2024 Gift Guide

Very embarassing to admit that our last gift guide – and journal entry – is from three years ago. How is this even possible? Well, maybe there was a lot of other stuff (bookkeeping, inventory, keeping the store neat and tidy, caring for a child, … you name it) but to be honest, I often felt uninspired to write.
This past year has been the most challenging in my private and work life and while I am not quite sure where my journey will take me, I leave you with this year’s gift guide and hopefully some inspiration on what to give to your loved ones.

For those who like their candles with a twist: Set of three hand-made candles by Belgian artist Ann Vincent
Perfect cappuccino sized cups that come plain or with a marble glaze
An upgrade for your daily dose of Vitamin C: One of a kind Moroccan fruit bowl
Our favourite flowers caught through the lens of photographer Elias Hassos
Newest member of the AOIRO scent family for people who usually don’t like room perfume
Born out of necessity, produced by Swiss leather brand fin projects: our NKO x fin key holder
The vessels by Tor Studio don’t even need a flower to shine
A matcha never looked better than in this chawan by Matthias Josef Kaiser
The wooden objects by Fritz Baumann have the kind of Japanese Wabi-Sabi aura we’ve all been craving for
Can’t go wrong with FRAMA’s handwash
Nightstand, small side table or just the stool that every child entering your apartment will love
Mouth-blown from recycled glass: These quirky wine glasses give a certain je-ne-sais-quoi to your dinner table
Longing for winter in the South? This orange blossom fragrant candle will help you through dark days
Eat your greens! Easy with these salad servers from Hornvare Fabrikken
A bike bell that sings and never leaves one unheard on the bike lane
These mugs from Colombia come in two sizes – perfect for all stages of fatigue
Candleholder and vase: This beauty by Linck ceramics serves both functions
My grandfather always used to have a comb on hand. Isn’t this one a particulary elegant one?
These wine glasses by FRAMA are thick and heavy and keep your white wine chilled at all times
Chicest bar accessoires and one of our evergreens at the store: Bottle opener by Fort Standard

Our gift guide – All the things we love for the people you love

For Entertainers

FRAMA Otto Shallow bowls from 31 € | Catherine & John Pawson „Home Farm Cooking”, 45 € (in store only) | jvk Hand-dipped beeswax candles, 16 € (Set of 2) | Daphnis & Chloe Wild Thyme Flowers, 8 € (in store only) | Linge Particulier Linen tea towel/apron, 21 €

For artlovers

Linck „V68” vase, 870 € | Ann Vincent „Piu” candle Set, 45 € | Tamegroute Sun Candleholder, 89 € | Fritz Baumann Bowl, Price on request (in store only)

For spiritual souls

White Sage Smudgestick, 11 € | Set of Japanese rice wax candles and a candleholder, 52 € (in store only) | AOIRO Botanical Airmist, 39 € | The Moon Lists journal, 32 € (in store only) | Palo Santo Sticks, 4 € | Tamegroute Bowl, from 14 €

For restless minds

The Gentlewoman „Modern Manners” book, 24,95 € (in store only) | NOTEM journal, 26 € | Iris Hantverk Facebrush, 24 € | Lola James Harper „The Movie Theater in Lancaster fragrance candle, 40 € | FRAMA Bodywash, 40 € | Daphnis & Chloe Pennyroyal the Ancient Mint herbal tea, 12 € (in store only)

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A few thoughts on a more environmentally friendly lifestyle

Today is Earth overshoot day. Which means, that our demand for ecological resources and services given in a year exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year. We shouldn’t only keep this in mind but act accordingly. Every single one of us. Take small steps. But take them.

I thought of a few points that I think can easily be implemented in everyday life.

 Buy less, choose well, …

This point may sound strange coming from someone who makes a living selling things. Nina Hertig, co-founder of London design studio and gallery Sigmar perfectly sums it up: „We work with people who share our values, and we work hard to tell stories, not sell products. It is important that we communicate context and principles, so people can build their own relationship with the pieces we sell. It is never a transaction”, she tells Hugo MacDonald in The New Era magazine.

I firmly believe that we should generally consume less but more consciously. As consumers, we have a choice – and the power to make a difference. Before I buy something new, I ask myself the following questions:

Do I really need it? Can I buy it second-hand? Or maybe even borrow it?

If it's something I don't really need but absolutely want – which applies to almost everything –, I ask myself whether I will enjoy it for a long time and can imagine having it in my life forever.

Sometimes I also must dig deeper and ask myself why I want it so badly. Am I having a bad day and need something to cheer me up? If the answer is yes, I try to find comfort elsewhere.

Often, I find my answers by just waiting and sleeping on it for a night. Some supposedly urgent desires often become relative overnight.

  … make it last

The first point doesn't work without this one. I think that every child and adult should learn to take care of his or her things, to look after and repair them. Why not teach this at school? I am sure that we would appreciate the value of things more if we paid more attention to their nature, to how they are made and what they are made of.

I loved this quote by stylist Tina Hellberg in The New Era magazine: „We will value people that know how to repair things more and we will realise the importance, and joy, of taking better care of our things.” […]

 The 5 „R’s” – Refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, rot

 Take your time!

Creating a more sustainable environment, be it your wardrobe or household takes time. Use what you have until the end of its life cycle and then buy an environmentally friendly alternative instead of replacing every item at once.

These things on the other hand can be arranged quickly:

Choose an ecological bank and green electricity, ride your bike or take public transport instead of taking the car whenever possible, unplug your chargers when you are not using them, avoid the stand-by function of your devices.

 Support local. Support small businesses.

 Choose seasonal and local food.

Consider buying second-hand 

„In the past 15 years, the average number of times a garment is worn before it’s trashed has decreased by 36%” says Cosette Marie Joyner Armstrong, an associate Professor of Fashion Merchandising at Oklahoma State University in an article that was published in November 2020. She also points out that „the textile industry produces more carbon emissions that the airline and maritime industries combined and about 20% of water pollution across the globe is the result of wastewater from the production and finishing of textiles”. If that is not a reason to think at least twice before buying a new piece of clothing, then I don’t know. Second-hand clothes also cost resources, but by buying vintage or pre-loved you extend the life cycle of a piece. I love buying second hand. The feeling of finally finding that one piece by an American brand that you can't buy almost anywhere in Europe is pretty darn good.

How to create a dinner table flower arrangement

As some of you know, I have also been working as a floral stylist for a few years now. A question I am asked again and again, is what flowers to put on the dining table when you are hosting guests. As the table is usually full of delicious food and dishes, I would advise keeping the floral decoration very simple.

Depending on the occasion and the food, I place a single flower or an olive branch on each guest’s plate. You could also arrange a few beautiful branches with pretty fruit (lemons or pomegranates) in the middle of the table.

However, when there is a particularly festive occasion, I like to create a more elegant and opulent arrangement. The important thing here is that it is not too high – after all, your guests still want to be able to see each other.

Here I chose one of my favorite small vases, the V14 Mini from Linck Keramik. It has a height of only 12 cm, but an oval, wide opening, so that you can also fill it with small branches and flowers. Of course you could also use any other small vase. The important thing is that it has a wide opening.

Regardless of whether I create a large or a small arrangement, I make sure that it contains the following components: Foliage, filler flowers and focal flowers. I start with foliage (Kumquats) to give the arrangement stability and a base. In this case, Viburnum serves both as base and filler flowers. Filler flowers usually have many tiny blossoms to fill up the arrangement but I went for berries instead. Finally, I place the focal flowers, three varieties of peonies in different heights that add drama and elegance to the arrangement.

Our Mother's Day Gift Guide 2021

We think mothers (and fathers!) deserve to be given presents every day of the year. Especially in times of homeschooling & co.

But for all those who want to give their mothers a present on Mother’s Day we have put together a few ideas here. All things can be ordered directly from our shop or from brands that we love and want to support.

And if you are in Munich and would like to give flowers in the traditional way, write us an email. There will be a very limited number of bouquets to pick up in the store.

This super light nylon bag by Ayzit Bostan is the perfect everyday companion.

The perfect book for everyone who wants to start growing their own fruit or vegetables.

Sisters Julie and Marie Skall from Danish brand Skall Studio „believe that the path to a more sustainable wardrobe starts with nice and timeless design of high quality and made of natural materials, that will last season after season.” We especially love their socks made of recycled cashmere.

The whole world in your hands: Key chain by Saskia Diez.

Nora's mother doesn't really like scented candles. With one exception: BERATAN by FRAMA.

Who actually says that a household item can't be beautiful and practical at the same time? The best example is this brass bottle opener from Fort Standard.

Choosing just one vase from Linck Keramik feels like having to name your favourite child. But here it is: sculptural, perfect for single or multiple blossoms.

Whether argan oil, shea, rose or lemon balm: All four soaps smell and care in equal measure. Perfect for gardener's hands is the Melissa soap with tiny natural exfoliating particles.

Aure Studio design not only timeless clothing and accessories, but also artworks based on the founders grandmother’s drawings from 1941.

For a spa treatment at home: The French clay mask takes off dirt, pollution and grime from your skin.

The ceramics from Studio Riviera spruce up every classic table setting.

These green mini bowls were handmade in the South of Morocco. We use them in the kitchen or in the bathroom to store lipsticks or similar things in them.

We discovered Matka on Instagram and have been in a lively exchange ever since. We love her oversized garments, which are hand-woven in Nepal. Perfect as a gift are the cushions – made of handwoven Noil Silk with hand carved and hand polished water buffalo bone buttons.

Who says leisurewear should be shapeless? Exactly. That's why we not only wear Aiayu trousers ourselves, but also like to give them as gifts.

We say it now and we'll say it again and again: Mold's lightweight earrings in ultra-thin brass really do go with any look.

Travelling through food with Bettina Nusser-Schuler

Bettina Nusser-Schuler and I have some mutual friends, but had never met in person. When she visited me for an interview, it was as if we had known each other forever. It was one of the few sunny days in March and Bettina and I were sitting outside the shop drinking coffee. What was originally planned as a short interview turned into a three-hour conversation about life. The two passions that connect us: good food and Morocco. While I have a Moroccan father, Bettina is Moroccan at heart. Bettina has travelled to the country over 25 times. She ended up there rather by chance for a short holiday with her husband and youngest son. But the country never let go of the architect and mother of four and she went back again and again. In 2012, she met the owner of a riad in Marrakech and four years later they decided to offer cooking courses there twice a year. Because Bettina is a passionate and gifted cook. On her instagram account she shares easy to make, yet delicious and healthy recipes for every day. With her ideas, she has saved our dinners more than once. No wonder, that her cooking retreats were always booked up quickly. This may be due on the one hand to Bettina's warm character and on the other hand to the fact that you can get to know Marrakech from its most beautiful side in the company of Bettina. She knows all the good places and shares her tips generously. Because we can't travel at the moment, Bettina shares two colorful and quick Moroccan-inspired recipes with us.

Some of Bettinas favorite herbs and spices: Cardamom, allspice, rosemary, ginger powder, tumeric. Not pictured but one of her must-haves are preserved lemons.

Easy to make, anti-inflammatory and high in vitamin c: Cauliflower with turmeric

© Bettina Nusser-Schuler

Roasted cauliflower with tumeric

Serves 2-4

1 cauliflower

oliveoil

2 garlic cloves

zest of one organic lemon

turmeric, fresh thyme, sea salt

Heat the oil in a frying pan or skillet over medium heat, add garlic and, as soon as it starts to sizzle and change color, cauliflower florets, some thyme and one tablespoon turmeric. Stir well and cook until the cauliflower is golden brown all over and just tender when pierced with a sharp knife. Season with sea salt and some lemon zest.

This dish is best enjoyed warm with some yoghurt with grated and drained cucumber or tahini sauce.

A feast of colors: Plums in a Tamegroute bowl

© Bettina Nusser-Schuler

Plums with white wine and hibiscus flowers

Serves 2

5 - 6 plums cut into wedges

125 ml white wine

2 hibiscus flowers

1 vanilla pod

1 - 2 tablespoons maple syrup

Put the white wine, hibiscus flowers and vanilla seeds into a pan and bring them gently to a boil. Reduce the heat and add the plum wedges. Sweeten with maple syrup. Simmer gently for a few minutes until the plums are soft but still hold their shape. Remove the hibiscus flowers and set plums aside until cool. Enjoy the plums and the syrup with some vanilla ice cream, crème fraîche or as a topping on rice pudding. For an extra crunch add some roasted almonds or almond brittle.

Bettina in Morocco preparing the traditional tajines

Thoughts of a store owner in the middle of a pandemic

When I opened Nora Khereddine Objects last November, I knew that a new lockdown was very likely to come soon. And of course, it didn’t take long. Only five weeks to be precise. At first it didn't really hit me hard. It was Mid-December, we had just lost a family member and we were much more preoccupied with how we were finally going to end this damn year which felt like a marathon – on a treadmill. I had the feeling all the time that as soon as the new year would come, we would find our way back to normality. Of course, this did not happen. How could it? Covid-19 was still there, so was the grief, the kindergarten was still closed and the shop anyway.

The problem as a shop owner is not only that suddenly daily income is gone, but also that you feel quite lost and useless. At least, I do. What the hell am I even doing here, I was asking myself, when sitting at the counter surfing the internet doing product research. Fact is: My shop has been closed for ten weeks and I have not yet had the courage, nor the money, to place orders on the scale I had originally planned.

I probably sound more discouraged than I actually am. Because when people sometimes ask me with concern how I'm coping with the current situation, I answer: Actually quite well. After all, I have work and I still get booked as a stylist for photo shoots. I have many wonderful and loyal clients who despite closed doors still manage to support me. Every morning when I open the doors to the shop, it fills me with joy and pride that I now really have my own shop. Albeit a closed one. I love the mix of scents in the air from the different scented candles and I am happy to see all the beautiful things, the magnolia branches whose blossoms are just opening, and the morning sun casting shadows on the wall. We won't be back to normal any time soon, and perhaps it will take much longer than we expect - and yet I recently ordered a bench where I can drink my coffee in the sun outside the shop in the morning. And maybe I'll soon get to invite a customers and friends to join me, too. I am looking forward to it. Meanwhile you can still visit me online and we are available for appointments via WhatsApp or FaceTime. See you here or there!

11 Tips on how to get through another few weeks of winter

With January coming to an end and another few weeks of winter ahead us, we gathered some simple tips on how to get through this special time and our not so new but still very unknown every day life.

1 – Get dressed. And by that we don’t mean swapping your pjs for sweatpants. I have been working from home for nearly a decade and one thing I learned is that getting dressed is essential. So get up, dry brush (it works wonder for getting your circulation going) and take a shower. Put together a comfortable, yet dressed outfit. Sometimes I even wear shoes to feel ready for the day, especially when I have important calls on my to do list.

Get fully dressed – even if you are working from home.

(AML Stool by FRAMA; Ankle Boots by Maison Martin Margiela)

2 – Drink that water! Try to drink at least two liters a day. Some even say before 12 o’clock. I am not sure about that but know for sure that your brain and your whole body work way better when well hydratet.

3 – Take a break. If you are working from your kitchentable, it might feel appealing having lunch in front of your computer. But take a break, eat your lunch away from your screen and go for a walk. You can even get some take-away and meet your friend for a lunch at the park.

4 – Eat real food. The sales of processed food have increased enormously these past months. Most of these products contain ingredients with names we can’t even pronounce. Most of them don’t do your body any good. Instead of filling your fridge with processed food, try to go for organic and seasonal vegetables, good fats (nuts, avocados or fatty fish), carbohydrates such as brown rice or millet and pulses and seeds. Check out Daphne Javitch on Instagram, if you want to know more about a healthy lifestyle. I have hardly ever heard someone talking about „fresh leafy greens” with so much passion as the integrative nutritionist.

5 – Declutter your home. Nope, I am not Marie Kondo and I would never advise you to get rid of your stuff to invest in the products I sell. But I am convinced that a declutterd home – it doesn’t have to minimalistic – makes you feel lighter and less distracted. Do one thing at a time. Maybe you want to start with your wardrobe or prefer to tidy your pantry or bathroom cupboard. Whatever you decide to get rid of, ask friends or organisations what they might need, before producing more landfill. And next time you click „buy”, sleep on it, because actually the key to less landfill is quite simple: Buy less, choose well, make it last.

6 – Spend time outside. Go for walks, cuddle up in a warm blanket and read the paper on the balcony. Your body needs sunlight to get Vitamin D. Whenever the sun is out, get 15 minutes of sunlight. If you can, even expose your arms and legs. It will make you feel more energised and eventually happier.

7 – Move your body. Try yoga, dance to your favorite song or explore a new neighbourhood by bike.

8 – Invest in your sleep. Go to bed early, switch off your phone and computer, let in some fresh air and read a book.

9 – Buy yourself flowers. I have never met someone who wasn’t delighted with a bunch of frehs flowers.

Parrot tulips in a vessel by Jessica Coates

9 – Talk to your friends and family. Even if most of us are not allowed to meet more than one person at a time, try to stay in contact with your loved ones. Introduce FaceTime or Skype to your grandparents so you can still see each other. For all the couples out there: When was the last time, you asked your partner how she/he really was? And you really listened?

10 – Think of others. Don’t be that idiot at the supermarket with his mask under his nose, pretending he didn’t notice.

11 – Be gentle. With yourself and others.

My 2021 – Philomena Schurer-Merckoll

Philomena Schurer Merckoll and I got to know each other a few months ago. If you are familiar with her background, she is not exactly the person you would expect in Munich. Having lived in Paris to New York, Mexico City to London she went on to found and continues to creatively direct Riad Mena & Beyond Hotel in Marrakech in 2014. Besides being a hotelier, she is a contributing editor at New York Times T Magazine and a creative consultant who works with selected brands and individuals helping them with their communication, brand position and creating international connections for them. 

So, when I saw her sitting outside a café on my way to my store that was still a construction site back then, I was rather surprised and really wanted to meet her. Shortly after, we sat down together, and she told me more about her life as a restless traveller who used to call the world her home. Covid-19 forced her to slow down and she has settled in the Bavarian alps – at least for the time being. 

Thank you, Philomena, for sharing your 2021 plans with us!

Philomena Schurer-Merckoll in her Riad Mena in Marrakesch

© Brita Sönnichsen

The courtyard of Riad Mena in Marrakech

3 Places I want to travel to

I have never been to Naples and the Amalfi Coast which is number one on my bucket list. Naples to stay at the faded glory Hotel Excelsior, go to Thomas Dane's gallery and eat the best food in Italy before ambling up the coast to the iconic family run Le Sireneuse in picture perfect Positano.

A place I dream of returning to is Mexico. Mexico City is one of my all time favorite places, so much energy and an incredible creative and food scene. Its such an amazing colorful whirl! Then a drive to Oaxaca, home to some of the best artisanal crafts in Mexico.

And last but not least Paris in late Spring. For the joy of strolling around the beautiful city of light.

3 Things I want to learn

Patience would be a great start :) I am quite restless!

How to care for your things more and keep them for longer such as perfecting shoe cleaning and all those kind of old school skills that we have all forgotten!

And lots more Kundalini Yoga. Because the past year of practicing that quite intensively has brought me someway towards the first one thing I want to learn.

3 Books I want to read

The Obama autobiography – A Promised Land – simply because I think he is one of the most inspiring living people right now.

„The Sheltering Sky” by Paul Bowles. I have a hotel in Morocco and this is such a classic by an iconic author in an iconic time that I have yet to read.

„The Sheltering Sky” by Paul Bowles, Penguin Modern Classics (2004)

„A Table for Friends” by Skye McAlpine, because 2021 is going to be my year of cooking. I made her meringues for New Year's dinner which were so easy to make and came out so perfectly and impressed everyone. I love how her use of great ingredients with often quite simple recipes results in effortlessly fabulous dishes.

3 Things I want to save for

I will be saving for this for a quite a while, but I would love to own a painting by German conceptual artist Michael Krebber, specifically his Cartouche Paintings. He is really an artists artist, but the simplicity of his gestures in the Cartouche Paintings, which still convey so much of his biography behind them really speak to me.

And while we are talking about big purchases an apartment in an art deco era building in Athens would be great too ...

And last but not least the entire series of the candles from the Lola James Harper range. I discovered this brand in your store and love it, everyone of them smells amazing. I really think the smell you surround yourself with makes such a difference to your everyday life. I have „The Music Studio On Trufo Street” in my office and walking into that smell in the morning is such a great start to my work day!

My 2021 – Irina Graewe

I have admired Irina Graewes style for many reasons. The interior stylist and set designer is known for her use of bold colors and geometric forms softened through plants, natural stones and feathers borrowed from nature. She also creates stilllifes of fragile beauty.

Without even knowing her personally, I felt inspired by her visual vocabulary and the words she chose to complement her images. When I read her answers, I knew I had found another beautiful soul – even if only online for now.

“If there’s one thing that I learned this year it is to going with the flow. ”

Irina spends most of her weekends near the sea where she has a small place

3 Places I want to travel to

This is a tricky question, as I assume that travelling won’t be the same anymore. I’m really longing to travel to faraway places and am dreaming of going back to Japan one day, but this definitely won’t happen next year. If it ever will, who knows – as we should probably all change our travel habits and try to fly as little as possible.

Japan

Anyway, I haven’t made any plans so far, and if there’s one thing that I learned this year it is to going with the flow. But hopefully, the next year will all be about seeing and visiting friends and family, wherever they live. And spending a lot of time at the sea and in nature, where we have a small weekend place.

Also looking forward to hopefully going to Milan and London in September, if the fairs will take place.

3 Things I want to learn

On a skill- and knowledge-level:

improve my ceramic skills, which are still super-basic;

learn more about neuroplasticity/neuroscience and the human brain, which I find very fascinating;

dive into garden design, especially into the style of Piet Oudolf, whose work I deeply admire. We have a small garden at our weekend place, which hasn’t been touched and designed yet, so I want to look into that during the next year.

On a personal level:

learning to let go more often;

trusting the universe and developing my spiritual journey further;

putting my phone down more often

3 Books I want to read

There are many books I want to finish reading first - but, once I have, these are on my waiting list:

Joan Didion: The Year of Magical Thinking

RZA: The Tao of Wu

Hisham Matar: A Month in Siena

3 Things I want to save for

Actually, there is only one thing on my list at the moment. It’s a kiln for firing my ceramics. I have quite a lot of unfired pieces in my studio, so I’m thinking of finally buying a kiln for my work. Other than that I really try to consume less and simplify my life.

Irinas atelier in Hamburg …

… and some of her ceramics waiting to be fired

My 2021 – Marlene Sørensen

Most German readers will be familiar with Marlene Sørensen, the half-Danish journalist who is something of an authority on style. For a few years, Marlene wrote a monthly column called "Marlene tries it on", for which she tried on - and was photographed in - all the trends we all wanted to wear once but weren't brave enough. Today she works as a freelance journalist for Harper's Bazaar, Die Zeit and Berliner Zeitung among others, and has written two bestsellers about style.

And so we also came together through fashion, when I sold her a pair of dizzyingly high Céline sandals. But that's another story.

Here Marlene reveals what she wants to learn in 2021, which places she would love to travel to, what she wants to save for and which books she plans to read.

Marlene in a small alley in Nykøbing

3 Places I want to travel to

To Nødebohuse to see my grandparents and for a walk on the beach there. To Copenhagen, because it’s Copenhagen. To Pomlenakke, a little restaurant on Falster, to eat smørrebrød by the seaside, then cycle back through the woods to my parents summerhouse.

The view from the beach at Marlenes parents’ summerhouse

Marlene with her son Arlo

Copenhagen

Kanelsnegle

3 Things I want to learn

I’d like to learn to be more patient (with myself and others). To take more time for myself. And to make a kick-ass Tarte Tatin.

3 Books I want to read

The Copenhagen Trilogie by Tove Ditlevsen. The Best of Me by David Sedaris. If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin.

„The Copenhagen Trilogy” by Tove Ditlevsen via Aufbau Verlag

3 Things I want to save for

A new bike. A proper office chair. The Vitra Akari 10a. Because 2021 will hopefully be the year of being out more. But also, still, of trying to make the home lovely.

Recently Marlene invested in the Shelf Library Desk section by FRAMA (also availabe for pre-order at Nora Khereddine Objects) but she’s missing a proper office chair

All images © Marlene Sørensen

Our Christmas Gift Guide 2020

This year everything is different and we might have to find new forms to spend time with our loved ones while being apart. Shouldn't we perhaps also rethink the way we give gifts and focus on things that are both enjoyable for the recipient and support a small brand or maker? For this years Christmas gift guide we have sourced a few of our favorite products.

These candles were made of a soy wax blend by Belgian artist Ann Vincent. Soon available at Nora Khereddine Objects

Drinking more water has never looked more beautiful. This caraffe by R. + D.LAB was mouth blown by artisans in Italy and is made of heat resistant borosilicate glass.

The mobiles by Lappalainen are all handmade in an old workshop in the German city Hanau. (Photo by Studio Oink)

Daniela Mellis knows literally everything about the human skin. The skin coatch from Berlin has developed Voyanics, one of the best skin care lines, we’ve known. We especially love this restoring plum face oil which is the perfect base for a gua-sha treatment.

The founder of British jewellery brand Alighieri was deeply inspired by Dante Alighieris „Divine Comedy” and has designed the Lion collection to remind its wearer to be courageous. The Baby Lion Cub necklace is crafted from an antique Venetian coin, recovered and restored with wax.

Anni and Josef Albers were the power couple of the Bauhaus movement. She was a textile artist and printmaker while her husband was a painter, designer and teacher. This book is the first monography about their life with more than 750 illustrations.

In a collaboration with the creative branding studio Be My Guest from Seoul, FRAMA created „Deep Forest”, an earthy perfume oil that is an hommage to the Korean fir woods.

The Italian brand NIMU is popular for their heavenly home textiles – and their 100% handmade soaps that nourish the skin with olive oil, lavender and honey.

Ayzit Bostan is a designer, artist and professor at the art academy in Kassel. We literally love everything she designs (and sell some of her jewellery at the store) and as we all probably need some more fun in our life, we’d go for her „Happy” bag.

The thirteen nights between Christmas and new year were traditionally used for burning incense to drive away the evil spirits of the old year. In Germany these nights are called „Rauhnächte”. We have long searched for incense that is local and organic and found it at KRUUT, who offer three different incenses, all sourced locally. Want to know more about it? Read their guide.

A wallet for the minimalist: This credit card case was designed by Christian Metzner for PB0110 and is either available in natural or black calf leather. They also offer embossing for an even more personal gift.

Our friends from Studio 163 create the softest and most beautiful cashmere pieces, 100% handmade in Mongolia. Some of their designs have been with us for years. This season for the first time they have had some pieces made from undyed cashmere, including this cap.

For many years the founders of Lola James Harper have been creating fragrant trips to their favourite places, be it a friend's balcony or a record shop in Paris. Wouldn’t „The Vinyl Store on Rue des Dames” be the perfect gift for your DJ friend?

Who does not know the problem with unsightly cables and socket strips? The designs by Peppermint Products provide a remedy.

It took us years to find the perfect „green” nailpolish formula and we are more than happy to share our favorite brand Manucurist. They have also created the perfect red, called „Indian Summer”

My life in Objects – Judith Knuvers

Judith Knuvers is the founder of the online platform Leaf that is all about embracing a slower, simpler and more conscious lifestyle. Judith is a conscious living consultant and you can book her for one-on-one coachings and also enroll in her online courses. We love Judiths approach to life – and her style. That is why we asked her to share the objects of her life with us.

Judith Knuvers is a freelance consultant for conscious brands a conscious living

What is the first object you remember that meant something to you? What happened to it?

The first object that comes to mind is the ring my parents gave me when I turned 21. It was my first piece of gold jewelry and it was beautiful. I love receiving jewelry, because it is something that will last - not just the jewelry, but the memory. I wear the ring my parents gave me together with a ring that was made from gold from my late grandmother's jewelry.

“I love receiving jewelry, because it is something that will last - not just the jewelry, but the memory.”

— Judith Knuvers

What is your favorite object today?

Oh, this is a difficult one! When I moved to a new apartment in Amsterdam two years ago, I decided that I wasn't going to 'just buy something' to fill the place up. Instead, I saved up to invest in pieces that I love. If I couldn't find what I was looking for, I would rather wait than buy something. To this day it is not finished yet, but I love it more than any other place I have ever lived.

If I had to choose, I'd say the vintage champagne glasses that my sister bought me. When I lived in Antwerp, everyone was drinking Cava on a regular Tuesday night. I loved it! It felt like everyday was a celebration. There was this one place where they had these vintage champagne coupes, and ever since I saw them I have been on the hunt for the right ones. Finally, my sister found six of them in a vintage store somewhere.

The best object you ever brought home as a souvenir

I never really bring souvenirs home, because I feel that souvenirs are often 'in the moment buys' – at least that's true for me, haha.

The last thing you bought and loved

It has been a while since I have bought something, but I was gifted these beautiful coffee/tea cups from Annemieke Boots a few weeks ago that I am in love with. Annemieke is a Dutch ceramist and I have been following her for a long time. She makes the most beautiful ceramics. As I cherish my daily rituals at home – like my cup of coffee in the morning – objects like these are so valuable to me.

One object you would like to own but can’t find, afford, ….

I would love to have my own apartment! But that's not really an object, is it? Haha. I am living in a shared apartment right now, but I am dreaming of having my own place – a place that I can really make my own. As for objects, I am still searching for some art pieces for my home! I love abstract art, but I haven't found the right pieces yet.

All photos by Marieke Verdenius

My life in Objects – Adriana Meunié

The artist Adriana Meunié creates pieces of outstanding beauty by using fabrics and raw materials she sources from the rough landscape around her home in Mallorca, that she shares with her partner, a cat, a dog and a goat

Adriana in her studio surrounded by virgin wool from her own sheep

When Adriana Meunié left the BAU Centro Universitario de Diseño in Barcelona after having studied fashion design, she realised that her professional future wouldn’t be in the fashion world. But she had fallen in love with textiles and started experimenting with different textures, volumes and shapes. Adriana started collecting the raw materials in her direct surroundings, in the wild nature of the island where she grew up and started to transform them into extraordinary beautiful artworks. She uses wool, raffia or esparto grass – raw materials that we usually know in modified forms – in their natural form. „Before giving these materials a practical use, I find them wonderful and I wish to share this feeling”, Adriana says. Her objects speak for themselves. She brings unprocessed wool – she even helps shearing the sheep herself – and blank canvases together and turns them into raw wallhangings or creates a cape out of natural linen and grass. Adriana also collects antique fabrics, called „fill mallorquí” that she sews together and transforms them into pieces that tell secrets of times longs since past.

For our format „My life in Objects” we asked Adriana about the six objects that shaped her life.

What is the first object you remember that meant something to you? What happened to it?

I think it would be a little turquoise box, printed with trees that my parents gave me to keep my falling teeth. I still have it with my tiny teeth inside.

What is your favorite object today?

I like old tools, I have different small sizes of hammers, some sheering scissors, I love really old rakes, but I think my favorite object is an old tool used in the fields to collect almonds that my dear partner Jaume transformed into a lamp (just adding a light bulb).

The best object you ever brought home as a souvenir

I really can't think about one! I usually like to buy food... 

The last thing you bought and loved

A big antique bucket with a tap which we used all summer to clean the dished outside with the water well. Beautiful and useful, the best combination.

One object you would like to own but can’t find, afford, ….

I would love to acquire antique traditional garments from Japan or Africa, those made by hand with raw elements...

“I found the tapestry techniques, bounded to the very primary sense of textiles, as an incredible opportunity to create wild textures, volumes and shapes”

A textile collage made of „fill mallorquí”, antique fabrics

Adrianas studio in Felanitx

Find Adriana on Instagram or here

A closer Look – Mold Atelier

We love objects with a story. This time we are looking behind the scenes at Mold Atelier. Their brass earrings are handmade in Oslo and we chose them for their sophisticated yet casual appearance. We talked to founders Linda and Mikal about Mold Atelier and their hometown Oslo. They reveal their favorite places in the Norwegian Capital and why their weekends usually start at 5.30 am.

Mikal Murstad and Linda Christiansen

Who are you?

We are Linda Christiansen and Mikal Murstad, together we are Mold Atelier – and if you add our 1-Year-old boy Storm, we are also a family. Mold Atelier is a creative studio we founded in 2017. Linda started experimenting with different materials and designing jewelry for friends. We both also needed a creative outlet for personal projects. The entire process has been and still is quite organic. Linda does all the jewelry design and styling for all our photoshoots. Mikal is our Art Director, communication manager, and sometimes also does photography. 

Linda is actually half Danish and half Swedish, and Mikal is Norwegian. So together we cover almost all of Scandinavia. We live and work in Oslo, Mikal’s hometown and we really love this place. Oslo is one of Europe’s fastest-growing cities which means the city is growing faster than we are able to explore it. This is perfect for us because we love walking around, location scouting, looking at architecture, and residential areas. Imagining how it is to live in different places. 

Why have you chosen to live in Oslo?

We have both lived in a few different cities and what we have gradually realized is that it’s really not a matter of which city, but rather who you know in the city you live in. We both have great friends and wonderful connections in Oslo. So that is why such a small city can be enough, combined with the access the internet gives to the rest of the world. It’s interesting that your main target audience doesn’t have to live in the city you live in. 

“There is also a new wave of young experimental furniture designers emerging in Oslo. So for now, we are more than happy with what Oslo has to offer. ”

— Mikal Murstad

Is there anything you don’t like about Oslo?

That being said, we do have some thoughts on how Oslo could improve. We miss the openness, positivity, and creative scene that (we perceive) Copenhagen has. It’s definitely interesting things happening in Oslo, but Oslo is in its creative infancy compared to Copenhagen. 

A few interesting things happening in Oslo we feel are worth mentioning. Elise By Olsens incredibly ambitious Fashion Research Library. The Fushion festival, merging art and fashion, is quite recently established but it has potential. Kirsten Visdal’s Håntverk+ aiming to facilitate the meeting of designers and makers. There’s also a new wave of young experimental furniture designers emerging in Oslo. So for now, we’re more than happy with what Oslo has to offer. 

What does your usual day look like?

On weekdays. Mikal works full time as an art director for a larger fashion company and Linda works with new designs for Mold Atelier and takes care of Storm, who hasn’t started kindergarten yet. 

Our weekend mornings start at about 05:30. Storm makes sure that the day starts early. We drink coffee, watch some kids' programs on TV, and talk a bit about what we want to do today. Storm goes back to sleep at 8 am and that’s when the day really starts. Everything before 8 am goes nice and slow. We work with Mold Atelier, take a walk through Oslo Botanical Gardens which luckily are less than a minute away. Oslo has a lot of parks. These walks often turn into explorations of new areas of the city, we stop for some Swedish “fika” and continuously look for possible locations for upcoming photoshoots. In the evening Mikal likes to draw and Linda loves to bake. 

These are our favorite places to hang out:

Eat at Pasta Fresca, Trondheimsveien 2, 0560 Oslo or Golden Chimp, Heimdalsgata 37, 0578 Oslo

The best place for oysters and wine Eff Eff, Fredensborgveien 22A, 0177 Oslo

Drink coffee at Supreme Roastworks, Thorvald Meyers gate 18A, 0555 Oslo,

Watch art at Galleri Golsa, Waldemar Thranes gate 84C, 0175 Oslo

Architecture at Villa Steneresen or Sverre Fehn’s Exhibition Pavilion at Architecture Museum

We love the nature area Bygdøy and swim in the Oslofjord from Vølund

The perfect thing to do in Winter: Going to the Sauna at Kok, Langkaia 1, 1050 Oslo

The stories we tell

„We tell ourselves stories in order to live” is the title of one of Joan Didions most popular non-fictional books. We believe that objects are even much more than their appearance; they are their stories. That is why we’ve decided to sell objects with a story that is worth telling. No matter whether they are vintage and their story will forever remain unknown to us or if they are produced in small batches by artisans and artists today. Our aim is to share their beauty, their use and their stories – and our journal is our place to tell them.