scandinavian design: simple, minimal, natural design

I posted a week or so ago about scandinavian design.  I'm infatuated with its trend right now.  Maybe its my scandinavian roots calling out inside?  I just saw House and Home posted their favorite finds this week on their blog.  LOVED so I thought I'd share... have you fallen in love yet with its simple design and natural elements yet?

scandinavian architecture meets midcentury

Brandon and I have been talking a lot lately about our future home.  (Whenever that will be)  So I've been flipping through magazines dreaming.  If you know me, you know that I love neutrals with hints of color.  I love earthy tones combined with bold accents.  And I love Scandinavian mid-century design.  I guess its my Norwegian roots.  So here are a few of my favorites of the moment.

{danish teak classics}

{scandinavian brands}

{Jason Lewis}

{brooklyn vintage}

for the love of a motif

I posted some about patterns a few weeks ago when I started looking at DIY rug inspirations.  I was obsessed with chevrons back in the fall and now it seems my obsession with patterns is turning toward the motif look.  This has been around forever so I'm not sure why I'm suddenly drooling over them.  Here are a few of my favorites for the time being...

{west elm}

{west elm}

{allmodern}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

{allmodern}

 

 

 

 

 

 

{zgallerie}

 

 

{zgallerie}

DIY Painted Rug

We just moved in to this duplex and it has all hard wood floors on the first floor.  I was in desperate need of a large area rug for under the sectional and coffee table.  So I started scouring the internet looking for an option.

I loved these ...

{west elm}

{west elm}

{west elm}

Unfortunately, for the size we need the cost of one of these rugs was going to be $500+.  Yowza!  I'm not paying that for a rug in a rental house.  So... I started looking up some other ideas.  I found an idea where you can paint the Erslev flat woven white rug from IKEA.  Cost of this rug (in Canada) $70.  Bingo!  Now we are talking.  So I found all of these amazing people out there that have created something brilliant out of a $70 rug.

 

{a little bit of everything}

{the house of smiths}

{designsponge}

{sarah wandering}

{charm home}

{diddle dumpling}

I love the dhurrie patterns above but I have no patience for stenciling.  And I'm pregnant so I knew I was just setting myself up for failure if I tried anything like that.  I used the instructions from Oh Sweet Escape to get me off the ground and running.  For complete instructions I would reference her site.  You'll need plenty of FROG painters tape, 2 quarts of latex paint, 1 large bottle of fabric medium, paint roller, paint pan, large 4 qt bucket, plastic sheeting, and a yard stick/tape measure.  In a nutshell,  lay out your pattern with painters tape over the rug.  This took me about 4 1/2 hours (I'm also 26 weeks pregnant so I had to take some breaks).

Then mix the fabric medium and latex paint together in a large bucket.   I used 3 quarts and 3/4 of the bottle.  Note, Oh Sweet Escape says her paint lightened two shades when she applied the medium.  So I went with a darker than desired shade to start with.  My paint really didn't lighten so the rug turned out a little darker than expected.  Once pattern is laid out roll paint over rug.  Be careful not to roll too heavy or the paint will seep under tape.  This takes about one hour.

Wait one day and then pull off the painters tape.  The FROG tape works really well.  I had a few minor bleeds but it doesn't look too bad for a handmade item.  You can touch up if needed with a small brush.

And here is our end result.  I think we spent less than $200 on all the supplies.  Much better than $600!  It took some time and a little patience but I think it was an overall success.  I would do this again.

house tours

If you are anything like me, you love home tours!  I haven't been on one in awhile but when I get the chance to go I go!  They are such a fun thing to do on a weekend.  Living Etc. just posted their own version of the house tour -- via internet.  (God love the internet ... now I don't even have to get out of bed to see some great design)  So sit back, relax, and enjoy this amazing tour of homes!

For the full tour and to learn more about the architects and designers check out Living Etc.

white space

Today's inspiration ... the freedom from color.  Don't let a little "white" scare you from these amazing spaces.

 

 

 

1-3 Stil Inspiration 4 Houzz 4 DC Designhouse 5 Elements of Style 6 iBaths

Pantone Spring Fashion Color 2012

"Dance into Spring" with these bright, bold, and playful colors.  "Consumers look to spring for renewed energy, optimism and the promise of a brighter day," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute^®. "They
have learned how color can help them alter a mood and provide the vitality and enthusiasm that enables them to experiment with new looks and color combinations." -- Pantone (Full Report)

Image Spotlight . 1-6 Anthropologie . 7-9 H&M . 10-12 JCrew