Latest news with #Scandi-inspired
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Sostrene Grene reveals opening date of Stirling store - and first 100 shoppers will get freebie
The Danish retailer will open its doors at the Thistles Shopping Centre on Friday, August 8. The first 100 shoppers at Stirling's newest homeware store will be handed a freebie when the store opens next month. Søstrene Grene will throw open its doors at the city's Thistles Shopping Centre on Friday, August 8. The Danish retailer brings its "signature Scandinavian design, ever-changing seasonal collections and calm, curated shopping experience to the heart of Scotland". The outlet stocks homewares, kitchen accessories, furniture, gifts and craft supplies. To celebrate the launch, the first 100 customers through the doors will receive a voucher for a free large, tufted rug worth over £60. Visitors will also receive a canvas tote bag filled with Søstrene Grene goodies and will be able to browse the brand's latest collections whilst enjoying refreshments and live performances by a classical string duo and ballerinas. Stirling marks the company's seventh Scottish store. It comes after the opening of the Livingston store late last year. Mikkel Grene, CEO and co-owner of Søstrene Grene, said: "Opening our seventh store in Scotland, Stirling is a further step towards our expansion goals. We're incredibly proud of and a testament to the strong connection people in Scotland have with our brand. "Stirling's rich history, with historic landmarks makes it a perfect location to share our Scandi-inspired products and calming shopping experience. We're excited to welcome both new and loyal customers to explore what Søstrene Grene has to offer and continue to grow throughout Scotland." UK Partners Norma Jacob and Richard Power run Søstrene Grene shops throughout Northern Ireland, Southern England, Scotland and Wales. Norma Jacob said: "Opening in Stirling means bringing Søstrene Grene's unique blend of simplicity and creativity to a community that truly appreciates both. We're offering more than just products; it's about creating a space where customers can find inspiration and a moment of calm in their busy day. Stirling's character fits perfectly with what we stand for and we're excited to connect with the local community through every visit." Richard Power commented: "We're thrilled to bring Søstrene Grene to Stirling, adding to our growing presence across Scotland. Launching within a town in central Scotland, it will give the opening an extra buzz and we can't wait to welcome both local shoppers and visitors to discover our calm, design-led experience in the heart of this community." Thistles Centre Director, Gary Turnbull, has expressed his enthusiasm for the new addition to the shopping centre, stating: "Søstrene Grene will be a welcome addition to Thistles. The unique blend of Scandinavian design and affordability will bring a homely feel to our range of offerings, and we're sure shoppers will love discovering its charming, ever-changing selection. Excitement has been building as we approach opening day, and we know our shoppers are just as eager as we are to welcome Søstrene Grene to Stirling." The grand unveiling of the new Søstrene Grene store is set to take place at The Thistles Shopping Centre on Friday, August 8, at 9.59am.
Time Out
14-07-2025
- Time Out
I visited Australia's coldest state in the middle of winter – here's why you should too
As the world's closest gateway to Antarctica, Tasmania has a well-earned reputation for being cold. Winters here range between an icy three to 12 degrees, while summer temperatures rarely climb above 20 degrees – which, if you're not from Australia, is chilly compared to the mainland. Having grown up near Sydney's sunny shores, I've always been a bit of a winter weakling – so the idea of visiting Tasmania in its coldest months never really appealed to me. But after heading south this winter, I'll never think of the Apple Isle the same way again. I discovered why it's the coolest place to visit — both literally and figuratively – with countless Off Season experiences waiting to show you the magic of winter here too. Earlier this year, a study confirmed what many of us already knew – Hobart is Australia's coldest city to live in. I can vouch for that firsthand with my ears turning numb the moment I stepped off the plane in Launceston, where temperatures were a frosty eight degrees. Side note: I was genuinely shocked to see many Tassie locals strolling around in T-shirts. I guess it's something you become accustomed to! The first stop on my trip was Cataract Gorge – home to what's believed to be the world's largest single-span chairlift (with a 308-metre central span). I lucked out with timing, arriving just after a thick blanket of fog and drizzle had been swept away. Despite the cold, I was so distracted by the stunning views of the river gushing through the gorge below that the chill barely registered. And the coolest part to me was the fact that a five-kilometre natural wonder like this could be hiding just ten minutes from Launceston's city centre – something you won't find near any of Australia's other major cities. From Launceston, I took a scenic two-hour drive to Binalong Bay, which is part of the famous Bay of Fires – a string of beaches crowned Australia's best beach for 2025. Staying by the beach in winter might seem like an odd move, but let me tell you, the ocean air feels even fresher in the cold. While the Bay of Fires is a summer hotspot for road trippers, I was pleased to see plenty of camper vans parked along the waterfront, where travellers could wake up to magical sunrises over the iconic orange lichen-covered granite rocks. And for the record, I did brave an icy swim in the Pacific Ocean – and it left me feeling so alive. I will emphasise that it was a dip, rather than a proper swim (I'll leave that to the crazy locals), and I was thankful to have a hot shower waiting for me afterwards. For the ultimate hot-and-cold therapy, though, you can't beat one of Tasmania's floating sauna boats — easily one of the coolest ways to warm up in the wild. With sub-ten-degree waters, Tassie is probably the only state that can pull off an experience like this without needing a man-made ice bath. I was lucky to secure a session at Sauna Boat Tasmania – a tiny Scandi-inspired floating sauna moored at Little Oyster Cove in Kettering. After heating up in the timber-clad hot box while watching boats bob by through the misty glass, I took the plunge into the nine-degree sea. Like my Binalong Bay ocean dip, it was one of those surreal moments that made me feel completely alive — and also think, ' only in Tasmania.' Honestly, four days in Tassie during winter were barely enough to fill my cup (of ice water). The state really turns it on during the Off Season, serving up a stack of winter-only experiences that make braving the chill totally worth it. From forest bathing at a Japanese-inspired retreat and harvesting mushrooms in an abandoned railway tunnel to truffle hunting with dogs, lantern-lit ghost tours at Port Arthur, morning kayaking at Cradle Mountain and fireside whisky tastings, here are all the coolest Off Season experiences you can have in Tasmania this winter. ❄️
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Restaurant Review: Duo Gastrobar is a showcase of technical, culinary skill
If you're looking for substance over style, Scandi-inspired decor, and classic, well-executed dishes, then look no further than Duo Gastrobar. Upon walking in, you're greeted with light, bright interiors, enhanced by high ceilings and plush white tablecloths. The meal commenced with some spectacular shaken drinks, including a matcha-inspired martini mixed over a dry London spirit. We enjoyed some delicious chilled small plates, including an inspiringly unique 'broccoli pâté' topped with mixed nuts and crispy kale. This was a truly perfect bite, with the creaminess of the pâté seamlessly marrying with the raw crunch of the broccoli, kale, and nutty garnish. We also selected the braised aubergine—seemingly steamed and pulled—then adorned with chilli butter and thick yogurt. Delicately simple, perfectly dressed, and subtly spicy, it was the ideal way to start an indulgent dinner. Next came the hot starters. These were truly fantastic, my favourite being the Taleggio and oxtail pie, which has not left my mind since. The thick pastry casing was filled with tender, flavourful beef and topped with tart, creamy Taleggio. This dish felt like something magical for the festive season. It was served alongside young cabbage topped with shaved black truffles—again, a seemingly simple dish, yet elevated by high-quality ingredients. Each layer of lightly charred cabbage delicately caressed the creamy sauce, further enhanced by the generous mounds of shaved black summer truffles adorning the top. The mains were executed with the same technical skill and balance of flavours as the smaller plates. The lemon butter chicken was juicy, with a perfectly crispy skin—another seemingly simple dish made memorable through its execution. The cacio e pepe was utterly flawless, with hand-rolled pici pasta cooked to the perfect al dente, gently hugging the creamy pepper and pecorino sauce. We finished with a fantastic drop of red grape, which accompanied a densely layered honey cake.
Irish Examiner
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Wish List: Seven super ideas for your life and living space this week
Scandi style Big news for Cork's northside — JYSK has just opened a shiny new store at Blackpool Retail Park, bringing the Danish home brand's Cork tally to four (joining Youghal, Ballincollig, and Eastgate). The opening creates around 10 new jobs locally too. Pictured above are Aoibheann and Abigail Flynn from Shanakiel jumping for joy — though we're guessing the shop won't encourage that kind of excitement in the cushion aisle. Expect stylish, Scandi-inspired pieces for every corner of your home and garden. More at Jysk. Open-air gallery Art lovers, mark your calendar. From June 1-29, Castlemartyr Resort will become a walkable open-air gallery, with works by Salvador Dalí, Andy Warhol, and Damien Hirst dotted throughout the grounds. The Art + Soul exhibition will feature over 350 pieces — and if you've never been, the gardens alone are worth the trip. A special preview evening takes place on Friday, May 30, with art, fine dining, and great company. Tickets, €100, are on Eventbrite, via reservations@ or 021-421 9000. Fancy making a night of it? Overnight packages are available from June 1. Holistic health On the Bathroom Shelf this month: Novomins Cranberry & D-Mannose Gummies — a welcome addition if you're prone to UTIs. (I've said it before and I'll say it again, it's a man's world). The B-Corp-certified brand is led by doctors, scientists and nutritionists, and focuses on holistic women's health. Also in the range: PMS and Menobalance gummies — just hook them to my veins, honestly. Available via Chemist Warehouse, Novomins, and Irish TikTok Shop. Metallic magic Add a bit of wow to your walls with a piece by Irish-Mexican artist Jess Kelly. Known for her layered metallic textures, her work features in Michelin-star restaurants, luxury homes and hotels around the world — including Lough Eske Castle. Fans include Amy Huberman and the Real Housewives of New York (Is that one of their baths? I must know.) Her latest exhibition Origins: Chapter II is on now upstairs at Chupi on Clarendon Street. Details at Jesskellyart. Wallpaper wow Wallpaper envy incoming. The once-derelict Little Island Resort in West Cork has been brought back to life by sisters Aislinn and Nicole O'Shea, transforming it into a dreamy boutique hotel overlooking Owenahincha Beach. The 40-year-empty property now features restored original details, an outdoor pool, and a strong focus on sustainability. It's giving California vibes — but better, cos it's at Castlefreke. More at Thelittleisland. Sublime scents I have to declare a candle crush. We're longtime fans of La Bougie, the Irish candle brand hand-poured in West Cork. Their latest? Cedar Atlas — think notes of thyme, cedarwood and oud, with a 50-hour burn time. Left, La Bougie's Cedar Atlas candle; right, Caitlin Godfrey practising yoga at Mount Congreve Gardens, Co Waterford, which hosts Restival this May bank holiday weekend. The full range of candles, diffusers, and linen sprays is available at Labougie, Brown Thomas, Avoca, Meadows & Byrne, and over 100 Irish independents. Wonder and wellness Into wellness with a side of woods? Restival lands at Mount Congreve Gardens, Co Waterford, this May bank holiday weekend. Highlights include yoga with Catherine O'Donoghue, Pilates with Helen O'Donovan, and a workout with Karl Henry. There's also guided forest bathing (shinrin-yoku, if you don't mind), and wellness talks including a Wim Hof Method session with expert Marta Vera. Tickets from €39 at Mountcongreve or grab one at the gate if you're feeling spontaneous.
Time Out
27-04-2025
- Time Out
This stunning Scandi-inspired bathhouse has just opened beneath a luxe hotel in Byron Bay
Relaxation isn't hard to come by in Byron Bay. Hugging the easternmost corner of NSW, on volcanic land thought to hold a unique vibrational energy, the beloved bohemian town has long been a place of healing. And although it's experienced something of a commercial upheaval over the past few years – with high-end hotels and luxe celebrity homes changing the fabric of the once unpretentious hippie haven – there's still a unique magic that seems to hang over the town. Now, hidden beneath one of Byron's most luxurious hotels (it was just listed on a prestigious list of the best hotels in the world), you'll find Navia: a surreally beautiful Scandi-inspired bathhouse that's bringing the town's relaxation game to the next level. Navia co-founders Lucia Wilkinson and Patrick Dusting were travelling Scandinavia when the idea for the space was born. 'We travelled through Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, and absolutely fell in love with their style of bathing. It's a completely different culture from what we have here – in Australia it's quite isolated, but over there, the instant you walk in you feel at home. We felt like we just had to bring that style of bathing to Australia, and where better to do it than Byron, a place that's already so community-focused?' Dusting tells me, while we're sitting in the carefully minimalist, rust-toned lobby, a space that calms your nervous system even before you've spent two hours soaking and steaming in the room below. Descend the stone staircase, and you'll find a huge, cave-like bathhouse that will transport you to another realm. To reflect the Scandi aesthetic, natural light is intentionally kept to a minimum, with warm, orb-like lights placed between the arching sauna doors, and clusters of (electric) candles gathered along the walls. The design is Lucia's masterwork, with, by her own admission, 'inspiration from the saunas we visited in Finland, and a lot of help from Pinterest'. The standout features here are the two magnesium baths (the larger one heated to a warm, hot-tub-like temp and the smaller a chilly 8°C), but the space is also home to a steam room, stunning dark timber sauna, 2°C ice bath and a carefully curated snack station. To allow guests to fully embrace the 'hygge' state of mind (hygge is a Danish concept that translates roughly to "cosiness"), sessions last for two hours, and guests are encouraged to take breaks between soaks and steams to relax on the sofa with a cup of tea and a plate of dried fruit. You'll also find massage therapists on site, offering 60- and 90-minute remedial, relaxation and pregnancy treatments designed to complement the bathhouse experience.
