Goodbye 2012

This year I am taking 2 weeks off for the holidays and it has been so nice.  

2012 was a great year, full of growth and exciting opportunities; but it was hard work and on many levels exhausting.  It has been nice to recharge and I really look forward to what 2013 will bring.  Happy New Year to each and every one of you.  I hope 2012 was great for you and I hope 2013 will be even better.

xx,

Marianne

Danish interior inspiration

So guys, it's almost time to say goodbye to the old and hello to the new. And, personally I'm soooo excited about what the new year may bring. From an interior design perspective, the Danish brand House Doctor Spring/Summer collection 2013 is leading the way. Here's a sneaky peek.

Via House Doctor blog and Decor8

Wow. I love the touches of pastels and greys against the industrial backdrop. Very cool. 

So, NEW YEAR'S EVE! What are you up to? Any exciting plans?! In case you're hosting a dinner party you can find some fab last minute inspiration for decorating your dining table here, here and here. 

Have a really fantastic night and see you next year! x

Quiet Time

Antwerp home of a graphic designer

You just know that the home of a graphic designer is going to be pretty cool, especially when they have an Art Nouveau house to play with. Davy Dooms, has made a bit of masterpiece out of his 850 metre square living space in Antwerp with all it's cool scandinavian designer touches. I also love the way photographer Niko Caignie has photographed it for Remodelista using interesting angles.

Niko Caignie via Remodelista

What do you think? Your kind of home? I love the wooden touches used to soften and add warmth to the look and enjoy the clean lines, although, you know me, I could never be as orderly as this and would definitely need to add some feminine touches.

I hope you all enjoy your last weekend of 2012! See you Monday (aka New year's Eve! - woo hoo!).

Malmo designer pad

Hello everyone! Hope you all had a fab Christmas, whether you were knee deep in snow, on a sunny beach somewhere or braving the rain like we've been in London (it's still coming down in rods!). If you're in need of a haven (like we are!) how about this pad currently for sale in Malmo?  Spot the Scandinavian designer pieces and cool photography....

Bjurfors

I spy Eames side chairs and Charles & Ray Eames Lounge chair and ottoman (15% off with MYSCAN). I love the black and white photography and the 'hug me' cushion, any idea where this is from?! But most of all I'm coveting the dressing room. My new year plan is to create a great walk in wardrobe and dressing area and this will be part of the moodboard - I think it's the casual meets orderly approach I like.

What are your home projects for the new year?

Merry Christmas

 From our family to yours, we hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,  "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2 9:14

First two photos, Emily Joy Designs.  Last picture- Henry and Santa hitting it off.

Quiet Time

Merry Christmas!

My Scandinavian Home

Thank you all so much for reading my blog and leaving all your lovely comments this year.

I'll be back here, Pinterest and Facebook on 27th December,  in the meantime I hope you all have a really wonderful Christmas!

PS If you're in a last minute rush for pressies, click over here to see my gift guide!

Almost Time...

 Last weekend before Christmas, I hope you have a wonderful one!

Images Traditional Home, Here and Here

Cold on the outside, cosy on the inside!

The Christmas count down has begun. I'm hoping for snow on the outside, and roaring log fires and glowing candle light on the inside! These images set the perfect tone of my ultimate Scandinavian Christmas!

Boligliv

Via Pinterest

My Scandinavian Home

IKEA

Just Click photography

Notice how I snuck in an image of my little 4 year old making snow lanterns with Pappa :) Christmas is all about family after all.

What are you most looking forward to about Christmas?

Christmas wrap up

The advent candles are burning, the tree's up, and the house full of sparkly Christmas decorations and the scent of glögg. There's only one thing left.....it's time for a little gift wrapping. This year I love the Christmas present wrapping inspiration  from Cox & Cox.....

Cox & Cox

Last year I used shiny white wrapping paper with red ribbon and a sprig of fresh holly from the garden complete with bright red berries for my presents. The holly was a bit spiky but hey, it looked pretty!! I always try to do something different every Christmas and I haven't decided what it'll yet this year but I do like the idea of natural coloured paper with some greenery like fir or boxwood.

How will you wrap your presents this year?

PS I had my first little interview the other day, thank you Lottie Loves for including me on your lovely blog!

Final Sale...For Now...Rustic Mirror

 After today the sale will stop for a while...but there are always more goodies waiting for a home in our office so you never know when something will pop up.  Today, sadly, we are selling a raw wood, distressed mirror with very pale green accents (although the green could be sanded off if desired).

Dimensions: 35"H x 23"W x 2"D

Sale price: $119 plus freight if outside Birmingham, AL

e-mail me @ mstronginteriors@aol.com if interested

Pared-down Christmas tree

For those of you who like the simple things in life, how about these pared-down Christmas trees? What I love about these is that the beauty is in the tree (or branch)  itself and what you stand it in - whether that's a demi-john, crate, tin bucket or a sack rather than what you actually decorate it with.

Sylizimo



Byfryd





via Anna Leena's hem

Lisettes perler



Kjerstis Lykke blog



La petit cuisine

 What does your tree look like this year? Do you go for all singing, all dancing decorations or the simple scandinavian style like in these pictures? Perhaps you don't have a tree at all but opt for a more modern tree like in this post?!

What I love most about my tree this year is that we cut it down ourselves in the forest. Perhaps next year I'll go for something more asymmetrical and simple.......but I say that every year  :)