red.house

my idea of a home

2012-01-11T14:04:00.000-08:00

: : love this post over at .oh joy. today. I would feel so at home in any of these homes, the light, the wood, the color pop, the simplicity, purposefulness, balance and of course the pop colors feels perfectly aligned with the things I try to create in my own home. turns out the homes are all Swedish, designed by Swedish interior firm Alvhem....no wonder I was drawn to the images.

progress

2012-01-02T19:10:00.000-08:00

: : we did some work over the holiday weekend, we're making progress on our dining room. the wallpaper and antlers are up! the wallpaper looks tres chic! We are still working on a shelf for the opposite wall, and are waiting for our gold lamp to be rewired and hung above the table. oh and white curtains, maybe laser cut felt with kurbits patterns.

Christmas patterns in my shop!!

2011-12-11T19:51:00.000-08:00

: : YES, finally!! Christmas prints up in the shop! Inspired by Swedish cross stitching, christmas patterns and decorations. Please check them out in my etsy shop. All version available in both Swedish and English (upon request). And please share your feedback. Would you like to see these as cards, posters or even letterpressed? All ideas are welcome!

coolest gift guide

2011-12-08T19:06:00.000-08:00

: : So, you're trying to find the perfect gift.... .cool hunting. has the 'coolest' gift guide I've seen so far this year. it's a one stop shop for anyone, any age... and for someone who's got style of course. check it out, you might find more things for yourself that you like here (which was my case), but then forward it to friends and family and you might luck out getting what you want.

gold it is!

2011-12-08T05:36:00.000-08:00

: : YES!! it's been ordered. our dining room is getting a makeover, gold it is! (gold wallpaper from graham&brown)and shanna murray's garland decal is already up on our newly painted chalk wall.

pendant lights-from Scandinavia

2011-12-06T19:20:00.000-08:00

: : we're searching for new lights for our dining room. somehow I'm on a gold kick. these work lamps from design house stockholm are actually goldplated with 24 karat gold!! and then there is my favorite, lilla my's hair, from the mumin troll books. both lamps are available in the US through A+R.
Any other suggestions for cool, pendant lights?

work in progress- holiday prints

2011-11-27T18:03:00.000-08:00

: : I'm working on a few patterns for the holiday. I'm hoping to have the prints ready and up in my etsy shop within the next 10 days. stay tuned!!

places around the house

2011-11-27T17:42:00.000-08:00

: : if you are reading this, THANK YOU, I know I have been missing lately. I'm happy to see you back here. I wanted to share some photos from our home, these photos from our bedroom are from warmer and sunnier days. the wedding tree was a wedding gift, handpainted by my bestfriend .tina. and her husband. it's the best and most beautiful wedding gift, it reminds us of our day and all our friends and family who shared it with us.

there's in fact a funny story about the tree. I had had the same idea as .tina. and had printed a tree and brought to Sweden, when .tina. saw it she said "anna, why do you always have to be doing everything yourself?". But of course, her handdrawn tree was much more beautiful than my printed one, and it fits so perfectly with the colors in our bedroom.

the oil painting is by my grandpa and the gold flower by me. the framed photos are from my favorite places, rockport beach and our summer house.

children's rooms

2011-09-28T19:07:00.000-07:00

: : while I'm on the topic of kid's rooms, here is more inspiration from .bolaget.

märta's room

2011-09-24T11:50:00.000-07:00

: : Today is this little lady's birthday. During our Sweden vacation, we visited her colorful room and Pippi Longstocking and all her friends came with us to Spain.

swedish home inspiration

2011-09-05T14:38:00.000-07:00

: : when my friends .tina & hans. sold their beautiful apartment in malmö, tina sent me the link to the agency they were working with, .bolaget. Turns out they have a whole library of inspirational photos of apartments! love this bottom photo with random vintage pieces, especially the lamps that have so much character.

vacation-continued

2011-08-28T14:31:00.000-07:00

: : then we continued our vacation at our favorite place...our Swedish summerhouse. With more lazy days filled with family competitions, swimming and diving on the dock, dinners outdoors in that golden Swedish summer light, mushroom picking and eating (crazy amounts of mushroom), midnight swims with glowing plankton....warming up in the sauna in between. there is no better place in the world!

Costa Brava vacation

2011-08-28T14:23:00.000-07:00

: : as you might have noticed, it's been quiet here on the blog. we just came back from two weeks of fantastic vacation in Spain and Sweden. We returned to our favorite fishing village, Sa Tuna, Costa Brava, for one week, this time with our best Swedish friends. There were seven of us in one house with a pool and endless beautiful beaches to choose from. We spent our days swimming, suntanning, snorkeling (we saw octopus!) playing, cooking and eating delicious food at night. And Yahtzee of course, super- yahtzee.

Paper engineering

2011-07-26T14:42:00.000-07:00

: : amazing paper art by .matthew shlian. He's a paper engineer, what a cool profession. Might need to save up for this one though.

finally- a big poster of my most popular print!

2011-06-26T19:55:00.000-07:00

: : finally, I have a large poster size version (15.5X19.5 IN) of my Traditional Kurbits in Orange available in my shop. Thank you to all my wonderful customers for your support and to those of you who requested the larger size print which is the reason why it is available in the shop today. There are currently only two available, but I am happy to have more printed upon request.

I love the orange print on our turquoise wall!

more dos visits

2011-06-26T19:49:00.000-07:00

: : time for some more .dos family visits. how can you not love this apartment in Copenhagen where artist .lisa grue. lives with her family? I love this style; playful, colorful, organized but chaotic, well designed but it still looks like real people live here (and not like in the magazines where everything is staged). That's why I love the .dos visits. because you get to see real people's lives. If you're interested in Lisa's work check out her .shop.

pretty post-its

2011-06-26T19:30:00.000-07:00

: : post-its....hate them or love them. I love them, and it's a good thing because inevitably in every project (at work) we will get to a point where we feel like we're drowning in a sea of multi colored post-its. These japanese post-it designs would change things up a bit, brilliantly executed.

summer salads

2011-06-20T19:24:00.000-07:00

: : .Sweet Paul. has done it again. Another amazing issue is out. Absolutely stunning deconstructed summer salads (via .oh joy.)

fab.com

2011-06-14T17:36:00.000-07:00

: : by now you've probably already heard of .fab.com. another flash sale site, but this one does seem unique. featuring daily design inspirations focused on modern living... there's some cool stuff on there. and I like that you can see which sales are coming up. (thank you .leo. for the invitation)

I don't have to tell you that of course I'm in love with the .orange bike.

the beginning of another new england summer

2011-06-10T19:18:00.000-07:00

: : I am so happy that summer is finally here! and I have every intention to make the most out of it. last year we spent most of our weekends at our favorite beach up north. And ended the season with the most perfect day. good friends, grilling, high tide, no one else at the beach..... it was 'ljuvens' as my mom would say, another word for heavenly.

hipstomatic photos by my talented photographer friend .leo.

the orange farmhouse chair

2011-06-10T19:00:00.000-07:00

: : I'm in love with a new chair. the orange sold me right away (my favorite color), but the more I look at the .bend. chairs the more I like them. the simplicity & the patterns. I especially like the one called 'farmhouse'. (found via .design milk.)

from greenwich

2011-06-09T19:35:00.000-07:00

: : more inspiration from .from greenwich.
Just got this month's edition of .Sköna Hem. in the mail this week
and it features this beautiful old train station in Denmark. (photos from .hege greenall.)

summer adventures

2011-06-09T19:24:00.000-07:00

: : summer makes me want to pack a bag and go on a new adventure every weekend. next week we're going to see a horse polo match. this weekend we're hoping to get some biking in between the rain showers.

Lots of inspiration at .from greenwich. (photo above) via .vinklar & vrår.

summer nights

2011-06-09T19:13:00.000-07:00

: : we've been eating on the balcony every night this week (and drinking, just got a shipment of rose from our friends Elan & Julien at Azure Wines in Napa). Until today, when thunder and lightning took over. and we set some heat record for June, 100 degrees or something like that (Fahrenheit).

Apartment in Malmö

2011-05-30T19:34:00.000-07:00

: : my best friend .tina. send over these amazing photos of her and her husband's apartment in .malmö. If you're looking for a place to live in .malmö. you're in luck because it's for sale. I've seen it in person, and it's just as perfect as it looks in the photos. And there are more beautiful photos at the realty company .bolaget's website. Have a look!

shelf-the right way

2011-05-22T19:06:00.000-07:00

: : surfing for inspiration at .tant johanna's. I came across this photo. we have a low shelf along our green wall in the living room, I wish it looked more like this. I like the organization by color below leaving the top shelf for more decorative objects. and man, I'm so jealous of that floor. thanks .tant johanna.

a glimpse of summer

2011-05-22T07:18:00.000-07:00

: : finally, after 3 weeks straight of rain, we woke up on saturday and the sun was out. we had breakfast on the balcony and I said- "we should spend all day out here". So we did. It was heavenly! Then we woke up this morning to overcast skies and rain in the forecast for another week???

Brimfield fair

2011-05-17T19:15:00.000-07:00

: : for years I have been wanting to go to .Brimfield. fair, the famous antique fair in Western Mass that happens three times a year. This year...I made it! If it wasn't for the fact that it makes you absolutely exhausted to wander around and constantly be searching, looking for that piece that's been missing in your home...I would spend days at .Brimfield. There's so much to see, I wonder if you can ever see it all. My friend Greg brought home some giant letters. I brought home some antlers...I'm hoping they're from a moose, a Swedish moose. They're probably deer antlers though...either way, they'll look great on our wall.

Mushrooms and forest animals

2011-04-10T18:47:00.000-07:00

: : YEEESS! Finally, some new prints in the shop. I'm very excited about these two prints. I hope that they'll become favorites with little ones and adults alike. Check out the shop, there are some traditional kurbits in new color combinations available as well. And more to come....

Livet hemma (Life at home)

2011-03-21T19:34:00.000-07:00

: : inspiration straight from the designers at IKEA. Here is Ikea's own blog .livet hemma. with lots of amazing inspiration from their designers, stylists, editors and more. Enjoy!

Stockholm home

2011-03-13T16:39:00.000-07:00

: : love this wonderful Stockholm home bursting with colors and patterns. Everything feels so very Swedish. And what a beautiful happy family! From Swedish Design magazine .family living.

Me=featured designer on .from sthlm.

2011-03-06T19:13:00.000-08:00

: : I am incredibly proud to announce that I am this month's featured Swedish designer on .from Sthlm.
.From Sthlm. is an online webshop that was started two years ago and has since featured over twenty different independent Swedish designers, Lotta Kuhlhorn and Mrs Murphy are among a few of my favorites on the list.

Every month a new designer is featured and a limited amount of their products are sold through the website. Tiffany who runs the site also shares an interview with each designer on her blog. Her list of featured designers is very impressive and I'm honored to be part of it. .From Sthlm. has become a fantastic resource for Swedish design and takes a new innovative approach to shopping online, where you get to know the designer and learn about the story behind each product. Thank you Tiffany for featuring me this month! I hope you will enjoy my prints that are featured at .from sthlm. this month.

P.S For the month of March I will be selling my prints exclusively through .from sthlm. My etsy shop will open again in April.....with new patterns! Head on over to .from sthlm. and learn more about my kurbits and where they come from.

from Scandinavia with love

2011-03-06T18:39:00.000-08:00

: : found a new Scandinavian blog chock full with inspiration! Please visit .from Scandinavia with love. to see more wonderful photos of Scandinavian homes.

color at ikea family live

2011-03-06T18:32:00.000-08:00

: : here comes some interior inspiration from .Ikea family live. this colorful home in northern Portugal is fantastic! it's totally my style, mixing lots of bright colors and patterns. it makes me happy to look at these photos.

Mademoiselle Oiseau

2011-02-07T19:09:00.000-08:00

: : .Mademoiselle Oiseau. is the result of the collaboration between Swedish China company Rörstrand and Swedish fashion designer Lovisa Burfitt. The series consisting of five pieces tell the story of Mademoiselle Oiseau. See more of Lovisa Burfitt's work here. I adore her mix of contrast; color, textures, line weight, media. So delicate.

Tack Erica för tipset! (Thank you Erica for the tip)

arrows and more

2011-02-07T19:00:00.000-08:00

: : love these colorful kites, masks and handmade arrows from .fredericks and mae. (found via oh.joy). I wish I could afford a few handmade arrows up on our wall.

Saša Antić

2011-01-30T16:37:00.000-08:00

: : the styling of .Saša Antić. always amazes me! Love the outdoor settings, especially the same scenery in different seasons.

blood orange caipirinhas

2011-01-22T16:05:00.000-08:00

: : since I was born in Brazil I was brought up on Brazilian caipirinhas, I remember drinking them with water instead of sugar cane rum when I was a kid. It's always been the favorite drink in my family and it didn't take long for Iz to pick up the caipirinha making skills (it was sort of a requirement or he probably would have been kicked out of the family), today he makes mean caipirinhas. Last weekend he was experimenting with a mix of blood orange and lime and it came out amazing.

here's how he did it: muddle 1 lime, 1 blood orange and super fine sugar. then add cachaca (some sparkling water if you like) and ice, shake and pour into glasses. enjoy!

Oh Mon Dieu

2011-01-16T19:44:00.000-08:00

: : a new favorite Swedish blog that a friend recommended called .oh mon dieu. has wonderful and hilarious illustrations by Frida Stenmark. this last one is for my sister. I think about her often when she's sitting on the train. she hates taking the train. I understand her, you would to, if you knew what she's been through. Puss Karin!

Mumin design inspiration

2010-12-19T18:48:00.000-08:00

: : love this new .dos family. visit to a home in Copenhagen. So full of inspiration from the Mumin trolls! I love the yellow "lilla My" lamp. One day, maybe I'll own one.

Design Fancy

2010-12-19T18:40:00.000-08:00

: : brilliant inventions by Cyprien Côté; a whalesong radio, cow extenders and an earthquake alert system. Read more about Cyprien Côté's designs on .Design Fancy on Core 77.

Design Fancy is a series of short stories about fictional designers who make fictional things. The stories (and the objects) are by Matt Brown.

christmas decoration

2010-12-13T19:44:00.000-08:00

: : love the original and unique christmas decorating ideas at bloesem

Miami!

2010-12-13T19:37:00.000-08:00

: : some photos from our recent vacation to .miami. to celebrate my 30th birthday. our favorite new chairs and our favorite place to hang out on a Sunday (The Standard Hotel)

Design Museum Boston+Boston City Hall

2010-12-13T18:24:00.000-08:00

: : I heard from so many different people about the successful opening reception for .design museum boston's. first exhibit at the Boston City Hall on Dec 10, 2010. Unfortunately, I was not able to make it at the last minute but I hope that some of you were there. I have seen the exhibit, which is open from 9-5 everyday (just head on up to the 9th floor) and it looks great! I would definitely recommend stopping by to check it out if you are in the neighborhood of government center. The focus of the exhibit is to educate the public about design from Boston and the design process. You will be sure to recognize several of the products, spaces and brands like the Boston Ballet and Oxo barware to mention a couple. Congratulations Design Museum Boston on your first exhibit!!

Milko packaging

2010-12-08T19:34:00.002-08:00

: : I'm a big fan of the 'folksie' look of .Milko's. new packages. Inspired by ribbons, aprons and clothing from various regions in Sweden. Such beautiful details in the patterns!

(via .below the clouds.)

Holiday Bazaar in Brookline, MA

2010-12-02T19:13:00.000-08:00

: : hello dear red house readers. I am so sorry for the lack of posts. I have started a new and very exciting job and have not had much time left at the end of the day to update the blog and my etsy shop. I expect to have a little bit more time on my hands next week. So please stay tuned....
In the meantime, if you live in the Boston area, I would highly recommend stopping by the holiday bazaar hosted by .Chez Terez. where you will find several of my prints for sale along with jewelery, kids hair accessories, biscottis, handmade cards and much more. Please email me for exact location.

new & improved red.house

2010-11-07T20:04:00.000-08:00

.after photos above

.before photos below.

: : Welcome to the new & improved red.house.design!!! I've been doing a few updates to the blog this week and finally getting my .etsy shop. up and running. Jippiee!

I hope you like the new look and logo. I am continuing to work on updating the blog.

I have also given my little studio space a new look. Check out my before and after photos.
I am so happy in my new yellow studio!

Lots of new things happening in my life. All very, very exciting!

Thank you for all your support and for all of those who have already purchased from and visited my etsy shop. I am thrilled to be able to share my designs with you!!

MY ETSY SHOP!!!!

2010-11-04T21:11:00.000-07:00

: : Finally, I have my own etsy shop!! Squeeaaaals! I'm so excited. Click here or on the images at the top of the column on the right to be directed to my brand spanking new shop.

But it's well past midnight and I'm pooped, I'll have to tell you more about it tomorrow. And oh, stay tuned for information about a Holiday Bazaar that I am participating in together with 5 other lovely artisian ladies. Dec 5th, SAVE THE DATE!

Blog updates

2010-11-01T10:37:00.000-07:00

: : working on a few updates to the blog in between cups of tea. stay tuned....

Photo-my favorite teacup (from my grandma) and plate (from Swedish flea market).

Hövding-revolutionizing the bike helmet market

2010-10-21T14:45:00.000-07:00

: : For months now Iz and I have been talking about ideas for creative marketing strategies that would be aimed at convincing more people to wear bike helmets. Why people don't wear bike helmets I can't understand. A simple solution that will save your life one day. Let's just say it's a very unwise decision not to wear a helmet, one of the worst decisions you can make in your life.

Then today I get some great news from my Swedish friend Tina. A couple of her classmates from the Design program at Lunds University, Sweden have been working on developing a new bike helmet which started as their thesis project while in school. Today, 6 years later they are launching their bike helmet, .Hövding., which looks like a collar and functions like an airbag for your head. A brilliant invention! Watch the video on their website to see how it works. Not only will it save your life, but it's a style statement as well, with interchangeable sleeves to match your outfit. Check out their available styles.

Congrats to the .Hövding. team, a great accomplishment! Let's hope this is the solution or at least the direction for the solution of this age old problem.

PLEASE WEAR AND ENCOURAGE THE ONES YOU LOVE TO WEAR A BIKE HELMET!

This is Sweden to me...

2010-10-21T10:50:00.000-07:00

: : Dreaming back to the most amazing summer vacation in Sweden ever this summer!! I miss Sweden so much some days!

Here are some photos from two of my favorite Swedish photo blogs that truly capture Sweden and "Swedishness" to me.

Sandra Juto
Hilda Grahnat- Forever is Today

Geometry and color

2010-10-21T10:48:00.000-07:00

: : Okay, more inspiration, really inspired by .Charis Tsevis. work (via .ShareSomeCandy.). Beautiful and detailed work! Love the colors and use of geometrical triangle shapes!

Patterns in the making.....

2010-10-20T12:48:00.000-07:00

: : I am going to be focusing on creating more patterns in the coming weeks and hopefully get an etsy shop up and running. I'm also participating in a Holiday Bazaar with some other very talented ladies on Dec 5th in Brookline, MA. So pencil in the date and keep your eyes out for more updates.

So at the moment, I'm trying to gather as much inspiration as I can. I like what .Patrick Hruby. is drawing (via .ShareSomeCandy .)

Mila's Daydreams

2010-10-20T11:26:00.000-07:00

: : One of my best friends (and probably one of red.house most frequent readers) is having a baby in a few weeks. She sent over this amazing and creative blog the other day. .Mila's daydreams. started by a mom on maternity leave who decided to get creative while her little daughter was napping. It's absolutely genius! She can do amazing things with blankets, fabric and stuffed animals. See more of what Mila is dreaming about.

Mushroom picking +Sweet Paul

2010-10-07T19:22:00.000-07:00

: : mushroom picking is a big "sport" in my family. I say sport because it's about competition. Each family has their own "secret" mushroom picking place in the woods surrounding our Swedish summerhouse. Mushroom picking is something I associate with late summer in Sweden. On rainy days when the weather doesn't allow us to sun tan on the dock or take the kayak out, we head to the woods looking for "gold". Gold to us is chantarelles (kantareller). It's our favorite mushroom, lightly seared in some butter and salt on a piece of bread it's the perfect evening snack. The photo at the top is proof of what a great mushroom year it was this year! And my parents picked another heap of mushrooms just this past weekend.

.Sweet Paul. has a fall issue out (2nd issue) of their new online magazine. Their recipe for creamy mushroom soup and mushroom risotto (photos above) sound delicious. So, if you haven't tried mushroom picking yet I would recommend you to, but make sure you know which mushrooms to pick and which NOT to pick.

happy hunting!

In the mood to redecorate

2010-09-09T15:06:00.000-07:00

: : something about the beginning of fall always makes me want to redecorate. This year I'm in luck, since our Swedish friends are moving in down the street from us (tjohooo), and they really have no choice but to hire me as their personal decorator (for a small fee of meatballs and tube caviar).

The inspiration above comes from Swedish interior magazine .Elle Interiör. I want the colorful textile lamp cables, love that cool table and adore the 'acorn looking' seating puffs.

Israel ♥ Anna

2010-08-29T19:29:00.000-07:00

Iz and I met when I was a Swedish exchange student at his High School in Oregon. That was 12 years ago, today we live together in Boston and two weeks ago we got married at my family's summerhouse in Sweden. We had the time of our lives....it couldn't have turned out more perfect! Since more than half of our guest were traveling from the US and other countries we had three days of activities, including a visit to an island and boat tour of the Swedish Westcoast archipelago, mushroom picking in the woods, kayaking competitions, and lots of sauna time and dips in the ocean (with magical glowing plankton). Every moment was perfect and we are thrilled that our family and friends, especially from the US, were there to share all those Swedish summer experiences!

Photos by our amazing photographer .Mikaela Rudhner.

Our wedding day was a unique mix of Sweden meets America (with a hint of Brazil). It was full of classic Swedish snaps singing and drinking, Brazilian and Swedish-themed food and outstanding dancing.

Guests arrived to the summer house by boat captained by our good friend Erik, and we arrived last. The ceremony was held on the lawn looking out on the beautiful Swedish coastline. My very close and incredibly talented friend Tina did my hair and made my beautiful bouquet that morning. Tack Tina, du är bäst!

August is crayfish season in Sweden, so we decided to make our first course into a crayfish party with bibs, snaps and lots of singing. There was singing for sure......just as we had started eating we were surrounded by a singing men's choir serving the snaps!! It was a surprise from my parents and it instantly kickstarted the party. And the night continued on from there.....it was magical!

A huge thank you to our families and friends who made all this possible. WE LOVE YOU!!♥

Photographs by our amazing friend .Leonard Lee. (Invitation design: by me)

Snapshots from our photobooth.

We were also featured on these lovely wedding blogs:
.Frolic.
.GREY likes weddings.

Google celebrates Josef Frank

2010-07-15T14:35:00.000-07:00

: : Google is celebrating one of my favorite Swedish Designers of all times today, Josef Frank. Happy 125th Birthday Josef Frank!!

(images via google images)

Spanish villa

2010-07-06T09:34:00.000-07:00

: : since our summer vacation in the .Costa Brava region of Spain. last summer, we've been dreaming about owning a house in Spain. A house like this one on .IKEA family live. would do. *smile* I love that there seem to be no barriers between indoor and outdoor space, they just blend together.

Scandinavian Summer days

2010-07-06T09:27:00.000-07:00

: : being reminded of Swedish summer days while looking through the blog .forever is today. Beautiful photographs that capture the true essence of Swedish summer lifestyle. Nothing beats Swedish summer days with friends and family....nothing! How I miss them.....and that magical golden light.

Common Boston monochrome party tonight!

2010-06-17T06:29:00.000-07:00

: : I for sure can't pass up on the opportunity to dress up in monochrome and party together with other designers and artists. My outfit is already picked out, it's going to be all different shades of pink. The Common Boston group is kicking of their event week with the (d)Party tonight at the Artist for Humanity Epicenter. Come join us! The party is organized by my two lovely friends, Katie and Mary.

Connect with Boston’s architecture, design & non-profit community for drinks, DJed tunes by Mark E. Moon and DJ Pink Sweatshirt from the Big Digits, and good times in head-to-toe monochrome among inflatable dressing rooms, which you can use to change if you are short a single-color outfit (rent one in exchange for donating $10 or 5 pounds of clothing to local used-clothing charities). While you are there, get the scoop on Common Boston Week 2010, mingle with friends and like-minded folks you never knew before. We kick this party off at 6pm June 17 at the Artists for Humanity Epicenter, 100 West 2^nd street, South Boston. 21 and older only, please.

Favorite online magazines

2010-06-07T07:19:00.000-07:00

: : This past year was a sad year for the magazine industry. I still miss my domino and gourmet.
They left an empty space behind them, but some of that space is being filled by new online magazines. These are my three favorites at the moment (in order of the photos of above):

1. .By Fryd.-Home, kids rooms, crafts
2. .Sweet Paul. -Home, food & crafts
3 .Utterly engaged. -Wedding

noa noa

2010-05-27T20:23:00.000-07:00

: : there's something about this image that just mesmerizes me. beautiful.
and there's lots more where it came from, visit noa noa to be inspired.

(via .house doctor's blog.)

IKEA Family Live

2010-05-27T20:17:00.000-07:00

: : ah, my new favorite place to be in cyberspace is of course IKEA Family's new website .LIVE. where real people around the world share stories and photos of their homes. A wonderful way to travel around the world and peek into people's homes.

(found via .House Doctor's blog.)

Stockholm's Kitchens

2010-05-18T19:45:00.001-07:00

: : another favorite inspirational interior book, .Stockholm's kitchens., is getting added to the wish list. I have for many years now looked at this book. It looks like it truly captures Swedish life. I love the milk packages, I have some cutouts of them on a shelf at home. I miss Swedish food packaging, so simple and straightforward.

house doctor

2010-05-18T19:40:00.000-07:00

: : my wonderful .mamma. (mom) always stays updated on design. Last week she came across .house doctor. a Danish Design company started by three siblings. Their recent catalog is a mix of furniture, home accessories, clothes and crafting materials. A whimsical, colorful, playful collection with inspirations from other cultures.

"Each year, House Doctor presents two collections: Everyday and Moments. Everyday is presented in January and contains new products as well as popular products from the existing range, while the Moments collection, presented in August, mainly consists of novelties and seasonal accessories."

I think I'm also going to become a dedicated follower of their .blog. which is packed with great inspiration. Enjoy!

inspiration from emma

2010-05-12T19:45:00.000-07:00

: : I've found a lot of great eye candy on .emma's blogg. recently. This looks like an incredible bathroom. I love fresh air, sunlight..... imagine waking up and going outside to take a shower looking up at the sky. Genius idea! I love the use of all the wood too, both from a practical and aesthetic standpoint.

: : another inspiring bathroom with lots of natural sunlight.

: : I became really inspired by botanical illustrations last year. And recently I visited .Harvard's Natural History museum. in Cambridge. They have an absolutely mind blowing collection of botanical glass models and hundreds of drawings. It is beautiful! I could have stayed there for hours. Do go visit if you live in Boston. It's free on Sundays before noon. The illustrations in the image above are of Swedish plants. One day I hope to find something similar at a flea market in Sweden.

(all images from .emma's blogg.)

wedding ideas

2010-05-07T14:19:00.000-07:00

: : Today I'm thinking a lot about our upcoming wedding.....there are so many wonderful photos, ideas and blogs out there to be inspired by. These photos make me extra happy, from the .real weddings collection. on .Once Wed.

Have a wonderful weekend!

true scandinavian homes

2010-05-04T15:27:00.000-07:00

: : the book is called .true Scandinavian contemporary living. Photos by .pia ulin.
I found it via .fine little day. today. I can't wait until it's in stores!

Scandinavian web shops

2010-04-30T14:44:00.000-07:00

: : these are currently my two favorite Swedish/Scandinavian web shops, offering a wide array of products from the best of Scandinavian design .

.Swedishness. I came across just recently, I love the layout of their shop that allows you to browse products without having to navigate through categories necessarily. It's a much more visual way of navigating. And I appreciate their selection of very unique and recent Scandinavian design products. They carry several items that I have been looking for for a long time.

.Huset. has a great collection of everything from housewares to clothing. I particularly like their coffee& tea category since I've started collecting coffee and tea cups in Swedish vintage patterns.

Happy Friday!

wishlist item no.4

2010-04-26T19:26:00.001-07:00

: : I found this beautiful tray by designer Maria Holmer Dahlgren on .from Sthlm. I'm so disapointed that it's already sold out. I need to be checking their site more frequently. Hopefully I can find it somewhere in Sweden though. I think it would be the perfect breakfast tray for bringing my breakfast with me out on the balcony.

Wishlist item no. 3 IKEA PS SVARVA lamp

2010-04-26T19:26:00.000-07:00

: : love the quirkiness and the character of .this lamp.

IKEA fest (party)

2010-04-23T07:31:00.000-07:00

: : my lovely friend .erica. is celebrating her birthday this weekend (Grattis på födelsedagen! Happy birthday!) and got in the mood to throw a party when she found this IKEA website focused on different party decoration themes. I love how they created drastically different themes and put their own products in context. And I am completely in love with the white .PS Svarva floor lamp. in the second photo. It's going to have to go on my wishlist. Happy Friday!

Gotland house

2010-04-21T15:29:00.000-07:00

: : Beautiful traditional Swedish country home on the island of Gotland off the Swedish east coast. Found via .husligheter. Such soft, welcoming floors and I really appreciate the simplicity of the interiors. Wonderful!

wish list item no. 2

2010-04-09T10:46:00.000-07:00

: : I drink A LOT of tea. in fact, I think I'm a tea addict. especially on rainy days like today. I think I've had 4 cups of green tea already. The .one tea kettle. by .vessel ideation. is not only beautiful in terms of form and graphics it is also extremely functional since it can go directly from being heated on the stove to the serving tray. this would significantly improve my tea drinking process which right now involves 3-4 steps.I'm adding this to my wish list.
(via d*sponge)

spring is here!

2010-04-01T16:10:00.000-07:00

: : spring has come to Boston! the magnolias are about to bloom any day now, I can't wait! I love this interior shot, with a magnolia branch in a vase. and there is that beautiful couch again. (found via emma's).

wishlist item no.1

2010-03-22T11:29:00.000-07:00

: : So we've decided we'd like to start a wishlist for items we would eventually love in our home. so we'll try to save and avoid other purchases until we can buy some of the things we really want. I think this IKEA trollsta sideboard could become a classic and I feel like it would be functional in almost any environment. I love it in the image above from this d*sponge sneak peek

DESIGN MUSEUM BOSTON

2010-03-12T14:40:00.000-08:00

: : If you live in Boston and you haven't heard of Design Museum Boston yet, it's time that you do.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010 is Design Museum Boston's launch party, join us at 7:30pm as we celebrate the launch of Design Museum Boston and the DesigningAMuseum.org social network at West End Johnnies, 138 Portland Street, Boston, MA.

For one night, the digital becomes physical as both designers and non-designers alike come together to help build the Design Museum Boston community. Have a drink, become a member of DesigningAMuseum.org, and live tweet at our onsite kiosks. View an onsite exhibit of the Design Museum Boston mission featuring local design work. Join the conversation as we work together to educate the public about the work local designers are doing and celebrate its broad impact. We’ll see you there!

Click here for the invite

About Design Museum Boston

Design Museum Boston is a non-profit organization with the goal of creating and maintaining a network of virtual and physical exhibit spaces online, in Boston, and across New England. These exhibits will educate the public on the role of design in their lives and the contributions of design within the creative economy. Design Museum Boston will also host events and programs related to design education to further connect the design community to the public.

Design Museum Boston showcases exciting design work and it’s impact differently than a traditional museum. Through a decentralized network of physical and virtual exhibits, Design Museum Boston brings programming to galleries, retail environments, public spaces and the web. There, audiences can be exposed to the design process from a social, economic, and environmental point of view.

back in business

2010-03-02T06:55:00.000-08:00

: : hello, I'm back from a wonderful vacation in the alps. sun, beer, schnitzel, skiing and lots of time with the family. it was great!

as most of you know, i've been a fan of .sanna annukka. for a long time. Her prints are usually a little out of my price range, but I'm really hoping to come across one of her textile pieces for .marimekko. instead. You can see more about how they're made on the marimekko blog. And I really love the first inspiration image where they've made tea towels and paint samples into wall art.

the alps

2010-02-10T20:13:00.000-08:00

: : I'm headed here (image flickr) for the coming week for some much needed vacation, relaxation and skiing together with my family. i hope to come back with more freckles.

outlet

2010-02-10T20:08:00.000-08:00

Image 1. Designer: Meysam Movahedi Source: Yanko Design.
Image 2. Designer: Artlebdev Studio. Source: Cool Design Concept + Ideas.

: : found a new interesting ID blog by .noel bellen.
he was showing a lot of interesting concepts for electrical outlets. I really like both of these solutions. electrical outlets is an area waiting to be improved.

happy homes

2010-02-05T14:49:00.000-08:00

: : I really like the photos of photographer .joanna henderson. found her website while I was browsing .simply photo. one of my favorite photo blogs. happy weekend!

jasper goodall

2010-01-28T17:55:00.000-08:00

: : first I was blown away by the .sneak peek. on d*sponge of illustrator .sanna annukka's. home. I love the unique use of Scandinavian products and influences in her home, I would highly recommend checking out the photos. Then I learn that she is married to graphic designer .jasper goodall. and now I am completely blown away by his work. so much amazing creativity in one home!

: : fernando volken togni

2010-01-27T15:10:00.000-08:00

: : this could be my new favorite illustrator.fernando volken togni. Love illustrations with icons that tell a story. and i love all the color of course. so glad I found this via .not cot.

diary illustrations

2010-01-25T09:26:00.000-08:00

: : this is making me smile right now. wonderful illustrations by .gemma correll. (via .yellowgoat.)
and she post daily diary illustrations on her flickr account-what a treasure!

click on the images to see them larger.

wall collage

2010-01-25T07:01:00.000-08:00

: : I'm looking for inspiration for our guest bedroom wall.It's painted dark blue. I want to do something different, something playfull. I love .yellow goat's collages. Especially the little people on the light switches.

beantown beanshare

2010-01-17T14:48:00.000-08:00

: : On thursday night, I attended the .SHIFT Boston. awards ceremony at the .Boston ICA museum.

.katie. & .morgan. (two architecture friends) and I have started a local project called .beantown beanshare. Our project was one of 18 finalist (out of 142 submissions) in the SHIFT Boston competition.

.beantown beanshare. is an urban garden share program aimed at matching would-be gardeners who have no place to plant a garden with neighbors who have unused outdoor space. we even provide easy instructions for how to get started so that anyone, even those with no gardening experience, can learn to grow their own vegetables.

beantownbeanshare.com connects gardeners and land hosts in just 3 easy steps! Our slogan "pairing eager hands with idle land" will make our city's greenspaces and ourselves more productive and healthy.

We are in the processing of building our website, and are hoping to be up and running in a few weeks. If you would like to stay in touch with us and be notified when we launch the full website, please sign up on our email list. Visit beantownbeanshare.com

Please help us spread the word about .beantown beanshare.!

wrap with doilies

2010-01-13T14:49:00.000-08:00

: : another great way to use doilies. (should have posted this one too before christmas)
via .style files. originally from .decor 8.

Rörstrand kulinara

2010-01-13T14:45:00.000-08:00

: : .hanna werning. my current favorite swedish pattern designer, has designed a new line of dishes for Swedish china company .Rörstrand. called .kulinara.

I have a special love for Rörstrand as it used to be the center of the town where I grew up, Lidköping. The production was happening there up until just a few years ago when they moved it to China. Rörstrand was the reason we moved to Lidköping in the first place when my Dad took a job with the company. When the production was moved to Hungary and Sri Lanka, my dad decided together with a few other investors to buy up all the land and facilities of the factory. Today, the area has been developed into a design and culture center. The Rörstrand museum and shop still exists, shops and offices have moved into the old production facilities. And a great restaurant and skybar have been built in the center of the grounds. .Strand. restaurant and .Rymd. bar is most definitely worth a visit if you are traveling through Lidköping or live closeby.

swedish christmas

2010-01-12T15:12:00.000-08:00

: : I should have posted this .dos visit. as inspiration before Christmas but I didn't find it until today.how I missed Swedish christmas this year. iz and I were fortunate to spend the christmas holiday together in New York City, we had a great time. but I sure missed my family, the tree, swedish christmas food, gingerbread making, lussekatter.....next year I want to go home.

these .dos. pictures are as wonderful as always. I wish .freja. could teach me how to make those paper christmas stars! my grandma used to hang white ones in the tree.

rock vases

2010-01-11T09:40:00.000-08:00

: : It's a new year and today's date is completely symmetrical 01.11.10

Hope you all had a great holiday and a good start to the new year.

Beautiful colorful rock vases by .jin kuramoto. via .below the clouds.

hopenhagen

2009-12-18T13:40:00.000-08:00

: : wonderful illustrations by .andrew bannecker. for the climate talks in Copenhagen.
via .notcot.

Andrew Bannecker created a series of cheery posters for Coca-Cola, a partner of Hopenhagen, that are blanketed all over Copenhagen as the COP 15 conference goes on.

warm wood

2009-12-18T13:38:00.000-08:00

: : love the contrast of marble and stainless mixed with warm wood. and the wood board used as a back splash on the kitchen counter. via .apartment theraphy.

bread font

2009-12-18T13:36:00.000-08:00

: : a Norweigan bread company (Brød og Korn) has created their own bread font to educated norweigans about bread and grains. From .below the clouds. via .notcot.

why buy when you can borrow?

2009-12-09T11:54:00.000-08:00

: : I know this lady, .Keara., who lives in Cincinnati. She had a great idea and is making it happen. When she moved to Cincinnati from Manhattan, she bought a house, and there were a lot of things she needed; power tools, lawnmower, wheel barrel etc. She thought 'There has to be someone in my neighborhood who has what I need, wouldn't it be great if I could borrow from my neighbors instead of having to buy items I may only use a few times.

So she started .share some sugar. It's a site where neighbors can borrow from each other, sign up and begin searching for items in your neighborhood, or post items that you would like to lend. .Keara. launched the site in Cincinnati, so the majority of items currently offered are available in Cincinnati. We need more Bostonians to sign up! So go do it, and tell your friends and neighbors about it! This is a great idea! Congrats .Keara. !

.share some sugar.

spring colors already

2009-12-07T14:13:00.000-08:00

: : these ladies would be perfect for the .colormeblogg. Oh what happy colors! Looks like we have a lot to look forward to in the spring. Sunshine & Shadow Spring/Summer 2010 fashion collection. via .notcouture.

2009-11-29T09:07:00.000-08:00

: : my Swedish friends .hans & tina. were just here visiting. they stopped by new york city as well and found the .highline., a section of old railroad tracks raised above street level that have been turned into a park and opened in June 2009. what a cool idea! I'll have to give it a try next time I'm in NYC.

photos from .here.

retro colors

2009-11-22T19:37:00.000-08:00

: : I'm browsing a lot of wedding blogs these days and came across these .love photos.
I just love the colors, their outfits and the old gas station they chose for the photo shoot. and where can I get that orange skirt?

found on .snippet & ink.

never stop

2009-11-19T15:46:00.000-08:00

: : I never stop being inspired by .sasa antic. here for h&m home

: : story hotel stockholm : :

2009-11-19T15:35:00.000-08:00

: : I found out from .emma. that a new hotel has opened in Stockholm. A hotel with a .story.