Scandinavia Love

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First, I want to say that I  had no intention of takin a week off blogging.. yikes! The boys had a four day weekend and we went to visit my parents in Memphis, Tennessee. It was a fantastic break. Now it's back to work! I have so SO much to blog, I hope to make up for that last week of quiet. Secondly, I wanted to say THANK-YOU for all of your wonderful feedback on owning rats of your own in my last post! It was seriously so exciting for me to see how many folks out there have pet rats! Who knew?! Thank-you for sharing your awesome stories and tips and also for your kind words about our cutie Ramona.

So, as you can see, this post is all about Scandinavian design and my love for it! Some of these items are vintage and some are new but obviously inspired by vintage Scandinavia. And although the Netherlands isn't technically part of Scandinavia, the design (vintage and new) coming out of those parts are distinctly Scandinavian in feel: lots of bold, saturated color often displayed against a backdrop of pristine white, and simplified graphic shapes so obviously inspired by the Mod '60's.

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Above, you'll see several images from one of my favorite designers, Jane Foster, (as well as the lion dungarees below) who lives in England but who has a very obvious love for Scandinavian design as well.

I'm lucky enough to get to travel to the Netherlands this Summer (as well as Belgium!) with Ethan and I just can't wait. We went 10 years ago, but back then I wasn't thrifting much or as into vintage as much as I am now. So I can't *wait* to hit the thrifts over there! I'm already accumulating ideas on what I want to do and see. If you are a Netherlands or Belgium native, please PLEASE share any shopping, restaurant, sightseeing, etc. recs! I would so greatly appreciate it. We love off-the-beaten-path type places and authentic experiences. 

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I've also featured several products by my absolute favorite Swedish designer, Ingela Arrhenius. Her designs are just so perfect! They make me so happy. She is a very prolific designer and often shows in-progress sneak peeks of whatever she's working on at the moment. I love that. Many of her products can be found at OMM Design. Sometimes her products can be hard to find over here in the States, but if you do some good searching you can find them online.

#9 above is one of my favorite design concepts by two stylists living in the Netherlands called StyleCookie. I signed up for the newsletter and am always so excited when I see it show up in my inbox. It's all in Dutch, but thanks to Google Translation I can muddle my way through a little. ; ) I adore the lifestyle photography they curate using various home decor and kid-friendly products. You just click on each product within each photo and you're taken directly to a store where it's available online. Such a fun shopping experience concept!

I have more eye candy to share with you chock full of glorious Scandinavian Design: A Kid's Room Tour from the Netherlands and a Home Tour from Sweden. Both utterly to die for. Stay tuned for those.

Comments

[Beth]

The tea cups have to be my favorite- so cute!

[Karli Plant]

such eye candy! love it.
your going to the Netherlands!?!
who is jealous right now??? Karli, Karli is jealous right now! ;)
can't wait to see the fun and adventures you and Ethan will have.

[Isabelle du Québec]

J'aime tout-tout-tout-tout-tout!!! La salopette jaune et rouge est magnifique! :D ♥

[alice apple]

Where in The Netherlands are you visiting? I'm half Dutch and we're going later in the year! x

[Mape]

Yes, where in the Netherlands and Belgium are you visiting? If you're going to visit Amsterdam or Rotterdam, be sure to eat at the Bazar (http://www.bazaramsterdam.nl/read/fotogalerij?sublist=310&submenu=375). I also think you'd like Hema (http://www.hema.nl/), one of our biggest departmentstores.
If you're touring our country, don't skip the city of Groningen, it's a hidden treasure, just like the island of Terschelling.
And when in Belgium, go shopping in Antwerpen, they have the cutest little boutiques and antique/brocante shops.
Enjoy your visit!

[silvia dekker]

I am a Dutch designer living close to Amsterdam. I actually design patterns and illustrations for Hema. (I have a website: www.silviadekker.nl if you're interested) If you're in Amsterdam make sure you visit the Haarlemmerstraat. This is my favorite shop in it: www.hetgroteavontuur.nl. Also the Nortern Market on monday morning in Amsterdam is famous for it's second hand treasures. Just let me know if you have any questions about the Netherlands...

[Aletta Vos]

If you want a unique shopping experience this is where you want to go
Kempersweg 15, 7156 RB Beltrum (there is a tiny sign by the driveway)
saturdays from 10.00 to 16.00
Its in the middle of no where a big farm shed. Don't forget you flash light!!!!

this is their phone number +31 (0)6 13909665