A Borrowed City

As you may well know, I have a love of all things Scandinavian and have wanted to visit for a long time, if only to confirm my love, like visiting a soul mate pen-pal for the first time in real life . Originally I had dreams of an epic journey across Norway and Sweden, however due to the fact that everything is double the price we settled for a four-day city break in Oslo.

Little red house

As soon as we flew over the silver birch coloured landscape my love was cemented,  the train journey from the airport through the country filled my heart even more with each  little red and yellow wooden house that slipped past and I began daydreaming about re-locating.

We had a wonderful time exploring the city, bitter air biting at our bones and blushing our noses, stopping in cosy coffee shops and stylish bars… in fact it’s true, It’s all so very stylish. My rose tinted vision from blogs and pinterest boards was confirmed – White washed and grey palettes with accents of colour (mostly, my favorite, yellow), sheepskins and throws, log piles, wooden furniture with that effortlessly cool curve, candles (even in the daytime) and sleek light fittings. Staying in what could only be described as My Dream Home only added to the joy of it all. And this is a city remember, I imagine things would get more idyllic for me in the country. One of the great things about Oslo in fact is that its only a 20 min journey on the metro and you’re in nature, pine tree forests and ski runs, the wholesome red cheeks of the  inhabitants clutching ski’s on the bus says it all.

Our apartment for the weekend

Cafe Laundromat

We took the metro up to the 2km toboggan run – Korketrekkeren (The cork screw!) and sledged down a few times stopping for a hot chocolate and giant apple pie in front of a huge log fire in an enchanting log cabin restaraunt at Frognerseteren. Perfect.

Toboggan run

Apres sledge hot chocolate

View from the metro

Other highlights included:

Snowy walks through parks

Cosy coffee shops

Vigeland Sculpture park

Mooching Grunerlokka; A vintage market

Oslo Fjord

My new home:

See: http://webuiltthisnest.wordpress.com/

Little pots of paint

We are currently planning with military precision what furniture/ stuff will fit into our new 12ft home, I have been relishing in the downsize, ruthlessly editing my possessions and donating bag after bag to the local Oxfam, However I cannot quash my nesting tendencies, whatever size the nest may be. The other day I found myself buying some pretty green stemmed wine glasses from a charity shop (even though we have some perfectly functional ones already) and, inexplicably, three embroidered linen tablecloths have made the cut (THREE? In a forest?) These tendencies can also lead to painting furniture with little tester pots of paint. For our tiny new home I decided to brighten up some of the bits of furniture we’ll be taking;

This Chest of drawers is from Ikea for only £15.99, I chose to paint it my favorite of all colour combinations; Yellow and Grey. I used ‘Hustle at 5pm’ and  ‘Plumbago’  by Fired Earth.

This little wicker beauty was picked up in a charity shop and painted by my Mum, I spruced it up further by painting the inside with ‘Southbank’ Orange by Fired Earth and adding a vintage place mat.

Love this: Little studio

Marit Lissdaniels and Angelica Utterberg set up Little Studio in 2010, their playful designs are intended for adults and children alike and they take inspiration from children’s ability to see things for more than they really are, a triangle becomes a mountain for example, a concept I love. Their charming products include prints, cushions and cutting boards all produced in Sweden, they smack of that intrinsic elegance that comes with genuine Scandinavian cool. On my wishlist: The landscape tray.

Love this- Into the woods print: photo taken in the deepest magic forest of Dalarna, Sweden

New in the shop: Nest hoop frames

I’ve made these two little hoop frame beauties for the SHOP, they are hand screen printed and appliqued and perfect to hang in your nest, I love the circular shape, good for mixing things up amongst all your rectangular frames and the words are good to live by. They are also extra special because they are original one-off pieces:

Climb a mountain

Home is wherever I’m with you

Love This: House of Rym

One of my favourite designers Elisabeth Dunker of Fine Little Day and Anna Backlund have designed a new  home wear collection for Rym. I am absolutely In. Love. The rug design is perfection in my eyes, and the crockery is elegant with a dash of curious whimsy and nature inspired goodness, I am also a fan of the mix and match concept. Wishlist.

‘Flaky fields and mountain drops’ rug

All images from the Fine Little Day Blog

A nifty weekend project:

I saw this and thought of you…

Pinterest via Interiors porn

If, like me, you or your walls need an injection of joy then how about this for a nifty idea. Perfect if you have some pretty handkerchiefs/ scarfs/ bits of material lying around, I think the addition of some doilies would be most welcome too.

Quilts, foxes and cats

I have decided to make a quilt, I’m not sure when it will begin or end, but this image of a FOX quilt sealed the deal:

Gorgeous fox quilt from Pip Lincoln’s home

and this cat design is pretty wonderful too:

Easy step by step pattern from Mer Mag

This weekend I have also been loving my Luna hugs:

Blanket dreams

One day I would love to invest in a really beautiful hand-woven blanket or two:

Tapestry blankets from Jen Jones – seller of antique Welsh quilts and blankets

Red Scottie lambswool blanket from Avoca – woven in Ireland

Nos Da throw by Donna Wilson available  from Design Within Reach

Albion woollen blanket from Toast

Harlequin woven blanket by Fine Little Day, has been featured on APF before but I just LOVE it.

Beautiful Welsh woollen blankets from Melin Tregwynt, woven in a mill in Pembrokeshire.

Work space;