A Simple Holiday, Scandinavian Style

Evergreens symbolize eternal life along with the circle of the wreath.

That's the cool thing about the holidays, families have their own holiday traditions that live on through generations.

This year my Christmas decor was inspired by memories of Christmas past. I used the traditional colors of red and green with fresh pine and red berries.

Twinkling string lights add a subtle sparkle at night.

Of course, some of my favorite holiday 

memories  have to do with dessert.

Image from: http://dawnssimplesweets.blogspot.com/2012/01/norwegian-krumkake.html

My Grandmother always made krumkake,  a thin crispy wafer cone shaped dessert. It was so special, 

she only made it at Christmas.

This is the original iron passed down by my grandmother.

The batter is heated on the iron and shaped on a cone. My grandfather made this in his wood shop for my grandma.

The secret ingredient is the cardamom. 

Adding cardamom to your coffee feels really festive.

Whatever your traditions may be, I hope they make you happy this time of year.

All of the shopping and glitter aside, take a moment to pause and reflect on the important people in your life, past and present.

All photos and content by S Wittine, except the Krumkake image.

Starting Fresh: Bachelor Apartment on a Budget

As a favor to my darling brother, I helped him shop for his apartment. He was starting over with his life in a way and he needed the basics, somewhere comfortable to live and centrally located. His apartment was clean and basic. White walls, beige carpeting, not a lot of character or charm.
Well, my brother is full of personality and creative so I thought his place should reflect that. He was also newly single so we didn't want it to scream "man cave".
We set up a little bar, an office all in the living room.

We broke up the long living room into separate spaces: entry with table (similar available at Target for $120, http://tgt.biz/1ckD83A) and coat rack from Bed Bath and Beyond for $50,  http://bit.ly/16YGu6T; a sitting area with bar and office. What more does a guy need?

The sofa was a steal at $300, but a similar one is available at Crate and Barrel for under $1000 :

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/silhouette-sofa/s572802

We used a pedestal table in the kitchen for space reasons, the always wonderful Doksta from Ikea; 

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40063632/

A great pedestal table for a budget. However if there is no budget, I highly recommend the Saarinen (more on my obssession with this table later):

http://www.dwr.com/product/saarinen-dining-table-42laminate.do?sortby=ourPicks

The chairs are vintage Scandanavian, (like our heritage) from Spinario. If you are in the Minneapolis area, check this gallery out:

http://www.spinariodesign.com/

 A white cowhide is on the floor to cover the generic vinyl.

I will admit the artwork is a little intense. The painting is one of my brothers's. It is a portrait of one of his buddies. I think it is an unusual way to break up the space in a rental when you can't paint or alter anything.

And this story has a happy ending- my brother will be starting over AGAIN, but this time with his beautiful new fiance and her lovely daughter as they search for a place together!

I am so happy for them, and my brother as he starts this next phase of his life.

Our Perfectly Imperfect Cottage, Renovation Inspiration and Patio Dreams

As we work on turning our home into our dream cottage- one of our "renovation inspiration" photos:

Traditional Exterior by Minneapolis Architects & Designers Domain Architecture and Design

http://www.domainarch.com/


Our neighborhood started as a little enclave of summer cottages for city travelers to enjoy the lake.




Images from the Minnesota Historical Society.
http://www.mnhs.org/

 Many of the homes have been torn down and replaced with newer McMansions that take up the full footprint of the lot. We were looking for a home with some charm and even though our realtor called our house a "liveable teardown" , we were smitten. We are really grateful for our realtor's persistence, he showed us the home several times before we saw the potential.

 Here is a link to a video of the history of our area:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb9m2gk9MBg


Originally, because of so many issues, we wanted to tear down the house and build a concrete and glass home. But as time passes the house is winning, it's going to be 100 years old in 1915 so we can't be the ones to tear it down.








The story of designer Thom Filicia's summer home renovation is very inspirational. He has such a classic yet rustic feel in his home.
It looks comfortable and relaxed now, but still beautiful.

http://www.architecturaldigest.com/blogs/daily/2013/02/thom-filicia-american-beauty-book-renovating-decorating-slideshow



Past homeowners had added on in the seventies, and not in a groovy way. (I've written previously how we updated our seventies bathroom) http://bit.ly/17Zctd7.

Here are the issues:

-Bad siding/ doesn't match the stucco
-Weird paint combo of yellow house and blue
-Ugly shutters are made of plastic and are the wrong scale



 
I'm starting to love the look of shakes and think that might be a cool siding option:

Traditional Entry by Atlanta Architects & Designers Clark & Zook Architects, LLC

This home with white trim, shakes and stucco looks similar to what I am planning.

Traditional Exterior by Vancouver General Contractors Best Builders ltd

We will definitely be painting a gray and white combination. I've already been testing several grays.
The leading choice is Benjamin Moore's Coventry Gray:

http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/coventrygray


The trim will be Benjamin Moore's Cloud White:



A finishing touch will be to add some board and batten shutters to replace the vinyl ones:

Spaces by Chicago Building Supplies James Hardie Building Products

 The other plan is to add a patio and replace the concrete block with natural stone walls:
(Fond Du Lac stone walls with Bluestone)

Image from Colonial Stone

Also, I want to add some hydrangea or snowball, and lilac bushes.
Bluestone + Hydrangea:

Eclectic Landscape by Tarrytown Landscape Architects & Designers Westover Landscape Design, Inc.

Traditional Landscape by Dc Metro Landscape Architects & Designers KG DESIGNS

Of course, the patio would not be complete without some mix of modern and old school furniture.

I plan on mixing in Rusa - Chaise Sectional - Right Facing - Design Within Reach




with some vintage Adirondack chairs.

Traditional Landscape by Beverly Architects & Designers Siemasko + Verbridge

If you are out there looking for your dream home, I hope it happens for you. It may not look like what you want at first, but with vision and hard work anything is possible.
I hope to have some photos later this summer of the transformation of the exterior...

Deco is Divine

“In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars.”


― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
http://amzn.to/11eMqbZ

It must be the excitement of the new version of the Great Gatsby coming out on film May 10, http://thegreatgatsby.warnerbros.com/
but I am obsessed with all things Deco.

I can't stop thinking of ways to bring some deco decor into my home. Rejuvenation has some great lighting options...

http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/products/liberty






http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/products/echo






If you have a period home, this pretty door set could work, on a black enameled door:



http://www.rejuvenation.com/search?q=jenkins


The fixtures from Rejuvenation are quite resonable and nice quality.

If you are looking for one of a kind Deco, 1st Dibs is the place to shop.
I found these lovlies:

http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/seating/bergere-chairs/french-art-deco-period-bergeres/id-f_786891/



These Gio Ponti sconces reference the period.
http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/lighting/sconces-wall-lights/gio-ponti-geometric-quadri-luminosi-sconces/id-f_789410/






These vintage Baughman shelving units also make me think of deco, even though they are modern.

“Can’t repeat the past?…Why of course you can!”


― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/storage-case-pieces/shelves/pair-of-mid-century-modern-chrome-baughman-etageres-shelves/id-f_787675/







Original listing photos for the home that most likely inspired the Gatsby estate:


http://curbed.com/archives/2011/03/10/gatsby-house-really-old-listing-photos-reveal-former-grandeur.php









Sadly, the home was razed by a developer.

For incredible views of the decaying mansion , follow this link to the amazing photos by Jen Ross.


http://www.jenrossphoto.com/#Portfolio/Spaces/East Egg/1

In Love With Lucite

Lucite is another favorite element in mixing styles. Apartment Therapy has a great write up of why a clear coffee table is a savvy solution in a small space:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/see-through-5-clear-acrylic-tables-166232


Acrylic Table with Glass - Coffee Table | Wisteria





A small introduction to lucite: these darling letters from Tory Burch, would be so charming on your work desk or in a childs room.


Source: http://www.toryburch.com/

A really well done example of the mix factor:

Contemporary Kitchen design by San Francisco Interior Designer Holly Bender Interiors

This designer uses the Vapor stool from CB2. http://www.cb2.com/vapor-barstools/f4967
I'll definitely be using these for a future project and potentially my own kitchen.


And last but certainly not least, I'll always love the Louis...



XOXO!

The Modern Mix: Mixing in Brass and Bronze

How hot is this sofa? I'm dying.  The Tuxedo Sofa  at  Design Within Reach has sexy long bronze legs.
http://www.dwr.com/product/tuxedo-sofa.do?sortby=ourPicks







Since I live in an older home, I would pair it with this a chic little accent table, at a great price. I'm thinking of snatching up a couple of these to place next to a reading chair. They will add a touch of warmth to the space...





Spanish Colonial Drum Table Antique Brass | Side & Item Tables | Restoration Hardware




Shy about metal mixing? Try the low investment of an IKEA ANEGENAM bowl. I would use a couple of these on a coffee table so you notice the subtle bling when you walk by.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00186569/



Chic N Cheap living talks about it here:
http://www.chicncheapliving.com/2013/01/savvy-weddingparty-decor-ikea-angenam-bowl.html

And finally, for my ultimate fantasy mix, I would add a pair of these to the patio:



http://residential.brownjordan.com/products/collections.php?by=1&val=Kantan II

These Brown Jordan pieces are instant classics. And the shape is modern enough to keep me happy.

Blanc is the new Black, or my Favorite Color is White

For the past 15 years, I have collected white objects, like vases, bowls, and other household oddities. Vintage lamps, too.
This Moon Glow Table Lamp - BBL3006 from Circa Lighting is a contender for bedside lamps.


   My white  vase collection sits in  glass doored  dark wood cabinets, so they stand out. Can you tell I have a photography background? It's all about the composition.
I prefer artwork framed in white. I would have all white walls but my family complains they want color, so the walls are (light) gray.  I remember when I had my first apartment, it was hard to find simple white plates, I was on a mission for these for months.
For our wedding we registered for mainly white serving dishes, along with a few special crystal glasses. My husband says he doesn't remember what we registered for, it was all a blur to him, he didn't really know what he wanted or what we needed. His policy at all weddings is a gift of cash (such a practical guy). So years later, when we are entertaining and he notices the serving plates are all coordinated,  and the vase yet to be filled with flowers is the perfect blank slate for whatever flowers we chose, I smile and tell him, yes, I planned this.

Color Harmony

A screen shot from Mad Men "Souvenir" episode. I love the blue glasses and green bottle in this scene, set in a mid 60's hotel room in Italy.

Soothing color palette for a client

They are surrounded by nature and water, so the paint colors blend and reflect the surroundings.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Adding drama to a generic rental kitchen nook

My artist brother loved the layout and location of the apartment but it lacked charm.  He asked me to help pull the place together on a very small budget. Since my brother is a creative thinker I wanted that to come across in his apartment.

We found the Docksta table on sale at Ikea, vintage chairs at Spinario and the painting is his own. Table cost $79 + chairs $89 = $168. We had a ton of fun shopping for his place!