Swedish interior stylist, prop stylist and set designer Lo Bjurulf has such a gorgeous Scandinavian signature style with the talent to make anything that comes her way absolutely breathtaking.
Often featured in Elle Interiör, Lo has also styled the catalogs for HM Home and Ikea. White, colorful, modern, vintage, mid-century, funky, clean, and decorative. Name it, she’s done it. And every set she works on is so complete, with a nice balance of negative and positive space. Although she can create a huge variety of distinct looks, as one set could look totally different and disconnected from the next, Lo has a way of styling that makes all her sets look very harmonious.
No matter what style, Lo maintains a constant in all her work, which is attention to detail – every inch of space on her set is styled beautifully. Isn’t her ultra colorful party set so warm and inviting? It makes me want to jump right in and be festive! With warm tones of purple, pink, blue and yellow, these deep hues she uses make what would otherwise feel like a cold and uninviting barn, actually very rich in personality and flavor.
I love how bright Lo styles her spaces, with large windows that let in so much light. The clean, white design matched with interesting objects, funky shapes and colors creates a dynamic look and energy to the interiors – a very happy feel. How interesting is that wall covered in newspaper wallpaper? It’s a great and creative alternative to having a mixture of white walls, some texture, shape, and a hint of color, don’t you think?
Can you think of any other interesting ways to craft your own wallpaper?
(images: lo bjurulf)
Artist, sculptor and teacher Christine Buckton Tillman hails from the great Northern Chicago suburb of Livertyville, and currently lives in Baltimore with her husband and two cats. Christine’s work captured my heart as soon as I laid my eyes on it, and I think you will love it too!
Primarily a very flat sculptor who draws more often than she makes sculptures, Christine’s main interests as an artist lie in the ideas surrounding the handmade, celebrations, and man-made interpretations of natural forms. Exhibiting work frequently in the Mid Atlantic and beyond, Christine has been working as an artist in Baltimore since finishing her MFA in Painting and Drawing from the University of Iowa.
Her drawings, mostly formal, and a way for her to keep engaged in her studio practice when her teaching becomes very busy, are so colorful, intriguing, and always positive. Christine creates such gorgeous results from a limited palette, with an eclectic mix of bright colors, shapes, sizes, forms and lines. She creates a great balance with beautiful harmony in her works, that is so lively and festive yet serene and calm.
I love that Christine celebrates the beauty of life through her art, and indulges in festivities through her sculpture. I had the opportunity to talk to Christine about her intent for her artwork. She explains:
“For the sculpture I’m very interested in the visual language of parties and celebrations. I like to take traditional party materials and transform them, as well as make traditional flimsy disposable party objects (bows, banners, paper chains) and make them out of traditional art materials. The drawings are formal abstractions that borrow their shape and color palette from fashion, celebrations, and nature. I try to make them exuberant.”
Doesn’t Christine’s work make your day a little brighter? It’s all love over here, and if you’d like to own some of her prints like I would, you can even order them from her shop here. I could see her art in a simple ikea frame adorning a white wall in my to be redecorated home. Isn’t her studio wonderful? I’d love to just sit down with Christine for an afternoon in her Baltimore home and watch her create. I imagine her process to be so intriguing, building layer upon layer, thought by thought. The environment she created is so colorful, festive, and so inspiring!
Do you also like to watch an artist at work? Why do you think that is?
(images: christine buckton tillman)
I was thrilled when The Little Deer recently contacted me to host a giveaway to Burrs & Berries readers, because I featured them not too long ago here and I just love their vintage and handmade fashion! The Little Deer would love to give one lucky winner a vintage summer dress valued at £26. Isn’t this exciting? And I thought what better time to host a giveaway since summer officially began last week!
HOW TO ENTER
If you’d like to enter The Little Deer contest for a chance to win the vintage summer dress shown above, size medium (US 8, UK 12) please read carefully. The Little Deer agreed to ship worldwide so everyone is eligible!
The contest is open for one week, so hurry and enter now! To enter, please visit The Little Deer online shop, choose your favorite item, and include a link to it in the comment field. Once you’ve chosen your favorite item, please tell us why you should win the dress – Maybe you have a party to attend and this dress is what you’ve been looking for, or you’ve always wanted a pretty vintage dress, let us know.
The Little Deer and I will follow all of your answers and one winner will be announced next Monday, July 4th. Have fun and good luck!
Thank you The Little Deer for this fantastic giveaway!
(images: the little deer)
How about a little interior inspiration today? One favorite pastime of mine is to browse the portfolios, lookbooks and shops of home decor stylists, photographers and designers. I sometimes like to grab images that I find inspiring and examine every detail that makes them stand out, and imagine styling them in my own home. Do you do this too?
Rachel Ashwell founded Shabby Chic in 1989, drawing inspiration from her aesthetic and lifestyle that is based on a balance of beauty, comfort, and function. The Shabby Chic brand is all about the beauty of imperfections, allure of time-worn objects, and appeal of simple practical living. These photographs take us to a cozy familiarity, but a glamorous elegance, reflecting the brand’s appreciation for what is used, well-loved and worn.
Everything looks so comfortable, the thick, rich sheets and soft palette creates such a familiar and cozy atmosphere. I love the way the chandelier drapes over the wooden dining room table, the open shelving in the kitchen, and the overall display, the flowers in the sink makes the kitchen look so inviting. The summer air is imminent in these beautiful photos, with an easy elegance through soft intricacies that is not a bit overdone. The faded, vintage glam look of these rooms really appeal to me, and the lighting is great. It makes me long to live in southern California where Shabby Chic was based, or a place closer to the equator where the lighting is always perfect.
Are there any rooms that catch your eye? What do you like about them?
(images: shabby chic)
Built around sweet mini-dresses covered in florals, soft details, frills, light material, and softly colored hues, Kling’s Summer 2010 Collection is only made more appealing and inviting by the gorgeous styling of the campaign.
Each year, as the seasons progress, I eagerly anticipate the release of the following season’s collections. But I must admit, although I love the accessories, layers and details that come with the fall and winter collections, a little part of me always wishes summer could last longer. Kling’s Summer 2010 lookbook is exactly why. It’s the feeling of summer that the collection’s photography captures so perfectly, and that I love. The rays of sunlight, the hammocks for lazy days, laying in the sun, and little boat rides, are ideally accompanied by Django Reinhardt’s St. Louis Blues playing in the background of their website.
While their pieces are very playful, affordable, and very summery, what I love the most about Madrid fashion brand, Kling might just be their positive philosophy of finding ‘your own star’. The brand encourages and motivates women to follow what they truly believe in to be happy. Do you feel as refreshed as I do looking at Kling’s latest lookbook?
(images: kling)
Good morning friends! I hope you had a very lovely weekend, and productive week ahead! I can safely say I had a very relaxing weekend. I couldn’t do much in Toronto because of the restrictions with getting around due to some wild protesters and rioters around the G20 summit, so I spent it mostly indoors with friends. I did manage to take my first bikhram yoga class, which I absolutely loved and found completely energizing! What did you do?
1. Untitled 2. embroidery floss. 3. pillows 4. Untitled 5. Mustards 6. paper lanterns
After a wet and gloomy weekend over here, I am yearning for some sunshine and a dose of color! Florals, bright colors, and patterns are the perfect complements for summer and always tend to lift my mood without fail! This palette screams fiesta, I could see these paper lanterns at an outdoor summer party, and the floral cushions at a picnic on the lawn.
What comes to your mind when you look at this palette?
(images: sources listed above)
Happy Friday everyone! The weekend is finally upon us, and what better reason is there to share some decor inspiration and tips! Let’s turn to photographer Per Gunnarsson’s interior shots to draw some decor inspiration, shall we?
Per Gunnarson is a Swedish freelance photographer currently based in Norway. Per photographs white and bright interiors with a warm touch, making them feel welcoming and very lived in, rather than deserted. I love the abundance of white in all these photographs, with highlights of wood, patterns, pops of color, and beautiful details. The accents of color and pattern creates a very fresh look and stand out among the white hues in a room. How cute is that bathroom, with strong black and white accents that are softened with the ultra feminine floral shower curtain! There are so many decorating tips I find here that we can pull from these photos and try in our own homes.
1. Clean palette: Don’t be afraid to paint your walls white or have white furniture. A simple palette with subtle patterns looks comfortable and inviting. And to cozy up your nook a little more, throw on a few colored and patterned pillows and some cushions onto your couch.
2. Edit! Look at your space and arrangement, consider what works and what doesn’t work, and start editing! Keep your space neat and tidy. Do you really need 3 throws in your living room cluttering up the space? How about all those candles and little accessories that you’ve had since college? Think about simplifying things, because less is more! Edit your space and organize your home by getting rid of the things you haven’t used in years. When in doubt, toss it – it’s taking up valuable space.
3. Create depth and contrast: Add some zing to your space by creating contrast between the elements and colors in the room. Try painting walls and doors a darker color if your furniture and cabinets are white. Bring in a mirror with dark borders to contrast with white walls, or add some darker accessories like rugs and tables to contrast with light furniture.
4. Fresh flowers never go out of style: Bring in plants and always keep fresh flowers on kitchen tables, living room tables, even in the bathroom and by a window. Flowers are always a good thing and add a sense of life to your space. So go to your local florist and see what grabs your attention, bring your blooms home and arrange them with care!
5. Open shelving: Displaying plates, bowls and cups neatly on open shelving in the kitchen is visually inspiring. Instead of thinking of ways to hide away appliances and cutlery in cupboards, think of how to display your collections creatively and tidy to fill open counter and shelf space.
7. Move things around: Maybe your couch in the living room would look better against another wall beside a lamp? Try adding an accent color throw on the bed to warm up the space, or on a couch in the living room, you can find some great ones at Ikea. Move the sofa, the chairs, and the rug around and find out what arrangement works best and makes the best use out of the space. Mix things up a bit by swapping out your prints for other ones, how about trying some new fabrics and artwork?
8. Clean, clean, clean! Especially if you love the all white look, chances are you’ll need to clean a lot more, and pretty often. Wash floors, walls, windows and cupboards. Good looking windows can be left bare for more light and an open bright space, so wash window frames to boost natural light and hang clean drapes if you prefer privacy.
9. Hanger help: Hanging is a great way to organize things, from coats to clothes to even jewelry. I organize my necklaces on a coat rack from Ikea based on style and color scheme. It keeps everything fresh, easy to access, and looking good. Also hang belts on hooks inside closet doors, keeping them always within reach.
10. Secret Storage: Store out-of-season clothes in other areas of your home and vacuum-pack bulky coats and sweaters to save space and keep closets neat and clutter-free. Use the area under your bed to hide trundle drawers to save space and for extra organization. Get creative and use not so secret areas for storage as part of the decor, but make sure it’s tidy and looks good! I love the look of the wood logs stored under the bench – it creates contrast to the space in the form of color and adds texture to the mix, creating visual interest.
11. Step out of the box: Use “unconventional” ways of using your furniture. Instead of a bedside table, why not use an old interesting chair to put a lamp on? It serves the same purpose, while you add your personal touch to your nook. Display decorative ceramics as art on your kitchen shelves, that can serve as functional and beautiful! How about creating a chalkboard wall in the kitchen to sketch on and get your creative juices flowing! Brainstorm!
There are a million and one extra tips for decorating your home, but the most important thing is to make it your own, fill it with the things you love, and remember to edit!
Do you have any tips you swear by and would like to share? I would love to hear them!
Psst.. I am hosting a giveaway with lovely shop The Little Deer, whom I’ve posted about here. So if you’d like to know more about it and take part in the giveaway, make sure you visit on Monday! You won’t want to miss this one!
(images: per gunnarsson)
It’s time to get together and look at some lovely shops over at Etsy this week! I put together a nice little selection of pretty handmade things, art inspiration and some beautiful jewelry that I’m so dedicated to get my hands on!
Canadian woodcarver, designer, and artist Amie Cunningham is the name behind the gorgeous jewelry shop Thief & Bandit. Currently based in Virginia, Thief & Bandit jewelry is all handmade, and the fabrics are handprinted in Amie’s studio. She likes to draw from book of patterns, nature and magazines with ink pens and manipulate them, burn screens and print fabric. The result is gorgeous, if you’d like to see for yourself, visit Amie’s shop.
Yangyang Pan is an abstract artist living in Toronto, inspired by plants, textures and the natural world’s plethora of color. Yangyan believes that “Through the relationship of colors, forms, and marks, through rhythm and balance, and the physical and psychological work of painting, each picture develops into a unique metaphor.”
Iviemade is a lovely shop where you will find hand sewn pillows of different colors, patterns and textures. From stripes, to printed patterns, bold colors to neutrals, bows and ruffles, crafter Elizabeth starts every project with love and kindness. Then the process turns into a love-hate one between the artist and the piece, and that’s how you know you are getting something that is made with care and effort.
Are you looking for some darling papercutting artwork and ornaments to decorate your nook? Tamara designs must b a perfectionist to be able to create these intricate and delicate handmade papercuts. I can appreciate the amount of concentration, precision this craft requires to create such great results, and a simple slip can ruin hours of work. These are gorgeous, I would love to have one of these framed letters for a child’s bedroom – what a cute addition that would be!
(images: sources listed above)
Patterns, bright colors and florals are usually perfect accessories and extensions for summer. Whether in your wardrobe or in your home, florals create a fresh and positive atmosphere, and work all year round!
Lately I have been thinking of adding some liveliness and texture into my home decor by possibly incorporating wallpaper. And these gorgeous florals from Anna French caught my eye. Anna has been making her own bold and colorful fabrics and wallpaper since 1976, updating Victorian-inspired patterns with 21st century materials like low-VOC papers, natural/synthetic blends and modern metallics. Her Wild Flora Collection is very girly, full of pastels and absolutely dreamy.
I love the detail in Anna French’s Wild Flora Collection, and the soft tones in the white wallpaper, with less contrast than others, it appeals to me for a bedroom wall perhaps. Ooh I imagine any of these patterns would look wonderful on a wall behind the bed, replacing a headboard or even behind a simple headboard. Get creative, and create your own rules! I can also see the patterns in this whole collection being used in fashion and accessories, I would love a skirt or dress in these pretty florals.
This collection might not appeal to everyone, and initially I would think that it would be too much for me and my living room. But, how about another room in the house? Or maybe in one section of a room? That way, if you only use wallpaper on one wall to create an accent wall, especially if it’s very decorative, it would reduce the intensity and make the pattern feel less overwhelming. Would you use floral wallpaper in your home? Does this style appeal to you?
(images: anna french wallpaper)
I have been wanting to write about fairly new online Nonpareil Magazine for a while now because it’s just full of gorgeous budget and accessible wedding and event planning and inspiration, do-it-yourself projects and lovely photography.
Nonpareil Magazine is a collaboration between Maddy Hague and Kristen Magee, packed with do-it-yourself inspiration, craft tutorials and projects, printables, templates and tips mainly for weddings. They also have a downloads section where you can find printables and templates from all their issues!
I briefly introduced Nonpareil here a couple of months ago when I contributed to the second issue. But if you haven’t had the chance to explore it yet, head on over to the site and enjoy their fourth issue!
(images: nonpareil magazine)
