Tuesday 30 November 2010

red, white & simple

I don't really have to add anything to the title. I find the simplicity in these images very appealing, 
festive without being too much.

top-left: unknown source
bottom: Habitat, UK

Monday 29 November 2010

king winter

A herd of reindeer in Iceland photographed by Bernhard Kristinn. An advertisement for ZO-ON, an Icelandic outdoor clothing company. More info on the shoot here.

via Bernhard Kristinn

PS. In Icelandic, we often use the phrase vetur konungur when referring to winter. I believe all the Nordic countries do that. That explains the title of this post.

Sunday 28 November 2010

go fruits!

As much as I love pumpkins I'm getting tired of all the images of pumpkin table dressings
out there. They are in every magazine I read and all over the internet. Enough is enough.

I'm rooting for fruits. 



via Sunset
via Elizabeth Anne Designs
via Primadonnabride

Saturday 27 November 2010

it's not easy being green

… but these rooms seem to pull it off.


via WSJ
via Krftd

Thursday 25 November 2010

happy thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving all my American friends. May your day be wonderful.



via Country Living

Wednesday 24 November 2010

introducing blámi

Some people can be so wonderfully creative. Two sisters, Hanna Margrét and Unnur Dóra, from my old neighbourhood in Reykjavik, fall straight into that category (Hanna was in the same class as I for many years and we also played handball together). They just started their own company, Blámi, and their first product is a gift wrap, which they designed by using old Icelandic maps.

Below is my favourite gift wrap and I kindly borrowed the images from Blámi's Facebook profile to create the collage. How cool is that design?


Blámi.
Email: islandsblami@gmail.com

Tuesday 23 November 2010

pumping purple

I have a blog friend, SignePling, in Oslo who is the inspiration of this post. 
I think a purple blood runs through her veins.

via Homes & Gardens


left: Ngoc Minh Ngo for House Beautiful
right: via Martha Stewart


Model Home
via ELLE DECOR
photo credit: Roger Davies
stylist: Carlos Mota
designed by Rafael de Cárdenas for Jessica Stam

Sunday 21 November 2010

love is…

via

Saturday 20 November 2010

happy weekend

Today I'm turning off my computer and doing some fun reading. I wouldn't mind relaxing with my book on that piece of furniture.

photo credit: CANVAS via Cassandra Ellis


Tomorrow hubby comes back home after spending way too long time on the other side of the Atlantic. We're welcoming him with Belgian waffles.

photo credit: ORMG

Thursday 18 November 2010

long curtains

These days I'm slightly obsessed with long silk curtains and curtain poles, especially curtains that pool at the floor. It's probably because our home has white pelmets so this look doesn't work.


via LIDL

Here is another look I really like. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a breakfast room, like the one to the right?


left: via this is a design blog
right: via LIDL

Monday 15 November 2010

the holiday issue of sweet paul!

Sweet Paul just published yet another stunning magazine, available online for free. 
I know what I'll be reading when drinking my coffee the next days.

Look inside >
Cover
Holiday 2010


One can only imagine the amount of time and work it takes to create a magazine 
like that. To make the magazine even better, Sweet Paul has started a fund-raising 
at Kickstarter and his team needs our help. Even one dollar would help. 

If you really enjoy the magazine, now is the time to give back! And please help 
spreading the word.

Sunday 14 November 2010

sunday sweets

"After eating chocolate you feel godlike, as though you can conquer enemies, lead armies, entice lovers."
Emily Luchetti        


photos via Green & Blacks's

Have you ever hosted a chocolate tasting?

Saturday 13 November 2010

stendig calendar

Looking for a classic design for yourself or as a gift? The Stendig Calendar 
was designed by Massimo Vignelli in 1966. I wouldn't mind having it hanging 
on my wall; I think it looks amazing on a red wall or close to red items.

via Stendig Calendar
via If It's Hip, It's Here
via You Can Get Me… 


I have to include one of my favourite quotes, from an interview with Massimo 
Vignelli himself, found in one of my blog entries:
"Commercial things are done by people that want to exploit other people
and couldn't care less about quality
."
Let's spend our money on quality, people, and ignore all the commercial junk 
out there, shall we.


Friday 12 November 2010

purple holidays

As I have mentioned before, I'm thinking about the colour purple as the main theme for our home during the holidays. However, I'm not going to cling to it, I'm not going to run around shops desperately trying to find the perfect purple ornaments. I'll keep my mind open if I see something in another colour that appeals to me.

I like the minimalism in these images; this is exactly what I'm aiming for.





I had to include this purple theme tear sheet from BoligLiv because my daughters are fascinated by the knitted cupcakes. Believe me, I won't be knitting cupcakes!

via BoligLiv

Thursday 11 November 2010

illums shopping

Since I got my Christmas issue of BoligLiv, which I wrote about in my last entry, my mind has been wandering to Copenhagen, especially to Illums Bolighus, which is filled with beautiful Scandinavian design.

I had to do some imaginary Christmassy shopping, with a touch of leather and wood.



Ørskov leather bag
Holmegaard Christmas bottle
 Angel chime with yule goats
Munio bowls by Helena Rohner
Georg Jensen decoration wreath
Georg Jensen Christmas ornaments

Wednesday 10 November 2010

advent wreath

via BoligLiv

Yesterday, I found the Christmas issue of BoligLiv (a Danish magazine) in the letter box and I almost screamed of joy. OK, I screamed a little but not too loud! My daughters were just as excited because the issue is filled with pretty things, decorations and design; there is something for everyone. I love Scandinavian design. Last Christmas when I was living in Copenhagen, walking on Strøget, the main shopping street, and the cute small streets surrounding it, going to a café, and visiting Illums Bolighus was a recipe for a perfect day.

Back to BoligLiv. In the magazine is an article on Advent wreaths and it's interesting to see the various forms. I keep an Advent wreath in December because I'm brought up with it and it's just one of those Christmas traditions I hold on to. I absolutely love the one above made by artist Louise Hindsgavl. Look at the animals she included ... j'adore!

This blog entry will be longer than usual because now I have to tell you the story of the first Advent wreath I bought.


Tuesday 9 November 2010

table dressing

As a food lover, one of the first things I start thinking about before the holidays is how to dress my table. I have to admit that mine doesn't look as fancy as the ones below, but I like choosing a theme and a certain colour. This year, there will be tulips and a reindeer, maybe a white one, and I'm thinking about the colour purple.

Here are some ideas.

via Bo Bedre, photo credit: Martin Sølyst & Erik Bjørn

via Selina Lake, photo: Gloria Nicol

via Berlingske Tidende

via Home Office Decoration


via Martha Stewart

unknown source

via Country Living, photo credit: Ann Stratton

Monday 8 November 2010

deep buttoning

In the mood for coffee, books and furniture with deep buttoning.



via Homes & Gardens

via Maisons du Monde