Long overdue, I know. It is not a perfect magazine feature room, people – but William is happy and that is all that counts!

Remember, how it started? With a sad little boy pleading for a big boy room with a bed! (My 4 year old Prince had been totally neglected. His sisters got all the fancy stuff and he was still in an old crib… with a broken mobile hanging over his head. (There used to be six birds).

Help!!! Anybody out there?!

We finally got the message and went to work. This time I wanted a room with a more Scandinavian feel. Simple, light, easy to clean and soothing (soft colors, good lighting and and a good vibe). We also decided to be a little budget savvy. (I think Ikea is perfect for kids’ rooms! Scandinavian look & feel and so cost effective).

What really made this room take so long, was waiting for this wall sconce! (Boston Library light via Circa Lighting). Waiting for its arrival and to have it installed. I know, I know, hardly low budget.  We splurged on this one, I admit. But it is so handsome and I think it is the perfect accent over the chalkboard wall.

The red cabinet is pretty much one of the few thing we kept from his old room. Antique doors built into a new cabinet. We’ve gotten so much use out of that piece.

The chalkboard wall turned out to be quite the project. A lot of tries with different red chalk paints and it was hard to get the paint even. But I did not want William to stare at a black, gloomy chalkboard (he is only 4) — so it was worth it. Hubby got the frame up and I stained it gray/blue. Our first little DIY project as a couple — it was fun!

Note William’s interpretation of his Mommy!

This is the first room in our house with pure white walls. But I had the ceiling painted in a very soft blue for a little bit of contrast. Still staying very simple Swedish, though!

A view from the door. (I now wish I had ironed all the bed linen!) Slipcovered headboard from Ikea (so easy to wash) and also the bedlinen. Love the dots and stripes.

The big wall map also from Ikea gets a lot of use at bedtime when we talk about places we have been, places we are going and what makes the world go around. I highly recommend it.

Bed buddies (And the not so ironed bed linen. I am not perfect!).

I did not want curtain panels and was ready to order some fancy linen Roman shades (and I might still do that) but a designer friend reminded me, that we have perfectly new and functional white wooden blinds plus it is hard to clean fabric shades. So, no need to take them down — yet. So instead my husband got to build this wooden valance (first time ever!) which I padded and put some striped fabric on from — yes, Ikea!

I hope I haven’t lost too many reader now. Yikes!

Remember the vintage wooden crate I found at a garage sale for nothing? All clean and equipped with casters it now makes for a perfect toy bin.

And the same fox as in the first image is here. So I guess the circle is complete.

I warned you! Nothing fancy, no extravaganza. But hopefully personal and livable for a 4 year old with a simple Scandinavian touch!

I am taking a week+ off from blog land. We plan to have some fun in the sun as a family. I will check in with my friends a tiny bit but I hope you understand and don’t think I am ignoring you if you don’t hear from me for a few days.

When I get back I will have some store news!

Warm summer hugs to you all!

Images: All images via Splendid Willow.

My good and artsy blog friend Joanna in Stockholm had her home featured in the latest issue of the fabulous Rue Magazine! The Rue founders were looking for a lovely home to feature in my old home town and I suggested Joanna’s — and here it is! What is not to like! Very Scandinavian chic and lovely. Just like the owner herself! I am so proud of her! Go here to read the entire article. (Page 124+).

Last week I received not one but TWO unexpected packages in the mail from two very lovely friends. You know how much I love art and I could not believe what I saw when I opened these packages. These ladies had taken the time to sit down and create something meaningful, beautiful and personal for my home. I stared and stared and took everything in. What amazing pieces! 

My long-term, loyal, creative and so generous blog Musketeer Charlotta has left Australia and moved back with her family to Sweden. I know that she was overwhelmed with emotions and hard work packing up an entire house, keeping her kids happy and saying goodbye to all her close, local friends and to a country she loves so much.

I can’t even tell you how touched I am that she took the time to send this precious art piece by her for Prince William’s room — in the midst of her hectic move! How generous is that!

Many of you already know that Charlotta is a very accomplished children’s artist/designer (I have mentioned her work in  the past) and I highly recommend that you visit her art blog/store – here. She ships all over the world and I can assure you that you will love her whimsical, colorful and joyful kids art pieces as much as I do!

In the second package was this stunning piece by my dear friend Michele. She wrote me the sweetest note about how certain birds are attracted to each other via their songs and how beautiful friendships are formed, just like in blog land! She used the book spine from ”Familiar Garden Birds of America” and created a stunning assemblage with beautiful bird images mixed with heart warming and meaningful life statements and wisdom. How incredibly creative and personal. 

I immediately had it framed and I am now looking for that perfect spot for it  in my house.

Michele is also an accomplished artist/designer (yes, I have mentioned her too in the past!) and I highly recommend that you visit her Etsy store — here.

Also A Big Thank You to my close blog friend Greet, who recently presented me with a Natural Sharing award. That girl has so many things going on with her lovely home, her business and many design projects, yet she always takes time for her friends. Amazing and very inspirational she is.

I pass on this award to ALL of my readers and followers! I insist that I have the best readers and I get to talk and meet with so many of you. I am incredibly blessed.

My days as a busy summer Mom are flying fast. Only a few more weeks and then my young ones are ready to go to the bus stop with new backpacks and legs a few inches longer! I am savoring every precious moment with them this summer.

Warm hugs to you all!

Images: No. 1-4 via Simple Blueprint, 6-10 via Splendid Willow.

Time for the next segment in my 2 cents series where I let blog friends share their heartfelt opinions on a topic I find interesting. Today’s topic is about summer obsessions. For us in the northern half of the world we are living & loving it right now (or pretending we are living it since the weather in the NW has been anything but charming)!

Today you will meet five incredibly talented ladies and friends. They are creative, stylish and successful designers/artists/writers/bloggers and even a magazine owner! It is an honor to know them all. I follow their blogs loyally and I always know that I will learn something new when hopping over for a visit.

With passion and personal touches (that is why I love them!) they are sharing their:

Personal & Educational. Take your time time to read what they have to say.

You will learn a lot from these talented friends. Enjoy!

This summer I am loving the look of the gray Kooboo wicker chair. Perfect in any room, but I’d use just one to mix up my dining seating. I had seen one recently for a good price in a local shop. I looked longingly at it for some time but then left without it. Of course, you know how the story ends, when I went back – the chair was gone!

 For more on Donna and her lovely blog, go here.

When it comes to personal appearance, one of my biggest struggles has been figuring out how to deal with the dry skin on my feet! As a result I’ve tried virtually everything on the market, because really, what ruins a great look faster than less than pretty feet?! However, it wasn’t until I was introduced to Blue Cross Cuticle Remover did I find a solution. I take the time to soak my feet for a few minutes in Blue Cross each week, buffing them with a wash cloth afterwards. And presto, I’m ready to put on those cute sandals!

 For more om Janell and her lovely blog, go here.

My summertime obsession is a tranquil place: A BEACHY STATE OF MIND. The beach is where I feel at home and that much more special since I live in the landlocked midwest. It’s where time stands still, where I can hear myself think, where I find God, and where He shows off. It is where the best colors live: golden sand, white capped waves, and aqua all around. It’s a place adored by my children and where we have discovered sea turtles. It inspires how I live, decorate, dress, and even what music soothes me!    A beachy outlook says slow down and acknowledge that earth is indeed crammed with heaven.

 For more on Michele and her lovely blog, go here.

What am I obsessed about in the summer? Farmer’s markets! I feel so fortunate to have a lot of local markets in my area and of course the ultimate farmer’s market, Pike Place in Seattle. I love to wander from stall to stall and look at the most beautiful flowers, delicious fruit and freshest seafood around. Raspberries are a favorite and I make a batch of jam each summer to use throughout the year. Who doesn’t love fresh homemade jam?! I think I’ll make a batch this week!

For more on Marianne and her lovely blog, go here.

This summer you will find me equipped with a good paintbrush! Yes, really! What can transform a room quicker? What usually takes the least amount of money (unless you have a castle to paint) and gives you instant gratification. Paint can even help you edit a room…as you usually have to take everything out to paint and then you will be more selective about putting it back in! In this before and after of my client’s master bedroom even if we had not changed out things….the old curtains and bed would have looked so much better after painting out all the trim and walls to a pretty chalky white! So get to it! Alternate your beach days with some fun painting projects!

P.S I also go nuts for air conditioners this summer….because it is hot as Africa here!

(Look closely! Can’t even believe it is the same room!/ Monika’s comment)

For more on Sherry and her lovely blog, go here.

There you have it – some personal summer obsessions. Fun to get to know these talented  ladies and see their beautiful faces, don’t you think?

I will continue to make my way around blog land and tap into the smarts of my friends! Some of my lovely most long-term friends I have not even featured yet! So there is no ranking order, folks. It is all topic based.

Hugs to everyone!

I am really loving this “Vilmie Figur” pillow cover (you buy the insert separately) from Ikea. I purchased a couple for my own home and have pushed it through the doors of several other homes (my close friend Kendra mixed it with some white pillows in her bay window and it looks fantastic). I LOVE the African style pattern, the thick fabric (it has a zipper) and the fact that the pillow cover comes with contrasting color sides for variation. Now and then Ikea just comes up with these design pearls that are must haves and this, in my opinion, is one of them. I would have no problem placing this pillow on a high-end chair or sofa. It is that good. And I would have happily paid a lot more than the mere $10/pillow case that it costs! A steal, people!

I like them so much I am actually getting a few more! Never know when they will come in handy. Just a little touch of eclectic pattern and something lovely for the eye to be drawn to.

Hope you are creating good summer memories!

Images: 1, 3 and 5 via Ikea. No. 2 via Kristan Cunningham, no. 4 via Guts to Communicate.

A couple of days ago the much anticipated book, Patina Style, arrived in my mailbox. It is written by the creators of the successful Velvet & Linen, Brooke and Steve Giannetti, together with Sara Bliss and what a page turner it is!

It is easy to get lost in all the beautiful images and inspirational vignettes. But it offers yet another level of value by featuring personal, valuable and “to the point” design tips and advice from the designer/architect couple. Patina Style is more than a pretty coffee table book — it is a great design guide.

One of my favorite rooms. (Sorry for the crappy resolution, I scanned the image). I love the mix of different textures (metal, leather, stone, grass, linen etc.), the colors and the styling. Check out the pendant light. Note to myself: I need to find some lovely outdoor shutters and use them as decor!

Photo credit: Lisa Romerein

In the book Brooke and Steve share how they create their signature patina look by using soothing colors, mixing antiques (and a lot of Swedish, folks!) with new furnishings, re-purposed and salvaged objects and creating livable yet beautiful rooms.

I have known Brooke for quite a while in blog land (she is a lovely friend) and had the opportunity once to interview Brooke in my “In The Spotlight Series”. I must say that for everything this couple has going on (beautiful family, lovely homes, successful design and architecture business, a must read blog and now a new book — a book, people!) she is phenomenally humble. The success has not gone to her head which makes this book even more special. It is beautiful and the real deal.

I highly recommend Patina Style. You can find it here.

Recently my very close friend Greet had the opportunity to have the entire Giannetti  family over to her own gorgeous home in Belgium (read here) and my lovely blog friends Angela & Renee got to spend some quality time with Brooke and Steve in California (read here). Lucky — everyone!

Happy weekend friends! You will rarely find me at the computer — summer is in full swing — and we are busy exploring and reading great books in the hammock!

Images via: No.1 Velvet and Linen, No. 2 via Veranda Facebook, no. 3 via Patina Style (photo credit: Lisa Romerein, no. 4 via Velvet and Linen.