I am not a jealous person at heart. Far from it. But I am a tad envious of this fabulous Salvation Army find. This chest of drawers just makes me drool. The lucky owners have the best home for the dresser that nobody saw or wanted.  I am so going to pay a visit to a local consignment shop this weekend. Wish you all could come with me!

Image: Martha Stewart

Imagine these bedrooms for the kids in the summer home! They would never want to leave! I find these rooms simple, fresh, happy and very charming. Just the way kids should have it! (And of course the hardwood floors are Swedish white). I am so adding these photos to my personal inspiration folder.

Images from Skona Hem.

When leaving my Mom’s home located in the neighborhood Östermalm in Stockholm, I took a slight detour on my way to the shopping heart of the Stockholm. Boy am I glad that I did! Trotting down “Sturegatan” I stopped in front of the window of the store Olby.  It has been there for 3 years without my knowledge! How on earth could I have missed this! The furniture is so beautiful and well made that they gave me goosebumps. I am now a HUGE fan of the entire furniture line. (Olby just got representation in NY).

The designer and owner Kerstin Olby certainly knows what she is doing. A former student at the prestigious Carl Malmsten school of design (now the Carl Malmsten Centre for Wood Technology & Design at Linköping University), all her furniture is well thought out and masterfully designed. Kerstin started the actual company in the 80′s and has won many prestigious industry awards. All pieces are hand made in Sweden with local, natural materials (there are many customer choices). Kerstin’s timeless quality pieces are represented at Swedish embassies and consulates worldwide as well as the residence of the Swedish prime minister.

This tall cabinet on wheels is now on my wish list. This one in a light gray shade – and I would start weeping for joy every time I passed it in my house!

To see the entire collection, click here.

I have an on-going love affair with white orchids. For a very long time I have been looking for the perfect table to display a cluster of these planted orchids. I had almost given up and was ready to design my own. Now I am thinking that Ikea’s Trollsta Tray Table might just do the trick! What an unexpected contrast with the elegant, simple classic plants on top of this lacquered both modern and gothic looking table.

If I can fit at least 4 planted orchids on the removable steel tray, I will be pretty happy! Now, of course I would have loved to see this table in a gray color but for the price of $99.99, I might just get 2 and try to paint one in that perfect gray myself!

I think the table is perfect for plants with its extra wide edge and high sides. The removable steel tray can handle water spills and the table is easy to fold up and easy to move. Diameter: 22 1/2 “, Height: 17 3/4 “.

I will let you know if this works or not!

My alert friend Kiki A. (yes, I know 5 gals with that name!) who owns Swedish Heirlooms in Seattle, called me about some fun royal news.

Oscar Magnuson, the son of Princess Christina of Sweden, who is a successful industry designer, has launched his first furniture collection together with EM, a leading furniture chain in the Nordic countries. The collection will hit all EM stores in August (only in Sweden and Åland). Each piece is numbered.

In a news article for the Swedish interior design magazine Hus & Hem Oscar Magnuson says that he “feels cooped up” in most regular arm chairs and was looking for a design that was more open and inviting. That is how the Sydney chair came about. The chair comes in several different colors.

Mr. Magnuson says that his goal was a collection that was classic with a contemporary feel. He states that Josef Frank has been a great source of inspiration. The fabrics were chosen in direct contrast to the classic lines. Since Oscar Magnuson is very interested in fashion,  the colors were picked straight from the catwalk.

I find the Sydney sofa very attractive. I hope to sit in it when I go back to Sweden in June. (And I will then be able to give you a better report on quality and comfort). The wooden legs are really beautiful.

Mr. Magnuson says that he found the actual development process incredibly fascinating and educational. Working together with leading Swedish furniture makers he was very hands on, down to the smallest screw.

The next launch will include a cabinet and a table.

I like what I have seen so far. Don’t be shy! What do you think?

I am continuing my research and “window shopping” for a second home in my old city, Stockholm. Here is yet another apartment listed with the real estate agency Skeppsholmen Makleri that I like. It is located in the popular neighborhood “Larkstaden, which is part of the prestigious Ostermalm area.

It gets so dark and gloomy in Stockholm for a long period of the year, so having a bright home is very important. And that is why the majority of all of these fabulous Swedish homes I show you have white walls. Bring in the light people!

The apartment for sale is a newly renovated attic in this beautiful, old building from 1916.

The apartment was built by the Swedish company,  Arcona Concept, specializing in turning attics into attractive living quarters. Here is a classic attic of high international class.

Airy, bright, fresh and, as always in Sweden, equipped with lovely hardwood floors. Wall-to-wall carpets belong to an era that never had its comeback in Sweden (thank goodness). From the long hallway there is access to a small outdoor area.

A big open open living space with the latest materials and light fixtures. Note the old wooden beams.

The architecture is just stunning.

Light, light and more light!

I have yet to find a nice apartment in Stockholm without a state-of-the-art kitchen. It is as basic as a vaccum cleaner!

Nothing missing in this sophisticated and easy to clean kitchen.

Lovely kitchen nook where the old bricks have been exposed for a splendid atmosphere.

Dining area.

Master bedroom. (One out of 2 bedrooms).

Top notch bathroom and shower….

…. and a whirl pool placed right below a charming attic window.

This beautiful walkway takes you to the second shower.

The shower is connected to the private sauna.

On top of the world, overlooking beautiful Stockholm roof tops. Not bad living in Stockholm!

I have a crush on this new book shelf, “Sign”, from the Swedish furniture maker Karl Andersson & Söner.

The designer behind “Sign” is the young and talented Sanna Lindström.

I love the red color (it comes in 8 standard colors) and the actual look. This stackable book shelf is made of oak and birch. It is designed to also work as a a room divider. Sign comes in sections and can be built in several different combinations.

I can also see myself liking this version – especially in white. Simple, functional and very good looking.

I trotted into Pottery Barn the other day and saw quite a few nice things that caught my attention. (BTW I salute Pottery Barn for going so much organic). Here are some of my favorites:

I find this console table very handsome. Timeless and versatile.  It is called Monroe and sells for $699. (When writing this post it is on sale for $599). The table is made of hand-hammered steel with a Carrara marble top. Dimensions: 44″ wide x 16″ deep x 31″ high.

NEW. Reclaimed pine wood mirror. Dimensions: 30″ x 40″. Costs $299.

I really like this over sized Garrison Table Lantern. I could so use a couple of these when entertaining in our backyard this summer. It comes in a weather-proof bronze finish. Dimensions: 9″ Square, 14.5″ High. Price: $299.

Every home needs a little bit of unexpected glamor! This eye catching Honeycomb Mirror certainly fulfills that goal. Dimensions: 36″ x 53″ H. Sells for $429. (When writing this post it is on sale for $249.99).

This industrial looking Edison chandelier is so much fun! A real conversation piece. I love pairing timeless furniture with unexpected light fixtures. Rough it up a little bit! Here ten fabric-covered cords extend from a bronzed ceiling plate. The cords are 46″ inches long. Price: $399.

Photo images on lamps have been around for a while but I think this is Calvin Pendant is a really fun and very affordable fixture. The shade is printed with a landscape of a birch forest. Dimensions: 19″ diam, 28.5″ H – adjusts to 53.5″. Normally sells for $149 but when I am writing this post it is on sale for $69.99.

I am pretty impressed with these Velvet Ribbon Roman Shades that come in all different dimensions and a couple of different colors. i think they would be lovely in a guest room! Price: $89-$139.

Very crisp and fresh!

And if you are starting to feel the summer breeze, here are 3 products to add to the summer decor!

Let’s start with this adorable NEW Sea Horse Pillow Cover. (Something for my friend Kathrine to consider – she collects anything with sea horses).

Dimensions: 18″ Sq. It sells for $49. Note: You will need a 18″ square pillow insert.

I tend to always go crisp white with my own bed linen but sometimes (and especially summer time) it is fun to add some color. The NEW Red Coral Organic Duvet Cover & Sham are quite lovely. Price: $29-$129.

And finally, why not this lovely NEW Japanese Float Table Lamp for the beach house! Dimensions: 17″-24.5″ H. It sells for $200-$240.

As many of my readers know, I am always “window shopping” for that perfect second home (preferably an apartment) in Stockholm. I hope it will turn from dream to reality within not so long! The Swedish real estate agency “Skeppsholmen Makleri” is featuring this bright & stylish apartment in my old neighborhood in good old Stockholm. How I miss those lovely fish bone hardwood floors!

I love that big, old dining table! It is made for long and lovely dinner conversations!

I am so glad that a customer – now turned friend – sent me a photo of an antique bench she once purchased from me. It is Swedish, mid 1800-hundreds, and I honestly had a very hard time departing from it. Look at those details!

The carvings are so beautiful and it just goes to show that the old Swedish Gustavian style can, because of its simple and understated lines, be mixed with pretty much any style.

In the end I am very happy that the bench found such a lovely spot in a beautiful home!