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?