Dive in...

Lately I have been looking at bathrooms, trying to get inspiration for tile work... but after a while you can't really "see" the tile and that's when I came across this cheerful vintage poster, just love the freshness of the green with the white! 

I remembered pinning this poster a few days ago to my LOVING GREEN board on Pinterest, so I went looking, and guess what? Do you see it?? The same poster, but not really exactly the same... I still like it :) 

Have a fun Diving into Paradise :)

Natasha

Image #1 via BHG, Image #2 via

Vacation Time!

A short trip has been in the works for a while!
Going to New York City with my friend... See you next week!

Natasha

PS. If you "like" the Northern Light Blog on FB, you can see updates and images from the trip, but I will be leaving the laptop at home!

Image via Glamour

Happy Weekend!

Enjoy your weekend!

Natasha

Image

One word; Dior

Check out this Dior Cruise 2012 campaign spotted at Dustjacket Attic, it's amazing!!!!!

Natasha

Image via here

Packing my Bag...

... and traveling back to The States.
It's been a wonderful, long and very relaxing vacation, but all good things must come to an end, as "they" say.

See you in a few days :)
Natasha

Image by Eckmann Studio for Brandts Indoor

Vacation Time!

Finally the day is here!

I am ready for a vacation; Leaving today with Mr. Wonderful, heading to Europe and I can hardly contain myself...

It's been a really difficult summer in this part of the world, for so many reasons out of my control, I am just so happy to be going away, I can't even tell you :) I will be posting from abroad, I am sure, but with less frequency, so please check back in from time to time.

"I'm leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again..."  :)

Natasha

Image source unknown

Friday blues...

Today I am dreaming of vacation time... So many things are happening, that I have not scheduled a vacation for this summer yet! This image remind me of a vacation I took many years ago with two girlfriends. We went to Croatia, and I swear the water was this dark turquoise, and the beach was all rocks, it was FAN.TAS.TIC!!!

So... I guess if I am not able to get away just yet, with my Mr. Wonderful, at least I can pretend that summer is coming to me every time I open the closet!

Do you love this idea, or what? I know painting the inside of a closet is not a new idea, but this just makes me smile... so glossy and pretty!

TGIF!

Natasha

Image #1 via Bo Bedre, Image #2 ?

M is for...

... Mauritius!


Come and enjoy this house tour with me, it's a refreshingly calm vibe you get from this house!! The somewhat enclosed warp around porch, gives shade from the sun, while still feeling like you are outside.

As much as I love color, this vacation home is sooo nice, and really well thought through!!! Living in the tropics I know all to well what havoc sun, wind and saltwater can do to your home.... Using weather resistant outdoor furniture "inside", as above, is brilliant!! Look how nice it looks, and you don't even have to worry about color fading, saltwater, sandy feet etc. Even the dining chairs are, shhhh, plastic...

Here the views are what is in focus and the house is kept to a bare minimum of a structure. Polished concrete floors, natural wood beams, cane / rush covered ceilings and NO windows! (Reminds me of my trip to China..)

Hidden from sight are the rolled up hurricane shutters, bare window and door openings keep the air circulating, and if privacy is wanted, roll down the shades and the breeze still comes through!

When closing up the house, these bamboo roller curtains hook right off the wall, no fuss!














































Now, when I think of low maintenance, this kind of furniture is exactly what comes to mind! It can be very useful inside, as above,  or if you want, pull the loungers outside...

The accessories are kept to a minimum, and a simple wooden bowl is filled with a shriveled up palm remnant and a branch, a simple glass hurricane filled with sand, and another wooden vessel, and voila.

Eating here would be so wonderful! LOVE the red punch of color from the pitcher!! Notice the roll up shutters, bet you didn't notice them in the other images... ;)

I think these glasses are the only fancy thing about this whole house....

That little tiny bit of red from the pitcher has been carried through to the bedroom. The wood floors have been painted a soft beige, and the walls are muted. Notice how the hardboard and the frames compliment each other.

Imagine waking up to this view, or simply just sipping an afternoon drink here....

Catch your own dinner....

Wait, wait....
I want to come swimming as well!

I am currious to know if you like this house and the pale, earthy colors, or if you prefer the bright colors of this tropical house?

Have a wonderful day!

Natasha

Images via Vaart Nye Hem

Am I dreaming?

... as I matter of fact I am! I am dreaming of St. Barth, and after seeing these images, so will you.... :) Imagine standing here with your morning coffee, how super great would that be?
Notice how every little nook is used thoughtfully; glassware is lined up above the window.

Why not take a clue from the surrounding landscape and bring in the bright colors of the Caribbean! Since all you will need are bikinis, board shorts, a cover up or two and lots of towels, this is the perfect amount of storage. LOVE the color in the all white space!!!!

GREAT, just great!
Imaging laying here listening to the wind playing with the palms, the sound of the water.....

Fresh fruit, green palms, in door / out door living at it's best! Lot's of light, easy to maintain surfaces. Notice the tall vaulted ceiling, a traditional way to keep cool, as heat rises.. I like how the boards are kept natural, and beams white.

Hmmm... trying not to say "cute", but what a great way to make the loo look like you want to go in there.

Extending the living space with a nice shaded patio, colorful pillows and soft blue table and bench. Great place for a hammock!!

I think I need a tropical vacation! :) Want to come along?

Natasha

Images via Vaart Nye Hem

And the winner is...

While visiting La Brocante in Horsens, Denmark, we were signed up for a contest... and guess what? My mother & I won! YEAH!!!

We won a big Zinc Barrel like the one pictured here! Of cause it was impossible for me to bring back to the states, so I hope you enjoy it, Polly!!

Here a Zinc Barrel is used as a bed side table, in a slightly more rustic setting.... There have been talk about using it for the tree, come Christmas time... Time will tell.

If you would like to see more images from La Brocante, check them out here.

Natasha

Image #1 Via Driftwood Interiors, Image #2 Cote Sud Via Greige

La Brocante

Finally, I am able to share this great store with you!
Now do you see why I just HAD to come back and check it out... Not just once, not twice, but all of three times, before we were able to enter this FAN.TAS.TIC store... driving from 1/2hr away.... (third time's the charm, as they say, and it held true!!!)

The large french church clock is the owner, Mette Valbjorn's favorite. I almost picked up some of the very reasonably priced ironstone pieces, the rich creamy color and good condition made it hard to resist!

Check out the pretty mirrors leaning up against the wall....

A few religious artifacts were on display, you could even pick up some very pretty, old prayer beads. And who could say no to angle wings...?

To get a better view of these chocolate Tolix chairs, check out this little teaser post, from a few days back....

Great for all you lovers of white!

A little of everything; Garden ornaments, industrial lighting, cool chairs, farmhouse tables, pretty mirrors, ironstone table ware.... I particularly loved all the old glass pieces, but since it would be difficult to carry in the suitcase, I left without!

The owner of La Brocante, is 36 year old Mette Valbjorn; a mother of three young boys. Prior to opening this jewel of a store, Mette and her husband, Ib Skov, were shop owners in the same town, but in a completely different line of business....
While La Brocante the store is a hidden gem, I am happy to say you, too, can shop the faboulous selections, as La Brocante is also on the net (http://www.labrocante.dk/), and if you would like to read an article (in danish) about La Brocante from the local paper, click here.

Happy shopping; Do(n't) spend all your money :)!

Natasha

All images via La Brocante

Chocolate Tolix

A little while back (here), I was telling you about this seemingly fantastic shop I was dying to visit, only it was closed the first two times I passed it....

Well, I was finally able to visit, on my very last vacation day, and it was SOOOO worth my while! I will be writing a post at a later date, about this FAN.TAS.TIC shop, for now just a teaser image :)

How great are those dark chocolate covered painted Tolix Chairs?
Designed in the 1930's by Xavier Pauchard, the Morais A Chair is produced by the French company Tolix. If you want a new, glossy chair they can be had via Pottery Barn, DWR, The Conran Shop and so many others....

I totally love these worn, slightly rusty, "soft" velvety rich chocolate ones!!

Natasha

Image Mette Valbjoern

Cafe Life; Copenhagen Style

Remember this post?

While recently visiting Cafe Europa in Copenhagen, I took a few notes, wanting to convey the fantastic atmosphere of the place. I hope you enjoy my little "mood board"....

I am enjoying a late afternoon lunch, the waitress is talking about some tourists sitting outside - not knowing I am listening - "Two minutes and they will get up, figuring out it's too windy". Well let me tell you; It's forever windy in Denmark! I got prime realty, window seat and inside! My lunch was great; Real dark Rugbroed with smoked salmon, the coffee was super and the water cold! (In Florida the water is always luke warm...)  The service was good and with a friendly smile... I can tell the girl is not quite sure of what to make of me, as I write the notes for this post, she looks on curiously, but didn't ask any questions. The quintessential cafe chairs are lined up outside, as little soldiers, 37 + tables, and all but one free. At the very end of the row, where there is a sliver of sunshine sits a couple of die-hards! Cozy blankets are thrown over the backs of some of the chairs, a typical sign of fall!

 

Inside I am sipping my second latte. The floor is this great dark wood parquet, large windows between the exposed granite columns, worn leather seat cushions and flickering candles on each table. Great atmosphere and fantastic people watching!! Both the guys and the girls look chic; one guy is leaving, his suit is slim and he is tying a long scarf around his neck.... As I am sitting there, looking at everyone; tourists with there cameras, art school students sketching away, moms walking with their strollers, one girl stands out. She is apparently waiting for someone, as she is pacing the plaza. She is wearing tight skinny black jeans, saddle leather tall boots, very cool kimono style, fair island sweater, her blond her in a loose chignon, slightly windblown, dark sunglasses and a large oversize bag on her shoulder!

I thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon, even if I did sit there a little longer than normal, taking it all in....

Natasha

Image #1 via Flickr, Image #2 unknown

Shopping; Copenhagen Style

.... one of my usual stops in Copenhagen is the always fantastic Rue Verte! Part Interior Design Store, part Clothing Emporium (with all the right lables!!), part Juice Bar.

In the basment one can find rare, and sometimes odd, but always very cool items for the home; fabrics, blankets, books, lamps, accessories etc.

Pondering how to fit the skull in my luggage.... just kidding!

Upstairs, clothing.... even if the prices are high, it's always worth a look!!

... and we all know shoes are a girls best friend :) !!!

Rumor has it that the world champ in coffee making is working at Cafe Europa.... I will be stopping by for sure! Oh, and it's in the middle of town, so the people watching is GREAT!
Check out their web page here.

The very chic Cafe Victor, is also on my list, perhaps a fancy dinner with Mr. Wonderful, who knows?

Should I be wearing my sneakers (dead give-away of a turist, but oh so comfortable) or my black boots (perhaps too warm) ??
Hmmmm....... I'll keep you posted!

Natasha

Image #1 - 4 Rue Verte, Image #5 - 6 Flickr, Image #7 - 8 via Google search.

Books I am bringing back....

Hi, just stopping by to let you know I have picked up the coolest book, and since I am indeed visiting.... I figured I would show you!

Planning to pick up this book, when traveling to Copenhagen next week..... (translates to : (A) Home after my (own) heart).

.... and I am posting this beautiful image, just because...
I found it (sorry, I forgot to write down the source) and wanted to share, as it is very nordic on so many levels; natural light, blond wood floors, white paint, huge windows, simple and unfussy furniture, indoor plants, right down to the ticking fabric on the sofa!

That's all for this time as I am on vacation.... :)

Take care,
Natasha