My Journey…
Bringing my piece of Scandinavian to Oxford.
I grew up in a small town on the west-coast of Sweden in the 70s. As a first step I moved to Stockholm in the 80s to pursue a career, which brought me to Oxford in the mid-80s to polish up my English. Many years later, with a husband, family and grandchildren, my main career behind me, I felt it was time to finally start a business, linking my Swedish roots to my life in the UK.
The name I chose for my shop is my Swedish maiden name, and it has a strong and real meaning to me, apart from it being linked to my own family. In 1895 two men founded a company named AB Löfgren & Jönsson. This was located in my hometown of Halmstad and was a wholesale firm in the food and coffee industry. One of the founders was my great grand-father, Edward Löfgren. So now, with my shop called Löfgrens, I feel that i’m closing the loop with my own shop here in Oxford.
Over the years, as I go back and forth to Sweden, I would always bring back bits and pieces after spending time there; quality candles, flowerpots, lanterns, candleholders, table wear… there is a homemaker inside all of us wanting to create a cosy, warm, stylish and inviting home. A confirmed lover of shopping, for me it’s about ‘bricks and mortar’, I would bring what I could back in my tightly packed suitcase and ‘pray’ that it wouldn’t warrant a fee at the airport…
Frösakull, Sweden
AB Löfgren & Jönsson was located in my hometown of Halmstad and was a wholesale firm in the food and coffee industry.
I almost forgot to mention Clogs….how we all love them. They used to be a staple footwear for any Swede in the 60s, 70s and 80s Sweden – a different pair for school, out with friends, (who doesn’t remember the platform style in the 70s), or at the farm when tending to my beloved horses. I am so excited to have found that there are so many amazing styles out there with the quality better than ever, handmade in Sweden, and now available in my shop.
I love nature, cooking, and keeping fit. I am a busy woman loving to multitask. I spotted these fantastic aprons made by Flora Design, handmade in Sweden, and realised how gorgeous and perfect they are. Who doesn’t love an apron with lots of pockets!
As a great believer of a good skincare routine, it could have been a career, but life had ‘other plans’, I am now over the moon having found a ‘best friend’ in L:A Bruket’s range of products. All natural, 100% environmental friendly, and smells divine of herbs and plants. Please pop in to test and enjoy the amazing fragrances and texture. The packaging will look great on any bathroom shelf!.
A Fika is as sacred to a swede as a cooked breakfast on a Sunday morning is to a brit. Whilst many swedes love coffee, I am a passionate tea drinker, in particular I am fussy about drinking out of a nice cup, and you will find some nice cups in my shop. A perfect cup of tea should be made by brewing loose leaf tea. I am pleased to let you know that you can purchase this from my shop in different gram packs. I also stock teabags for loose leaf, strainers, pots, and tea tongs.
Come on in and sample one of my several different flavours, brew and enjoy!
I hope to meet you very soon, and to share with you my Nordic Style and life! Elisabeth.
