Images from Thomas O’Brien’s wonderful NY apartment has been circulating in magazines and on blogs for quite some time. (Some claim his apartment is over-exposed, but I love it!). The single object that has caught my attention since I first saw it in 2007,  is his large hemisphere chart (navy blue). It has been in the back of my head, without even knowing what it was. And for the last past six months or so we have started to see planets and stars as themes in just about every design magazine and furniture catalog.

I do not want to adopt a whole room theme but I still find those vintage star constellation charts so attractive and so perfect for classy boys – young and old!  I think they would make for the perfect wall art for my little William (2.5) who is now ready to leave his baby room (or his Mom is!) and move into a cozy room suited for a big boy.

I have been lurking on Ebay for a while and missed winning a chart similar to this (don’t even get me started on that story, it just makes my want to cry!)

But then a few weeks ago I found these lovely vintage Astronomy Celestial maps (ca 1894) on E-bay. Not identical, but similar in style and quite handsome. And these I won for a mere $27! They will work just fine until the perfect piece comes along. (Or I might never want to depart from them!)

I had them framed at Aaron Brothers (leading framing store chain). We all know that framing can be hugely expensive. So to save a little, I actually bought two of their square (16×16 inches or 41×41 cm) pre-made white frames on the the big frame sale day (40% off) instead of having them make something for me. I only had them cut the matting and saved even more money by putting it all together myself.

I picked them up yesterday on our way home from Canada. Pretty nice for a 2.5 year old’s room, don’t you think? (Sorry for my mediocre images. They look better in real!)

These will work as inspiration for the rest of Prince William’s room. I have no idea where I am going with this. But when designing a room I like to start with one thing that I really like and have the rest follow. More on this room to come. Hope you don’t mind!

Happy Easter to you all – if we don’t talk before! You are the best!

Image 1+ 2 via House&Home, Image 3. via Habitually Chic, Image 4. via the lovely Space for Inspiration, Egg image via We Heart It. All others via Splendid Willow.

Sorry I have not been so blog alert lately. Spring break is here and we popped up to Vancouver Island, Canada for a few days to visit Grandma. (I am back with even more energy and a big smile on my face!)

Before we left my lovely blog friend Theresa over at the La Dolfina blog gave me a Happy Award. Thank you Dear! Your beautiful attitude and your creativity is oh-so contagious!

With this award I am supposed to share 10 thing that make me happy - so here goes:

1) My wonderful husband (I insists I have the best!) and our 3 happy, beautiful and good hearted kids. (I took these images yesterday in Canada).

Ok, friends – I just have to say a couple of words about my Grandma Beverly (Peter’s Mom). She is a truly remarkable and happy lady. She has 9 (!) kids, my husband being the youngest. She is turning 89 years this year, folks!. She walks to coffee and bridge clubs on a daily basis. E-mails or talks with her children every day. Reads a ton, travels and entertains people all the time. She never sweats the small things, is incredibly generous and has the most upbeat attitude.  I love her.

2) My friends. I am so lucky in that department. I am surrounded by really loyal, smart, beautiful and generous people who are more like family than friends.

3) Life. I love living and I live life happily and to its fullest. I love exploring and learning. I am one of those (painful people) who always start chatting with the person next to me at the coffee shop. There are still so many things to learn & I don’t want to miss anything!

4) Kindness.

5) Me giving back. With zero strings attached.

6) Sun-rain. I run out of the house everytime trying to catch the rainbow!

7) Champagne. Only slightly ahead of chocolate!

8. Walking in towns & cities. Big and small. I can get lost for hours. And I can never get enough of people watching.

9) Interior design & furnishings. My true lifelong passion.

10) Blogging. Well, of course! I am having so fun doing this from my little corner of the world. I have met so many wonderful, smart and creative people. I find it incredibly fulfilling!

Now I’m supposed to send this to 10 other blogs that make me happy. But to me that is impossible.

All the ones I follow make me happy. Every single one! From all corners of the world. Big & small. You inspire me every day & you warm my heart.

My Happy Award goes to ALL OF YOU.

Thank you for being there and for sharing and bringing so much joy. You are the best!

Image 1. via Flickr . Last image via We Heart It

I am always dreaming about a little family summer retreat in Sweden. Our own little piece of heaven. Isn’t this small summer home called “Villa Else” lovely? It is beautifully situated in a Nature Reserve in Denmark.

Charming and easy living with a lot of heart – just the way a summer home should be. And not too big. I want to enjoy every minute with my family – not have to fix and clean the house. (As a matter of fact, I would be super happy if there was no vacuum cleaner in sight – only a simple broom for an occasional sweep!)

Love this corner of the house. And the skylight!

You could not bribe me with the largest yacht in the world for family summer vacations. This is my preferred way of living. This is what makes me tick. A quaint summer home surrounded by apple and plum trees. Lazy days and lovely quality time with friends and family who mean the most. And no TV and internet connection!

For more photos go here.

Happy rest of the week, dear friends. Dream big!

Photograph: Stuart McIntyre, Stylist: Katrine Martensen-Larsen

Good Monday morning friends! Easter is just around the corner but don’t expect me to go overboard with the decorations. I prefer Easter celebrations & decorations in smaller doses. The children will get their large old-fashioned eggs (well of course!), we will color eggs, host a fun & lively Easter dinner with great friends and the Easter bunny will make a guest appearance. That is pretty much it.

In Sweden at this time of the year you will see all outdoor markets flooded with spring branches decorated with feathers in every color under the sun – literally. Together with the Easter eggs (non plastic) that is pretty much the only decorations you will see in a Swedish home for Easter. (And yes the children will dress up like old witches too and collect candy from home to home, similar to Halloween.)

The feather clad spring branches tradition has still not made it into my home. Don’t ask me why. I love the idea and I have fond childhood memories but it just doesn’t work for me.

This year I decided to create my own unique Easter branch decor. Don’t laugh. And please don’t feel sorry for the book (it was falling apart anyway).

So, I found a lovely large branch on one of the beaches of Bainbridge Island. I put it in the trunk of the car and brought it home.  Once there though I felt it was too dark… For some odd reason one of my old Swedish books caught my attention and I knew I had the solution.  I marched down to Michael’s (Leading US craft store chain) and asked for decoupage glue. (No, not really. I gave them my whole idea and story with vivid gestures until they understood what I was looking for). They handed me acid free Paper Mud Podge. (It is now my new best friend!).

At home, I ripped out the pages from my old book and started to decorate each branch. Every single inch. And Voila! – my dark branch now has a fresh (brighter) look.  I hung my simple  Easter decorations in it and feel quite content with my own little Easter branch tree. (My husband thought I was crazy but I think it is growing on him).

Every Easter I also bring out these lovely handmade sheep that so much remind me of my long summers as a child on Gotland (a fantastic Swedish island in the Baltic Sea). They are made by a local artist in WA state and I absolutely adore them. I found them at a lovely store in Seattle/Bellevue, a visit often, called Common Folk Co.

The only Easter decorations meeting my guests in my hallway is Wheat Grass in a simple pot and a small bird and nest.

Ok, dear friends, any fun decorations you want to share with us? We are all ears & want to learn!

Hugs to you all.

Meet my lovely blog friend Manvi!  I met Manvi in my very early days of blogging and she has always been a loyal and good friend. Her blog Mochatini is packed with fabulous posts but the reason why I wanted to highlight her is because of her stylistic eye. (Yes, I am pushing her to write a coffetable book!). Her blog is my secret inspirational source for effortless and lovely table displays (among other creative things)!

She is a familar face to several of my close blog friends, but to my many other readers, would you like to get to know her? Let’s!

Manvi, describe your style for us.

I think I would describe my style as modern, French eclectic. I like my home to be stylish, bright and inviting with a balance of modern and antique pieces. Comfort and function are also very important to me.

What makes your creative juices kick into over-drive? Styling, photography or blogging?

For sure styling and decorating. Anytime I’m in a rut, I start rearranging furniture and accessories and it gets me right back into the swing of things!

You have a little bid of Nomad in you. Where have you lived? Any other place/s you know with your whole being that you will have to experience at some point in your lifetime?

I have lived in Muscat and Salalah – Oman, Dubai – UAE, New Delhi – India, London – UK, New York, and now I reside in Washington DC. I would really like to live in Buenos Aires at some point and for sure Paris!

What things or trends within interior design make you really drool right now?

Turquoise is one of my fave colors so I’m super glad it is a big trend this year. I love seeing vintage birdcages and textured wallpapers. Pastels and soft romantic colors also call out to me – so being spring – I am happy to see those everywhere.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Flowers, the beach, traveling, photography, nature… So many places!

Your table displays are always so wonderful and inspiring. Tell the truth, is that always how your guests are greeted?

Thank you! I use any occasion to try new ideas for table décor. It’s one of my favorite parts about hosting a dinner or a party. I think about décor and ambience first and the menu later..  (:

Do you have one table display that you like and keep re-cycling over and over again?

I love to experiment so I rarely repeat a table display. However I do re-use items like runners, linen and dinner sets from previous displays. I tend to add some new elements, reuse some and mix it all up for a new look!

But I do admit, I love using my bird salt and pepper shakers a lot!

Fresh flowers and candles are a must so you will see those in almost all of my table decors. When I am crushed for time, simple white is my way go to.

(Below is Manvi’s “Cinnamon stick place card” idea for the Holidays – that I shamefully copied straight off! Lovely, right?)

Any secret places where you find terrific things for your home?

No secret places, I am afraid! I am constantly on the look out, observing…window shopping. I find things at the most unexpected times. Some favorite places are flea markets, antique bazaars and thrift stores. I also really love to shop for my home when I am traveling.

If your husband told you that you could only keep one sentimental design object in the house (horror!) what would that be?

Yikes! I know he would never do that to me! I love our cowhide rug from Argentina. We picked it out together and both really love it. I am also really attached to my thrift store wingback chair. It needs to be reupholstered as the fabric isn’t our style but it’s super comfy and I would hate to part with it.

What’s your favorite spot in your home? What makes it so special?

Though I love pretty much all corners of my house, I find that I spend all most waking hours is my living room. Its flooded with natural light which makes it an awesome space to work and relax.

What DIY project makes you extra proud?

I made a wine cork mirror frame for our entryway that I get lots of compliments on. (I pulled it out from the entryway to take a clear pic of it – just for you!)

I also am proud of the fabric headboard that I made for our guest room. But my greatest DIY accomplishment are hand sewn table linen such as placemats, table cloths, runners and napkins that I made for my mother-in-law last Christmas. (Lucky lady! Splendid Willow’s comment).

Any DYI project(s) you intend to tackle before long?

The list is toooo long… I would like to make lots of cushion covers for the couch and a few beds. I also have a ton of fabric that I have been meaning to turn into table runners. And I always have some serious paint projects around the house to tackle. All fun!

Manvi finally, where do you see yourself using your creative skills down the road?

I am constantly learning new things and acquiring new skills. They all revolve around home décor and styling so probably something along those lines. I really have a special heart for tabletop styling and décor!

Thank you dear! How fun to get to know you even better!

And people a coffetable book about Manvi’s lovely table displays is in the cards. Just remember that you read it here first!  (:

Images: No. 3 via Emma’s designblogg, no. 4 via Elle Decor, no. 5 unknown. All others via Mochatini.