Stockholm - Stockholm Design Week presented uber-cool collaborations. Japanese fashion house Issey Miyake's new range with Finnish brand Iittala, including place mats and cushion covers, tops our most coveted homeware list.
Textile specialist Ogeborg has created leather rugs with architecture firm Claesson Koivisto Rune. And product innovator Alexander Lervik has teamed up with Artico to design home lifts which take up no more space than a wardrobe. A visit to the city at any time of year will leave you inspired by Scandi style. Here is our guide to the city and the style ...
WHERE TO STAY
Miss Clara is a smart and centrally located part of Swedish hotel group Nobis and a member of the Design Hotels collection. Housed in the former Ateneum girl's school, the 1910 Art Nouvea building has been restored under the direction of Gert Wingårdh. Leather furniture, marble bathrooms and dark herringbone parquet floors make up the 92 guest rooms. Functionality is at the forefront of the design so spot the details such as beds with a chair back at the bottom, doubling as a handy reading spot. The duplex Etage suites are the most spacious with a separate living area and a writing desk. A buzzing ground floor bar and restaurant is just the place for breakfast (missclarahotel.com).
For more traditional Swedish extravagance check into the Grand Hotel. Guests are greeted at the recently revamped lobby area, showcasing white Carrara marble flooring with plush carpet inlays. The decor is inspired by 1874, the year the hotel was built, which is highlighted by four chandeliers and original late 19th century pieces. The spacious rooms have breath-taking views over the Royal Palace and Galma Stan, Stockholm's old town. No two rooms are the same which adds to the charm but fabric walls and pretty pastels tie in the look. The waterfront Verdana restaurant, which has just introduced a new menu, is a romantic dinner spot and the Nordic Spa is perfect for chilling out. Big, bold and beautiful (grandhotel.se).
WHERE TO EAT
Riche is well versed in entertaining Stockholm's social magnets. Since 1893, the dining rooms and bars have been an arena for the rich, famous and fabulous. Soak up the atmosphere at a table close to the packed main bar. Menu must-haves include Toast Skagen, a classic Swedish dish which was invented at Riche, followed by Sole meunière for main and Gino, a white chocolate fruit gratin, for pudding. All accompanied by a handsome cocktail and wine list. Art is everywhere. Joakim Nordström's works adorn the walls and the menus while fake Big brother style video installations by Jonas Dahlberg appear in the loos (riche.se).
Take a trip across town to the hip Nytorget district for Nytorget 6, an intimate restaurant and nightlife destination where the DJ is perched on the marble topped cocktail bar. Watch the delicious food being prepared on the table overlooking the kitchen. The crispy falafel is a tasty starter followed by a grilled tuna burger or rotisserie style plank steak for main and a Rocky Road for dessert. Upstairs is kitted out with chandeliers made of wine glasses while the cabaret theme comes to life with red velvet seating and a stage on the lower floor (nytorget6.com).
AND WHAT TO BUY
Canada Goose Hybridge Lite Hoody
£599 (about R13 000), harrods.com
Quilted velvet throw
£179, nordichouse.co.uk
Design House Stockholm knot pillow
£77, scandinaviandesigncenter.com
Ferm Living Remix blanket
£92, madeindesign.co.uk
Sorel's Tivoli suede boot
£110, sorelfootwear.co.uk
The Independent