Design, Discovery, and the Drive to Create

Despite the fact that we’ve been in business for over 10 years we’re always learning about our business and looking for inspiration. With this in mind we booked a trip to Stockholm and Copenhagen sometime last year to check out these two meccas of design. With tariff conversations ramping up we considered canceling the trip but decided it was still important to stretch ourselves even when faced with the uncertainty of what the tariffs would mean for our small business and the development of new products. 

We’ve included a travel blog of imagery here which just shows how influential the trip was. Highlights in Copenhagen included Tivoli Gardens, the inspiration for Disneyland. Nearby we also checked out the Arne Jacobsen Hotel the world’s first design hotel finished in 1960 and recognized as one of his principal works of architecture. Everything inside is designed by him as well. We loved Smørrebrød (open Danish sandwiches), the Design Museum and the amazing chair display, even the locker room was high design. 

We also enjoyed La Glace, their oldest bakery founded in 1870,  Illums Bolighus (try saying that one), a treasure trove of home goods (we bought two small vases), Carls Kokken, a very cool and well curated kitchen store, the marble church both inside and from the Canal Tour.

We were blown away by the Royal Palaces and how accessible they are to the people. Strolling down the brightly colored houses in Nyhavn along with throngs of people was very fun and lastly just the outdoor furniture at Cafés caught our eyes. All around design and unique architecture is present but yet stylishly quiet if that makes sense. 

In Stockholm we marveled at how calm everything was. Even the airport was quiet and hassle free – the ubers appeared in a very orderly fashion and we were whisked away to beautiful downtown. Highlights here were a sweet wine bar in Gamla Stan, the old cobblestone portion of downtown. Skeppsbro Bakery and Stenugnsbageri overlooking the water – the perfect way to start the day, sitting outside sipping tea, enjoying the kardemummabullar (Cardamom Buns) watching the Swedish world go by on bicycles and on feet. As a tea lover I was very impressed by the tea shops in both Stockholm and Scandinavia – there’s a myriad of options and the aromas are intoxicating. 

The Royal Palace was definitely worth the visit as was the Vasa Museum on one of the islands. The Vasa was a ship built for the king that sunk on it’s maiden voyage in 1628. The whole museum is designed around this gargantuan beauty.

Another highlight foodwise was Bar Agrikultur – a tiny little spot that seated about 30 but would have had to be twice the size in America. We’re still dreaming of the Salmon with nettle, split peas and spruce. We sat at the bar and marveled at the tiny kitchen putting out such outstanding food. Our last meal highlight was squid with kohlrabi, apple, leek beurre blanc and smoked pork belly at Voisine. 

From Copenhagen cafés to Stockholm streets, this trip reinforced what we’ve always believed: travel fuels innovation. Even in uncertain times, we’ll keep exploring the world—and ideas—with open minds, creative hearts, and a relentless drive to keep creating.