SPACE FOR INSPIRATION: March 2010

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Cute!

Aren't these just adorable!!?

Sorry, I can't for my life remember where I found this picture...

Isabella would LOVE little biscuits like these!

xCharlotta

Easter eggs..

Though I must confess that in our house Easter does not

entail any major decorational efforts, we try to find time

to decorate some eggs. They may not be as stylish or

elaborate as the ones below, but it is great fun!

National Geographic

I was totally blown away when I saw this image via the

'National Geographic' magazine - isn't this amazing!?

Travel Ukraine

Ukrainian beaded eggs. These would be great in as part of a

traditional Easter table, but where does one find the time..

I wish my days (& energy levels) allowed for things like this..

Cottage In The Making (both)

Just love these simple yet ornate eggs. Just look at some of these

patterns - they are amazing! Love the colours as well.

Sweet Paul

Last but not least, I have drooled over the perfection of

this egg that was done for Sweet Paul as part of a shoot.

Wouldn't a series of these with personal messages for

Easter-over-night-guests would be a magnificent treat..

If only...*sigh*

What Easter treats are you guys cooking up this year?

xCharlotta

The need to write..

Remodelista

Just add a good pen and a nice cup of tea and I could

quite happily sit here and write for a while.. Have so

many thoughts, lists, ideas and general notes to download

after a relaxing weekend that allowed my brain to process.

xCharlotta

Simple beauty..

Looking at clean, simple and de-cluttered rooms like this has the

same effect as placing cold Camomile tea bags on my eyes.. :)

Emmas Designblogg

via

Remodelista

xCharlotta

Sunday, March 28, 2010

New on the blog..

I have just discovered a completely new blog

LINK

It is only 3 posts old, and I am so looking

forward to seeing the ones that follow.

The writer, still anonymous, lives in an old converted church
from 1837 and promises an eclectic mix of European
18th - 20th Century antiques for home & garden.

Sounds hard to resist doesn't it!?

xCharlotta

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Have a lovely weekend!

Having had some extremely full past few weekends we

are taking it easy this one. We have some friends over for

tea in our garden today, and a lunch BBQ tomorrow.

Apart from that I am focusing on R'n'R with plenty

of fresh air, sun and long refreshing swims at the beach.

Next week I am taking the reindeer by the horn and diving

back into my studio to complete an order for a large painting

for a young little miss here in Sydney. Owls in 1m x 1.2m!

Have fabulous and safe weekends my dears.

See you next week!

xxCharlotta

Stunning Allmoge

Colourful 'Allmoge' cabinets like this one are a vital part

of Swedish folk art tradition and had their hay day between

ca 1770 and 1850, but date all the way back to the 1600s.

The pieces were made by hand by local craftsmen for the farmers

(also called 'allmogen' in Swedish, hence the name of the style).

They were painted by hand by a local amateur artist or at times by

a by-passer who used his/her artistic talent to pay for food or a

place to sleep. The colours used were made up of natural ingredients

such as egg- based tempura paint, blood and plant pigment giving

the pices a soft, paled or weathered look the older they get. This

along with the uneven painting is what makes them so charming.

This particular kind of cabinet is called 'Skänkskåp' and was the most

precious piece of furniture in a farmer's home, and was sometimes

part of a suite that also included a bed, a grandma' clock and table.

Though I can't be sure, I think the above cabinet dates late 1800s,

when various types of 'marble painting' became popular.

Though I am not a massive fan or Allmoge (they can sometimes
be a little 'heavy') they can certainly be beautiful when mixed
in with newer and less ornate pieces. Balance and contrast is key.

More Allmoge

from HERE.

xCharlotta

P.s. Definition of "Allmoge" - Scandinavian kurbitz / folk painted furniture.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Beautiful Hamptons beach house..

Here is a beautiful Swedish-American summer

house located in East Hampton, Long Island.

The goal was to mix Swedish charm in big size American scale

- something I think they have definitely achieved very well.

Beautiful symmetric harmony dominates the house in true

Hamptons' Style. Love the exposed beams and open ceilings!

Apparently the hallway is large enough for the youngest kids to bicycle in..

...and apparently they do!.. :) (I love that!)

The living room is a mix match of styles - new & old, lux & simple, rustic & sleek.

The sofas are classic Italian new purchases, however the stunning chairs are old

and have been re-upholstered to match. The painting was painted by a student,

and the lamp (Tolomeo) was designed by Michele De Lucchi.

Super cute guest toilet with little bird clad garden taps by the sink. What a wonderful

idea! I also love the mix match linen towels, that rustic chunk of wood bench top,

and fantastic guilt mirror. All in all a perfect balance of elements.

I bet Philippe Starck didn't intend his Ghost chair to team up with an antique

Swedish secretary, but now that they have I think they are a perfect match.

Beach themed master bedroom with very cute double layered sunburst mirror.

I love the colour of the walls - lavender yet grey. Lovely.

Also am a big fan of a freestanding bath like this - especially if it is located by

a window! The tub is by Philippe Starck.

This to me is perhaps the most Swedish room in the house.. Old Swedish chairs

in typical 'Allmoge' style (description in short: a category of Swedish antiques from

the less affluent segments of society - often colourful, rustic and with ornate decoration).

The beautiful 'Ostindia' plates are by Swedish 'Rörstrand' are a classic.

via

Sköna Hem

xCharlotta

Martina Arfwidson - a different take..

It is always interesting to see how different people perceive things. In this particular case I am referring to Martina Arfwidson's Hudson Valley house.

I featured pictures of her stunning home from Martha Stewart's archives a little while ago (HERE), and am so surprised to see a completely different take by a team over at Swedish 'Sköna Hem'.

I think the Sköna Hem feature shows a more down-to-earth and somewhat rustic perspective of Martina's home, where as Martha Stewart's pictures show a more elegant version.

What do you think?

x Charlotta