PUT A LID ON IT

Not sure if this is a Svenskt Tenn knock off or just a good looking little gem of a box. My affinity for boxes with lids is still as true as ever before. Since our house is filled with three boys and a mama, I also appreciate design that is not overtly masculine or feminine, and this box is neither of those.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE H&M HOME 

WEEKEND READS

  

Breathtakingly beautiful photography in Sveriges Nationalparker. I wrote about this book in 2013 but it still remains one of my top choices for books to gift. Stunning, simply stunning.

Previous attempts to interest my children in beans have been futile. Perhaps I'll find renewed courage in Bönor Ärtor Linser. Pods for my pods.

It's a new season, and Ernst has a genuine ability to combine season with simplicity. I'll turn to Året med Ernst, until his christmas show kicks off.

Follow the links to preview each book.
IMAGE: BOOK COVERS VIA ISSUU 

BRILLIANCE

Swedish glassware company Kosta Boda has been around since 1742, but it's been a few financially rough decades lately. What a wonderful thing that Sweden's largest food chain ICA teams up with Kosta Boda to produce beautiful crystal glasses for the masses at amazing prices! A win/win for consumers, ICA and Kosta Boda. 

I've been looking for plain, beautiful, crystal stemware at a price that doesn't keep them in my cupboard at all times... These I would dare to use even at family dinners. Available online and at ICA Maxi stores. 

IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE ICA HEMMA

THE LAST WEEKEND OF OCTOBER

If you are looking for a classy compromise between an American Halloween and Scandinavian style, here it is. Thank you Iittala.  

IMAGE: PRESS IMAGE IITTALA 

A SOFT SPOT

Somehow I seem to have missed the new line of throw pillows at Bruka Design and, with the exception of the moose pattern,  I really like the mix of patterns in soft neutrals. Available in linen and cotton at Bruka Design.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE BRUKA DESIGN

TO LIGHTEN MY LOAD

If I were to nominate THE most unnecessary yet most frequent purchase for Scandinavian homes, it would be tea light holders. Because truly, you just need a small glass jar with a wide enough mouth. So why do I persist in wanting another set? Specifically, this hand painted specimen from Royal Copenhagen. From the Black fluted mega series. Gah. 

IMAGE: ROYAL COPENHAGEN WEBSHOP

BARKING UP THE RIGHT TREE

I adore the wooden ornaments from Åhlens. I have few roosters for my Easter branches, but the forest animals from previous years sold out before I could get my hands on them. This year the kids will get their own little "FEJKA" tree to decorate and these canine creatures are on their wish list. I think its splendid with ornaments that can't shatter, and won't shed glitter across the home!

IMAGE: PRESS IMAGE ÅHLENS

T-BANE UNDERGROUND TUNNELBANA SUBWAY

Travelling by subway in Oslo I am reminded once again that random things can trigger homesickness. Two days ago I missed the decorated caves underground that are the subway stations in Stockholm, something I never imagined I would long for!

IMAGE: "Stockholm subway radhuset 20050808 002" by Jonas Bergsten - Photo taken by Jonas Bergsten using a Canon PowerShot G3.. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.

ROCK IT OUT

Such a funny cake tray/cookie stand/etagere! Silicone and wood! Would suit the Queen of hearts in Alice in Wonderland. Our 7-year old needs a place to unload his pockets, and display his ever growing rock collection. This is a fancy option, but kind of cool too. Designed by KG Design, and available in several colours at Inreda.com.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE FROM INREDA.COM

A GREETING FROM THE PAST

The pressing room of porcelain factory Rörstrand circa 1900, dating it to 30 years prior to the design of the china I use. I assume this is where patterns were pressed onto china pieces. Fun to see! We should all become better at documenting our workplace, schools, churches, and every day surroundings. The future will assume most of us lived at Disneyland, on beaches or were constantly vacationing. Which we probably are, compared to the workers pictured above.
IMAGE: PHOTO BY AXEL MALMSTRÖM, VIA FLICKR, CREATIVE COMMONS, SOME RIGHTS RESERVED

WEEKEND READS

  

I have lamented my lack of flower pots here on the blog, but this year I've begun to collect a few ones so that we'll be somewhat stocked come Christmas. This book offers simple suggestions that do not require any degree of floral skills, which suits yours truly perfectly... Preview Krukväxter by Malin Hidesäter and Anna Skoog. 

Speaking of a mom not to keen on cooking today... perhaps Lisa Lemkes one pot meals in can inspire me enough to remedy the lack of cooked meals this weekend. The images are schock-full of fall food beauty. Preview Allt i en gryta here.

Fall is the most beautiful season in the forests and mountains. I savour the images of Magasin Höga kusten. My boys just need to get a few years older, and then I'll drag them along on all sorts of hikes! I can't wait! Read the entire magazine here.
IMAGES: COVERS FROM ISSUU.COM 

SLICE IT UP

Sometimes when the mother in this household isn't keen on cooking, I serve a selection of sliced meat such as cured ham, moose, roast beef, salami, and cut vegetables, cheese and bread. Considering this addition to the kitchen today, SITTNING. Perfect for serving those cut meats and cheeses, because, yup, it might be one of those too-tired-to-cook Saturdays today.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE IKEA 

PIPING HOT

The first time I saw this vase was in Sköna Hem, the Swedish home interiors magazine. It was a spread from an antique collector's home, and I kept coming back to those pages with a large cherry or mahogany dining table and that curious vase on top of it. Nils Fougstedt´s "pipvas" from the 1930s is in production again, and available in the Svenskt Tenn web shop. Still looking great. 

IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE SVENSKT TENN 

WINTER'S FIRST DAY

It never ceases to amaze me how accurate the old calendars are, today we woke up to a chilling-to-the-bone wind, a thick layer og frost on the lawns, and icy patches on the streets of Oslo. Winter has arrived.
IMAGE: AKER BRYGGE BY TORE BUSTAD, CC, SOME RIGHTS RESERVED, VIA FLICKR

DRY DESIGN

Inspired by old church windows Lisa Vilhelmson created a limited collection of towels, woven in Sjuhäradsbyd, Sweden. A retro yet timeless feel to the design that would be perfect for the sauna by our summer cottage.
IMAGE: PRESS IMAGE LISA VILHELMSON

MARVELLOUS MARBLE

Henriette Bach founded Nordstjerne, Danish for "Northern Star", with self designed marble pieces and seal skin christmas ornaments. Their beautiful product range make it difficult to showcase just one item here, you need to look for yourself... here.  
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE NORDSTJERNE

A FALL GATHERING

Wool throw by ELVANG, Stuffed Moose by Kalikå, Vase by Georg Jensen, Spoon by Iittala, Cheese dome by Sagaform,  Throw pillow by Svenskt Tenn, Metal tray by H&M Home, Mugs by Royal Copenhagen, Alarm clock by Arne Jacobsen for Rosendahl, Vest and knitwear by Dale of Norway. 

IMAGES: PRODUCT IMAGES FROM LOBELIA, KRABAT, GEORG JENSEN, TOREBRINGS, SVENSKT TENN,  H&M HOME, DALE OF NORWAY

X MARKS THE POT

A magnetic trivet that stays put underneath the pot as you move it around. How clever.  By Eva Solo. 

IMAGE: DESIGNONLINE.SE 

FOOD FOR FALL

Per Morberg is a cook turned actor turned food-TV phenomenon and entrepreneur. He is Personality, with a capital P. He detests food shows and TV chefs despite being Sweden's most successful in the genre.

Morberg's cookbook Den stora matresan published by Bonnier Fakta, is exactly what I long for this season. Traditional foods in their home cooked glory, not the supermarket variety. Whether it is labelled comfort food or artisanal trend, depends on whether you make it in your kitchen on an ordinary Tuesday or instagram your plate at a weekend food event in an urban setting...

Many of the recipes can be found at recept.nu: Den stora Matresan, or preview pages from the book here.

IMAGE: PRESS IMAGE BONNIER FAKTA 

WELCOME BACK

Today was the first day of rustling yellow leaves and a chilly overcast day that smelled like a true autumn day. Welcome back to the Scandinavian Christmas blog, winter is on its way!

IMAGE: STUDIEHÖRNET BY CARL LARSSON, MASTERPIECE ART, VIA FLICKR