

The festive season is fast approaching and if you haven’t already decided how you’ll celebrate New Year’s Eve, now’s the time to get planning. To shake things up a little, why not try something completely new? Here are some alternative destinations that could make the perfect setting to see in the new year.

Explore the great outdoors in the Lake District

If you fancy burning some of those Christmas calories, why not book a trip to the Lake District? England’s largest national park, it is home to the country’s highest mountain, deepest lake and an array of other attractions. Rental agencies such as Lakelovers offer a selection of picturesque holiday cottages that provide the ideal bases from which to explore the area.

Providing the weather’s on your side, you can take to the slopes for a spot of skiing. The Lake District Ski Club operates a 360-metre button tow at the Helvellyn mountain range, allowing you to test your skills traversing the ridge. The Raise fell offers the best snow conditions in the Lake District and, depending on the conditions, you can find up to nine pistes there. The longest of these stretches out for nearly a mile.

If skiing isn’t your thing, you can explore the beautiful landscape on foot. On a crisp winter’s day, the area is at its most beautiful. There are plenty of challenging routes to explore, but if you’re after something a little gentler, take a trip to Tarn Hows. Set in the hills above Coniston, you can drive up to the waterway and then wander around the 1.5-mile circular pathway. You’ll get to see some of the best mountains in the Lakes for minimal effort.

Enjoy the very best of Cumbrian hospitality 

The Lake District is also the perfect place to enjoy some fabulous food and drink. If you’re after an indulgent New Year, check out some of the area’s acclaimed eateries. Cumbria’s food scene has made great strides over recent years and you can now find an array of fine dining establishments dotted across the region. Menus showcase the best of local produce and you’ll get to tuck into the likes of tattie hotpot, Herwick lamb and Cumberland sausage.

One establishment that has earned a reputation for serving up mouth watering dishes is L’Enclume. Led by Michelin starred chef Simon Rogan, this Cartmel restaurant offers an imaginative take on modern British cuisine. There’s no set menu and dishes are determined on the day by the produce available. Another top-class eatery is the Holbeck Ghyll near Windermere. This 19th-century former hunting lodge also has a Michelin star and it offers gourmet dishes with a Gallic twist.

Head for the bright lights of London

If it’s bright lights and action you’re after, perhaps a trip to London would be ideal this New Year. This bustling metropolis always has plenty going on over the festive season and a highlight is the world-famous firework display over the Thames. The show is now ticketed, but at only £10, it’s well worth the money.

Another must-see if you’re in the capital is the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. Entry to this outdoor attraction is free and you’ll find a select of fairground rides, a 60-metre observation wheel, an ice rink and two circuses. Meanwhile, the Victorian bandstand is brought to life with the addition of 100,000 twinkling lights. If you work up a thirst, you can check out the themed bars and warm yourself up by their real fires.

These are just a few of the myriad possibilities open to you this New Year. With a little imagination and some research, you should be able to arrange the perfect celebrations to welcome in 2015.

Contemporary Log Cabin

I never really thought about interior design of log cabins until a few years ago. In my mind they were just kitschy retreats for tourists or hunters who basically don't have a clue about aesthetics. As long as there's a big fireplace in it, everyone seems more than thrilled. But, let's forget about that for a moment and look at this Danish stunner... Now, this is how it's done! Once again, I am blown away by the immaculate incorporation of traditional elements with contemporary twist. I wouldn't mind spending the weekend here, how about you?

Source: LivingGap  Photography: Karsten Damstedt  Architecture: Jensen Kim Holst

Classy Halloween

This year I decided to make my Halloween decor classy and slightly theatrical, but with just the right amount of macabre. The main idea was to visually tell little fragments of stories using motifs typically related to autumn and Halloween, as well as using some unexpected props to give it a personal touch. Instead of carving it, I decorated one of the pumpkins with studs which doesn't require much effort, but looks very chic and edgy. Also, I wrote verses of one dark poem by A.G.Matoš (one of the most significant Croatian writers sometimes compared to E.A.Poe) with a black marker on another pumpkin. Framing old, black and white photographs I acquired from my grandparents' archives and using transparent bottles and jars as candlesticks and vases all contributed to the mysterious atmosphere I was trying to accomplish. My Venetian masks and some other souvenirs also played a great role in creating this styling. I have to admit that sitting in a room with one corner transformed like this only adds to that particular cosy feeling you get this time of year... Well, I hope this post inspired you to look around the market or your attic and find interesting objects you would have otherwise overlooked. Happy Halloween, lads and lasses!

Broste Copenhagen

Broste Copenhagen is one of Scandinavia's leading home decor brands dating back to 1955.  With two collections a year, they cover a wide range of products - from candles and lanterns to tableware, home textiles and decorative items.  Like for many Nordic design houses, focusing on high quality, leaving the original feel of the material and its character intact is of great importance for this company. I have to say it's always a pleasure to browse through their new catalogue. I just love their artistic approach to interior styling. In fact, this is how I noticed Broste Copenhagen in the first place. I stumbled upon some photographs from their catalogue and follow them ever since.  This is part of their autumn/winter 2014 collection.

Styling: Nathalie Schwer   Photography: Line T. Klein

Lundagatan's Gem

The first thing that pops into my head when I hear or read the word Lundagatan is Lisbeth Salander  (the main character from Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy), of course.  For those of you who don't know, Lundagatan is a street in Stockholm's Södermalm district, mentioned many times in the best-selling novels, and this bright, airy flat is located precisely on that street.  What caught my eye? Well, mostly those unpretentious, cool details found in every room of this small apartment. (I'm beginning to think that every single person in Scandinavia is insanely stylish and clever, although I know that can't be the case.) 

Source: Fantastic Frank 

The Oyster Catcher

Here I am, sitting in my jumper, resisting the urge to turn on the heat out of principle (Way to go, September!), so I believe it's safe to say now we can get back to those monochrome, yet cozy interiors... Lately I've been attracted to all sorts of retreats, resorts and holiday homes. (That's probably the wanderlust in me talking.) This seaside cottage has already received a lot of attention this year, but it would be a shame not to feature it here because it is truly spectacular.  The Oyster Catcher is an 18th century former net loft located in the picturesque village and fishing port of Mousehole, Cornwall. Interior design is the work of photographer Paul Massey, who is also the owner of the place and the author of these serene, toned-down photographs. Oh, and if you're interested in experiencing this coastal fairytale in person, you'll be happy to know the house is available for rent!