Warm and earthy, ethnic rugs! No news really, but I like that they are in focus.

And when it comes to bedrooms, clothes are not hidden away these days, quite the opposite…

Clothes, especially dresses, are decor. And among product news, I really like the curvy ISALA series. Over and out!

A neat manufacturer in this rag rug wave is the Swedish company RugCycle, with the (from the name obvious) concept of recycling rugs.  Their new 2nd collection is actually a homage to rag rugs, designed in collaboration with the TV-profile and Northern Swedener Linda Lindorff. The staring point has been simple, countryish rag rugs, crafted by local women, often with local designs and techniques. These traditional rugs are hand-picked in Northern Sweden and sewn together in various combinations. The fascination of the craftsmanship and female force behind the rag rugs was crucial throughout the design process. So, the most Scandinavian of flooring traditions is here adapted to modern homes and needs by reusing the old and beautiful crafts. Available for purchase this Autumn. Hurray for this!

Update: And I just need mention this other new rag rug – product. From Danish super-brand Nordal‘s summer 2011 collection: rag rug placemats !

Left pic via Abigail Ahern blog, who suggests a mix of rugs – more than one rug in the same area. Rugs should then be of different sizes to avoid the room being cut (and boring). Ahern herself has a woolen zeebra rug, a circular Anthropologie rug and a worn rectangular kelim in the one same area. Right side pics collected via Sköna Hem & Marie Claire Maison.

Next, below, my beloved pendulum clock I got from late Grandpa Sven. He got this clock when he quit his job as a private chauffeur in the 50s. I think it’s the most beautiful vintage clock there is. To the right, ceramic art signed Grandma Tora. She was a ceramic artist, who amongst other things had owls in her repertoire. This artistry is now contined through the trendey-mum (more about her works later)).

Examples of tricks we knew.. :p On the whole, I think the styling in the IKEA catalogues only gets better for each year. No doubt they are keeping pace with time. As for colours, IKEA fancies red and blue in particular the year 2011.

Good choices imho! Not too exciting and groundbreaking, but lagom (you know the Swedish word ‘lagom’? It’s like a National Word. Things must be moderate and pretty average, i.e.”just the right amount”.) With that said, however, the blue armchair might be a little too blue. Anyway, in terms of interior style trends the catalogue content comprises at least two more recent, apparent ones – a follow-up on the folklore style and a partially new industrial style.

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Above are details from some lovely rooms featured in Danish magazine RUM June 2010 issue. To the left, pillows made out of ponchos from Peru and rugs from Iran and Yemen create an inviting and homely ethnic/folk traditional look. To the right, a startlingly interesting space (a circus wagon in fact) is made even more interesting by the pretty and colourful folk art textiles. I’m warming up to this style, which is all about handcrafted textiles and furniture, patterns and multi- colours.

Some shopping inspiration below:

[Top left: Suzani bedspread from Yurdan, approx. 200-700 USD; Top right: Chair from Niki Jones 250 GBP; Bottom left: Plant pots from Graham & Green 39.50 GBP; Bottom right: Cushions from Niki Jones 38-60 GBP]

…and reindeer from Lapland on Louis Ghost.