Hygge House | Live Well. Live Simple. Live Hygge.

Working on Hygge House

16 Jan ’08

This has been my view almost 24/7 for the past week. So many projects going on, so many site redesigns, so many articles to write. I came to Carmel by the Sea, California for a short creative sabbatical and it’s worked!

I’m slowly working on updating the design and functionality of this site plus I’ve dozens of articles just waiting to be touched up and published. I’m excited because this is a small part of a bigger picture that’s taking place for me in 2008. Everything is slowly, but surely, coming together. I cannot wait to share everything that’s coming up including my upcomming trip to Ireland and then another to France for a special, special project.

So thank you for your patience, for signing up for the emails, coming to the site, emailing me or leaving comments. I do what I do not so I can hear my own voice but because I really believe in the power of sharing and community. Sometimes I hit the mark, sometimes I miss a little but with feedback and support, I keep going. And you don’t know how I appreciate it.

Category My Hygge House

Ikea Expedit Shelving Unit

12 Jan ’08

My first few flats were decorated in nothing but Ikea since I, like most people starting out, couldn’t afford anything else. I also had zero style and liked the pre-bought simplicity they offered. But having to put it all together, not having it withstand (all my) moves, plus seeing every piece I owned in every friend’s house turned me off for a while.

However, taking on a vacation rental for a couple of months left me without the built-in bookcases of my regular home and I needed something simple, white, and cheap to fill the space. Step in Ikea Expedit Shelving Unit.

This unit is everywhere from boutique shops to mansions and for good reason; the clean, sleek lines showcase whatever you put in it so friends will ask about your contents instead of “is that Ikea?”

It’s perfect in my living room for my very large coffee table books (and maybe a flat screen TV on top?) but I can see it being in a child’s room with the coordinated boxes for toys. The larger version would be the perfect room divider. And with multiple hacks for this unit (horizontal, vertical, stacked, black, white, with storage cubes or without) there are more options than most generic bookshelves from higher priced stores.

My adoration of this unit won’t be making Ikea and I BFF anytime soon but since the disassembled unit can fit into my car, installation is rather easy and cost isn’t an issue, I might just have reason to get a second unit for the office.

Discussion 3 Comments Category Home/Decor Ideas, My Hygge House

Change isn’t always bad.

10 Jan ’08

My secret beach in Carmel had beautiful, tall trees and flowers that kept trying to grow amongst the white sandy beaches. It was quiet, peaceful and beautiful. I’d go here when I needed to feel the same.

Then last week rough weather approached and for a few days the secret beach was dark and clung to desperately to its winter beauty. The clouds rolled over the regular beach, too, creating massive waves and ominous skies. But the beach, though darker, was unchanged. Although the winds and waves were kicking up, the white sand tried so hard to stay, hiding things underneath while letting selective things grow. It wasn’t ready for the change and tried to pretend nothing was happening.

It’s just winds and waves said the beach and those who came – this is how it always is. You think something will happen but really, it doesn’t. We pretend to ooh and ahh and watch the show but truthfully, it’s just show.

But then a storm really came; trees were down, power was out for two days, hurricane winds pelted down over 6 inches of rain in 24 hours. The view from my flat was usually beautiful but I couldn’t see through the rain or clouds and at night it was pitch black with no solace from a candle. It was an isolating, scary and humbling three day period because no one was really prepared.

When the worst of the storm was over the dog and I were itching to walk and so to our beach we went, expecting just to see some big waves and dark skies as before. Yet when we arrived we found the beach very much changed.

It was bare – there were no people or beach; just new cliffs with a small bit of sand below full of seaweed. It wasn’t safe to walk on, it smelled bad from everything washing out – then back – to shore. It was in transition and no one – and nothing – wanted to be there. And so we left wondering if it would ever be the same as before.

Of course it wouldn’t. Nothing stays the same after a storm.

Continue reading →

Discussion Leave a comment Category Off She Goes

Carmel’s Hansel & Gretel Cottages

9 Jan ’08

Carmel by the Sea, California was one of America’s first artist colonies and gathered momentum after the 1906 earthquake had many of San Francisco’s artists fleeing to the beauty and inspiration of Carmel. But it wasn’t until 1924 when Hugh Comstock built the above 280 square foot cottage for his wife’s doll collection did the town take on the fairytale feel that it’s known for today.

It’s interesting to note that Comstock had no previous building/architectural experience and used no regular tools while he hand built the cottage. He simply had vision combined with will and away he went. The results were charming and extraordinary which made the other local artists crave the romance and whimsy he had created. Afterall, artists don’t want to live in boxes – especially not in a sea side forest town. So locals began to ask Comstock to build their houses and he obliged; building dozens of charming homes around Carmel which helped create a feeling of magic that people from around the world now come to see.

Land was originally sold extremely cheaply and homes were built without great expense. Now these homes are worth millions (the average home sale here being about $4 million U.S.) but they began with simple intentions by people who wanted to live somewhere beautiful, have their home reflect their dreams and create a unique way to live and work. A lot of thought when into the design of not only the homes, but the community that lived here, the streets, the shops and the future of the town. Urban planning 1920′s style.

Cottage Living Magazine has a wonderful article on the Comstock cottages – the physical issue has a map so you can talking a walking tour which I highly recommend doing. It might just get you rethinking home design – that character, whimsy and beauty isn’t just for those with A-List architects or bazillions. People once did it with little and it can be done again (for of course a little more!). It just takes an idea, some creativity, and work. But the results? Pretty spectacular I think.

Discussion 8 Comments Category Home/Decor Ideas, Off She Goes

Snowed In

8 Jan ’08

Mørkøv It was nearing the end of our trip to Denmark when, in Århus, we learned that one of the worst winter storms was slowly taking over the country. We had to make a (literally) last minute decision to brave the storm so we wouldn’t be stranded in the city and caught the last ferry heading out. When we arrived on the other end four hours later it was dark with white-out conditions. My knuckles were white the entire drive since we had neither a cell phone or experience driving the area and my cousin lived far out in the country.

We managed to get to her home safely near midnight and I headed almost straight to bed, falling asleep to thoughts of how the trip had been significantly altered due to the storm and what could possibly happen next? I woke the next morning to the most beautiful answer: I’d be snowed in a charming town for the next couple of days with nothing to do but eat, sleep, explore and dish with family. So at 7AM I donned my boots, mittens, coat and scarf to head out into Mørkøv to enjoy the beautiful quiet now that I didn’t have to worry about driving in it.

My second cousin, Britta, was the reason we were here. She and my mum were very close growing up and when they’re together it’s easy to see why; they giggle like school girls together which is so fun to watch. And their ability to transform the ordinary into something extraordinary, plus their love of entertaining… well, they’re both just so alike. So Danish!

Britta and my Mum