about
CASA ALFA
and Anja

CASA ALFA is my colourful home, my botanical sanctuary and my creative workshop. A place where jungle, colours, knowledge, love and tranquility merge into a higher unity. It is my OASIS. 🏝️

I call it my OASIS, as an oasis is a peaceful place, a safe space in the middle of turmoil - but also a beautiful and fertile place in nature. When I close my eyes and think of CASA ALFA, I feel happy.

I am a creative, passionated designer, crafter, developer, supervisor and owner of Casa Alfa. The best I know is helping others out finding their visual story - even privately or professionally.

I have a strong connection to the Northern Italy, as I have studied there, have a house there and am married to an Italian from Milan.

I know it can be difficult contacting someone else, but if you feel that we should talk, please, get in touch. All inquiries are very welcome and will be answered. 💛

Warm regards,
Anja Kolby

my oasis

. . . has been there all along - but hidden too far away

Only when I was diagnosed as neurodivergent, a few years ago, did I begin to understand why there had been so many ups and downs in my life. Why it had often been difficult to be me. It hurt. But it also made me start to think of myself completely different and with care and a big respect. It was the beginning of a new part of my life. Almost a new adventure.

I made a choice to live and work in the best way for my brain - and not for the expectations and ideas of the outside world. I remembered what I valued as a child and began to integrate this in my life again.

As a child I loved: the botanical garden in Kolding, the library in Vejle, Trapholt Art Museum (especially their design shop), the international section in of the newspaper, Jyllands-Posten, time spent with close family and friends, sewing clothes, decorating and drawing, reading and cooking.

As a young woman, my stay in Australia was a game changer. The red soil and the beautiful eucalyptus trees, the living rainforests, the colourful coral reefs, food and ingredients from so many cultures, and the people's calm attitude, 'what we don't achieve today, we will achieve tomorrow' - it all stuck.

Many years later, it has reached the surface again. Mixed with my time in Italy and years in fashion in Denmark, my creativity is so much more present today. Besides that I am exited about the lush nature, I have allowed colours to come back into my life, I devour books and documentaries, and I have gained a completely different understanding and love for other people.

In this way, my oasis came back - I found it. And I am proud of it and feel at peace with it.

On days when everything is difficult, this is my oasis. Either I dream myself away in the rainforest or the lush valley in Italy and take a deep breath - or I craft botanical illustrations in watercolours or embroidery.

It doesn't always work. But almost.

If you have any questions about being neurodivergent in a professional sense, feel free to contact me.