Stage and Lighting by Mother Nature

Everyone keeps saying "Get away from the computer and find inspiration outdoors." So yesterday I decided to do just that. Our last day of 2011 was filled with inspiration from Mother Nature as we walked around the local 700-year old fortress, across the river and up the hill from our house. Here's a bit of what we saw.

If you'd like to see a few more pics from the walk and a whole lot of 'set design' from Mother Nature, jump over to The Accidental Swede for a peek at our typical family outing in Sweden.

How do you get your inspiration? Away from the computer...or on it?

Until next time...

Mike

My Style vs. Scandinavian Style

Creating a home that appeals to my design sensibilities while living smack dab in the middle of Scandinavia clean-line design is challenging...at best. 

How challenging? It takes me five times longer to remodel and decorate my home than it should. One weekend becomes nearly two months. One year becomes five. I just cannot find the decor, nor the supplies needed to create my own decor. While others in blogland are talking about Gorilla Glue, I'm fumbling around with a German version of Elmer's. I keep reading on other blogs about this fabulous new Dual Paint + Primer from Krylon, but alas, my last trip to the paint store didn't even score me a spray primer that would cover glass. They just didn't have it. Chalkboard paint? Huh? And when it comes to familiar supplies for the big remodel projects? Hopeless!

Now keep in mind that I've been living in Sweden nearly 11 years. We just got ziploc-style bags 1 1/2 years ago. Oreos came this past year. M&Ms arrived about two years ago. We still don't have ranch dressing. And my mom continues to send over 'care packages' filled with liquid vanilla, Glad Press 'n Seal, and Arm & Hammer baking soda boxes. I know that living in Europe may sound glamorous to some. But believe me, we have the same daily life obligations...but without the comforts of home! I'm not ungrateful for my new European home...just yearning for some home comforts every now and then.

Ok. Back on track. Design and decor.

This is my design aesthetic. Think of this room restored...and with better walls. But the color palette would definitely remain the same. This is 100% me!

Now, here's what is available in Scandinavia.

Do you see my dilemna?  Ok...maybe I am exagerating...but honestly, just a bit! Just look at this Google Images page when I typed in Scandinavian interior design. Do you see the color scheme? It's WHITE! Now don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking white (for all you white aficionados out there)...but let me remind you of my ideal color palette.

Where does that leave me? Trying to fit a square into a circle! 

Today I 'Sweden-ized' photos that I took for my friend who recently had a baby (if you remember my post about the baby shower, she had a boy!). She's also an American and has been here as long as I have. The difference is that she loves the clean and white lines of Swedish design. And her home reflects her love for all things clean, organized, and pale. So I knew that I needed to Sweden-ize the finished product to fit with her decor. How, you ask, do you Sweden-ize a photo? It goes a little something like this.  

Here's an original version of the kid's collage I put together for them.

Now, here is the Sweden-ized version to fit her Scandinavian interior design.

See the difference? Overexposed with a de-saturated color hue. 

How about another example. Here's my button bouquet in its original form.

Now, here's my Sweden-ized version.

My husband is Swedish. And guess what...he likes the clean, modern design. Sometimes I feel sorry for him as I continue to decorate with rich shades of jewel tones and luscious textiles. Sometimes.

I really do appreciate Scandinavian design. Honest. It suits A LOT of people from around the world. It just doesn't work for me. So, I will impatiently continue my quest to remodel and decorate my home in my own personal and eclectic/repurposed aesthetic...despite the many speed bumps and road blocks along the way.

What's your style? Do you have an image that reflects your aesthetic? I'd love to see it.

Until next time...

Mike

A Weekend Free of Blogging

A weekend free of blogging gave us a weekend full of living!

It was a great family weekend with friends over for a visit from England, a visit to the culture festival, and a couple of day trips. And even though my mind was away from the blogging world, 'repurposed' still kept showing up in front of me. Like this funky little kids carousel with toilet seats (above) - which I thought was absolutely brilliant and hilarious to see - and the alligator sculptures made from repurposed tires spotted at an outdoor exhibit.

Take a quick escape over to our Swedish lifestyle blog, The Accidental Swede, for some photo goodness and snapshots from the weekend.

A Weekend Free of Blogging - Part I

A Weekend Free of Blogging - Part II

Until next time...
Mike

Junk On My Mind

It's always on my mind....junk. I constantly scan roadsides while driving. Especially in industrial areas. Looking for something to repurpose and reuse. And clean up the world at the same time.

Most recently it was during our mini vacay up the coast of Sweden. We had a lovely day on one of the rock islands off the coast - which included a discovery of washed up pieces of junk in every form imaginable.

I was left with multiple emotions. On one hand I was saddened by all the plastic containers and such that washed up from the ocean - considering that this was just one tiny little island. I told my husband that we need to arrange a 'beach clean-up' one day for us and the kids. Pick a beach, any beach on the coastline, and you'll find trash washed up from the oceans. It's sad, really. If there is anything good to think about -it is the artists that are trying to bring attention to the subject through art. Like this.

On the other hand, I was elated. Because the discovery netted me some really cool pieces of wood, including a deliciously old slat from a door that has the (severely corroded) handle on the front, and the lock box on the back. I also brought home an absolutely gorgeous chunk of driftwood that will become a part of the garden when we ever get it redesigned. There is a small but beautifully twisted piece of driftwood that I want to use for a Home Sweet Homemade inspired piece, and three pieces of lovely weathered wood slats attached together - might have been part of an old fishing hut, or a boat. Whatever its history, it is perfect just as it is and will easily hold its own on the wall as a piece of art.

I haven't quite decided what to do with that door slat, so if you have any ideas, do leave me a note below. I would love some inspiration - it was just too lovely to leave.

Until next time...
Mike


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I Heart Thrifting - The Video

Enjoy my little homage to Mr. Goodwill Hunting's "I <3 Thrifting" event this past Saturday.

Yes, I went thrifting...but you'll see that I had a couple of distractions along the way!


 


If you want to see the stash I came home with - and what kinds of ideas are swirling in my head that I'll do with that stash - check out my pictorial I HEART THRIFTING post.

Note to self...must learn to better hold steady while walking with video camera!

Until next time...
Michael

I Heart Thrifting

What a fabulous day I had on Saturday at one of my favorite thrift stores here in Gothenburg, Sweden. If you didn't hear about the "I <3 Thrifting" event this year, it was such a great success that I am sure Mr. Goodwill Hunting is already planning for 2012! And it was fun to know that many other thrifty kindred spirits like The DIY Showoff, In My Own Style, and Nesting Place were also out there in their own respective cities - not to mention Mr. Goodwill Hunting, himself!

And I came home with a stash of fabuloso finds! And I already have inspiration for what to do with my treasures - so make sure to follow all the way down and have a look.

Pottery was what caught my eye on this outing. Particularly in shades of blue.

I absolutely adore the pantina on these little clay shot glasses. I came home with glass light globes, small planter bottoms, misc. pieces, and some candle holders that are going to be fabulous middle supports for some unique tiered cake stands.

Now, this one is presenting me with a real dilemna. I purchased it for about $15 because I wanted that blue frame for a known project. But call me crazy...in only 1 day this fabric painting is really growing on me. It is done by a Swedish artist (at least the sig is a Swedish name), but my Swedish hubby says it isn't traditional Swedish design - more likely something from Eastern Europe. But the colors are fab...and it is such a nice oversized piece (about 4 feet tall). Help! What do you think? Keep this painting? Or use the frame to make my husband's 10-year anniversary present - a painting (by me) inspired by this longitude/latitude idea? 

Most pizza joints here serve a thin crust pizza, meant for one. How fun that we found these nice large round pizza plates from Sagaform. Check out their 'very Swedish' designed products. It inspired us to make pizzas from scratch tonight.

NOW...on to the inspiration! I've got plans for most of what I brought home. These are not finished projects...but just playing around to show you what I'm thinking. I've got garden towers on my mind, inspired by those I've pinned on my 'whimsical garden decor' board at Pinterest. Have a look!

The 'shades of blue' pottery will make 1 tall or 2 short garden towers. Those cute little lamp globes (center) will start stacking on an old broken broomstick and become a tall tower of glass goodies. The little pottery planter bottoms will sit on those cutie pie clay shot glasses on some kind of natural stone...and serve as little bird baths and feeders. 

And last but not least, I think this one will be a pretty simple bird feeder...the glass vase with a little porcelain vase on top...and an extra surprise tucked inside for when the birds come to visit.

Whew! What a great day that was. I've put together a fun little video about my thrifting day and I hope you'll have a look for a little thrifting inspiration. Feel free to shop and tell me if I need to go and pick you up anything!

Until next time...

Michael

Weekends in Sweden

One of the fun things about living over here in Sweden is happening across other Americans who are visiting. A friend and I went over to Marstrand island last weekend with our chickadees for a girl's day out, and ran into this lovely family while we were having a traditional Swedish lunch of fläsk och potatis - which is basically pork cut thinly so it resembles a really thick bacon, and a side of boiled potatoes with seasoning. Yummy! I'm embarrassed now to say I don't remember their names, but they were from Connecticut and hopefully they will check the blog to see their lovely family photo with the island's 350 year old fortress in the background.  Update:  Lucky for me they were checking in so I'm now happy to introduce the Portugal family (Edwin on the right is following Blue Velvet Chair - Hi Edwin!).

They were here to pick up their new Volvo from the main factory in Gothenburg (where I live). Did you know that you can order your Volvo and then come over here, drive it around for up to 6 months, and then they will ship it over to you? You'd be surprised at how many people actually do that. 

Back to Marstrand...it's a small island with a rich history (you can walk around it in about an hour). It's not quite tourist season, so the island was super calm and peaceful as we walked around. An absolutely lovely day! These are the times when their marketing slogan "West coast, best coast!" holds true!

Until next time...
Michael