T is for Tea Towels..

Hello my dears! How are you all and how has your week been? All is just dandy here. Actually it is better than that and I feel as if I am on a total high at the moment. Happy through and through to be in my beloved Sweden in fact. I feel as if my soul is filling up on the energy of my birth country, and it is heaven to be back permanently after so many years abroad. :)

Today I want to share a wonderful online resource - 'All Tea Towels'. 

The store is run out of the UK and carries hundreds of tea towel designs in a variety of high quality finishes - 100% pure linen, pure cotton, and/or blended varieties too. For someone like I who loves tea towels it's like a well stocked 'lolly store', and to my delight I was given the opportunity to choose two designs for free in return for an honest review.

via All Tea Towels

Good quality tea towels aren't all that easy to come by (really!) and I like mine highly absorbent and durable whilst nice to look at. Kitchen aesthetics people - so important, don't you think!?

Having had the hardest time choosing from the extensive range (!!) over at 'All Tea Towels' I chose two from the 'Flowers & Nature' section (there are an impressing 26 sections in total!!).

 

Both designs are 100% Pure linen and I just love them! 

I followed the instructions and machine washed them several times in hot water to remove the starch and they came out beautiful. 
Though I love both my towels, I fell extra hard for the bright red 'Chrysanthemum' design and just placed an order for another five (making a total set of six) so that I can use them as napkins for when we celebrate 'Australian Christmas' in December. They are actually so big that they could easily be cut in half and still work as napkins, but I quite like the quirky look of over-sized table linen so I will use them in their original state.

via Inspire to Inspire

via French Larkspur

via Copper and Wood

I also bought a set of six super cute linen towels for a dear blog friend overseas. Actually, the kind owner of 'All Tea Towels' threw in an extra tea towel (making them a total of 7!) . So generous. Thank you again Al! x

I can't show you the design or my clever friend will know they are for her.. Again I pictured them being used as table linen but who knows, they may end up being used as picnic napkins, aprons, breakfast-tray liners, sewn together as cute pillows covers or something else..!? This girl is very creative and I can't wait to see what she comes up with once she receives them..  In the mean time, here are some other cute tea towel ideas..

Tea towels as cutlery storage

Tea towels as 'two-way-place mat'

Tea towels as gift wrapping

Tea towels as curtains

Tea towel as tray liner

Tea towels as napkins

Tea towels as bistro aprons

 Tea towels as pillows

 Tea towels as layered runners and also made into seat cushions

Tea towels as tote bags

Tea towel as art on the wall (of course you can frame them or stretch them over a canvas too!)

Ok my lovelies, that's it for today. Hope you enjoyed this tea towel inspiration post and review, and that you hop over to 'All Tea Towels' and place your orders. They really are a brilliant online shop and remember that the festive season isn't all that far off and that tea towels are a cute hostess gift too..!

Warm hugs and happy weekend wishes from Sweden

xx Charlotta xx

P.S. Don't forget to check out the 'All Tea Towels' sale section. 

They have this really lovely 'Magnolia Flower' design that I think could look adorable as table linen on a Spring time table. I'm loving the colours and the fact that it's 100% pure linen!

'A' is for 'Art'... 'G' is for 'Give-away'...!

Hello my darlings. Hope your weekend was nice & relaxing and that the new week has kicked off well.  Today I'd like to talk art.. Nursery art. 
A few years ago when I was pregnant with Oscar there was hardly anything out there that suited my aesthetic, and I really struggled to find pieces for his nursery. In the end this is what brought me to start painting again for real, and this as you (may) know also set the start of my own children's art & design business.

 by Peters & James

Times have certainly changed since then and the market place of today is flooded by talented artists who target families and young ones. A wonderful & convenient hub for quality children's artwork is Sydney  based 'Kindergallery'.

 

Meredith Gaston *

Shinzi Katoh *

Ida Pearle *

This gallery-shop operates both online and by private appointment to help art savvy littlies (& their parents) choose the perfect visual adornment for their walls. They carry a number of wonderful artists such as Meredith Gaston, Aliette, Shinzi Katoh, and Swedish Sandra Isaksson. The latter of course is especially close to my heart..

by ISAK

Sandra (who also blogs - HERE) operates both as an independent artist, and as part of a Scandi-British collaboration under art & decor label 'ISAK'. I love the way she introduces herself on her website..

click to enlarge..

Sandra's work is playful & neat with tangible flair of Scandinavian mid-centrury retro. Her pieces are designed to work on their own or in clusters, and they are as fun for the nursery as they are for your older kids.
So imagine my delight when Kate Holcombe, the manager of Kindergallery contacted me to offer not one but two A2 'ABC Character' posters by ISAK as a give-away for my Australian/NZ friends.
That said, if you are an international blogger who want to enter this give-away on behalf of or for an Australian/NZ friend, you may. As long as the shipping address falls withing this region. Just read on to find out how..

Give Away: 2 x A2 ISAK posters via Kindergallery

To enter you must be a public follower of Space for Inspiration (no anonymous entries please). Leave one comment for each of the following entry points:

1. Confirm you are indeed a follower, and include your email address if you are reading my posts as a non-blogger.
If you enter for or behalf of an Aussi/Kiwi friend, please mention this in your comment. Thanks. x

2. Announce this give-away on your Facebook (with post link)

3. and/or your blog (with post link).

Entries are open until midnight on Sunday 26th July (AEST) and the two winners will be announced shortly after.

Johanna Ekmark via Mama magazine

Good luck to all!
And thank you once more to Kate & Kindergallery.

xx Charlotta

Give Away..!

Hello all and Happy Weekend!
Today I have something fun for you my dears..  A little while ago I was contacted by the ever generous & fantastic CSN Stores who kindly offered to sponsor yet another fabulous give-away (for my dear US and Canadian residents). Yay!
Needless to say I am very grateful for the opportunity to spoil my friends, so once again.. Thank you CSN!! x

As you know CSN boasts over 200 specialised online stores where you can find everything from adjustable bar stools (and bars to put them with..!), kitchen ware, bedlinen, and lighting, to hardware, kids toys, art, garden furniture, office equipment and lots more..!
In short, what ever you may need you will most certainly find at CSN and I am thrilled to be able to host this give-away for a gift certificate worth US$60 to top up your shopping budget.

In usual manner, all you need to do to enter is to leave one comment confirming the following:

1. That you are indeed an active follower of Space for Inspiration (live link-backs or specified email are essential)..

2. Where in the US or Canada you live..

3. Which of the 'adjustable barstools' on the CSN site you like the best..

... and to any new visitors. Pretty please sign off with your name so that I know who you are.. xx

I am sorry that this give-away is open only to my US/Canadian friends.. But sisters & brothers of the 'Rest of the World', there will other opportunities that include you in the future. I promise. x

Oh.. I nearly forgot.. The give away closes on Friday 4th February at midnight Australian Eastern Standard Time.. So hurry up buttercup.. x

Good luck to all who enter!

xx Charlotta

All I want for Christmas is here..!

It is about time I do this announcement of greatness that has been achieved by my dear and entrepreneurial blog siters around the world!!

Splendid Willow Avenue is a brand new shop with focus on Quality, Functionality & Great Design. All of this with a uniquely Scandinavian twist, and friendly service!

For more on this exciting shop, and to get to know Monika Claassen, the amazing & stylish woman behind the scenes, please visit the Splendid Willow blog.

Monika has launched her shop (today!) with two fabulous & hand picked products - Ilse Jacobsen gum boots and rain coats. And really, what better launch range to choose by a stylish & quality focused girl who lives in Seattle..!

What I want for Christmas from 'Splendid Willow Avenue' is a pair of 'Tall Camel Boots' and a 'Sesame Rain Coat'! Oh la la, I will be wishing for rain then!!

Shop Now!

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If you want to 'zhush' your life, this is the destination for you. Zhush.Com spills over with fabulous accessories and home accents you don't want to miss!

To find out more about the story behind the store and Sue de Chiara, the lovely lady who launched it, please visit The Zhush blog.

Admirably, the lovely Sue kept her shop development a secret until the day it launched. A feat I find aplaudable because if this were my store, I would have been yelling at the top of my lungs in excitement over the gorgeous range of merchandise! Well done Sue, for keeping us in suspense!! xx

What I would love Santa to bring me from Zhush.Com is a set of the super cute 'Numbered Pill Boxes' and a couple of 'Charcoal Herringbone Throws'!

Shop Now!

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Here's a fresh & modern shop with an edge! Stocked with carefully curated collections of merchandise ranging from new to vintage, eco-friendly, handmade & indie to designer made, and everything inbetween. One Sydney Road is a fantastic destination for everyone who loves eclectic hand picked goods!

To meet Piper Toth, the inspiring woman behind the store, please visit the One Sydney Road blog.

Unlike Sue, Piper openly shared the journey leading up to the launch of her shop with us all. I loved both approaches to their shop launches. They are equally exciting and admirable in my book! So hat soff to both Sue and Piper! xx

Piper's shop is full of modern, urban and fresh designs that I love so much. In fact I have already received a (self-purchased) Christmas gift from One Sydney Road - two sets of the  awesome EmmersonMade 'E.A.T Table Linens' (8 in total), and I couldn't be happier. Thanks again my friend! xx

Though I realize it may be a bit much to ask Santa for more this year, I wouldn't mind getting my Swedish mittens on a selection of 'Small Linen Trays' too.. I love using these for the breakfast table!

Shop Now!

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The colourful Ada and Darcy store feels fun, modern and young with a delightful range of hand picked home decor items. Ranging from affordable to premium, custom-made to ready-made, you are sure to find something special for your home here. 

To get to know owner Kellie Collis and her vibrant world, please visit the Ada and Darcy blog.

Sweet Kellie has a freshness about all that she shares and sells. Her store exudes a happy, light and colourful energy that lifts my spirits every time I visit. 

This Christmas I would love Santa even more if he'd bring me a 'Studded Ottoman Coffee Table' in charcoal (greedy I know..!) and if he also threw in a bunch of 'Vintage White & Pink Paper Straws' for the kidlets.

Shop Now!

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Table Tonic is a rare and brilliant find. It's distinctive and creative with a quirky international flair., and stocks an amazing range of vintage, new, handmade and rare pieces from Afganistan, India, Africa, Mexico as well as the UK and Australia. 

In Louise Bell's capable and trend-conscious hands you will find both affordable and premium goods that are sure to bring the best of the world to your house! To find out more about Louise and her charismatic shop, please visit the Table Tonic blog.

It is no secret that a 'nomad' like me likes a shop with eclectic and international flair, and Louise's shop suits me like a glove!

Without having to think about it at all, I am wishing for a fabulous off white 'Bamileke Feather Juju Hat' and a 'Tashkent Vintage Gracie Suzani' (though I wouldn't use it for our bed.. just in case the elves thought  it might not work colour wise..).

Shop Now!

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Ok my dears, so that is my cyber wishlist this Christmas, though the real gift is of course that these awesome girls (my friends)  have achieved their dreams to launch amazing shops. What can top that!?!

I am incredibly proud of you ladies and look forward to shopping with you!

Hugs

xx Charlotta