I know very little about antiques in general but I do know a little bit about Swedish antiques. I was surrounded by them growing up and I have had my own antique import business. Now I am just an avid collector (hoping for a good lottery win so I can go to my secrets spots in Sweden and buy more!)

My personal design style is to mix very old with very new. I love real contrasts. I can’t think of any other antique style that mixes so well with a contemporary style as the old Swedish – particularly the “simple gray period” 1750 – 1850. Furniture was painted gray before and long after the internationally recognized “Swedish Gustavian” period (1771-1792).

When people ask me what Swedish antique to invest in, I always say start with something simple. I would suggest a good quality sideboard/buffet, a quality bench with upholstery or a quality 3 drawer chest (each preferably with its original paint although they are rare since most of these pieces have been repainted (often many times over) in the 19th century and early 20th centuries). These items are attractive & functional. They are easy to place, easy to sell and  will only go up in value (even if the price tag most often is steep from the beginning).

If you don’t buy them directly from Sweden then there are several professional and really great stores in the US focusing on Swedish antiques. You will want to work with people who live and breathe Swedish antiques and who travel to Sweden to hand pick their pieces (and are, if needed, willing to learn from Swedish experts). Do your research well and you may end up with a really lovely Swedish companion that will be treasured for generations.

Pictures of inventory – (from top):  Lief Almont, Avolli, Evergreen Antiques and Tone-on-Tone.

This past long and lazy Memorial weekend I lounged on our patio and went through a lot of design magazines and books. That is how I ran into talented prop stylist Christina Wressel. (Don’t ask me why I have missed her work). There are many lovely images in her portfolio but my absolute favorite is this one. What really caught my eye is what’s in the background  – on the credenza. It just made me stare and stare some more.

What a genius idea to put peacock feathers in clear, tall vases and get this great and smart look! (The peacock pattern/blue is such a classic design look, it never goes out of style.) Me like. Me really like! (How fab against a white backdrop). I know what I am doing this afternoon. I am going feather hunting!

I always appreciate a little quirkiness, that little something unexpected in home design. Super perfect rooms that look like staged show rooms, make me yawn. It is your home, a reflection of who you are. Make it personal, make it unique!

When I decorate I typically start of traditional (with my own Swedish twist), then I mix it up with modern and when the room is almost done, I usually want to rough it up a tad. I will usually bring in 1-2 pieces of something totally unexpected, something that adds some fun and spunk to the room. It may be art, it may be lighting, it may be a wall color, It could be anything, really. I never know in advance. But I don’t force it. I don’t like it contrived.  Better for me to wait for that perfect “thing”.

In Seattle we have a fun store called “Great Stuff“, that really lives up to the name. The owner Kirk H. Albert has an incredible eye for vintage modern furnishings and I always end up leaving his store feeling uplifted and full of great ideas. If you find something you like, you have to be quick. His things are all unique and tend to sell rather quickly.

Here are more fun examples from his store:

The upholstered pink chair is fun. But I am totally in love with that old anchor chain to the very left, that has been welded into a fabulous floor lamp. I wish I had a better image!

Great Stuff is also represented on 1st dibs.

I have a new fave vase that I can’t get enough of. All my fancy brand vases have been pushed aside for this simple, non expensive, versatile, handsome and modern model from Ikea! I use this Blomster vase all the time.

The roomy size (Diameter: 9 ½ “Height: 6 “), the shape and the color are all perfect and the height does not block out people on the other side of the table. Guess what – it is only $9.99! (Give your friend a vase + flowers in it – and you will be extra liked!). Each vase is hand blown and has been shaped by a skilled craftsman.

I particularly like it with a monochromatic flower color scheme. Even your average, less expensive flowers all of a sudden look costly in this handsome vase.

My alert friend Kiki A. (yes, I know 5 gals with that name!) who owns Swedish Heirlooms in Seattle, called me about some fun royal news.

Oscar Magnuson, the son of Princess Christina of Sweden, who is a successful industry designer, has launched his first furniture collection together with EM, a leading furniture chain in the Nordic countries. The collection will hit all EM stores in August (only in Sweden and Åland). Each piece is numbered.

In a news article for the Swedish interior design magazine Hus & Hem Oscar Magnuson says that he “feels cooped up” in most regular arm chairs and was looking for a design that was more open and inviting. That is how the Sydney chair came about. The chair comes in several different colors.

Mr. Magnuson says that his goal was a collection that was classic with a contemporary feel. He states that Josef Frank has been a great source of inspiration. The fabrics were chosen in direct contrast to the classic lines. Since Oscar Magnuson is very interested in fashion,  the colors were picked straight from the catwalk.

I find the Sydney sofa very attractive. I hope to sit in it when I go back to Sweden in June. (And I will then be able to give you a better report on quality and comfort). The wooden legs are really beautiful.

Mr. Magnuson says that he found the actual development process incredibly fascinating and educational. Working together with leading Swedish furniture makers he was very hands on, down to the smallest screw.

The next launch will include a cabinet and a table.

I like what I have seen so far. Don’t be shy! What do you think?