Scandinavian: Norwegian illustrator & Swedish homes

n illustrator whose work I really like and can identify with; Annlaug Auestad's cute cards can be seen & bought on Galleri Prestahuset (epla.no).




Two wonderful kitchen dining spaces at Ikea family live.

Spring, I welcome you

n unexpected snowfall inspired this sping blogpost. Once again everything is covered in white.
Flowery chairs from Moroso called antibodi. Lovely kitchen and skipping rope from Starck, both looking like a piece of jewelry.

Greige!

eige and grey! I learned a new word today!

Found this at Greige
1 Art by Sarah Atkinson
2 Greige Design
3 Oliver Gustav's home in Copenhagen
4 Traditional Home

Even though I love strong, bold color I am also loving this greige style. It's elegant and casual at the same time. Notice the use of contrast in shape, color and textures.

The butterfly installation is beautiful. Would be fun to try something similar.

Style

rying to define my personal style: colorful, contrastfilled, graphic, retro, romantic... etc. Pinning it down exactly is not easy. But lately I feel I have been able to identify it more clearly.
I love the 70-ies, functionalism and a scandinavian feel... Concrete, painted wooden floors and colorful patterns are some of the things that draw me.

Here are a few inspiring norwegian blogs where I have found things I recognize myself in. Kitchen with black details, Verner Panton chairs and yellow cupboard seen atIfraLahell.
The picture with the wooden table and brass globe lamp seen at Kvirrevitt.
Kitchen with the black cupboards and painted white floors: Fjeldborg.

Print & Pattern and A Daily Drop Cap

rint & Pattern by Bowie Style - the book - arrived in my mail box the other day! I regularly check in on her blog by the same name. A world full of colours and beautiful patterns. She writes about the book:

the 'print & pattern' book was published on 1st march 2010 by laurence king. 120 designers have contributed 750 illustrations from the world of surface design, pattern, textiles, stationery, and greetings.

ere is a site that gives you the daily drop cap by Jessica Hische.

Beaded beauty

These beaded necklaces from Kristina Klarin are all beautiful. Such a delicate use of colour. Delightful!
Looking at these works of art just makes me all bubbly inside.
I have a favourite necklace that is similar to these, but it's getting weary. This would be a good replacement. Even better!
Unfortunaltely they are all sold out, but new ones are coming up, and it's just soo beautiful, it is worth checking out her shop anyway!
Visit Kristina's blog too! I love how she works with colour!

Simple Every Day Beauty

Organic beauty. The traces of my mouse for a few hours of the day.

Paper recycling

The Earth is filled with beauty, and we should care for it the best we know. I just watched Oprah's show about Earth Day 2009. It is sad to think how the Oceans are full of plastic trash. A bird caught in a plastic bag. A turtle got a plastic ring stuck around its shell when it was young, and was greatly disfigured as a result. What can each of us do to better the conditions? Terracycle makes new stuff from plastic trash. Like this tote bag made from target plastic bags.

My mail box is constantly filling up with paper. It inspires me to find clever ways to recycle it. These bowls at Jubella are cute, and such an easy project too.
Maybe I could make some boxy ones for organizing jewelry in the bathroom drawer? The frame could be made out of used cardboard, covered with paper scraps for a decorative effect.

Colorful world

Life should be full of color. I think it's best.

Instant inspiration

As soon as I click in on Papya Art, I knew I liked it. Papya Art was founded by a mother/daughter team. I love their credo:

CREATIVE ABANDON
Creative Abandon is our credo. To us it means that we ultimately answer to our creative impulses. We believe in a no apologies policy of artistic & manufacturing experimentation. We will always make paper giveables AND we may just throw a shower curtain into the mix at any time! So be alert. PAPAYA! is a place for exploring, discovering, and enjoying a myriad of goods. It is our goal that you be just as surprised and delighted as we are. It also means we won’t be making anything just because “it sells”. Our promise to you is that everything we make - we love.

So here's a splurge, mostly giclee prints from their decor department, but I am also throwing in two pictures of their wrapping paper.

Anna Maria Horner

Beauty from a mother of six. Textile designer Anna Maria's blog is colorful and inspiring.

Home office

I just fell for this home office seen in a sneak peek at Design*Sponge. I like the yellow details around the apartment. Wallpaper from Ferm Living. Again.

Yellow & Purple

I love the lemony yellow details of this kitchen. And it's got a perfect combination of happy colors, clean lines and raw industrialism which appeals to me. And also the mix of old and new... Does it get any better than this?
Yellow & purple is a nice couple! I believe we will be seeing a lot of them this season. Both found at Sköna Hem.
I find myself craving color. Ferm Livings mushroom wall sticker also comes in colors green, blue and red. But it seems just perfect in orange! Lovely feeling of autumn.
The wallpaper and cushion also feels right right now.

Flap, flap

It all started with some angles flapping their wings on a few greeting cards. Today norwegian Blafre Design delivers a wide range of colorful designs, available in the shape of lunch boxes, printed canvases, birthday calendars, birthday invitations, paper cups and even gift wrapping paper.
The Blafre blog is also a source of inspiration, especially if you like the retro style. I am joining the august competition!

Wallpaper in my heart

Love the combination of green and white. Lovely wallpaper from ferm living.

Rice lamp

After a lot of brainstorming about my Ikea rice lamp, I got the idea of converting it into a hot air balloon. Basically, I'll paint the lamp in muted colors and hang a basket underneath, with a little explorer friend inside.

If you are looking for a less whimsical idea to make over your rice lamp, take a look at Pickles' free crocheted rice lamp pattern. They call it Nordic Light Pendant.

Hot air balloon photo from KDH at sxc.hu.

Wetsuit bag

Husband came home with a gorgeous, brown laptop case from BUILT. I loved the design, and wanted to see more. They have so many cool products in neoprene - the stuff wetsuits are made of. Insulated lunchboxes and bottle totes, expandable shopping bags, and even diaper bags!

The design is original and they show great attention to detail. Lovely colors and fun shapes! How inspiring to see truly good design.

Quirky stuff

Well, I am still checking in on Ikea every now and then. This serving bowl, lamp, stool and these glasses are from the PS collection, and they're very cute and a bit quirky. Won't mind if they were to show up in my home.

New home

My friends are moving, and I wish I could give them these gifts for their new home. Found via Fly!
Wacky paper maché figures from Mumbreeze.
Pillow from Olive.
Painting by Betsy Walton.

I wish you all the best! Takk for nå, og på gjensyn!

Reminds me of home

This home reminds me of home. Not any home in particular. Just what my own home might look like... My favorites are the kitchen shelves and the tall ceiling in the airy dining room.
You can enjoy more of it at Desire to Inspire.