This contemporary concrete grandfather floor clock from Forsberg Form in Sweden is already considered a classic. It has won a lot of recognition and is represented at many galleries and ambassador residences all over the world.

Each clock is signed and numbered and the total limited edition is 180.  Simple, current and timeless in one great package.

Now the same could be said for this beautiful Swedish painted classical tall case clock, ca 1820, which I found at Tone-On-Tone in Maryland (Swedish Heirlooms in Seattle also offers similar clocks off and on). Simple, stunning & timeless. You can never go wrong with a piece like that.

Which one do I prefer? I am so mixed in my design style that I drive myself crazy at times. To capture myself  I would really need them both! I would place each of them in totally opposite and unexpected environments. At least I am always loyal to a specific color scheme, Swedish gray!

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.

A friend of mine, Kicki, alerted me about the Home & Garden section of The New York Times. This is from an article called “A Hilltop Village Of Their Own” – “California Retreat”. Photos by Sara Remington for The New York Times.

What a view! And a rainbow to top it off!

I am so looking forward to one day having my own kitchen dining nook updated with really comfy chairs. I would sit here all day long with a good latte and enjoy the spectacular view of the oak trees.

A floating credenza. Reminds me that I need to get serious about my own contemporary white china collection.

Plenty of room and storage space in this state-of-the-art Bulthaupt kitchen.

Flagstone pavers and moss. Lovely organic art!

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 found a fantastic (so professional and friendly) lady (Patti) on Etsy who runs the store PR Pictorials. Patti cuts the most beautiful silhouettes by hand. You send her a profile image of anything you want a silhouette of and she will cut away, capturing small details really, really well. I was so pleased with the outcome of my 3 images (each almost 8 inches tall).

But I have to tell you that those poor silhouettes were sitting in an envelope for the longest time because I could not figure out a good way to display them. Not being into “very cutesy things”, I one day decided to mount them on top of a favorite wall paper I already had in my hallway then frame them behind glass. They came out even better than I had hoped!

This way I get to continue a little bit of a theme with that stunning handmade wallpaper “Hexagon” by the famous David Hicks (designed in the 70′s) that I never get tired of. And when we are moving to our next house I will bring some of that gorgeous paper with me!

Say hello to Patti from me if you decide to have some silhouettes done yourself. She also makes personal note cards and ornaments among other things with silhouettes as the featured images. I think they make for really lovely gifts for close family members.

My friend Ingrid is very creative, and she always amazes me with new, simple design solutions for every day needs. One day I was using her computer at home and looked straight at this handy wall organizer. Only Ingrid can come up with something like this. She simply got tired of looking at her bills laying around so she made this version with extra deep pockets so she would not have to see them until they were needed. Instead she gets to look at something pretty and upbeat. How splendid!

She used a simple cork bulletin board (19,5″ x 25,5″) and with the help of some fancy fabric and some good sewing skills et Voila! All pockets are double sewed for sturdiness so no ugly threads can be found. A good little project for all of you handy people, otherwise I can put you together with Ingrid and she can make one to suit your style and color choices. I am putting in an order myself! Makes a great gift too!

I can’t draw to save my life. I really admire people who can. So, when talented people can create wonderful art with a sharp knife and a pair of scissors I immediately take my hat off. Just look at these amazing pieces, all hand cut.

Lets start with Peter Callesen, Paper Artist Extraordinaire. Peter is from Denmark and has exhibited his paper cuts and paper sculptures at many prestigious galleries worldwide.

Above: “Broken Flower”

Above: “Holding on to myself”.

Above: “Nature’s Maze”.

Above: “Human Ruin”. For more of Peter’s amazing portfolio click here.

Here are some other artists and their paper art. I find these pieces personal and fun and they don’t cost a fortune. All genuine and original, I think they make lovely gifts. (Note: make sure they are not machine made).

“All Trees” (on rice paper), from the Toronto based Etsy store, PaperCutDieCut. Measures 21″x 21″ and costs $100 (frame not included).

“Life”, also from PaperCutDieCut, measures 7″x7″ and costs $18 (without frame).

Yet another talented Etsy seller is, Papercuts By Joe. The piece “Branches” measures 2″x6″ mounted to 8″x10″ and costs $35 (black Paper on White Illustration Board).

I am often asked if I have a favorite antique at my home. I always point at this secretaire. It may not be considered a masterpiece and it might not be found on the very fanciest street in Stockholm but I absolutely adore it. It is Swedish mid 18th century and to me, so lovely.

I love it not only because of its beauty but also because it is solid, functional and everything about it  reminds me of my home country. In my opinion antiques should be functional.  They should be used (how boring otherwise) and we sure get a lot of use out of this one (drink table, side table and at Christmas time I hang wreaths on the inside of each door, open the doors and fill the cabinet with lovely treats. It is then referred to as the “candy store”).

I have even given it a name – “Longing Home“. Here I store all nice pieces and objects that remind me of my own Swedish roots. If the house ever catches on fire – this is the one object my husband will have to push out through the front door! It is coming with us everywhere!

Happy Easter From My Home To Yours!

My blog is brand new but in just a few weeks I have received tremendous response and a majority of readers keep coming back. Thank you so much for your support, I am immensely grateful. I will continue to work very hard on bringing you inspiration & information from all corners of the world.

I saw these adorable felt eggs by Jill Cline Fiber Arts in the magazine Country Living and of course they got me hopping. I immediately ordered wool roving from Ebay in all kinds of lovely colors. There is a lot of good information on the internet on how to create felt eggs like these. (Involving wool, styrofoam eggs, hosiery(!) and soap & water).

My friend Stacy who lives in a lovely home but for some reason thinks she has no space for Easter branches, will just have to get involved in this the project with me, roll up her sleeves and admit that for these darlings you make space!

Photo credits: Blomsterfrämjandet  (flowers) and Stine Heilman (felted eggs)