This weekend I had my first cup of chemex-brewed coffee. Delicious! I used freshly ground Kenya AA beans, and the result was the best coffee I’ve had in years. No giant step from my usual coffee making – which used to be a plastic filter holder placed on top of a cup – but a lot more refined. And hey, with the clean mid-centrury modern design – a blond leather band corseting the hourglass curves, it’s so stylish! Verdict: Chemex is found well worthy of its hype.

Invented in 1941 by German doctor of Chemistry Peter Schlumbohm, recognized as one of the best-designed items of modern times in the 50s, and honoured a place in the permanent collection of e.g. the Museum Of Modern Art, this retro piece is both spendid American design and excellent functionality. Schlumbohm is actually quoted saying “with the Chemex, even a moron can make good coffee.” I think it’s true! and maybe he had his hunches this invention would be ultra-trendy in the capital of a land far far away (Sweden) in the end of year 2011, at its 70th birthday :)

Update Nov 30th: I just noticed Anthropologie now has Chemex’s in their range! I guess it isn’t only Stockholm trendiness, then. It’s a wave.

This one is my current favourite. Due to the slight uncomfortableness of our beautiful rococo sofa, we are now considering an alternative. Our redpink rococo darling will in any event be stored and kept for later, but for now two working ants need something comfy to relax in after a weeks hard work. My dear hubby wants a perfectly worn Chesterfield sofa, me fancy something like this. More fluffy than Børge Mogensen’s sofa, but still leather, still caramely, still retro. The roaring 20s and Gatsby era is such an intriguing inspiration.

| from the hugo collection at graham & green |

The retro trend shows no signs of cooling off – quite the opposite! In 2011, we love things retro, calling on 50s and 70s mainly it seems, but all decades from 70s and further back are having a groovy revival. One single retro detail (like a vintage radio, retro phone, etc), some pices of retro furniture or full mid century nostalgia – all variations are present. I love this space, from the home of Hilda Grahnat. It’s interesting, laidback and pretty – and smashingly trendy.

I even spy a rag rug! And I love the license plates. I actually have a really nice German temporary license plate saved from when I went to Germany in 2006 and bought myself a car. It has been hanging in my father’s garage since but some time ago I brought it home and it’s now standing on a kitchen shelf! (And actually, my father revealed Henen had taken the other one!! Had no idea, cool we were both hunting number plates. And Henen, of course you can have my other plate, good there are always two)) Also, I really like this wallpaper below from Sanderson‘s 50s collection. It reminds me of the beloved Granny-style wallpapers I used to hunt (without result, may I add. Though I still dream of finding an old house with original wallpapers intact). Anyhow, a nice composition this one.

Lastly, a fresh retro-ish space via Style by Emily Henderson. Rarely have whiskey looked this neat! A great and so harmonious display on the sweet retro cabinet. And the tree/greenery – I love it that houseplants and flowers are visiting interior scenes again. Not a decade too late!

Friday it’s Midsummer’s Eve! I will go the midnight-sunny North and I will collect seven different wild flowers and put under my pillow to sleep on. Always have. (and never remembered what I dreamt!) See you when I see you.

In the meantime, while Trendey sisters focus on their regular careers & professions, we have the greatest blog tips for you: Dos family. As always, you might already know all about it, but if not: this is a blog by decorator (slash designer, columnist, TV-presenter, etc)  Isabelle Halling McAllister and photographer Jenny Brandt (who also has the sammy rose blog + shop) The lovely pics above are shot by Jenny at Isabelle’s. I think the black wall display is fabulous! And there’s loads of more inspiration on playful and charming kids’ rooms (like the one right) on their site. It’s undoable (and unnecessary) to define their interior style tastes, but I’d summarize it Happy Scandinavian :) Clearly creative, retro, personal, arty, homey, free-spirited and fun. Below is a really nice example of a ‘Dos Visit’, photographer Jenny Brandt visits Lisa Grue’s home. More of this lovely retro charm can be found here.

I think these two rooms below are very interesting! The decor is simple, yet the Josef Frank wallpaper looks nicer than ever together with the retro/vintage caramel sofa. The bathroom could have been downright boring but the pink pastel door (and a photo display or something hidden behind it) and the orange rug on the grey patterned floor is ‘all it takes’ to give the place some interesting character.

| all photos: Jenny Brandt @ DosFamily |

Now, lastly, I will join DosFamily’s upcoming blog battle – no idea what it will be about, but I will take the challenge :)

confetti garden’s flickr

Let me clarify I do not have any children of my own (yet) and thus no credibility (or insight) in the field of popular kid’s toys. But isn’t there a sudden explosion of retro cars? In the very same issue of Swedish magazine Allt i Hemmet, april/may 2011, two different homes are featured, each with a kid and a red retro/vintage car. Man, that’s over-explicit! In the left picture, the boy’s car is a replica of a car from the 30s. In the right picture (from a 30s house), nothing is said about the car but it surely is a signature piece in the kid’s room. Well now, if you want to live the happy glossy (Swedish) magazine life – then get your kid a good ‘ol retro vehicle! ;) I’d love one of those above…

The Stockholm Formex Fair is the largest trade fair for Nordic interior design, and we have a tradition of tracking their statements on future home decor trends. Before each season’s fair, Formex pronounce their trend predictions, and the current season (SS2011) was given the trend theme Glorious Mix. This season was the first I didn’t get at all what they were talking about. Or well, it was the new surge for gleaming shiny surfaces, the psychedelic patterns and the modern jet-set feel I couldn’t see coming. Maybe it’s here now, at its peak, in the middle of the season – it has nevertheless escaped my eyes. And most definitely escaped my home :p

For autumn/winter 2011 the prediction says: Cosy Minimalism. With influences from the simple and natural elements of both Nordic and Japanese design and architecture. The focus is on a warm and comfy atmosphere.

With disasters and conflicts increasing around the world we seek security in a cozy home environment that exudes warmth, companionship and care. We gather around a crackling fire and enjoy surrounding ourselves with timeless materials such as rough wood surfaces, leather, suede, wool and terracotta – robust natural materials that will stand the test of time and simply become more beautiful as the years pass. The design expression is elegant, austere and sculptural, with a masculine feel. This is softened and given a warm, cozy feel with the aid of attractive, tactile materials such as knitted and soft structured textiles in patchwork and layered designs. Classic masculine check patterns are combined with graphic stripes and geometric, ethnic motifs. You will find updated versions of tweed, glen check and tartan. The color scheme focuses on a warm and sophisticated palette. The base consists of saturated earth tones and beige tones inspired by wood and leather, complemented by wonderful warm red shades and a selection of brighter colors inspired by the vegetable plot. The metallic shimmer of copper in a variety of forms is the most interesting accent for the season. The interior design feel is modern retro, but with a new aesthetic mix that radiates a timeless and relaxed elegance. Warmth, harmony and balance are the catchwords for the season.

Allright, I can believe in this! Makes sense. Did my own little inspiration board below.

Formex pic plus wood lamp by Muuto, a vintage Eames DSW from Firefly House, London and a beautiful patchwork kelim auctioned at Lauritz.