In this fast-paced digital world of ours, there’s something special about curling up with a mug of coffee and some good old-fashioned printed pages. I love taking a little bit of time out on a busy day to pore over some of the beautiful independent magazines which have sprung up in recent years – Cereal, Another Escape, Open House, Lodestars Anthology, Kinfolk…. There’s something tangible and timeless about them, and diving into the latest volume always feels like a treat.
Now I have another title to add to my list of favourites: Oak – The Nordic Journal, which was sent to me by the lovely people at Tokola (who handle its wholesale distribution here in the UK). Written in English and published bi-annually, it’s a beautifully curated tome that explores Nordic food, travel, lifestyle, interiors and more. In short, it’s right up my street!
The current issue (volume four) focuses on the long Nordic winter, and every page captured my imagination. Through the various features and photo essays, I journeyed across the frozen landscapes of Svalbard, met an artists’ collective in easternmost Iceland, delved into the renewed popularity of winter swimming, and explored seasonal Scandinavian vegetables and their uses. I particularly enjoyed a piece on the yearning within many of us to swap urban life for a few days in the wild, which seemed to echo my own need to escape my screen every now and then.
There was also an interview with Nina Persson of The Cardigans, a look at the stories behind the culinary creations of five renowned Danish chefs, and a spread about calming interiors schemes designed for quiet contemplation. What’s more, hidden within the covers I found the Oak Design Directory, with page upon page of Nordic brands to discover.
It was perfect reading for a lazy weekend morning, and I lost hours savouring the inspiring photography and thoughtful words. I can’t wait to see what delights await in volume five when it’s published in spring…
Volume four of Oak – The Nordic Journal is available now, and you can order a copy from S2 20.
Photography by Abi Dare
Tokola kindly provided a copy of Oak – The Nordic Journal for the purpose of this review, but all words and opinions are my own.
How utterly lovely. I feel whimsical just looking at your photos of it! x
Thanks – it’s a beautiful publication x