48 HOURS IN STOCKHOLM

THE GREEN DRAWING ROOM

The rooms were ideally suited for dining, playing games and making music

THE LIBRARY

All the spaces were decorated with oriental lacquers, fabrics, wallpapers and objects d’art – much of which is still in place today. Particularly interesting is the collection of plaster figures and large Blanc de Chine figures of Guanyin. There is also a group of enamel on biscuit porcelain birds and animals, early dated inkstones and Japanese lacquer wares. The walls are covered varyingly with beautiful Chinese wallpaper, silks, mirror paintings and lacquer panels. The rooms are furnished with Chinese-inspired Swedish Rococo furniture.

The founding of the Swedish East India Company (SOIC), in 1731 in Gothenburg, would allowed the Queen to have easy access to exotic oriental objects for the Pavilion’s decorative schemes. Inventories also reveal, that some of the Chinese objects now in the Pavilion, were already part of earlier royal collections. This includes Kangxi period pieces collected in the 17th and early 18th centuries by Queen Hedvig Eleonora and Queen Kristina.

With its striking Chinoiserie design and filled with oriental treasures, the pavilion was created for the amusement of the Queen and her court. Intended to both enchant and entertain, it was above all a fantasy

With its striking Chinoiserie design and filled with oriental treasures, the pavilion was created for the amusement of the Queen and her court.

world far removed from the strict formalities of court life. Just like at the Petit Trianon at Versailles, a much more relaxed atmosphere prevailed and the royal family could be more themselves. Particularly in use during the warmer summer months, the court would spend afternoons in- and outdoors reading, drawing and lacemaking. The rooms were also ideally suited for dining, playing games and making music.

The unique Chinese Pavilion complex is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As it is unheated, it is only open for a limited time in the summer months.

◆ kungligaslotten.se | @kungligaslotten

48 HOURS IN

Stockholm

Stockholm is a very beautiful city with a lot of greenery and a distinctive cosmopolitan vibe. There is so much to enjoy, but we have made a personal selection of things to see and places to stay and eat.

> TO STAY

Ett Hem 5*+ (SLH) - Sköldungagatan 2 Once a private residence built in 1910, it is now Stockholm’s most exclusive design hotel with only 12 rooms – It has also has a good restaurant. ◆ etthem.se

Lydmar 5* (SLH) - Soedra Blasieholmshamnen 2 Contemporary yet classic hotel is located on the waterfront next to the national museum – also a good place for fika or lunch. ◆ lydmar.com

Bank Hotel 5* (SLH) Arsenalsgatan 6 Located in an early 20th-century building that was once a bank. ◆ bankhotel.se

Villa Dagmar 5* Nybrogatan 25-27 An inviting boutique townhouse in the heart of vibrant Östermalm - next to the Saluhall. ◆ hotelvilladagmar.com

> TO SEE

Drottningholm’s Chinese Pavilion

The wonderful Drottningholm Palace and gardens are well worth visiting. The famous Chinese Pavillion is filled with oriental interiors. The palace or Pavillion are not always open, so check the website. ◆ kungligaslotten.se We can recommend travelling there or back by boat! Tickets ◆ www.stromma.com

Hallwyl Museet Hamngatan 4 A house museum of the Hallwyl family, including an expansive collection of Chinese ceramics. ◆ hallwylskamuseet.se

Östasiatiska Museet Tyghusplan 4 - Skeppsholmen One of the world’s most important collections of Asian Art & archaeology ◆ ostasiatiskamuseet.se

Oriental Ceramics Society Sweden

For other activities you can also see the website of the Swedish OCS ◆ ocssweden.se

> TO EAT

FIKA & LUNCH

Fika is the Swedish name for an afternoon break for coffee and a pastry. Particularly famous, are the cinnamon or cardamon buns.

Vete Katten Kunsgatan 55 | Classic pastry shop and tea rooms founded in 1928. Also in various other locations. ◆ vetekatten.se Riche Birger Jarlsgatan 4 | Very popular all-day restaurant (& lively bar) in a central location. ◆ riche.se Östermalms Saluhall Östermalmstorg 114 | Food hall in a refurnished market building. A variety of delicatessen counters, bars and restaurants - ostermalmshallen.se Under Kastanjen Kindstugatan 1 | Tea rooms located in the old town (Gamla Stan), on a charming small square with outdoor seating. ◆ underkastanjen.se Nybrogatan Nybrogatan 38 | Café restaurant for breakfast lunch, dinner or drinks. ◆ nybrogatan38.com

DINNER

Some restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, as well as having a bar for quick bites and drinks.

Frantzén *** | High end, Haute Cuisine - advance reservation is required. ◆ restaurantfrantzen.com Operakällaren * | Smart restaurant with an amazing interior. ◆ operakallaren.se Brasserie Astoria Östermalmstorg 15 | Björn Frantzén’s hip addition to the Stockholm food scene, housed in an old cinema. Restaurant upstairs, cocktail bar downstairs. ◆ brasserieastoria.com Restaurang Princen Mäster Samuelsgatan 4 | Stockholm classic for lunch or dinner, with beautiful turn-of-the-century wood panelling and art-filled walls. ◆ restaurangprinsen.se Daphne’s Artillerigatan 56, Östermalm | Cosy bistro popular with the locals. ◆ daphnes.se Teatergrillen Nybrogatan 3 | Located next to the theatre. Founded in 1945, it has one of Sweden’s best preserved restaurant interiors. ◆ teatergrillen.se The Hairy Pig Lilla Nygatan 13 | Farm-to-table dishes and boards - great for drinks! ◆ thehairypig.com

Stockholm is known as one of the most inclusive and welcoming cities in the world. Its contemporary, urban appeal is balanced with centuries-old history and closeness to nature. As for the things to do in Stockholm, the list is endless.