#IKEA #CHRISTMAS #2016

Went to Ikea last week to do the Christmas Food shopping. Being an Ikea fan I was excited to see what they have been up to this Christmas but was not impressed by their Christmas shop this year. No nice ribbons or wrapping paper, boring designs and poorly displayed. What is happening? In the warehouse they had tried better to do some inspiring table settings (This was in Bristol). Finally we went to the food shop (downsized instead of up sized?) and they had already run out of the Christmas ham, the Julmust (traditional Swedish Christmas "Coke") and no Ansjovis. And this was two weeks ahead of Christmas. What´s going on. New manager or just bad knowledge and getting the ordering totally wrong. I had to go to the Swedish Shop in London to get the julmust and ansjovis and decided to cure my own ham this year! Still time!

I use to work with Ikea and the catalogues and I must say since then (ten years ago) the range has not changed all that much. If any it has gone smaller. Here a Christmas kitchen.

A nice idea of decorating around the lamps on top of the dining table with branches and hanging decorations.

I liked this table setting, good for the New Year banquet!

Simple but nice lite stillife in the market hall. More soon!

#COLOURFULCHRISTMAS @ #CONRANS

During the twenty (about) years I have been in England the Christmas window I normally love the best are by Conrans. Multicoloured and modern with a traditional and Scandinavian feel. This year my price goes to Selfridges but Conrans is still up there.I always loved colour in interiors etc. I find today's interiors (Scandinavian and English adapted similar homes etc) are all done by the same formula. You take a basic corner low corner sofa in grey and add a coffee table in glass. Cowskin rug and sheepskins all around. Ellipse table with a marble top and some white or grey Eames chairs (could be pastels). And you cannot go wrong. Christmas in this home is a mini Christmas tree in a paper bag or some branches in single flower vases. Metal advent chandelier with minimal decoration. Well, I am to a certain degree responsible for some of this happening. Me and a lot of other interior design journalists and stylist get carried away by the trends...but I love colour and they just seem to creep into my home and my Christmas. That is why I love Conrans. The do their own thing, as usual, and having been there with the first of Scandinavian design in the UK they know how to add colour to it. When it comes to Christmas in my home I painted the baubles black a long time ago and still have them! Since having had a few different homes an houses of different "caractères" I have a lot of Christmas decorations. From pastel colours to gold and silver and cones. I would say that this years big trend is natural with an minimalistic approach...but my tree is as usual a mix of old and new and a bit overdecorated. This year I did cut out the black and got out the more natural looking decorations. More about that later...here are Conrans Christmas 2016.

One of this years big decorations alongside cones etc are old fashioned paper stars...

A simple way of making Christmas colourful this year, get these bauble decorated lights from Conrans.

A modern colourful home (Scandinavian inspired) with a Christmas in orange/yellows. Look at the geometrical patterned walls!

Or why not a green and pink theme... here is the table with the marble top I mentioned earlier. Not Eames chairs, but similar. Nice with velvet though.

In England (where I live) the big day is Christmas Day with a turkey lunch. And the don´t forget the Christmas Cracker!

Table setting with a grey base and colourful decorations in green and pink. Look at the crackers, can only be bought at Conrans. The china makes me think of Mateus in Sweden that has spread like decease...and the very much up to date grey version.

#SWEDISHSIMPLE #TABLESETTINGS FOR #CHRISTMAS ETC

When it comes to Christmas I am fairly traditional in my own home. A mix of old and new and mainly Swedish (since I am Swedish). The beautiful tablecloth in linen was a gift on my 40th birthday (21 years ago) and was then part of the  new table setting collection made for the Nobel party (all is still in use). The natural colour of the linen was then considered very elegant and at the same time a bit boring. Now it is found in any interior design shop and departments store. The crocheted runner in the middle was a gift from my late mother and at the time I got it I thought; what on earth is she thinking, today I love it! It would not be Christmas Eve without it! The traditional and classic china is by Ikea and called "Arv", still for sale. The wine glasses etc are from the 1700s collection (Gustavian) that Ikea did in the late 1990s. Old fashioned jug and salt and pepper containers found at Skansen in Stockholm at their Christmas Market years ago. The Advent candle holder are also by Ikea and was bought in 1993 which was the first Christmas I spent with my know husband Bruce at his house in Warwick. Red candle holders in painted iron was a Christmas gift by Byarums Bruk when I was still living in Sweden. Every year since I was a child I have made the ginger cookie hearts with the name of family and friends on, a tradition that I hope will live on after me...

My lovely and loved Christmas pigs. The big is a symbol for Christmas in Sweden since it was a custom to keep a pig up till Christmas to supply the ham, sausages etc for the Smörgåsbord!

I still use the "Arv" china and Klässbol Linnevävferis cloth and napkins "Nobel" every Christmas. Cutlery from our local designer company Robert Welch.

For New Year I would go more black and simple. Plate in stoneware from Höganäs Keramik and cutlery from Ikea.

The black and white theme has always been a big favourite of mine. Next time we move I am thinking of going the whole way (i.e. in every room and on the walls etc). This set we bought when we moved into The Castle over eight years ago. Still one of my favourites. Place mat with the world map from Svenskt Tenn, design Josef Frank (he will be honoured with an exhibition at the Fashion- and Textile Museum in Bermondsey/London SE1 next year). Classic brasserie type cutlery can be found in most well stocked cooking shop. Back soon with more!

#PEPPARKAKSBAK #GINGERBREAD AND #BRANDING @ #CHIPPINGCAMPDENCHRISTMASMARKET

It´s that time of year again. Christmas time. Time to decorate, enjoy the cosy times in front of a log fire with a mug of mulled wine or "glögg", and to fill the house with the lovely scent of ginger cookies baking. I started my "baking career" early. At a very early age (4-5)when my mother introduced me to the yearly ginger cookie baking, I just loved it and could not be stopped...the problem was just that I used my children's baking tray and utentils previously used with play dough, they were uneatable...My mother (may she rest in peace) did not have the heart to stop me...
My grandmother taught me to do the big hearts and to add the icing. It was she who started the tradition of adding names of friends and family on them. To start with we hung them in the Christmas tree. Since in England the climate are more humid than in my native Sweden, they tend to brake and fall off the tree, so we now put them on the Christmas table. Looks nice and give a wonderful spicy scent. So, I have now got over 50 years of experience of the ginger cookie baking. This year I decided to be part of my local town, Chipping Campden, Christmas Market and see how it would be and how I would do. This is how it was done! Above, I make the dough the night before to let it rest overnight. It needs to be rolled out thinly (with some flour underneath) and then cut in different shapes. I have a big collections of shapes of cookie cutters, from cars to pigs to heart and angels. Every year I chose a bit different, but the most used ones are stars, hearts, Christmas trees, angels, Father Christmas and the Swedish Dala horse. My latest favourite is the elgh! Put them on a greased oven tray and bake.  

The elgh in good company int the spruce forest and with Father Christmas by his side.

I made quite a collection...

...from small Dala-horses to big hearts.

For the icing mix icing sugar with egg white and use little silver balls as decoration and eyes. The icing needs to dry overnight.

I wrapped them up in cellophane bags and decorated with red ribbons...

I used some old clementine boxes for good looking storage...

And now time for the real fun part...the branding. I finished a degree (HND) in Graphic Design a year ago and the skill came in handy. From labels to a price list.

The labels were for the cookies but also for the bags and some special Christmas toffee (Knäck) I made as well as all the cookies.

This is how it was all presented at the market.

Part of my branding...

...and for the toffee...

...and the ginger cookies...

...and the price list, all done in Adobe Illustrator... good fun. I did reasonably well, sold half of my stock and made a bit of profit. A good experience!

A MODERN #FATHERCHRISTMAS2016 #SELFRIDGESLONDON

Santa has arrived at Selfridges, arriving on an air plane! What else! A modern and happy Father Christmas. I first thought the idea of the Santa in the windows was a bit "odd". But the whole thing has grown on me. He is happy surrounded by less happy mannequins. He is human but they are not. As if the commercialism has gone to far! On the other hand the fashion side of the window displays are the best in London at the moment. They manage to grasp the new "glamour rock" feel  that surrounds the high street. A bit like in the early 1970s when the young generation played with luxury, gender and what ever goes - or not...then it was a type of reaction. Perhaps that is what see now? A luxurious reaction to the crazy world we live in. And it is not all about money and branded goods. All the high street fashion shops are full of bling and metal shining products from candles to shoes, underwear and bags at reasonable prices. It´s a bling world out there. Surely a way of make everyday life a bit more glamorous! Whatever next?

Even the polar bear looks unhappy...

Gold, Chrystal, silver and bling for the Christmas dinner/lunch table!

Bling up and dance the nights away, like we did in the 1970s!

Come fly with me, a gilded trip to the sky...

Santa is going skiing surrounded by resting ladies like in Saint Moritz!

Father Christmas with skis, but what are the ladies doing?

Santa is certainly having a busy time, wrapping parcels on the train, and not any train, gilded in pink!

Well, even Santa needs a rest after Christmas and drinking bubbly in the tub is not a bad way of relaxing. Wish I was in there with him.

The north pole, here I come! In a golden sleigh to meet the penguins!

#SOCIALMEDIA AND #BIRTHDAYS

It was my birthday yesterday and my son is away at University and my husband on a business trip to China. I had over 160 greetings on Facebook. Lovely and nice but lonely! A few years ago I would have thrown a birthday party, but I have thrown so many through the years that at the moment just the thought of it makes me feel tired! Well, if I had, this is how it might have looked. Conranshop at Fulham now! Colourful yule.

#DESIGNMUSEUM AND #YOUSAYYOUWANTAREVOLUTION AT #V&A ALL #LONDON

Last Thursday I went to the press preview of the new Design Museum in Kensington. Located in a 1960s landmark building it is going to be a good addition to Kensington High Street. It is situated next to parts of Holland Park that adds tranquillity to the museum area. The architect John Pawson was selected to do the work after having been chosen from invited and suitable architects and designers. The jury felt that he was able to bring an old building back to life in the gentlest way and not compromising the original building but able to adapt it for a modern museum. And how right they were! A place to learn about design and how designers think to learn about how design is happening around us in everything we do. The new museum and the location will make a good day out for the whole family. Opens 24 November!

On the top floor, the permanent exhibition, Designer Maker User, showing how design is incorporated in everything today!

The entrance and "Atrium" was deliberately kept very open and spacious to give room for contemplation and also to give the building (and the roof) the space it needs. There is more than enough square meters for exhibitions, workshops, library etc. What a wonderful space to enjoy just sitting in the middle of the stairs (leather seats) and just relax.

Carnaby Streets lights was inspired by the current exhibition at the V&A, "You said you want a revolution". A must see about politics, music and fashion from the 60s and 70s. From the Beatles, Biba, Mary Quant, Twiggy to the Student Riots in Paris and the Woodstock music festival! (photo by Time Out). More from London and Christmas later this week!

The poster "You say you want a revolution".

#CHRISTMASINLONDON and the new #DESIGNMUSEUM

Christmas in London. This year it is very popular to personalise Christmas i.e. put name etc on bulbs, wrapping paper etc. At John Lewis you can order bulbs with your own words or names on them. Done while you are waiting. When I was a girl we put the whole family's names on the ginger cookies and hang in the three. I still do them...more about that, the Christmas windows and the new Design Museum next week...

#CHRISTMASWINDOWSLONDON etc

CHRISTMAS IS HERE. At least if you are to believe Selfridges, their window displays are full of Father Christmas, snow and glitter, more to come. I am off to London today to shoot some more and visit the new Design Museum who opens soon on Kensington High Street, more to come about that soon and more about me and my childhood Christmases! Watch this space!

#BLÅBÄRNORDICLIVING IN #PUTNEY ETC

Last week I visited BLÅBÄR NORDIC LIVING in Putney. I had read about it on the Internet and we decided to use it as a venue for our November event for SveaBritt (Swedish Network Organisation for Swedish Professional Woman in Great Britain) where I am the secretary. What a nice place. A shop and café with interior design and gifts in a very Nordic (Scandinavian) style. With a mix of their own design and a selection of others. Above, the bar chairs and table are Blåbärs own design.

Pine cones for Christmas. Why not pick your own and spray paint. Or get them at Blåbär in Putney. Decorating with pine cones etc are very fashionable this upcoming Christmas 2016. 

Sandra West, the owner (together with her partner) said that their customers has shown a big interest in lighting. No, this lamp do not have antlers, just looks like it. The antler is sitting on the wall behind.

The cards are of their own design with Swedish sayings as a theme. Fun!

Some of my fellow SveaBritt ladies last week. A perfect venue for a small party to meet and eat.

Sandra West herself behind the counter!

Christmas stars in the windows and for sale. Such a Swedish tradition that you now see a lot of even in the UK!

A Nordic mix of interior decorating, from sheepskin to mugs. The whole place is a mix of old and new with a monochrome colourway that you normally would think would feel cool but by mixing soft and hard, and adding mood lights they have created a cosy and welcoming space! Perfect if you are self employed and want a hang out to work in!