SIA

I have admired SIA products for a while, both for their fresh designs but also their accessible pricing.  Today I read a bit more about the company and thought I would highlight a few of their beautiful products.  The company was started by a woman named Sonja Ingeger Andersson (hence, SIA), a woman who began her business by making batik in her kitchen in Sweden in the 1950's.  The company grew from there and her creations are now available in many countries worldwide.  This should be great inspiration to any/all of us who aspire to take a creative interest and expand it into something more!  Enjoy these beautiful shots...

The first SIA logo.

These would make such a great hostess gift for a summer party!

Such a soothing space.

A great European-looking tablescape.

I can really see the Swedish influence coming through here.

That hanging lamp really makes the space.

Fresh, spicy and a tiny bit exotic.  Nice!

Very cool chair and love the pile of books.

Shiny vases and orchids - always a winning combination.

How killer is that lamp??!!

I wouldn't think to put that combination together but I love it!

These lamps remind me of Zenza...

My friend and I almost bought some of these cute little things in Holland last month.

Now I'm wishing I had!

Green Energy

Spring is starting to show its early signs here in Munich and everything is starting to come back to life.  I love this time of year where everything feels fresh and energetic again!  Here are a few green-infused tables settings, rooms and more...

{Brad Ford}

I love the organic feel of this setting.  This reminds me very much of San Francisco dining at its best:  very sophisticated, yet also natural and unintimidating.
Oh, and slate placemats...very cool. 

I think I'd add some chalk for some fun doodling by my guests during dessert!

This would be a really easy tablescape to make, using anything from

your garden or a nearby forest. 

It instantly spring wakes up the room!

{Enchanted Home Blog}

I wouldn't usually put blue and green together like this, but here it looks wonderful!




{Alice Lane}

 

This combination of chocolate brown and mossy green, mixed with a

variety of textures for interest, is always a winning combination. 

The dark wood is such a nice contrast to the soft greens...feels a bit colonial to me.

I have a similar chandelier (set on a dimmer switch of course) and I LOVE it!

Look at how pretty the greens are against the mercury glass - so nice.

I actually have a large green bottle similar to the one shown here,

purchased at the local flea market that I wrote about here.   

I am going to miss that market when we move back to the US!

I love how the green vase pops against the neutral sofa and the ikat pillows.

This image inspired me to hunt down some ikat fabric on our

trip to Turkey that I blogged about here.

{IMAN Home}

I'd love to do a bolster pillow in this fabric for a guest room, teen girl's room or office.



{Belgian Pearls Blog}



I love the subtle European elegance of this table setting...

{restoration hardware}

 Green always looks great with linen - it's the earthiness that they have in common.  I'd add a bit more interest though with some pillows, maybe in this fabric:

{Michael Devine Home}

The green grasses in front of the fireplace bring the room to life. 

Without it, the room would fall flat.

{Coastal Living}

 I'd love to do a spring-inspired room similar to this one, but I would

add a bit more brown and this Ophelia fabric:



{Calico Corners}

OK, I know this room is mostly black and white,
but how stunning is that foliage outside the gorgeous window?? 

I would love to have this room to one side of my entryway. 

It's a good reminder to keep in mind how the outdoors "decorate" our interiors, too!

Happy Spring!

Call of the Wild: Leopard Print

Some of you may have read my post from a while back about zebra print ottomans and how much I love them.  I also love leopard.  I think the concensus out there is that a little is great, but that it also goes a long way.  I couldn't agree more; I think it's really fun and fresh, but has to be within reason!  Here are just a few examples of where I think leopard can work really well...

I love the idea of using old chairs with a modern print like this one to make it fresh and new again.  I like it as a one off as in this case but would also like it in a dining room, either at the heads of the table or all the way around!

{Better Homes and Gardens}

I love this overall look as a way to cozy up a room for Fall.




It's also fun on a bed, especially with the chocolate brown walls for more sophistication.


If you're interested in more ways to use leopard,
you might enjoy my post about African Designs here.

What do you think of leopard?

Les Indiennes

Today while perusing Canadian House and Home I discovered fair trade Les Indiennes textiles from India that use organic cotton and vegetable dyes.  They are gorgeous!  Even if you aren't into bohemian or ethnic looks, small quantities of these could be incorporated into many different interiors for interest (or exteriors on patio pillows, for example).  The catalog was so artfully presented I enjoyed that also!  Here are a few of my favorites:

What do you think?

Absolutely Orange!

Like everyone else in the design blogging world right now, I have been pouring over Rue Magazine's latest edition.  This picture in particular got my attention and got me thinking about how much I love orange in so many settings...I can't get enough of it.

{Rue Magazine}

I love how the unexpected orange chairs play off of all the

natural elements in this bright, airy kitchen.

Turquoise and Orange always look so fresh.  

What a pretty combo for a casual table in Spring. 

{Kate Spade}

 Love, love, love this artwork set against the dark dining room furniture! 

Notice the sketches to the side too - they harmonize really well.

Very cool use for chevron.  I don't know if I would want to commit to that since I like to change out dishes and linens, but I think it looks great. 

Here it looks so crisp against all of that black and white. 

It feels very elite to me (in a good way), without trying too hard, but could be

reproduced rather inexpensively...

{overstock.com}

This pillow reminds me of a beautiful couture dress. 

I don't know if it looks as good in person, but I still have my eye on it!

{ebay}

Vintage Botanicals look more modern in orange, at least to me... 

Such a nice place to have a glass of iced tea!

{ebay}

The exotic feel of this immediately makes me think of Bali and putting together a room with a bit of a tropical feel:  dark substantial wood furniture, crisp white linens, a couple of carved wooden sculptures and (definitely!) a ceiling fan.

{Pottery Barn}

 I love this combo of oranges, natural woods and the lanterns. 

It has a hint of Belgian design, doesn't it?  Maybe that's why I like it so much!

I love this look too!  Rustic yet elegant. 

All of the citrus mixed in gives it a fresh, warm, natural look. 

I think I might try something like this for my Thanksgiving table this year...



{ACME}

Look how cute this is combined with linen - for an adult birthday perhaps?

{Martha Stewart}

And finally, just some beautiful flowers. 

These grow pretty much everywhere in San Francisco, so
they always remind me of my time living there.