Not your typical Garden Variety!

Looking for something textural, moody and interesting today? Come with me, I have a wonderful home to share with you, designed by Garden Variety Design. 
I stumbled upon them via the Scout Guide...

While so much of the home is light filled, the dark wood floors set the natural tone, right as you walk in... 

Many of my favorite pieces collected here in this nook in the foyer : Those old, silver leafed, rounded-corner-mirrors propped against the wall, the Swiss basket and the beautiful patinad set of drawers along with a beautiful rug (seen above).

The large tufted sofa is covered in natural Belgian linen, and if you look around the room, you will find that there are tons of natural elements here, lot's and lot's of texture!

 

Those timeworn tables are super cool, and work SO well here! I would probably have been a little hesitant to ad more dark wood, as the floor is so dark to begin with, but I think the finished product is wonderful. Notice that the only "real" color in the room is the Teal Scandinavian grandfather clock, a cool touch!

Mixing shells with the rustic look has been done in this home to perfection, emphasizing natural textures and colors... I see reclaimed wood, natural linen, glass, shells, coral, painted wood, wicker, iron, paper (shades on lamps), petrified wood (stool by the sofa), mohair (throw) and wool (rugs).

Love the moody mix!!

Natasha

Images via GVD

One for the boys...

I admit it, what first got my attention was the bedside lamps... It is the first time I have seen them "in print", I was beginning to think I was the only one who loved them, actually, I am totally smitten by them!! So much so, that they have been on my nightstands for the past half year or so :) Just love their chunky-ness, the design of the base, the matte ceramic and the oversize shade. Loved them when I saw them, love them in my own house and really like how they brighten up this masculine bedroom!!

For those of you who are "in the know", you have most likely seen Hannah Maple's newly published design work, over on the rue daily pages, but here they are again... 

I think she has done a wonderful job, love her choices of colors and materials.

The home was designed for a newly single business man. The space is masculine in my eyes, and - thank God - not a frat-house nor man-cave reference in sight :)

I have for the longest time wanted to design a space for a bachelor, even offering my two cents up to friends of my husband, but have yet to do a complete pad... 

Any takers out there?

Natasha

All images via rue daily

Sunday Flowers

I was contemplating if I should show you the bright and beautiful flowers from last weeks wedding, or go with this beautiful book; Bringing Nature Home. I found the book more appropriate for the first days of fall, and after you see these amazing images, you will probably agree with me...

The beautiful arrangements are all done by Nicolette Owen & the equally talented photographer Ngoc Minh Ngo is behind the images. Since the books release in March (how did I totally miss that??), many bloggers have reviewed the book, so I will just show a few images this Sunday.

I love how loosely these arrangements are done up, a far cry from the many tight bound floral arrangements we have seen the last many years...

For as long as I can remember my mother has done arrangements just like these, flowers mixed with vines, branches & grasses. All very "English Garden"... What do you think? Is this the new way to go? Or has it really always been the way??

Have a fun Sunday!

Natasha

All images by Ngoc Minh Ngo, via Design*Sponge

Icelandic Beauty!!

So, this is the image that stopped me in my tracks today. Of course I immediately recognized the famous Egg chair by Arne Jacobsen, but what really grabbed my attention were all the artifacts in the bookshelf!
I mean, look at this image, it's hard not to stare for a little while, right??

I did a little research, and found out that the home belong to Interior Architect  Rut Karadottir, who has earned her "stripes" in Rome, Italy. She has returned to her roots and now call Reykjavik, Iceland home, where she also has her design business.

I am totally fascinated, and have studied these images throughly... I am drawn to the cool, white Scandinavian interior, but love all the warm touches of wood, woven baskets, pottery, candles, antlers, wool throws you name it, this interior has it all! Oh, and the design classics are there too :) Rut knows her stuff, no doubt about that!!

Through out the home, there are coffee table books stacked high for easy enjoyment and inspiration. Small universes of collected treasures, beautiful stones picked up on long walks and lots of candles. A wonderful "mix (of) modern design... ethnic finds."

Truthfully, to me, this is one of the most interesting homes I have seen photographed in a long while!
I am forever changing the display in my own bookcase, drawing inspiration from books, flowers & the beach, but also objects... You? Any favorite decor object??

Natasha

All images by Trine Thorsen, Interiors by Rut Karadottir, found via est mag.

Swans Island Blanket!

Look no further than Maine for your next, all organic, wool blanket! I stumpled upon these beautiful blankets via Elle Decor, and had to dig a little deeper.

For those of us that require a little color there are plenty to choose from, even several different weaves of thickness! While I admittedly love color, I also really appreciate the coolness of light greys, the richness of charcoal and the casual beauty of indigo.

Swans Island Blankets are certified organic, the sheep are living on an island of the coast of Maine, the wool is spun in Vermont and the blankets are woven the traditional way - by hand - in Maine. The history behind The Swans Island Blanket is quite interesting, hope you have the time to check it out (here)!!

Once you see their vast collection, I am sure one of these babies will be on your wish list for Christmas!! I think the White w/ Indigo Stripes or the White w/Teal stripes, from the Summer Blanket collection, would be a wonderful addition to our home ;)

Stay warm!
Natasha

All images via Swans Island Blankets

White, Grey, Black and Natural

Bringing you a beautifully home, photographed by Brigitta W. Drejer.





Capturing the special Scandinavian Light is a job in its self...

The very subtle nuances... An all White home, sprinkled with the palest Grey and beautifully aged furniture...

Bringing in Black to ground the space, Metallic to ad a little sparkle and natural texture to keep it real! Love the touch of the leather boxing gloves, even if it's just styling for the image...

Now, this is a dining room table I would want to spend time at!! Again the White space has been balanced wonderfully by the three Black lamps, the Zinc table top and the natural materials.

... A small but interesting detail from the large cabinet in the living room. Photography, as well as Scandinavian decorating, at its best!!

This post was inspired by my visit today at Basalt Indretning in Copenhagen (you might remember this post, featuring the private home of Anne Fabricius-Bjerre, owner of Basalt).

Natasha

All images by Brigitta Wolfgang Drejer

New on the virtual newsstand.

While the rest of you probably already read the new Lonny Magazine, I just now had a little time to fan through. I am looking forward to getting lost in the travel section and Ruthie Summers home.. I can't wait to really dive in!

I am having some slight computer problems, which will explain my absence this past week, but hopefully I will be up and running in no time.... (this post via a friends computer, TX)

Have a wonderful week :)

Natasha

Image via Lonny Magazine, photo by Patrick Cline

I spy...

Lately my eyes have been drawn to these huge, over sized sea grass baskets. They seem to be popping up everywhere, storing everything from magazines and books to blankets. They provide a wonderful element of texture in an otherwise formal room, as above.

Here, filled with logs, it provides stylish storage for firewood, in a master bedroom. The texture and color of the woven sea grass, keeps the eye traveling to the other few warm colors and textures (mirror, woven leather bench, frame of the painting) in the otherwise cool color pallet.

In this foyer, wonderful throws are displayed. I like the cool colors mixed with the braided sea grass.

If I have now convinced you that you need one of these baskets, this is a selection of very well priced options, that are ready to ship asap.

... and then there is this little guy. A little darker, a little more rigid in its lines, but still a wonderful way to introduce texture. This basket would do well next to an entrance, perhaps to store all that extra mail you want to throw out right away, and that you are planning to dump in the recycling bin.... :)

LOVE the green, distressed chest as well!

Natasha 

Image #1 via Daily Crush, Image #2 via Elle DECOR, Image #3 ?, Image #4 Pottery Barn, Image #5 via tumblr.

New on the virtual newsstand...

I was so tempted to post an image from the fantastic Black & Spiro store (that I have never visited), but figured that I would leave that up to others...
You all know how much fun I think that store is; I even proclaimed once, that I wanted to live there...

That being said, there are so many wonderful "blog homes" to view, and to read about, in the new Adore Home Issue. It just went live yesterday.

I come away with the above image, based on the beautiful saturated colors, the natural elements... Beautiful green glass, pottery in the most fantastic teal, the lemons ad a wonderful pop of color and what I can only imagine to be fresh herbs in the background. Loving the play on matte and shiny, glass and glaze, grey and white! Notice how your eye is drawn back to the amber and red glass ware in the very back...

This is my favorite image of them all!
Happy reading,

Natasha

Image via Adore Home.

Seventh Holiday Post

 

... now you know why it's so hard for guests to not hang out in the kitchen.... would you want to go anywhere else, if you could stand here?? Yummy!!
The simple black birdcage is re-purposed as a "candle holder", and along with the natural branches, the butcher block island, the natural theme is well thought out!

Notice how the natural theme is carried through to the dining table; not only the branches and the antler candle holder, but also the fact that the table is left "bare"!

Here a little tray is filled with antlers, candles and Christmas balls in different sizes and finishes.

Have a cozy weekend!

Natasha

Images via Bo Bedre

Wall of Art

Is this not a beautiful way to display art, without one piece taking over the whole room. Great light; love the soft white, the natural sisal(?) rug, and the few natural wood pieces. I am also drawn to the black Asian lacquered chairs!

Great composition of a casual room!

Natasha

Image via House Beautiful