As you can see from my previous post about “leather postcards”, I really gravitate to that beautiful cognac color. It is not the first time I have written about it. I think it makes the most perfect addition to black and white. So when my close friend Pernilla in Stockholm (move back to Seattle soon, my friend!) sent me these pictures from a grand Stockholm apartment, I started purring all over again. What a fun eclectic design mix!

Read the quote on the wall… (Everything is ok in the end. If it’s not – it’s not the end).

Gray and cognac together is one of my favorite color combinations right now.

After some good cognac Thank You’s are in order. I would be absolutely nothing without my supportive, fun and loyal blog friends (yes, all of you!).

Extra big hugs to these amazing ladies who just recently gave my store very generous shout-outs.

If you don’t already know them (which would shock me!) — you need to follow them.

They are top notch bloggers and good friends.

 Willow Decor

 Velvet & Linen

 Hello Lovely Inc.

 HodgePodge

 Live Like You

Thank you again, friends!

If you are interested in my favorite Ikea things (Yes, I know a thing or two about Ikea – and I am picky, picky!) – then meet me at Houzz – here.

Finally I want to put the spotlight on my good friend Piper, of 1.5 years (yep, just checked!). Piper is behind the wonderful blog One Sydney Road and she has invited a few wonderful bloggers and artists to share their favorite spots in the cities they reside in. You get to pick up a passport (to have access to store deals!) and travel along in 60 Days Of Wanderlust. But first let me say how incredibly talented this girl is. She whips up layouts and designs like very few I know. I mean hello!

Hop over and read what I have to say about Seattle - here.

Piper also has a wonderful store, that I have mentioned a few times in the past. And yes, of course I have shopped there! The girl is good!

Here are a few of her latest store additions.

Visit Piper’s store here.

After a busy, busy week, I am ready for a relaxing weekend.

Happy, Happy To All Of You!

Images: no. 1 via Gear Culture, no, 2-5 via Skeppsholmen.

First of all – thank you so much for the wonderful embrace of the newly added fashion-line to my store. I have been very busy over here! I desperately need more hours in a day…  But in a very good way! 

Now over to something else close to my heart — collecting something you are really passionate about. I can’t say that I “collect” many things. As many of you already know, I collect the beautiful cups by the Swedish designer Asa Lindstrom, showed here at my house. (My children collect naturally heart shaped rocks and mini glass animals).

I also collect vintage well made, hand carved animals. I have a a whole grouping of them. Can’t really say why. I just love animals and I love real wood. (This Dachshound recently moved in with us).

By my latest craze is these (and some of you might fall asleep…) ..

Yep. LOVE THEM! You might recall my post about being really inspired by an artful display of old postcards. Well, on my hunt for something simlar I stumbled upon something completely different than anything I had ever heard of before — these postcards in leather from the early 1900-hundreds.

Turns out that for a few years (around 1901-1906?) postcards in leather were apparently the “new thing” in the US. They were considered “novelty” cards and after just a few years in distribution they were banned by the US Postal Service. (I need to find out why. Perhaps they were tricky to get through the machines…).

These cards were mostly handmade (sometimes machine made) and often carried a comical message. I think they are absolutely wonderful!! Especially now when postcard correspondence has become a dying art. People resort to impersonal e-mails and text messages, which is really quite sad to me. Postcards are uplifting!

(I think this is funny!).

When doing some research, I learned that these cards have very little value. There is no great demand for them and they are, by some, even considered boring due to their lack of vibrant colors. YOU CRAZY PEOPLE! That is exactly why I like them! They are quiet and personal and at times very funny! And the leather aspect is just stunning. Anything BUT boring in my book. I have been bidding on a few leather cards lately and I get so excited every time one shows up in my mailbox!  These beauties go for very little money which amazes me – they are part of history, people!

All the postcards I am showing today are  my recent purchases. I am picky, picky. I want pieces with character and a good vibe. Of course I prefer the handmade ones and I am extra drawn to the ones with a real (1 cent) stamp and address on them.

This beauty of the White House made me pace around the house for a few days before I actually won it on E-bay. I had put in a reserve for $150. That is how much I wanted it. I got if for $9 and 99 cents!!! Crazy! How could I have been the only one bidding on this beauty?! I am shaking my head.

I know exactly what I am going to do with these Amercian beauties.You will see!

Some great sources for these vintage leather postcards are E-Bay and Old Postcards. But I am sure you can come across them at antiques markets.

Speaking of collections. A customer (now friend and actually one of the very first subscribers to sign up for my blog 2.5 years ago!!) from my antiques days just sent me a couple of images of some old European playing cards she came across, really liked and had framed. I LOVE it when people invent their own art! Well done, Ms. W!

And finally I have to share my son William’s (4) collection. He carefully handpicks pretty little leaves and puts them in our freezer! (I find new ones all the time!). When I ask why, his answer is “so they last forever”!  Well, of course! Isn’t that what real collecting is all about.

Now, what about you? Are you collecting anything different you would like to share? We sure would like to learn!

Warm hugs to you all!

Image credit: No 1. via Free Great Image.

It is interesting how things come together in life. About a year ago my close friend Bianca introduced me to a chic boutique, Design 10301, in Bellevue (near Seattle) and my very first reaction was “the clothes feel so European” — simple, current with a little bit of an edge and made with really great fabrics. I have since purchased several lovely items from the store and its fashion collection Jarbo — all designed, and in some cases even made, locally in Seattle.

 Some time ago, when all the stars were lined up, the talented designer behind these great fashion items, Sharon, and I happened to be in the store at the same time (I was just a loyal customer looking for a fancy skirt!). A fun conversation ignited and from there several meetings and photo shoots followed. Today I am so very pleased to announce that I am now representing several of Jarbo’s signature pieces in my store, Splendid Willow Avenue.

Meet Sharon Roth, the super talented designer behind Jarbo Collection. She has been driving this brand for seven years and it has become immensely popular. Her designs have been featured in Vogue and InStyle Magazine and Jarbo Collection can be found in many upscale boutiques an department stores in the US and Canada carrying European product.

 ”I won’t compromise on quality. That is where I draw the line”, says Sharon. “My designs are for the sophisticated customer who seeks luxurious comfort and timeless fashion.”

Jarbo is a lifestyle collection with European designer sensibility. Sharon employs local seamstresses but the materials are sourced globally. Pima cotton from Peru, tulle and synthetic blends from Portugal, leather from Italy, fine fully fashioned knits from Hong Kong + yarns from Italy, silk from Shanghai, techno fabrics from Japan and the finest cashmere from Nepal. Only the best will do.

Sharon is well known for her unique design sensibility and her many interesting design techniques such as draping. She is a strong believer in visual art.

So what it the story behind the name, Jarbo? ”My first sales associate listened to an amazing Parisian vocalist with the name Jarbo. We talked so much about Jarbo that day that the name stuck with us when it was time to chose a brand name! I like that it has a European connection”, says Sharon.

Sharon flies to Europe several times a year for inspiration and fabrics. “I am really drawn to European design. Perhaps because of my own European roots but I also admire the  aesthetics – the subtleness in the colors and textures. Europe has always produced beautiful clothing. Understated elegance where luxe quality is always a key component.”

The Latte colored Chic Duster (below) can be worn in two different ways – like so many of Sharon’s designs.

In addition to a showroom in NY, Sharon has two physical stores, Design 10301 in Bellevue and a brand new boutique in Madison Valley, Seattle (with the same name) which opens its doors this week!

Early next year a new store will be opened in Brentwood, CA. And soon after a store in Boston will follow. 

With my store, Splendid Willow Avenue, more people now have access to Jarbo Collection. I ship nationwide (and upon request, internationally).

Don’t be surprised if you see some collaborations between Sharon and me in the future.

To see a few pieces of Jarbo loveliness in my store! Enter here.

Don’t forget to take advantage of my 15% off coupon in House Of Fifty’s Magazine.  (See my previous post!).

P.S Thank you everyone for having been so patient with my lack of blog hopping lately. I owe all my blog friends big!

The Holiday Issue of House Of Fifty is out and it is jam packed with loveliness. 186 pages to be more exact. I have featured the Founding Editor and Blogger Extraordinaire, Janell Beals, many times on my blog. She has become a good friend over the years and I have so much admiration for her. She is extremely talented and has a great design eye but she is also a very genuine and thoughtful person. What you see is what you get with this lovely lady.

In this Holiday issue you will drool over segments covering, interiors, art, food, photography, perfect  Holiday Music (I need that list myself!), and tips on Smart Charitable Giving.

There are also several colorful pages of gift ideas, one of them by me. Janell invited me contribute to the ”Gift Guide For Men”! Yikes! (The hardest of them all, at least for me). But I put my thinking cap on and really thought of gifts I would want to give to my husband and (picky) big brother. I hope you will find some inspiration too. (You need to also read the texts with the pictures to understand my thinking). Perhaps a punching ball (in rustic leather – to go with the decor of the house. Ha!).

Also fun to see many of my blog friends in this Holiday issue.  Hi to you all!

In this feature I am also running my first magazine Ad – ever! I have teamed up with my close blog friend, Jill with Live Like You, and together we have a  House Of Fifty Special going. 15% off on anything in our stores. Can come in handy before the Holidays! (Redeem your promotion code via the magazine).

Now pour yourself a cup of “something good” and get prepared to be inspired! Hop over to House of Fifty here. You will be glad you did.

Hugs to you all!