Last week beautiful Greet sent me an image asking me if lanterns like these could be something to hang above my new kitchen table. (My friend, I would take the whole room if I could!). This time I think I am going to go a tad bit modern, though. I like to mix.

But what Greet’s picture made me realize is that I am actually already an owner of a beautiful old candle lantern similar to the ones in the picture. It has been sitting in a box for 15 years! I bought it at an auction in Sweden right before I moved to the US and have never hung it. Not even once! Earlier today I saved it from its yellowed cardboard box.

This Swedish candle lantern is from the 1700-hundreds and I really wonder why I have neglected it. What is wrong with me?! No more! It is going to be cleaned and hung in a lovely and most visible spot!

And then it occured to me that I have quite a few lovely things stored away in the oddest places, being totally ignored. It is time to give them some respect.

For instance I have a pair of these beautiful Swedish Empire frames (1800-1850). One is sitting on our chest in the foyer but the other one has been stored behind a futon in a storage area! How crazy is that! They are beautiful, hand carved gilded frames and have never been restored. They were meant for paintings so glass has been/will be added.

Since the glass is not original, I can allow myself to play a little. Now the time has come to finally do my mirror quote (see my old post here) that I have been wanting to do for a long time. Note: Never paint on old, original glass!

And why on Earth is this poor Swedish plate rack (original 1700-hundreds) moving around in the house like a neglected ghost? I honestly don’t even know what to do with it. But one of the most prominent antique dealers in Sweden, who I purchased it from, told me that I could not sell it. It used to belong in the kitchen of an old Swedish castle and apparently these standing plate racks are rare to come buy. (Hanging plate racks from that era are more common). No, do not suggest that I paint it gray! This is a rare piece and this is its original color = do not touch!

This is the environment it should be in! I apologize for the bad scanning job. (From Lars Sjoberg’s book The Swedish Room).

I have now promised myself to give this plate rack a new purpose. What, I don’t know yet (and I’m running out of walls in my dining room!) — but I won’t  let it stand sadly along a bare wall in an unused room any longer. That’s for sure!

In an odd corner of the stairway sits an antique writing chest that I, up until recently (do you remember Kikki!), was willing to give away. I thought is was ugly and everyone ignores it and bumps into it. Today when I was walking around my house with “open eyes”, I found it quite charming and saw that it could totally be a focal point in our guest room. It just needs some lovely art and a nice chair. “I will move you my friend and give you the attention you deserve — I promise!”

And then I also re-discovered this candle holder behind a door. (I have four of them!). It is new but it is handmade by an artist in Sweden and inspired by a royal 18th c. plack hanging behind the Museum of Music in Stockholm. Why I am not using all four of them - is beyond me! I am now on the hunt for a good spot.

And then finally, I dragged in this antique, Swedish Empire candle pendant from the garage. It is all dusty and needs a good polish but look how pretty the golden acorn is and the green shell. It will look lovely with some nice candles. To think that this poor thing has been sharing a dark corner with ski boots and old roller blades…

No more buying new! I have plenty to work with at home. (And I have even more….). I am so looking forward to re-arranging and mixing with more modern pieces. I think we all could take a closer look at what we already have and give things we grew tired off or simply forgot — new life and new purpose. In most homes there is at least a little lamp, frame or kitchy porcelain figurine that can be spray painted white (or why not a bold color) and all of a sudden look fabulous again! Just walk around your home with open eyes.

If you are interested, I will later show you where the pieces ended up.

Warm hugs to you all. And Happy Valentines Day/Weekend!

 Images no. 1 via Belgian Pearls, 2-6, no. 7 via here, no. 8 + 9 via Splendid Willow, no. 10. Swedish Room,  11-15 via Splendid Willow. Last image via Zyprezz.

Going through a couple of February design magazines, I found myself ripping out several pages with loveliness. I can tell you that if I had oodles of extra cash I would, without any hesitation, invest in lovely art pieces, way before I would even consider building  a nice shoe collection! Yes, really.

This butterfly painting by Hunt Slonem is absolutely stunning. And butterflies are so friendly! I love the entire design of this area. The composition and the scale of all the things are simply perfect. Just a few pieces but the fewer items the harder to get it right.

The well respected fabric designe/multimedia artist, Kazumi Yoshida, made this white composition above the fireplace for his Tribeca loft. I have  a very similar white monochromatic art piece above one of my fireplaces. It is my favorite art object in the entire house. If you are interested I will show it in another post.

I find this large photograph of literature so lovely and interesting. I don’t know who the artist is behind it. I might need to contact the talented interior designers – Jim Gauthier & Susan Stacey. They did such an amazing job with the entire loft (a showhouse in conjunction with the Boston Design Center).

The same design duo is also behind this stunning room filled with wonderful artifacts. But what I really go nuts for is that Greek Key pattern ottoman. Drool.

A decorative porcelain Lladro vase (“Canvas”). I bet this is going to be a tomorrow’s antique. It is not exactly cheap at $1800 but it is already a classic. The small decorative blossom cup found at Global Table is also very pretty. Put some makeup brushes/or black or white pencils in it and give as a gift to a friend.

I will be out of commission for a couple of days but will check in with all of my wonderful blog friends shortly.

Warm hugs to all of my readers.

Images via: No.1 (acorn) via Splendid Willow, no, 2, 3 via 5 Elle Decor (scanned from Feb/March 2011 issue), no. 3 + 4 via Lofts & Condos (scanned from the Spring/Summer 2011 issue).

Turn on your speakers and listen to this beautiful recording by Shaka Khan. What an incredible voice!!!

While the rest of the nation is tuned to large TV screens following the Super Bowl (I could care less about football — only soccer and hockey with Swedes involved get my attention!), I am at home in an unusually quiet house working on my annual Valentine’s crafts. I really enjoy making these matchbox treats and the kids love giving them to their friends and teachers.

I buy large quantities of simple matchboxes, decorate them and fill them with personal messages from the kids, stickers or wrapped Dove chocolate hearts. I know that they are always appreciated.

As you can see, no shortage of matches here! (And yet I never seem to find the bag when I need it!).

Some twenty more to go…

I just received an e-mail from one of my best friends in the world, Anna  L. She is coming with her family all the way from Stockholm to visit with us this Summer. Wihoooo!!!!! Now I am making crafts and smiling from my heart!

Warm hugs to you all.

Images: No 1. (close-up of matches in boxes) via Flickr. All other images via Splendid Willow.

Do you remember my search for an affordable and handsome kitchen table, one that can take a lot of beating from 3 kiddos and a slew of guests? See old post here. Most of you voted for this solid oak table from Cost Plus/World Market (yes, really!) — and that is also the one I went for! It was delivered a couple of weeks ago — and I love it!

At Cost Plus

At Home (it is actually a tad more gray than my camera can show). Sorry for my mediocre pictures.

The table easily seats 8 people and is very solid.

I have ordered two original French bistro Tolix chairs to be mixed with my slip covered ones from Ikea. (The Pantone chairs that I wanted at first would have looked totally out of place, I decided). I will show pictures soon.

Lately I have been focusing on a new pendant to go over the table. I REALLY like this lamp from Restoration Hardware. Isn’t is handsome?  A little on the pricey side ($895), but since the table was a steal at only $550 (on sale), I feel I can splurge a bit.

But my questions is. Is this light fixture too trendy? Is it part of this retro industrial chic look that I will grow tired off soon? What do you think? I am also thinking it might be too long. Decisions, decisions…

In general I am very excited about our kitchen eating area. I still have a way to go but it feels to me that I am on the right track!

I am equally excited about the mention of Ilse Jacobsen’s boots and my shop over at the fantastic blog Two Ellie. How special is that! I absolutely adore Paula. She is creative and fun, has a great design eye and on top of that she is just a generous and wonderful person. She is yet another blog girl I would like to meet in person.

Look  how adorable she is in her new rubber boots! She chose Camel color and I think she found the perfect color for her!

So one stylish kitchen table and one stylish friend! I am very grateful.

Warm hugs to you all.