From Europe with Love #45 – A Marble Lemon, a Bold Bath Mat & More 👀

Welcome to this week’s installment of what’s hot in brands and products.

The final day of our family nomad trip has arrived.

When I look back at the last eight weeks, I feel like I have to pinch myself to wake up from a dream.

I knew it would be a great experience to spend that much time traveling with my family, but I didn’t expect so many lifelong memories to fit into just two months.

This entire trip has also been about inspiration — seeing new places, shifting perspectives, and breaking out of the usual routine.

Mission accomplished.

Seeing so many places for the first time — new cities, unfamiliar places, conversations with strangers who quickly felt like friends — helped me think differently about a lot, and I can’t wait to channel that into what’s next.

But back to Europe.

Every week, I share five of the coolest products I’ve come across in the past seven days.

Let’s get to it.

With love ☀️
Jakob

If life gives you lemons… turn them into art. Copenhagen-based designer Mikkel Løfgren, part of Autumn CPH, reimagines everyday fruit as sculptural stone objects. This handcrafted lemon in yellow marble blends natural imperfection with artistic precision — it’s decorative, tactile, and oddly satisfying to look at. Not your average kitchen staple, but definitely a conversation starter. Explore the collection (and check out the potato, too!)

Most turntables look the same. This one doesn’t. Designed by Paris-based studio Waiting For Ideas, the PP-1 is a solid block of aluminum with no tonearm to fiddle with — just flip the vinyl upside down, press play, and let it do its thing. No distractions, no weird settings, just music the way it’s meant to be heard. Made to order, so you’ll need to wait — but good things usually are. Spin it.

Bath mats are usually… boring. Not this one. Casa Rolio takes a fresh approach with a ‘deconstructed’ design, breaking the standard rectangle into a playful, irregular form. It’s the kind of bath mat that actually makes you notice your bathroom floor — and maybe even sparks a conversation (because let’s be honest, no one talks about bath mats). Step on it!

A shop with just three products? And the best one isn’t even for sale — it’s request-only? Bold move. Munich-based designer Paul Joshua keeps things minimal yet striking with this handcrafted chess set — more art piece than board game. Each set is precision-made, with a perfect balance of form and function. Whether you’re a grandmaster or just a casual player, this is one you’ll want to leave out on display. Make your move.

Corners: often ignored, rarely appreciated. Enter Risette, a Dutch studio giving those empty 90-degree spaces a reason to exist. The Pop Up Lamp from the 90+270 collection is a playful cardboard creation that fills dead spots with light and personality. Functional? Yes. Decorative? Absolutely. Made from cardboard? You bet.
Brighten up your space (whenever it comes back).

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FIND THIS WEEK?

HIT REPLY AND JUST DROP A QUICK #1, #2, #3, #4 OR #5 – OR TELL ME WHICH ONE YOU’D ACTUALLY BUY.

(ALWAYS LOVE HEARING WHAT YOU THINK!)