isak

: : lovely patterns at .isak. I think it's a Swedish designer based in Britain.

Midsommar

: : Glad midsommar! today is midsummer [midsommar afton] in .Sweden. Iz and I are celebrating all weekend together with our Swedish friends.

: : these are my favorite midsummer pics from flickr : :

teatime

: : inspired by the peonies in my own room and a post a little while ago on d*sponge, I was happy to discover .teatime. and exhibit put on by .rose & radish.

: : I can't go a day without fresh flowers in my room now : :

The king of flowers

: : this year Sweden celebrates Carl Linnaeus, .the king of flowers. , on his 300 year birthday. Carl Linnaeus can, as it's expressed below, "claim may magnificent honours". but what I would like to highlight, and what I personally feel thankful for are Swede's special relationship with nature. I think of it almost as a seed that he planted in us, as a nation, which has continued to grow and is still to this day, so deeply rooted in our culture and in each individual. One aspect of Swedish life that I miss the most, access to nature and people's respect and love for nature.

Carl Linnaeus, 1707-1778
By Claes Britton

The great Swedish natural scientist Carl Linnaeus can claim many magnificent honours. He was, beyond doubt, one of the most influential scientists in history, crucial to our present day understanding of how the species on this planet relate to one another, and widely acclaimed as one of the most important progenitors of Charles Darwin. Linnaeus, who was trained and practised as a physician, was the first ever to define the human being as an animal among other animals, naming it Homo sapiens.

As such, Carl Linnaeus is surely the most famous Swede of all times internationally, and something of a forefather of contemporary Swedish science. Linnaeus was also the foremost explorer of the vast country of Sweden. He travelled extensively, meticulously studying and classifying the nature, people and culture of region after region, starting with his famous voyage to remote subpolar Lapland. As Linnaeus was also a brilliant and powerful author, his records of these travels, as well as other writings, are living classics, still widely read today.

It is also fair to say that Carl Linnaeus, more than any other single person, implanted in our national soul that very special relationship with nature that we Swedes continue to experience so profoundly to this day.

Article excerpt from linnaeus300

linne2007 [additional information here]

carl larsson

: : .... and all of this reminiscing of traditional Swedish art got me thinking about my all time favorite, .carl larsson. One of Sweden's most well known artists, who depicted the Swedish home of his time (folkhemmet), and particularly his own home, in such captivating motifs and beautiful bright colors.

modern kurbits

: : the work by .jantze brogård asshof. incorporates traditional kurbits patterns into modern furniture designs.

kurbits

: : I have felt particularly inspired by traditional Swedish kurbits patterns from the region of Dalarna, lately. I'm excited about re.discovering this Swedish art form. I think this will spark some new work......

precious

: : how do you not fall in love with the work of .feinedinge.?

away

: : in a foreign city this week....sleeping in heavenly beds.

love is in the air

: : nine years and counting......every day more lovely than the one past....

: : tack älskling : :



.antigirl's lovely .flight of fancy. recently framed, in the background.

brazil baby

: : found this photo when I was organizing last weekend. I'd like to re.introduce myself. brazil born to .swedish. parents. developed a serious addiction to guaraná soda and caipirinhas early on.

the new red.house

: : hello lovely red.house readers.

this is more of a personal note. I've noticed that I am wanting and have been wanting to be more personal with all of you. there is so much more I want to share. I want to share more of me, more of my daily thoughts and more of my personal creative work. so, I'm going to give it a try! from today on there will be more of my personal photos....more of my work...more colors...more swedishness.....more red houses.

and hopefully more of you all! I hope you will share your thoughts with me as you always do. thank you for being so wonderful! tack. det betyder så himla mycket!

: : ooo and the blog roll has been updated : :

swedish kitchens

: : .jeu de paume. is a small family run Japanese publisher, who have created some lovely books with wonderful imagery of Swedish homes. My favorite is of kitchens in .stockholm.

there's so many great designs of simple commodity products in Sweden. here's a sneak peek into my mom's pantry [from my Christmas trip].

update: : looks like they're currently searching for couples without children living in .stockholm., for their coming book. if you're interested, there's more information on lovely .emma's blog.

naked and angry

: : submit your prints to .naked and angry. and your pattern might end up being their next big sell. .naked and angry. creates wallpaper, with your patterns! submit your pattern and if you get enough votes it will become the inspiration for their next wallpaper, and you can win
$ 500! so get to it!

a little help?

: : found this beauty in a vintage design store in .montreal. a few weeks ago when I was visiting my sister. it's got a swiveling teak arm, and the profile of the lamp itself is just beautiful. it's like a happy cloud hanging next to my bed.

but I was hoping for some help, all I know is that it's a danish design, made in .denmark. in the 60's.....but I'd love to find out more about it, so if you've seen similar lamps, or have any information about this one, I would love to know. I've googled, searched e.bay....but can't seem to find anything. I'm hoping you guys can help me out. thank you!

: : update : : new photos of the lamp. I keep staring at it. my friend .maiya. has developed lamp envy. maybe these photos will her make her more jealous? so far, no lead on its origin. it might remain a mystery.

joom

: : found joom on etsy. seems like I was the last one. because later I found it on a few other blogs. wonderful stuff.

dream of stars

: : lovely art on etsy by .dream of stars.

swedish design women

: : a hot tip from .tina. again...Swedish designer .margot barolo. everything from ceramics, to lamps, to textiles. another name to keep your eyes open for is .märta friman. close friends, together they designed these stools for .svenskt tenn.

vintage furniture

: : I bought a beautiful Danish vintage lamp when I was in Montreal visiting my sister. I will post pics as soon as I have mounted it on the wall. yes, it mounts on the wall and protrudes out like a beautiful sculpture. you'll see.

but since finding the lamp I've been on a vintage furniture kick, searching both online and in local antique stores for special finds. I've been especially hooked on large lamps, like these two Danish beauties above. or how about a .hans wegner.papa bear chair. ?

there are some really good vintage furniture places to check out online...here....and here

swedish magazines online

: : ...... I was in heaven when a friend of mine directed me to a Swedish site .tidningar. where you can browse every page of every Swedish design magazine you could imagine....and many, many non.design magazines.....at first I thought they uploaded every issue, but I couldn't understand how that could even be possible or legal for that matter. but it turns out it's a site to promote Swedish magazines that might be fairly unknown to some or hard to find. you can browse one full issue of each magazine, but that's it. and if you are interested in subscribing, they will direct you. it is still a wonderful place to be!! a great site.tidningar.

so go ahead...browse!