HIGHLIGHTS FROM CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW 2012

This years Chelsea Flower Show was as usual full of magnificent gardens, projects and growers. One of the highlights were of course Diarmuid Gavins tower built with scaffolding and plants! With a lift in the middle, but to go all the way up you had to climb some ladders (which I did. The gardening in itself was not stunning, more about how to use small spaces in the city like little balcony's, terraces etc. This year all exhibitors were encouraged to recycle and Gavin chose to use mega big tins that was painted in pastel colours. Due to the recession there were fewer gardens and less money seemed to have been spent. The biggest trend this year was that the meadow is back again, against a backdrop of formal garden design, water features and dividing walls to create rooms within the garden.

This years wristband was in honour of the Queens jubilee. I started my day just after 9.00 am.

Alhambra in Spain inspired this garden, The Blue Water Garden, all about how to preserve and reuse water. I reminded me of my favourite Greek island, Myconos.

The Gold medal went to Homebase Teenage Cancer Trust Garden designed by TV-gardener Joe Swift. His first Chelsea Flower Garden. Rusty colours to give warmth to urban and suburban environments and save water.

Flower feature to honour the Queen who always visits the show on Monday afternoon.

LÓccitaines garden was as always inspired by Provence. This year a bit more cottage and stony than usual. Still a lot of lavender, of course!

Ross Lovegrove etc at Clerkenwell Design Week in London, UK

Lemoncello yellow seems to be the colour this spring, not only on clothes like my skirt, top and leggings from Topshop but also on furniture and below, Ross Lovegroves newly installed Solar cell outdoor lights and bench! He started the Clerkenwell Design Week by talking about this product, Very exciting. He said that design product etc to reinvent history is irrelevant! Look at this futuristic design and you know what he means!

Chelsea Flower Show Toilet version

Yes, a witty installation @ CFS today, did put a smile on our faces.

Chelsea Flower Show

Roger Daultrey @ Homebase Teenage Cancer Trust Garden today. Other big pop stars present was Ringo Starr.

SOFT AND STRONG PASTELS IN SPRINGLIKE STOCKHOLM

Pale pink or light blue, these fantastic pumps made me think of Barbie. All girls spring dream this year! Good price too @ Din Sko.

Garden gadgets and lovely little foldable tables at Indiska in Stockholm. I will certainly get one for my garden in the archipelago.

Both Indiska and HM had redecorated their shops in light and bright colours, fresh. Here, Indiska in turquoise with a sweet outdoor bench in laquered metal.

Traditional shop Ströms that has a lot of well known brands in their collection like Gant, Tiger, Jaeger etc had chosen a very romantic and cottagy window display this spring.

The interior design and furniture group Mio had chosen fresh spring colours for their new sofas etc. Uplifting!

Every girl must have som neon yellow in her wardrobe this summer. Pumps from Din Sko.

Ica (like Tesco) the biggest food retailer in Sweden has opened To Go shops around the center of Stockholm. Nice and fresh with lot of food to, yes, just to go!

More colourful items for your garden from Indiska. I like!

Pink and yellow. Upliftning neons for this summer!

Selfportrait @ Room/Pub. I am hooked on yellow this spring and summer!

Nice office corner @ Room. With inspiration from the 60ies and 70ies. Energizing!

Finally, Marimekkos famous fabric pattern "Unikko2 in new springcolours shown at Åhléns City.

WEDDING GUEST BOTTLES WITH SLOE GIN

Just finished labelling the wedding sloe gin bottles for Erin and James. Over a hundred small bottles, all gin made by me (see my blog of 13 October last year) and the sloe berries were all picked locally! A nice idea not only for a wedding but for a big birthday party or anniversary! 

FLOWER POWER FROM HM, TOPSHOP AND DESIGNERS GUILD

Flower Power in my living room. Not only with the lovely photos by my friend PeO Eriksson but also in my blooming outfit from HM!

Tulips in my living room. Nothing looks better in the Aalvar Aalto vase from Iittala! Mix the colours for ultimate effect.

The colour the this spring, Citrin! Something in between neon yellow and lime!Here my new overnight bag from Ted Baker, (www.tedbaker.com)  a bargain that I made at Bicester Outlet (UK). Wallpaper from Designers Guild (www.designersguild.com)

Finally, more Flower Power and yoga. Dress and sandals from Topshop (www.topshop.com)