Skandivis goes off piste

Being married to a South African guy I'm a regular visitor to  Cape Town and have long been impressed and inspired by the creativity of the place. So to me, it is no surprise that Cape Town is the designated  Design Capital for 2014, as the place is absolutely buzzing!

As Skandivis is all about living the Scandinavian way,I'm never more excited than when I find Scandinavian influences in unusual places. My latest find is the creative hub the Woodstock Exchange located in Cape Town.  Apart from housing my favorite  Scandi/African brand: Pedersen & Lennard, it's also home to some of the most amazing cafes and workshops in Cape Town right now!

The design partnership Pedersen & Lennard  sells  hand-made as well as  machine-made products that have all been put together in their Cape Town  workshop. Their range is influenced by their fascination with South African craft and the clean aesthetic of their Scandinavian forefathers. Below are some of my favorite products from their current collection.

Photos from the Pedersen & Lennard cafe in Woodstock

Below the totally amazing restaurant Superette where I've spent hours people watching and taking in the super cool environment!

I'm planning to  be back at the same time next year to see what's in store during Cape Town Design Capital 2014, can't wait!

Wood lovely wood...

I'll never get tired of wood and I love how it's used in so many ways to create some gorgeous design! The maple wood knife from The Federal is a beauty and the way wood is used in its design is totally new to me!

1. via 2. Oyoy  3.  Fjellby 4. Ferm Living 5. Muuto
6.  The Federal

Cool restaurant - Nordic designed

Really, what's not to love about the cool Copenhagen restaurant "Höst", the result of a successful collaboration between two well know Danish brands Norm Architects and Menu? Above all, I totally love its unmistakably cosy Scandinavian feel! Höst means harvest in Danish and autumn in Swedish! The restaurant has  definitely got that unique autumnal weathered look largely achieved by using materials such as recycled wood and old cast iron that have been left to age gracefully.


 Notice the black scissor spring hanging lamps designed by Menu

  Black  bar Stools from &Tradition

    Gorgeous tableware from New Norm in nude natural colours

 Innovative use of Euro-pallets

Images via  Rum

Rough on the ouside smooth on the inside

I've just  come across these beautiful photos in the Danish magazine Bo Bedre. Love the contrast between the rough exterior brickwork and the smooth monochrome interior. 

Photos:   Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen

The day I met Lotta Agaton

Just back from Meet The Blogger event in Stockholm. I'm still  feeling fully charged after meeting some truly inspiring people.

I've been a huge fan of Lotta Agaton for a very long time so just imagine my excitement when I discovered that a visit to Lotta's shop was part of the Design tour organised by Meet The Blogger! The shop was every bit as cool as I had imagined it to be and more....

Swooning over the Therese Sennerholt prints, prominent throughout the shop!