Gore Design Co. Sinks

Apologies once again for not posting for a few weeks. I promised myself that I would NOT apologize anymore - after all, this is my blog and I would like to post whenever I'm inspired to do so and not because I feel I have to. On the other hand, I would definitely like to post more frequently... Ugh, I promise I won't bore you with the same old speech every single time I'm a bit behind my 'blog' schedule (seriously). 

So, how come I haven't posted in yonks? I think there came a point where I was just getting a bit fed up with all the Christmas-related posts on all the blogs I read. Yes, this sounds a bit Bah-Humbug-ish and I swear I still love all those blogs dearly (& Christmas!) but it was just getting a bit too much. And then I got sick on Christmas Eve which didn't really help with my blog amnesia. I did have a really nice Christmas, all things considered. Buuut... I think I'm ready for a new chapter and I'm really excited for 2013! Bring it on!

Today I wanted to put a spotlight on some awesome design. I haven't really posted about anything design-related (apart from Joke's Gift Guide, which was, obviously, a guest post :), so I thought it was about time. 

I recently came across these awesome sinks by Gore Design Co., an artisan studio from Tempe, Arizona, specializing in custom concrete surfaces and interiors, and immediately fell in love. Even though I'm not sure if I'd buy them for my dream house, I still think they're pretty cool. 

I really love design that's 'different' and maybe pushes the boundaries a bit. And I even love design which may not exactly be my cup of tea - I know that may sound strange, but I guess I can simply appreciate things even though they're not conventionally 'pretty'.

What do you think, are you a fan of these sinks?

Tomorrow, I will be posting about New Year's resolutions, so stay tuned! And thank you so much for coming back to the blog & commenting, I really appreciate it! :)

P.S.: I'm now on Pinterest (well I have been for a while, I just never informed you guys - oops!). Totally addicted! :)

All photos by Gore Design Co., via Design Milk

Guest Post - Washi Tape Christmas DIY

Today's post is a bit of a blogging milestone - it's the first guest post here at Third Culture Cool. I recently asked Jana from Mode de Boulangerie, one of my favourite Czech blogs, whether she'd be up for writing a guest post for my blog. Needless to say, she was more than happy to do so, and in return I contributed to her blog (I compiled a Christmas gift guide, check it out!).

I guess Jana is a mind-reader because her guest post DIY is washi-tape-themed (and you all know my obsession with the latter ;). (English version in italics)

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Dobrý den! Dnes jsem tady na návštěvě a proto jsem chtěla přispět něčím, co mě baví, co mám ráda, co mě tak trochu vystihuje. Ráda se obklopuji krásnými věcmi a snad se mi v tomto duchu daří zařizovat i naše bydlení. Proto jsem se rozhodla o příspěvek typu DIY, který mi bude navíc blízký i tématicky. Tvoření ve spojení s interiérem mě neskutečně naplňuje a je to můj největší koníček hned po mém blogu. Tvoření s washi páskami je velká zábava a když si tím ještě zkrášlím bydlení, tak to vůbec nemá chybu. Kdo mě čte pravidelně ví o mé posedlosti po parůžcích. Miluju jeleny! Proto, když jsem viděla tento obrázek, bylo rozhodnuto.

Hello! Since I'm a 'guest' on this blog, I wanted to contribute with something that I like, something that's 'me'. I like to surround myself with beautiful things and I tend to decorate my house keeping that in mind. This is why I decided to do a DIY guest post which would also be close to my heart thematically. One of my biggest hobbies - apart from blogging - is working on the interior of my house. Working with washi tapes is a lot of fun and when I get to make my house prettier when using said tapes, it's even better. My regular readers know that I am obsessed with antlers. I love deer! This is why, when I saw the photo below, I knew what I wanted to do.

Pro toto vánoční období mi bude ozdobou jelení hlava vytvořena washi páskami. 

This Christmas holiday, my place will be decorated with a washi tape mounted deer head.

Thank you so much, Jana! Isn't this a really cool idea? And really easy as well (perfect for people who aren't such skilled crafters.. *cough cough*.. ME). This year, I won't be able to make this mounted deer head (not enough space). Hopefully that will change sometime in the near future.

First photo by Therese Winberg, styled by Linda Åhman, via PLAZA Interiör.

Dream Destinations

I had such a good time with my friend Joke last week that I guess I'm still in the post-holiday mood. That's why I only got back to blogging today. Sometimes you need a bit of a break, right? And while I would love to post quite frequently in the future, I have to acknowledge the fact that won't always be possible. I really love blogging though, no question about it! :)

Today I'd like to talk about the places I would love to visit sometime in the future - I've narrowed my list down to a total of 3 destinations. I love traveling but visiting these places is not really (financially) possible at the moment... I really do believe that one day I'll see them, though! 

1. Japan

Out of my 3 top places, Japan has been on my 'list' the longest. And no, my short-lived high school J-Rock obsession has nothing to do with that. ;) But seriously, there's so many reasons why I'd like to go to Japan: the food, the over-the-top techy atmosphere, the crazy fashion (Harajuku!), all the kawaii stuff (I think I'd go crazy over this one ;), bullet trains, Kyoto and geishas, karaoke, and just the 'uniqueness' of it all. I also have a few friends from Tokyo and I'd love to visit them & hang out in all the non-touristy places as well. One day, one day!

2. Iceland

To me, Iceland is a bit of a mysterious country, a country where it's still OK to believe in fairy-tales, a country with hauntingly beautiful nature. I first found out about the awesomeness of Iceland when I was studying in Scotland and met my friend Gigja (who's now working with a few people to turn an old fish factory into a creative art space!) for the first time. Ever since then, I've wanted to visit Iceland - I mean, which other country has made such a cool tourism promotional video? Also, I'd love to go to the Iceland Airwaves music festival one day - amazing music and an awesome location, done! Plus, you know, Icelanders are kooky (and all look like supermodels apparently).

3. Faroe Islands

I may or may not have fallen in love with the Faroe Islands after watching a certain H&M video last year. ;) I know, I know, the video is completely staged and apparently there is no H&M on the Faroe Islands (irony!), but still... I think my dream of spending a few nights in a super cozy cabin in a completely secluded area could come true on the Faroe Islands. Lovely, right?

What are your dream destinations? Let me know, I'd love to hear them all! :)

Photo sources: 1, 2, 3. 

Interview with Maiju from 'my 2nd hand life'

TGIF! I'm really excited about today's post and I hope you will be too! On Wednesday I dropped a hint that I would be posting about something exciting soon and, well, it seems that 'soon' is today (I'm pretty impatient, if you haven't noticed yet ;). Soooo... a few days ago I asked the lovely Maiju from my 2nd hand life if I could do an email interview with her and she said yes! She was super nice about it too. :) For those who don't know Maiju's blog, it mainly centres on interior design - Maiju often blogs about her own home as well as things that inspire her. You really have to check her blog out, it's filled with beautiful photographs (Maiju's house is just amazing!) and witty posts. It really is one of my favourites! I wanted to interview Maiju as I was curious to find out about the story behind her blog.

Tell us a bit about how your blogging journey began. When did you start your blog and what inspired you to do so?
I started blogging in 2007 on my maternity leave. In Finland the maternity leave is 10 months, so I needed a nice hobby that I could do at home. I have always been interested in interior decorating, but when I at the time discovered interior blogs, I really became fascinated with the field and wanted to start my own blog too. My 2nd hand life blog I have had for two years now.

What do you like the most about blogging? Has blogging changed your life in any significant way?

Yes, it has definitely changed my life in a positive sense. I'm a creative person and blogging is a great way to express yourself and your ideas I think. And to get inspiration from other bloggers. Also the feedback from the readers has been amazing and really made me more confident about my visions and skills! And that's priceless, I think!

Apart from blogging, what do you fill your days with?

I'm a mum for a 5 year old boy and soon for a little girl too, if everything goes like expected. I'm also a public servant on the public sector on daytime - a job that isn't that creative all the time, but needs constant rethinking and new ideas too. I think that these two sides (being a blogger and having an administrative dayjob) go well together :)

 

You have a great eye for interior design, where do you draw your inspiration from? Has your 'interior style' changed at all in the past few years? What 'motifs' do you love using in your place?

Thank you, I read lot of blogs from everywhere - mostly from Europe though. I love the Danish style of interior decoration - black and white, contrasts, vintage items, playful details mixed with good design. A bit bohemian look I guess. To live in an older home with wooden floors, old windows and doors, several fireplaces and so on is something that I enjoy and appreciate everyday! I think my style has changed from more ruff industrial vintage to more clearer style with more modern design during the recent years.

What's your favourite thing about living in Finland?

Four seasons absolutely, all though having a long and dark winter feels many times a bit tuff...

Finland has so many amazing designers, who is your favourite?

This is a difficult question, I really can't pick one. But I think that for example Marimekko has a nice brand and products.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Hopefully happy with my family of four persons! I would also like to develop my blog and blogging to a stage, where I could earn some of my income from there. Just to have more freedom in life and do the things I love!

Thank you so much, Maiju! You rock :)

Photos of Maiju's house courtesy of my 2nd hand life

Stephanie Gundelach's Copenhagen Apartment

Today I am dreaming of airy and bright interiors which are filled with quirky and cool details. I guess this is quite logical - all I want to do is stay inside (it's still freezing here in Prague! I really want a REAL fireplace, thank you!). This is why I remembered stumbling upon pictures of a beautiful Copenhagen apartment a few weeks ago. The flat belongs to Danish fashion blogger Stephanie Gundelach and was featured in the October 2012 issue of Danish Elle Decoration. The place was styled by Helen Wiggers and photographed by the wonderful Line Klein. What do you think, isn't it amazing? When can I move in? :)

I think the last photo is my favourite - I'm kind of obsessed with the combination of clear furniture & wood. Clear furniture can also come in handy in smaller spaces, giving them the illusion of openness.

What do you think, could you live here?

Photos by Line Klein, from the October 2012 issue of Elle Decoration Denmark, via My Scandinavian Home

Jen Ramos

I really love these paintings by New York-based artist Jen Ramos. I'd love to buy one when I have my own place! They're all sold out at the moment, but hopefully Jen Ramos will paint some more in the future. :) Totally my style!

Check out the artist's blog as well - really inspiring.

Photos by Cocoa & Hearts 

Moleskine Store in Prague

A few days ago I visited the Moleskine store here in Prague and I was struck by how amazing the interior design was. I had actually already visited the store when it first opened about a year ago, but I didn't get to appreciate its full glory due to the fact that the place was PACKED. But when I visited the store this week I was actually the only customer there, and apart from checking out all the new additions to the Moleskine family, I got to admire the interior.

I really love the all-white theme as well the shelves which make the notebooks look like works of art. The drawings by young Czech artist Martin Kubát also give the place more character so that it's not 'just another Moleskine store'. The place comes complete with a hipster bike but sadly the latter isn't featured in the photos below. :)

I think a lot of Czech stores - and interiors in general - could learn from this place. I feel like a lot of stores here in Prague are super impersonal but I guess people are only just beginning to realize that visiting an original and nicely decorated place will make the customers want to stay that much longer.

And yes, I did conclude my visit with a purchase of a Moleskine notebook. Oops!

Photos by Dorota Špinková for Moleskine Czech Republic: 1, 2

Zabludowicz Collection - Sarvisalo, Finland

Thanks to this postcard, I now have another arts-related place I'm dying to visit. And it's not really a gallery or a museum...

Tom Hiddleston love

'Never, ever let anyone tell you what you can and can't do. Prove the cynics wrong. Pity them, for they have no imagination. The sky's the limit. Your sky, your limit.' 

-Tom Hiddleston

I love this quote. I mean, Tom Hiddleston said it, so it's amazing by default. :) But seriously, Tom Hiddleston isn't just one of my favourite actors... He inspires me with his positivity. He's acknowledged the fact that he's had to work hard to get where he is today and, at the same time, you can tell he's grateful for all the opportunities that have been given to him. To me, he's a true star. Oh and he loves Miss Piggy... need I say more? Love you Tom!

(Clearly my Moleskine diary loves Tom too ;).

French Interior Inspiration

Today I'd like to share some pics of an apartment that I find really inspiring. I recently bought the autumn issue of Czech Elle Decoration and there were so many nice interior ideas that I seriously want my own place RIGHT. NOW. I especially liked the article which features the French designer Florence Baudoux's Parisian apartment. Check it out (apologies for the wonky scanning btw).