Happy New Week Friends! After spending almost a week in sunny California and enjoying quality time with close family and friends over Thanksgiving, it is now on to the next adventure — Winter Holidays Galore. This is my favorite time of the year — I love the traditions we have created in my own home, the smells, the colors and all the social activity. It can be a very stressful time of the year but I try very hard to not overdo it and instead really focus on simplicity and full enjoyment. (I am really starting to get too old for stress!).

Here are some holiday decoration images I have saved and feel are oh so inspirational.

My favorite is this one. Three simple and different wreaths on a peg board. Stunning with a capital S.

Putting some greenery in my antique empire candle fixture. Must try sometime!

Green wreaths in the windows with white ribbons. Simple is beautiful.

A cluster of candle sticks of different heights. Nice.

Just a tad of greenery on that white table cloth in the dining room. Add some candles and simple white flowers. Not much else is needed.

I like pine cones and pine cone trees. I feel they go hand in hand with the season.

Simple winter holiday cards attached to a long jute string with wooden clothes pins.

And a wreath made with black and white photos of close family members. How perfect for story telling and going down memory lane.

And why do I feel that this leather bag really belongs under the green tree? Also perfect for really young ones to ride on!

If I can only have one flower this time of the year, it will be the Hyacinth. I love everything about this fragrant flowering plant which brings back wonderful childhood memories from Sweden. You will find it in just about every Swedish home during Christmas. Note: These white mugs at Ikea work great as plant holders. Just put some moss on top and tie a red string around the mug. Do I have to say again that simple is beautiful!

If you are interested and if you have a moment, hop over to my store Splendid Willow Avenue, where more toys have been added. Yep, for those of you who have been asking — the Danish Reindeer is now listed!

 Don’t forget to take advantage of my 15% off on all merchandise in my store as seen in the latest issue of House Of Fifty. Simply use the code livesplendid15 at checkout.  (And don’t forget that the code also works over at the wonderful store Live Like You). The offer expires December 10th. 2011.

Warm hugs to you all.

Images: No. 1, via Splendid Willow, no. 2, 7, 8 and 9 via Country Living, no. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10 via Skona Hem and no. 11 via Livet Hemma.

From My House To Yours. Sending You Good Energy.

Wishing You A Heart Warming, Joyous Thanksgiving Week.

To all of my readers: 

  I am grateful for you all. Every single one of you. 

You make my little corner of the world incredibly meaningful.

I am taking a few days off to spend quality time with my family.

Image: Via Country Home

Time again for my series, 2 cents, which you all know I personally enjoy so much. This is the closest to having really good friends over for dinner and quizzing them about topics I am interested in.

Today you will meet six wonderful, smart and design savvy friends each with a global perspective. I adore them all and follow them loyally.

With passion and personal touches (that is why I love them!) they are each going to share their:

Pay attention to what these lovely ladies have to say! You will love their thoughts & maybe even learn something new. ENJOY!

A design trend that I am totally digging and {have always loved} is an eclectic gallery wall. A well-curated gallery wall tells a story, whether it contains photographs, art and framed treasures, there is a story behind each piece. It represents who you are and what you love. I abhor gallery walls with quick slapdash art, just hung for “cute” sake. I feel it needs to have a sense of history and meaning, a reason to be displayed. Do I have a well-curated gallery wall in my home? Sadly not yet, but slowly I am collecting photos, frames, art that is near and dear, and quirky finds that speak to me and my family. But that is what is so fantastic about a gallery wall, is that you add to it piece by piece, building your collection, slowly unveiling your story.

 

 

 You will find the talented Barbara over at Hodge:Podge.

 

 

Copper, brass, iron, or aluminium (aluminum), I love a touch of semi-precious metal quirkiness! Two of my current favourites are Tom Dixon’s ‘Bass’ and Greta Grossman’s ‘Grasshopper lamps. Unique, well designed, and timelessly stylish!

 

 

You will find the talented Charlotta over at Space For Inspiration.

 

Trends can be fun, but I am personally not that big on them. I try to let my ideas come from a place deep inside me and to surround myself with objects that I really love. I can’t point to a specific design trend right now and say “I want this for me”. A design trend or a room from a magazine doesn’t have all my personal preferences, the things that inspire me or that I bought during my travels, my story – where I grew up, what I love, how I changed with the years, what I have experienced. When I look at an interior from a magazine I look at it as a painting. I enjoy its beauty and just try to learn from it – the balance, the rhythm, the scale, the transition, the emotion. A Coco Chanel quote says “An interior is the natural projection of the soul.” I always try to let my own home be an authentic projection of my soul at that moment of my life.

 

 

You will find the talented Maria over at Design Elements.

I’m not the kind of person that breaks the bank for a trend. Does it mean I don’t like trends? It depends. I’m always looking for what’s new in the market but I also like to keep my eyes open and ask myself is this a trend that’s here to stay or if it will look really outdated in a couple of years? I usually like to add trendy pieces that are easy and inexpensive to change. We’re seeing grey more often than ever now and I am loving it! Take for example “Sarah’s house 4″ that’s being aired here in Canada (soon to be in the US). If you’re a fan of Sarah Richardson you know she’s very careful with her designs but also adds some fun into the mix. I love the latest kitchen she has designed. It’s grey but it’s also easy to change in case you get tired of it in ten years. For me, the important thing to keep in mind is to use the trendy things you love in a classic and timeless way.

You will find the talented Luciane over at HomeBunch.

 

A design trend I am digging now is definitely lucite/acrylic pieces. I love them especially if they are modern interpretations of classic silhouettes such as the iconic Louis Ghost Chair or the Bourgie Lamp. Lucites/acrylics are stylish, versatile and blend well with any decor styles. Additionally, they carry little visual weight and are perfect for small spaces. That is why they are clearly (pun intended!) my favorite design trend of the moment!

You will find the talented Jessie over at Mix And Chic.

To me, there is nothing sexier than marrying masculine industrial ruggedness with feminine glamour. Think of a gold mirror against exposed bricks or a beautiful French desk juxtaposed in an otherwise industrial work space. My toughest challenges as a designer are actually at home where my husband and I both have strong views on interior style; industrial glamour is our happy common ground! Restoration Hardware’s Foucault’s Orb chandelier is a perfect example of this style: a sparkly chandelier encased in an iron frame. This beauty got two thumbs up from my husband who is usually not a fan of chandeliers. Result!

 

 

You will find the talented Meera over at First Sense.

 

Thank you so much ladies! How fun was that! I really enjoyed  learning more about which trend (or no trend!) you have taken to heart lately. One thing that you all have in common is TIMELESS style.

The 2 cents series will continue and yes, ALL of my blog friends will be asked to contribute. No one will be forgotten. You see, there are reasons why I follow you all! (:

Happy rest of the week everyone!

 

I am slowly adding more things I go nuts for to my store, Splendid Willow Avenue. Every single item is hand picked and making me very happy and proud.

NEW for the kids:

A 24 pocket garland to count the days to Christmas. Kids love it! Fill each pocket with a personal note, a treat, or tangerine and the kids will think you are the best!

COMING LATER THIS WEEK. A Danish wooden cheese house for the mice boxes (sold separately). You know how much I dislike plastic. This one is so witty and adorable! Pay attention to the Swiss cheese roof! (The house comes with the table, “thread spool” chairs, kettle, mugs, table cloth and small rug).

Note: I only have a few of these and probably some of the last in the US (and no more will be made). Let me know if you want to reserve one.

ALSO coming this week – the Vanilla colored Danish Reindeer. 100% cotton. How irresistibly handsome is he!

NEW for the home. This stunning oversized wool blanket, hand-vowen in Finland. Well made and gorgeous. Landing in my store in the next few days. (You bet I am getting one myself!).

NEW jewelry by the Swedish jewelry designer “Asa”.

Chunky bead necklace with a silver cross.

Now pay attention – who is my model if not my dear blog friend Michele with Hello Lovely Inc.! It is a fun family business, people - all with good energy. Doesn’t she look stunning! I adore her!

Also new from “Asa” is this Earthy Necklace with three pendants (sterling silver cross, a piece of bamboo coral and Asa’s sterling silver tag).

You can see most of the new items in my store now (and more will come later this week).

Enter my store, Splendid Willow Avenue, here, if you want to learn more.

Thank you’s are in order.

EXTRA BIG HUGS to my close blog friends Paula (Two Ellie)

And Ally (From The Right Bank)

Out of the blue came their shout-outs for my little store. Amazing ladies. Amazing friends. What unexpected treats. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Hugs to everyone.

No words needed. Look closely at the NY based artist, Jefferson Hayman’s work.  His stunning photographs are handcrafted silver gelatin & platinum prints that seem  timeless. He pairs his photography with unique frames, mirrors, vintage objects etc. to make beautiful compositions.

Sea life. How stunning.

Willow’s trio.

Mr. Hayman is well known for his beautiful images of his beloved NY. I think this piece is absolutely gorgeous.

Still life group.

I go ABSOLUTELY NUTS for this! An accordian arm behind the art piece so the piece can be enjoyed from different directions. You bet I immediately went to two antiques malls with the mission of coming home with a couple of vintage accordian arms. Brilliant!

Jefferson Hayman’s work can be found in many private and public collections, most notably The Museum of Modern Art , The New York Public Library, President Bill Clinton’s Library, Robert DeNiro’s private collection, The Boston Athenaeum and Ralph Lauren. For more on Hayman’s work, visit his website here.

P.S I am saving up…

Happy New Week!

All images via Jefferson Hayman. Creative inspriation via The New Victorian Ruralist.