VOLUME | 02
VOLUME | 02
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EDITORIAL
CREATIVE PEOPLE Green oasis in Prague
01 DIY IDEAS Eggs coloured by nature Stylish felt iPad case
02 EDITORS´CHOICE Elegant and eternal marble A mysterious youthful denim
03 WORK SPACE 2 × space for creative people
04 BOOKS Children´s books and equipment
06 SPRING COOKING Cup of coffee from Aeropress Healthy spring lunch Roasted troat Wholemeal cheese and apple pie Smoked salmon deviled eggs
07 TRAVEL Kersko of Bohumil Hrabal Willow flowers
08 FLOWERS Flowers on a plate
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LANDSCAPES Charismatic prespring Sopot
HOME TOURS Finnish blogger and her house With feeling for various styles
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SKETCHBOOK How to choose the dining table
EVENTS CALENDER
© Copyright SOFFA magazine All rights reservedw. www.soffamag.com info@soffamag.com
Cover photo | styling: SOFFA | photographyw: Lina Németh
BE AU T I F UL S PR I N G ! text: Adéla Kudrnová | illustration: Lenka Hlaváčová
Before you start browsing through the second issue of the SOFFA magazine we would like to wish you nice spring! We love this time of the year and that is why this issue is full of spring topics. The flower motives are like a thin red line all across the new issue without even having planned to have it so! We will show you that flowers do not always have to be a decoration in a vase, they can levitate as well as they can be a part of your menu! We went for a trip to Kersko – the region of Bohumil Hrabal - in order to take pictures of the beauties of the forest but our attention was captured mainly by the beauties of blooming willows and other spring flowers. The biggest surprise here was a tomcat who started eating our styled picnic scene! Through this issue we present you with several news. Firstly we would like to introduce our new photographer and friend Lina Németh. We have a shared passion for nature and landscapes so we introduced a new column on this topic. Apart from that you can also be looking forward to reading our new section Books. Naturally, there are usual articles on living. Our designer Lenka prepared a practical manual on where and how to place the dining table in an interior and she also made stylish accessories for the work space area. Make sure you will find some time for a trip in spring. And then you can share your experiences with us! We will be looking forward to it! Your SOFFA team P.s. Do not forget to follow our new Instagram account!
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DI Y I DEA S Two projects that you just have to try
EGGS CO LO U R ED BY N AT U R E text: Adéla Kudrnová | styling: SOFFA | photography: Lina Németh
ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT HOW TO COLOUR THE EGGS THIS YEAR? TRY COLOURING WITH NATURAL COLOURS: THANKS TO THEM THE EGGS WILL GAIN FASHIONABLE PASTEL SHADES! DIFFICULTY: easy TIME: 60 min. to 1 day (depending on the number of eggs and colours; with some colours you need to let the eggs soak overnight) WHAT YOU WILL NEED: pot (one or more) spoon brown and white eggs onion spinach coffee curry
It was our grandmothers who used flowers and other easily accessible raw materials to decorate eggs. Try these methods of egg colouring as well, you will be surprised how many gentle shades it is possible to create! INSTRUCTIONS: Get the raw materials according to the planned colours. We used onion, curry, ground coffee and crushed spinach. Mix the natural ingredients in water in the pot and boil. Some of the ingredients are necessary to boil for longer. While boiling the water with the ingredients wash the eggs. Insert the eggs into the water and boil. Leave in to bathe until it cools down (sometimes even overnight). TIP: If you aim for red, use beetroot; if you aim for blue, use red cabbage; if you aim for yellow, dandelions are the best.
COLOURING EGGS BY USING ONION PEELS IS PROBABLY THE MOST WELL-KNOWN METHOD. IN ORDER TO GET DARKER SHADE OF BROWN USE BROWN EGG; RED ONION TENDS TO COLOUR THE EGGS INTO RED TONES.
SPINACH (BOTH LEAVES AND PUREE) SHOULD BE BOILED FOR QUITE LONG. USE WHITE EGG AND LEAVE IN THE SPINACH WATER OVERNIGHT; THE INTENSITY OF THE COLOUR DEPENDS ON HOW LONG YOU LEAVE THE EGGS IN.
BY COLOURING THE EGGS WITH THE GROUND COFFEE YOU WILL ACHIEVE A BEAUTIFUL ‘CAFFE LATTE’ COLOUR. IF YOU AIM FOR DARKER SHADES, USE BROWN (OR DARKER) EGGS.
A MIXTURE OF CURRY SPICES HAS AN INTENSE SCENT, TASTE AND COLOUR. IF YOU USE A WHITE EGG, YOU CAN LEAVE IT IN THE WATER JUST A FEW MINUTES; IF YOU LEAVE IT FOR LONGER, YOU WILL GET ORANGE SHADES.
ST Y L ISH F ELT I PA D C A S E text and styling: Lenka Hlaváčová | photography: Lina Németh
TO GET A SIMPLE MODERN IPAD CASE CAN BE REALLY DIFFICULT. IF YOU STILL DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT ONE, TRY MAKING IT YOURSELF ACCORDING TO OUR INSTRUCTIONS. IT IS EASY! DIFFICULTY: medium TIME: 60 min. for all-felt case + (2 – 3 hrs for the top part) WHAT YOU WILL NEED: 0.5 m felt textile or leather “leftovers” size A4 for the top part (not necessary) 2 thin leather straps thread scissors pricker textile chalk pins needles of various sizes glue
After a long time spent in vain on an endless search for a nice, simple and useful iPad case we decided to make it ourselves. We have prepared for you instructions according to which you can make your own iPad case as well. All you need is to print out the template which you can find on our website. Use a neutral colour for the base of the case and based on your taste you can either leave the case allfelt, make the upper part from leather or cover it with textile. Every case is an original! INSTRUCTIONS: Download the template and print it out. Cut out and glue to the shaded area of the middle part. Use the textile chalk to copy the template onto the felt. Cut out and fold little side lapels 04, 05 towards the centre and do the same with the part 03. Try if the size is right and if there is enough space inside with a tablet or a book
of the same size. Carefully pin the side lapels to the bottom part and take the tablet/book out. Use the pricker to make holes in the places of the pins and sew the parts together with the thin leather strap.
If you want to have the top part decorated, copy the shape of the part 02 onto the second textile and cut out approximately 1 – 1.5 cm bigger than the actual size of the part. Fold the edges down and sew to the top of the felt. Finally, use the pricker to make a hole in the top part of the lid and put the leather strap through so that you can tie it. We hope you will like and enjoy the functionality and the design of your handmade iPad case! DOWNLOAD THE TEMPLATE HERE.
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E D I TO R S ' C H O I C E Marble and denim are the trends
E L EGANT AN D ET ER N A L M A R B L E styling: SOFFA | photography: companies' archives
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES OF TIMELESS DESIGN, BET ON MARBLE. IT IS FASHIONABLE AND WILL NE VER GET BORING! WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT MARBLE IS ITS ABILITY TO TRANSFORM A TINY LITTLE THING INTO A NOBLE ONE!
CLOCK by Menu | Superstore DBK
TABLE LAMP SPOT by House Doctor | Nordic Day
SET OF BOXES by Snugstudio | Etsy
NOTEBOOKS MARBLE By Nord ILLUSTRATION HEXAGONS Ferm Living
PENDANT LAMP Studio Vit
CUSHION FUSION TRIANGLE Ferm Living
COFFEE TABLE by Poliform | Stockist
A MY ST E R IO U S YO U T H F U L DEN I M styling: SOFFA | photography: companies' archives
JEANS ARE THE MOST POPULAR TROUSERS IN THE WORLD. DENIM RULES NOT ONLY THE FASHION COLLECTIONS, BUT IT ALSO PENETRATED INTO THE WORLD OF INTERIOR DESIGN. THE HOTTEST TREND IS TO COMBINE DIFFERENT SHADES OF DENIM AT ONCE!
CUSHION DENIM by HK Living | Nordic Day
CHAIR HYM SALVAGE Urban Outfitters
DENIM RUNNER Etsy
PENCIL CASE Mi-Pac
WATCH KOMONO MAGNUS ss.Thomas
TUNIC H&M
HAND BAG Llane Alexis
CARPET AMLAPURA by Designers Guild | Dreamhouse
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WO R K S PAC E Two styles you will fall in love with
2 × SPACE F O R C R EAT I V E PEO PL E text: Adéla Kudrnová | styling: SOFFA | photography: Lina Németh
WE KNOW THAT YOU – OUR READERS – ARE VERY CREATIVE PEOPLE. AND SO WE PRESENT YOU WITH TWO WORK SPACE INSPIRATIONS. USE IT AND CREATE A MAGIC ENVIRONMENT IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME! Judging from personal experience we know that there is a direct linkage between nice work space and good results. The better conditions you have the easier it is for you to work. Whether you like minimalistic blackand-white combination, or you are more of a trendy-pastel-colours fan, we hope you will find at least one feature in our work space improvementsuggestions which you would use for your own home working zone. It could be, for instance, a handmade origami paper basket or a felt pocket system which can also serve as a notice board. The instructions for how to make these are available at www.soffamag.com.
Many thanks to the company LUGI for their cooperation and providing the venue of Uhelný mlýn.
IF YOU ARE LUCKY TO HAVE HIGH CEILINGS (JUST LIKE WE WERE WHEN PHOTOGRAPHING IN UHELNÝ MLÝN), DO NOT HESITATE TO PLACE YOUR WORK DESK FREELY INTO THE SPACE. YOU CAN ALSO USE A NORMAL CLOTHES RACK AS A PAPER RACK! Table Marcel from limited edition, Lugi Chair Copenhague by Hay, Stockist Clothes rack Turbo also for outdoor use, Ikea Leather bag Ealing by Conkca, Bonami Clock Smartville, BoConcept Metal decorative letter E, Nanovo Graphic art Up by Fine Little Day, Selbrekka
Drawing paper roll Role Måla, Ikea Carton boxes by Ferm Living, Nordic Day Wooden shoe by Madam Stoltz, Nordic Day Scissors Plastic by Tine K Home, Nordic Day Black metal trays by Hay, Stockist Paper basket, design SOFFA
DO YOU LOVE PAPER? MAKE YOUR OWN PAPER BASKET IN THE JAPANESE ORIGAMI STYLE. THE INSTRUCTIONS ARE AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE. IF YOU FALL FOR IT, YOU CAN MAKE MORE OF THEM – FOR YOUR PENS AND PENCILS!
YOUR WORK SPACE CAN BE STYLISH: COMBINE NEW ACCESSORIES WITH OLD ITEMS – THESE CAN STILL SERVE THEIR PURPOSE PLUS THEY WILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL CHARM! TO GET SOME ORIGINAL ANCIENT OFFICE EQUIPMENT VISIT A FLEA MARKET!
IT IS DEFINITELY ALLOWED TO COMBINE VARIOUS TYPES OF WOOD. A WOODEN TABLE WILL LOOK GREAT BY A WOODEN WALL; A DARK STANDING WOODEN CLOTHES RACK COULD BE USED ORIGINALLY – AS A HOLDER OF PAINTING EQUIPMENT. ONCE YOU HAVE THE WOOD COMBINED, CONSIDER PASTEL COLOURED ACCESSORIES. Table Jean from limited edition, Lugi Working factory chair, Nanovo Servant 03 from american walnut, Lugi Table lamp TR17 by Tom Rossau, Lugi Metal basket Mint by Ferm Living, Nordic Day Reversible carpet Renate, Ikea
Schoolbag Naturapura, design Elajediova, Popout Rose box with lid Pallra, Ikea Vases Medveten and Olik, Ikea Part of kitchen trolley Råskog, Ikea Magazine file set Knuff, Ikea Fur cushion seat Befara, Ikea Felt pocket system, design SOFFA
IF YOU USE PASTELS IN THE INTERIOR, PICK ONE COLOUR AS THE CORE ONE: WE CHOSE TURQUOISE AND REPEATED IT ON THE METAL BASKET, CHAIR AND ON THE CHALK BOX.
DO YOU NEED A HANDY STORAGE AREA ABOVE YOUR DESK? MAKE A POCKET SYSTEM FROM FELT ACCORDING TO OUR INTRUCTIONS ON THE WEBSITE: IT IS SO EASY! IT IS EVEN DESIGNED SO THAT THANKS TO THE CLEVER PINS, IT COULD WORK AS A NOTICE BOARD.
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BOOKS New books for the youngest ones
C HIL D R E N' S BO O K S A N D EQ UI PM EN T text: Adéla Kudrnová | styling: SOFFA | photography: Lina Németh
FOR THE NEW CHAPTER WE PICKED THE CHILDREN'S BOOKS TOPIC. ALEX, OUR PHOTOGRAPHER'S SON HAD THE GREATEST JOY OF IT. AND SO, UNPLANNED, HE BECAME PART OF THE PHOTO SHOOT. ASK THE STARS L. & S. Favardin Edition Lidu
Bilingual Czech–English bedtime story is for small and big dreamers. It's about a giraffe from the Camelopardalis galaxy.
THE ANIMALS IN A BOX Jana Nachlingerová Fler / Jou Jou
Teaching textbook contains paper cards with pictures of animals. On these cards you can find English words with Czech translation. The ideal tool for teaching English and animals!
FERDINAND! Robin Král / Andrea Tachezy Bežíliška
Three-dimensional colorful concertina book contains merry verse narrative about lost bat and his adventures. The book is intended for the youngest children.
FOLLOW THE WHITE RABBIT L. & S. Favardin Edition Lidu
View from a set of graphic cards with characters from an interactive story Follow the White Rabbit, which is something between illustration, video game and literature. Explore it!
THE NUMBERS IN THE BOX Jana Nachlingerová Fler / Jou Jou
Teaching book suitable for children who are learning to count from one to ten. In the box with 31 paper flashcards you will also find a variety of little figures, dots, and other shapes.
THE LITTLE PRINCE Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Albatros
Now you can have this classic novel in a new, pocket edition, in dimensions 12,5 x 20,5 cm. This book was published in a new, modern translation of Richard Podaný.
MENAGERIE OF CHRUDOŠ Chrudoš Valoušek Baobab
Menagerie of Chrudoš are actually three books in one. Wide format book Chrudoš’ television is intended for older kids. Booklet animals of Valoušek (on photography under Chrudoš’ television, flyleaf with orange dots) is for the youngest, as well as masks and coloring book Vtom and Žery. In all three works you will find fun linocuts, which will be appreciated also by adults!
FOX BOOKMARK Sharon Rowan Free for download
Sharon Rowan from the Lemon Squeezy blog designed and provided free downloadable bookmarks with fox pattern. Download here!
ELEPHANT AND ANT Daisy Mrázková Baobab
This book from Daisy Mrázková has been published for the first time in full colors. It's a story about elephant, ant and squirrel - who loved each other even though they were different.
MR. TIGER GOES WILD Peter Brown Little, Brown Company
Writer and illustrator Peter Brown wrote a story about Mr. Tiger, who decided to be different. So he took his clothes off and got wild!
Vinyl carpet, Selbrekka Textile toy Giraffe, Edition lidu
ABOVE: You can build a small bat house from the Ferdinand! concertina book. Kids can play and guess who lives inside. The house also looks good as a simple decoration of the child room.
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CR EAT I V E PEO PL E Zahrada na niti
GR E AN OA S I S I N PR AG UE text: Adéla Kudrnová | styling: SOFFA | photography: Lina Németh
DO YOU DREAM ABOUT YOUR OWN SHOP INTO WHICH PEOPLE WOULD BE COMING BACK AS INTO A GALLERY? THE STORY OF LENKA HRUBÁ AND HER ZAHRADA NA NITI COULD INSPIRE YOU! Because we love flowers and also stories of people whose talent and hard work made their dream come true we have been planning to introduce our friend Lenka Hrubá to you together with her beautiful green oasis of strange levitating plants in the centre of Prague. With the spring knocking on the door the time is right now! We met Lenka at a wedding of our mutual friend. Among the wedding gifts there was a completely original one – a hanging moss ball with a beautiful flower growing out of it. It was a kokedama made by Lenka who had at that time just opened her little shop full of levitating kokedamas – Zahrada na niti (Garden on a Thread). Since then Lenka managed to start her project successfully, she made loads of kokedamas, started writing a blog and also won the first round of a competition Rozjezdy roku 2013. Apart from kokedamas she started selling glass bobbles – the so-called aeraria – and other self-designed products. We spent one full day with Lenka and she taught us how to make our own a hanging aerarium (the instructions are available at www. soffamag.com). For more information about her shop and kokedamas keep on reading: WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO KOKEDAMAS? Well, that is a long story. I graduated from Garden and environment creation at ČZU (Czech University of Agriculture Prague) and then I spent a
long time searching for a job as a garden architect; however, the competition in this field is huge and it is not easy at all. I did realisations of gardens and balconies but it was still not it. And then one day my husband brought me my first kokedama as a souvenir from Amsterdam. At that time I didn’t know what kokedamas are and that they exist. It was a moss ball on a thread with a cypress growing out of it. I am a great fan of the Little Prince book by Exupéry and the kokedama reminded me of a baobab tree growing on a tiny planet. I became interested and started gathering information about kokedamas which resulted in me actually trying to make some. Then my husband had an idea that I should open a shop and start selling them. SO DID YOU AGREE AND STARTED YOUR BUSINESS STRAIGHT AWAY? Not at all, I was hesitating for a long time. For four months I had been looking for a suitable venue with a big window that would let in the light. When I founded Zahrada na niti I even planned to solely import the kokedamas from the Netherlands and simply sell them here. Nevertheless, it turned to be unrealistic so I started making them myself. SO WHAT EXACTLY ARE THESE KOKEDAMAS? COULD YOU INTRODUCE THEM A LITTLE BIT? Kokedamas are originally from Japan. The word itself means ‘a moss ball’. It is said that kokedamas evolved from a type of bonsai when the roots were covered by growing moss. Kokedamas are plants growing in a rounded casing of special soil (and other additives – depending on the needs of a specific plant) which is covered with moss. There are two types of kokedamas – those hanging ones (levitating in the space), which need to be manually entwined with a thread, and those that you can place on a bowl or a plate (these do not need to be entwined).
KOKEDAMAS CAN HAVE VARIOUS SHAPES AND SIZES. IT DEPENDS ON YOU WHICH ONE YOU CHOOSE! LEFT TO RIGHT: KOKEDAMA ASPARAGUS PLUMOSUS AND MYRTHUS COLUMMUNIS.
LENKA IS JUST PLANTING THE SUCCULENTS INTO AN AERARIUM AND DECORATING IT WITH PEBBLES. IT IS NOT HARD BUT IT REQUIRES A BIG AMOUNT OF PATIENCE! DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS ON OUR SOFFA WEBSITE!
WHAT KINDS OF PLANTS ARE USED FOR KOKEDAMAS? Almost any plant can be used – the decorative one, herbs and even small bushes. It is a tradition in Japan to use bonsais and outdoor plants. BUT YOUR KOKEDAMAS ARE MAINLY INTERIOR, AREN’T THEY? Yes, they are. I have my own secret methods so my kokedamas are mainly for interiors. When I am making a kokedama with a new type of plant, I always test if it is suitable for such use first. HOW TO LOOK AFTER A KOKEDAMA? It is quite simple. Kokedamas need a lot of light, air and water. To each kokedama I give a ‘manual’. In order to water the plants you place them into a bucket with settled water (not a fresh one from the tap) for a few minutes. The rest of the care depends on the type of the plant. WHAT IS THE BEST PLACE FOR A KOKEDAMA TO BE HUNG? It depends on you. What is beautiful is to place more kokedamas next to each other – like that it can serve as a divider of space. YOU DON'T SELL ONLY KOKEDAMAS IN ZAHRADA NA NITI... That is right. I wanted to preserve the ‘on a thread’ part so I designed hanging aeraria. These are glass bowls containing mainly succulents and decorative pebbles. Apart from aeraria I also make terraria for plants. One Czech glasshouse makes the bowls for me. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE? I would like to make a catalogue with pictures of interiors to show people the variety of kokedamas’ usage and their potential. I am also currently working on new designs of glassware. I also devote some of my time to blogging. For more information go to www.zahradaniti.cz.
HANGING AERARIA LOOK GREAT WHEN THERE ARE MORE IN A ROW! IN ZAHRADA NA NITI YOU CAN GET CERAMIC POTS AND ACCESSORIES BY USE MY ART BRAND.
WE DECIDED TO HELP LENKA WITH HER PLANS ON CREATING A CATALOGUE AND SHOW YOU HOW GREAT KOKEDAMAS, TERRARIA, AERARIA AND BULB VASES CAN LOOK WHEN COMBINED WITH OTHER INTERIOR ACCESSORIES. YOU CAN CREATE SIMILAR FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS IN YOUR OWN HOME! ALL YOU NEED IS A LITTLE BIT OF CREATIVITY! Candlestick V채lk채nd and tray Trendig, Ikea Blanket, tea pot and slate board, Butlers Glass vases, aeraria, terrarium, cord and flower pot, Zahrada na niti
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SP R I N G CO O K I N G Four fast and healthy recipes
CU P O F CO F FEE F RO M A ERO PR ES S text: Adéla Kudrnová | styling: SOFFA | photography: Radostina Boseva
OUR REGULAR READERS WILL KNOW THAT WE LOVE COFFEE. THEREFORE, WHEN WE DISCOVERED THE ALTERNATIVE WAY OF MAKING COFFEE WE KNEW WE HAD TO PRESENT IT TO YOU! TIME: approximately 4 min. (including preparation) ENOUGH FOR: 1 or 2 cups of coffee WHAT YOU NEED: Aeropress paper filter (usually included in the Aeropress package but also sold separately) freshly roasted coffee (17g per one portion) water (ideally filtered but necessary) manual grinder digital scale stop watch stirrer cup(s)
We first came across the alternative way of making coffee by using Aeropress at the Prague Venezia caffe&pasta. The taste of the coffee and the way of its making charmed us so much that we bought one Aeropress for ourselves immediately. We also asked the barista Honza to teach us how to make the coffee from Aeropress the best. The preparation of the coffee is very simple, fast, cheap and most importantly of a quality taste! Aeropress is ideal for home use, when you want to make yourself a delicious morning cup of coffee, as well as for travelling. The Aeropress itself was invented in 2005 by Alan Adler from the Aerobia Ltd. When it comes to the actual making of coffee, with Aeropress it is a combination of filtration and pressure. Aeropress uses both pressure and vacuum and the coffee is filtered through a paper filter. Due to the strong pressure the coffee releases its perfect aroma and taste.
METHOD: Measure 17 grams of coffee beans and grind the beans using the manual grinder (coarser than espresso but finer than Frenchpress/Cafetiere – ideally a fine-drip grind). Wash the paper filter with hot water (so that it stick to the sieve and also loses its paper taste). Pull out the plunger and attach the sieve with the paper filter to the bottom part of your Aeropress. Place the Aeropress onto the cup and insert the ground coffee. Pour hot water on the coffee (should not be boiling - ideally about 85 - 90 °C). Leave to extract and stir properly. Place the plunger onto the top and gently push through (this should take around 20 s). The whole process of making coffee does not take longer than a couple of minutes. TIP: You do not know which coffee to use? In any proper coffee shop they will be happy to help you out with some advice.
We would like to thank Venezia caffe&pasta for cooperation. You can get your own Aeropress at Venezia caffe&pasta or on the Internet.
TOP: Aeropress is great when you have expensive coffee beans because it extracts the best taste and scent of the coffee. It is ideal to grind the coffee beans just before the Aeropress extraction. RIGHT: Aeropress looks like a big injection. Thanks to the fact that is made from plastics it is light and very resistant. Also its maintenance is very easy.
HE ALTHY S PR I N G LU N C H text: Adéla Kudrnová | styling: SOFFA | photography: Radostina Boseva
ARE YOU HAVING VISITORS AND DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO COOK THEM? DO YOU WANT A LIGHT MEAL? LET YOURSELF BE INSPIRED BY A TWO-COURSE LUCH INVENTED BY ADÉLA'S SISTER TEREZA. Our editor in chief’s sister Tereza loves cooking and she is passionate about healthy lifestyle. So when she invited us for a Sunday dinner we were absolutely sure she would treat us with something very healthy and delicious. Tereza likes farmers’ markets (especially the one at Jiřího z Poděbrad Square in Prague) and fish markets. “At the markets I get to discover new products by small Czech entrepreneurs and that gives me fresh inspiration for recipes.” says Tereza. “Unfortunately, the offer for fresh fish is still quite poor in the Czech Republic; and it is the fresh fish that is always the best” Tereza complains while serving us the first course. It is a delicious roasted trout with light potato salad. And because Tereza is, as we are, a lover of sweet, she made a scrumptious dessert: a wholemeal cheese and apple pie which was great with a cup of coffee. Is this watering your mouth already? It is quite fast and simple to make such meal. Furthermore, your visitors will love you for looking well after their weight! Try it yourself!
ROAS T ED T RO U T text: Adéla Kudrnová | styling: SOFFA | photography: Radostina Boseva
TIME: TROUT 10 min. + 15 min.
INSTRUCTIONS: Gill the trouts, dry, put salt and pepper (on the insides as well).
POTATO SALAD 30 min.
Coat the trouts in the prime flour and place them onto a baking tray with butter. Roast until golden (approximately 15 minutes with the temperature being 200 °C.
PORTIONS: serves 4 INGREDIENTS: TROUT 4 portions of a fish prime flour butter salt caraway POTATO SALAD 500 g potatoes 100 g peas 100 g gherkins 100 g corn 3 red onions 2 spoons of oil lemon zest pepper chives
Meanwhile, prepare the potato salad. Boil the potatoes (coated), peel and slice. Chop onions (ideally into small slices), gherkins (rounds) and mix them with the potatoes (still warm), add peas and corn. Salt and pepper the salad, use few drops of the lemon. You can also mix in the two spoons of oil. Mix properly and leave to cool down. The fish tastes the best when freshly taken out of the oven so leave it inside until the point of serving. Serve the salad cold. TIP: Dry white wine will accompany the trout’s taste the best (we had Ryzlink vlašský) and do not forget to serve bread as well!
Tablecloth, table napkins, tea towel, plate and cutlery, all from Butlers
W HO L E M E AL C H EES E A N D A PPL E PI E text: Adéla Kudrnová | styling: SOFFA | photography: Radostina Boseva
TIME: 15 min (preparation) + 45 min (baking) PORTIONS: serves 14 INGREDIENTS: 340 g wholemeal wheat flour 100 g cane sugar 150 g sunflower seed 80 g butter 4 apples 3 dl semi-skimmed milk 2 semi-skimmed soft cheeses 1 baking soda 1 egg ground cinnamon
INSTRUCTIONS: Mix the flour and the sugar Add milk and baking soda. Pour the dough into a cake baking form (with butter and bread crumbs/flour). Mix the soft cheese with the egg and 0.5 dcl of the milk. Spread the mixture onto the dough. Grate the apples and mix in the sunflower seeds. Spread onto the cheese layer of the pie. Bake in preheated oven on 180 °C for 45 minutes. TIP: Due to the low nutrition values the pie (which looks like a cake) is great for breakfast or as a snack.
Plates, tablecloth and table napkins, Butlers Cups, Lesní ateliér Kuba
SMO K E D SALM O N DEV I L ED EG G S text, styling and photography: Bára Perglová
EASTER EGGS AS A SYMBOL OR AS A TASTY AND HEALTHY APPETIZER! WE KNOW A RECIPE YOU WILL LOVE BECAUSE OF ITS SIMPLICITY AND POSSIBILITY TO PREPARE IT ANYTIME THROUGHOUT THE YEAR! TIME: about 20 min. PORTIONS: 8 – 12 INGREDIENTS: 4-6 hard-boiled eggs 100 g of smoked salmon 2 large tablespoons of mayonnaise 2 tablespoons of chopped spring onions pinch of pepper chives for garnish
METHOD: Peel the boiled eggs, cut them in half on the longer side and remove yolks. Cut a bit of round bottom of every egg to make sure the eggs won’t slide on the plate. Mix egg yolks with 90 grams of salmon and mayonnaise and fold in the chopped onion and a pinch of pepper. No need to add salt as smoked salmon is salty enough. With this mixture fill dents in boiled eggs and garnish with pieces of the remaining salmon and chives. Serve with fresh bread. TIP FOR PEELING EGGS: Pour out the water from boiled eggs and shake with them in the pot to crack their shells. Then fill the pot with cold water and let the eggs lay there for few minutes. Cold water gets under the cracked shells and eggs will be easier to peel.
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T R AV EL A trip to Kersko / Czech Republic
K E R SKO O F B O H UM I L H R A B A L text: Adéla Kudrnová | styling: SOFFA | photography: Lina Németh
ON MARCH 28TH 2014 IT WAS 100 YEARS ANNIVERSARY OF A FAMOUS CZECH WRITER, BOHUMIL HRABAL. DUE TO OUR PASSION FOR HIS BOOKS AND THE FILMS BASED ON THOSE BOOKS WE DECIDED TO VISIT ONE OF THE PLACES CLOSELY CONNECTED WITH BOHUMIL HRABAL – THE CENTRAL BOHEMIAN KERSKO. Are you planning to go to Prague and you don’t know what to see in the Prague’s close surroundings? Or you have been to Prague too many times and you would like to see something else? Go to Kersko! The journey from Prague takes about 30 minutes by car - that is all you need to find yourself in a different world. We go to the forest in Kersko quite often but its poetics and mystery does not stop fascinating us. This area in the surroundings of Nymburk enchanted Bohumil Hrabal, it enchanted us and it will definitely do the same to you as well. And if you are asking what to do in a forest the entire day, believe us when we say that there are plenty of things to see! WHAT TO DO AND SEE IN KERSKO: Kersko is a little forest town consisting of several cottages in a forest, which is part of the Kersko-Bory National Park. Officially, the settlement is a part of the village Hradištko. The forest is a natural habitat of various precious species of plants and animals. In the Kersko ponds, which are an important European natural area, there is a significant population of newts. Unfortunately, we didn’t see a newt but we saw a lot of hares. The magic of this place is underlined by little cottages hidden in the dense forest. Bohumil Hrabal who made Kersko popular lived in one of these cottages with green door and green gate (see photo on the next page).
The pathway which is named after him will take you to various corners with picturesque houses. You can walk it for hours and keep discovering more and more: for example the one where Hrabal lived with his twentyfive half-wild cats. Bohumil Hrabal loved cats and caused that they became one of the characteristic symbols of Kersko. That is why we were not surprised that during our picnic a ginger tomcat crept into the picture and started eating one of the props – a slice of bread with butter. When you set off for a walk, make sure that you have your snack with you as well! Bohumil Hrabal was born in Brno but it was Kersko and Polabí (the river Elbe basin) that he considered his birthplace. This is the setting of his most famous books such as Slavnosti sněženek. In the short story book he depicted the stories of the people in Kersko, his neighbours and friends. “I wrote stories of people who suffer from both beauty and nostalgia...” said the author about his book. In 1983 director Jiří Menzel made a film (of the same name) based on the book – nowadays we know it as one of the classics of the Czech cinematography. If you have not read Slavnosti sněženek yet, you should do so (on occasion of the anniversary new edition has been published) and then set off to Kersko to compare your experience with what you read in the book. Almost all the famous places you can see in the film can be easily found! Furthermore, you will not miss the legendary sign of ‘Gardeners to Kersko’ (‘Zahrádkáři Kersku’) which is a significant feature of the film. The most likely place of arrival to Kersko is the famous line of threes where in the film there is the famous boar chase. On this way there is a wellknown restaurant Hájenka, Lesní ateliér Kuba (Forest atelier Kuba) and St. Joseph’s spring with the water coming all the way from Jizera Mountains. Pack a small cup for your trip so that you can taste it! We were really hot so we appreciated the cool crispy taste of fresh spring water.
You should not miss out on the Lesní ateliér Kuba. In the middle of the forest the Kuba family runs a gallery shop where they organise expositions, concerts and other social event. Hrabalovo Kersko (Bohumil Hrabal’s Kersko) is probably the most famous event that has been annually organised by the Kuba family since 1999. Apart from the walk through the places that Hrabal liked there are also exhibitions and a programme for theatre and concerts. This year Hrabalovo Kersko will be on May 17th. Will you go? We definitely will! WHAT AND WHERE TO DRINK AND EAT: A long walk has to be finished by paying a visit to the legendary restaurant Hájenka. It is known both from the book and the film Slavnosti sněženek. On the first sight you will notice that it looks exactly the same as in the film, it is just a little bit smaller. Do you remember the scene with the massive argument about how to prepare the boar... in Hájenka you can get it both with rosehip sauce and cabbage! We prefer the rosehip sauce so we prepared the recipe for this delicatessen for you and you can find it on our website. Be it whatever you like to eat, make sure you will wash it with a delicious beer from Nymburk known for another Czech film classic Potřižiny. WHAT AND WHERE TO SHOP: Do you feel like there is nothing to shop for in a forest? Wrong. The Lesní ateliér Kuba will make you happy especially if you love art. They sell products of various more or less known Czech artists. You can also buy various material about Bohumil Hrabal, for example the new book by Bronislav Kuba written on the ocassion of the hundredth anniversary of Bohumil Hrabal’s birthday named Slavnosti sněženek – lidské osudy a odhalená tajemství v Hrabalově Kersku. HOW TO GET HERE: It is best to go either by car or get the bus. The journey from Prague takes
30 – 40 minutes. Get the D11 in the direction to Hradec Králové and take the exit 18. Then just follow the signs to Kersko. There is a regular direct bus 398 of the Prague public transport to Kersko. WHERE TO ACCOMMODATE: If you want to go to Kersko for vacation try the Bungalovy Kersko – these are small picturesque wooden cottages in the pine tree forest. If you like Hrabal’s book Obsluhoval jsem anglického krále, book a room in the hotel Modrá hvězda which was Hrabal’s inspiration for the book. THE MUST-SEES IN THE SURROUNDINGS: The river Elbe basin area offers a whole range of destinations. There is a permanent exhibition devoted to Bohumil Hrabal in the Vlastivědné muzeum in Nymburk. There are various items documenting his life and even his famous land rover hat. In Přerov nad Labem, close to Kersko, there is an outdoor museum of folklore architecture. In Přerov do not miss out on the famous Rozárium and a Museum of Moto&Velo. Botanicus – Village of crafts and arts (Vesnice řemesel a umění) is another destination close to Kersko which is the best to visit in spring. For more information go to: www.hradistko-kersko.cz | www.hrabal-nymburk.cz www.lesniatelierkuba.cz
A hand bag by Playbag, sunglasses by Proof (both Leeda) Pocket knife Tovo, Bonami Book Slavnosti sněženek, Kosmas
WIL LOW F LOW ER S text: Adéla Kudrnová | photography: Lina Németh
KERSKO IS NOT JUST A FOREST, THERE ARE ALSO MEADOWS WITH BEAUTIFUL BLOOMING WILLOWS AND BUZZING BEES. IN CZECH THESE LITTLE FLUFFY FLOWERS ARE CALLED ‘KOČIČKY‘ (MEANING ‘LITTLE CATS’) – PERHAPS IT IS BECAUSE OF THE SMOOTH SURFACE OF THE FLOWERS RESEMBLING CAT’S FUR. WHEN THE BUDS OPEN AND COVER THEMSELVES WITH POLLEN, THEY BECOME ‘KOCOUŘI’ (THAT IS ‘TOMCATS’)!
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F LOW ER S Edible spring flowers and herbs
F LOW ER S O N A PL AT E text: Adéla Kudrnová | styling: SOFFA | photography: Lina Németh
PERHAPS YOU ARE USED TO HAVING FLOWERS JUST IN A VASE. NEVERTHELESS, SOME OF THE DECORATIVE FLOWERS ARE ALSO EDIBLE. WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRY THE BEAUTY OF FLOWERS ON A PLATE? WE WILL SHOW YOU HOW TO DO IT AND WHICH FLOWERS TO USE: GILLYFLOWER: The petals of gillyflowers have a root-like and a sweet scent and a slightly bitter taste. They go nicely with sweet dishes, as a decoration for salads. ROSE: The rose petals can be used into all kinds of vegetable salads and on all kinds of desserts. They are very often candied and less often they are used for rose juices, syrups and ice creams. PRIMROSE: The flowers of primrose are not only edible but also have they healing powers. It is said that they are good for cough. You can also use them for decoration of both sweet and salted dishes. PANSY: The flowers of pansies and violets have a root-like taste and a sweet scent. They are used as a decoration for summer salads and very often they are also candied and used for making of tea. ROSEMARY: Rosemary is a herb with a strong aroma. It is suitable for salads, dressings, roasted fish, meat and vegetables. It is also very good for digestion and helps to level low blood pressure.
LEFT: Double-check which flowers are really edible! If you do not live close to the nature, search on the Internet where the really edible flowers (pesticide free) are sold. Before you start cooking, you use them as a decoration! TOP: Do not forget to wash and dry the flowers properly before you start consuming them.
Wired basket, glass bowl and plate, Burtlers Cotton tea towel, Fler/KosĂ sestry
LEFT: When using the gillyflowers, you need to get rid of the white part of the leaves. ABOVE AND THE NEXT PAGE: We decorated our spring salad with pansies because now it is their season and they look nice with the green background. For our marble cake we used white chocolate as topping and we decorated it with primroses and gillyflowers.
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L A N DS C A PES Polish Sopot taken by our photographer
CHAR ISMATIC PR ES PR I N G S O POT text: Adéla Kudrnová | photography: Lina Németh
OUR PHOTOGRAPGHER LINA WENT TO THE NORTH OF POLAND TO THE BALTIC SEA SO THAT SHE WOULD BRING BACK PICTURES CAPTURING THE UNIQUE ATMOSPHERE OF THE SOPOT BEACH SPA RESORT. We do not have an access to a sea in the Czech Republic; and also because of that we are fascinated by long sand beaches, piers and various shades of ocean blue. We believe that you will enjoy it as well! Sopot is a spa town on the coast of the Baltic sea close to the cities of Gdansk and Gdynia. It is famous for hosting a music festival regularly since 1961. It is also known for the longest wooden pier in Europe. For more information go to www.sopot.pl.
CLOUDED SKY HAS ALMOST THE SAME COLOUR AS THE SEA. SUCH ATMOSPHERE MAKES THE PIER LOOK EVEN HUGER.
THE CLOSED TOURIST BEACH HOUSES HAVE A UNIQUE ATMOSPHERE. WHEN THE SEASON STARTS, THEY WILL BECOME CROWDED.
RED COLOUR CONTRASTS WITH THE COLOUR OF THE WINTER SEA. THE SIGNS ARE REMINDERS OF THE PAST SEASONS.
YOU CAN ENJOY THE LONGEST EUROPEAN PIER FROM A DIFFERENT THAN THE USUAL SUMMER VIEW.
THE SCENERY WITH THE SEA IS SO LIBERATING.
YOU CAN WALK THE BEACHES COLLECTING STONES FOR WHOLE HOURS.
THE SANDSTONE CLIFFS IN THE SURROUNDINGS OF THE BEACH GIVE THE SPECIFIC LOOKS TO THE AREA.
THE FISHERMAN BOATS AND TRACTORS ARE SYMBOLS OF EVERYDAY LIFE IN A COASTAL TOWN.
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S K ETC H B O O K Dining table solutions
H OW TO CHO O S E T H E DI N I N G TA B L E text and illustrations: Lenka Hlaváčová
THE DINING TABLE, EITHER AS A PART OF THE KITCHEN OR IN A SEPARATE DINING ROOM, IS THE VERY CENTRE OF THE HOME IN MOST CASES. THEREFORE, GIVE IT YOUR BEST WHEN CHOOSING IT. IN THIS MANUAL WE ARE HAPPY TO SHOW YOU HOW! The best location for placing the dining table is in the kitchen. The table stands close to the kitchen cabinets and thus the serving is easier. In addition, the person working in the kitchen can be in close contact with people around the table. However, if there is not enough space for the table in the kitchen, you can also place it in the living room, or into a separate dining room. However, the dining table should always be easily accessible from the kitchen. It is important for handling hot food safely. For the dining area the space should be minimum of 8 – 9 m2, which is enough for 6 – 8 people sitting around the table. When choosing the dining table, consider how you are going to use it, for how many people it is considered, what your dining habits are and whether it will only serve for dining. The table should always be comfortable for all those who are used to eating together. Choose a folding table in case of frequent visits. In case that you often eat outside, it can be good to choose a smaller folding table. However, if the common eating ritual is important for you, it is better to choose a larger and comfortable table.
SPACE ARO UN D T H E TA B L E THE DISTANCE FROM THE WALLS OR OTHER FURNITURE SHOULD BE AT LEAST 75 CM, IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO GET UP FROM THE TABLE COMFORTABLY. IF THERE IS NEED OF HAVING SPACE FOR PASSAGE BEHIND THE SEATING PLACES, THE DISTANCE SHOULD BE 110 CM.
R ECTAN G UL A R TA B L E FOR ALL THE PEOPLE EATING COMFORTABLY, IT IS GOOD TO COUNT WITH 60 CM WIDE AND 30 CM DEEP SPACE FOR ONE SEATING PLACE. THE TABLE FOR TWO PEOPLE SITTING OPPOSITE EACH OTHER SHOULD HAVE BEEN MINIMUM 75 – 80 CM WIDE. THE TABLE LENGTH DEPENDS ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE.
RO U N D TA B L E ROUND OR OVAL TABLES REQUIRE MORE SPACE: FOR 2 PEOPLE DIAMETER OF 75 CM, FOR 4 PEOPLE DIAMETER OF 90 CM, FOR 6 PEOPLE DIAMETER OF 120 CM.
T WO P E R SO N TA B L E F O R S M A L L S PAC E BY PLACING THE TABLE ALONG A WALL OR IN A CORNER, YOU WILL GET SPACE THAT IS NECESSARY FOR MOVING AROUND THE TABLE. THE TABLE WILL FIT INTO SMALLER ROOMS, AS WELL. IF NECESSARY, IT IS POSSIBLE TO CHOOSE A FOLDING TABLE, AS WELL. THE TWO PERSON SQUARE TABLE SHOULD HAVE MINIMUM DIMENSIONS OF 75 X 75 CM. THE RECTANGULAR TABLE FOR TWO PERSONS SITTING ONLY ON ONE SIDE MAY BE 50 X 120 CM, FOR SEMI-CIRCULAR TABLE 65 X 100 CM.
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H O M E TO U R S Two women, two countries, two homes
F INNISH BLO G G ER A N D H ER H O US E text: Adéla Kudrnová | styling and photography: Maiju Saha
DO YOU LIKE SCANDINAVIAN DESIGN? LET YOURSELF BE INSPIRED BY A LIGHT HOUSE OF MAIJU SAHA IN WHICH FURNITURE DESIGNED BY RENOWN COMPANIES MEETS PIECES FROM FLEA MARKETS. While thinking about an abroad flat inspiration for this issue we realised we would like to present you with a Scandinavian house. However, we did not think we would manage to find a real prototype of Norse style of living: and that is not only when it comes to the furniture and accessories but also in the terms of lifestyle. The house in Finnish Vaasa belongs to blogger Maiju Saha. She lives there with her family: husband, who is a sailor, daughter Aina (1 year old) and son Paav (6 years old). Maiju is now on her maternity leave with Aina and apart from that she devotes her time to writing a blog called My 2nd Hand Life. As the name of the blog suggests Maiju likes to combine new things with old ones and one of her favourite activities is shopping at flea markets. The colourful pieces of furniture that she obtains this way, and often gives them a new style and brings them back to life, then look like true masterpieces in her bright house. However, the biggest Maiju’s passion is blogging, preparing various DIY projects, recipes and other creative ideas. Connected to that there is Maiju’s love for photography. Even though she is not a professional photographer, her work was published in several magazines. An old wooden house where Maiju lives with her family has four rooms, a kitchen and (because it is Finland) a sauna. We also found pieces of furniture and accessories by traditional Finnish makers such as Marimekko
DINING ROOM: A patina table dominates the room. It is surrounded by design chair icons (Tulip and Bertoia by Knoll) with chairs by Hay. On the table there is porcelain by Marimekko and also a candle holder by the Eno studio. The wall is decorated with a plate by Marimekko.
and Iittala. The basic colour of Maiju’s house interior is white: with white background Maiju playfully combines various colours, mixes varnish and patina, various patterns and styles. You can find out more both about her house and blog in the interview with Maiju. WHEN DID YOU START WRITING YOUR BLOG AND WHY? I started blogging already in 2007 when I was at home with my son. I started to read the first Swedish home decorating blogs and decided to try if I could do that as well. I really don´t know why I blog - maybe because it´s fun, always inspiring and easy to do at your own home. I´m a very creative person and I want always to be better in what I do, so maybe that makes blogging still so nice :) YOUR HOME IS LOVELY AND VERY INSPIRING. HOW DID YOU HAPPEN TO BE WRITING ABOUT YOUR HOME AND INTERIOR DESIGN? I´m a very aesthetic person and I like to live in a nice environment. Maybe that is why it feels so natural for me to blog about these things. I also like to follow trends and see how I can change our home - it´s an on-going challenge for me! CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR BEAUTIFUL HOUSE AND THE STORY THAT IS BEHIND? In Finland there are some small areas that have old tree houses. I have always wanted to live in one and was very happy when we found our home 2.5 years ago. This was a dream come true! The first floor was originally built in 1890 and the second (where we live) a little bit later in 1938. What I love about this home is the old wooden floors, original doors, our 4 fireplaces and the old windows. Every room is filled with light! DO YOU SPEND A LOT OF TIME IN THE HOUSE? Yes we do, although we also have a summer cabin by the sea. I think that my home is so important to me that I want to make it nice!
CHILDREN’S PLAYROOM: The white bed and colourful toys stand out against the panelled wall-paint which is also good because it is dirt resistant. Marimekko storage boxes look great and are serve their purpose well. Maiju placed the flea market finds here as well. Colourful toys and jigsaws on the white shelves look like nice artistic still-life.
WHAT WAS THE MAIN FOCUS WHEN FURNISHING YOUR HOUSE? Previously I liked old furniture the most but after moving to an old house the atmosphere started to feel too heavy somehow. Too much old stuff didn´t match, so now I have started to buy more newer design. I like Scandinavian home decoration and brands like Muuto, Hay, Iittala etc. Still it is important to mix old and new, to make our home feel more cosy.
WHAT KIND OF THINGS INSPIRES YOU? I like good, simple design mixed with more personal items like unique flea market finds. I also like black and white - a kind of graphic look. I think that Danish people have an amazing style and it´s always inspiring to see home stories from Denmark. DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE CONCERNING HOME FURNISHING? Make it look like your own! The more personal your home looks, the more interesting it is. Don´t follow the trends too closely! DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS HOW TO GIVE AN INTERIOR A PERSONAL TOUCH? Mix good design with personal stuff like different flea finds. Rugs and lamps are important, so choose them wisely. To maximise light, paint the walls white. WE CAN SEE A LOT OF FINNISH DESIGN IN YOUR HOUSE. WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FINNISH AND SCANDINAVIAN DESIGN? I think that many Finnish brands are making very interesting products right now. We have a great legacy when it comes to designers like Alvar Aalto etc. and their products never go out of style. There was a time when I didn´t like the functional style, but now I´m starting to like those classics. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE OR MAKE DIFFERENT IN YOUR HOUSE? My wild dream is that we could buy one apartment from the first floor and connect it to our home. That way we could get more space and one extra room. But that is just a wild thought! I´m also dreaming about a kitchen renovation so that´ll be the next big change. WHY DO YOU LIKE DIY PROJECTS SO MUCH? Home decoration is not cheap so it´s nice to figure out ways to make
BEDROOM: An old tiled stove dominates the light bedroom. Opposite from them there is a Woody storage system by Hay. The Woody system of shelves is a perfect place for a Block lamp by Design House Stockholm and a candle holder by Kristina Stark. One if the newest features of the bedroom is a Gryning wallpaper by Sandberg.
something new without spending lot of money. DIY projects are also a good way to make your home more personal! And it is the best feedback when I hear or see that other people have tried my ideas as well! ARE YOU FOLLOWING THE CURRENT DESIGN TRENDS? I guess I am to a certain point :) Colours and materials are the most usual things that I ‘follow‘. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THIS SPRING? I don´t make any plans really, but now I want to finish our bedroom and then improve our entrance. Kind of small things, but they matter a great deal! I´m going to at least buy some bulbs and maybe change some pillows ;) And there is still one room to be painted!
W ITH F E E L ING F O R VA R I O US S T Y L ES text: Adéla Kudrnová | styling: SOFFA | photography: Lina Németh
A HOUSE AT PRAGUE ORECHOVKA HAS ITS CHARM. BUT A SENSITIVELY CHOSEN FURNITURE IN THE ECLECTIC STYLE MAKES ITS ATMOSPHERE UNIQUE. The house at Ořechovka seems quite small for the first sight, it was built as a part of the original housing area in the 1920s. The cooperative family houses for officials, as well as the multifunctional building housing the Ořechovka cinema, were designed by the architects Jaroslav Vondrák and Jan Šenkýř. Mrs Iveta Tonová moved in with her children just recently – last September – but feels as if she has been living here for her entire life. “Living here matches all our requirements and it is our dream that came true” says Iveta. “When we moved in there was only a massive kitchen corner which I really liked because I was free to arrange the interior and the garden according to my own taste” explains Iveta. “I am interested in housing, design and art so furnishing the house was – and still is – a pleasure” she adds. She managed to furnish the three floors of the house in eclectic style and sensitively combine industrial and ethno features. Wooden patina pieces is in harmony with various design plastic icons, old mirrors reflect modern art and everything is so harmonic and tasteful. “We travel a lot and that may be the reason why I like the ethno style. However, I also like furniture and accessories from the 1950s and 1960s. HALLWAY: The entrance with the nearby bathroom (hidden behind the sliding door) is decorated by handmade cement tiles (for more info go to historickadlazba.sk).
DINING AREA: A big wooden table by Snel is decorated by the iconic DAR armchairs by Charles and Ray Eames. A big mirror by Snel dominates the room. On the wall next to the window there are coloured photographs of laces by Lucie Tallová (rented from Artotéka). DETAILS: The books about art, souvenirs from travels and flowers are an inseparable part of this house. There is also a modernistic armchair H269 by Jindřich Halabala.
I have just bought two Brussel-style coffee tables in the second-hand shop and I plan to have them renovated and place them by the sofa” says Iveta enthusiastically. The foundation colour of the interior is light, neutral colours – white and grey. It is only the chest of drawers by Snel and the newly coated classic armchairs by Jindřich Halabala that are brightly turquoise (which is Iveta’s favourite colour). “Apart from turquoise colour I also love flowers, mainly the big ones” says Iveta pointing at flowers in vases and plants in pots. Art is a significant feature of the interior. Walls are decorated with paintings by modern contemporary young artist which Iveta borrowed from the Prague Artotéka. “Art is very important to me. Nevertheless, I don’t want to collect the paintings and that is why I like the project Artotéka. That is a rental place for contemporary art. By having the paintings in my house I support young perspective artists” explains Iveta. Apart from the paintings, the attention of a visitor is caught by the mirrors reflecting light and the paintings and giving the space a new dimension. The comfort of the house is underlined by clever spatial solutions: builtin wardrobes, sliding doors, wooden tiling and bespoken kitchen corner. Iveta likes to cook so the kitchen and the dining area are very important to her. “I like to collect spices and I also place nice small things that I am given to the kitchen. The only thing I wish I had here is a window so that I would have a nice view when cooking. We have been living here for a short time yet so I still have big plans with this place. I am currently renovating the bedroom and planning the lights” concludes Iveta.
Flower decoration, www.floren.cz LIVING ROOM AREA: The sofa is white and therefore it does not give an impression of a massive thing. An old mirror in a golden frame is a gift and gives the room a mythical atmosphere.
COLONIAL FEATURES: In from of the exotic wardrobe by Snel there is another member of the family – a dog named Blondie. The carved relief of the wardrobe contrasts nicely with other accessories in the house such as paintings with Asian motives and signs.
LIVING ROOM CORNERS: There are decorative vases (by studio Floren) on the turquoise chest of drawers. Above that there is the main dominant of the room – the painting Čtenář (Reader) by René Hábl (rented from Artotéka) – which contrasts with the rest of the interior. ACCESSORIES: The little box with the detail of a hand and a plate with a mystical girl are by the Italian brand Fornasetti. The metal bowl is from H&M Home.
KITCHEN: The kitchen cabinets are white and provide a perfect background to the open shelves above. Next to the wooden figure by Vitra there are post inherited after Iveta’s grandmother, Ikea candle holders and other treasures. And naturally, there must be paint brushes in such and artistic household!
KITCHEN DECORATION STILL LIFE: The porcelain set is by Wedgwood, an English company, the soup bowl and étagère have their permanent place here. STAIRCASE: The area of the staircase is painted white so even that can serve as a display area for more design originals. BATHROOM: Behind the sliding door there is a small bathroom garnished with wood. The Nordic Day stool goes nicely with the cement flooring.
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E V EN T S C A L EN DER Our choice for this spring
APRIL VIENNA / AUSTRIA The Present of Modernism / Museum Moderner Kunst / March 14. 2014 – February 8. 2015 LONDON / GREAT BRITAIN Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs / Tate Modern Gallery / April 17. September 7. 2014 PRAGUE / THE CZECH REPUBLIC Milan Chabera – 60 / Galerie La Femme / March 27. - April 21. 2014 STOCKHOLM / SWEDEN Surrealismen & Duchamp / Moderna museet / March 27. August 17. 2014 PRAGUE / THE CZECH REPUBLIC 90. Výročí založení sbírky fran-
couzského umění 19. a 20. století / Veletržní palác / February 3. December 31. 2014 BRNO / THE CZECH REPUBLIC Někdy v sukni. Umění 90. let / Moravská galerie v Brně / February 7. - May 18. 2014 MILAN / ITALY Salone Internazionale del Mobile / April 8. - 13. 2014 MILAN / ITALY Polish Job Exhibition / Salone Internazionale del Mobile / April 8. - 13. 2014 PRAGUE / THE CZECH REPUBLIC Tim Burton a jeho svět / Dům u Kamenného zvonu / March 28. August 3. 2014
MAY NEW YORK /USA Gauguin: Metamorphoses / MoMA / March 3. - June 8. 2014
GRAZ / AUSTRIA Designmonat Graz / April 30. June 1. 2014
GLOBAL Unikko 50th Anniversary / Marimekko
BUCHAREST/ ROMANIA Romanian Design Week / May 16. – 25. 2104
BRATISLAVA / SLOVAKIA Alfons Mucha: Cesta ku sláve / Galéria mesta Bratislavy / January 31. - May 11. 2014
BELGRADE / SERBIA Belgrade Design Week / May 26. June 2. 2014
SOFIA / BULGARIA Sofia contemporary / April 19. May 12. 2014 LONDON / GREAT BRITAIN Designs of the Year / Design Museum / March 26. - August 25. 2014
VIENNA / AUSTRIA And yet there was art! / Leopold Museum / May 9. - September 15. 2014 PARIS / FRANCE D' Days Festival / May 19. - 25. 2014 BERLIN / GERMANY Berlin Design Week / May 26. June 1. 2014
CO N T R I B UTO R S MAIJU SAHA mysecondhandlife.indiedays.com
STYLING AND PHOTOGRAPHY Finnish blogger and her house
BÁRA PERGLOVÁ baraperglova.com
TEXT, STYLING AND PHOTOGRAPHY Smoked salmon deviled eggs
RADOSTINA BOSEVA 79ideas.org
STYLING AND PHOTOGRAPHY Cup of coffee from Aeropress Roasted trout Wholemeal cheese and apple pie
E D ITO R I A L S TA F F INFO@SOFFAMAG.COM +420 777 623 346 ADÉLA KUDRNOVÁ adela@soffamag.com
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