Imust say, our Christmas tree is a bit crazy! We got it delivered yesterday and it makes me laugh every time I look at it. Like oh my, that’s an enormous tree! Compared to the typical Swedish spruce I grew up with (cut down by Grandpa in a forest nearby the day before Christmas Eve) it’s monstrous. In a good way. It’s like it wants to hug you. Come sleep under my branches.

This is how I like it this year! Only 3 things. Picked & choosed strings lights at cable & cotton (love that place), got a foot from åhlens that fits the period details in the house, and as top star I used a golden angel-thing bought at the local Sally Ann shop. I enjoy it with a cup of hot glögg and oh, almost forgot: traditional Christmas music. I hope you’ve seen that Door Sixteen is actually giving you a download of one of the best Swedish Christmas records ever – awesome retro-style. Don’t miss out on that. Happy December!

| via marie claire maison |

Today, it’s the “Window-Display-Sunday” and the holiday season is officially started! As you might know (or noticed :)) I am not one of those Scandinavians loving all-white (with a sparse touch of graphic, black or grey and toilet-tiled walls). Nope. I love eclectic, boho, colourful, interesting and homey interiors. And X-mas decor makes no exception. Let it speak, glimmer and shine! And lucky for me, this is how the trend winds blow too. More and more colourfulness!

|via house beautiful |

Rag rugs have gone from being a standard element in (at least Swedish) homes, to almost oblivion, to newly awakened wide popularity. Just have a peek though our rag rug tag, there’s quite a lot of fresh decor scenes with this feature. Like well, our hallway! ;) Of course, rag rugs are right on target in today’s passion for reusing and recycling. Personally, I have always loved – and lived with – these handicrafts, which are often a hodgepodge of old t-shirts, bed sheets and other scraps of fabric. And I’m happy I managed to save the ones woven by Grandma from being thrown away. And also, that we got some – beautiful blueish ones – form Mike’s Grandma. Fine as stuff, as we say in Sweden.

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 !

[images: 1,5&6-Light Locations, 2,3&4-Didier Delmas]

Finally, after nearly ten years in a smallish two-bedroomed flat and one looong year of very active house-hunting in London, my husband and I have had an offer accepted on a new place, yay!! We’re so excited!! =) =) =) We’ll be getting some more space and a small garden at last!  As the deal is not 100 per cent final until the contracts are signed and the fat lady sings, I’m not sharing any pictures yet for fear of jinxing it, but in CELEBRATION please join me in drooling over three truly inspirational London homes which feature the best of London style – oodles of creativity, fearless individualism and plenty of eccentricity!

No 1: Victorian townhouse in North London (Hampstead Heath) owned by Sam Roddick – daughter of Body Shop creator Anita Roddick and owner of erotica shop brand Coco de Mer. The boldly blue living room is a very original and personalised space with family pictures, drawings, paintings and vintage furniture. Underneath a glimpse of the trendy industrial style kitchen (love those lights!) and of an inviting seating area with more well-loved vintage furniture. Striking, unique and rather cosy!

No 2: Equally original, but in a completely different way, is this quirky and colourful home of furniture designer Lisa Whatmough (of London label Squint) in Hackney, London. Here, uniform and minimalistic backgrounds allow the happy, multi-coloured granny-esque lamps and vintage-style furniture to take centre stage and really sparkle joy and friendliness. A brightly bohemian and homely fantasyland!

No 3: Third up, is this 1930s arts and crafts house in Brondesbury, London, owned by Joy and Daniel Isaacs.  While a little more “sober and grown-up” than the other two houses, this home is still full of charm and eccentric touches. I love the dark blueish grey on the walls together with the deep red accessories and the vintage stag head - which contrasts beautifully with the modern coffee table. I also really like the minimal yet full impact hallway. It’s bright, uncluttered and spacious and the zebra hide looks great in there.  All in all – a stylishly decorated home with a robust and timeless feel!

[all_images _via Marie Claire Maison and Living Etc]

I find these images fun and inspiring. What I like best is the yellow/deep pink colour combo and the granny-esque lampshades (I so would like a bedside reading lamp like the pink one! :)) However, while I would love to stay in a boutique hotel or visit a friend’s home which is decorated like this, I don’t think I would like to copy this interior design style wholesale myself. Mostly because I want more modern design classics in the mix and am not overly keen on quite such colourful walls, but also because I know I would struggle to get away with it as my husband would absolutely hate this style ;D

[upper right pic from Canadian Home & Country magazine via Brabourne Farm; upper left and bottom pics from photographer Chris Court]