European Decorating living room Interior design

Roche-Bobois is a French furniture company that has just released its 2009 Spring-Summer collection of living room furniture which seems to lay heavy emphasis on the vivid colours that reflect the season.

Your living room will be a place for family or friends to sit and visit, so a special effort should be made to create a comfortable harmonious environment. A representation of your personal style and passions a living room should be both comfortable and functional. European – England, France and Italy are the countries typically referred as European decorating. If you want to decorate the living room in the classic French Country style, you can select furniture and wall décor that evoke feelings of relaxation and peacefulness.

Europe Classic Interior Design

Gardens for all seasons - Sheffield Park

There's little doubt that winter's on the way when English gardens close their gates and the mists start rolling in off the sea and leave us swathed in gray until mid morning. So in the next few weeks I'm going to feature gardens that remain open throughout the year, starting with Sheffield Park in East Sussex. This magnificent garden always comes to light at this time of year because of its stunning autumn colours, but in reality, it's a wondrous garden throughout the year and is only closed from 24-27 December this year.

It's the huges expanses of water and the planting around the lakes here Sheffield Park that makes this landscape so remarkable because you get marvellous reflections, particularly from the maples and scarlet oaks at this time of year. Capability Brown and Humphrey Repton both worked here after the property was acquired by the Holroyd family in 1769, although there are no records documenting what they actually did.

The planting today is largely due to Arthur Soames, who purchased the estate in 1909 and embarked on a major planting programme and built up a magnificent collection of exotic trees, conifers and shrubs suited to the acidic soils found here. He also extended the top lakes and called in Messrs Pulham, who created the Rock Garden at RHS Wisley, to build the cataract between the top and second lake (pictured right).

In winter too, the scenes are spectacular, particularly if a big freeze comes like in the winter of 2009/10 and the lakes ice over, giving an eerie silence to the garden because the water in the lakes stops flowing (below). But Sheffield Park is still stunning in wintertime because Arthur Soames planted so many evergreen trees.

When spring comes, life begins again at Sheffield Park as the daffodils and bluebells arrive. They are followed by spectacular displays of rhododendrons (below) - once again reflected in the lakes. Virginia Woolf, who lived at nearby Monk's House, described them as "massed upon the banks ... and when the wind passes over the real flowers, the water flowers shake and break into each other."

The National Trust acquired several hundred acres of the gardens when the estate was broken up in the mid 1950's, although the house remains in private ownership. It has now become one of their flagship garden properties and attracts record numbers of visitors each year, particularly in the autumn. For other suggestions on spectacular autumn gardens to visit, you can use this link.

Bloggträff i Stockholm

Idag är jag på väg till Stockholm för den stora bloggträffen på söndag med Frida, Trendgruppen och ett stort gäng inredningsbloggare. Ska bli otroligt spännande att träffa alla och se vad det nu är för något kul som presenteras den här gången. Det blir dessutom en något mindre träff med några bloggare redan ikväll. Har mina favorittidningar med mig som förströelse på planet - Rum (den danska), Elle Decoration (UK) och Living Etc.

Today I'm off to Stockholm to join a big blog meeting with Frida from Trendenser, Trendgruppen and a whole bunch of bloggers. I'm so looking forward to this. With me on the flight I have my favourite magazines - Rum (danish issue), Elle Decoration (UK issue) and Living Etc.

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is in flower"

Albert Camus was right when he said this about autumn - it's the subtle colours and hues when you get them reflected in water (above) and the wonderful light at the end of the day when the sun is shining. The leaves are beginning to turn here in the south of England, but this year I shall miss the really wonderful fiery autumn displays I so enjoy, because I'm leaving for India and after that I'll be back in the US.

So today, I'm going to share some wonderful autumn gardens with readers, that you can visit while I'm away. Scotland has more than it's fair share of gardens that excel in October in terms of colour, like Greenbank (above), Crarae, and the fabulous Benmore Botanic Garden. I'd really hoped to get up there this year to see the autumn colours, but ran out of time.

In the south we are really spoiled, because we have the Savill Gardens (above), many arboretums, and of course, Sheffield Park (below), which is famous the world over for its autumn acer displays. I was there earlier this week, and the colours haven't yet reached their peak, but this is one to put on your list later in October, as is Westonbirt in Gloucestershire. I have to confess I've not yet been to Westonbirt, but it's on my list, but I know that many other British bloggers will feature this wonderful arboretum this autumn.

And there's still time to catch the subtle colours at Great Dixter (below) before it closes at the end of the month. This is a wonderful time to visit this iconic garden, because it's rarely crowded in the autumn.

Heading west, there's the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens (below) near Winchester, which are fabulous in the autumn, and of course, Stourhead. These are two of the great gardens that remain open throughout the year, so once the autumn hues are gone, you've got the joy of misty mornings in the winter months.

And finally the autumn hues of Devon and Cornwall. I visited Marwood Hill (below), just a couple of weeks ago and was bowled over by the glorious colours. And there's plenty more gardens in the area that also have stunning autumn colours, including The Garden House. And as you head further west , further towards the toe of England, there's Lanhydrock, Trebah and many other Cornish gardens that remain open throughout the winter, because the climate there is kinder.

Skrivplats i vardagsrummet

Det här känns som en 70-tals idé men den är faktiskt inte är så dum. Det kan vara att man inte får plats med ett arbetsrum eller blivit trött på att sitta vid köksbordet eller i soffan. Skrivhörna i vardagsrummet är riktigt smart speciellt om man som jag har skolbarn som gärna gör läxorna efter träningen på kvällen och då helst vill sitta där resten av familjen finns. Laptopen i knät i all ära men ibland vill man sitta rakt upp och kanske har lite prylar som behöver förvaras. Bilder från VT Wonen.

A working place in the living room can be a good idea if you dont have the space for an office or are tired of sitting with your laptop in the sofa or kitchen table. Also the children can do their homework in the same room as the rest of the family. Images from VT Wonen.

Rosa Bandet

Kryss i taket - Susann har gjort ett kollage! Inte var dag, men igår fick jag en rosa kudde i posten från Mio för att de vill att jag ska pusha för rosa kampanjen. Och det gör jag så klart gärna, det är ju för en god sak. Kudden passade perfekt i min röd-rosa-orange kuddhörna i soffan. Eftersom Pethra och Charlotte har dragit igång Pink Project som uppmanar alla bloggare att visa sin personliga rosa inredningsstil i form av ett kollage och på så sätt visa sitt stöd för kampanjen Rosa Bandet.. så ett kollage blev det. Insåg när jag tittat mig omkring att jag har faktiskt har en hel del rosa hemma.

Köper du en rosa kudde från mio för 169:- så går 69:- till kampen mot bröstcancer.

Kul med stickat

Sticktrenden kom ju för något år sedan, men man kan väl inte säga att den slagit riktigt, kanske är vi bara lite för lata för att sticka. Men om du gillar att sticka så titta på de här bilderna. Någon har verkligen tagit åt sig konceptet, inte bara kuddar och pläd utan titta på även på vaserna och lampskärmen. Klockan kommer från Carlo Tamborini och finns hos bl a The Conran Shop.

If you are good in knitting, why not use your skill to do some originally fun things for your home. Take a look at this, lamp shade, vases, pillows.. the beautiful clock comes from Carlo Tamborini and you can buy it i e at the Conran Shop.

Autumn glory in Oxford - Botanic Gardens and Impressive Architecture!

I can never decide whether it's spring or autumn I like best, but the colours were so glorious in the sunshine at the University of Oxford Botanic Garden yesterday that I'm swaying towards autumn! I love this garden and it's never better than on a slightly chilly day in October, when the sun catches the plants at their best. It's the oldest Botanic Garden in Britain (founded in 1621); its location is wonderful; and its plant collections are astounding (and I know I've written about it before, but it deserves to be mentioned again because there's so much going on here!).

This is just one of more than 2,200 Botanic Gardens in 153 countries around the world. All play a major role in plant preservation, because today there are more than 30% of the world's endangered plant species in these gardens. And Oxford is certainly doing its fair share to make people aware of trees and plants with its new "Healing Power of Plants Trail" which aims "to introduce visitors to the role of plants in contemporary medicine". When I visited, there were several groups of school children in the garden, all learning about the role of plants, and clearly having a wonderful time!

The gardens here are divided into three areas - a Walled Garden (top) with impressive central flower beds classified by botanical family, while the magnificent borders against the walls are divided into geographical regions including the Mediterranean, South Africa and New Zealand. The plants in the wall borders benefit from the protection of the walls which effectively provide a microclimate. The second area is the Lower Garden, with its impressive vegetable plots (above) and its herb and fruit collections.

There's also a Rock Garden and glorious Glasshouses, including the Lily House, which is home to an impressive collection of Victoria Amazonica (above). They've always been a favourite of mine and every time I see them, I stand and stare in amazement, as I did at Bok Tower Gardens in Florida and Val Rahmeh in Menton, France. They make me want to turn into a frog so I can bask on the leaves!

Everywhere you look in this garden there are impressive plant displays and it's location at the heart of the city makes it even more remarkable, because you can see so many of the city's spires from inside. Oxford 's a glorious place to visit at any time of year, with its unique architectural landmarks, like the circular Bodleian Library (right) at the heart of the city and just a couple of minutes walk from the gardens. There are also the Oxford colleges, many of which have their own gardens, but more on that in another entry when I've had the chance to explore them.

Also owned and operated by the Botanic Garden is the Harcourt Arboretum just a few miles outside the city, where you'll find trees that date back to 1835 and some impressive collections, including giant redwoods and acers which are now beginning to turn into a fiery furnace of colour in the autumn air (below). The 37 acres here include parkland and woodland. Wait a couple of weeks and acer glade will be in full glow! Both Garden and Arboretum are open throughout the year.

Matbord i valnöt?

Här kommer ett svar till en läsare som i förra inlägget efterfrågade ett bord i massiv valnöt och undrade varför det är så svårt att få tag i. Jag tror att det beror på två saker, dels att det går trender i träslag och valnöt har stuckit upp lite då och då men aldrig under så lång tid. Därmed inte sagt att det är ute. Tror att för tillfället funkar alla träslag lika bra, (nu handlar det mer om att det ska vara lite rufft alt vintage). Det kan också bero på att valnöt är ett träslag som visserligen finns i södra Sverige men som för möbelproduktion oftast importeras och därmed blir ett dyrare och exklusivare träslag. Nedan bordet Essay från Fritz Hansen i massiv valnöt. Skulle du ändå kunna tänka dig ett bord i fanér så kika hos Bolia och BoConcept. Bild från Fritz Hansen.

In last post there was a question about how to find a solid walnut table and why its so hard to find. I think it because its never been a long lasting trend for walnut in Sweden and it can also be because its an exclusive imported wood that are expensive. This table in solid walnut from Fritz Hansen.

Underbara grå

Det har väl knappast undgått någon att jag älskar grått. Därför är det extra kul när jag hittar bilder som dessa med en inredning med grå bas i botten. Gillar också att man satt till rosa och grönt. Det ger både en extra studs och känns samtidigt inte som att det tar död på det grå. Bilder från fotograf Ditte Ishager.

I think everyone who use to read this blog know that I love grey. Thats why I find this home so adorable, they have used a base of grey, then added a splash of pink and green and it works great together. It matches with the grey but still keeps the balance. Images from photographer Ditte Ishager.

DIY - Pyssla med bokstäver

Kuddar, bokstäver och festliga citat. Är man lite pysslig så är det ju inte så svårt att själv göra egna kuddar eller tavlor med några väl valda vitsigheter. Filttyg, schabloner och textilfärg liknande de på bilderna hittar du på Panduro Hobby, Stoff och Stil metallschabloner på Broarne m fl. Bilder och idé Rum.

If you like the idea with letters or fun quotes on pillows or pictures, its easy to do this yourself. Fabric, stencils and paint for textiles like the one on these pictures you can find at Panduro etc. Images and idea from Rum.

Tremenheere - is this the new Garden of Eden?

With views like this over St Michael's Mount (above); a hillside plot above Mounts Bay (below); and a tract of land that includes hills, streams and thick woodland areas, Tremenheere in Cornwall is about as close as you'll get to a blank canvas on which to paint a visionary garden! The artist behind the scenes is local doctor Neil Armstrong, who purchased 11 acres in 1997, and is now creating a masterpiece that promises to be one of the great British green spaces of the future. This garden is already quite unique because of its position and unusual climate - but give it another half century as the plants mature - and you'll have a genuine Garden of Eden.

Tremenheere (pronounced Tre-men-ear) is about two miles from Penzance and nestles between the villages of Gulval and Ludgvan. You won't find any road signs; nor will you see a great Cornish mansion from afar because there's no house here, just a wonderful landscape. Neil Armstrong is a great admirer of Victorian garden designer and writer, William Robinson, who lived at Gravetye Manor in Sussex. Both share the vision that gardens should be "wild", and Armstrong believes that "form and foliage should be king"; with "drama and poise arising from line and foliage alone".

The site is perfect - the climate is sub-tropical and the structure of the land provides good protection from the sea winds - and thanks to Armstrong's planning, you'll encounter many unusual plants here including cacti, agaves, palms and striking architectural plants - perfect for the contours of the plot. I didn't meet Neil, but talked to him on the phone before visiting. But he's definitely on the right track with this garden and there's something about Tremenheere that spells serenity, even though it's still a masterpiece in the making. He has already started to install sculptures on site - works by British sculptor, David Nash and Japanese artist, Kishio Suga - but the real artist here is the owner!

The only building on site is the as yet un-named oval skyscape building (right), designed by James Turrell, and originally intended for viewing the solar eclipse in 1999, with its fantastic hilltop position, and there's also a wooden viewing platform. Both have been conceived to blend in with the landscape, allowing plants to flourish around them, while visitors can enjoy the views.

Don't go to Tremenheere and expect to find manicured borders or ideas for your plot at home - this is a garden where you have to think for yourself - it's about walking unfettered in a magnificent landscape, absorbing the atmosphere and being at one with the environment. I was only able to spend a couple of hours here, but have been completely bitten by a desire to return to this place and to find out more about the man who has created it.

The garden is open at weekends until the end of October, but check the website (top link) for opening details in 2011 - as the garden evolves, so too may the opening hours and access. Indeed, part of its charm for me is that it is so rarely accessible to outsiders and that it is so remote!

IKEAs blogg

Har ni sett att Ikea har startat en blogg, ja den kallas inte för blogg utan bara för 'Livet hemma'. Varför kan man ju fråga sig, är ordet blogg för negativt kanske? Den kombineras med ett utrymme där man kan köpa och sälja gamla ikea möbler, ett chatrum och man kan även själv ladda upp bilder och filmer. Nedan några inspirationsbilder på temat kök.

IKEA Sweden has now a blog of their own, its called 'Livet Hemma' and you can get inspiration, buy or sell your old stuff or load down your own pictures and films.