Housetour: Swedish Christmas

Though I am totally embracing this, our very last 'tropical Christmas' before we head back North next year, I can't help but feeling a little sting of envy over this blissfully snowy and quiet Swedish house tour. The Christmas decor is so discrete you hardly notice it...

 

 

via Sköna Hem


xx Charlotta

P.S. I am sorting through loads of photos from the party to show you snippets of all the fun we had. Please be patient with me.. there are so many.. :)

Post-party fatigue and converted barns..

Hello lovelies! Isabella's party was fun and successful, and whilst I recover from a mega cooking, decorating and general celebrating effort, I will share this lovely converted barn that I found floating around in the deeper layers of my hard drive..  

Photo by Charlotta Ward

Looks like the perfect family retreat, wish such happy light energy through out..

 

 

 

I'll be back soon to share pictures from the party.

Hugs to all!

x Charlotta

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Birthday!

Happy Thanksgiving to all! 

May you have a wonderful time with friends and family, and may you and loved ones be blessed!
My life feels fuller for having you all in it, and I appreciate your friendship so much. Thank you for being here and in my life! xx

Now my lovelies, I am taking the rest of the week off to celebrate Isabella's 5th birthday and to prepare for her party on Saturday. Have a wonderful rest of the week!

Big Summery hugs from Sydney!!

xx Charlotta

House tour: Swedish attic conversion

Hello lovely people. Just saw this peaceful attic conversion over at Sköna Hem and thought you'd enjoy a tour.. 

It is located in the hustle and bustle of central Stockholm, however has a quietness about it that really appeals to me. Needless to say the generous use of white and neutral wood has a lot to do with the soothing impression.. And you know how we 'Swedes' adore white, especially when highlighted by an abundance of natural light..!

Though I love the sleekness of the strict & modern clean lines, I would have balanced it our with a rougher looking reclaimed timber floor.. A few older pieces would have looked nice in here too.. I do however love the custom-made sliding ladder in the kitchen, making the most of the amazing ceiling height! Also think the 'Enigma' pendant lamps (by Louis Poulsen) look great with their long wires, drawing the eye towards what looks like a skylight.

I love this 'Flower' coffee table by Christine Schwarzer - it reminds me of the stunning curves of Finish architect/designer Alvar Aalto's creations (I am a HUGE fan of his work!). Also note the gorgeous pillow cover by Josef Frank (available at Svenskt Tenn - one of my favourite shops in Stockholm!).

And as with most of the 'attic conversions' this one also offers a cute balcony with stunning views over the roof tops of my beloved Stockholm.. What a dream!

All images via Sköna Hem.

Have a beautiful end to the week and a relaxing weekend!

xx Charlotta

Prunie hands and pretty pictures..

Hello friends. All day today I have cleaned my studio.. Every corner has been attacked by me and my bucket of hot soapy water, every shelf culled and re-arranged, and my desk completely emptied of all debris. I am pleased, exhausted and in dire need of a manicure..! :)

via Sunday in Bed

Thought that une petite parade of random eye-candy would be just what we need tonight..xx

I think every home should have a wall just like this one, that I found over at sweet 'Slumber Designs'.

The heavenly table decor is via 'Petite Soeur' - simply amazing colours don't you think..!?

Aaaawww! How I feel with my children..! Both of them, and deeply so. My 'baby', Isabella, turns 5 in just a few days.. I have a major crush on her at the moment.. Of course I ALWAYS love her, but every parent out there will know what I mean when I say I have re-fallen for her right now! It's simply divine and we are sharing some very special moments these days..!

Oh feather cloth, you divine feather cloth, where can I buy you? Anyone..?

 No words needed really.. The scale..! Love it! Though I have to say that the soft furnishings don't really do it for me.. Perhaps if the camera pulled back and we got to see the entire room they would make sense..?! In this crop they look too washed out for me.. Wish there was more contrast and depth.

Heavenly artwork and quirky mutton leg stools.. Just heaven spotted over at 'Slumber Designs' (another woman I am loving so much at the moment!).

To sit here and drink the light.. and the coffee.. and just 'be'..! This sunny loveliness seen over at 'My Design Chic'. A gorgeous blog I only recently discovered and that you will love!

One can always count on 'Coco +  Kelley' to serve up dish after dish of splendid style. This stunning table top is no exception. Loving the zingy yellow/green!

The unexpected result of a 'stressed hostess moment'..? In her sleep-deprived and anxious state she rammed the fork into the table... She was shocked by her own behaviour.. it was not like her..! But oh, wait..! She stopped in amazement at the sight of the fork, and thought..'Oh, I rather like that..!' So goes (the totally not true) tale for this picture that I saw over at the gorgeous St Barbara Chic.. :)
And also, aren't the little menu cards nice? I am making a whole range of place cards in various patterns and colours for my mother to use over the holiday season. She entertains like no other, and I love making her little 'socialite treats and trinkets'. One can never have enough.. right!? x

More table beauty from 'Are so Happy' and 'Desserts for Breakfast'. I love simplicity and these two hit the mark for me. And just generally I have a revived addiction for foodie blogs at the moment.. 'Sunday Suppers', Cannelle et Vanille', 'My Tartlette', 'Safferon & Blueberry' and many other mouthwatering destinations..!

 Photo Frances Janisch for Sweet Paul

Speaking of which.. Foodie magician that is 'Sweet Paul' has just released the 'Holiday issue' of his magazine. Jam packed with delightful treats for eyes and tummies. Eat BEFORE you read though..! :) Oh, and look out for a dear and special someone who is featured in there..! Hint...

I am loving this simple artwork on the wall.. I just love the freshness of the red/white combination, with accents of lime and all that natural light. Just delicious, don't you think..!?! xx

La Belle Vie

And speaking of colours.. Isn't this room nice too.. It's got a 'happy energy' somehow.  So cute. Love love..

More gorgeous tangerine / white divinity.. And that dress colour, plus one fabulous fox! Instant love for this little foxy friend..!

Rooms that whisper.. where we can withdraw.. where it's always quiet.. You can hear a snowflake fall here!.. Aaaaahhh!

And OMG..! To sit here and listen to someone play that grand piano.. The decor... niieeew, not so good.. but who cares with those windows!!

Not true actually, having completed a total clean-out of my studio in one day.. Miracles happen! :)
 

This makes me want to adopt your gorgeous US Thanksgiving tradition just for the fun of making a paper-bag turkey with popcorn stuffing..! One of many great ideas found over at 'One Charming Party'.

Yes yes my darlings, this is me and Oscar on daily trip to the marina after school.. Note my casual joyfulness, effortless body, and glistening skin..! And see Oscar's relaxed 'tude, and easy-to-do post-school-snack..  May I take this opportunity to thank ms Dust Jacket Attic for publishing it on her blog..! :)

Ok, that's all for today folks. Can't stand the look of my poor post-cleaning fingers on the keyboard any longer and am going to have a 'hand cream moment' and then tuck myself into bed. 

xx Charlotta

Christmas already?!?

I nearly had to breathe deeply into paper bag this morning when it  hit me that it is only 43 days left till Christmas!! 43, people!!.. Breeeeathe iiiiiin! And here I am in Sydney where the sun is hot, and Summer is on approach.. That sort of combination is sure to send a Swedish girl into ANYTHING BUT the mood for Christmas!

via White Trash

Usually my inspiration comes from the looming darkness of November, lighting candles, watching the first flakes of snow... Sigh! I am seriously contemplating moving into our freezer for a week in order to get into the spirit! And no I don't mean the frozen Vodka on the top shelf.... Though that would totally help for sure..!! :)

In there I my brain would cool down and kick into an efficient factory of fun & festive ideas, however only for an hour or so before Marshall would check me right into a clinic of some sort.. So, instead I am turning to you my friends, and I am so grateful for your wonderful Xmas posts that are already popping up around the blogosphere..!

 Cox and Cox

For example... I felt flutters of Christmas merriness when I saw this divine picture over at 'Le Creuset South Africa' (HERE). Who wouldn't feel that way at the sight of this stack of goodness..!?!

Le Creuset South Africa

And of course there is always Martha Stewart.. What would we do without her endless supply of resolve, support and great ideas..!?! When the sleigh bells sound more like alarm bells in one's sorry little head, one pulls oneself together and heads over to her website and types in 'Christmas' in the search field for an impressive 400-something hits that instantly makes for a Silent Night.. (Sorry. I can't really help myself when I am in this mood..) Not that dear Martha's spread exactly made me stop in my tracks, but at least she gave me lots to look at.. And many ideas would actually translate well to a 'Tropical Christmas'..

 My sweet friend Will over at 'Bright Bazaar' also made me feel better when he posted some gorgeous images of timeless white Christmas inspiration from 'The White Company' that whispered sweet words to my Swedish ear (HERE). Thanks Will! xx

And the lovely Cecilia of Desde mi Ventana gave me some great ideas for 'Advent Calendars' for the kids (HERE).  Actually, who am I kidding. I'd love one of these for ME!!  ..You reading this Marshall..?! :)  The ideas shown in her post were all lovely, but I am thinking the 'glass vase option' will work best for us. I also absolutely adore the hand stitched bags as a 'wrapping idea'! Gorgeous!

Tine K usually puts on a good Christmas spread of ideas & inspiration, and although this year is no exception, I must say that I am surprised at how muffled and dark the theme is (HERE)...

 via Tine K

And whilst sipping a (very strong) cup of Italian coffee, I read words of promise and hope over at my dear friend Minna's blog ('Blomsterverkstad'); "This year I'm going to Christmas inspire you to the max. Daily. From 1st of December I'll be sharing ideas for wreaths and decorations, my best Christmas recipies, personal and easy-to-realize table settings and plenty of giwe aways!". Honey for my ears Minna!! xx And for everyone else, click HERE to jump across to Blomsterverkstad to enter a give-away for her gorgeous book 'Blomstrande Idéer'.

http://blomsterverkstad.blogspot.com/

Over at Sköna Hem there wasn't much Christmas inspiration to find. Well at least not anything that would work here in Sydney, but I did browse a cute (and very traditional!) Christmas house tour (HERE), and saw some stylist interpretations of the holiday season (HERE).

via Sköna Hem

Then suddenly I felt as if dear Melissa over at 'The Inspired Room' had read my mind when she issued a fantastic list of '10 Ways to get inspired for Christmas' (HERE).

That got me thinking of a personal list of things I could do to get myself into a jolly Christmas mood... Here it is, my ten steps to making myself Merry and Bright!

1. Browse around for Christmas cards.

I had a lot of fun browsing Etsy for Christmas cards the other night and
there were plenty of inspiration. Usually I try to make my own, only the
last two years that has ended up in a frenzy that resulted in us not sending
any at all.. Have I learned? Not sure yet.. hmm..

2. Buy cute trinkets for the table.

 I bought 3 sets of these cute felt acorns from 'Green Baboon Designs' (HERE).



And am going to pick up at least one set of these gorgeous napkins from
Piper's brilliant shop 'One Sydney Road' (HERE). Aren't they fabulous!!?!

3. Listen to Christmas music & watch holiday movies.

I love old time classics for Christmas, and we often let ourselves drift away to the soothing
& comforting sound of Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crossby, Louis Armstrong etc.

4. Do some easy and fun Christmas crafts with the kids.

We are a 'crafty house' really hence this shouldn't be too hard..

5. Start buying and/or making presents.

This is my favourite part. Because really, is there anything more fun than to buy
gifts for those you love and care for? I think not! And call me commercial, but
I love spoiling my little trio with carefully selected gifts. It's better than receiving!!

6. Go through Christmas decorations and come up with a 'look' for the tree.

OMG are we even doing a tree? I  might opt for a 'regular tree' this year,
rather than a 'pine tree'. I could spray it a glossy red, silver or just white..
It will look a lot more stylish here at the height of Summer that's for sure! 

7. Make 'Glögg' and bake ginger biscuits with the kids!

 There is nothing like the smell of brewing *Glögg* to make us Swedes
go all Christmassy and cheery..! Glögg is a bit like 'mulled wine' only not so tangy, 
and it is always served hot, with a side of peeled (skinned) almonds and sultanas. 
I have a recipe that goes 4 generations back in our family. I'll share it later.

8. Confirm numbers and design menu for Christmas Eve (Swedish Christmas).

It will really be too hot for a proper 'roast buffet' of traditional foods.
Instead I am thinking seafood, BBQ meats served with sallads and cold
sauces. Plenty of nice cold drinks, and yummy deserts & sweets.
What are you serving for Xmas my darlings?

9. Buy wrapping paper, pretty ribbons and labels.

And there is always so much to choose from that I have to sit myself down
and really decide on a 'theme' before I head out, or I'll go over board...

10. Get a pretty dress to wear on Christmas Day.

We are usually roasting away in near 40C (ca 104F) and any attempt to do
a formal look will melt away. A new bikini for a Christmas morning swim,
and a strappy Summer dress for after will be perfect. Only mandatory is that
they are 'RED', and today the gorgeous Carolina of 'Absolutely Unique' shared
some splendid festive frocks (I would pick no. 2 or 3 in her post!). Thanks love! xx

What is YOUR lists my lovelies?

I'd love to see them, so please share via your posts!
I beg you..please ! :)

xx Charlotta


STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS 

This morning I woke up to the most lovely surprise any blog girl can get - a loving feature!
It was the truly kind Leigha Oaks of 'Elle Oh' who did a beyond flattering showcase
of me and Space for Inspiration! You can read the article HERE..!

Leigha.. Once more, thank you from the bottom of my heart to you for your
genuine kindness and for finding me worthy of your beautiful writings over at
Eco Salon. What an honour it is to have met someone as generous as you! xxx