When wonderful blog friend Ally, over at the From The Right Bank, asked her readers for wallpaper suggestions I immediately knew where to send her. It sounds crazy but I go all the way to Sweden, to a wonderful store in Malmoe called Tapetorama, for inspiration.

Their on-line selection is heavenly, I trust the Swedes to always be, tuned with current design trends. (And wallpaper is hotter than ever, people). They also carry a lot of historical & vintage papers. It struck me that I have not looked at their selection for almost a year, since I did some shopping over there myself. Here are a few lovelies:

This is what Elisabeth herself is saying about her work: ”We live with so many conventions in interior design. Even if not identical, we all have pretty much the same things in our homes e.g a sofa, a sofa table, a book shelf etc. Same with wallpaper. I just took what I know from the art world and applied it to the world of interiors. It is a crossover between art and home design.”

Happy new week, friends! It is pouring in Seattle right now. It is gray, gray, gray and I lust for airy, light & uncomplicated Swedish rooms. Who better to capture that then the very talented Stockholm-based photographer Martin Cederblad.

I have a pair of similar Swedish baroque chairs (ca 1750) as the gray ones around the table. And hundreds of years later they – with their heads high - work so beautifully hand in hand with contemporary pieces  (in my opinion one of the few antique styles that can). That is why Swedish antiques never will go out style (especially the old, gray painted furniture). They are beautiful, simple and fit in just about anywhere.

Also don’t be afraid to mix different time periods and build your own cluster of objects for the eye (and soul & heart), like these silver candle holders.

Lovely cottage living.  Nothing matchy-matchy. Nothing contrived. Just relaxed.

White in different textures.

Imagine starting your day with a cup of tea in this setting!  Look how much a simple linen table cloth adds to the atmosphere. Now envision the image without it!

Happy eating in this lovely & cheery setting where vintage china adds color to the table.

Sigh. Simple and so beautiful.

Can’t wait for the sun! Can’t wait to get my hands dirty and put a whole row of lovely white blooming plants on my own stone steps! Spring can’t come quick enough for me.

I am sure that you are already aware that the declared design color of the year is Turquoise. I must have overused it in the 80′s ( I remember strutting around in high gloss turquoise shoes together with a green and turquoise jacket! No wonder I never looked back!). And I have never really reconnected with that color shade since. Until I saw this room. Just the right amount of turquoise with all that crisp white and with a little bit of black as a contrast. I think it really works well. Maybe we will become friends again!

Turquoise and light blue are quite lovely paired with brown (as in pillow no. 2).

And pink, people! I see pink/violet everywhere.

Perhaps the new purple.  Lovely nevertheless.

Words, numbers and quotes as acccents in wall decor continue to go strong. Here is a fun one.  A limited-edition oak framed print with quotes from well known movies.

This image I have saved in my great gift file. My husband is an avid cyclist. How fun would it be to present him with this table on his upcoming birthday!

Don’t take your interiors (or yourself) too serious! And go with your heart.

Happy rest of the week, friends!

Images: 1. Burcu Avsar via Desire to Inspire, 2. Burcu Avsar, 3. Desire to Inspire, 4-6 Living etc, 7. Coulson Macleod via Lotta Agaton

Happy Monday, Friends! (And Dream Big on this Martin Luther Day).

I consider myself very lucky to be close to not 1, not 2 but 3 Anthropologie stores within a 30 minute radius! I have not been lurking at any of the stores for quite some time but I think I will be going very soon (like later today!) after visiting their on-line home section. It’s all to do with that “vintage industrial look” that is so hot right now. I personally can’t do a whole room in this style (but many others do it beautifully!) but a single piece here and there as an unexpected touch, I am all for.  Some lovelies here, wouldn’t you say?

How fun this distressed Ordinal dresser with a metal top is. (And if you don’t want to spend the money think consignment store +  stencils + black paint+ labor of love).

Handsome and sleek rocker. The Bresson Rocker

I think this Decker End Table is fabulous. It is made of iron and mango wood. (Can see that top packed with white orchids in weathered pots).

Who said a folding chair can’t be handsome and comfortable? Just look at this Terai upholstered chair.

Feminine and pretty Rose bathmat.

Ingegard pendant. Simple and lovely.

Nice, toffee colored leather Battersea sofette . I don’t know about the quality. But this two-seater with a fan back sure looks nice!

Add a touch of color to your room with this Iris Bolster pillow.

And for your sushi loving friends these twig chop sticks  make for a splendid gift.

What a unique & fun mirror! (Also, a great DIY project!). It is called Collected Memories.

I am about to start working on Prince William’s (2,5 y) big boy room. I know I will use some vintage looking numers as decor, but I am always concerned about the lead level in old signs. So this Take a number sign might be an option. ( (But I have invested in this great little lead test kit from Home Depot that I use when in doubt!).

And finally, there is always space for a simple & lovely recycled vase from Spain. Something, perhaps, to put your stunning cherry branches in. I think that combo actually makes for a really wonderful gift.

I can’t believe that I still have not managed to get my act together and get started on one of my own favorite must-do-projects. Well it is a new year and I am so going to to put together an artsy and sentimental wall of framed vinyl records. (Just the ones we truly love)!  There are so many wonderful graphic artists behind some of the classics LPs. Actually there is a whole industry out there called Vinyl Art. Did you know that?

A recent picture in  Hus & Hem, reminded me of one of my old posts. The home owner has framed Talking Heads “True Stories”. (An easy and inexpensive way to add a personal touch to your home).

Personally, I am going for all white frames and a full wall! (White frames have been on my mind a lot lately!). Now I am off to do some research on vinyl cover frames. 

On a much more important note, I earlier today turned a “I-must-do-this-now-or-I-won’t-be-able-to-sleep” thougth into reality.

As relief efforts begin to mobilize,  officials estimate staggering loss of life from Tuesday’s disaster in Haiti. A grim road faces these quake survivors, and even the littliest support from all of us can make a huge difference. There are many help organizations,  I personally chose to donate via UNICEF. If you would like, join me.

Click here for a direct link to UNICEF, where you can donate via mail or phone.

Happy rest of the week, friends!

And Dear Kiki, if you read this. I hope your trip back to Sweden went smoothly. I miss you. All of Seattle misses you!  OX Monika