Just a little bit longer..

Hi my darlings! So sorry for my extended absence. It's several days since we got back from Tasmania now, but I need little longer before I can return to the blog in full capacity. I promise to come back soon and share pictures from our trip. It was so wonderful to be away and I feel like a new & better person!

Until then I just want to say that my heart goes out to everyone who was directly or indirectly affected by the horrid tornadoes in the US! We are watching and holding your hand virtually all the way from Australia! Hang on in there you guys! xx

I can't wait to be back in the blogging-swing of things soon!

Warmest hugs to you all.

xx Charlotta

More than 500 reasons to smile..!

G'day gorgeous ones! Hope you are all well and having a splendid weekend in your parts of the world.

Sorry for the lack of posts and blog visits in the past week. Life has been hectic in more ways than one - mostly so because the 'mini Inspirations' are enjoying their 'Autumn schoolies'. A whole of three weeks together and I'm going to soak up ever moment!

So with little time on my hands, I really just wanted to pop in to let you know that we are off on a family holiday to Tasmania tomorrow afternoon. Though we fly down to Hobart initially we intend to travel by rent-a-car all over this amazing island to explore & enjoy all that it has to offer. To me there is nothing better than a little road-trip adventure, and this is so what our tired 'family quartet' needs right now!

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.. happy faces now smile back at me from my side bar and I wish to warmly welcome all of my new followers friends to my blog. It is a privilege & a pleasure to have you here, and I hope you will like my rambles & delights about everything that falls into this, my Space for Inspiration! xx

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Last but not least. Another big thank you to my dear and wonderful friend Marsha of 'Splendarosa' who awarded me this tailor-made 'Beautiful Blog Award'. How special and heart warming Marsha! Big hugs of gratitude. xx

OK my lovelies, that is it from me for now - so much to smile about! Quick and brief I know (xx sorry xx) but I promise to be back in more depth soon. Have a wonderful week ahead and a very Happy Easter (& Passover) to those who celebrate!

Biggest hugs to you all. I'll miss you lots..!

xx Charlotta

Celebrate Spring with a 'Herbed Party'...

Hello my dears and happy Thursday! With Easter just around the corner, my Swedish mind inevitably drifts to Spring. I guess this proves that you can 'take the girl out of Sweden but not Sweden out of the girl', because really, I should be immersing myself in Autumnal glory as this is the season we're enjoying here in Sydney right now.. Oh well..

So, the other day I came a cross this suite of pretty pictures, and suddenly found myself dreaming up a 'herb themed lunch' with a buffet of foods and drinks inspired by the first harvest of herbs from the Spring garden. Why not eh?!

 I love this idea!

I was thinking baskets of freshly baked breads - perhaps some with flaky sea salt and fresh rosemary on top. Racks of 'Herb crusted Spring lamb' (click for recipe) and a large tray of Swedish 'Hasselbacks Potatis' (see here for recipe).

 Beautiful picture and recipe via 'Almost Bourdain'

There would also be bowls of beautiful ‘Salsa Verde’ (click for recipe), and scrumptious ‘Pesto Genovese’ (click for recipe). And perhaps a nice big plate of lightly steamed green asparagus with a side of sage butter, and a big salad of tender Spring time vegetables tossed with fresh Coriander leaves & a light dressing.

The hardcore ‘Scandi’ that I am, I would also add a fresh batch of ‘Skagen Röra' (see my mother's recipe below), and most definitely also a tray of home made ‘Gravlax’ (click for recipe) fringed with zingy lemon wedges. Both of these recipes use fresh dill as a core note and out of all herbs, dill is the one that is most true to my beloved Sweden. At least in my humble opinion.

I would serve up a variety of good wines (I love Lewin Estate Art Series whites, and Penfold's reds) and also set up a side table with a few jugs of flavoured water.  

 

I also love ‘lavender flavoured’, and ‘rose or tulip petal’ water. These are wonderful, and if you decide to make them please ensure you use 'pesticide free' petals only. Perhaps you grow these in the garden, but if you are relying on your local florist or flower market, please ensure you tell them what you are using the petals for so that you are given ones that are 'suitable for consumption.

 This image via

Last but not least. If you are able to get your mittens on some fresh passion fruit, I can highly recommend you make Australian chef Bill Granger's 'Passionfruit & coconut slice' for desert! Serve up with minted whipped cream and reap the rewards! Bake two - you'll need it!

This image via 'Almost Bourdain'

Hope you feel inspired to put on your own 'Herbed Party' to celebrate the unfolding Spring in the Northern hemisphere. Such a glorious time of the year and so much fun to have!

xx Charlotta

Two lives.. Swedish style..

Two lives.. to abodes.. Both equally delightful, in their own right. Which one is you? Where would you rather live?

Tucked away, in-between the sparkly waters of the North Sea and the tall pine trees on a remote island in the Stockholm archipelago, is this divine little cottage.

How can one not want to pack ones bag and head over immediately - perhaps even permanently? I know my Swedish heart beats extra fast at the sight of a simple and warm hide-away like this.

The elegant yet rustic sleekness of the architectural bones are wonderful. Add to that the open dynamics and flooding natural lights, this tailor-made cottage is just heaven to me! In fact this here would be the perfect artist's escape - a place to rest, restore and paint or write!

Next, we catch the boat into the heart of Stockholm - arguably the most beautiful capital in the world. Nestled high above the rooftops we find a quirky attic apartment with a strong personality.

Similar to our lovely cottage above, this home basks in amazing natural light. It is indeed a very important factor to us Scandinavians, and something that we always notice where ever we are. 

The slanted ceiling and deep window niches are beyond charming, and I really like how these original features are contrasted against an otherwise sleek and contemporary take on decor.

Who do you think lives here? There is in fact a child's room in the original gallery of images and I like the idea of a little cherub running around the open white space of this amazing apartment.
I also adore that massive built-in bookshelf, and though I could never bring myself to arrange my books by colour, I think it works very well here.

 All images by Martin Löf

So which one will it be my dears? No 1 or no 2? Perhaps both..?

xx Charlotta

Spring, according to House Doctor..

Flicking through the catalogues of Danish brand 'House Doctor' is always fun and inspiring. This year's Spring catalogue was no exception, and though the concepts may not be revolutionary or ground breaking in any respect, I truly enjoyed their take on them. Here are some snippets..

'Rustic Contemporary' feels very true to the Scandinavian 'no nonsense' approach to styling and decor. It's honest, uncomplicated and modern with a strong Earthy feel. It's elegant with a little rough and raw at the edges, sprinkled with soothing harmony and light.

I chuckled to myself when I saw the above image and the fact that they have made a 'commercially sellable object' out of what we as bloggers have come to regard as a 'weekend DIY project'. Yes, I am of course talking about the wooden pallet coffee table. But it works here and overall I like how they have put this together. The over-sized mirror has a lot to do with it for me - I have a real weakness for them and would love this one in my hallway!

The lamps are fun and take on a slight mid-century industrial feel, which again can be nicely worked in with other styles. I am particularly fond of the 'clamp on lamp' - that would be a fun addition to a bookshelf don't you think?

Apart from having to tear my eyes away from the 'herringbone floors' in the top right image, I also fell for the black cabinet. It not only feeds my passion for black glossy things, but also reminded me of my dear friend Tina's quest to assemble her living- and dining rooms. Tina, I would love to see your black cabinet glow in gold from within. Just like you do! xx

If you are not familiar with Tina's beautiful blog 'Komma Hem' you are in for a real treat. Not only does this girl share fabulous inspiration, she also blogs with a pure heart and always radiates kindness and love.

The above little door/cabinet knobs (can you see them there in the left image?) are adorable, and in the catalogue there is a whole page dedicated to them (and their sisters & brothers). 

I also really liked the below image and that cute little owl lamp immediately made me think of my friend Will over at 'Bright Bazaar'. He has a real weakness for owls and I think he'd like this very much! Again, if this blog is not on your list of regular reads, add it immediately. This man knows how to please! Will we luv ya'! x

Lots more to feast the eyes on HERE and HERE.

xx Charlotta

Loving these..

I am very much in love with these three 'architects posters' by Andrea Gallo!  There are a total of six in the series and of course it would be amazing to have the full suite, but really these three stand out to me.

 To read more click HERE.

Which ones do you like?

xx Charlotta