Ode to Slowness
“The great benefit of slowing down is reclaiming the time and tranquility to make meaningful connections - with people, with culture, with work, with nature, with our own bodies and minds.”
— Charles Honoré
When we talk about slow living we often imagine a beachside retreat and afternoons spent watching the sun go down. Even though this can be a reality for some, in other cases slow living can also be interpreted in the small daily rituals. Enjoying a good book while cozied up on our favorite armchair or spending quality time preparing a delicious meal. Slow living has a personal meaning for each one of us and our homes are a beautiful tool to express and manifest those beliefs.
The slow philosophy first became popular through the Slow food concept. In order to cope with the banalization of food and the growing fast food industry, Carlo Petrini, an Italian gastronomic columnist, developed a counter-culture movement. Its main idea was to promote small food producers and invite people to be more conscious about cooking their own meals using fresh products.
Not long after, the slow philosophy flourished in other fields like work, travel and lifestyle. It quickly became a fairly simple concept encouraging a more conscious approach to life with a strong emphasis on enjoying the present moment at its core.
Slow life movement is a praise of authenticity, respect and sharing. And in our daily lives at home, what does it mean?
Living room styling.
1. Robusta Armchair, la Pecera 2. Scented Candle, Arquinesia 3. Table Lamp, Sarah Nedovic Gaunt 4. Rug, nanimarquina 5. Floor Lamp, Contain 6. Coffee Table, Atelier de Troupe 7. Sofa, Oliver Gustav
While the slow approach might allude to bare spaces and interiors devoid of color, it doesn't mean it can't be personal. We can think of the slow philosophy as of something that can become part of our daily environment without subscribing to a particular set of aesthetics.
Our homes should be the expression of our most authentic beliefs. For one it may mean keeping all the numerous objects collected throughout the years or conversely letting go off the clutter around the house. As long as it makes us feel good and harmonious we are on the right path.
Every space can become cozy with simple adjustments. It is enough to substitute a coffee table or a chair for a statement piece (like this beautiful coffee table from Atelier de Troupe!) that gives character to the room. Or replace the whites with earthy tones! Playing with different textures and materials is also a quick and easy trick to add more warmth and character to our living space. For this styling we chose the Wellbeing Wool chobi rug designed by Ilse Crawford in collaboration with nanimarquina. It is made of organic materials and produced using traditional craft techniques by local artisans. The Alba XL Triple floor lamp by Mallorca based studio Contain stands out beautifully on the softer background of natural materials.
“…to be slow means that you govern the rhythms of your life. You are in control of deciding how fast you have to go.”
— Carlo Petrini
Dining room ideas.
1. Dining Chair, &Tradition 2. Floor Lamp, Menu 3. Chandelier, Magic Circus 4. Dining Table, Artilleriet 5. Pot, Ferm Living 6. Vase, Ferm Living
When it comes to furniture materials, we always try to go for a natural palette. A beautiful wooden chair brings quality and timeless feeling to any room. The 1956 Drawn chair by Hvidt & Mølgaard stands out as a remarkable piece of Danish design. To create a comfortable seating experience, the designers used traditional artisanal techniques and organic materials bringing a whole new sense of honesty to the space. The blend of wood and stone creates an interesting contrast and helps our favorite furniture pieces truly stand out.
Reading corner ideas.
1. Side Table, Ferm Living 2. Armchair, &Tradition 3. Floor Lamp, Contain 4. Book, Gestalten 5. Cup, Artelleriet
Lights in the room play a fundamental role as well. We always try to position warm lights on a lower level and distribute them around the space to create a more welcoming environment. Choosing a beautiful ambient lamp can quickly transform the experience of the whole interior.
The Space Copenhagen’s Fly armchair is a reminiscence of the simplicity and comfort of Nordic aesthetics. It creates a perfect contrast with the boldness of the travertine Distinct Table by Ferm Living. We combined it with our favorite Nuvol Double floor lamp by Contain.
“Slow living is less of a style and more a deeply personal mentality.”
— Nathan Williams, The Kinfolk Home
Slow living is a philosophy that can be practiced anywhere by anyone. It is all about being intentional and appreciating the present moment. We gathered a few books and objects that offer a feeling of serenity and allow us to create rhythms and rituals more in tune with ourselves. We hope to inspire you on your journey of finding stillness.
Objects that make us slow down and appreciate the present moment.
1. Candle, Carabella 2. Incense, Bodha 3. The Noma Guide to Fermentation, Noma 4. In Praise of Shadows, Junichiro Tanizaki 5. The Kinfolk Home, Kinfolk, 6. La Conica Coffee Maker, Alessi
The Noma Guide to Fermentation - there is no better way of engaging in the art of slow cooking than diving into the curious world of fermentation. Explore the secrets of preserving food with the help of this brilliant book by René Redzepi and David Zilber.
Alessi “La Conica” is an iconic coffee maker designed by Aldo Rossi. A beautiful reminder to slow down and appreciate your morning coffee ritual.
In Praise of Shadows - is much more than a simple essay on the topic of chiaroscuro. A truly fascinating tale on time, patina and the art of appreciating simplicity.
The Kinfolk Home - a beautiful collection of essays on interiors, slow-life and the importance of architecture in social connections written by famous designers from all over the world.
Carabella Candle - wrap yourself in a warm Amber & Olibanum scent of this handmade candle by Carabella. It fills the whole room with its delicate aroma and lets you soothe your busy mind.
Bodha Incense - as the founders of the brand say - “Nurturing a sense of connection to yourself is the most fundamental thing you can do to be happy”. Bodha is not just an ordinary incense. It's a true olfactory experience coupled with high quality modern design.
In small but significant ways these individual rituals become a representation of who we are for a moment in time. When we are aware of the details that become part of our lives we can better understand what makes us happy. Although our lives can be busy, let’s slow down and establish a daily space where we can be more intimate with our thoughts and our needs.
