From cottage to castle - IKEA I love you!

How proud I am of IKEA - I really mean that! I think they rock, and

old Ingvar (Kamprad) must be thrilled over what his team of marketers

have achieved through their new initiatives! Not only have they launched

the fantastic 'IKEA Family Live' site which shares real life examples of

homes decked out with IKEA furniture and decor solutions. Like what you

see and you can click a button to 'get the look' via a visual shopping list of

items available in the store. Genius! There is also a live link to Flickr where

you can view contributions from people all over the world. The second site

has a fabulous new 'party inspirations campaign' - complete with styling ideas

for an array of different concepts - via 'Fest i Slott och Koja'. Loving both!!

x Charlotta

Happy rest of the weekend!

via Dancing Branflakes

Leap and be happy my friends!

x Charlotta

Townhouse with character..

I love this serene yet cozy townhouse and all it's atmospheric and personal charm.

I have shared this picture before and expressed my joy of seeing the logs stacked so
neatly in the bookshelves. I think the idea is wonderful and chic, and it appeals to me
that these owners use the rusticity of the logs as a means to create decorative quirk.

I have always had a weakness for a tray full of candles..


This colour palette has such a calming effect on me. It's simplistic elegance is very nice indeed.

Though my heart beats for the whites & neutrals of my native Sweden, I find myself
drawn to black and near-blacks more and more. These cabinets are no exception..

 And of course, a house would not be a home without flowers and I love how these modest

little bouquettes add some welcome bursts of colour. Also like the silver covered chairs..

via

x Charlotta

Gustavian Modern - A Swedish house tour..

Here is a Swedish home with a lot of texture, warmth and serenity.
The colours and materials are so typical for my home country and I
love how the classical pieces mix seamlessly with antiques and new
finds. Many lovely rooms to enjoy and details to take note of.

Lovely reading chair.. I could so sit here and be very happy..

I think there is a 'Dala Horse' in almost every Swedish home. Despite their
lack of 'cool power' I love them and have re-commenced my collection of
horses of various sizes since a few years back. My stable is growing - yay!

Tick tock goes my heart when I see a Swedish 'Mora clock' - I have harped
on about how I grew up with one that was once my grand mothers, that my
dad decided to part with a few years ago. Oh how I wish it wasn't gone!

I love these little chairs. I have several in different sizes. They are made
out of wrought iron and are little replicas of design classics. So cute!

via 
Inside Home

x Charlotta

The Victoria Room - guest post over at Urban Style Vibes..

Today you will find me guest-posting over at 'Urban Style Vibes'

whilst the lovely blog author herself is travelling in Far East Asia.

Please pop across to read all about one of my favourite restaurants - The Victoria Room.

I urge anyone who travels to Sydney to book a table at this brilliant restaurant - but do so
well in time as the tables are popular and you may miss out.  If you don't fancy dinner,
then go there for nibbles & drinks or for high tea...and perhaps also an astrology reading..

The Victoria Rooms recently launched a 'High Tea' book, and I had the pleasure of playing
a key part in the birth of this splendid literary feast. Will post more about this here very soon...

Don't forget to wish Lise a (belated) happy birthday when you visit..

 xx Charlotta

Mixed bag of loveliness..

Some time ago I started weeding my computer from the abundance of images I have
saved everywhere. For me this is a real side-effect of blogging to hoard eye candy and
 a true occupational hazard of working with art & design. I know you empathize.. x

I fall in love with a look, a mood, an idea, a colour combination or a design and want
to hold onto 'that thought', and whoops,  another 100 1000 images find a home here..

.. It drives my huz Marshall bonkers (in a loving way of course..) and he actually went
out and got me a brand new iBook for my birthday in an attempt to divert my passion
away from the large Mac work station we have in our office.. :) Mwah to him for this! x

So, I am being trying to be a good girl and tidy up as I go however of course I can't
just rid my lovely finds without sharing with you first.. x So I share this little visual
parade of fab with you now so we can marvel at the glory of these images together..
I feel better for knowing they are still accessible and safe in this wast and wonderful
Cyber storage cabinet that we all share & love. Hope you agree and enjoy this loot..

Posted by 'La Boheme', this Hong Kong restaurant (The French Window) looks amazing.
I love the olive chairs and black walls with the vertical art displays. What a fabulous idea!
The second image (right) is from an unknown source but I adore the whole idea of stacking
fire wood in bookshelves.. The quirk sits in total harmony of what I like. Because really it
looks damn great like that and I'd rather have my books piled on the floor in neat & aesthetic
stacks within reach of the comfy sofa.. And just any person that puts a large tray of candles
on an ottoman is a kindred spirit and friend.. You know how I absolutely adore candles!!..

The first one is via 'Anna Wolf' and I dig the attitude of that dog.. I too would love to snuggle up
in that fabulous bed underneath an even more splendid chandelier.. And don't get me started on
the size of that window.. I think it even slides up from the floor creating an indoor/outdoor feel..
Also, just look at this lovely bathroom that I found recently via VT Interiors.
Isn't the thinking behind this room excellent!? A library & a bathroom combined!!
All I miss here is a well stacked drinks trolley (or wine fridge..) and a good sound system.. Yes!

Indoor swings are a weakness of mine and I am not thinking of the kids when I say that.. I just like
the look of them and the whole idea of being able to sit on it and think.. The soothing swaying to
and fro still brings me the giggles I got as a wee girl. Again I fail to give you a source (help!?) on
this one, however the second one (with the large Kentia palm) is via Beth Connolly's 'Designer 
Challenge' guest post over at 'The Shiny Pebble'. As you know, I too did a design concept for
the lovely Catherine's dining room recently and you can read all about it HERE. If you fancy..
Also, the lovely Leigha from 'Elle Oh' is posting her contribution today, so pop over and say hi.

The dark yet chic drama of this room featured in 'Better Homes & Gardens' had me at first sight. Isn't it wonderfully feminine in a sober kind-a-way!? Love the clean lines & drops of pink.
No two is what I am missing right now... As the rain keeps on pouring down and the temperature
plummets in line with Winter's near arrival, I so miss the breezy warmth of early Australian summer.

Isn't this pink powder room gorgeous. It is not over-the-top cute or PINK in a way that a girl like I
can't stomach. Instead I find it chic and inviting, and I adore the modern lamp fitting and taps in
contrast with all this feminine glory (from Coastal Living via Color Sizzle). No two is just heaven,
and I particularly love the smokey/zink mirror panel/screen. Just generally, airy, light and open rooms
like this one hit the spot and I am totally drawn in. If I could just add a few elements of nature,
some candles, an edgier pillow on that gorgeous wing-back chair and I can move right in. Sigh..

All of what I see in that kitchen makes me weak at the knees! Thank you Country Living!!
No 2 is via 'Coastal Living' (again) and I fell for the soft mood of this room. The colours are
nice and I really like the layered rugs, the light grey walls, the Hydrangeas (!) & candelabra.

This bathroom appeals because of that enormous window. I love light and fresh air and am drawn
to rooms like this by default. It's a Swedish thing for sure.. and speaking of which, the fantastic
mirror was first spotted over at Lotta Agaton and then via Splendid Willow - two blogs that are written by amazing Swedish girls, and that you must keep on your permanent blog rolls!  This
particular picture though was featured on yet another great blog - Sara Klassen's 'Haute Design'.
I love the  contrast of the plain 'American typewriter' text on a large gilded mirror like so.. Yum!

In my new home in Sweden (we are moving there next year.. t.b.c..) I will definitely get a set of
Tracy Kendall cutlery wall paper. I have had a crush since for ever! Also like the look of this
dining room. This sort of sober and peaceful simplicity does wonders for my soul.. well at least
until my brain kicks into rational mode and I realize what my children would do to the chairs..

Just generally like the light and feel of the kitchen. Have no idea where I found this image, I put it
down to being completely mesmerized by those two fantastic vintage pendant lamps. Anyone?
Last but not least, a bathroom that stopped me in my tracks completely!! Can you imagine?!?

Happy hump day friends!

x Charlotta 

Yes please!

Image from Contemporist via Aubrey Road

Je rêve..*sigh*..

x Charlotta

Swedish bliss..

I just realized it was a while ago since I posted some good old Swedish

real estate.. Here is a great little flat for sale in the very South of Sweden.

Aren't these violets just divine. They were my grand mother's favourite flower and

every time I see some I think of her. She was an incredible woman. Miss her lots!

Loving that little potted plant on top of the vertical bookshelf. So modest, yet so much presence!

Love the raging bull. Marshall would say it suits me to a tee - the crazy Taurean girl that I am.
A million years ago when I worked as an interior designer for an architect's firm in Sweden, I
managed a refurbishment project of a dining hall for a local school. The hall hadn't been done up
since the 60s and hear and behold was filled with over a hundred 'Ant' chairs by Arne Jacobsen.
Not the original three legged designs that he did for the Novo Nordisk canteen, but the four-
legged Fritz Hansen produced ones -all sprayed in a deep beautiful green colour.  Some were
beyond rescue however others had that wonderful worn feel to them and the school board allowed
us to buy as many as we wanted for 100 kronas each!! Can you imagine!?! I bought twelve -
sold six and kept the other six.. Why on Earth I didn't buy 50 chairs is really beyond me..!

The kitchens are always nice, functional, to the point yet very stylish.

..and of course no Swedish home comes without a cute little outdoor space.

via Bolaget

x Charlotta

Love all around me!

Oh I am so excited having won my first ever give-away item!!

Actually it is two items and this is what they look like..

.. 'Love' pillowcases from 'Cox & Cox' as part of sweet Simone's competition
over at the fab 'From the Bottom of the Ironing Basket'. I have never really
won anything before and was therefore completely floored when Simone sent
me the announcement tonight.. I am thrilled and so grateful - THANK YOU!

Whilst we are on the subject of joy, let me tell you that Simone's blog is my 'happy place'.

It is always packed with such girly, fun, colourful deliciousness and it brings my
energy & spirit right up every time! It's impossible to not smile when she serves
up posts like this, this or this.. and all the lovely encouragement and inspiration!

Please do yourselves a little favour and put her on your blog rolls right away.

Simone you are a gem. You make me smile, dream and reach for the stars every time!

xx Charlotta

Ellen Pompeo's Hollywood hideaway

 Whilst visiting Paris for the couture shows Ellen Pompeo met the man

who was to design her Hollywood home, Mr Martyn Lawrence-Bullard.

Having just bought a classic 1920s Spanish-style villa in Hollowood, Ellen

and her music producer husband Chris Ivery, soon appointed Martyn to

create a personable home with strong reference to Morocco, Spain, Tuscany

and the South of France. The result is this - a casual, warm and charmingly

rustic yet elegant home without a hint of diva or Hollywood pretentiousness.

Goreous mix of rustic and refined, including a vintage dhurrie and custom-made
sofa by Martyn himself. Love the colours here and also that black/white photgraph
propped up against the wall. As you know I am a sucker for large b/w pictures and
you will see plenty of this kind through out the house. Also completely adore that
tea table in the far left corner, and of course the massive lead framed window. Sigh..

This clearly is the other end of the above gorgeous living area.. I am not sure if there
are two vintage dhurries or if there is just one very long one. A true dhurrie is most
often a little bit smaller as they are intended for meditation or table adornments, but also
large ones (up to 20 feet long) are made for social gatherings and events. Either way
anything hand woven off an Indian loom is beautiful in my book and I'd love to own one
of these amazing 'rugs' one day. I think this colour combination is irresistible. 

These lovely chairs were left behind by the previous owners.. Why doesn't that
ever happen to me!!?.. Also loving the Moroccan panel and the wood block table!

How about these beautiful custom-made uphostered screens by the architec?
Also particularly like the black/white photographs on the wall and the grey and
white stripe large pillows on the sofa. Woven sea-grass rugs are always nice too,
but I have vivid memories of throwing one out when Oscar was little as he kept
on hurting his little knees on it when he was learning to walk.. Poor little man!..

I think foyers and entryways are so important, don't you!? They are the first
point of reference when entering a house and really do set the mood for what
is to come. I think the textures here work very well and I am completely taken
by that large Chinese lamp (from Norman Turner) and the Moroccan ottoman.
Had it been my hallway, I would have moved that wonderful colour photograph
and replaced the small vase with a larger bunch of fresh cut flowers as I simply
can't live with out a nice big dose of nature present. Especially in hallways..

So nice and simple, and again a gorgeous example of mixing simple natural fibres
with some elegant subtle glam. Think that antique Chinese bamboo ladder works
very well here and adore the wide deep bathtub by Waterworks. Très chic indeed.

These 60s Moroccan-style brass lamps (from Orange Furniture) look like
copper to me, hence feeds my current obsession with warm & red metals.
Also think that antique Egyptian wall hanging and 50s West African pillows
look fantastic. So nice with a bit of burned red and ochre in a house like this.

True to my Swedish genes I do love a large and functional kitchen. This open
plan industrial style stainless steel kitchen with ample storage fits the bill for me.

Also think that large b/w photograph looks fantastic on top of the bench - you'll get

a sense of just how big it is when comparing it to the fridge standing next to it..

This may be my favourite room - kitchens and bright casual dining rooms
usually are.. This fantastic table is originally from a farmhouse in Guatemala,
and works a treat with the Moroccan styled lanterns above it. Like Ellen I also
use fruit and vegetables as an element of decor in my dining room. Love the bright
colours of seasonal produce and think they give such a grounding feel to a room.

All images by Tim Street-Porter for Elle Decor.

x Charlotta