The very beginning

This summer it’s actually 8 years ago that Lonnie and I started out small producing articles on a freelance basis.
In the years since, we’ve visited many many homes. Several hundred I suppose.
Homes which in one way or another are related to the country lifestyle.
In more than half of these homes we found an IKEA sofa with white fabric. They fit so well with the style.
They are neutral, pleasant and at the same time at affordable prices.
However, they are quite delicate and it has always been a source of irritation for both us and many others we've talked to.
For a long time we’ve worked on creating covers for these beds in the same fabric as our pillows.
Namely strong 100% natural colored/washed linen. The covers are available in several different models and so far in two natural colors.
At the same time we launch our collection of roman blinds in linen. /Vivian

Lovely, enchanting atmosphere at the office

I enjoy the atmosphere here at JDL so much – some days more than others of course. That’s how it is with anything. But it’s here (the cozy atmosphere) a lot this week.
Generally, everyone out here is delightfully happy and cheerful. Perhaps because spring is really taking hold now – that puts all of us in a good mood.
But it’s something else as well: These last few days, Dorte has been completely engrossed in making the most amazing Christmas decorations!! They’re for this year’s Christmas collection. She’s completely quiet, which actually isn’t one of her trademarks! – but I can just tell how much she relishes sitting and pottering with it! There’s a concentration and creative calm where you can almost feel how one idea leads to the next. There’s something to look forward to – that’s all I’m saying! It’s SO pretty and different this year! – even if Christmas is a long ways away…
At another table, Susanne is making the most charming little bouquets for a spring article for the magazine. Grape hyacinth, pansies, daisies and forget-me-nots…Just the wonderful colors alone – and then her ability to combine it all to make it look just amazing, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
They’re both humming away while they work…can’t you almost feel through your screen how cozy it is?

 

This actually also happens a lot when we’re on shoots. Sometimes there’s 4-5 of us out and about. Assuming that we’ve planned it well so everyone knows what they’re doing, it often happens that a similar enchanting atmosphere occurs while we work. It’s hard to explain. We’re having a nice time concentrating on the arrangement that we’re doing or the pictures we’re taking. Everything is quiet – no one is talking – but you can just feel how much we all love what we’re doing.
It makes me feel very privileged to have a job that I love and to work with such lovely people…

The only limit is your imagination…

When Lonnie and I were on a shoot in November, we both fell for some pretty, old French candy boxes in a big way. They were so worn that they were practically falling apart.
We bought a couple and then started planning to make something in the same style. Naturally, we fell in love with both the shape and the pretty, old ribbons. But the beautiful stamping on the box was also something that we simply could let go.
Now, they’re here at last. With stamping, patinated ribbons and the prettiest closing. Use them for candy, buttons – anything you can think of, or put silverware and napkins in there when setting the table. The only limit is your imagination. Available soon at your local Jeanne d’Arc Living store. /Vivian

Get a small preview of the MAY magazine

It won’t be long now until the May issue hits the stands. :o)

From now on, we’ll publish every month on the 1st

You can get a small sneak peek here…

You’ll meet our skilled flower arranger and writer Susanne Sølvsten, join us as we visit beautiful homes and read about old, French glass, among other things.
Find inspiration for arranging your balcony and porch in true country style.
Remember – if you order a subscription with your distributor, you’ll most likely receive the magazine BEFORE the original publication date. /Vivian

A new Kind of Cookbook

It’s here! Our new compilation cookbook that we’ve been working on for the last few months – especially our skilled graphic designed Helle as well as Lonnie have been slaving away to create a beautiful layout. It’s always a nice feeling to hold a new book in your hands. It’s one of those things that never become routine. We’re equally proud every time. You can get a small peek here. It just came from the printer’s this morning, and next week we’ll get started on getting the books to our distributors. If you haven’t already secured a copy for yourself, see the distributor list on our home page… /Vivian

 

Take a look at the book here

Inspiration from an old flour sack

First we like to THANK YOU for alle the fine words and sweet messages. We are moved by getting so much positive response.

Thank you very much..! /Vivian

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One of the things I’m always on the lookout for at flea markets is the old, French printed flour sacks. By now, I have quite a few different ones around the house.
I was so excited about my last find that it just had to be put into production. After quite a bit of hysterics on my part regarding the blue color, the first product is now finally in stock.
And I can tell you that the stripe is just the right kind of blue! I’m just crazy about it – what do you think?

And this is just the beginning after all. Within the next few weeks, we’ll have textiles with the same print. Upon starting our wholesale business, one of the first products that we launched in the textiles collection was pillows made of 100% heavy, washed linen.
They had this exact print, which was copied from old, French sacks. Despite the fact that it’s been 5 years and many copies have been added since, these first two prints are actually still the most sought-after item.
They’ve almost become a trademark for our business. The family is now expanded with this new print as well. This time around it’ll be on lighter colored linen, which, in my opinion, is more authentic.
The material is still 100% pure, heavy, washed linen, and the print is 100% organic. We’re not going to compromise on quality. I’m as excited as a child on Christmas Eve to be able to show you the new pillows. /Vivian

Alimente

Bertel

A piece of advice!

Don’t run out and buy summer flowers and start planting in your pots…just because there’s been a few days with spring in the air during the month of March. I fall for it every year – can’t resist the pretty geraniums and other goodies – and suddenly it’s back to night frost again! It’s just so disappointing. I’ve decide to restrain myself this year. Instead, I’ll be spending some of my upcoming days off pre-germinating seeds from our own organic seed collection. Together with Lonnie, our Danish supplier has put together “flower beds” in coordinating colors -just the thing for someone like me who doesn’t have quite as green of a thumb as I might have liked. It doesn’t get much easier than that. I’ve chosen this package with white poppies, cosmos, cornflowers and great mullein – everything in shades of white. It’s gonna be so pretty this summer. I’m already looking forward to being able to bring the bouquet into my living room…if I have the heart.

Happy Easter, everyone! /Vivian