Home decoration: clocks, alarms and office supplies

For home decoration, the department focuses on clocks from Karlsson, a Dutch brand specializing in: flip clocks, Retro Radio alarms in bamboo and Boxed LED, table clocks, and large wall models in iron, steel or wood. Practical items that add style to a living room, bedroom, or office.

Useful objects above all

An interior is often built around objects that are used every day. A clock, an alarm clock or a desk clock are part of this: we check them several times a day, so they should be beautiful.

The section brings these objects together under one brand, that of Karlsson.

Karlsson, the clocks from the Netherlands

Based in Almere, near Amsterdam, Karlsson belongs to the Dutch group Present Time. The brand mainly makes clocks, in a wide variety of styles, from the simplest to the most graphic.

The flip clock, a retro nod

The flip clock displays the time on flip panels that turn one by one, in the spirit of the old station and airport display boards. The movement of the numbers is somewhat hypnotic.

The No Case shows it without a casing, with the mechanism visible. The Boxed Flip XL can be placed on a shelf or hung on the wall, and the Big Flip embraces the large format.

The alarm clock, on the bedside table

The Retro Radio alarm clock, made of bamboo, resembles an old radio. The Boxed LED displays the time in bright numbers, in a simple casing. Two ways to replace the phone on the nightstand.

Leaving your phone out of the bedroom and relying on a real alarm clock is also a way to sleep better.

The desk clock

On a desk, a table clock helps avoid checking your screen every second. The Globe, designed by Armando Breeveld, stands as a collector's item.

A flip model, placed next to the screen, also sets the rhythm for remote work days.

Wall clocks

For a wall, the brand offers very different materials:

Iron: the Lofty, for a workshop-style interior.
Metal: the Stark, simple and graphic.
Steel and golden sticks: the Charm, more elegant.
Wood: the Fiore, in veneer, warmer.
Glass: the Vintage, for a retro touch.

A workshop-style interior

Raw metal, dark wood, leather, and bricks: an industrial-inspired interior calls for an iron or black metal wall clock. Large, it occupies an entire wall and becomes the focal point of the room.

A minimalist interior

In a clean room, a white or black dial without numbers, like the Pure, blends into the decor while structuring it. The fewer objects there are, the more each one matters.

What size for which room?

In the living room, a large diameter can be seen from a distance and replaces a painting. In an office or kitchen, a medium size is sufficient. In a bedroom, an alarm clock or a small table clock takes up less space.

The clock in the entrance

In an entrance, a clock seen when leaving helps avoid checking your phone at the last moment. A slim model, hung above a console or key bowl, shows the time at a glance.

Wall clock or table clock?

The wall clock is visible from throughout the room and dresses up a blank wall. The table clock can move from shelf to desk and finds its place where you don't want to drill. For renters, it's often the simplest solution.

The noise, to watch out for

In a bedroom or office, the ticking can become annoying. Check the specifications to see if the movement is silent before choosing.

An easy gift to give

Alarm clock, flip clock, or wall clock: these objects make appreciated gifts for a housewarming, a birthday, or a first apartment. A neutral shade matches most interiors.

Hanging a wall clock

Fix it at eye level, with an appropriate wall plug, especially for a large size. Above a piece of furniture, leave some space for the whole to breathe.

Care and battery

A soft, dry cloth is enough for the dial and casing. Change the battery as soon as the time drifts, and remove it if the object is stored for a long time.