Programming Note for the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year"

You must be wondering why I haven't mentioned the "most wonderful time of the year" yet.  Look I love Christmas just as much as the next gal, in fact it's my favorite holiday but I feel Christmas is one of those things that can build up in the system, like Mercury for example, and ruin the whole thing forever. So with that in mind - we don't want Christmas to become toxic for you - Design Stockholm will be Jul and Christmas heavy with shopping tips, cultural info, pics, recipes and perhaps even some Swedish Jul carols (I know, I know) but not until December!

So take a deep breath.  Enjoy the dark, rainy weather knowing that here at Design Stockholm Jul is just around the corner, but it's not here yet.

During the last week of November we'll go back to where it all began at Design Stockholm, Södermalm (click here for a refresher) where we'll launch a new feature which will take a look at space planning, colour schemes and style specific decorating ideas.

Until then, enjoy the view from Åhlens City. 

 

 

Stockholm Directory - Två Sekler Present and Inredning

Along Odengatan between Torsgatan and Norrtullsgatan, there is a collection of  antique and curiosity shops. I always find these shops a little more intimidating to browse as they are often very small, cramped and the proprietor is usually a bit of a wild card, so to speak.  I felt  particularly sociable the other day and decided to check out a few of them.  Design Stockholm's latest addition is one of these shops.  Två Sekler Present and Inredning is an eclectic mix of antiques, new and reproduction furniture, lighting and decorative objects.  The proprietor is lovely.  The basement, which houses some of the antique stock, is a small and appropriately charming space dug directly into the stone.  Två Sekler doesn't have a website so this is a place you'll have to check out in person.  You'll likely find a few things you love.

 

 

 

Två Sekler Present and Inredning
Odengatan 94
113 22 Stockholm
tel. 08 31 51 51
mobile. 0709 90 13 12

Trends - Dark Paint for Walls

I was saying to a friend the other day that trends will naturally start to move to darker colours after so many years of everything being clean and white. People need to see something different.  I have always loved dark rich red - as I've mentioned several times (here and here), red is one of my go-to colours.  Apparently everyone is talking about the trends toward darker colours for walls, even here in Scandinavia.  What's my take on this Scandinavian move to such unfamiliar territory?  I don't see it lasting very long.  The winters are simply too long and too dark for Scandinavians to be able to live surrounded by dark walls without going crazy.  No one, however, can argue with the dynamic look that can be achieved with a deep rich colour in the walls.  So let's take a look at some great dark coloured spaces.

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This kitchen has dark floors, cabinets and ceiling yet because of the heavy lacquer, it reflects light beautifully.

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The white furniture and accents in this space help offset the darker colours on the wall.

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The Asian influences here are many and I absolutely love this space.  Everything works seamlessly together, from the grid accents of the wall panel to the curved legs of the table

 and the playful plants.

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The blue walls here work very nicely with the natural wood elements and the brown chair. 

 

 

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Now let's look at dark bathrooms.  Even in the smallest bathroom, with or without windows, dark walls seem to work.  Here are a few of my favorites.

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If you are going to go with purple, go all the way!



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Simple.  Although I think I would have gone with a white toilet seat.  I generally don't like decorating with words or sayings but the quality and size of these letters save it from looking cheesy.

 

 

 

 

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The best for last!  The walls are rich, with art from floor to ceiling.  A nice quality rug over deep wood floors (not enough people realize that wood floors in a bathroom is often better than tile, especially if you live in a cold climate - like Sweden.  But that's a blog for another day.)  This look is super easy, relatively inexpensive and anyone can do it.

 

 

 

 

Stockholm Directory - Tabbouli House

Tabbouli House is a wonderful surprise tucked away on Scheelegatan in Kungsholmen.  With deep red walls, one of my go-to colours,  and a contrasting teal ceiling, it's a far cry from the typical Swedish aesthetic.  The product line is curated with an elegant selection ranging from Moroccan tiles to lighting to cushions and textiles and seasonal decorative finds.  Tabbouli House is the type of place you can go back to again and again.



Tabbouli House

Scheelegatan 4
112 23 Stockholm



Delays, Derailments and Rain

Stockholm Central Station was basically shut down because of a derailment at the Stockholm Södra station.  All of Stockholm's rail traffic was affected.  There were delays.  And it rained.  It promises to be rainy and overcast all week.  So here's a look at some of the colours of Stockholm to brighten up this grey week.

Postal Bike

View to Södermalm from kungsholmen 

Kungsholmen

Boat Along Strandpromenad

Pillar Outside P.U.B.