Swedish – A Decorator's Notebook

Swedish Simplicity…..

Published on January 31, 2013January 30, 2013 by A Decorator's NotebookLeave a comment

My love of Swedish interior design is well known (and well documented) and I was filled with delight to find another source here:

Check out these amazing images from an exceptionally well curated blog…

image via http://blogg.addsimplicity.se/ — image via http://blogg.addsimplicity.se

This kitchen is so stylish…half the size of my own and yet looks a thousand times more efficient.

The glamour of these mirrored doors…..and the antique chair….

Is this an Ikea night stand? Who would guess….

It must be the limited colour palette….the grey, white and black are just so sophisticated .

Need I add anything more?

Homes by Ikea….

Published on March 13, 2012March 12, 2012 by A Decorator's Notebook1 Comment

Another interesting site I found recently is this one….full of ideas from real-life homes using Ikea furniture to create incredibly individual and interesting spaces…not at all like the Ikea catalogue, which is styled and merchandised, these homes truly reflect the personalities of the people living in them.

All images via http://www.ikeafamilylive.com

Is it just me or is there something really great about peeking into peoples’ lives and homes….I am fascinated by how people live and decorate their spaces. I am also constantly amazed at how talented and creative people are, without the help of the a designer or decorator! There are a lot of talented people out there…..

Amazing blogs…….

Published on October 18, 2011 by A Decorator's NotebookLeave a comment

IMG_0175image via myhomeinspirationblog — image via my home inspiration blog

I know I been absent for a while……I have been busy trying to finalise a few details for my two big projects I am currently busy with and also all the furniture I mentioned in a previous post!

I have been obsessed with Swedish , Norwegian and German blogs lately…wow, but those chilly countries certainly inspire incredible creativity! I love their style and I am fascinated how most of the decor is predominantly white, accented with dark greys, taupes and black. Very, very stylish and incredibly easy to live with.

skjellampeimage via villavonkrogh — image via villa von krogh blog

They also seem to combine a lot of vintage items with good old Ikea furniture…..although I am not a huge fan about most Ikea furniture, I do think that that it is the easiest and most cost effective way to add “trendy” furniture to your home without breaking the bank. (My sofa is from Ikea and I love it…I searched for about 6 months to find something I could just flop into and I finally found it at Ikea of all places….)

I am sure it also helps to have loads of markets and fairs to source gorgeous vintage European pieces…something we really lack here in the Middle East! I love all the neutral tones…the key, as always with white rooms and white decor in general, is to layer with textures and tones and these very talented ladies seem to do this beautifully, with different tones of white and off-white.Then there are the natural greys and taupes of cane and wicker , plants and slubby linens….delicious! Add a punch of black or charcoal and you get magic…..perhaps its the light in these Nordic countries that is very white and which just seems to highlight the beautiful combination of these colours……..