Painted charm

The It-dress of this fall/winter. No doubt, for me at least. Look how the glamour and sofistication of the clean cut of this jacquard pleated dress contrasts to the heavy brushstroke. For me who used to work as a decorative painting artist before taking my design degree, it's truly inspiring. Both bold and neat at the same time, with an asian twist. Now nothing will be safe from my brushstrokes in my home....Check it out at Pringle of Scotland. And while you're there, why don't you enjoy the whole collection. 

Handpainted reference

Today's DN Söndag guided the readers through a 5 pages fashion and cultural spread on a Brideshead Revisited (En förlorad värld) inspired look. Never mentiones Sebastians oh so cool cardigan though... Anyway, the set was Taxinge Castle, not Brideshead of course (or Castle Towers in real life), and the Charles and Sebastian look a like-models was placed in a beautiful couch as in the film, in front of an absolutely gorgeous handpainted wallpaper (green, birds, trees). Which at once lead me to search out this picture which shows a small part of a mural I did about ten years ago.

Brideshead Revisited (How-to-dilemma)

I wonder if one should read the novel (by Evelyn Waugh) and watch the tv-show before looking at the film (on cinemas in Stockholm tonight!). Of course I'm talking about Brideshead Revisited, now directed by Julian Jarrold. I'm ready to take a nostalgic trip. Maybe I'll just look the doors, and watch the whole BBC series from 1981 this weekend. 

Circular creations from Christopher Kane

With inspiration from The Flintones, Planet of the Apes, and One Million Years B.C, Christopher Kane (who recently got a big scholarship from the British fashion council) creates a collection for spring 09 where almost every garment is built from circular elements. Learn more about his sources of inspiration at style.com. Sometimes to much for my taste, I like what happens when you combine different elements in an new way. But still it's quite fascinating, and some of the outfits are great. Beware of the stegosaurus shoes. 

Between blue and black

I absolutely adore this cute early 60's style dress (from classic British label Aquascutum's spring collection). As you all know I'm a big fan of Mad Men, and I can imagine myself in a classy, wealthy new yorkish 60's interior wearing this. Well anyway, this post is also about that blue is absolutely the new black. Especially combined with black. Now those who have known me for a long time know that blue wasn't one of my most prefered colours. Until a couple of year ago that is. Now about half of my wardrobe is some kind of (mostly dark) blue hue. And as I shown you earlier the wall is (a quite daring) blue. Love it. Don't know what happened. 

C Presents: My Very Own Mad Men

Though I'm quite an innovative person, I can also be oh so sentimental... Love browsing the family albums (got plenty since my grandfather took a lot of pictures - you will be seeing more from them). They make me both happy and sad of course. There's so many stories in there, about my life and family, about places they've been to, where they've lived, what they did and it's also as a time document. Fascinates me and have always given me great inspiration. I recently told you about my grandfather, Hasse Westerholm, being the creator of the Bliw-soap. He was one of the two owners of a marketing agency called Dahlbeck & Berglund - I give you my very own Mad Men!

The Last Golden Frog - Go C!

Helena Blomqvist's extraordinary photography is shown at Angelika Knäpper Gallery until the 28th this month. I first came across her perfectly arranged surrealistic worlds, often populated by monkeys, in the tv-show Arty. Don't miss it out.

A clean cut for fall

Can't really think of anything else so right than this fresh, clean haircut, as seen above (the bold and shiny, sharp look from Yves Saint Laurent and the more simple natural look from Emporio Armani). It's like we're all been longing for it after having to see sooo much long, curly, frizzy hair for a couple of seasons. 

It's was all about the red dots...

It was the red dots in the logo that made me look twice when I first laid my eyes on the brand guilianoFujiwara about a year ago. So simple, yet so perfectly balanced. By adding the four red dots to the typography, the logo uses the black space or image around it in a fascinating and beautiful way. Can't say I'm disappointed by the collection for fall/winter 08/09 either. As it is said on the brands webpage "The new giulianoFujiwara collection embarks on a journey backwards in time, tracking down the origins of hip hop, a young, relaxed style which, however, never gives up on eleance: "easy chic"." Have a look for yourself at giulianofujiwara.com and don't miss the bright white mini music tape hangin around the models necks, one of a few but very important pure white elements in the collection.

Aren't they getting slightly greenish...

...my fingers that is. Since we now have a lovely big balcony (also great for parties), I can promis you my fingers will be getting greener every season. This is our lilys and tomatoes by the way. Sadly August has been sooo cold.

Religously brilliant

Just when I thought I couldn't find any interesting interior design out there right now, just loads and loads of cheap or expensive "stuff", this remarkable bookshelf, called Religion, by the American design firm BlankBlank came to me almost like a revelation (though I'm not religious). So strong, clever, brave and poetic!

"For the first time, the world's most influential religious texts are brought together and presented on the same level, their coexistence acknowledged and celebrated." 

Let the children choose!

Since ad. - alcro designers (a yearly collection of colours chosen by professional designers) was launched for some years ago, I've used them in a lot of my works. A perfect tool for inspiration and getting the customer on board. The brand new collection from ad. is called ad. junior and consists of 15 colours, all of them chosen by children! For example Carl-Johan, 9, says: "I like a light shade of blue and a light shade of green. And it's hard to say which one is the best. You got to se them first." Rut, 6, says: "I like purple, 'cause it goes with everything. Though I would paint my own room in green." Don´t you just love it?

Miuccia Prada does it again

Oh, my. I'm completely blown away by the fall ready-to-wear collection, from Prada. Over the top use of lace, frills, combined with a quite strong and covered up silhuette, it's not the least frou-frou pretty.

Our bold new table

So this is how it turned out, just finished painting the top coat. I am absolutely in love with this "colour-of-the-season" bloodred-close to purple-colour. Why just use it on your favourite fashionable tie-front top?

Everyday inspiration

To keep track of all the (brilliant) ideas that pops into your head, I can surely recommend these fabulous notebooks from Bookbinders design. They make it twice as fun to actually write and sketch everything down. 

Bliw by 10-gruppen

Here's one of the more recent packaging designs by the Swedish design group 10-gruppen. You can never find any soap but Bliw in my apartment...

Proud owner - Bliw!

I happen to be the proud owner of the original prototype of the almost legendary Bliw soap, recognized and loved by the many people through its distinctive "Bubble" packaging, Sweden's first ever liquid soap, launched in 1968. Why do I have it - because it was my grandfather who came up with the idea! For a couple of years ago the packaging was very carefully redesigned by an Italian designer, I've forgot who - can you help me?

Colourmania II

For great colourinspiration, visit colourlovers.com. News, trends and a great blog.

Instead of shower curtains...

New hue

Colourmania

As you might allready have noticed, I'm all into colour. I am one of those (few) people who never thinks a colour can be ugly in itself. It's all about how and when you use it. I'm giving you some (colour) examples from my new apartment in Hammarby Sjöstad. The picture above is a sneak preview of a new table I'm working at. Colour can be used in a lovely way where you least expect it. 

Weather forecast

This lightning shelf is part of the Weather Collection from Swedish Save our Souls. I like their very cohesive, yet different collection, which really gives them a unique market position, think we´ll be seeing more from these two exlovers.