Friday, January 7, 2011

~light & bright swedish loveliness~

hello there friends!


well, I'm back from my little vacation~
bet you thought I was never coming back, huh?

I don't know about you, but I was just
needing a major vacation from everything
and really really enjoyed it!!

To lighten & brighten your mid winter
{ok, so not exactly mid-winter......I'm an optimist :) }
life....I thought you would enjoy
these beautiful photos of
a darling swedish home....



This darling Swedish home is light & bright inside
and out!  Look at all the beautiful snow.....

I know all you mid-westerners are probably rolling
your eyes & saying "yeah right!" but in the NW we
rarely get snow & look forward to it on occasion.....

2 years ago we actually got 18 inches right during Christmas!
it was so wonderful!


of course everything around here closes down & all
the news stations preempt all tv programming if
we get any more than an inch!!



I am really loving the white table with the natural wood
chairs......I've seen a lot of tables similar to this, in blogland, and I really like the style.



I've wondered about the nordic style of decorating....
you know they use so much white & it snows so much there
.....I wonder if it just makes their homes so much brighter??

anyone out there from Sweden can shed some "light" on the
subject?? hee hee.

I do love it though!



I'm actually trying to redo this post....
I just posted it & went back to check it &
blogger erased all but the very first paragraph!
fabulous.  I'm sure if I had anything witty & cute to say the first time ~ it'll be long gone for the second time around!! ;)



so you'll simply have to suffer through & just look
at the pictures.....;)
when I blog I feel like I'm sitting on the sofa
thumbing through a fabulous magazine with a friend.

showing you pictures & commenting on what I love.

Ok...so love the wood & the wicker baskets mixed with
the white.  The dog is pretty darn cute too....



loving this room too.  the vintage fabrics mixed all around
with the pale wood is so gorgeous......yummy.
love the little splash of color in the painting as well.


more yummy linens....
purrrrrrrrrrr.......



I think I was going on about how I would love
to paint our downstairs a yummy white but
making myself wait.......to    s   t   a   r   t
another project until I   f   i   n   i   s   h   
current projects......


then I was saying something like
"how mature I must be getting to make such a decision &
wondering about how long that kind of thing might last...."

so yeah, spilling my ADD beans again to you all &
droning on about it...;)


are you all feeling like your home is rather
bare now?  after Christmas?

it definitely feels that way here! 
are you all chomping at the bit to start on new
projects or are you holding back?

me, I'm in the "holding back" mode....
not   q   u   i   t   e    that motivated yet....

I'll work into it.  just need a little more time.
then I'll kick back into crazy mode & get after it.

For now I'll enjoy your projects :)

Ok....really hoping when I hit post it actually does something
& doesn't come back w/ nothin'  

wish me luck!



xoxoxo,


Shellagh


{all photos courtesy of skona hem}








64 comments:

NanaDiana said...

uhhh..okay...I'm not seeing any pictures...or is it me? Or is it the ones at the bottom that say "you might also like these"? Hugs- Diana

time worn interiors said...

Several people have been having trouble with blogger lately! No sure what is going on! Can't wait to see your photos! Glad you had a great vacation!
theresa
aka:tot

the old white house said...

I loved this post, everything came through o.k... and I have to laugh at a couple of your comments! One I was just thinking the same thing about relaxing on the couch "flipping" through blogs like a stack of wonderful magazines and two, I was just telling my sister that I just cleaned my kitchen and as I was washing the walls I was thinking, 'it would be so much easier to just paint them and get it over with' only because I am ready for a new project and I am tired of the blue! I would love to have all those windows on my house, that home is so light and cheerful! Happy 2011! Theresa xoxo

Anonymous said...

This home is a dream, Shellagh! I LOVE all of the windows! Thanks for sharing!
I'm not too motived just yet either. I just bought some fun new goodies off of Etsy... maybe I'll get motivated once I get them.
Have a wonderful weekend!
xo,
Jo :)

Prior said...

lovely...I used to live in the snow and it made me remember the brigtness of it...Lezlee

Faded Charm said...

Hey Stranger, Wouldn't you just love to live here.. I've been thumbing through magazines trying to get motivated to declutter my own home. A very slow process since I've still got all this Christmas stuff to be put away or thrown out. One step at a time, right?

Give me a call so we can get together soon.

Take care and I hope you had a great time with your family over the holidays.

Kathleen

Sarah said...

Shellagh, these are fabulous photos full of inspiration. Thanks for sharing!

FILIGREE MOON said...

Shellagh, thank you for sharing these photos. What a beautiful and refreshing decor! ~ Angela

Privet and Holly said...

I have that porch
with the wee doggie
in my inspiration
file ~ so sweet.
Glad you had a
relaxing break!
xx Suzanne

Unknown said...

Glad your back, Shellagh! Nice to have a break. I love this house! Simply gorgeous. So inspirational.
Blessings
Becky C

Polly said...

gorgeous!

Happy New Year Shellagh!!

Polly

Anonymous said...

Wonderful photos!! I love all of the vintage linens especially the bed linens with the red embroidery, looks beautiful with almost any decor.
Have a great weekend.
Sincerely,
Melinda

Tina said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous home!! Happy New Year to you Shellagh. Wishing you a and your family a wonderful 2011. Hugs ~ Tina xx

Urban Farmgirl said...

I am in *love* with Nordic style. So clean and crisp. Unfussy and casual. It always looks like I would be at home walking around barefoot and I would still be cozy and comfortable.

I am 110% a pale wood and white girl. I admit it. ;o)

Happy Weekend, friend! I've taken a bit of a blogging break, too...but I guess I better gat back to it!

Mary

Victoria said...

Welcome back! From my end your post came out perfectly:) That is a beautiful home and it is interesting how they decorate with so much white and it doesn't look blah at all!

Lynne said...

Shellagh,
I LOVE the mud room (porch)...the baskets, the divine umbrellas and the pooch! That photo is a keeper. Thank you for sharing! *Lynne*

Lynne said...

Shellagh,
I LOVE the mud room (porch)...the baskets, the divine umbrellas and the pooch! That photo is a keeper. Thank you for sharing! *Lynne*

Allison said...

I love all of the Swedish loveliness. It's so clean, fresh and peaceful looking. My husband gave me a beautiful Swedish decorating/design book for Christmas. I'm trying to incorporate a little bit of into into our home. Happy New Year to you, Shellagh!

Shabby Cottage Studio said...

This home is gorgeous on the outside and the inside is just beautifully peaceful and restful.

Unknown said...

I'm sitting with you right now! I love all the texture of the different whites. I use to think all whites had to match, no more.
Enjoy your weekend!

Kate said...

Hooray your back!!!

What gorgeous images you have to share with us!!!
Love Love the inspiration that you always leave, makes me always come back for more.

Have a wonderful weekend
xo
Kate

It's me said...

What a beauttiful home Shellagh !!...we can live their together it is huge !!!.......hahahahhaah!!..beautiful style...i love it.......happy weekend darling....nice to see your post again !! love love love Ria...xxx...

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Shellagh,
You have been missed and I'm glad that you are back!
I am just drooling over this beautiful home. The linens are enough to make me move right in!

Talking about ADD....I cannot sit still because I am always conjuring up ideas and projects in my head. I've been known to look at magazines while blogging, watch the news and dust the furniture with my pajama sleeve, all while dreaming of what I want to do next! LOL.

hugs
Sissie

Debbie's Garden said...

I have recently become addicted to the Swedish blogs. All the white is so bright, cheery and calming. I feel if I did it at my house it would feel sterile though.
As a Chicago girl used to snow I can tell you all that white snow reflects way more light into their homes.
I do wonder how they keep it all clean! tracking in wet boots, fingerprints on light switches . . . the regular stuff. How do they do it?!

Jen T said...

What a gorgeous home! I do think blogger has a mind of its own at times and my house definitely feels naked now that Christmas is packed away. I love all the whites but I would have to buy stock in Clorox if I tried that...but still, love love the look! JenT

Unknown said...

A very inspiring home! Wonderful. Kx

lizzysapronstrings.com said...

Absolutely beautiful post and blog!!
I love this home and how the snow makes everything that beautiful bright clean white!
You have a wonderful selection of music. I have really enjoyed getting lost in all you pictures and taking a mini vacation while sitting comfy in my home with my cup of tea! : )

Sweet Old Vintage said...

What a stunning home so full of style.

Alison Agnew said...

Welcome back! All that lovely whiteness is so restful for the soul. Thanks!

Susan EvelynAndRose said...

Oh, so de'light'ful! It's snowing outside here now, and it makes me want to paint my whole interior white like these photos!
Thanks for sharing,
Susan

Susie~From My Home To Yours said...

Hey Shellagh.....Happy New Year! Sounds like you've been doing a lot of 'lookin' for inspiration!' I'm sure you will get everything done....one at a time girl.

Right now all I can do is sit in my comfy chair and think and plan what I want to do when I get to feeling better. I'm so very weak and get dizzy so easily....can't do much. But fortunately the chemo is over and it's just gonna take a little time to recover.

Take care and keep up with your beautiful posts...I always enjoy your pics..

Blessings,
Susie

kimberly at mimicharmante said...

I absolutely love this. Part of the incredible appeal to me is the snow that surrounds the home - what I wouldn't give for some of that here! The house itself is gorgeous, simple, and bright. Thank you for sharing~
xx

time worn interiors said...

Sweet Shellagh as I was scrolling down through your blog list I noticed you still have my old blog address in your roll! Would it be to much trouble to update it with my new address!

timeworninteriors.blogspot.com

Thanks sweetie I would appreciate it!
Theresa
aka:tot

Burlap Luxe said...

Welcome back Shellagh!!!
You were so missed.
I love this inspirational post!!
I have a galvanized can/bucket that I use like the powderoom used as a waste can on your post picture. I just love this look :)
I am soing a new slipcover for my sofa in a white from a winter white mattlasse to a white linen like weave so I can tie in more weathered whites, and grays :)
aged and tarnished.

see you soon girl.
Cheers
Dore

Heaven's Walk said...

THIS HOUSE IS MY DREAM HOME, Shellagh! TOTALLY - TOTALLY - TOTALLY!!!! I'm saving it in my Inspiration File". I love every single awesome inch of it, and I wouldn't change a thing. I showed my hubby and asked if he would build one or me. Needless to say, I got the infamous eye-roll with a "yeah...sure"...... lol! Hey, a girl can dream, right? :) Thanks for the dreamy post today!

xoxo laurie

Anonymous said...

I like this look A LOT, however I am so use to color that I think I might go through withdrawls.....

Julie Whitmore Pottery said...

Its Heavenly.
xx
julie

Passionate for White said...

Welcome back and Happy New Year! Loved this post and all its winter wonder white!

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Welcome back girl and Happy New Year!!

You simply spoiled us today with these gorgeous photos!!

I love it all!!!

Rebecca said...

Photos are just gorgeous~love that Nordic look. With the snow comes the cold and with the cold comes brightness... I miss that coming from Minnesota
Blessings to you in this new year
Rebecca

"Create Beauty" said...

WOW! So beautiful and inspiring. I don't think I could take all that white myself, but I really enjoy looking at it. I've incorporated quite a bit of white into my studio, but have to have 'pops' of color. A friend and I were talking about how we could have several different houses, all decorated in separate styles.... because we love so many!

That is what is so fun about visitng blogs.... seeing how others decorate, things they create, it is indeed like looking at beautiful magazines of inspiration! Your blog is FABULOUS and so delightful.

I'm having a give-away on my blog this week.... I made a "Reach For Your Dreams" friendship wand, I hope you'll stop by!

~ Violet

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

Hi Shellagh,
Nice to see you here in "blogland". It's been awhile. Loving all these photos....the wide open spaces and light floors, big windows. It's all gorgeous! Hope your 2011 is your best year yet!
Hugs,
Lisa

Parisienne Farmgirl said...

Hey Girlie,
I know I don't comment much but I wanted to say thanks - for some reason lots of my traffic is coming from your website today! So, Merci!
These photos are super dreamy and that exterior - oh my goodness.

I personally am chomping at the bit and have new paint colors selected and everything!
Angela,
ParisienneFarmgirl.com

Marias Hörna said...

Hi, Lovely pictures you inspire with. Tend to be inside and look at you. Have also added me as a follower of the blog did. I like it a lot. Writing from Sweden. And please check in with me. Take care of Mary's Corner

savvycityfarmer said...

wait, YOUR darling Swedish home or A darling Swedish home??

oh my!

been missn' you

Romantic Prairie Style said...

Love this home and love all your Etsy things. Beautiful.

Beverly @ My Sew Sweet Studio said...

I think the Swedish have it right. I love all white. Well, inside anyway. We don't get snow, but I would rather admire it from a distance only. what a beautiful bright home. Thanks for sharing and I'm going back to look again. There is so much to see.

Kirsty Girl said...

Wow my kinda place. Just gorgeous!

Simple Home said...

What a beautiful home. I love those vintage doors and all the windows. *Sigh* :-)
Blessings,
Marcia

Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia said...

Oh this home is gorgeous!!!!!
Welcome back, I missed you!!
XO
Kristin

Decor To Adore said...

Oh my heart is captured!

I wanted to invite you over to Fabulous French Fridays at the Metis Linens blog as I know you too love the French lifestyle.

Your presence would add a bit of oh la la. :)

http://metislinens.blogspot.com

Au Revoir!

Pamela said...

Those pics are to die for! Thanx for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Hello, I just happened to stumble onto your blog and these gorgeous Swedish home pictures. I'm not from Sweden myself (from a nearby small country Estonia, actually), but I have some relatives living there, so I can pretty much guess what goes on in their heads. (:

The swedish do use A LOT of white in their interior decoration. This is probably due to two reasons. Firstly: during the winter months it gets very-very dark. Most of December there is about 3-5 h of sunlight every day, some days it doesn't really get sunny at all, especially further in the north. When there is no snow either, everything is just very-very muddy and depressing. The light interior, just like snow, help to balance this out, creating more "natural" light.
Secondly, the swedish have always been very close to earth. Probably more than half the country is covered with wild forests. The simple colors and natural materials is just what goes with them, what "is" them. :)

Someone asked about the cleaning, with the mud and all. The swedish (or europeans, for that matter) NEVER walk inside with their outdoor shoes on. Shoes are removed directly after entering the house, usually on a special carpet (with a rubber base). That said, a house like that does probably need more cleaning and care, than a usual one, so that's also why not everybody can "afford" a place like that.

Hope I was helpful!
Love the blog, btw. :)

Maria said...

Hello in the house. Just wanted to see that all is well. Here, thaw it in full ... Yikes! Get a good day:)

Chrissy...The Apothecary Shop said...

Can you imagine waking up to that kind of beauty every morning..I think I would spend my days going from room to room!! LOVE this post,going to set one as my background and pretend I live there.....x0

Michelle, All Home and Love said...

Wow, this is gorgeous!! I love these photos, so light and pretty. My house does feel pretty bare now with the xmas things down. I've been decorating for Valentine's Day to liven it up in here. Since I don't do red for xmas, I love the red and pink for this holiday.
~Michelle

Unknown said...

Good grief! now I want to paint all of my walls white....that's been curning around in my head for months now....yipes! smiles...

Unknown said...

Hi Shellagh!

So nice to read your post and to hear from you. I'm so glad you had such a nice break. I think it's totally normal to feel a little "tired" after the holidays.

The rainy weather doesn't help with all of it. I know how you love your garden--and you'll soon be out there digging in the dirt again : ) And bringing us gorgeous pics of your flowers (can't wait!).

All is well here on the west side of the state. I have expanded to a second space at the antique mall. I'm also going to have a space at the Farm Chicks this year. So much to be excited about. I hope you will come this year so we can meet in person? That would be nice.

Look forward to hearing more from you and know this--you did SO MUCH in 2010...accomplished great things. You will get a second wind and be back to your full creative self soon.

your bloggie friend,

Cori

Kathie Truitt said...

I've always thought decorating like this would make the winters seem so much colder, but now that I have a white room (with pink accents) it really, really suppresses that depressing mood I used to get come January.

Country Livin' said...

WOW.........that house is stunning!
Trish xo

Maria said...

Dear Friend, Do drop in and see what happened with you and wish a nice weekend. From Mary's Corner

beth said...

I LOVE Swedish homes! All the white and natural wood is so gorgeous!! We installed pine plank floor last year, and I whitewashed it, and I love it!! We just installed a wood French door and I whitewashed that, too. It is nice to be able to see the wood grain, but still have my beloved white at the same time.
Thanks for sharing this gorgeous home! Hope you have a great day!
Beth.

MODERN COUNTRY said...

What a beautiful post!! Oh how I love the hall in this house. The floor is so great.

Aina

Swedish Dekor said...

Great article and beautiful home! All the rooms are beautiful and so put together while also representing that Swedish Design. For more Swedish Interior Design tips and tricks check out www.swedishdekor.com!

Blog Widget by LinkWithin