50's inspired wallpaper from Sandberg

                                                                                   Image from Sandberg
I love wallpaper. So much that I don't have any at home as I can't decide which one to choose... I need more walls!! But for the kitchen, I really like this one from the swedish company Sandberg. It's called 'Alexandra' and it's from their latest collection, Villa Harmonica. I love the soft colors, the fishes and the lemons, it's like looking at a cooking book from the 50's! It comes in light grey, light turquoise (my favorite) or pink. And now, I feel like cooking in heels with a full skirt dress...

                                                                  Image from Sandberg

Vintage IKEA catalogues

Vintage IKEA catalogues are always fun to look at for some inspiration! Their furniture from the 60's and the 70's have become highly collectable, and when I spot a vintage chair at an auction, it's nice to be able to find it in the original catalogue, and see how much it costed back then!

The two "Impala" sofas below were designed by Gillis Lundren for IKEA in 1972. They became quickly bestsellers, but were discontinued by the next year because of the high production cost. In 2010, they sold for 7200SEK (about 1000$) at Bukowskis Market. The estimation was 4000SEK (less than 600$).
Take care of your vintage furniture pieces, you never know how much it could worth in a few years!

                                                             Image from Bukowskis Market

Sami boots from Kero tannery

                                                               Image from Kero

Since it's freezing cold outside, I guess it's time to invest in some good boots. Can you tell I'm trying to find an excuse to buy another pair of boots? Anyway, these boots (reindeer skin) will probably last forever, and are crafted in the swedish Lapland by the tannery Kero. Being located in Sattajärvi, above the Arctic circle, I assume they know a thing or two about winter boots! Another good reason to buy them (even better that the fact that they will look good with skinny jeans) is that the tanning process is eco-friendly. I feel like I'm enjoying winter more and more...

                                                               Image from Style Clicker

The boots in the picture above, found on Style Clicker can also be purchased from Kero. But I would love to find them vintage, so I would not have to wait for them to acquire that beautiful patina! 

The shop is here!

Glass igloo in Finnish Lapland

                                        

Images from Hotel Kakslauttanen via Cabin Porn

Spotted on the always fabulous Cabin Porn, sleeping in one of those glass igloos is now on my to-do list for next winter! Hotel Kakslauttanen is located 250 km above the Arctic circle (1085 km from Helsinki). Listen to this: "Glass igloo provides an one of a kind opportunity to admire the northern lights and millions of stars of the crystal clear sky in a comfortable room temperature." Winter bliss!

Finnish photography: Ismo Hölttö

                                               Image from Bukowskis Market

I only discovered the work of Ismo Hölttö (1940 -) a few months ago, and since then, I’ve been fascinated by his wonderful, powerful photographs. The one above, “Two boys and the Suomenlinna Ferry” was taken in 1964 at the Market Square in Helsinki. The artist an art critic Erkki Pirtola explains better than I could do Hölttö’s work:       “Hölttö characterizes the fundamental elements of the human race as it is found in Finland: tough, rudely beautiful people, as the harsh Northern environment has molded them since time immemorial. They are the type of people who can survive in the Northern conditions, surrounded by the dark and frost of the winter. Hölttö’s photographs tell a tale of a bygone way of life which would only be knows by the objects left behind without the wonderful power of photography”. (via Carte Blanche Photography)

Unfortunately, it looks like his website doesn’t exist anymore, but you can see more photographs on the Young Gallery website or Carte Blanche Photography (linked above).

Here's 2 more!

Images from Young Gallery

Danish teak rocking chair

                                  Image from Bukowskis Market

I never imagined that one day, I’d be obsessed with a rocking chair. But when I saw this one auctionned at Bukowskis Market, I knew I had to place a bid. Just a small one, just in case... Ok, I love auctions and my “small” bids do not always end up that small. I tend to take it personal when I’m outbided, so I’m like “Don’t you dare taking my things away from me!”. And then I place another bid. Silly, I know. I did not get the chair. I was too reasonable (it sold for 410 euros, about 520 USD plus commission fees). But those lines! And a teak chair covered with mint green leather is rather unusual! The designer is unknown, but it was (probably) made in Denmark in the 50’s-60’s. I finally got over it knowing that anyway, if it was in my living room right now, I would not even sit on it. I would sit on the sofa instead so I could stare at it... 

Swedish folk bags

These small swedish bags were originally worn with folk costumes. I don’t really know how old they are, 60’s -70’s maybe, but the red one could be a little older that that. They’re normally made of felt, wool, fabric and leather with a handwoven handle and bright colors. Love them!

Marimekko Advent Calendar

I know, it’s late to get excited over an Advent calendar, but it’s not just some Advent calendar, it’s a MARIMEKKO calendar! Which means no cardboard tasting chocolates included, just gorgeous fabrics from the finnish brand with bold patterns and bright colors. Try going to the Marimekko store on a dark and rainy winter day, it’s a fantastic way to cheer you up! This calendar was on display at the Malmö store for the second year in a row, and once again, I thought that I should make my own, as it’s quite easy and cheap to find vintage fabric leftovers in thrift stores. But this one is so pretty that it would be a shame to use it only a few days a year! I think I would just make the numbers smaller and after Christmas, I’d leave it on the wall and put my stuff in it. Doesn’t it look perfect for shoes or accessories? Now, I have almost 11 months to learn to sew...