I came across this in Ethan Allen’s catalog, of all places. Antique stamp prints? Hmmm… I have a whole collection of old stamps all given to me by my Dad (who passed away when I was 14). I have one particular favorite from England (with clear marks), dated 1894. I have always loved it. (Just need to carefully remove the paper).

 Some other pretty ones.

You can’t really admire these stamps to their fullest because they are so riduculously small. But now I am inspired to trot to Kinkos and have one stamp (or several) enlarged on thicker, linen paper and then framed. (I like the simple, antique silver colored frames Ethan Allen uses. But I can also envision all white frames). It has no sentimental value to anybody else but to me it comes with great, long and loving conversations with my dad.

What do you think? Too phony? (I am strong – I can take it!).

hugshugshugs.

P.S The birch pottery for my store I dragged with me all the way from Sweden was all sold out within 2 days! Who knew there would be so many birch lovers out there! Let me know if you want to pre-order. I am getting the next shipment in April. The pots are handmade and they take time to make.

Images: No. 1 Ethan Allen’s catalog. All others via Splendid Willow.

I must say that I love my little store. I really do. Not because of the great goods I get to scout and represent, but also because of all the really fantastic people (designers, partners and customers) I connect with on a daily basis. It is sooo darn rewarding!

Here are two Swedish ladies I connected with in Stockholm last week and immediately liked – because of their creative mindsets and their lovely attititudes. It is an honor to now carry their great goods in my store.

First up, Ylva Skarp, who’s incredible home I featured in my previous post. A London educated calligrapher, this talented lady is taking Sweden by storm.

Ylva’s items are flying off the shelves and I am the first store in the US to carry items from her collection. I have already order her leather pillows with calligraphy art for my own home. Lovely, right!

Maria Holmberg is another talented artist, I recently connected with and Oh-Boy am I pleased to, as a first store in the US,  be representing her gorgeous pottery with birch motif.

It does not get much more Swedish than that, people! (Birch is the “royal tree” of Sweden). Gorgeous with a capital G in my opinion.

I have also added some great rugs (runners) via DesignHouse Stockholm. I have been on the look-out for some great rugs for my own kitchen and these hit the spot. You already know that my favorite color is gray, and  to now carry rugs in my store  that are gray with a birch feel (and leather edging) - well hello ! – it is heavenly for me. 

I will always be loyal to Ilse Jacobsen. I love their products (if you recall I was trotting around in Ilse Jacobsen boots long before I opened an on-line boutique) and I love the people I work with. I am restocking on yellow boots, timely for spring.

 I am now also carrying Ilse Jacobsen’s LATEST raincoat model, a mix between the long coat and the jacket – 3/4 mid length. It is already a new top seller.

Visit my store here to learn more about the new products – Splendid Willow Avenue.

Did you all read the latest issue of House of Fifty? My good friend Janell never disappoints! Read it here. Cover to cover, please.

I have yet again teamed up with my gorgeous and close friend Jill, with Live Like You, for a Spring ad. Just visit House of Fifty at page 78 + 79 and redeem a 15% off coupon.

Works at my store AS WELL as Jill’s store (she carries tons of lovely things for the home).

Happy new week to you all.

Image credit: No. 1 via xx Creative Quilt Kits, no.-2-4 via Ylva Skarp, no. 5 -7 via Maria Holmberg.

With an old Swedish wood burning stove.

Green glass doors leading to the master bedroom make me just a tad jealous.

I met the owner of this fantastic, Swedish home at the Formex Design Trade show in Stockholm (see earlier post). She is lovely, her products are lovely and I just found out that THIS is her home. Ok, the girl lives with her family in an old, Swedish school in the northern parts of Sweden! Say no more. (Look again – and drool). I will introduce you to her on Monday.

Photo credit (all interiors): Karin Foberg.

Happy Weekend friends!

Images: No. 1 + 3 via here, no 2, 4, 5, and 7 via, no. 6 via, no. 8 via.

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.