2007-10-31 @ 22:06:43

Egg Mercantile

Somehow I missed this shop on my last vacation to Amsterdam, the Egg Mercantile shop on Leliegracht 6. Guess I will have to go back... Too bad.
These silver plated bronze spoons are made in five different versions, one for every need. Available in the Egg Mercantile web shop that ships all over the world.

Thanks to Victoria Sewell for emailing me with this tip!

Permalink Webshops Kommentarer (3) Trackbacks ()

2007-10-30 @ 23:24:52

Mow Living

Mow Living is a Danish textile company that Katrine Mow and Kristian Jakobsen started up in 2004. Katrine is a trained decorator, and has worked with decoration and styling of both homes and stores for several years, and Kristian has been making a living from graphic design on several advertising agencies. Mow Living's mission is to create a colourful but sober alternative on the home textiles market. They make teatowels, cushion covers, tea cozies, bedding, bibs and lots of other useful things from their lovely patterned cotton fabrics.

Here are some of my favourite teatowels from Mow Living:

Permalink General Kommentarer (3) Trackbacks ()

2007-10-29 @ 17:15:34

WhippetGrey

"Welcome to the world of WhippetGrey, an enchanting collection of products sourced and gathered from around the world. On our trips we have taken tea with designers and artisans in places as diverse as New York, Marrakech and Paris. We have seen more, rejected more and searched further for a delightful selection of objects. A mix of traditional techniques and modern pieces all with a story to tell; desirable objects for the home, beautiful accessories for women, collectable art, toys and books for inquiring young minds, garden treasures and scrummy treats."

If you are starting to look for Christmas presents, WhippetGrey is the place to find them. This shop is full of objects that your reciever is sure not to have seen before, and they have something for everyone!

Permalink Webshops Kommentarer (7) Trackbacks ()

2007-10-26 @ 17:58:17

Friday Flickr Favourites

I'm off to make some sushi, kick around in the crispy leaf piles, drink lots of tea, get a red nose from the cold, visit a flea market, scribble something in my notebook, take some photos in the forest and take a hot bath. Have a nice weekend everyone!

Permalink Flickr favorites Kommentarer (3) Trackbacks ()

2007-10-26 @ 11:46:03

City planning in 60 sqm

When designer and architect Victor Vetterlein bought his apartment in New Yorks Chinatown, he decided to split it in two and sublet the half facing the hustle and bustle of the street. His own part is more quiet and peaceful, and when renovating his 60 square meters, he decided to look to the streets of New York for inspiration:
- I can not control the city outside my door. Therefore, it feels nice to create a smaller city in here, that I can shape and be the souvereign master of.

Look closely and you can see that he even painted street lines on the floor!

The massive wooden kitchen table is actually a piece of flooring from a bowling alley.

All white, understated kitchen, just mixed with some wood to warm it up. The pendant lamp is Victor's own design. The toilet was put on a raised platform, to make it feel more like it's own room.

Loft bed and office solution. Floor made of plywood.

Gas and water pipes and wiring are all hidden behind this low shelf.

Via Boligmagasinet

Permalink General Kommentarer (9) Trackbacks ()

2007-10-25 @ 18:46:59

Eye Candy

This weeks candy bag coming up, full of white kitchens and livingrooms!

Permalink Saturday Sweets Kommentarer (5) Trackbacks ()

2007-10-25 @ 14:09:28

R.O.O.M

R.O.O.M is one of my favourite furniture stores in Stockholm, mainly because they sell a selected range of pieces from Habitat, but also because of their large selection of trendy decorating details and classic designer products from e.g. Kartell, Philippe Starck and Arne Jacobsen. At the moment they are having an exhibition in the Stockholm store, in cooperation with Design House Stockholm and Scandinavia Today.

Permalink General Kommentarer (4) Trackbacks ()

2007-10-24 @ 23:47:51

Natsko Seki

Natsko Seki works as an illustrator, animator and graphic designer in London. Her aim is to create something positive, upbeat, and humorous, and I think she manages that pretty well indeed. A very retro feel, both colourwise and in the graphics, this really speaks to me.

And I love how she has designed her website, isn't it cute?

Permalink General Kommentarer (1) Trackbacks ()

2007-10-23 @ 19:22:56

Toast Home

British clothing brand Toast has launched a range of home accessories, and the styling is just lovely! Inspired by the British countryside with soft colours and charming decayed mansions and cottages. I am very into this kind of raw, textured walls at the moment, but I'm not sure it would look as great in my fifties apartment...

Via Tas-ka

Permalink Webshops Kommentarer (4) Trackbacks ()

2007-10-22 @ 20:24:06

Face Boutique's packaging by Stina Persson

Face Boutique is a new brand launched at Space NK this fall. They make an affordable range of skincare products aimed for young skin, all without sulphates, parabens and petrochemicals. But the best part is the packaging, created by super talented Swedish artist Stina Persson. I love her flowing ink and watercolours with a strong hint towards the Seventies flower power style.

Permalink General Kommentarer (3) Trackbacks ()

2007-10-19 @ 23:41:38

Friday Flickr Favourites

Permalink Flickr favorites Kommentarer (8) Trackbacks ()

2007-10-19 @ 01:31:03

Saturday sweets on a Thursday?

Yes, I have decided that is how it has got to be from now on. I will try to keep my weekends blog free in the future, and therefore I will not be able to post the weekly eye candy on Saturdays any more. But I can't let you be without it, right? And since Fridays are reserved for Flickr favourites, it all comes down to me giving you the treats on Thursdays, starting today. So here you go:

Permalink Saturday Sweets Kommentarer (7) Trackbacks ()

2007-10-17 @ 21:23:45

Azucar Hotel in Veracruz, Mexico

Anyone who wants to escape to Mexico with me? This hotel looks so tempting, especially now that autumn is here and cold winds are blowing around my house.

Permalink General Kommentarer (6) Trackbacks ()

2007-10-16 @ 22:08:15

Smallstep, Swedish childrens clothes

This how I would like to dress my own kids. Smallstep is sweat shop free, stylish clothes for growing children within an accessible price range, started in 2005 by Anja Edgren and Stina Jönsson. A web shop is in the making, but until then you can order by email, or visit their store in Stockholm.

"Smallstep designs children's clothes with simple, clean lines to create a contemporary style. They come in a range of neutral colors, so they're easy to mix and match with your child's wardrobe and accessories to create an individual look. And they're durable, easy to wash and specially designed to accommodate your growing child. Smallstep prides itself on its unique designs and strict use of premium natural cottons. All Smallstep garments are designed and manufactured in Stockholm, Sweden."

Permalink General Kommentarer (1) Trackbacks ()

2007-10-15 @ 22:42:08

Harri Koskinen

Harri Koskinen is probably most known for the Block lamp he made in 1996 for Design House Stockholm, but he has done so much more. I love his minimalistic approach to design, function always comes first, and the simple look is taken to pure perfection. I guess that is why he has worked for so many of the most famous design brands, like Issey Miyake, Iittala, Muji, Panasonic and Arabia. Take a look at the web site for Friends of Industry to see more of Harri's work.

Permalink Designers Kommentarer (0) Trackbacks ()

2007-10-12 @ 20:55:51

Friday flickr favourites

Some of my latest flickr favourites...

Permalink Flickr favorites Kommentarer (9) Trackbacks ()

2007-10-12 @ 10:56:14

Tillbords, by Frida Mälarborn

Using the old method of Trompe l'oeil, ceramic artist Frida Mälarborn created Tillbords, a table setting where the plates and table visually melts into one.

Permalink General Kommentarer (5) Trackbacks ()

2007-10-11 @ 20:28:11

Eva Schildt

Now this is a designer with a sense of humour! I love Eva Schildt's clever products, they always have that extra detail taking things from "good looking and functional" to "brilliant"!

Lip Table, 2001
"There is something mesmerizing about watching the rain fall. The shape of this garden table's surface allows rainwater to collect in a birdbath. It's like writing a small poem from nature."

The Ugglas, 2003
"A single candle can create a magical atmosphere. These candle rings made in collaboration with Maja Sten are meant to simply enhance that ambience. They are made with inspiration of shadow theatre."

Light Table, 2003
"This is also a play with objects and their relation to each other. The illustration on the lampshade is made by Maja Sten."

Permalink Designers Kommentarer (2) Trackbacks ()

2007-10-11 @ 10:54:57

The chest of drawers from WIS Design

Many of you have been asking about the amazing chest of drawers by WIS Design that I included in my post about Alcro AD 08 and Casa Cor further down, so I e-mailed Anna Irinarchos (one half of the design duo that is WIS) to get some answers. This is her reply:

Lisa and I are both very fond of mixing old and new, and it seems that so are many others. But now we wanted to put all of the old styles into one single piece of furniture, in a modern framing. What happens if you mix lots of different woods and styles in a single piece of furniture? Contrasts are always interesting. We chose to enhance them by making the new frame in white lacquered MDF, which looks very good against the old wood.

One person said to us; "I can see my whole childhood in this chest of drawers". That was nice to hear.

The response has been great on this chest of drawers, some have asked to buy it, but this particular one is not for sale at the moment, as we might use it for another exhibition. You can however contact us to place an order on one! Since they will all look different, all drawers are unique, it will take us quite a long time to find the right drawers, draw the frame and produce it. These are simply unique objects, and the prize will most likely be around skr 40 000 for one of them. But then you will, as I said, get a totally unique piece.

Permalink General Kommentarer (3) Trackbacks ()

2007-10-11 @ 10:31:31

The Wall Company

The Wall Company is a newly started Danish web shop with lots of cheerful wall stickers available in different colours. And if you can't find one you like, they are happy to let you design your own sticker!
The company was inspired by a trip to Australia, where the founder of The Wall Company first spotted wall stickers, and thought it was a great idea. Just like you and me, they love simple designs and don't take themselves too seriously, which is why the non-permanent way of decorating your walls with stickers seemed so appealing.

Permalink Webshops Kommentarer (0) Trackbacks ()

2007-10-10 @ 22:38:49

Maija Puoskari

I found this new to me designer, Maija Puoskari, through the Bloesem blog today. She comes from the small northern town of Tornio, and says herself that her background influences her design a great deal. This can be seen in the simple, straightforward shapes of her products where the main material is white porcelain. In her own words: "my passion lies in trying and testing new solutions for simple everyday needs where function and beauty are of paramount importance. I am particularly fascinated by reduced forms, as they appear straightforward on the surface, but in fact expose all elements to close scrutiny and are therefore very demanding on the designer."

Maija Puoskari is a member of the design collective juju design party, where I also found these stunning ceramics by Tomi Pelkonen.

Via bloesem

Permalink Designers Kommentarer (2) Trackbacks ()

2007-10-09 @ 23:24:23

Ote, a new glass from Iittala

These are going on my wish list for Christmas! I want them all, please. Their name is Ote, and they are a new range from Iittala. Comes in five colours and three different sizes to suit any drink you might fancy.

Permalink General Kommentarer (2) Trackbacks ()

2007-10-09 @ 01:16:56

My pictures from Hem 2007

So, finally, my thoughts on the Hem 2007 fair: First of all, I am wondering why the fair just becomes smaller for each year now? And why are some of the really big brands missing, like IKEA, Designtorget, Svenskt Tenn and Åhléns? I think the fair would be so much more fun if they were there!

But now let me tell you about the trends I spotted...

First, there are the photo tiles, which look pretty cool with the right motif, but I don't think it is very sensible to make such a big statement with something as permanent as tiles. Perhaps they are better suited for public spaces? I also saw some photo kitchen cupboards, cushions, bags, and of course photo wallpapers. Seems photos are the next pattern?
Then, there was lots of black everywhere, in everything from furniture to wallpapers and fabrics.
Contrasting materials, like shiny coloured perspex or glittering metallics next to raw concrete or unfinished wood.
Lots of Asian and Middle Eastern influences with gold, intricate patterns, muted colours and dark wood.

And as promised, here are my photos from the Hem 2007 fair. Enjoy!

Wallpapers and cushions from Måleributiken i Alvik

Ceramics by Ditte Fischer

Above and below, pictures from the "Personality" exhibition by Jimmy Schönning and Helena Sandberg.

Below are six pictures from the exhibition "Party in the green", about ecological and sustainable products, by Aia Jüdes och Sanna Gebeyehu.

Wooden spoons by Surolle for Carl Malmsten

Dress by Lovisa Burfitt in 100% ecological linen/cotton, dyed in ecological coffee, and a mask made from recycled and vintage materials.

Following, two pics from "Upside down", a trend exhibition for Elle Interiör by Synnöve Mork

Toilet bags in new patterns from Liebling

Cushions from Kreativ Insikt

And lastly, a few pictures from the "Teenage roms" exhibition by Jan Rundgren

Permalink General Kommentarer (16) Trackbacks ()

2007-10-04 @ 23:39:37

The Hem 2007 fair

I visited the Hem 2007 design fair today (as well as the Hem & Villa and Digital home fairs, on the same premises). I met some old friends, and some newer ones, and saw some great exhibitions. This is the biggest public interiors and design fair in Sweden, with over 75.000 visitors last year, and at the end of the month it will be held in Gothenburg.
I took a lot of photos, but unfortunately I forgot the memory card reader in my friends studio so I won't be able to show them to you just yet. Instead, you will have to make do with the official press pictures.

The theme of the fair is Oh, what a party!. This was showed in some of the exhibitions, especially in Personality by stylists Jimmy Schönning and Helena Sandberg, about three family's living rooms decorated for parties. In the top picture below you can see a single girl's house warming party, compact living set in minimalistic white with many smart storage ideas. The bottom photo shows a new year party in a middle aged couples home. Lighting is in focus in this living room, decorated in several hues of black.

Permalink General Kommentarer (6) Trackbacks ()

2007-10-03 @ 22:35:27

AD08, new paint collection from Alcro

Paint company Alcro releases a new paint collection every year called AD, with the new trend colours predicted by some of Sweden's biggest designers and architects and some new up and coming stars as well. This years colours has been chosen by e.g. Alexis Pontvik, Olle Rex, Wis Design and Jon Eliasson, all well known names here in Sweden.
To show off the new colours in real interior contexts, Alcro has set up a cooperation with Casa Cor, a big interior show house that I've written about before here. Also new this year is that the 08 collection includes 4 patterns, not just plain paint colours.

Permalink General Kommentarer (6) Trackbacks ()

2007-10-02 @ 14:45:12

Johan Carpner, designer

Johan Carpner is a Swedish designer who got his degree at Konstfack in Stockholm, and works in a wide range of materials and areas. He has produced textile patterns for well known Swedish companies such as H&M, Åhléns and Svenskt Tenn, and book covers for many of the big Swedish editors. But perhaps what he is most known for is his Tin Tree trellis that not only supports your plants in the summer, but also brings beauty to the garden in the Winter time.

His latest release is this sheet metal and acrylic pendant lamp, Glänta, for Blond, at the same time stylized and organic in it's shape, which gives the room a nice atmosphere. The light sifts though a beautiful foliage, as if we were standing under a tree crown.

Permalink Designers Kommentarer (1) Trackbacks ()

2007-10-01 @ 20:16:59

Big news in the design bloggosphere today

Jan of Poppytalk launches the Poppytalk Handmade online crafts market, featuring some of the biggest names in the craft world today.

Design*Sponge launches her new site, designspongeonline.com, with a whole new design, new editors, new categories and an event calendar to help you keep track of the fun happenings!

Permalink General Kommentarer (1) Trackbacks ()

2007-10-01 @ 10:59:38

Kurbits, new from Rörstrand

Taking a break from all the neutrals, I want to show you this very colourful dinner set called Kurbits, designed by Katarina Brieditis for Rörstrand. Kurbits is a traditional Swedish folk art painting style, with roots in the Dalecarlia area, mainly used on furniture, and is characterized by it's sweeping brush strokes, daring mix of colours and the beautiful flower motives. Brieditis has mixed this with photographs of real flowers to give the pattern a more modern feel.