trendey

Aren’t chairs and stools the funniest decor pieces of them all?! I think so. In our kitchen we have a table by the window for fast breakfasting chews whilst watching the traffic on the bridge outside. To sit on, we got 2 IKEA Bosse stools. Bosse is small and handy, seat has a hole makes it easy to move. Here’s what I chose for personalizing our Bosse’s: the cool pale-blue hue havsbris (“sea-breeze”) and the warm light sand-yellowish hue strå (“straw”) from the Alcro Design Collection. Painted with a twist.

I’m not influenced by the Olympics and the roar popular hat, I promise..!! But I recognize the colours are hot these days (at least in my home country :)) There’s plenty of inspiration around, I got mine from images of browsing past. Think I fell for the light yellow colour on the cover of the book Cheap Chic (an excellent book btw) and various funny stool and chair ideas blogged, such as paint company Beckers’ inspirational photo via the blog Husligheter and Chair Personality Socks from Charles & Marie via High Fashion Home Blog. And not to mention the lovely Wood & Wool Stools. Imagination is the only limit when it comes to chairs and stools!

The Swedish official Olympics hat has made remarkable success. Swedes of all ages are now frantically crocheting a thick cap of blue, yellow, white and black. Crochet tips are highly demanded as hat spread like wildfire on a growing number of heads. The pattern of the hottest trend accessory right here right now comes from the yarn shop Trassel (link to crochet pattern).

|pic: video from svt.se/os |

I really like the thought of Swedes sitting in their sofas crocheting like mad right now. And as for olympics hats, I fancy the Swedish Olympics hat of ‘94 as well. Little did our athletes know their style would stand the times. Pernilla Wiberg in Norwegian Lillehammer:

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Apple’s brand new iPad – does it like…does it like come with a wall mount? :)

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…and reindeer from Lapland on Louis Ghost.

Now, let’s start off with the trend 2010 talk with denim. Jeans/denim is ALWAYS in trend, but with variations. Spring 2010 runways showed a a relaxed, worn and bitwise patched style. Below’s Ralph Lauren, Stella McCartney, D&G, Chloe and Louis Vuitton.

[pics: style.com]

How does this fresh denim style this translate into the home decor part? Well, easier than anything! Who does not hold a bunch of old jeans? Too small, too large, too worn, out of style? I have loads, enough for a fine bunch of pillowcases, lampshades, and even a curtain length. This season’s denim style is perfect for DIY. Make your own denim pieces and mix with brown leather furniture, beautiful lace or some fluffy or sleek material. Or combine denim with something plaid patterned. I think the denim-curtain idea isn’t too bad; with the nicest part of a pair of suspenders or a piece of a belt as curtain tiebacks – It’s great fun to translate clothing into interiors!

Never before has interior design and (clothings) fashion been such close friends. Home decor has always been affected by general trends, mirrored fashion a bit afterwards and partly led its own course – but today the two parts flow in parallel. They are intertwined! An (almost too) obvious sign of the interaction has been the growing number of collaborations between fashion and interior design; with fashion companies going ‘home’. When it comes to fashion-fitting collaborations Boomerang (bottom) and Diesel (the two top pics) are two brands with nice denim or denim-looking home items in their current collections.

Personally, I think the ‘fashion fusion’ is both interesting and enriching. Ideas on clothes outfits and room decor:  many elements coincide. Let ‘em! Denim your house :)

Personally, I loooove the French/Parisian Chic Eclectic Interior Style…Especially in combination with an industrial feeling or mixed with elements of the clean Scandinavian style. I have unanimously decided that my old pink unicycle (mon cher monocycle!) will be haning on our living room wall in the new place. Mm yeah, I will post a picture when it’s set! 5 days to keys now!

|photo: Côté Maison|

Today, I want to grab your ATTENTION. The last month we have seen our visitors’ numbers doubled. Last few weeks we have had more comments and hearts than ever. Thank yous! Keep it coming! Sincerely, we love to hear from you.

We are not decorators or interior designers by profession, we’re just madly interested. Therefore, we’d like to tell you this: If there is something you would like to see featured here, tell us! If there is anything you would like to share, let us know! If you are a designer or reseller of any interesting decor, don’t hesitate to make yourself heard! We (our internet Guru: Mike) is working on a column list of great interior/home decor blogs, if your blog wants to be there – wave! Do it! And do it by dropping a comment, use the contact form or simply send an e-mail to: mia at trendey dot com. We are all ears! Happy Wednesday!

Now, returning to the eclectic decor style. What determines whether the decorator has mastered this style?

Maybe we can apply law here! In copyright law, the term ‘threshold of originality‘ (Sw. verkshöjd) determines when a creator of a work has certain exclusive rights. Threshold of originality means that something reaches a level of artistry – it is a measure of originality, individuality and independence. The threshold of originality does not include the ideas, the subject or contents of a work, but its unique shape, expression and interpretation. Originality has to do with a reflection of the author’s/creator’s personality. You see where I’m going with this..? :)

The main characteristics of the eclectic decor style is that it radiates authenticity and originality. It is telling of its creator. Furthermore, the eclectic style has been associated some benchmarks: a mix of several styles; design elements should coordinate or have a unifying component; main decor principles should be followed; harmony created. I’m a qualified lawyer but I am no judge. So I’m turning to you: what do you say about the level of artistry in these decors, 1-5? (more…)

In a column in the latest issue of Swedish Recidence Kjell Häglund says Swedes have become trend-bulimics. We are compulsory eaters of home decor trends. Chew and spit, spit and chew. In a furious speed. Before the “right” lamp or furniture piece is for sale, we have bought it.

Worse still, we put ourselves on high horses with our “knowledge”. You can see it in the evening newspapers. They have started to let people send in pictures of their homes and comment on others’ home pictures. Result? Many disparaging remarks. Mean notes and remarks on almost everything from fellow readers who know exactly how the decor should be. Swedes are anxious, believe me, and our resistance to supreme trends is weak.

In view of this, let’s strike a blow for a narrow – almost no trend at all- trend: again; the Swedish folk style. Something old, reliable and genuine. No fuzz. One can not write about Swedish folk decor without mentioning Carl Larsson (1853-1919).

photo: Carl Larsson Garden

The home – the interior ideal – created by artist couple Carl and Karin Larsson in Sundborn more than 100 years ago, has been given standing as the archetype of Swedishness. Sweden’s first interior design book A home by Carl Larsson, with 24 paintings from Little Hyttnäs in Sundborn, came out in 1889. In this book Carl Larsson describes how a nice home can be created with simple means. He writes:

Therefore, o, Swede, save yourself in time, again become simple and dignified, be rather clumsy than elegant, dress up in leather, fur and wool, make yourself furniture that fit your heavy body, and way in strong colours in everything, yes, the so-called gaudy, which are necessary as contrasts to the deep green pine forests and the cold white snow, and let your hand freely cut or paint the meandering he is willing and able to on your furniture. Then you will become happy in the feeling of being yourself, it will go well, and you shall live long upon the earth. Amen.

The painting “Skamvrån” (‘The Shame Corner’) by Carl Larsson

The watch label TRIWA can be mistaken for being Italian, but it is actually a Swedish brand. The founders of TRIWA visited Naples, were inspired, and in 2006 they started to desisgn, manufacture and market playful watches. They were tired of the pale colours typical of Scandinavian fashion and saw an opportunity to add more colour to the world.

I got my first TRIWA watch this summer – in red – and the second this fall/winter – a black one. I really like them. Affordable and fun!

Their marketing is quite fun too….

We have a special eye to trends here @trend-ey. It has been suggested that the main interior trend of 2010 is not to follow any trends. The trend is anti-trend. Key words are personality, freedom of choice, individuality and creativity. To celebrate diversity and imperfection. Or perfection. You choose: Individuality rules!

So, how is this expressed? So far we have seen a strong mix-trend. To mix and match, or actually: mix and consciously miss-match. Preferably, you mix new sustainable design with old furniture and fittings from flea markets and auctions. You mix shabby industrial parts with soft delicate fabrics and fine arts. Re-paint, re-use, and return to your (great) grandmother’s caches. Create your own unique design and decor by putting together spare pieces from today and yesteryear. 

| photo: freshome |

Ideally, in this trend, you pretend not to pretend. You are above and beyond trends; you do as you like. Your newborn obsession with heirlooms and flea market finds is just You, it’s your personality. Now who is fooling who. This isn’t follow no trends, is it?

So what is and what will be the expression and direction of the anti-trend trend? It is not the parisian rock chic, crazy colourful, eco, folklore or country chic, they are all trends… An anti-trend is an aversion to something that is usually chosen. So this need to work at home behind closed doors, otherwise people will ape after each other right? And there, we have the seeds of a trend.

As a first option I boldly say:

There is no such thing as an anti-trend trend. You can not escape.

Option two:

The supply will be wide and diverse, in interior design magazines and blogs and in every conceivable kind of shop. Personal style rules. The world is our interior design oyster.

Option three:

Back to basics. The prevailing perception is that you should own as few things as ever possible. Eco-thinking and consequences of the consumer society makes us want to live organically and be self-sufficient as far as possible. We really don’t care about glossy magazines and expensive design products. Mother Earth is our interior design oyster.

The before-mentioned Colour Futuresâ„¢ - with predictions on how trends and colours will develop – presents one overriding message and five trend related themes for the year 2010. The message for the new year is: Reclaim. And my dear readers, this is cutting-edge, sensible world-enhancing politics. (Colour Futures for president!!):

After the financial uncertainty of recent times and our concern over global warming and eco-management, we need to re-establish those values and qualities that are enduring, true and solid. The general mood is directed towards a more active role for the individual; of taking charge and being responsible for our own destinies, of valuing those things pertaining to friends, family and local communities, and of caring for the world in order to ensure that it is in a healthy state to pass on to our children. We want to be more proactive as individuals, giving back to society rather than relying on the State for total control. ‘Reclaim’ recognises that we are in a state of flux between those attitudes and institutions of the past and what we will replace them with as the new foundations for life. We now have the opportunity to reshape values, recreate systems or build alternative ones.

Each of the five trend themes refers directly to these issues.

They find stylistic independence in Silent Space, material innovation in Fluid Fantasy, reclaiming trust in Basic Beliefs, creative individuality in Free Spirit, and cultural values in Sweet Memory.  All themes come with their own colour palette! (I’ll get back to the blue one.)

‘Reclaim’ heralds a new dawn or new horizon for humanity which allows us the opportunity to look again, create better, improve what has been and adopt a more caring and rational attitude to the way we all live together on this planet and fairly share in its resources – a real reclamation of collective wisdom for the future.

I have never read such a programme, a manifesto, well thought-through and full of world politics. Wasn’t it about colours and trends?! I’m impressed. Will colours change the world the magic year 2010? Well, Only if we let them :)