Colorful/Artful/Efficient
Interesting Bathrooms
Its so cool to see all the new and interesting things they have come up with for bathrooms. Why sinks alone have changed a lot. Seems to me every room in your house is worth a second thought, and that's fantastic! Have a wonderful weekend everyone!! Talk to you again on Monday!
Neutrals
One look I never seem to tire of is creamy whites mixed with warm wood tones. The 2 tones go together very well and I think that's why you see it used a lot. The picture with the desk is of my teenage daughters room. I redid it a few years back and she was not happy with the lack of color. But now that she's older she really likes it and her friends do too. Very calming colors for the bedroom. I have color in my home too, but I do love the feel that warm whites bring to a room.
summer
: : this is where you'll find me for the next 10 days. at my summerhouse in Sweden! see you later!
[view from the house]
Rörstrand
: : For a long time I have been wanting to tell you more about Rörstrand, Sweden's oldest China company, located in the town of Lidköping where I grew up. It wasn't until a few years ago that I truly understood the importance of Rörstrands influence on Swedish design history. I feel so fortunate to have been part of the company's history and heritage and to have witnessed the changes the company went through.
And the changes have been many, with several sad parts. The story is long, but I’ll try to summarize it in a few paragraphs.
Rörstrand was founded in 1726 by King Fredrik I. Sweden at this time was very dependent on imports so the King was determined to start manufacturing certain goods in Sweden to improve the Swedish economy.
Rörstrand was started in Stockholm, moved to Gothenburg in 1926, to just a few years later begin the move to Lidköping where it has remained up until one year ago.
I was 10 years old when my Dad [Pappa] was recruited by Hackman, to develop a new division within their brand called.tabletop. Hackman was a large Finnish corporation who in 1990 acquired Rörstrand as well as many other Swedish and Finnish glass & china companies. Brand names most of you probably know of. Arabia had originally been started by Rörstrand to facilitate trade in Russia, they were bought by Hackman in 1990. Iittala was a Finnish company, partly owned by Arabia, which Hackman bought up 100 % of. Iittala in turn owned parts of Nuutajärvi another Finnish glass company, so Hackman bought up all of Nuutajärvi.
With all these newly acquired brands they broke out new sections, and among these was .tabletop., the section my Dad was put in charge of, which encompassed all of Rörstrand’s production.
There had been talk of us moving to Finland, but since most of his work was tied to Rörstrand, our family settled in Lidköping. A very picturesque town, which a very rich history and culture. And a large part of it’s more recent history evolved around Rörstrand, since it was one of the largest employers in the town.
For several years my Dad worked for Hackman, until suddenly the management changed and disagreements concerning the future of Hackman arose. During this unstable period, unable to foresee the immediate future of the company, my Dad chose to leave Hackman.
Shortly after, all of Hackman, including all of it’s sub brands was sold to a Dutch risk capital investment company, and Iittala became the new company name. The sad part here was that all of these brands, Rörstrand, Arabia, Iittala and Nuutajärvi, were Finland’s and Sweden’s oldest and only china and glass companies. Most Swedes will at some point during their life own a Rörstrand dish. So, it was very sad to see them leave Scandinavia, uncertain of their future.
There is a good part and a sad part to the ending of this story. Iittala, now being the company name, encompassing all the sub brands, was actually recently introduced on the Finnish stock market. So, now the Finnish people can again become the owners of their world famous glass and china brands.
Rörstrand, will still remain a brand, and will always be Sweden’s oldest china company. However, production was shut down a little over a year ago, and moved to China. The factories in Lidköping stand empty. I walked the mile long building, where the kilns had been, with my Dad when I was home over Christmas.
New things will grow in the factory spaces, my Dad is involved in trying to create a design center there, building on the rich history of Rörstrand.
Rörstrand.
Linda's House
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Here is another one of my internet friend's home. I will have to do a "part 2" for her as well. These pictures just scratch the surface of her lovely Florida home. Her guest house is better then most homes! I will need to do a part III on the outside alone! Linda you have great style and I LOVE your house!
Colorful Tile
I know I tout white a lot here, and I will always love a white bathroom with colorful accents but I'm seeing some of the most beautiful blue and green tile work for baths. Such aqua and greens are so inspiring for a bath, reminds one of water and the outdoors. I'm loving so many colorful tiles that next time I redo a bathroom, it'll be very hard to pick a color!!
New Blog Alert: Rearranged Design
A new blog has come to my attention called "Rearranged Design." Ana has just started out so give her blog a look see, its a very nice read and well done! Good luck Ana!! (you can just click title above to get to her blog)
STYLE FILE: Modern Country
I think one of my favorite styles is what is now described as modern country. I don't love lacey frilly country and I'm not a fan of cold fluff less modern, but when you mesh the 2 styles together...it can be magic. I love my farmhouse table mixed with my black mod chairs. Mixing can be tricky, but the fun is in getting there!
nau
: : it's the cool new thing within eco and clothing. I'm sure you've heard of it .nau. an outdoor clothing company with clothes made completely out of recycled materials, for each purchase you make they donate 5 % to a national/regional/local social and environmental organization of your choice. read more on cool hunting
: : also, they're currently having a sale, so check it out : :
spisa ribb
: : I just bought one of these on Swedish ebay [tradera.se] .spisa ribb. a Swedish design classic, designed by .stig lindberg. in the 60's for Gustavsberg. to add to my vintage cup collection. squeals, I'm so excited!it's being sent to my parents so that I can pick it up when I go home to Sweden next week!
image found here
Cozy Kitchens
Here are some small but stylish kitchens. The first one is one of my favorites. So stylish yet so functional! Add a dash of brick and I'm over the moon! Happy friday everyone! See you again on monday!!
Small Space Notes:
Be creative/
You can find just about anything in a smaller size/
Even the smallest room can be functional
Cool Chairs
Don't you love how really cool chair designs are becoming more available to the masses? A chair has to be comfortable for sure, but chairs are like works of art to me. There are soooo many possibilities! I have a stackable modern chair in my kitchen that at first glance you wouldn't think was comfortable, but it really is. Pottery Barn has a new chair out called the Baroda that has a great look to it. I have not sat in it tho (a must for all chair buyers!)
: : today we are celebrating red.house turning one year!! and I want to thank .all of you lovely red.house readers. for being my constant source of inspiration, my support and my new found friends. thank you for finding me out there, in the myriad of blog spaces. I hope every return visit to red.house, always feels a little bit like coming home. to a red. house that is, with white trims......for the occasion we are celebrating with these beautiful paper sculptures by .frazier & wing. because paper is the appropriate 1 year anniversary gift.
and also, we're celebrating with a red. house logo explosion. of course
Beadboard
Beadboard is one of my favorite things to add to a wall. Next to a great paint color, I could put beadboard anywhere. These are some of my favorite pictures of beadboard. My next kitchen redo, I really would like to do a beadboard backsplash. I've thought of lots of things I could do, but always come back to wanting beadboard.
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Candles
Another passion of mine is candles. Nothing calms my nerves more then the soft glow of a group of candles. One of my favorite place to pick up candles is illuminations. They also have a great book for inspiration. My favorite fragrance right now is honeysuckle. Reminds me of summer nights as a kid. When I'm really stressed, I light some votive and put them in my shower. Try a candle lit shower sometimes....just as good as a candlelit bath!
Pottery Barn Fall Preview
I know its smack dab in the middle of summer, but Pottery Barn is now showing most of their fall line on their website right now. Ask any of my friends, and they will tell you how much I love Pottery Barn. I can find Pottery Barn bargains on ebay, hit their stores and score a great deal. If I pay full retail, its only because I "had to have it." For me, it's their touches of wimsey added to their classic dessigns. I have their basic sofa/chair combo in denim (which I know is so yesterday) but I still love it. I have quite a collection of PB photos from years past...I'll be doing "vintage" Pottery barn photo post soon!
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