Q: Hello, I'm traveling to Europe in about a month. France, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark. Since there is so much great modern design coming out of these countries (especially Denmark) I was hoping to do some shopping for my home while I travel, but don't know what chains or shops to look for.
Sent by Candice
Editor: Do you have recommendations for Candice's trip? Please leave them in the comments - thanks!
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Copenhagen is a really beautiful city - lucky you! Hit Normann Copenhagen on Østerbrogade which is an amazing experience in itself. Enjoy some hot chocolate (50% white chocolate, 50% dark) from Baresso next door. Walk Østerbrogade, there are definately a few more stops to make there.
Illum at Strøget is worth a visit. In the square area between the streets of Købmagergade, Prinsens gade, Gammel Mønt and Strøget, you will find both amazing furniture/design stores, clothing stores as well as some of the best lunch places in the city.
Others worth mentioning:
- Casa shop, Store Regnegade 2
- Trip Trap, Indiakaj 2
Enjoy Copenhagen :)
Hej
I'm from Copenhagen and would suggest you go to this museum http://en.ddc.dk/ and this http://designmuseum.dk/en to see some danish design history.
Things would be expensive here, but it's a nice place to catch some inspiration.
Go to "læderstræde" for this shop http://stillebenshop.dk/Catalog.aspx?lang=uk& and if you're into china look at this one: http://www.royalcopenhagen.com/?gclid=CPrX_-Wom6sCFUO_zAodGm8xlQ
I find as a dane, Strøget a bit to high street for me, you would find the more interesting shops in smaller areas. Go to Christiania to find craft and hippie bikes.
I love this shop too http://www.casashop.dk/
and the area around it is really nice too.
You should look for some "loppemarked", to find cheap used stuff. You could also try www.dba.dk for used stuff. Ask again, if you need more advice, bring an umbrella, hunters and a warm sweater
kind regards Randi Jensen
You should go to Amsterdams '9 straatjes' (translated: 9 little streets) in the Jordaan neighborhood (west of the canals). You'll find cute little stores selling new and used items for the house, fashion, and great food. This is a great historic down town trip. Also, check this store: SPRMRKT & SPR+ in Amsterdam, great combination of fashion and furniture.
If you look for big, modern new pieces for the house, Amsterdam has a big furniture mall on the south east side called Villa Arena (http://www.villaarena.nl). High end mainstream, but different then what you'll find in the USA, so might be worth a trip.
Enjoy your trip and share your best stores (:
Pia Jane Bijkerk's books on hand made design shops in Paris & Amsterdam are fab:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Paris-Decorators-Stylists-Source-Unique/dp/1892145707/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315961368&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Amsterdam-Made-Pia-Jane-Bijkerk/dp/1892145847/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1315961368&sr=8-3
Well, I don't know what you plan to buy? Furniture needs to be shipped of course. (very expensive)
In Amsterdam I can recommend:
www.bebob.nl :Mid-century Modern en collectable pieces.
www.wonderwood.nl :WonderWood is a mixture between shop and gallery. All designs are made of wood/plywood.
www.frozenfountain.nl/ design stuff. Also smaller stuff like home accesoiries.
I second the recommendation for Illum Bolighus in Copenhagen. http://www.illumsbolighus.dk/main.asp Loved it and just wished I could have taken the whole store home.
Droog in Amsterdam - awesome pieces of conceptual furniture, but also small accessory items that are unique and well-made.
I want to second the recommendation for Frozen Fountain in Amsterdam, as well as &K on Haarlemmerstraat for home accessories and Exota Dames in the 9 Straatjes for clothing. While you're at it, check out Moooi, and Royal Tichelaar Makkum.
For other design, check out Mediamatic Museum and the Stedlijk Museum.
Be sure to visit Gent (pic of this article). You can see a castle at the back of the picture. Next to it is the Design Museum of Gent (http://design.museum.gent.be/) . They are now having a temporary exhibition by the Vitra Design Museum!
If you are in Brussels (Belgium) in September, you are lucky, because it is the month of design all around the town! more info there: http://www.designseptember.be/uk/index.php
Kitsch Kitchen in Amsterdam for fun and colourful home accessories
Any recommendations on secondhand and/or antique shops in or around Copenhagen?
Really visit Gent, stay there for a night. Go to the Vooruit bar or drink a coffee in lovely Simon Says! You'll love it!
http://www.designsponge.com/category/city
Just click on your location on the right side and discover lots of places in the city/design-guides! Tip: read the comments for extra adresses.
My favorites in Holland:
http://www.depotrotterdam.nl/
http://www.loods5.nl/
http://www.ottomania.nl/
http://www.easyget.nl/
http://www.kitschenkunst.nl/
Hey again
For secondhand shopping in cph you should try Ravnsborggade at Nørrebro http://www.ravnsborggade.dk/ or look in the www.aok.dk for news about huge indoor fleamarkets with lot's of good stuff. If you have the time, when you're in Cph, take a trip to Malmö in Sweden, it's only 25 minuts with train for Cph center, and you find lot's of good stuff there.
Berlin would be great on a Europe trip too, so many indie designer shops there
You could write me an email for more info
randijensen@gmail.com
kind regards
Randi
if you fall in love with things over there, check this website if they have it, and can ship for cheaper - http://www.scandinaviandesigncenter.com/Products/usd0/Furniture