We have seen each other intermittently throughout the years and have always kept in touch, first through letters and later via email. I have stayed at her parents' amazing house and in her apartment when I visited her in the 1990's. Likewise, she has stayed with me several times in the various cities I've lived in as well.
In the 24 years that I've known her, I've always held her in the highest regard. She has always been a calming influence in my life and has what I consider the 'complete package'. The Capable Dane is everything I admire. She is attractive, intelligent, unflappable and creative. Not only is she a whiz in the kitchen, she also makes her own stylish clothes, designs jewellery and can tile a floor. How many people you know can do all those things and do them well?!
She has always had exquisite taste and a unique sense of style. However, nothing prepared me for how beautiful her current house is. She and her hubby moved in about ten years ago and in that time, they have extended it and put their own stamp on it. What amazes me is that they have done a lot of the work themselves, bar the electrics and piping, which they are not allowed to handle by law. They have ripped down ceilings, taken up the floors, put in a kitchen and bathroom, etc. The Capable Dane's equally capable hubby even put in a mini loft (yes, you read that right, LOFT) in their eldest daughter's bedroom!!! When I was given a tour of the house, I was seriously gobsmacked. All you could hear coming out of my mouth was 'wow' and 'OMG' and 'I love that'!
But enough words, here are some photos to show you what I mean. It snowed all weekend which made it really special.
The front of the house:
Detail - plants by the kitchen door draped with outdoor fairy lights:
Going into the house, the kitchen is to your left. I adore the huge white antique mirror and floor candles:
The ceiling beams are my favourite feature in the kitchen:
Everything in the house either has a function or is beautiful, often both. Detail - colourful tea caddies brighten up a window ledge:
The dining room and living space run along the front of the house and wrap around one side of it:
The living area reminds me of a New York apartment with its white walls and huge colourful paintings (the gorgeous brown lab Maggie and the red balloon on the chandelier are evidence of a household with three young children!):
Detail - a group of mismatched but similarly-coloured candlesticks add interest and mood lighting:
The view from the living room (I know, wow right?):
In the basement is the guest/au pair's room. All white walls, a tactile concrete floor and a wrought iron bed induce a feeling of calm:
Detail - pressed flowers in a gold frame sit on a vintage chest of drawers:
The basement bathroom has a free standing bath that just makes you want to jump into it:
It also has a stand up shower and a stripped wooden door that reminds me of a rustic farmhouse:
Being interested in interior design myself, I am always looking at photos on the internet or watching programmes on the telly to get ideas. To be honest, I am not often impressed by what other people have done in their homes.
However, when I walked through the Capable Dane's house, I was completely inspired by her style. I don't even know what you would call it. She mixes modern with traditional and somehow, it all fits beautifully together as is shown by the photos above.
Simplicity in the backdrop and tasteful objects, both expensive and not so expensive, live side by side in complete harmony. Both P and I were truly impressed and I felt very proud for all that the Capable Dane and her husband have achieved. They have also done a really wonderful job with their three children, who are well behaved, intelligent and talented.
On the Saturday evening, the snow stopped for a few hours and we went to Tivoli Gardens to see the Christmas Market. The kids had a great time going on all the rides as well. It was beautiful but really really brrrrr.......!
All in all, a great trip to bring in the start of the festive season. Ho ho ho!
