Baby steps to Christmas

So, here´s the rub. I hate winter. It is too cold, too dark and way too long. The air is dry indoors due to the heating that is needed and then your skin just flakes off. Snow brings a bit of a relief, because then everything is a lot more light - but it is also colder.

On the other hand, what better excuse to light things up? As I told you before, Christmas lights are the thing for me.

This photo is from my backyard. It was taken just a couple of days ago, at 11 am. It is so gloomy that even the photo turned out distorted and grainy. But, notice the lights! A string of bulbs, which I like so much! And they fit the foresty, rocky, mossy atmosphere that encases our outdoor sauna building. (Yes, as a Good Finn, we have now 2 saunas. :) )

The string of lights is from Granit, another Swedish greatness/brand. http://www.granit.com/






The same string of lights is also now available as a LED version:





The Granit lamps, especially the traditional version, heat up quite a lot. That is why they are not the best choice to be used indoors. I like to decorate with light outdoors, so the bulb string is perfect for that. But in this dark season, light is definitely needed indoors, too.


Another favourite of mine, and well suitable for indoor use, are the ball strings from La case de cousin paul. http://www.lacasedecousinpaul.com/en
The company started already in 2001 and I guess it is the first company (in the Western world) to sell these pretty strings of light.




I saw similar lights in Thailand already around 2006. And I think they got the idea from there, anyway. But well, in case you are not going to Thailand just now, it is very easy to get these now, from their webshop.






They sell "suggestions", which means pre-chosen colour combos in 20, 35 and 50 ball strings. You can also customise the suggestions or create your very own design.

The lamps are such a great way to bring some colour and atmosphere indoors. Especially in Finland, where most people for some reason want to paint all of the walls white. These can easily be exchanged to fit the season or your furniture.




I have had 2 different colour combinations at my home for a couple of years now - but I think I could accommodate more. :)

What do you think? Good for Christmas or not?





PHOTOS FROM GRANIT & LA CASE DE COUSIN PAUL.

Littlephant, my love

To continue on the series of great Scandinavian design companies / brands, I would now like to take you to the world of Littlephant.

Littlephant is created by the talented designer and illustrator Camilla Lundsten from Sweden. The products are cheery in their design and character, but calming and watercoloury in their choices of colours - or on the contrary clean-lined and simple black and white patterns.

I love them. My daughter loves them.

The photo is quite poor in quality, but there she is, admiring her prints which I ordered form the Littlephant webshop suring the summer (and framed them with Ikea frames).

Littlephant delivers to many countries and currently has a free delivery to Europe and Asia for all orders over 60€.

They also have published their catalogue for 2015. It is available here: http://littlephant.com/wp-content/uploads/LITTLEPHANT_CATALOGUE_2014_UPDATE_031014.pdf )

These are my favourite products from them so far.

 

I really like the prints - which is probably obvious looking at the photo above. But the choices were not mine, nor was the placement of the prints, it was my daughter´s. I believe in letting children create their own spaces. For the most part, I think simplicity is a key because innately kids have a wild, untamed imagination and I think giving them pre-thought concepts in their own rooms only hinders the use of their mind. And I believe in functionalism, too. And that means easy-clean surfaces and durable materials, but also coziness. Kids are entitled to have good quality items, too. Things they enjoy looking at or wrapping themselves into or around. Something that gives them comfort. My daughter chose the three posters in the first photo by herself. She had other prints to choose from, but I guess these just spoke to her. Personally, I really can see why.

Crocheted bean bags and toys. If I had a baby, I would....!

All photos from the Littlephant webshop.

As I told you before

http://colourmepolka.blogspot.fi/2014/09/ikea-improved-meet-bemz-and-prettypegs.html

Littlephant also co-operates with Bemz, which means that you can have your very own (Ikea) sofa or chair upholstered with a Littlephant fabric. I will let you in on a secret - I soon will too! :)

What do you think? Would Littlephant fit your home?

Ferm Living - a beautiful Christmas splurge

Ferm Living http://www.fermliving.com/webshop/shop/news.aspx
is a Danish brand. To me, Ferm Living is all about the graphic prints featured on their fabrics (which are unfortunately not sold by the meter, only as kitchen towels, pillows etc.) and wallpapers and their quirky furniture.

Their Christmas collection for 2014 is out now. Unfortunately, I love it. Even more unfortunately, the items are not the cheapest. But, just check out these lovelies!





Christmas tree blankets. So perfect in their simplicity.



House Christmas Calendar. My daughter already has a calendar that I made a couple of years ago, but this is so pretty and elegant. Hmph. Maybe I should get one for myself and fill it up with goodies.



Christmas stockings. Love the shape!



My favourite. Candleholder String. This one comes in many colours, including a basic wood coloured and a grey version. All of them nice. I have never bought an advent candleholder -system (which in Finland is a must) because I have not liked the versions available. This one, though, I love. LOVE.





Christmas tree ornaments. These are so pretty, too. (But I tell you what - I will try to mimic these to our own tree. I already made some papery versions last year, no reason to not do it this year, too!)




Lovely wraps. And the paper bags are very reasonably priced.


To me, these items just capsulize the Christmas spirit. I am not too keen on the overpowering amount of different Christmas ornaments spread out here and there (I do love Christmas lights and will soon post my two favourites here), but I need to have the following:
1. Christmas lights
2. Christmas tree
3. Candles
4. Some key pieces to pump up the spirit. Preferably stacked together in a large quantity.


Yesterday, me and my daughter had a bit of a arts and crafts session and we made a door wreath. Once the glue dries, you will see the results.



ALL PHOTOS FROM THE FERM LIVING WEBSHOP.