trendey

There is lots more to say about outdoor decor. One irresistable track is tropical walls. The warmth, joy and strength that bright colours radiate can not be described in words. So I have collected a few pics.

| pics from Cote Maison |

If we are to identify one strong overall trend on the garden/outdoors part it would be to decor as if you were inside; to bring the interior design ideas outside. Below I have put together some inspirational expressions of this.

To use step ladders in home decor is not a new thing, but it’s surely well suited for outdoor decor. Not least on a balcony, to use height. Enhance the summer with tropical colours!  Why not paint a an outdoor wall candy pink? And further emphasise the tropical summer feel with details in green and orange…An outside mirror (bottom photo, left) is decorative. It gives an illusion of space and with colourful furniture it will set a tropical, yet urban vibe. Let your home decor-thoughts, e.g. for a living room, follow you outside. Comfortable chairs and sofas, and decorative details such as lanterns and butterflies (bottom, right)….

An excellent, neat and ûbertrendy example of the interior-goes-outside-trend can be found in the summer house of the writer/entrepreneur/ journalist/blogger Alex Schulman on the island of Gotland. Wall art, details, decorative lighting and even a wall shelf. A magic garden room!

In a land far, far away, on a little hill above a dense pine forest in the remote northern Swedish wilderness, you will find this idyllic summer house garden. Here, creativity and enthusiasm has created an artistic and imaginative environment. First, some snap shots from the conservatory:

See how many frogs, gnomes and colourful flower arrangements you can spot! :) Here’s another dose…

In the extended garden the deep green forest foliage provides the ideal backdrop for the cute wine cellar and the local wildlife. This is charming, unpretentious and pretty.

At my latitude one may have to wait looong, almost until summer, to put out beautiful flowers on the balcony. But there is an amazing plant – the pansy – that despite its splendor actually can stand some splashes of April snow and occasional sub-zero temperatures. I house my brave beauties in flea market bargains: e.g an copper bowl that in the old days used to carry coal, and a worn and torn old chocolate box.

There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance; pray,
love, remember: and there is pansies. that’s for thoughts.

OPHELIA said.

Just a quick note as this year’s outdoor furniture & decor is slowly beginning to be launched. Alongside the nature theme, colour is the thing. And solar-powered lighting! (more…)

| photo: Pia Ulin |

Yesterday night, me and Mike planted some seeds. Some pre-cultivation is going on, in prep of the balcony season. Since we live in Swedish hardiness zone 2 (corresponding to approx. American zone 6) we need to be proactive. Seeds of Tobacco flower, Tomatoes, Basil, Wild Strawberries, Chili and Busy Lizzie are now set in fertile soil. We’ll see who makes it to June :) Beauty is under waaaaay. Let the sun shine in!

In an attempt to prolong, and cherish, the season just passing, here’s some inspirational goods for the garden. Pics above are from Terrain At Styers, the flagship Terrain garden centre, located in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania. The garden & home store Terrain is the fourth brand of Urban Outfitters, i.e. a sister to beloved Anthropologie. Below I have hand-picked some especially inspiring garden goods from this fairly new brand. First is the Doorknob Birdhouse, a rustic and very charming birdhouse made from salvaged wood and vintage-found doorknobs. Next to that, a Courtyard Bird Fountain, which is a small bubbler fountain said to have the same classic shape and rustic presence as the vintage original that inspired its design. The Harvest Basket, highly suitable for a stylish late-summer mushroom hunting, is reminiscent of the baskets used in Europe for harvesting fresh-cut flowers, veggies and autumn produce. Also inspiring is the Antiqued Lotus Pot, a noteworthy terracotta pot with a rough-textured finish – tending to recall the natural weathering on pottery salvaged from the sea.