Just installed in the guest bedroom at the cottage: this dreamy vintage bed. It’s so delicate it looks like a spider wove it… I love how it complements the old wall paper… The perfect airy piece for this sun-drenched room… I don’t want to leave.

Thank you, Aunties…

linen towels from Society Limonata

I wanted to share these sumptuous shots from Society, Limonata, not only because their linens are so lovely, but also because their styling has inspired me to add a little darkness to my home.

To be honest, I’ve surprised myself with the direction that I’ve taken with this blog. When I started out, I was all “bright, white, light.” But as I went along, I noticed more shadows creeping in.

Thinking about plans for the new home, again I find myself longing for a little shade. I don’t believe I’ll go as far as painting my walls a dark hue, or drawing the curtains. (In fact, the first thing I will do is remove the heavy valances in the living room.) But I will be more inclined towards sombre touches. Not so much the bold black accents of Scandinavia – though striking, this look is more dramatic than I’m feeling right now. No, what I crave is a softer, more nuanced, quiet darkness. Just a bit of that which has been deeply stained, to break up all the light.

I particularly love the colors in this photo above (as well as this gorgeous linen slip), and think they would be beautiful in my new, historic home. That antique, creamy/gray wall color, with the deep mahogany chair is breathtaking – spare and modern, and at the same time classic. I’m thinking that unfinished or lye-treated wood floors would be the finishing touch.

Petal pinks and grays are a beautiful bathroom combination.

bone and gray on the table: striking, but still warm

I’ve never been a  fan of curtains because I need to see out my windows or I feel hemmed in. But I love the romantic effect of these heavy, yet light-filled, linen drapes that trail onto the floor.

Above is one of the most fabulous sinks I’ve ever seen. I wonder who makes it.

Might have to rethink a light wood table too.

Best known for her rag dolls, Jess Brown has just launched a new line of casual clothing and other “bits” for women and home, called Jess Brown Pieces. Much like her dolls, this casual collection combines the best of rustic simplicity and urban chic.

Of particular note are these breezy quilts. Made from individual strips of gossamer linens and pretty prints, each one-of-a-kind cover is both lovely and understated. The perfect light-weight accessory for summer.

See more from the “Pieces” collection here.

Marlen’s adorable son holds her penguin doll. All photography by Marlen’s husband and creative partner, Tõnis.

You will no doubt remember the beautiful Easter decorations from Teip that I featured recently. Deborah was kind enough to introduce me to the creative force behind those dramatic shots: the multi-talented Marlen Kärema.

Turns out that Marlen’s textile work is as stunning as her styling. Crisp linens with minimal, but exquisite, detail and maximum character seem to be her trademark. And do I detect a bit of wit as well? I love the way in which Marlen walks the fine line between traditional and contemporary, beautiful and edgy. Her execution is rustic, textured, raw, and yet her pieces are comforting. The fabrics she chooses are classic, but there is always just the right amount of creative flare in her work to make things highly individual and interesting.

You can see more of Marlen’s party styling on Remodelista today.

linen tunic

linen shirt – you can see another of Marlen’s shirts here.

bunnies

quilts

embroidered quilt

pillows

two pillow cases

hand blown glasses at Riija

Another fab find from Kickcan and Conkers, Riija is a Latvian design store right in the heart of Riga. This “lifestyle barn,” as their website puts it, showcases an eclectic mix of beautiful furniture and home goods, all from local designers. Merging “traditional Latvian craftsmanship with a contemporary world view,” all the designs are a wonderful mix of modern and rustic. Both sleek and sensual, they look like they would be as satisfying to hold as they are to behold.

linen bedding

furniture at lamps by the Latvian design firm Rajada

hand blown stemware

table linens

linen loungewear

accessories. for more see all their products

For me, one of the best benefits of internet globalization is that artisans, who may have here-to-fore whittled away in obscurity in their corners of the world, are now being “discovered” and promoted by a voracious online design community. Often with the help of fellow country men who open online shops to showcase goods from their homeland, these artists and designers are reaching consumers across the globe. We Americans can now puts our hands on (or at least gaze longingly at) goods from Scotland, Japan, Brazil… and Lithuania.

Discovered via HvH Interiors, Mano Lietuviski Namai or “My Lithuanian Home” is a beautiful collection of home wares from that region. Its founders, Lithuanian architects and designers Jelena Shauchikoviene and Jovita Pipiraite, clearly have an eye for simple yet striking products. Made from natural, richly textured materials, this earthy collection features hand-woven wool or cotton rugs and blankets, sleek wooden furniture and baskets, fine linens, and molded clay. Impressive and varied, MLN’s extraordinary selections have firmly put Lithuania on the design map.

A selection of goods at the physical shop in Vilnius. Linen loungewear and wool blankets hang above knit cushions as well as a wool and linen dog bed.

cozy cable blankets

a clutch of wool pillows

above: an assortment of the many goods available at Mano Lietuviski Namai

Colette Bream does kids’ bedrooms just the way I would. Using old-world pieces, modern hues, and whimsical accents, she creates a realm that is friendly and cozy, but also full of adventure.

In this room, I see an homage to a million fairytales. Handmade from custom fabrics and accented with cheerful bows, Colette’s organic quilts and mattresses make for a fantastical bed. Neither too pretty nor too tough, her bedding is equally perfect for a pirate quest or a princess palace. Colette’s lambswool and cotton cushions too – in the shapes of houses, animals, clouds, and stars – are imaginative and merry. They can be layered for comfort or strewn about to create a magical realm. Likewise her toys double as playthings and decor. Whether you wear Colette’s animal tails to the land of the Wild Things or simply hang them on the wall, they are equally charming.

The result is a room full of wonder and fantasy, that is not so literal as to stifle a child’s imagination. Both playful and sophisticated, Colette Bream’s room is one that cradles kids in comfort, but encourages them to soar.

A room created by Colette Bream for Babiekins Magazine.

Cushions and accents by Colette Bream.

The ideal toddler bed by Colette Bream.

Animal creations by Colette Bream.

Above: wallpaper by Fargerike in Norway, via Unruly Things; cloud scraf by Rose Tung; silver and knit necklace by Branda

With yesterday’s snow, it finally looks like winter in New England should! So even though spring is just around the corner, I’m feeling a bit snuggly. Time for knits!

But actually the staggering variety of materials being purled and braided now-a-days means that knits are not just for winter any more. Old denim jeans make for a beautiful, tactile pillow. Loose linen yarn produces crisp wash cloths for summer, and paper yarn is being knit into airy, gossamer jewelry. Heck my friend once even knit together some long grass from her yard! Whether you wear them yourself, or use them to adorn your home, knits are a wonderful textured accent. I guess that makes knits the perfect anytime accoutrement!

Above: textured bedroom from EST Magazine via Decor8; demin pillow knit from old jeans by Tonje at Forever Love; purple linen/nylon yarn by Fernanda at Owl Mania

Clockwise from the top left: linen dish cloths by A Magpie And A Dove; braided rug by Dana Barnes Design; coin purse by Branda; knit hedgehog mit kit from Morehouse Farm

As cold weather encroaches, those of us in Northern climes turn our thoughts to cozy covers and snug blankets. And camping. Fall is often the best time to commune with Nature because it’s neither too hot nor too buggy. But many find standard sleeping bags too hot and cramped (not to mention ugly), while comforters are too drafty.

Such was the experience of interior designer Kate of Good Intent on a recent camping trip to Cornwall. Her inspired efforts to solve the problem resulted in these beautiful quilted sleeping bags. Outside each bag is crafted from unbleached Indian cotton and features lovely hand tied details. Inside, those of us with more modern sensibilities may chose a lining in a contrasting hue, while traditionalists may opt to snuggle down next to an English floral or stripes. To ensure a comfy fit, Kate’s designs are available in different sizes. They can even be unzipped and used as a duvet. Yay! Just another clever way in which interior style is making its way out.