Tinycottons headquarters in Barcelona

I struggle to believe how long it has been since I have been posting regularly here on facing north with gracia: these last 365 days (more or less) have been so intense from so many points of view I was left with little time and little energy.  Though my research haven't stopped, I felt I couldn't find that post that managed to kick my blogging off again. Do you think I had a sort of blogging blues? LOL.

Then yesterday I had the immense pleasure of visiting Tinycottons new showroom and offices and meet its founder, Barbara Bruno: my encounter with the brand happened in Instagram several years ago, at a time I had no idea of having babies. I loved their cool and minimal graphics and easygoing pieces: they looked confy and perfect to dress a life full of fun. I visited their first flagship store in Rambla de Catalunya last year and I knew the upcoming showroom would have been perfect for FNWG: we share a love for all-white spaces, natural wooden and functional furniture and minimal interiors. During my visit I managed to shot some pictures to share with you: I hope you enjoy as much as I did!

The showroom is located in the lower Via Augusta, close to Diagonal and next to one of the creative spots of the city, Carrer Seneca. The space is completely white, capturing the beautiful Mediterennean light coming from the big windows. Here, the display is kept at its minimum: low plywood cupboards are used to showcase some of the most iconic pieces from their "Botanical" SS16 collection. The same module is used also for the big ones inside, creating a cohesive sense of the space.

Along with pieces of their collection, Tinycottons decided to populate the showroom with a selection of their favourite design pieces for kids and their spaces. 

And here it is a close up of Tinycottons "Botanical- a very bold and crazy  garden story", to me just the perfect outfit for any Urban Jungle Bloggers' baby out there.

All pictures by facing north with gracia.

String, a walk to the dark side

The beginning of the year brings always great excitement for all the news coming from the different brands for their Spring/Summer campaign. Of course, I have my favourite ones to be looking for: they are selected for both the quality and durability of their products and their outstanding ability to communicate and inspire us new way of inhabit the everyday space. Among these it is String new catalogue, again a joined work of long-time favourite Lotta Agaton (style),  Magnus Ingerstedt (AD), Marcus Lawett (photo).

String has always been synonymous of adaptability to space and necessity by the possibility of moving the pieces within the different panels as well as adding new elements to the existing ones. This year, thanks also to the introduction of new shades for both shelves and panels (the115 cm tall floor panels will be available also in black and in grey), a new horizon of combinations is made possible. 

For String 2016 catalogue, a clear statement has been done: it is definitely time to embrace dark and earthy colours at home (have you seen this breathtaking all black styling featuring the new, black stained ash?). 

The light and elegant String system, to me always connected to whiteness, is making now a bold statement by showing how it can actually adapt to any space and style, taking their well known flexibility to a new concept and chapter. 

So, here it is in the Plexy version in an antique vintage bathroom, while the more classic combination in walnut fits perfectly as an entrance console in the masculine scenario. The old industrial look is maintained for the more feminine bedroom where Pocket with oak shelves is used as multi-function element that serve as traditional shelves and, contemporary, as bedside tables.

I would personally put a String in any room, from the kitchen to Bianca's nursery: what about you?

Pictures courtesy of String, with thanks.

URBAN JUNGLE BLOGGERS | A wish for Christmas and New Year

I cannot believe how much time it was since my last post but I am very happy to be back on time to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. And there is no better way to do it than joining the Planty Wishes challenge of the Urban Jungle Bloggers community! We won't be spending these holidays at home as we will join my family in Italy but I managed to get some shots of our essential Christmas decorations for this year (have a look to my holidays inspirations here).

Christmas has always been an amazing time for me since I was very young: I used to put on my wellies and go for hunting in the family nursery and its surroundings and coming back with berries, fresh branches and funny things that I would decorate with ribbons and gold hues. In the older age (oh my..), I shifted from ribbons to a more minimal greenery style but foraging is still the best and funniest part of this. I have to go know for long strolls outside Barcelona ( and get my hubby's car a mess- which his allergy and himself are always grateful for...) but it was so special to do it this year as a family for the first time.

This was such a crazy year and, undoubtedly, the most amazing one as we welcome our little Bianca into our hearts and home. I hope to be able to share with you some moments here soon.

In the meanwhile, let me wish you all a wonderful Christmas time and a 2016 full of love, peace and happiness. A special thanks to dearest Igor and Judith, who created an amazing green hearts community.

Until my next post - that I promise will come much sooner -, let's keep in touch in Instagram!

 All images © facing north with gracia

Amsterdam | Volkshotel

 Last July, I talked to you about Volkshotel and it is now time to give you some more insights!

We spent there some great days during while in Amsterdam with the fellow Design Bloggers United: the rooms were essential, with an interesting industrial touch; I loved the iconic newspaper glasswall, a homage to the creative and editorial tradition of the building.

But it was the hall I particularly enjoyed during our stay. Designed as an open, welcoming space divided according to different functions, it hosts the reception and several sitting areas where you can chill out while waiting for friends to get ready, work or simply hang out if you are a local.

 

The vintage masculine style was very appealing and not cold at all, thanks to the amazing green walls of plants that provided both live and privacy from the street. 

I loved the raw materials combined with warm tones like dark red, rusty brown and ochre that complemented the grey and metal structures. It is undoubtedly a great place both for tourists and locals ( the bar at night was literally full up with party lovers from the surroundings), but especially my fellow  Urban Jungle Bloggers would love it!

Libratone speakers for the stylish home

"Where words fail, music speaks", cannot agree more, especially when you want to create just the perfect atmosphere for a special gathering. 

During our Amsterdam Bloggers Tour, I was introduced to Danish brand Libratone, a company dedicated to bring together high-quality sound, amazing design at an affordable price. Moreover, Libratone speakers are wireless, that means means they don't need to be plugged in - making them very easy to move around in the room according to your need. All their speakers have changeable wool covers to adapt them to different interior styling. 

Recently Libratone also launched their very exciting project 360 Scandinavian, a project where creative Scandinavians - like Christian Juhl or Kristina Kjær - shares their opinions to understand what Scandinavia stands for.

 

All images via Libratone

Styling the perfect gathering

As you may recall from my first post about our Amsterdam Bloggerstour, I fell totally in love with Pistache Studio and it was amazing to witness the transformation of the rough industrial space into a cozy and perfect spot for our Bloggers United Dinner'. For this occasion, the group decided to gather some talented and creative people from the media and blogging world to spend a few hours together: at the end, isn't the best part of blogging getting to know and meet like-minded people?

Pistache Studio during the transformation.

To make this gathering so special, it was also the fantastic combination of sponsors that fell in love with the idea and decided to help us to create a magical event.  

Thanks to Thuesen Jensen, Pillivuyt Scandinavian agent, we were able to enjoy the French beautiful tableware, whose white and blue tones added a spectacular Mediterrenean vibe to the dinner, underlined by the Nigella flowers and wild grasses decoration. A touch of contemporary was instead introduced by the stylish 'Concrete Seats' by Fatboy.

And of course, in an event styled by Scandinavian design lovers like us, we couldn't miss candles: small tea lights were lighted as soon as the guest arrived but the real start of the night was our KOTO candle, brought especially for the occasion by one of Skandinavisk founders.

Ice cold beer provided by Beer & Co

When all the guests were seating, the mouthwatering delicacies - that we had been visually enjoying during the whole afternoon -  started to be served: the wonderful ladies of 'Lady Grey Catering'  created some great dishes and fueled the lovely and relaxed conversations.

 

After the dinner, the party started! The amazing guys at BOS Ice Tea and V2C Gin treated us with great cocktails while dancing and chatting on the sound of cool Libratone speakers. 

We had such an amazing night with our guests and sponsors you will surely see more of these events during out tours. Thanks so much to all the people that helped us making that nght so amazing and a special thanks to Uber, who made the visit in Amsterdam so perfect!

Photography by Susanna Vento and Linda Elmin