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Stewart-Schafer’s Travel Diaries – Iceland
Iceland is one of our favorite places to visit during the winter when it is in its fullest form. The country’s picturesque landscape is incredibly breathtaking and the glowing Northern Lights are their most vibrant and visible during the winter months. Visitors can escape the cold by taking a dip in one of Iceland’s many natural hot springs. One of our personal favorite springs is the relaxing Blue Lagoon. After a lengthy detoxifying dip, we love to get a reviving snack at the incredible restaurant next door. Of course, your best bet is to befriend the gracious locals and visit one of the tranquil hot springs that are not found in the guidebooks.
Renting a car and packing a picnic lunch is a fantastic way to explore Iceland’s vast countryside. As you glide through the charming countryside, you will encounter the Icelandic ponies which dot the secluded farms lining the road. And while you have access to a car, consider taking a day trip to visit Iceland’s rhythmic waterfalls.
The dining scene in Iceland is certainly on-par with its natural beauty. We are big fans of Grillmarkadurinn, which features an impressive, volcanic rock-like interior. The restaurant offers a tasting menu with different items from across the country. The tantalizing visual presentation of each dish fully translates to one’s palette to create a whimsical dining experience. On our last visit, we had one of the best lobster dishes we have ever tasted. The chef spotlighted these local lobsters that were small and very sweet with a completely different flavor profile than a Maine lobster.
For more a budget-friendly dining experience, you can’t go wrong with Baejarins in Reykjavik. While being a humble local hot dog stand, they create some of the tastiest hot dogs in the world. No trip to Reykjavik is complete without a couple of hot dogs from Baejarins.
When working on projects for clients, from interior design to architecture and renovations, we often find that our international travels inform our design and Iceland has been a large well of inspiration. We have been influenced by Iceland’s “less is more” mantra, which speaks to a well-curated, uncluttered and purposeful aesthetic. This mantra is often expressed with the use of light woods, tonal palettes and hides, which we use in our own home and in projects. Be sure to leave space in your luggage for blankets, fur throws, artwork, and ceramics which you can purchase from local potters and print makers in Reykjavik. We recently brought back a couple of unbelievably chic Icelandic hides that we covered on black wire chairs for the Loho Bride store in Los Angeles.
