Hi friends. I am back from my whirlwind trip to Stockholm equipped with new design inspiration and ideas. (Thank you to so many of you for your kind messages regarding  my Mom. She is doing very well).

In my usual , energize-bunny-hopping way, I went straight from landing at the airport in Stockholm to the Formex Design Exhibition — the largest design meeting place in The Nordic. I had only four hours before they were going to shut the doors on this 4-day event and I had missed an entire night of sleep — but that did not stop me.

During those four hours I came across two FANTASTIC designers that I had teamed up with for my store. I will introduce you to them later in the week.

I also had a really fun chat with this handsome, witty and oh-so creative stylist — Jimmy Schonning. He has become a mega designer household name in Sweden thanks to his popular TV show about interiors and his endless design creativity.

(Yep, this is what I look like after a very long flight and no sleep. And you would have too!).

Jimmy’s happening kitchen.

 At the trade show, Jimmy’s wonderful, oversized bamboo pendants drew a lot of attention. Part of the lamps’ profits goes to an orphanage north of Bangkok for HIV effected children. 

Sweden is jam packed with fabulous design. I am totally blown away, every time I go back.

Hello – even fire extinguishers for the home, now come in great designs! No longer any need to keep it hidden in the closet. (Jimmy Schonning designed one as well).

It is good to be back. I have lots of things to share and I am looking forward to seeing what my many blog friends are up to!

Warm hugs.

Images: No. 1 via Skarp, no. 2, 4, 6 via Jimmy Schonning, no. 3 + 5 via Splendid Willow, no. 7 via Allt Om Bostad

Hello all. After that big snow storm in Seattle last week, where the whole city came to a quick halt. (The area was declared ”State Of Emergency” with power outtages effecting hundreds of thousands of people and traffic chaos and trees down everywhere). Our power went out (it was cold, people!) but thankfully our fireplaces run on gas so that is where this family camped out telling stories and snoring in sleeping bags!

(My lovely blog friend Joanna, wrote this great Stockholm guide).

With that behind us, I am now on to the next adventure. When this post goes live, I have literally just landed in Stockholm. I will spend a week in my old home country, looking after my loving Mom and spending quality time with close ones.

My blog will be quiet during that time. I hope you understand.

If there is anything in particular you want me to bring back from Sweden, let me know.

There are some really incredible and clean metro stations in Stockholm. The city is all about great public transportation and walking. (I eat like a starved elephant when I visit, but always lose a few pounds. It is all that city walking. And what a fun city to get around in!).

I will be back Monday January 30th.

Warm hugs. I will be thinking of you.

 Images: no. 1 via Flickr, no. 2 via DesignSponge, no .3 via Scandinaviam Eyeware, no. 5 via Flickr, no. 7 via Flickr.

Seattle is looking more and more like Sweden! Lots of snow here and I expect the kids will be home for the next few days since the school buses won’t run. You will find me outside throwing snow balls with the neighbors!

My Stockholm based brother (Mr. handsome E), e-mailed me regarding my upcoming trip to old homeland and asked for some design tips of his downtown bachelor’s pad. He wants it to look grand. And now he asks his sis. Now that is heart warming! (: Two images have been floating around in my head lately — I thought I would off-load.

Love absolutely everything about this room. The look, the feel, the colors, the book & art and the brick wall (which my brother does not have). Very, very nice. Both masculine and feminine. Do you agree?

Right before Christmas, Steve from An Urban Cottage stopped by (we were both part of a link party). Why I had not paid attention to his fabulous blog is beyond me. He is very creative and has excellent taste. Look what he did with his empty and sad looking closet space in his dining room.

Before

After

Yep, he turned it into a permanent wet bar! How smart and chic! And what a conversation piece for guests.  Brilliant, Steve!

Before I end for today, some Thank Yous are in order:

Out of the blue, these fabulous ladies/designers/friends gave my shop some very nice kudos (click on the links). Thank you all! What totally unexpected and heart warming treats. You are something extra, I tell ya! Thank you, again.

Isabella & Max Rooms

Postcards from Colorado

Design Addict MomHello Lovely Inc.

Multi-talented & lovely Michele, who I consider a close friend, also shared that she had added a segment (she is a sought-after writer) about me in Chic Mom Magazine. 

Chic Mom – wait, Moi!!?! Now that made me blush! Thank you dear, but YOU are really the ultra chic Mama who should be featured here and everywhere. You can read her article here.

Ok, off to crank up the heat and line up the snow suits!

Happy, happy to you all.

Image credits: No. 1 via Reasons For Loving Seasons, n0.2 via Two Ellie, no. 3-5 via An Urban Cottage.

For some 15 years (yep, I have been around for a while) I have been a big fan of sisal and other natural fiber rugs. When I lived in my apartment in San Francisco (my first home purchase in the US — I was so proud of myself!) I had stylish light gray wall-to-wall-natural-fiber-carpeting in 3 bedrooms.

(My own humble kitchen nook).

(My good friend Brook is a big fan of natural fiber rugs. This jute rug is in her pretty sun room).

I like natural fiber rugs because they are quiet (I prefer loud things behind frames!), they handle heavy traffic well and they look good in almost all rooms. It is such a classic look. To me, natural fiber rugs (or high quality wool rugs) are the only soulmates to hardwood floors (synthetic rugs, ehhhh… not so much).

Also, I don’t like rugs where scary things can be hidden! I am hands down a low pile (ha!)/loom rug kind of gal. The only drawback to natural fiber rugs is that most of them can not be washed. Oh, well. I have learned to go with fibers and colors that are more forgiving. And I am very aware where I place the rugs.

I am happy to see that so many mainstream furnishing stores now are offering natural fiber rugs with more of a European designer look (subtle patterns). And all at very affordable prices.

Handsome diamond pattern jute rug – via. I like this one a lot.

These new fiber rugs created in India on special European jacquard looms for Crate and Barrel are beautiful. What a wonderful and unique pattern.

The natural rugs from Restoration Hardware are great, but I am hoping they soon come out with some more unique models. They are so good at that stuff.

West Elm sells this Jute Chenille Herringbone rug. Nice because it is slightly different.

Overstock has these vibrant jute rugs listed for a steal.I don’t see the natural fiber rugs dying any time soon. Interior designers continue to constantly evolve the earth-friendly look, for which I am very grateful.

Curious to hear, what kind of rugs do you like? Any specific brand?

Happy Weekend, friends! 

(I will be back on Tuesday after Martin Luther King’s Day).

Images: No. 1 via DecorPad,  no. 2 via Splendid Willow, no. 3 via Houzz, no. 4 via Velvet & Linen, no. 5 unknown (sorry), no. 6 via Houzz. 

Stockholm is never far away. I left Sweden and Stockholm for the US in 1995 (work brought me across the Atlantic and I was supposed to stay for max 2 years.  So much for that deadline…). The US is where I later decided I wanted to put down my anchor. This is home, for sure. But my love for Sweden will always be there. And I always tend to bring a little bit of Swedish to everything I do (and from what I also understand) say! (Yikes, some serious Swenglish, I am sure!). 

When it comes to interior design, I think that the Swedes are the world masters of merging really old furnishings with new. They do it effortlessly and beautifully. Much thanks to the Swedes’ on-going love for simple, classic lines (and neutral colors). Timeless designs seem to go hand-in-hand with the Swedish mentality.

Old Swedish and new modern can all be mixed in these three Swedish rooms.

Objects can be moved around between all these rooms and still work beautifully together. For example the antique gold mirror in the last image can easily switch spots with the torso above the fireplace in picture no. 2. And the bronze torso would look great above the gray sofa.

The gray, Gustavian sofa would look beautiful in this room paired with modern furnishings and antiques from a different era.

In my on-line store, Splendid Willow Avenue, I also try to pick timeless pieces that will still work and be appreciated many years down the road.

Today, I am very proud to announce a new brand in my store — the fabulous DesignHouse Stockholm. A store I have visited frequently over the years. The store represents more than 60 talented Swedish designers and thanks to them many beautiful & fun designs have hit the market and become modern classics.

Here are are few items I have hand picked for my store:

A two legged lamp with attitude!

 An umbrella stand which also is a lovely piece of art.

A stylish bicycle basket. (Comes in 3 colors).

 A timeless and functional tray table.A bit of design loveliness for the young ones.

 Simple, modern coffee/tea mugs.

You will find these new items and others in my store – here. More are coming!

In a couple of weeks I will get a real dose of Sweden. I am heading to Stockholm for a week to mainly look after my dear Mom & to hook up with family and friends, but also to see what other new things I can bring to my store & to my readers!

Don’t forget to subscribe to my store newsletter if you want first hand access to store News & Deals. Subscribe here.

Warm hugs.

 Images: no. 1 via BugBog, no. 2 via Skona Hem, no. 3 + 4 via Lagerlings.