thrifty chic. Interior style on a shoestring is a book by Liz Bauwens and Alexandra Campbell. Unlike this spring’s fresh new book Undecorate, Thrifty Chic has been around for a while, both as a book (from 2009) and as a (partly overridden) concept. This beautiful book is packed with re-ideas. It shows you how to “reuse and restore, revive and revamp, and recycle and reclaim”, in order to create a stylish yet individual home without spending a small fortune.

As you can see already by the cover, the overall style is relaxed country – and vintage charm is all around. The concept of thrifty chic (and same meaning related concepts) is highly sustainable. Inspiration on how to paint up a tatty old chest, cut old curtains into cushions or give an old chair new life by means of some fabric – will never grow old and mossy. Reusing, restoring, reviving and revamping are things creative people have practiced for centuries and that – nicely enough – will contribute to less consumption and environmental destruction as it includes being cautious with both money and property. As if that weren’t enough, this book is pure beautifulness. It’s friendly written with lots of insider advices. This is one of my favourite photos from the book (photography by Simon Brown):

Gorgeous. All these furniture and stuff came from auctions, thrift stores and local sales.

The book has a feature on colour in hallways I found really interesting too (p.34-35), and some beyond lovely photos of thrifty bathrooms. See p. 118-127 for more pics and great advices on 2nd hand sanitaryware, etc.

It’s a must-have in the design book collection!

It is spring approaching summer and we see COLOURS. Striking bright and vibrant colours from All The Rainbow. Especially irresistible are the yellows – from the fresh sunshiny shade to the most poppy citrus hues.

| images: vtwonen & russh magazine (top) and style.com & vtwonen (bottom) |

| via vtwonen |

Although it’s been some years since the first trend-spotting of odd-chair-dining I’m still intrigued by it. There is so much variety; from deep-laid and all too perfect ‘chair exhibition/miss-matching’ to the flea market hodge-podge look. And somewhere inbetween is the imperfectly perfect mix that seem to have just happened. So how do you do it? There are quite a few good advices around: stick to one colour, let shape be the joint element, mix traditional with modern; have a common thread but don’t make it too obvious. Can you throw any old chair into the mix? No.

Well…YES You Can! There are ‘rules’ about this concept, but remember it all started with rule-breaking. Why would you be creative and fun and break one design rule just to adhere to another? Of course a common denominator in the matching choice will bring harmony (if that’s what you want) and too much miss-matching will make it more inscrutable and interesting (or even like a strange chair parade). It’s in the eye of the beholder. And either way, I cherish the idea and the freedom. I guess the only way to get the perfect odd-chair-mix result – in your very own taste – is by doing. If I were to give an advice I’d say take the chairs you really like. They will have something in common.

| pics via husligheter, vtwonen & sköna hem |

Happy wknd! I’m into some serious redecoration right now. First coat of paint is ready in the bedroom and while waiting to dry I’m making plans for our new dining area. Let the creativity flow!

| image via marie claire maison |

Today I’m loving the light shining through and colour pops.

| kitchen pic via the style files and living pic: fryd+design via decor8 |