SCANDI CHRISTMAS INSPIRATION

SCANDI CHRISTMAS IN GENEVA – DESIGNMALIN

by Vivian Holding

Christmas is upon us and the present buying frenzy has started in earnest. Short on inspiration? Don’t panic.

Malin Miller from Scandinavian interior boutique DesignMaliN has come to the rescue! She tells us more about herself and her business, how she prepares for Christmas at home and gives us some fantastic ideas for the perfect gift to give this Christmas.

SMART DESIGN FROM A SMART LADY

DesignMaliN, is my interior store in Eaux Vives, Geneva. Malin is my first name, which is a very common Swedish name, lucky for me in French it means smart – and smart Design is exactly what I had in mind when starting my interior boutique five years ago. I believe that your home interior shouldn’t only be aesthetically pleasing, but also smart and user friendly.

I offer everything for your interior from accessories, lighting, rugs to custom made curtains. Yes, it has a Scandinavian touch as I am Swedish and know the Scandinavian interior industry very well, however I love to feature beautiful objects I find whilst on my travels around the globe.

HOW MALIN GETS IN THE FESTIVE MOOD

I stay very true to my Scandinavian origins at this time of the year. I use a lot of natural elements in my Christmas decorations – branches, moss, flowers like hyacinths and amaryllis, tree decorations made of wool and of course the best way for me to get into the Christmas mood is definitely to use candles EVERYWHERE! A good playlist of Christmas music is a must – I create my own on Spotify.

GIFT INSPIRATION FOR EVERYONE

Malin has kindly shared some suggestions for Christmas gifts below, as well as offering one lucky reader an early Christmas present (see below). She’d also be delighted to show you around her shop, so stop by to say hello and warm yourself with a glass of GLÖGG, the Swedish version of mulled wine.

COMPETITION!!

One of these gorgeous keyrings from Littlephant could be yours, courtesy of DesignMaliN – just answer this simple question and send your answer to us at info@thingstodoingeneva.ch. The winner will be notified by email on the closing date of Friday 22nd December 2017. Good luck!

Question: What does Malin’s name mean in french?

GIFT IDEAS FOR THE HOME

Large glass floor vase with brass legs chf 499:- fruitbowl chf 290:

Scandi Christmas Geneva — A bread board made of solid beech chf 59:-

Swiss made candle lights, made of sheets of brass that you unfold and put together yourself! 3 sheets in 1 package chf 60:-

The Christmas gift of the year is the Lumio book lamp – unfold the book and it becomes a lamp – USB chargeable chf 299:-

GIFT IDEAS FOR WOMEN

Mirror and jewellery bowl carved in cherry wood chf 290:-

Singing bird Bluetooth speaker chf 490:-

GIFT IDEAS FOR MEN

A pair of cognac glasses from Normann Copenhagen chf 49:-

The best slippers ever – in washed wool chf 83:-

An ’empty your pocket’ bowl in marble chf 76:-

Wooden clocks covered with fabric or leather chf 195:-

This Swiss designed pen keeper in brass/paper unfolds Chf 52:-

GIFT IDEAS FOR LITTLE ONES

Paris or London trays in beech 27×20 cm chf 25:- each

You can find DesignMaliN at 30 rue Manoir, Eaux Vives, Genève. Telephone: 078 600 22 10. Or alternatively at www.designmalin.com or on their Facebook page (click here).

Opening hours in December are extended – Saturdays from 10am-4pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 11am-6.30pm (closed Wednesdays).

Other brands stocked at DesignMaliN include www.hay.dk, www.muuto.com, www.asplund.org, www.normann-copenhagen.com, www.gubi.com, www.string.se, www.northernlighting.com.