| left pic via lev landlig #7/2011, right: trine thorsen|

I’m not sure if Norwegian decor’s va va voom factor would have happened without the artistery of Norwegian photographer Trine Thorsen (site/blog). And besides the many Norwegian blogs featuring variations of this style, the interior/lifestyle magazine Lev Landlig is undeniably one of the best in its range.

| left pic: trine thorsen, right via lev landlig #7/2011 |

Blonde wood & wool are crucial elements, and for some reason, so are plates! The colour schemes not seldom include light blues, and other inspiring details of this beautiful fjord country’s style are antlers and fishery equipment.

| left via stines blogg/vintage chic, right: trine thorsen |

 Lastly, a Norwegian bedroom nature-style.

| pic via NIB – norske interiørblogger |

Personally, I really really like the Norwegian touch, and especially the more countryish part and the nature inspired details. Many times though, the contemporary Norwegian style is set against an all-white backdrop (white walls and white-painted floors) and that’s the part I like the least. Or well, i can definitely be beautiful to look at, but my feeling is I wouldn’t stand such white interiors in my everyday life – just like I wouldn’t everyday (or anyday!) wear a white suit and white shoes, even if the accessories were cozy :p This pic is an extremely nice example though! Love how the elements are put together. More inspiration on this style can be found at Draumesidene, a blog by the bedroom owner.

Now that’s me. How about you – does Norway inspire you too?

 | It’s part of The Engineer Collection and is available at trendey-favourite Rockett St George |

This picture is from the cover of Homes & Gardens November 2011 issue. What a spark! The colour scheme is so attractive. And I suspect the botanical prints will survive (and develop) a few more seasons to come – not least because they are part of the trendification of the countryside and the popular urban farming-thinking. The only thing I immediately would like to change in this room are the matchy-matchy lamps (and the cushion arrangement – it screams precision and control). Gorgeous sofa spotted. Now, at this time a year, one only needs to look out of the window to get inspired. Nature’s wonderful display of colours surpasses every other source of inspiration.

Although it’s not this red in Stockholm city today, the inspirational beautifulness is significant. Moving along to the November issue of Living Etc, I think the use of red in this blue paradise is as excellent as can be…

And the copper, dear copper, is a crucial element. Now who’s not thrilled by a tango? Its dramatic energy, sensuality and power totally symbolizes red. (Comes to mind I actually went to Argentine tango classes some 10 years ago, believe it or not!).

Lastly, one more red masterstroke to look at. These lipstick red panton chairs (pic found via A Beautiful Living) are in my opinion what makes this kitchen wow instead of ok, nice. My future house will no doubt contain a pair, maybe not as mysteriously placed as these (guess it’s simply for relaxing while food is cooking), but I do like the unconventional vibe it entails.

Happy Autumn days!

| ceannis |

Please tell us about it!

Longneck is our first baby actually. We designed longneck while we were designing nisantasi berker house (name of the project). We created it as a tv unit and later on we decided to make it as a moduler unit. And after all we are quite satisfied.

You should be! Your furniture collection is lovely. What was your main inspirations and thoughts for the collection?

We always try to work with the sense of style, simplicity and functionality and mostly believe that scandinavian furnitures are really good designs and we as escapefromsofa try to look from their aspect. And also we believe that the devil is in the details!

For the collection also we tried to achieve the perfection of simplicity, the perfection of craftmanship and also the perfection of functionality.

Your brand name is interesting. It implies a movement away from the sofa?

That’s actually what we try to impress with the name of escapefromsofa. As you know mediterenian people live quite close to their sofas. But we as escapefromsofa try to stay away from sofas. We love our job and we love to design. You know the saying that “ let your job be your lover, so that you dont have to go work everyday!“ This is the main idea that we try to implement to our office and co workers.

That’s you reviving all couch potatoes! :)  Indeed a great saying. This is my third favourite, the rocking chair Short Tail:
Please tell us about it!

As you know every designer has at least one iconic rocking chair. So that we designed one :)

Well done! Love its vibe. Lastly, what are your plans -  when and how will your products be available?

Our goal is to enlarge our collection and meet with manufacturers. So that we can distrubute our products worldwide. Also if we manage to produce 1.000.000 pieces of one product than i can say that we achieved our goal :).

Our product are available at Nordist in Istanbul. Hopefully we ll come up worldwide soon :)

And yey, Trendey sincerely hopes so too!

I love this mix. So snug and comfortable! With a gorgeous Autumny colour scheme and a laidback combo of flea market finds and mid-century design. Harmonious and down-to-earty yet interesting.

| via Lantliv |

Lotta Ahlvar highlighted a clearly growing trend in Sweden – the urban farmer. Or at least, the urban cultivator. The city is transforming into Farmville. Think potato plantations in the window and warp chickens on the balcony (and maybe a dairy cow in the garden?) Long passed are those multi-equipped fancy kitchens people never cooked in, just showed off the occasional sourdough. Now it’s time to plant some uniquely rare beans. In a cozy and 70s nostalgia environment. Crafts belong to the new (new-old) movement too and wool was noted as a trending material; knit, crocheted or tangled. Recycled. And wood! Lots of wood. Even more of the Swedish pinnstolar and Windsors (especially appropriate as one of our main resources and exports is wood). Moving on to the trend colours,  the charts for 2012-2013 contained lovely reds and 70s yellows together with gold and copper (i.a., this is only one / my selection). I really believe in Brandy orange + brass. There was also charcoal and clay. Now this was some of the trend news, let’s await a greater impact! I personally am convinced Lotta Ahlvar is right on track in her trend spotting (and n.b. I’ve fueled some of the content; all excesses are on me, not the lecturer). If not already, in due course (the style-anxious) Swedes will take the new trend line very seriously. Furthermore, this path is a natural consequence of our eco-thinking, conscientious waste sorting & recycling and not least given the ongoing trendification of the countryside.

As mentioned above, the innovativeness and trend sensibility demonstrated in the Ahlvar speech (and in the written Formex material) was not very much reflected in the Formex fair’s main content: the exhibiton. Some nice things were spotted – pictured above, though seen before -  but the overall impression was just as shabby chic as 2005. Loads of factory-worn or whitewashed signs with positive messages and other “newly-made antiques”. Not one single eye-opener, which leads me to conclude that the Swedish (mainstream) market for interior design products is pretty dull. Do It better Yourself – my next mission is to find/invent and share some DIY-ideas.

And speaking of, I like the DIY fair Hem & Villa and the Home fair way better. This year [Oct 13-16] it’s themed – tadá! – Close To Nature. Trend report follows.

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| pics via norrgavel, anthropologie, sköna hem & unknown/forgotten |