Why not! I can do that, right? I chose the letter…..

Why I chose U is a mystery to me. Perhaps because of all of the Unicorns you will find in our house or all the Universal tools my husband seem to collect (but never seems to use). I scratched my head for a little bit and put the whole project on ice. But Wednesday evening I came up with an idea. My husband’s birthday is coming up. I will be in Sweden then – poor me! (:  But the kids will be there to celebrate with him royally – so the letter U is for U dad!

Turns out that this little task was harder than anticipated. No. 1, I am clearly not a good photographer. Haha! (But it is fine with me because I like imperfections!). 2. The camera needs to be updated. 3. I have a 2-year old!

“Let’s try some individual ones, kids”!

“William, look over here! We lost U! Look at Mama. Pleeeease!!!”

Finally. 15 attempts later…

Done. No more. We are heading to the icecream shop!

Happy Early Birthday Pappa! We picked the best dad on the planet. We love you so very, very much.

Thank you Piper dear for inviting me! This was different and I had fun with the kids doing it!

Happy new week to you all! We are enjoying our summer to the fullest here in Seattle and I am happy as a clam! My life is good. And how easy to be happy when I am constantly meeting new wonderful & interesting people in addition to the many beautiful people I already have in my life. When it comes to close friends & family, I consider myself one really, really lucky girl.

Most of you know that I am very passionate about art. I don’t know what is going on with Universe, but just in the last few weeks I have been given so many unexpected art related gifts. Frankly, I am a little bit overwhelmed but so grateful. A big thank you is in order to all these creative and generous friends!

First up is the lovely and so inspirational Julie from Being Ruby. I won her photo art giveaway! (My first blog win ever!). She took these stunning photographs in Venice, Italy.

This Australia based girl is so talented with her camera (and her words) and I keep pushing and pushing for her to take her talent to the next level. I have asked her (two times but she keeps ignoring me!) if I could buy the piece below from her. Isn’t it gorgeous? (Note: the texts on the photos are only for virtual trademark).

No, I am not looking for another gift, I want to be the first customer! (I have had my own business and I know that wonderful feeling when your sell your very first item). I will keep pushing & supporting you, my friend! (And put a price tag on that photograph, will you!)

The second is from my dear friend Sarah with Haute Design.

I could not believe my luck when I found out that I had also won her giveaway - this fantastic art glass vase by 18K (the off-white model between the to vases with flowers). Sarah personally bought it at her favorite store in Vancouver, Montage, which makes it so much more special! I can’t wait for it to arrive. It will be the most gorgeous vase in my house!

Sarah’s blog is simply a stunning and I find so much inspiration there that it makes my head spin. If your style and taste are all about quality and high-end and only the best will do when it comes to elegant design & living then Haute Design is an absolute must read! I adore Sarah and her blog. And I consider her a close friend.

Then we have Elena with EMD Design Journal.

Elena says that she has hardly any time to dedicate to her blog and that she is not sure that blogging is her way of communication (she works as a style consultant and freelance writer for shelter and lifestyle magazines).

I find EMD Design Journal to be a very sophisticated blog. Elena is very knowledgeable in art, architecture and design and she is an accomplished writer. And on top of that she is a genuine and kind person. I find her posts so interesting and meaningful (it is like reading a good article in the New Yorker). A few weeks ago I found the newly released magazine “Connecticut” in my mail box. Elena had sent me the magazine with a terrific article written by her about the sculptur Cornelia Kubler Kavanagh.

That gesture made my day! Elena, I will try very hard to keep you in the blog word! (Your last post was in April, time for the next post I think!)

Another surprise in my mailbox! Beautiful Lori (Who I met through my very dear friend Ingrid), who I have not seen for months, out of the blue, sent me this wonderful art piece that she made herself! She took a picture of an old city water main cover when walking the streets in good, old Stockholm. She later mounted it on a piece of wood and prepared the surface in a way so it almost looks and feels like concrete. I absolutely love it! And I love you & your family!

This past weekend we actually went to visit with Lori and her family at their vacation spot on Whidbey island outside of Seattle. Lori took me to to see her very talented artist friend Anne, and the two of them would not let me leave Anne’s house before I had taken a little something of her so called art “rejects”. Rejects?!! I could not believe it! All her pieces are beautiful! I did not dare to point at anything but Lori pushed me into a corner hard and insisted that “I must”, and I walked away with this darling art piece in wax (in gray of course) that is now hanging in my bed room! Thank you Lori and Anne for a very fun afternoon!

And isn’t the title appropriate! “A circle of friends”!

Also a big thank you to the very friendly, generous and creative ladies, Kristi with Lovely Velo and Reese with Rambles with Reese.

Both of them asked me to help me with guest posts when they were/are globe trotting! (And Reese I still hope to meet, since she is right now hanging out in Vancouver, only 2.5 hours away from Seattle. Come on, Reese!). You can read the posts by clicking here and here. Hop over and say hi – and make some new friends!

As I said, (two times now!), there are so many creative and generous people out there. And I am one lucky girl to keep meeting the best.

Each and every one of you in my real and in my virtual life makes my corner of the world so much richer.

Thank you. And thank you again.

Images: 1. via Flickr, 2. via weheartit, all other images via respective blogger mentioned.

Quick background of Piero Fornasetti (1913-1988) – the legendary Italian painter, sculptor, engraver etc. He lived most of life in Milan and created more than 11,000 items, many featuring the face of a woman, operatic soprano Lina Cavalieri, as a motif. Fornasetti found her face in a 19th century magazine. “What inspired me to create more than 500 variations on the face of a woman?” asks Italian designer, Piero Fornasetti of himself. “I don’t know,” he admits, “I began to make them and I never stopped.” Other common features in his work include heavy use of black and white, the sun and time. His son, Barnaba Fornasetti, continues to design in his father’s name.

More things on my growing (why is it never shrinking!?) wish list: The very adorable and creative Cape Town girl Lana over at the lovely design blog - Lanalou Style – invited me over to share my wish list as part o her weekly blogger series. What an honor Lana! Thank you so much for having me! Hop over and read my list here. (And find out what I am drinking a lot of right now. No, nothing with pretty, little umbrellas!)

Happy, happy dear friends! Hope your week is going well!

Hello friends! Today, you will find me “Guest Posting” over at Mochatini. My dear friend Manvi, who is behind this fabulous blog, is super busy this week with a really fun design project (I can hardly contain myself, but I will let her spill the beans herself!). Come over and say hello! I will share my post about “Simply Swedish” -  here!

Before I let you go, I glanced through the Jayson Home & Garden catalog (while waiting in the car for an adorable 8 year old ballerina!) that arrived the other day. Lots of lovely things in it.

Here are a few accessories that caught my attention:

Shagreen Trays – $95-$395.

Decoupaged glass silhouette plates – $65/each

Suzani Sun pillow - $250

Eyeglass case - $24

Have a wonderful day lovely friends – all over the world!

Ally is a former “Seattleite” who I met in my early blog days and who has turned into a loyal and most wonderful friend. Her blog is top class and it is such an honor for me to to be invited by her and to share my thoughts on design on her spectacular blog. Go over and visit & say hello!

My guest post is about “Things I Go Nuts For”.

Here are a couple of other things that I just found and also go nuts for. For example this Kepler hanging lantern by Gregorius Pineo. Stunning! I would love for a very large size of this to hang in my foyer. It is both classy, edgy & artsy. My good friend Alyssa’s husband is a light fixture sales manager and has said several times, “Monika when you find the right fixture call me and I will get it for you (wholesale)”. I think this might be the one I will be calling about. What do you think?

This image I had saved for a rainy day (can’t remember the source, sorry!). I simply adore that mirror and I am putting out a lot of energy to see if that mirror somehow finds me! And what do both things have in common? Round! I love the circular shape. And I did not even realize it until a relative who recently visited us in Seattle said – “Monika, you have so many round things”? Huhhh??? He is right! I am not Mrs. square – I am Mrs. round!!

Check in with me tomorrow. I  can really need your help regarding an antique chest that I am thinking of painting. And my Huz  (who never usually cares about what I do in the house with regards to design) all of a sudden has an opinion – and right now he is saying no! Horror!

Cyber hug to you all! Monika.

First up is A Perfect Gray. You might recall my post about her sunburst mirror project. Well, I  have since gotten to know wonderful Donna even more and she is totally obsessed with the color gray (my kind of girl!).  She constantly introduces us to the most gorgeous images and there is so much inspiration here with mostly the color gray in mind.  Like myself she also used to collect antiques and she showcases a good mix of old and new. Look and drool! Donna just recently presented me with a blog award (thank you dear friend) – more about the award at the end.

Next in line is The House of Turquoise. A must read blog for everyone who needs splashes of “The color of the year” in their home. Ms. Erin finds the most amazing images that can easily convert the must have “white colors everywhere” purist to a strong believer in ocean colors. I absolutely adore her fresh blog and her design eye.

Ms. Kelly over at Color Sizzle has a very special place in my heart. She was the very first in the blog world to say “I am adding your blog to my blog roll”, when I barely knew what a blog roll was! This wonderful lady knows and likes color and her blog is the first I go to if I want a color specific answer. Kelly is also a very creative designer and puts together the most terrific table top decorations.

And finally Ms. Maria over at Colour Me Happy. This talented lady has more energy than almost anyone I know. I seriously doubt that she gets any sleep at all! Talk about color galore here! And her posts are always so informative and inspirational. (Be prepared to have your printer work overtime). She and her blog rock!

In my opinion, you do not need any design magazines anymore! Just go to any – or all – of these blogs and your color specific questions will be answered!

And with regards to the blog award given to me by lovely Donna, I would like to pass it on to 15 other fabulous & creative design blogs that so inspire & charm me (and that I have not recognized before with awards or write-ups)! No obligation (just feel loved!), but if you are up for it, you are supposed to tell your readers 7 things about yourselves that they don’t already know, and pass the blog baton to 15 other blogs. If you don’t mind, I am going to link back to things about myself here and here.

In no particular order:

1) Hello Gorgeous

2) Belle Vivir

3) Solid Frog

4) The Zhush

5) Laura Casey Interiors

6) A Life More Fabulous

7) Lovely Velo

8. Hemmariket

9) La Dolfina

10)  L Kae Interiors

11) Postcards from Colorado

12) KMD Atelier

13) Green & Pretty

14) Vintage House Sweden

15) The Lighthouse

But as always – all my blog friends mean the world to me! I must say that there are some creative, fun, warm, talented and good hearted people (and blog friends turned blog sisters) that I follow in the US,  Sweden, Canada, Italy, UK, Belgium and all the way to Australia. You are all over the top good. Simply the best!

Sorry I have not been so blog alert lately. Spring break is here and we popped up to Vancouver Island, Canada for a few days to visit Grandma. (I am back with even more energy and a big smile on my face!)

Before we left my lovely blog friend Theresa over at the La Dolfina blog gave me a Happy Award. Thank you Dear! Your beautiful attitude and your creativity is oh-so contagious!

With this award I am supposed to share 10 thing that make me happy - so here goes:

1) My wonderful husband (I insists I have the best!) and our 3 happy, beautiful and good hearted kids. (I took these images yesterday in Canada).

Ok, friends – I just have to say a couple of words about my Grandma Beverly (Peter’s Mom). She is a truly remarkable and happy lady. She has 9 (!) kids, my husband being the youngest. She is turning 89 years this year, folks!. She walks to coffee and bridge clubs on a daily basis. E-mails or talks with her children every day. Reads a ton, travels and entertains people all the time. She never sweats the small things, is incredibly generous and has the most upbeat attitude.  I love her.

2) My friends. I am so lucky in that department. I am surrounded by really loyal, smart, beautiful and generous people who are more like family than friends.

3) Life. I love living and I live life happily and to its fullest. I love exploring and learning. I am one of those (painful people) who always start chatting with the person next to me at the coffee shop. There are still so many things to learn & I don’t want to miss anything!

4) Kindness.

5) Me giving back. With zero strings attached.

6) Sun-rain. I run out of the house everytime trying to catch the rainbow!

7) Champagne. Only slightly ahead of chocolate!

8. Walking in towns & cities. Big and small. I can get lost for hours. And I can never get enough of people watching.

9) Interior design & furnishings. My true lifelong passion.

10) Blogging. Well, of course! I am having so fun doing this from my little corner of the world. I have met so many wonderful, smart and creative people. I find it incredibly fulfilling!

Now I’m supposed to send this to 10 other blogs that make me happy. But to me that is impossible.

All the ones I follow make me happy. Every single one! From all corners of the world. Big & small. You inspire me every day & you warm my heart.

My Happy Award goes to ALL OF YOU.

Thank you for being there and for sharing and bringing so much joy. You are the best!

Image 1. via Flickr . Last image via We Heart It

I just received a Kreativ Award from the talented and lovely Trish over at Trouvais.  I met Trish months ago and I was immediately drawn to her exquisite images and her always interesting blog posts about antiques and French Interiors & Gardens. I learn a lot from her. And she always ends her personal comments with “Merci”!. I like that too! So dear Trish, Merci! It is an honor to get your lovely recogniton!

Here are some images from her blog. Lovely, n’est-ce pas?!

Here I am supposed to say 7 things about myself. But this time I am not going to tire you with more facts about me. Instead I refer to an earlier post here.

I enjoy every single blog I follow, they are all special and very close to my heart. This time I have decided to pass this award forward to 7 creative blogs that I just recently started to get to know (or know better!) . They are all amazing & lovely. They all cover different areas (which I like – I love to learn new things!) and they are all genuine & friendly! Love them!

Dandelion & Grey

EMD Design Journal

Beadboard UpCountry

The Clueless Crafter

The Design File

Sogni e Sorrisi

Lilla Huset på Prärien

Happy Kreativ Blog Award to you! Share 7 things about yourselves (that we all should know) and pass on the baton to 7 other blogs that you like!

While I was under the covers lovely Greet at the blog Belgian Pearls sent me this Honest Scrap Award. Belgian Pearls is a must read blog for anybody who gravitate towards truly elegant interiors with a Belgian Twist. Greet is an accomplished interior designer and her blog offers a wealth of design information & inspiration. Visit her often! 

With this award I am supposed to share 10 things about myself that my readers may not know about me. And then send this award to 7 other lovely blogs.  (But I really should have sent this to all the blogs I read and comment on. They are all WONDERFUL! And so are the people behind those blogs!) Here goes!:

1) I have no sense of orientation. None, zip, nada. I can’t tell you how many times I have gotten totally lost in major cities and somehow managed to apper on the complete opposite side of the city, without any understanding of time and place. On a positive note: I thrive on meeting people and seeing places, so getting lost is nothing I fear. On the contrary!

2) Every night before I head for bed I drink a jumbo cup of silver tea. That is a fancy name for hot water with nothing in it! It probably sounds terribly boring to you but I crave it with such intensity that my whole family gets nervous if they don’t hear water boiling late in the evening.

3) I married a really good man. He is a super hero in my eyes. Intelligent, kind, generous, accomplished, an out of this world great dad, loving and witty. He has oodles of hidden talents that I still after 10 years of marriage am discovering. It took me years to figure out that he is brilliant saxophone player, scratch golfer, a great skier, he’s a human dictionary, and he is a really good cook. And he puts up with me!

4) My favorite cities in the world: Stockholm and New York. We have permanently put down our anchor in Seattle which is a beautiful & fun city with incredible people. But Stockholm and New York make my heart race extra fast.

5) I’d rather put my money on something for the home, than something to wear.

6) I love black, salty (really salty) liqurice. The first thing I buy when I land in Stockholm is to get a bag before I even reach the passport control. It is also the last thing I buy before I board a plane on route to the US. You can actually buy containers of vanilla ice cream with swirls of salt liquirice at just about any ordinary grocery store in Sweden.

7) I consider myself happy & content. I laugh often! To me life is beautiful! But I don’t take if for granted.

8) I crave really good and well written suspense novels.

9) When I travel I always try to find good local restaurants off the beaten path. In Taiwan I once ended up in small local hangout (think hole in the wall) where only snake was served in different concoctions. I love dining adventures like that. And yes, it tasted pretty much like chicken!

10) I love peonies and dark bing cherries. I always tend to go a little crazy when they are in season. 

That was my contribution! I am now sending this award to the following 7 blogs (in no particular order). Let’s find out more about them!

1) Mochatini

2) Belle Vivir

3) Design Fragment

4) Space for Inspiration

5) Vintage Simple

6) Otis & Frank

7) Swedish Antiques 

Images by: 1.  Gak’s , 2. flickr, 3. Desiree Swanson, 4. Olof S , 5. Nicoatridge,  6-8. Domino, 10. tamaki, 11. flickr, 12. pieter, 13. rabbee, 14. flickr, 15. superhoop, 16. Shortcake scraps

I am very honored to be recognized by Julia at the fab blog  Belle Vivir. Check out her blog!

The rules to receive this award are:

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award.

2. Pass the award to any number of blogs that you’ve newly discovered – and enjoy.

DesignersBlock

Mochatini

Eye Spy

Villa Anna