Dear reader,

In the lead-up to my 60th birthday on May 2nd, I’ll be sharing pieces from my long life with antiques – the things I personally love, and would still choose today. And it will all end with a giveaway for those of you who follow along.

But first, I want to start somewhere I always return to.

Blue-painted porcelain.

There’s something about blue-painted porcelain that reaches further back. Something that was here long before us – and still feels right today. Perhaps it’s the calmness of the colours. Perhaps it’s the simplicity.

It was just standing there…

I was in my mid-twenties, working every day in my father’s warehouse at DPH.

And there, on a shelf, it stood.

A jug.

Round. Soft blue. Gentle in its shape.

It stood there in the cold and the darkness – like a quiet reminder that life doesn’t stop.

That something is always growing, even when you can’t see it. And that there is always something beautiful on its way.

The jug was part of Bing & Grøndahl’s Christmas Rose collection.

And a few years later, a customer came in wanting to sell a complete Julerose set.

I can still remember that day. Because that’s when I made a decision. That set wasn’t going anywhere. It was coming home with me and my family.

For many years, it was our fine china – the one we brought out when guests were visiting. We lived in the small village of Brylle, on a farm with a stable and horses, and of course a dining room. And that’s where this set belonged.

Today, it’s something quite different. More of an all-round set that we use in everyday life, but that still works beautifully when the occasion calls for something a little special. 

I don’t use blue-painted porcelain the “right” way. I mix it.

Christmas plates from Bing & Grøndahl. Mother’s Day plates from Rörstrand. Egg cups from Tettau. And a bit of white porcelain in between. Nothing fancy. Just pieces that work together and feel right.

When I want to make it a little more special, I also bring out some of my old crystal bowls and decanters. Food simply tastes better when it’s served beautifully. When you serve on beautiful pieces and take a bit of care, it lifts the whole experience.

It’s not just about how it looks, but about the energy you put into it. And when there’s care and thought in both the preparation and the presentation, everyone around the table can feel it.

Here are some of the pieces I personally love – and use to create the atmosphere I’ve been talking about.

As a thank you for following along, you’ll be among the first to hear about our extra special birthday offers.

It doesn’t stop there

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing some of the things I’ve learned along the way – and what I still look for today.

The things I personally love. And what I would choose if I had it in my hands today.

And when we reach my birthday on May 2nd, I’ll finish it all off with a giveaway – so if you’d like to take part, it’s worth following along over the coming weeks – both here and on our Instagram and Facebook (Winner of the giveaway will be drawn randomly from our social media followers).

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