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.

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.