Swedish Interiors by Eleish van Breems

Crocus Carpet in Copenhagen

2011-11-16T13:13:00.001-05:00

The King's Garden in Copenhagen

The idea of a crocus carpet under a large birch tree at my home has been in the back of my mind now for several years but it was going to the Kings Garden at Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen this spring for the Design Leadership Summit that finally spurred my plan into action. I am counting on unsuspecting Paul and my boys to pick up the bulb digging where I leave off!

Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Castle is one of the many great Renaissance buildings in Copenhagen built by Christian IV (1577-1648). The landscape design for the castle began in 1606 under the direction of Hans Konig and Martin de Cuder and their plans show that there were extensive areas for fruit, vegetable and herbs laid out within the castle walls. Under Christian IV's son Frederik III (1609 - 1670), walking avenues in the Baroque style were added.

Plans for the King's Garden

The crocus lawn at Rosenborg as we experience it today is a contemporary feature added to the

garden park in the 1950's. The lawn was designed by the Royal Gardener, Ingwer Ingwersen and Erna Sonne Friis in a simple, repeating pattern of different shades of purple and white crocus. Old House Gardens describes the massive 36' wide x 525" long crocus lawn, as it springs into bloom:

" From one end, the eye sails up the sea of crocus, more then 200,000 corms

planted in rich purple weave across the moat to the castle."

A portrait of King Christian IV by Dutch painter Karel van Mander II.

Could I ever command as imposing a figure directing the planting of crocus corms?

I spent a whole morning obsessively measuring and photographing the crocus lawn. When I arrived at the Summit conference that afternoon I couldn't believe my luck in being seated next to Robert Truskowski ,one of the world's top landscape architects. What ever did I think I would ask him? My house is not formal but a sprawling old colonial with a Craftsman style addition, the focus being low key and cozy with all windows looking out upon the surrounding fields and stone walls. I realized that the best plan of action was to leave Mr. Truskowski alone and perhaps go with the original idea of an unstructured naturalized crocus carpet that would bring out the beauty of our property's only birch tree.

Along with Snowdrops, Crocus are the freshest and brightest signs of Spring.

At dinner later that week in Stockholm, I dined with yet another of the world's top landscape architects (what are the odds?), Stephen Suzman of Suzman & Cole Design. Stephen described the importance of incorporating historical elements and things ones loves into a garden to give it some personal depth and meaning. This is something Rhonda and I always try to implement for our interior design clients when decorating a home - to make the project highly personal to the homeowner and to help them achieve a vision or long held dream.

That was it. Time to realize my own vision. Crocus Lawn, ho!

The crocus blooming in front of the Temple at Kew Gardens

photo: Kew Gardens

The plans for my crocus bed under the birch tree are now quite a bit looser then the Rosenborg Crocus lawn. (Paul is breathing a huge sigh of relief!) I am inspired by these photos from England of Kew Gardens (above) and the Great Lawn at Dartington. (below)

Dartington, England

My birch tree in Connecticut, shaded in by a stand of Hemlock that need to be removed.

Bulb pots from the Skinner catalog of the Kadison Collection of Wedgewood.

And what if I run out of steam with piles of crocus corms languishing in boxes? Forcing bulbs couldn't be easier and is a super solution for those of us with over zealous catalog ordering tendencies. I covet these early Wedgewood Stoneware Bulb Pots (above), especially the faux agate one on the bottom.

A detail of Colchicum from a series of botanicals by

an Eleish van Breems favorite- Crispin de Passe's Hortus Floridus

photo from the collection at Trillium Rare Prints.

The Crocus Ring

Come, show me a crocus ring,

That dances round a bush of green,

And I will make a lovely thing

To match the magic seen.

- Ivor Gurney

Some hardworking and helpful suppliers of crocus bulbs are our Connecticut neighbors
at Van Engelen, Inc. and White Flower Farms as well as C.J. Ruigrok & Sons.

There is also a fantastic article at the Hills Gardens of Maine website that will tell you everything you may have ever need to know regarding bulb pests and all sorts of different phosphorous fertilizers.

I can't wait until Springtime!

Marimekko. Its personal...

2011-10-19T10:40:00.000-04:00

If you are like us, your journey with Marimekko has been a long one and perhaps that is why the opening of Marimekko's new Flatiron District store feels like a New York homecoming worthy of celebration. Sure, there was the little upstairs Marimekko showroom hidden away above Madison Avenue for many years, but that always had the feeling of a Bird of Paradise being kept in a canary's cage. How could the full impact of the inspired and colorful patterns by such great textile designers as Maija Isola, Fujiwo Ishimoto, Sanna Annukka, Maija Louekari and Theresa Moorhouse be seen and appreciated in such a small space?

Rhonda and I are thrilled that Marimekko has opened its New York flagship at last bringing to New York the same experience as their stores in Europe. With Occupy Wall Street in full swing. and an October chill in the air, the timing of the store's opening was an injection of colorful fresh air to the weary 99% and the equally jittery 1% . Marimekko's upbeat and cheery design is truly for everybody!

We have been treading the Marimekko path for a while now, sometimes running, sometimes scuffling but always finding our way along their road. We have loved incorporating these fabrics and products into our lives and those of our clients. Much has been written about the company's brilliant founder Armi Ratia . Truth be told, we would not have been exposed, while growing up, to great Scandinavian design such as Marimekko if it were not for the taste makers of another iconic company called Design Research.

Design Research began in the 1950's in Boston and opened it's legendary Harvard Sqaure store in 1969. It was the brilliant vision of one couple for whom "thinking design" was all important. To learn all about it you can get the Design Research Book called "Design Research: The Store that Brought Modern Living to American Homes".

It s a terrific story. Ben Thompson (above) and his wife Jane Thompson were, respectively, an architect and an urban designer and planner who were best known for their restorations of waterfront properties in cities here and abroad. Marimekko was one of the scandinavian companies that they became passionate about bringing to America and they used their store Design Research to bring their curated selections to the public.

The Design Research store was at the time the chic " go to" destinaton for anyone interested in fresh, modern living.

I have recollections of Marimekko coming to Westport, CT when I was in kindergarten and first grade. We were lucky enough to live in a town with artistic and design oriented folks at a time when there was alot of unique personality to our downtown. In short, the perfect demographic for a Design Research store. I remember going into DR and loving the patterns, especially the giant stretched canvases. I also remember my Mom and her friends wearing the Marimekko dresses to the beach, to work, to cocktail parties, to the theater, to the mailbox - well, just about everywhere.

As an adult, every trip I made to Sweden I would make a pilgrimage to Marimekko Stockholm. Rhonda would as well and inevitably we would bring back to the States suitcases full of fabric and clothing for friends and clients. In 2006 we had the opportunity to become Marimekko dealers and kept a showroom at our Eleish van Breems store filled exclusively with the latest Marimekko collections. What always struck us is how everyone we met at our store had a special, deeply personal relationship with Marimekko. For some it was the backdrop of their college years, for others it was the dress they wore on their honeymoon or the fabric they used to decorate their first child's nursery. It was the pillow in the living room in the house they grew up in. The memories they recalled were always happy and they themselves were so very happy to see Marimekko again at our store!

Like so many people, Marimekko reminds me of my childhood. Sure it was 1969 and grownups were droning on about oil, men on the moon,Vietnam and Richard Nixon. I didn't care about any of that! All I knew was that the Remarkable Bookstore was at its hay day and my Marimekko clad mother would let me visit with Heathcliff the bookstore's cat, who was always to be found sunning in the Philosophy Section - whatever that meant. After the bookstore we'd go for a root beer float at the Ice Cream Parlor or for a perfect char-grilled burger at Chubby Lanes.

Sometimes we would meet my glamorous "Grandmommy" for lunch at Chez Pierre
where everyone smoked at lunch. Always!

Once in a great while, if they could not get a babysitter, I would get to go with my parents to the White Barn Theater. And there were always children's matinees at the Westport Country Playhouse. I resolved that a life in the theater was for me.

It was a time of passions. I had 4 hamsters, 2 mice, 2 rabbits, a cat and 2 little antique dollhouses that I decorated obsessively. I collected china animals that I would buy at Kleins and The Carosel. I studied ballet with Joanne de Berg. I announced to my parents at age 6 1/2 that I wished to"quit the ballet" to ride ponies bareback through the woods with my friend Vicky. That idea, surprisingly, went nowhere fast. But that same year a boy I loved kissed my cheek on the playground on the last day of school!

Martha was still on Wall Street...

....and our neighbors had just made a movie.

It was a happy time. It was my Marimekko.

What was yours? We'd love to know!

Photo Credits: 1. Marimekko, 2. Tuuli Fabric, Marimekko, 3. Converse Sneaker by Marimekko
4 -7. Design Research, 8. Eleish van Breems, 9. Dan Woog's 06880, 10. Ebay, 11. New York Public Library, 12. New York Magazine, 13. My Scrapbook, 14. Satter Photography and Mom Dress by Lanz of Salsbury.

The Limestone of Öland

2011-10-04T11:06:00.002-04:00

We love heavy, solid harvest tables that are sturdy enough to place a sculpture upon, that can hold massive arrangements of branches or handle multiple wooden bowls laden to over flowing with the bounty of the fall orchard. Bring it on! The Swedish farm table can handle all of it! One of the most Herculean, dramatic and beautiful of the farm tables that we carry is a Swedish baroque table form topped traditionally with Öland limestone.

You can also find such a Swedish table at Lief in Los Angeles (above)

...Öland limestone mounted on an oak base, this table is

from 1740 and has a stone top that is an impressive 2 inches thick.

Raukar Sunset, Öland by Erik Aabjerg Friis.

Öland limestone was one of Sweden’s dominant rock exports during the 1600’s. The islands rock formations are stark and unusal and “rauk” or stone columns created by natural erosion can be found here as well as on the islands of Gotland and Fårö.

Stone Tower and Orchid by Zoefae Haas.

Carl Linnaeus himself noted in 1741 that the shallow soil and limestone topography creates a unique environment and haven for wildflowers such as Burnt Orchid (above), Henbane and Pasque Flower.

A drawing of Borgholm Castle showing it's Baroque Towers designed by Niccodemis Tessin the Elder.

Limestone from Öland was exported all over Europe for building purposes but it's most impressive architectural form can still be seen on Öland today at the ruins of Bornholm Castle. Bornholm was built and torn down and then rebuilt many times during its 800 years due to war and fire. A fantastic history of the castle can be found on the Bornholm website: http://www.borgholmsslott.se/ Here we learn that in 1572 King Johan III's Renaissance reconstruction of the castle began: " His plan was to create a modern Renaissance palace in the Italian manner. He wanted to break with the medieval traditions and sent for the four Pahr Brothers – German-Italian builders who had acquired their idiom from the pattern books of the Antiquity and the European Renaissance. Johan Baptista Pahr was the first architect King Johan III had appointed to Borgholm, but he stayed only for two years, 1572–1573. After that, his brother Domenicus Pahr took over.

The quarrying of building blocks from the limestone bedrock of the moor (”alvaret”) – began in 1568, the same year as Johan became king. He let a lot of the old castle be torn down, but used old foundation walls whenever they fit into the drawing, e.g. for the west wing. The lime was burnt in lime-burners nearby, presumably at Strandtorp, while timber, tar and birch-bark were transported by boat from Småland. White lime was taken from Gotland and well-trimmed limestone-blocks from northern Öland.

Red and grey limestone flooring in the ruins of Bornholm Castle.

The limestone of Öland is still being quarried today but on a much smaller scale. Wonderfully rich, mellow red and grey limestone slabs and tiles can be found at Sjostrom Stenforadling http://www.sjostreomstenforadling.com/.

We celebrate this fall the simple stone and wood table and hope that

you are as inspired by the beauty of Öland as we are!

We are back....

2011-08-08T23:35:00.005-04:00

This summer has seemed to fly right on by without blog posting...Edie and I have been busy little bees working on several projects. Our deepest apologies for not posting...

So, what have we been up to...

We are very happy to announce that we are beginning work on our third book to be released Fall of 2013 with Gibbs Smith Publishers. The theme and focus will be Scandinavian design with a concentration on Sweden. Edie and I are very excited to work on this project because it will be the perfect partner to our other two books, "Swedish Interiors" and "Swedish Country Interiors". Stay tuned for details as we produce the book. The first house to be shot (this week actually) will be a beautiful Gustavian inspired home in Washington, CT that Edie and I helped design. Also, we are thrilled to announce that Neil Landino, Jr. has joined us as photographer extraordinaire!!!!

Edie and I are also working on a neat project, which we will write about, once it goes live. All I can say at this point is that it is going to be great...sorry to be so vague...details to follow soon...promise!

Please be on the look out for the release of our agent, Keith Granet's book "The Business of Design". It is due to be released August 17th and is a great read for anyone in the industry or who is interested in design. "The Business of Design" is available for pre-order on Amazon. The direct link is: http://www.amazon.com/Business-Design-Keith-Granet/dp/1616890185/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1312861133&sr=8-3

Well, that is all for now...please enjoy the rest of your summer, and see you in the fall...

Cheers,

Rhonda

Happy Midsummer!

2011-06-25T11:52:00.000-04:00

Ivar Arosenius' Self Portrait Midsummer, 1906

Even the most dark and brooding artists among us come out to celebrate midsummer

this weekend in June. Flowers, sun and open air combined with good friends

and seasonal culinary treats - think strawberries - make this ancient celebration

of Summer an event not to be missed.

Celebrations started last night with the raising of midsummer poles and bonfires in Stockholm

and Helsinki to Scandinavian enclaves as far flung as Oregon and Florida. During the 18th and 19th centuries in Scandinavia the Midsummer Festival was one of the few times a year that rural communities could come together and the costumes and preperations for the celebration were often elaborate. Hans Christian Anderson recorded his trip to the Midsummer Festival in Leksand...

"When I left the parsonage in the evening, the moon, in its first

quarter, was up. The May-pole was raised; the little steamer, 'Prince

Augustus,' with several small vessels in tow, came over the Siljan

lake and into the elv; a musician sprang on shore, and began to play

dances under the tall wreathed May-pole."

"And there was soon a merry circle around it--all so happy, as if

the whole of life were but a delightful summer night."

Leksand churchboats on the shore of Lake Siljan by Wilhelm Marstrand, 1853.

"Next morning was the Midsummer Festival. It was Sunday, the 24th of

June, and a beautiful sunshiny day it was. The most picturesque sight

at the festival is to see the people from the different parishes

coming in crowds, in large boats over Siljan's lake, and landing on

its shores. We drove out to the landing-place, Barkedale, and before

we got out of the town, we met whole troops coming from

there, as well as from the mountains."

Today Rhonda and I will make wildflower crowns with our families...

Indulge in fresh strawberry cakes...

Gather good friends near...

and Wish Everyone a Very Happy Midsummer!

Enjoy!

Photos: Ivar Arosenius at the National Gallery, Blomenterkuans from ceccesblogg.se,

Dog with Wreath from nipornas.se, Strawberry cake and recipies at www.freshfromfinland.com.

Time for Our Tastemaker Tag Sale

2011-01-22T18:11:00.000-05:00

The time has come the Walrus said to speak of many things....of Swedish clocks

and table tops, of Empire urns and rustic butter churns! No need to fall
down a rabbit hole, we have it all here now at our fantastic

Eleish van Breems Tastemaker Tag Sale on One Kings Lane!

This Swedish clock cupboard is just one of the many unique items in our Eleish van Breems Tastemaker Tag Sale at One Kings Lane. Click HERE to view the Sale which runs from January 22 -24. This unique clock cupboard is the type of hybrid furniture piece that the Swedes are known for, at once beautiful and yet eminently practical.

Rooms in 18th and 19th century Swedish farm house were often limited to just two or three downstairs rooms or, in more reduced circumstances, just one communal room. Given that space was so limited, two types of furniture were often combined to save on precious space. Here is an example of a clock that has been built into a secretary to form a clock secretary hybrid. The blue clock secretary (above) is in the home that Shannon Newsom and her mother, designer Jane Moore, designed together and
has appeared in our book Swedish Country Interiors as well as gracing the cover of Veranda.

Sometimes very wealthy merchants, mine mangers and farmers would have several clockworks in one case piece, a sign of prestige and industriousness. This example, above, from our collection is painted in the darker traditional colors of the Swedish country furniture and is painted to imitate mahogany. The initials of the owner and the date are commemorated on the clock secretary's cupboard doors.

This photo from our Swedish Interiors book was taken in the living room

of Linda Kennedy and we think you will agree that the the clock secretary is a standout piece.

The perfect blend of functionality and form , we love Swedish clock cupboards and secretaries

and will be looking for more special examples on our trip to Scandinavia this spring.

Design Leadership Summit 2011

2011-01-02T17:43:00.037-05:00

Edie and I have been invited to attend this year's Design Leadership Summit in Copenhagen. We are not only honored, but are looking forward to sharing and learning from our colleagues. This is such a wonderful opportunity for the international design community as a whole to exchange ideas and build lasting networks.

During our attendance in late April, Edie and I will be blogging the days events as well as sharing our inspirations and ah ha moments. We can't wait!!!!

The Design Leadership Summit is the most exclusive annual gathering of leading architecture and

interior design firm principals in the U.S.The Design Leadership Summit was founded and is hosted by Peter Sallick of Design Investors and Keith Granet of Granet & Associates. This exclusive event is dedicated to inspiring community and improving business practices among the most accomplished design professionals. Past programs feature varied content to stimulate learning and discussion among the attendees on topics including leadership, people management, business strategy, and media communications.

We can't wait to hear what the eco-chic Danes say about their latest

developments in design and architecture!

For additional Information on the Summit past and present:

www.designinvestors.com

Albert Hadley Rocks Southport at Rooms with a View

2010-11-05T21:46:00.005-04:00

Albert Hadley at Rooms with a View 2010

Parish Hadley and Albert Hadley alums turned out in full force last night at the Gala Opening of Rooms with a View to honor Albert Hadley, effectively turning Southport Connecticut for an evening into the epicenter of premier design talent in America. For sixteen years Albert Hadley has spearheaded this charity event to benefit the Southport Congregational Church making it into one of Connecticut's most exciting design events of the year. Designers are asked to create vignettes in 5' x 8' spaces and this year Bunny Williams, Pamela Banker, Libby Cameron, Suzanne Earls Carr, David Easton, Thom Filicia, Thomas Jayne, David Kleinberg, Brian McCarthy, Brian Murphy, Nicholas Pentacost, Harry Heismann, Michael Whaley all took up the challenge as presented by Albert and Design Chair Parker Rogers.

Invitation to Rooms with a View 2010.

Pouring rain did not keep away well wishers last night. We were all there to honor Albert who took the attention in stride, ever self-deprecating and supportive of all. The results are on view through the rest of the weekend and if you live in the area we encourage you to hurry over to see the show. Southport is a train stop on the Metro North line out of Grand Central Station in New York and the Southport Congregational Church is within a few blocks of the station (you will walk by Albert's house on the way. See if you can guess which is his!) Show hours are: Friday, November 5 and Saturday November 6 10 am - 5 pm and Sunday, November 7th 11 am - 5-pm. Rooms with a View link HERE.

Eleish van Breems at Rooms with a View 2009

Rhonda and I have exhibited and guest lectured at four Rooms with a View events over the years and were thrilled and honored to have our vignette from 2009 featured on the invitation and posters for this years event (many thanks to Graphics Chair, Ann Franzen!). The vignette was our ode to Danish modernism and Rhonda's Dad, an artist whose works from Vienna in the sixties and seventies we love and grew up with. Ganden Thurman, Director of Tibet House, New York graciously loaned us the precious ancient bronze sculpture of the Goddess Tara. And we finally had someplace to put the huge Arc lamp that's been in storage! But that was all last year.

Take a peek via my cell phone camera at some of this year's vignettes....

Bunny Williams - Albert coming through her garden for a visit..

David Kleinberg

Rhonda and I fell hard for this rare corner Gustavian Settee. $36,000. Breathe.

Harry Heissmann - a detail. Who wouldn't love to wake up

to Flair and Van Day Truex plates?

Michael Whaley - Brown and Amethyst

Thomas Jayne - The artisan wall treatment looks

as if it could have been inspired by Swedish kurbits!

Susanne Earls Carr

Tributes to Albert's design signatures and life were found in most of the vignettes,

whether fabrics,drawings or carpets - here Susanne Earls Carr displays

a cookbook by Albert's mother Lois Meguiar Hadley.

More personal photos of Albert (and Sister Parish) in the vignette by Susanne Earl Carr.

David Easton at Rooms with a View, at the ready to sign his new book
Timeless Elegance: The Houses of David Easton.

Today at Rooms with a View David Easton signs his new book Timeless Elegance: the Houses of David Easton. David wrote the Forward to our book Swedish Country Interiors and we like to humor ourselves that in some small way we may have inspired his inner writer to finally come out and play. If you have never experienced the wit and charm of this great architect and designer we encourage you to try to get to one of his book tour events this fall. You are in for a treat. Here is a snippet of my conversation with David this morning.

Swedish Interiors (SI): Is there was a favorite project of yours in the book that we may not be familiar with?

David Easton (D.E.): The great problem for me was that there are so many projects that I had to leave out due to the constraints of the book form. I just couldn't get it all in there!

SI: What are you excited about now in terms of what is happening in design?

D.E.: I am a huge science fiction fan and what makes that genre so great is that these authors base visions of the future on our current realities. There are going to be many more billions of humans sharing the earth then there ever were three hundred years ago. We are very soon no longer going to be making the types of traditional houses we think of when we say "Home Sweet Home". I believe that people are no longer going to be rooted to just one place, nor will we be rooted in possessions. Our homes will be in our intellects - the travel of the mind is so huge. We will be creating a different type of building. I am working on a project in Canada that is in keeping with this new direction of contemporary architecture.

Side wall of David Easton's vignette inspired by the making of his book.

SI: Is there anything from your time working with Albert Hadley that has stayed with you - a touchstone that you find you return to?

D.E. Firstly, that Albert is a Gentleman. I would also have to say that Albert is an Editor. His rooms have remained timeless because with him it has never been about fabrics and decoration and more curtains. That's why his interiors have held up and look so fresh and timeless today. It's all in the edit.

The Edit - entrance hallway by Albert Hadley.

I was considering "the edit" when I found Albert in a quiet moment. I asked Albert what he thought of the show and he said he thought that it was very strong. Was that, I asked, perhaps because all of the participating designers had had similar training under Parish Hadley and Albert Hadley, Inc. ? Was there not a certain way of looking at things? A certain symmetry?

"Symmetry is the wrong word to use." stated Albert. "The correct word is Order. What they all have in common is order. Each designer has used negative space to create order and have, naturally, put their own personal stamp on it. At heart, Edie, it is really all about the Order of Things."

So quoth the Dean of American Design. Are you taking notes?

Stop by Rooms with a View this weekend for hints and inspiration on how to
bring sublime and stylish order to your interiors or listen to Albert speak at a cocktail seminar on Saturday, November 6th from 5 - 7 pm where he will take you on a tour of "The Design World of Albert Hadley".

Agneta Livijn's Lily Ponds - Swedish Artist arrives in New York

2010-10-11T20:44:00.003-04:00

Artist and ceramics designer Agneta Livijn.

The Broadway Gallery in New York is going to be the place to be this coming Saturday, October 16th
from 1 - 4 p.m. as Scandinavian design and art enthusiasts gather for the opening of Agneta Livijn's critically acclaimed solo show "Lily Ponds". Agneta is an accomplished artist and ceramics designer who Rhonda and I have had the pleasure of knowing both personally and professionally for many years. A trip to Stockholm for us is not ever complete without a visit to her welcoming and joyous home and studio. We have watched the evolution of Agneta's "Lily Ponds" paintings series since she conceived of it on several of her trips to Morocco and we are so excited to tell you that these luminous canvases will be here in New York for the month of October.

Water Lilies from "Lily Ponds" a Solo Show.

Agneta is a longtime student of French art and design with degrees from the Beckmans School of Design in Stockholm, L’Academie de la Grande Chaumiere in Paris and later studies at the San Francisco Art Institute. "I have always been fascinated by the life and work of famous artists like Monet and Matisse," says Agneta "but it is the garden design work of the French artist Jacques Majorelle that inspired the Lily Ponds paintings."

Water Lilies with Hanging Leaves

It was in 2006 that Agneta discovered the beauty of the water-lily flower and green leaves in Jardin Majorelle. Originally created by Jacques Majorelle in the 1920's, the garden was for many years an oasis of exotic plants, water features and buildings painted in a vibrant bleu that was so unique as to became synonymous with Majorelle's name. Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Berge rescued the garden from abandonment and disrepair in 1980 and today the Jardin Majorelle continues to be open to the public and

an oasis in Marrakesh just as it was in Majorelle's time.

Jardin Majorelle in the old French quarter of Marrakech

A Fountain at Jardin Majorelle restored

by Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Berge

The Lilies at Jardin Majorelles, Marrakech

Agneta has incorporated the colors from the Jardin Majorelle and Lily Ponds into her signature line of Agneta Livijn pottery. GET HIP! GET HANDMADE! is Agneta's tagline for her famous Agneta Livijn pottery store in Stockholm and summer pop-up shops in exclusive Swedish coastal retreats.
.

Her exclusive lines of colorful and chunky cups, saucers, serving bowls and dishes are all handmade and hand painted in the highest quality white stoneware. The forms are influenced by Agneta's many travels around the globe.

Her newly launched Get Hip Get Handmade line is, to every family cook's celebration, dishwasher and microwave safe.

The ceramics Rhonda and I loved when we first started doing business in Sweden (and that my kids still fight over to use at home) are now an international success story! Since the time of the first coffee mug made in her summer cottage, Agneta now works with leading design retailers in Europe, the United States and Japan. Her work is sought out by companies such as IKEA, Habitat and R.O.O.M, all of whom she has created exclusive lines for.

Agneta in front of a grouping of smaller canvases from "Lily Ponds" a Solo Show.

We hope you have enjoyed learning about our talented friend! Please join us in welcoming Agneta Livijn to New York on Saturday, October 16th at the Opening of "Lily Ponds" from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the BROADWAY GALLERY. Rhonda and I look forward to seeing you there!

LILY PONDS a Solo Show

Agneta Livijn

October 16th - 31th, 2010

Broadway Gallery

473 Broadway

7th Floor

New York, NY 10013

212-274-8993

Danish Manor House Revival on Funen

2010-09-20T10:59:00.002-04:00

The island of Funen in Denmark is one of the most romantic landscapes in all of Europe, and home to one of the best preserved Renaissance water moat castles to be found in the world (pictured above), Egeskov Castle. Rhonda and I are planning a trip to Copenhagen in the spring and look forward to returning to magical Funen and Egeskov Castle.

Late last night, with plans for our trip and the anticipation of an antiquing spree dancing in my head, I was looking at the Danish Auction house Bruun Rasmussen's website and discovered a sale going on today featuring pieces from a manor house on Funen called Gelskov Gods.

It may be too late for readers to participate in the auction but surely there will be more inventory from Gelskov Gods to choose from soon, as the owners, Anette and Heine Dahl Bartsch, are art dealers and antiques importers of French and Belgian furniture as well as the Danish.

Here are some views of their amazing property, Gelskov Gods:

Here are Anette and Heine in front of Gelskov Gods. The couple fell in love with the Danish island of
Funen ( Fyn in Danish) and moved from Copenhagen several years ago to under take the restoration of the manor house. It is now a fantastic destination, featuring a B & B and gallery in the main space. Antiques are found throughout the property with a full shop devoted to them that is open in the stables.

Gelskov Gods would be the perfect place to stay for those wanting to explore the surrounding area.
Here, (above) another view of Egeskov Castle, just one of over one hundred and twenty three
manor house and castles dotting the landscape of Funen.

One of the many traditional windmills found in the countryside....

Hesselagergard floating above the lilypads...

Funen is Denmark's third largest island so you can truly return again and again and always be inspired by architecture and design that you may have missed on an earlier visit.

Rhonda and I can't wait and we will be sure to visit Anette and Heine!

To learn more about Gelskov Gods go to http://www.gelskovgods.com/

To plan a visit to Funen in which you can follow in the footsteps of Manor hopping native
son Hans Christian Andersen go to HERE

Lars Bolander's Scandinavian Design

2010-08-25T12:39:00.001-04:00

The long awaited guide to Scandinavian Design by Lars Bolander and Heather Smith MacIsaac.

Rhonda and I featured the Palm Beach aerie of Swedish designer Lars Bolander and his wife Nadine

Kalachnikoff in our first book Swedish Interiors and that chapter remains a favorite among our readers and in our memory as a most delightful photoshoot. When we heard that Lars' newly released and aptly named Lars Bolander's Scandinavian Design was about to be released by Vendome Press we called Lars up at his summer home on the island of Oland, Sweden to congratulate him. Wait till you see this book! A comprehensive overview of all aspects of Scandinavian design, the book, written with Heather MacIsaac, is a visual delight as well as being a serious resources guide for anyone interested in the tenants of Scandinavian decor.

Lars was kind enough to take a break away form his gardening to answer some questions for us

about his life, Scandinavian design and what it means to be a Swede - all be it a very international one!

Lars in the garden at the entrance to

Carl Malmsten's school, Capellagarden in Oland, Sweden.

How did the idea of doing a comprehensive reference book on Scandinavian Design with Heather come about?

Lars Bolander (L.B.): Alex Gregory, the founder of Vendome press (made after Place Vendome in Paris) called me a couple of years ago and asked me if I had any interest in writing such a book.

Why is the Scandinavian aesthetic so pertinent to the way we live today?

L.B. It is a more functional way of living, which what is needed now. People are more concerned with the Green Factor and this fits in very much in the way we live now.

What are some Scandinavian places and interiors that still feed your soul?

L.B. The old town of Stockholm, the home of Carl Larsson, The Copper Tents and the Pavilion in The Haga Park in Stockholm. The boat trip from Gothenburg to Stockholm on the Gota Kanal. In Denmark, the Museum and Gardens of the Louisiana outside Copenhagan.

Lars, you were fortunate enough to work with the great Carl Malmsten. Can you elaborate for our readers on how Malmsten's designs were rooted in authentic Swedish nature and culture? How has Malmsten's philosophy found its way into your own work?

L.B. Purely because of the clean and simple lines of his furniture, also classical and very Swedish. I would say that his respect for nature and the appreciation of life are what have influenced my work. He got the maximum out of his people because he earned their respect.

Entrance to Lars Bolander and Nadine Kalacnikoff's home Might- As- Well, which overlooks

the grounds of Carl Malmsten's Capellagarden.

May we ask...Bergman or Garbo?
L.B. Greta Garbo.

Stockholm or Gothenburg?
L.B. Stockholm.

A tablescape of glass and silver at Might-As-Well.

It doesn't get much more Swedish than this...

Summer Swede or Winter Swede?

L.B. Each has it's own beauty.

Hallway at Lars and Nadine's Might-As-Well.

Favorite Abba song?

L.B. Take a Chance on Me

The livingroom at Might-As-Well.

If you could pick one figure from history to design for it would be...

L.B. A woman, it would be Catherine the Great (mainly for financial reasons).

A man it would be Gustaf the III.

A private view from Lars and Nadine's kitchen window of the gardens and
workshops of Capellagarden. We hope to soon do another post on this amazing school
founded by Carl Malmsten...Lars has inspired us!

Here are some sumptuous photos and captions as they appear in the new book,
Lars Bolander's Scandinavian Design:

"Architects Gert and Karin Wingårdh provide the residents with a more direct connection
to their waterfront land. A new glass-fronted bay framed in red."

"Though many of the elements in this eighteenth-century Swedish living
room display age and wear, the overall effect is fresh
and inviting. A delicate floral fabric for the sofa’s squabs,
along with pieces of blue and white porcelain,
brightens the otherwise muted tone."

"Sailors and a ship caught amid floral flourishes reference
the coastal location of a barn in Norway. "

"A dogtrot-style breezeway in Gert and Karin Wingardh's contemporary addition to a traditional Swedish farmhouse brings dining closer to nature, with no need to run for cover. The painted walls and ceiling pick up the color of grass outside, framing the view in bright green."

"A bed placed in the middle of the space establishes an equanimity that enhances rest."

Grass roofs are ubiquitous throughout Scandinavia

"Tailored white slipcovers bring an exquisite
1770s Swedish dining room down to earth."

The other driving force behind this compilation of inspiring images and practical how to instruction is the great editor/writer Heather Smith MacIsaac whose work appears regularly in Elle Decor and Travel and Leisure among other. Heather shared with us her experience of writing the book.

Heather Smith MacIsaac

Had you worked with Lars in the past?

Heather MacIsaac (H.M.) : I've never worked with Lars before but liked him immediately. We quickly discovered we had sympathetic sensibilities and ideas for the book.

What were your experiences with Scandinavian design prior to this book?
H.M. I've always been an appreciator of Scandinavian design for its simplicity, directness, and pragmatic quality. My contact with it has come through reporting on design and traveling to Scandinavia (primarily Sweden.)

Had you travelled extensively in the region before?

H.M. I've always been an appreciator of Scandinavian design for its simplicity, directness, and pragmatic quality. My contact with it has come through reporting on design and traveling to Scandinavia (primarily Sweden.)

What new things did you discover or take away from the experience of writing this book?

H.M. I have not traveled nearly as much as I would like through all of Scandinavia. I have seen more of Sweden than any of the other countries. I just got back from a trip that took me to Gotland, Fjallnas (seven hrs. north of Stockholm) and a place three hours west of Stockholm. I would say traveling in Sweden is as easy as touring around the U.S. Things are well-marked, communication is never a problem, and the gas station bathrooms are always clean! And Swedish beds are the best. It was great to visit Sweden, having recently finished the book, because I knew so much more about what I was seeing.
I learned a tremendous amount about the differences, some subtle, some dramatic, between the countries in terms of design, palette, and craft. It's always interesting to see how things like natural resources, geography, even the interests of one influential figure, affect design. I had to do a fair amount of research for the book which was more than fine because I love history. Finally, I think one can't come away from an in-depth study of Scandinavian design without a renewed appreciation of nature and a desire to integrate it more in one's life.

Swedish Summer at the idyllic Might-As-Well.

History, design, nature and craft...what a fantastic journey Heather and Lars take us on in this book. Many, many thanks to Lars and Heather for including Eleish van Breems as a resource for antiques, reproduction Swedish furniture made in Sweden and design in the Resource Guide found in the back of their book! We are so honored! Thank you Lars! Thank you Heather!

Lars is back from Sweden and will be appearing this weekend for a book signing in Southampton at the Nancy Corzine store. The event is Saturday, August 28th from 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm at Nancy Corzine, 5 Main Street, Southampton. Tel. 631-287-8606.

For more Swedish design and inspiration...

Visit the Lars Bolander showrooms in New York and Palm Beach Here.

Visit us at Eleish van Breems Here. and Eleish van Breems on 1st Dibs Here.

Our great friend Monikka at Splendid Willow did a must read interview with Lars Here.

K.W. Gullers - a Life in Photography

2010-08-10T23:03:00.323-04:00

Rhonda's great uncle, Swedish photographer K.W. Gullers

from the archives of the Nordic Museum

When you are a child, there are certain people and experiences that help form future ideas and directions. Having had the great fortune of traveling the world by the ripe age of 12, my family and I finally settled in Fairfield, CT to be close to both New York City (where Dad became "The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit" part one million) as well to be near to my Swedish-American family.

During the summers, I would play with my cousins and my Aunt Ittan's Father, the great Swedish photographer KW Gullers, would visit. He would always bring with him the latest books he had published, and to me, it was always thrilling. I loved how his images captured Swedish life so vividly that even I, who had never been there, felt a sensory connection to this seemingly far off land and culture. Little did I know that years later, Edie and I would be involved in a business that would follow a path directly back to Sweden.

In hindsight, it wouldn't surprise me to find out that Karl (K.W.) is smiling down from up above.....and I say "Tak" for the gift of those inspiring images that helped me fall in love with Sweden!

KW Gullers:

Karl Werner ( K.W. ) was born in Clara Church, Stockholm in 1916. His father Emil was a lawyer and farmer's son from Rising, Östergötland, and was one of the founders of what is now the Liberal Party. His mother, Anna, was a teacher. KW Gullers grew up in central Stockhom as one of five siblings. At twelve, KW recieved his first camera, a Kodak Brownie box.

In 1932, he began to work for Anders Forsner, who was the leading photographer in Stockholm. The salary was fifty dollars a month and a typical work day was from eight in the morning until seven at night. It was with Forsner that Gullers recieved a thorough photographic decipline and training.

At the young age of Eighteen, he traveled on a scholarship from Borgarskolan to England. This adventure laid the foundation for his emphasis on photojournalism, protrait, and fashion photography.

Back in Sweden, Gullers began to work with a Dutch photographer known for his distinctive bright portrait of the high-key procedure. For three summers, he also worked as an air photographer for Aero Materiel AB, which was owned by the brothers Florman.

In 1948, he published "Sweden From The Air" which was a compilation of fifteen thousand images he shot while at Areo Materiel.

In 1938, Gullers started his own firm, Studio Gullers, in Stockholm. His wife Ingvor and the highly skilled copyists Magda Persson, joined him to form Studio Gullers.

Later, Studio Gullers, in addition to KW, represented many other photographers, such as his son Peter and Bjorn Enstrom who both worked there for twenty-five years. Stay Trenter, son of Stieg, and Tore Johnson were also represented.

K.W. and buddy, author Stieg Teiner, up to no good as usual!

Tiener's famous detective character Harry Friberg is based on K.W.

On September 1, 1939 German troops invaded Poland and World War II had started. Gullers was called up to duty in 1940. While on active duty, he met Swedish author Stieg Trenter, and started working together. They were inseparable until then Trenter's death in 1967. Gullers became Trenter's model for the famous detective, Harry Friberg, in Stieg Trenters detective novels .

Foreign Ministry, in 1940, assigned Gullers to a special mission as the official photographer. He was called to photograph the Government and the various arms of service...

Swedish naval force as portrayed by K.W. Gullers

...images that would be used for propaganda purposes, and sent to the Swedish diplomatic missions worldwide.

K.W. photographs Gustav VI Adolf, 1942

In 1942, had his first exhibition, " A piece of Sweden", at Piccadilly Circus in London. The pictures were mainly from the Swedish propaganda, but also documented the government, royal families and the Swedish industry.

Guller's moving portrait of Swedish poverty appeared in "Family of Man"

The years of 1938-46 were a prolific period for KW Gullers whose primary work involved working with a number of Swedish and foreign magazines. Unlike most photographers, he also wrote himself . This proved very helpful and unique in the world of photo journalism as he was to find out.

The Swedish Photographers Association

1953 Gullers became chairman of the Swedish Photographer's Association. Serving for four important years, KW was an enthusiastic chairman who, together with, among others, Kerstin Bernhard and Karl Sandels actively addressed standards for training and photographic fees which set in place a structure for the photographic industry as a whole. Gullers was also influential in creating the League 's international contacts during these years. Additionally, he was active member of the Nordic Federation photographers for fifteen years, as well as a founding member of Europhot (European Association for the Photographer Organization) .

The color

1957 was a breakthrough year for color photography in Sweden which by now could produce high quality photographs on Kodak's C - paper. Color was used primarily in advertising, but soon, weekly press began to use color images. Gullers became one of the first studios with its own color laboratory, and for twelve years produced thousands of photographs a week. From 1957 onward, his books were exclusively in color .

Gullers image collection to the Nordic Museum

In 1990, The Nordic Museum in Stockholm, purchased the KW Gullers image collection from the years 1938-78. The collection consists of approximately 470 000 negatives , black / white and color , most of the 6x6 format . There are also approximately 5000 archival copies of size 24x30 cm and over 100 000 contact sheet. The collection also includes a negative ledger, a copy of the first editions of sixty two titles, press cuttings and two cameras (the Kodak Brownie and a Rolleiflex). The acquisition was made possible by support from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and the Nordic Society Museum and Skansen's Friends .

In conjunction with the purchase of the collection, The Nordic Museum arranged a large exhibition called " KW Gullers - Picture Memories " at the museum. Shown were images from the 1940's and 50's with Sweden as the theme.

With the addition of the KW Gullers collection to the Nordic Museum's archives, it has solidified his status as a national reporter with the camera that doubled as a note book. His images are a photographer's vision of Sweden during the period ranging from 1938 til 1978.

Our favorite Images:

Self Portraits

C. 1950's

C. 1930's

Hollywood

KW and Charlie Chaplin

1945

Ingrid Bergman

1945

Ingrid Bregman and Alfred Hitchcock

1946

Gregory Peck

1945

Orson Wells

1952

John Steinbeck

1947

Masters of Design

Bruno Mathsson

1951

Bruno Mathsson at home

1951

Carl Malmsten

New York

Duke Ellington

1945

Harlem

1945

Royal

Prins Bertel

1940's

Prince Carl XVI Gustaf

1952

Sweden

1950

1943

1949

1943

1948

1950

Carl Milles Studio

A Beloved Swede

Astrid Lindgren

1952

And Finally, Family

My Uncle Neil and my Aunt Ittan, K.W.'s daughter, on their wedding day

in Stockholm

To learn more about the photography of K.W. Gullers please visit the Nordiska Museet

and the Digital Museum

In Love with Swedish Baroque Mirrors

2010-07-29T13:06:00.002-04:00

Rhonda and I have long been under the looking glass spell of Swedish Baroque mirrors

and wanted to share with you some images of our favorite mirrors from this period

all made by the house of Precht.

The Baroque period was obsessed with optics and illusion and the mirrors that were made during this

time were wonders to be marvelled at. When it came to mirrors their manufacture was practically secret and their trade so precious that their sophisticated owners sought to show them off in fittingly elaborate frames. In 1674 a well known sculptor, mirror maker, carver and gilder in Germany named Buchard Precht was brought to Stockholm to work for the Crown under Sweden's Royal architect Niccodemus Tessin the Younger. Sadly, much of the important work he did for the Royal Palace was burned during the fire of 1697.

There are, however, quite a few remaining examples of works he and his workshop did for his main clients, the Church and Queen Hedvig Eleanora. His mirrors are among the most beautiful and accessible of his work and are sought out by collectors around the world.

To our modern eyes much of the Baroque furniture with its elaborate carvings and gilding can appear garish and heavy. Not so these elegant mirrors. Glass was so rare and expensive that frames of the period were expected to be exceptional to show the looking glass off...

Precht and his sons Christian and Gustaf made their frames decorative but always in ways to enhance the looking glass and to never over power or detract from it in any way. There is a symmetry, balance and a lightness that makes these mirrors pleasing to our contemporary eyes.

Precht accompanied Nicodemus Tessin the Younger on his great 1687 study trip to France and Italy in preparation for work on the new Palace. He was also very involved in counsel for the interiors of Drottingholm, pictured above, the home of Queen Hedvig Elenora. Drottiningholm is considered the dowager Queen's greatest architectural contribution to Sweden.

....Precht's alter at the Gustav Vasa Church is his baroque masterwork and homage to Bernini.

...Here we see carving details of the alter piece Precht made for the Storkyrkan,

(think Princess Victoria's wedding!) next to the Royal Palace.

Precht was a highly skilled ornamentalist, as can be seen in the carvings of this mirror made by his workshop.

His commissions were for the court and the highest level of Swedish aristocracy. To give you an idea of how valuable these mirrors were, David Hockney, in his book "Secret Knowledge" sights an interesting fact regarding the effects of the great French minister Colbert. A Venetian mirror from Colbert's inventory was valued at 8,016 livres while a Raphael painting was only valued at 3,000. livres. Prices for Precht mirrors today are recorded at auctions as selling from $60,000. to $169,000.

The Precht workshop mirrors were made in the Gamla Stan section of Stockholm in the vicinity of the Royal Palace on the corner of the Lilla Nygaten and what today is called Schonfeldsgrand. Before the names in the Gamla Stan were changed in 1885 this was called Precht's Grand, which means Precht's Alley. We can still walk in the footsteps of Buchard Precht today!

Precht perfected a way of gilding ornamented lead and this is what is holding the glass

frames together on the mirrrors you see here. Verre Eglomise...

Baltic blue glass was sometimes used in the mirrors and because the blue glass

was a rarity unto itself these mirrors are often the most simple.

This mirror seems reminiscent of the magic mirrors popularized in literature and fairytales of the period, most notably Handel's opera Semele. To see what a real Baroque mirror in action is capable of, watch this clip from Jean Cocteau's La Belle et Le Bete... Belle enters the Castle and finds the Mirror. (forward to 2:24 to view the mirror)

"Je suis votre mirroir ma Belle..."

Who wouldn't love to have one of these around the house?

Less heavy then their French and Venetian counterparts, Precht Mirrors are magic to us

at Eleish van Breems! We hope you agree!

Photos of the Precht Mirrors used in this post came from the following sources: Christie's ,

Lundgrens Antik, Carlton Hobbs and Antik Varlden.

The Swedish Floor

2010-06-04T16:42:00.001-04:00

Is there anything more refreshing looking then a Swedish floor?

Limed...

or pickled...

...the Swedish style floor is as refreshing as a summer breeze.

Below we share with you some more images featuring Swedish style floors taken by one
of our favorite photographers, Miguel Flores-Vianna, who also wrote the forward to our first
book Swedish Interiors. Miguel, long a fan of Swedish design, has worked on many projects
in Sweden and in him we find a kindred spirit. Miguel's breathtaking portfolio HERE

Rhonda and I were recently featured talking about Swedish floors on a super PBS series
called Creative Living with Sheryl Borden. Our segment aired in the South West region
of the country this week!

Edie and Rhonda with Sheryl Borden on Creative Living. That's a dough bin we

brought with us to show an example of Swedish falun red paint! We taped three segments in all

on Swedish country painting techniques.

View our Creative Living segment here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8JMH12RWE4

We presented the differences between a pickled floor with polyurethane finish
versus a more traditional floor treatment using liming wax and danish oil. Both techniques
have their advantages and disadvantages but the results for both are quite beautiful and can
give a totally new feel to any room.

Which do you prefer?

Many thanks again to Miguel for allowing us to enhance this post with his gorgeous photos!

E. and R.

Spotlight on Bernhard Link Theatrical

2010-05-19T12:11:00.013-04:00

Bernhard Link Theatrical is one of the biggest names in the fashion industry that you may just not be familiar with unless you are a true fashion insider. It is they who Donna, Oscar, Marc, Karl and the rest of the designer gang turn to for most of the spectacular lighting, struttable catwalks and edgy scenery we see each year at Bryant Park and soon Lincoln Center.

Founded in 1976 by Gordon Link and Van Bernhard, Bernhard Link is a full service production company providing Project Management, Design (Scenic, Lighting, and Sound), Pre-visualization, Fabrication and Installation. They are known for handling the highly individual demands of each project, whether it be runway, corporate, film or television and for realizing their clients' vision, from the extravagant to the simply elegant. Well, simply elegant was for us!

We weren't lighting a building...

or doing a window.....

or having a rock concert.....

but we DID want our Eleish van Breems table for the Red and White Ball benefiting the Greenwich Red Cross this May to look as glowing and fabulous as this model at a Proenza Shouler show Bernhard Link lit! Van is Edie's father and Gordon has been her honorary uncle forever, so when we caught up with the two partners on their company retreat, bone fishing in the Bahamas, we felt comfortable to ask them for a little lighting advice. Luckily for us, it was a windy day and Gordon had given up on the fish. Sketches on napkins ensued and we flew back from the Exuma's with instructions to meet up with Jason, BLT's model maker extraordinaire at their New Jersey headquarters and to give him our base for a floral temple centerpiece.

We were surprised that they would do such specific lighting for a small floral centerpiece because their production work seems so large scale but Jason explained that tabletop lighting design is actually another very important part of Bernhard Link's business for special events. They have a studio where the models and lighting are planned out.You can view our meeting with Gordon and Jason HERE (Watch to 1:50 for the essence and then beyond if so desired)

Here we are at the Red and White Ball getting set up.

Lighting changes throughout the evening from under the roof of the temple. Animals representing

the Four Friends are up lit from underneath glass pedestals.

We have felt the Bernhard Link difference! We are sorry not to have photos showing the lighting from when the house lights dimmed at the Event...but we can tell you this - having lighting that changed throughout the evening made our table not just romantic but gave it life and sparkle and definitely set us apart!

Along with the beautiful fabric, so generously donated by Fortuny, the lighting kept our table guests delighted.
Thank you Gordon, Jason and Van for all of your invaluable help and support! We love you guys! E. and R.

All photos courtesy of Bernhard Link Theatrical.

Eva Badenhorst Wall Murals

2010-05-02T19:38:00.001-04:00

Eva Badenhorst

We are thrilled to introduce a fantastic new Swedish artist we are representing. Meet Eva Badenhorst. We have never met Eva in person but had started a correspondence with her this winter resulting in Eva sending many of her breathtaking, historically inspired canvases to our Connecticut showroom . We are so lucky! Many artists have tried to capture the essence of period Swedish wall canvases and, let us tell you, it is not easy. When we saw Eva's paintings we knew we had found a special artist. Eva has captured in her work all of the softness, delicacy and also inherent boldness that make the Swedish wall canvases in manor homes and castles so unique.

Here Eva shares a bit about her techniques and inspiration for our readers:

Eva's canvas inspired by the Papaya engraving of Georg Ehret (1708-1770)

that famously wallpapers Carl Linnaeus' home. Sublime.

"My painting mainly consists of reproducing wall decorations that were common in castles and mansions in Sweden during the 18th century. I also do my own compositions based on the different expressions of the time.

Painting flowers, bows, festoons and medallions on large wall fields is a typical Nordic genre, radiating elegance as well as country charm and was developed mainly during the reign of Gustav III (1771-1792). By stretching painted linen canvases on the walls it was easy to create modern interiors in suites, halls and even in bedrooms of old as well as new houses.

The canvases are quite large and dramatic and make a perfect

focal point for any room.

Towards the end of the 18th century the painting of wall fields reached its peak, when strong basic colours made way for paler nuances with the transparency of water colours. The shimmering shades of grey with a pearly lustre also often included turquoise, orange rose, lemon yellow, lime tree green and silver blue and were transferred to bows of leaves, thin garlands, meandering ribbons, arabesques and other refined motives. The motives were taken from the classical style that King Gustav III, after a trip to Italy in 1783-1784, became very fond of. This style had a great impact on castle interior decoration in Sweden and has since then been considered genuinely Swedish and meant a lot to fashion the modern, light Swedish interiors worldwide.

A late Gustavian inspired canvas with a Swedish mirror hanging in front of it.

A Swedish botanical canvas.

A Renaissance inspired piece. This looks almost Florentine, yes?

Eva calls this dramatic gold and black canvas "1800 Century". How gorgeous

would this look in a dining room, powder room or entrance? A luxurious home office

or dressing room? We can think of a million rooms that this would look absolutely extraordinary in.

I also paint different types of flowers, mainly inspired by historical works, such as the 17th century depictions by Dutch botanists of tulips, the bulbs of which created the tulip fever in Holland. I have also been delighted and inspired by the drawings and paintings of the flora that Carl von Linné and his disciples created and that can partly be seen at the Linné summer house outside Uppsala. My favourite styles are the classic Greek and Roman ones but the impressionists also have a large place in my heart.

Canvas inspired by Drottningholm Theater.

Many of my paintings are done on old, rough tarpaulins that were once used to cover boats or farm machinery. These tarpaulins, with their heavy structure and weather beaten surfaces, give and old and genuine expression and are perfect for the dry pigment colours that are used to mix with oil glaze. Flower motives especially, I paint on finer linen canvas.

This floral urn painted on old sail cloth is now at Eleish van Breems.

We love that Eva has left the old sail line hanging from the canvas.

Another view of Eva's gallery in her home...note the painted table canvas.

I obtained a degree in History of Art before moving to France for 15 years and have continuously painted, but also drawn with ink and charcoal. Many years ago I started painting old furniture with egg/linseed oil tempera, a fantastic technique which gives an incredibly smooth, silky surface. I have also been involved in creating well composed interiors in private homes, where I even contributed with my recently obtained skills in upholstering."

Serenity reigns in Eva's light filled gallery.

A canvas inspired by 18th c. Drottningholm "Tree of Life" wall canvases.

A Swedish country floral design.

We have this canvas now at Eleish van Breems.

Another Gustavian inspired wall canvas by Eva now at Eleish van Breems.

Eva's canvases look wonderful mounted onto the wall, as was done traditionally in Sweden, or

framed, for those who want the mobility of being able to easily change their decor.

Eva has had several exhibits in Stockholm and most recently a show in Norberg, Sweden.

Welcome Eva!

Edie & Rhonda

Eleish van Breems is now working with Eva on special commissions. Canvases similar to the ones featured in this post can be ordered in many different custom sizes. Please feel free to e-mail or call us for details and pricing of Eva's work. 860-868-1200 evbltd@gmail.com

Eva Badenhorst Canvases Arrives at Eleish van Breems

2010-05-02T10:44:00.008-04:00

Watch as we unfurl some special canvases by Swedish artist Eva Badenhorst at

our Connecticut showroom. A written blog post with more photos of Eva's work

to follow immediately.

E & R

Edie and Rhonda-Greenwich Red and White Ball Segment 1

2010-05-01T01:34:00.003-04:00

The Greenwich Red and White Ball Segment 1

2010-05-01T01:31:00.001-04:00

Edie and Rhonda's Introduction to the Eleish van Breems Blogcast

2010-04-29T22:23:00.001-04:00

A Rococo Jewel - Svindersvik

2010-03-31T08:35:00.015-04:00

Svindrsvig

Our great friend and mentor, Gote Folk Jarnefolk ( Help! Will some lovely blogger tell me how to install umlauts and accents on Blogger?) keeps his workshop in the charming Svindersvik boat yard outside of Stockholm. Every visit to Gote (insert dots over the o!), Rhonda and I make sure to take a trip up the hill from the harbour to one of our favorite Swedish Rococo buildings, the Svindersvik Manor.

Svindersvik as viewed form the water in the 18th century

Sweden's great architect Carl Harleman built Svindersvik in the 1740's for one of Sweden's most successful businessmen, Claes Grill, director of the East India Company. With fine views overlooking the sea, promenades on high cliffs and a large garden, Svindersvik was the perfect weekend retreat for Grill and his family.

A Swedish cartel clock is mounted over the wall canvases painted by

Grill's brothers in Amsterdam were Count Tessin's bankers. In the summer of 1760 the great diplomat and style maker Carl Gustav Tessin brought his family to stay at Svindersvik where he and his wife, Countess Ulla Sparre, hosted a famous saturday afternoon salon.

Svindersvik is small of scale and that is it's great charm. Note the double chandeliers

and palace size mirror between the window - all devices to reflect and add light.

Of Svindersvik, Tessin is reported to have remarked, "In one word, Nature's play,

Mr. Grill's purse and taste, and my late lamented friend Baron Harleman's art, have made Svindersvik a joy for humanity that has few equals in charm and arrangement."

We couldn't agree more.

Photos for this post from the Nordiska Museet, Stockholm http://www.nordiskamuseet.se/

Silk, Velvet, Venice - think Fortuny

2010-03-23T08:43:00.002-04:00

Rhonda and I are off to visit the charming gentleman who own Fortuny. Saddly, this trip does not involve a visit to Venice but a drive into the city to see their exciting new Showroom in the D & D building. We are thrilled ot be working with them on a Charity design project for the upcoming Red Cross of Greenwich Red & White Ball. More on this later...

Somewhere between the Eddie Ross and Apartment Therapy showdown and my car accident I dropped the ball on this blog. So thank you to those returning for a look!

Hoping to get some great fabric samples this afternoon to show everyone!

Psyche Revived

2010-02-14T00:15:00.006-05:00

"There is no art without Eros."

- Max Frish

Tuesday Design Crush - Tim Tareco

2010-01-25T22:54:00.013-05:00

Why did this dull, rainy mid-winter day - read POURING- seem exciting and beautiful when I reached New York ? Was it because I was doing a delivery for one of the more exciting and beautiful people I know?

One of the driving creative forces at M.A.C. Cosmetics is Tim Tareco, whose new set of antique grey and black Swedish rustic chairs I had carefully packed in the back of my Volvo station wagon this morning. High octane glamor and social consciousness are the eternal focus of M.A.C.'s dynamic worldwide cosmetics company and Tim seems to embody all of what that means. Tim occupies a world of Viva Glam lipsticks in seven celebrity fueled colors that raise millions of dollars each year for AID/ HIV research and most recently for Haiti's earthquake victims.

Like Rhonda, Tim is a visual genius, who I have known seemingly forever (of course through Rhonda! ) so I was curious to see what he had done with his new apartment downtown. I admire that Tim has such a severe aesthetic and never waivers, always waiting, sometimes years, for the right piece to come his way. Rhonda and I were so flattered that he fell in love with a grey and black trunk from our inventory last spring and now has chosen to add some of our Swedish chairs into the mix.

I had heard that this new place of Tim's was done in grey, gold and black - in my mind I envisioned a Van Day Truex look strengthened up with some black leather. I couldn't wait to see it. I just love placing the rustic antiques in modern spaces. They take on a totally different character then when placed in a country home with other antiques. The primitive antiques always reveal themselves in the modern settings as what they are - Art.

I drove around Thompson Square looking for parking. Attempts to double park in front of the building were hampered by seemingly endless police patrolling the area. Finally in desperation, I put my hazards on in front of a fire hydrant by the front door and pulled the chairs out hastily giving them to Tim's doorman in the middle of a torrential rain.

I never got to place the chairs or see the apartment! Ugh.

This just in tonight from Tim:

E & R See attachment. Chairs look SOOOO GOOD! Thank you ! Thank You! Thank You! I Love You Two! xx TT

Tim Tarreco's New York aerie with Swedish chairs in place via TT's cell phone.

We love you too, Tim and hope you enjoy the chairs! Send more pictures!!!

xo Edie & Rhonda

To learn more about Tim and the exciting happenings at M.A.C. go to http://www.maccosmetics.com/

Country Living Christmas

2009-11-29T09:45:00.053-05:00

Here is my dining room hallway in the mood for Christmas and ready for it's Country Living magazine close-up! That's right...Country Living was here last winter and decked the halls with me. You can see the results in this months December issue. Amid a flurry of wheat sheaves and pine boughs stylist Karen Lidbeck-Brent and her sister arrived one cold winter morning. Lots of baking, trimming and sharing of our favorite Swedish Christmas traditions took place in preparation for the arrival the next day of the magazine's Style & Market Director Natalie Warady, photographer Lisa Hubbard and their crew.

As soon as the photographer looks through the lens - everything changes.

To give you an idea, this shot was done three or four times using different

height tables, chairs and ornaments of mine before this arrangement was

selected by Lisa, Karen and Natalie.

To give the room a more cozy country feel, out went my French settee and Gustavian chairs and in came Lars' armchair from his bedroom! The kids and I loved the armchair downstairs so much so that after the photo shoot I incorporated it into the room.

The straw goat next to the Christmas tree is called a Julbuck and is one of the ancient pagan symbols of the winter solstice that has made it's way into the traditional Swedish Christmas. In Norse mythology, a pair of goats pulled Thor's chariot and the sun across the Northern sky and so the goat made of straw came to symbolize hope for the life giving return of the sun and a fruitful harvest. Little straw goat ornaments also hang from the tree along with bundles of wheat sheaves.

There is nothing more evocative of winter to me then fir garland hung against antique wood panelling (as in this photo of the front hall stairwell). The giant star in the picture is made from wheat stalks and ribbon. This is easy for kids to make and the stars look great hung outside on trees or in windows. Karen rested the star on an open 19th c. Lappland Dowery trunk that I use to keep my most precious holiday ornaments and mementos.

The straw theme continues in the bedroom where small straw star ornaments are hung in the

window. I usually love patterned sheets, preferably a bold toile by Pierre Frey, but for a soothing winter sleep, organic linens and flannels of pale blue can't be beat. A faux fur throw, borrowed at the last minute from our old school chum Alex Smith at Dovecote, Westport, adds a glam touch. Thanks Alex!

Here is the breakfast room of the kitchen laid out for Christmas Eve breakfast. The wheat stalks in hurricanes would look equally dramatic on a very modern dining table, don't you think? I wish I had a close up of the center of the table to show you the giant candle surrounded by crab apples on a massive Swedish wooden berry sorter.

Rhonda and I thought of bringing in this authentic 19th c. Swedish chandelier for the photo shoot

from our Eleish van Breems showroom. Alas, Rhonda knows me too well... Once in my home, she was afraid there would be a good chance of the chandelier never making it back to our sales floor so it stayed in Washington Depot! Isn't it fantastic?

The chairs around my kitchen table are called Draken chairs from our Eleish van Breems reproduction line of furniture. All made in Sweden, the furniture we carry arrives raw and is painted in our workshop to clients specifications. We offer a huge range of colors and finishes and most of our work is custom - meaning we will match colors exactly to upholstery, paint chips etc. and do custom finishes. For my own kitchen I chose to have these Draken chairs done in a deep blue green with Elmo leather upholstered seats.

My only regret about the photo shoot is that we did not bring in a real Swedish trestle table.We carry many wonderful antique Swedish trestle tables such as the one pictured above. They make super kitchen tables as well as worktables for offices.

Wooden farm containers and bowls filled with greens, ornaments and pine cones are displayed on a Finnish kettle cabinet in this holiday card vignette. The empty frame idea is something children love and you can set up these "holiday frames" to have in their own rooms to decorate

and collect their cards from friends and relatives.

Banded wooden drinking flasks, such as this one from Sweden, are wonderful to bring out anput sprays of greenery in .

We have always used copper vessels of all shapes and sizes at Eleish van Breems http://www.evbantiques.com/ for seasonal arrangements and in fact, they've become something of our signature. These wonderful Swedish copper pieces will always be my favorite forms of planter as they add a warm glow to a room, offsetting the flowers they hold so complementarily.

The antique Swedish copper foot bath pictured above needs only to be lined with a plastic sheeting and filled with pots of amaryllis or narcissus bulbs to make a full holiday centerpiece. Rhonda and I like to "finish " off the copper containers with either stones or moss nestled into the base of the plants.

Here, a feather tree covered in candy canes and marzipan fruits is put into copper pot.

The Dala horse cookies on the sideboard are actually nestled into a 19th c. Swedish

butter mold from a farm in Dalarna. Dalarna is a province north of Stockholm and one of Rhonda's and my favorite places to find our antiques.

Two more examples of the 19th c. Swedish copper molds...

This one is a steamed pudding mold. Many of our culinary clientele have these antique

pieces professionally re-lined by metal smiths in order to use them. NEVER cook with an antique copper mold that has not been professionally re-lined. Never. Never. They all went a bit kookey

in the olden days from trace elements of lead, mercury etc. in the tin so please everyone - professional relining or just enjoy antique molds decoratively.

Taking out the giant cookie cutters, variously shaped as reindeer, stars, snowflakes and

angels and spending the afternoon baking pepparkakor is one of our family rituals captured

here by Lisa. For those unfamiliar, pepparkakor are the fragrant ginger, cardamon and

cinnamon infused cookies served throughout the holiday season in Sweden. We also have a lot of fun making marzipan and shaping it into animals. The pig is the most traditionally Swedish of these.

Ultimately, it fell to writer Paige Orloff to bring our Christmas rituals to life in words for the magazine. I knew I was in good hands when I realized that Paige is among the founders of The Sister Project blog! http://thesisterproject.com/orloff/

Many thanks to everyone at Country Living for such a fun article on our Swedish

Christmas. I hope this inspires you, adventuresome reader, to bring the outdoors

in and gather your loved ones close for some holiday fun!

Happy December!

E.

All photos of Edie's house in this post are by: Lisa Hubbard

To read the Country Living article Home Swede Home in the December, 2009 issue go to

http://www.countryliving.com/homes/house-tours/swedish-christmas-traditions-1209

To shop Eleish van Breems http://www.evbantiques.com/

For Swedish decorations http://www.scandiafood.com/

To say Hello to Alex and grab a throw www.dovecote-westport.com

I Dreamed of a Faro Retreat

2009-11-22T23:42:00.037-05:00

In my dreams last night I have been accepted to be a visiting artist at Ingmar Bergman's estate on the Baltic island of Faro. I get off of the ferry and Stockholm based super stylist Eva Lindh appears from a mist on the beach, ready to outfit me in cozy woolens ... (photo: Lena Koller Image from http://www.evalindh.se/)

or more practically, for walks around the island, in coat and hat - faux chinchilla for me please.

(Photo: Lana Koller Image from http://www.evalindh.se/)

When I get to the house, I find I need to cheer the place up a bit and reupholster the chairs in Ingmar's screening room with Svenskt Tenn fabric. http://www.svenskttenn.se/

I am ready to record all I see in my social diarist Archie Grand notebooks. http://www.archiegrand.com/

Being the end of November, it is cold on Faro so I gather pillows and blankets together...
(Photo: Anna Kern Image from http://www.evalindh.se/)

among them is my favorite throw by Pia Wallen. http://www.piawallen.se/

I make cocoa for all of the other visiting artists, writers and filmmakers.

We gather around a small table. As I blushingly begin to admit to the group my schoolgirl fixation on Max von Sydow I lower the tray of drinks. (Photo: Charlie Drevstam image from http://www.evalindh.se/) There is no room on this little table for the tray let alone a chess board. Is that Max I see sitting on the couch? I feel my wrist go limp. The tray crashes. Candles are knocked over. My dream is swiftly turning into a nightmare and all I see are flames. Anguish and dark thoughts fill my heart...

I awake in a panic to hear myself crying out into the darkness. "....why, oh WHY, did I not enter Ingmar's living room into the Brickmaker's Coffee Table give away contest at Brooke Giannetti's Velvet & Linen?!?! " http://www.brookegianetti.typepad.com/

It is too late for me and that heavy tray but not for the lucky contestants. Help Brooke out by going to her site and voting on your favorite room. The contest ends this Sunday, November 29th.

Island Muse Faro

2009-11-20T22:04:00.029-05:00

I was at Christies Auction house in New York on Thursday helping to set up for a fundraiser I am involved in each year, the Tibet House Benefit Auction event. I had to pass many times that day through the front entrance of Christies, where there are large screens displaying various upcoming auction events and Christies Luxury Properties for sale. I was stopped dead in my tracks more then once by luminous images of landscapes featuring rustic boulders, pebbled shores and windmills. It all looked vaguely familiar.

Where was this? The island of Faro and the property listed was Ingmar Bergman's estate that had sold just two weeks previously. The Christies catalog describes the property as such:

The estate’s four dwellings are set amid a rustic backdrop of dunes, boulders, and tumbling waters....

...Hammars is the main house, secluded along a road that winds through pine forests and quiet meadows. Completed in 1967, it remains an integral part of the island, along with the pebbled shores and luminous sky. Framing gorgeous sea vistas, the residence was designed by architect Kjell Abramson in close collaboration with Bergman himself. The writing lodge is an idyllic two-room timber structure with a magnificent ocean view; it can be seen in the final sequence of the iconic television drama “Scenes from a Marriage.” The serene terrain here is defined by fossils, pine trees, and an undisturbed horizon with ever-changing light.

Situated on an open meadow, Ängen is a comfortable winter retreat house, built in a classic Gotland style by expert craftsmen and offering three bedrooms, a living room with an impressive fireplace, and an inner courtyard that glows with lilacs in summer. Finally, just a short walk from the water is Dämba, a beautifully restored 1854 farmhouse. In an old whitewashed barn situated nearby is Bergman’s private cinema, where he watched films every day." (photos of estate from Christies Properties)

Sven Nykvist (left) and Ingmar Bergman on Faro. Photo: Associated Press

Bergman was arguably one of the most influential filmmakers of the 20th century producing films such as The Seventh Seal, Wild Strawberries, Cries and Whispers and Fanny & Alexander. Bergman fell in love with Faro when he came to the island with legendary cinematographer Sven Nykvist in 1960 to scout for the film Through a Glass Darkly. He says in the film documentary Bergman Island that he felt instantly at at peace on the island as if he had come home. Although Bergman had many marriages (six wives, nine children) the island of Faro seems to me to have been his biggest muse. It is here that he wrote and filmed most of his work and chose to live full time, very much in tune with the island's unique light and rugged beauty. I tried to find pictures of the houses but was unable to come up with much. The rooms are very sparse and to get a good look one should go to the W Magazine video of Bergman's home at: http://www.wmagazine.com/video?videoID=46093135001 .

From left, Ingmar Bergman, Sven Nykvist, Erland Josephson and Liv Ullman filming Scenes from a Marriage. Photo from The Everett Collection.

To live on an island, simply. To live surrounded by books, film projects and with a barn devoted to screening films twice a day. To be so at one with your home that you think nothing of writing notes on the surfaces of your walls and bedside tables. To live with your home as a personal diary and laboratory. This is how Ingmar Bergamn lived - what freedom!

The property is being prepared at the moment for a further creative future! It was bought by the Norwegian inventor, Hans Gude Gudeson and will be turned into an artists' retreat. Linn Ullman, Bergman's daugher with Liv Ullman says of this development, " Faro was a working place and will continue to be. There will be new books written, new films will be develpoed and new projects will be made."

I am so inspired that I may just apply for a grant! Where do you like to live and create?

Do remote islands hold any appeal to you? We'd love to know!

Tara Shaw MAISON Collection now at Eleish van Breems

2009-10-27T10:33:00.039-04:00

"If you want a golden rule to live by, this is it; Have nothing in your house
that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." - William Morris

It's hard to talk about beautiful, useful furniture and not mention Tara Shaw!
Rhonda and I have just returned from book signing events this past weekend at Tara Shaw's New Orleans and Houston stores. I couldn't wait for the professional photos so I am posting a few we snapped on our cell phones. (above: Rhonda, little Kari, Tara, and Edie at Tara's New Orleans store) What a wonderful time we had getting to know Tara and her crew as well as meeting so many of the guests who were aficianados of Swedish design.

The ever stylish Valorie Hart of the visual * vamp blog stopped in at the New Orleans event with Caroline Robert of Perch. ( just look at me there with Valorie...I was blog-star struck!!!) Among the attendees in Houston was Houston designer Jane Moore, whose work is featured in Swedish Country Interiors in the chapter titled White Wisteria. It was so fun to meet and catch up with both of these creative ladies.

Buffer Ergmann, (above) who is Rhonda's talented husband and one half of our book's photography team, mingled with Tara and guests. Seated on gigantic Italian armchairs, Rhonda and I felt like queens as we signed our books, a world away from the usual metal folding chairs we are used to sitting on at most bookstore signings! Tara and guests kept us busy for a while but by the end of the evening we were like kids in a candy store and had broken away to wander amongst all of the antiques.

A l'antiquaire extrordianiare, Tara (pictured here with her handsome whippet, Jack) is also a talented designer and contributing editor for Veranda magazine.We have long admired her bold pieces and serene cream palette. When we heard that she had a decided to take the plunge into manufacturing a reproduction line based on some of her best antiques we were on the phone to New Orleans immediately. Here was a concept for a line that we knew, given Tara's background, was going to be well executed and historically accurate. Actually seeing these pieces in person for the first time was such a treat. We were so impressed with the hand carvings and attention to detail and scale. Tara has done a remarkable job and we are proud to announce that Eleish van Breems is now representing the line!

Many people have covered the MAISON line on thier blogs before us but I just have to point out some of our favorite Swedish inspired pieces! This dropleaf table with demi-lune ends is dynamite. Based on an original Swedish antique slagboard and demi-lunes this is the height of good looks and practicality. The table can fold up entirely or you can keep one leaf up and use as a smaller work desk. The demi lunes look great in any room. When the time comes for an extra table for entertaing all the pieces come together to make for a long dining table. A versatile piece that is the essence of great Swedish traditional furniture design.

When I saw this large rococo mirror I could not tell it was a reproduction until I actualy looked behind it! The hand finishes are what make the difference here.

How easily this chair can mix with authentic antiques.

This is my personal favorite of the antique forms Tara has had manufactured.

The hand carvings on this Swedish Rococo style bench are really exceptional.

There is nothing quite as stunning as a Gustavian barrel back chair. Tara has chosen to have her reproduction barrel back simply uphostered in white canvas with large brass upholstery tacks. Note the delicate front legs and carvings.

For years Rhonda and I have searched for a reproduction Swedish tallcase

clock to carry for our clients but none that we found ever looked right. They were always too clunky, poorly made or the faces were just all wrong. At last perfection! It was worth the wait. Tara based this piece on an antique Swedish clock she had in her store. In real life this clock is breathtaking, perfectly proportioned and the clock face is well done. I particularly love the fact that Tara decided to leave the crack on the door of the original and had it incorporated into the new piece.

So what is next for Tara Shaw MAISON? We hear from Tara that there are always going to be new pieces in the works for the collection. Rhonda and I left New Orleans secretly hoping that this clock secretary from Tara's store there would be used as a model next. How fabulous would this be? What other pieces from her antiques collection would we like to see reproduced?

What about this bookshelf?

And here is a challenge. This staircase would be incredible..... and if Tara is

involved we know nothing is impossible!

For more information on how to buy Tara Shaw MAISON at Eleish van Breems, Ltd. just contact us at evbltd@gmail.com or look at our website http://www.evbantiques.com/. We are sooo excited to offer this amazing furniture to both retail and to the trade.

Congratulations to you, Tara, on a gorgeous collection and many, many thanks

for all of your hospitality!

What ho! Swedish Exercises!

2009-10-15T23:33:00.008-04:00

Happy Birthday to PG Wodehouse! Swedish exercises, Plum's own version of yoga, feature in almost every delightful book the man ever wrote.

Hugh Laurie as Bertie Wooster singing about the King of Sweden:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwgS1ctxglw

Perfection.

2009-10-12T22:03:00.001-04:00

White on White Event

2009-10-12T20:23:00.038-04:00

These little town blues, are melting away...We are back in Manhattan this week at the New York Design Center on Lexington Avenue! (Last week Rhonda and I were hosted at the D & D Building in New York City by Potterton Books and Country Swedish which we promise to cover in another blog post...great things are happening at both.)

The New York Design Center is home to the Swedish furniture company White on White which will be hosting a Swedish Country Interiors book signing and talk in their beautiful showroom. We had the pleasure to feature White on White founder Lena Kaplan's unique office retreat in our last book Swedish Interiors .

This is a photo from Swedish Interiors of Lena's office studio...we should all have a conference table so inviting! Her showrooms at White on White are of similar mood and design. We urge you all to come to the book signing event

this Wednesday, October 14 from 5 -7 p.m. to view the White on White showroom before Lena moves this month after her ten year store anniversary.

A force in the American Scandinavian Foundation and for all things culturally Nordic in Manhattan, Lena has turned her energies over the last few years towards a gallery in TriBeCa called More North.

The More North Gallery is just around the corner from Nobu on North Moore Street (yup. North Moore. More North. You will find it!). The gallery, opened by Lena with two other like-minded friends, is a veritable scandinavian oasis of light, cheer and good design. The focus here is on the Fine Arts with a rotating exhibit of major nordic painters and sculptors.

More North is currently exhibiting the work of Icelandic artist Hjortur Hjartarson from Oct 6 - Dec 6. "Heavily textural works evocative of Turner, Hjartarson's work is laden with precipitation. Each piece is composed of several layers of paint and glaze, inviting the viewer's impulse to scratch his/her way to the bottom layer in pursuit of uncovering secrets hidden beneath the surface. The landscapes possess an enchanting quality of organic decomposition. Several large scale and smaller canvases will be exhibited." For more information on Hjartarson go to http://www.morenorth.com/

The art gallery also carries decorative arts and a good selction of contemporary furniture. The upstairs gallery is punctuated by a dramatic staircase with birch trees seemingly growing through it. As designed by KOKO Architectural Design, you descend the stairs into a birch grove...

of carved out wooden panels. Utterly charming.

We think More North has one of the best playrooms in the city, too, with its wonderful selection of childrens furniture and toys!

Many thanks to Lena for having us to White on White this week and also to Marianne Thorsen, who's weekend retreat is profiled in our new book, for organzing this special event with White on White!

White on White, 200 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 212- 988-9194
(website temporarily out of service)

Rhonda and I look forward to seeing everyone at the Event!

Book Launch Celebration

2009-09-13T20:11:00.025-04:00

We are so excited that Swedish Country Interiors has been released at last! A thank you to all for bearing with our erratic postings during the next several weeks as we begin our book tour. Our posts have been few and far between as we are also busy preparing for the Washington CT Antiques Show coming the first weekend of October. ( the photo above is a sampling of the types of Swedish items we will be featuring in our booth!) We are looking forward to settling into a winter of bringing you some great posts on homes in Sweden as well as around the States - so please keep checking in!

A huge thank you and hug to Valorie Hart at visual * vamp for featuring images from Swedish Country Interiors in her posts this last week! She does a fantastic job of showing how easy it is to inject a dash of Swedish style into your home, no matter what your budget or existing decor. Refreshing, relaxed and natural - a room done with a bit of Swedish style can be totally uplifting. Valorie is always so stylish so we are very flattered to have been covered by her. Read Valorie's super hints on getting a Swedish look at : http://visualvamp.blogspot.com/2009/09/swedish-country-style-look-book.html

The image above is of a Swedish Pool Pavilion designed by Richard Hirschner (photo: Monson/Ergmann) that appears in Swedish Country Interiors.

To learn even more about Swedish Country style we invite you to join us at our very own COUNTRY SWEDISH INTERIORS BOOK LAUNCH CELEBRATION, Saturday, September 26 in Washington Depot, CT. There will be a 1:00 pm Book Signing Kickoff at the legendary HICKORYSTICK BOOKSHOP where we look forward to meeting you! http://www.hickorystickbookshop.com/ Join us afterwards at our ELEISH VAN BREEMS, LTD. Showroom, located down the road at 18 Titus Road, for a lively and colorful 3:00 p.m. presentation on Swedish Country design. Be sure to stop at neighboring Marty's Cafe and pick up a celebratory Ligonberry Smoothie to fuel you on your way!

After our discussion on Swedish Country design we will be hosting a light smorgasbord at our Showroom starting at 4:00 p.m. Space is limited for the talk and smorgasbord so please call or e-mail to let us know you are coming! ( For addresses and more info contact Jamie at Eleish van Breems evbltd@gmail.com 860-868-1200)

We really hope you can join us for any one of these events or to spend the whole day with us in charming Washington Depot. We look forward to seeing you!

Edie & Rhonda

The Splendid Willow Interview

2009-09-05T16:33:00.007-04:00

Read the Splendid Willow design interview of Edie and Rhonda by Monika Claassen where we
discuss our new book, our design style, Fritz Hansen, kitchens, wall colors and some of our design crushes and heroes at: http://splendidwillow.com/

Monika , a self described "design junkie" is the force behind Splendid Willow, one of the few blogs in the States to concern itself almost exclusively with Swedish decor and design. This stylish mother of three is interested in all things "edgy classic with a Swedish twist" and her blog is rife with fine examples of this look. We had crossed paths with Monika many years ago and were absolutely delighted to have gotten back in touch with her through the blog world! Monika is a kindred spirit to us in her passion for spreading the word on Swedish style and we were so honored to have been profiled by her on her truly splendid blog , Splendid Willow~! Thank you, thank you Monika!

E & R

Back to School!

2009-09-03T12:27:00.005-04:00

Lars and Martin went back to school today! They did not look half as styling though as this young Saami man from a 1970's National Geographic issue...

...or as adorable as these Saami children and their teacher in this photo of a Saami school circa 1926. Note the sod hut, turned up shoes and the boys pompom hats. My mother has dolls like this that her Dad brought back to her and her twin brother from his business trips to Stockholm in the 1930's. The northern provinces and Lapland still retained remanents of the their native folk dress even into the mid 20th century, especially in the more remote regions and villages.

Linnaea Borealis

2009-08-16T19:38:00.004-04:00

IMG_4310 - Twinflower, Linnaea borealis, originally uploaded by Hughman being....

King of Flowers

2009-08-13T22:11:00.051-04:00

He still inspires... this man caught between the Baroque and the Enlightenment. I love the fact that Carl Linnaeus set out to define and solve the mysteries of botany and taxonomy while wielding only a swan's feather pen and reading by a seal fat lantern. Totally un-intimidated by the task he set before himself, he never seemed to let geographic isolation in Sweden or his humble beginnings deter him from his vision.

He was very much a man ahead of his time, reporting on the similarities of man to apes (pre-Darwin) and advising the government of Sweden on how to train rice and tea to grow on the tundra - today's version of genetic crop enhancement. The charm of Linneaus definitely lies though in those other ideas and pursuits of his that just did not quite take off or seem very of the period - flower clocks, swallows hibernating under the sea, pearl culture on the Baltic and seeing in the the New World what he believed to be the actual remains of the original Paradise. And who's to say? Nature and God ruled supreme in Linnaeus' world. In "Essay on Man" his contemporary, Alexander Pope, writes:

Slave to no sect, who takes no private road,

But looks, through nature, up to nature's God!

A Swede today who is working very much in tune with nature is landscape

architect Ulf Nordfjell. He has more in common with Linnaeus then you may think, having studied both botany and zoology before becoming one of Sweden's leading landscape architects.

Nordfjell won the coveted Chelsea Flower Show 2009 Gold Medal this year
for a garden (above) that combined Swedish modernism with elements of the classic English cottage garden. Stephen Lacey, noted British Garden journalist describes Nordfjell's style as thus:

- A powerful sense of landscape and ecology

- Plants treated as sculptural objects

- Natural materials

- Modern furniture and design details
- Lean lines and absence of clutter
- Bold contrasts of natural and man made elements

- A garden that changes with the seasons
- Meticulous attention to every aspect of the composition

....well, it doesn't get much more Swedish then that!

In 2007, to celebrate Linnaeus's Tercentenary, Nordfjell designed another Gold Medal winning garden for the Chelsea Flower Show in London called "Tribute to Linaneus". In it he used plants that Linnaeus cultivated himself at Uppsala University and at his private residence in Hammarby as well as native Swedish woodland plants. The overall color theme was white, silver and green with lots of white martagon lilies, vibernum roseum, pine, iris and, of course, Linnaeus' name sake wildflower linnea borealis.

The most subtle combinations become magic in Nordfjell's hands. Here a detail showing a combination of wild ginger ground cover with ferns, white violets and snowdrops.

Here, another example from the "Tribute to Linnaeus" garden. Note how Nordfjell incorporates materials such as steel, art work panels and hard edges into the more traditional planting scheme.

"I think Swedish nature is always present in my garden design." says Nordfjell
in his company profile. " I grew up in the north of Sweden and spent my childhood surrounded by huge woods and streaming rivers. From our house we could savor the scent of Linnaeus' favorite - the twin flower linnea borealis. When they were in bloom the pine trees in the wood there were carpets of them, which is rare even for Sweden."

A few things I'd like more of inspired by Linneaus and Ulf Nordfjell.... since the delicate wild flower linnea borealis most likely won't grow for us in Connecticut, I am going to plant more of the delicate aquilegias - something I know will grow in our woods and gardens. Linneaus studied them extensively ( look at those stamen and pistels!) and the original pressed collection can be found at the Linnean Society of London.

...and I am a bit obsessed with the flower clock idea. Does anyone know any living gardens that have incorporated this into their design?

Linnaeus House, originally uploaded by seadipper.

...and then there is Hammarby that has inspired documentary fabrics and the decoration of countless botanical engraving wallpapered rooms around the world. Wait for another post from Rhonda and I on this and visit the Linnaeus house at http://www.hammarby.uu.se/historia/history.html.

2009-08-12T23:39:00.012-04:00

Its been a tough re-entry for me this week back at Eleish van Breems after a trip out to bucolic Scandia, Minnesota. Its Wednesday and I've only just noticed that all of my Rogers & Goffigon samples are missing ....

My jazz loving, glider pilot boyfriend runs with a group called the Red Wing Soaring Association. I was enticed out on an early morning trip to their Osceola, WI glider port by promises of a hearty breakfast at my favorite stop - the Scandia Cafe. When you arrive at the cafe you are greeted by a giant Dala Horse...

...venture further throughout this charming town and you begin to see the painted Dala Horses everywhere. I love the sense of humor and the total send up of the CowParade that claims to be the world's largest public art event. ( You must have seen this...since its inception in Chicago in 1999 the CowParade has been held in 66 cities on six continents with artists and architects participating to paint their own cow.) The whimsical Dala Horses of Scandia were conceived by the Gammelgarden Museum for a celebration marking Scandia as the first Swedish settlement in Minnesota.

If you are ever in Minnesota the open air Gammelgarden Museum is worth a visit http://www.gammelgardenmuseum.org/ to see how the early settlers lived. Their midsummer celebration with traditional costumes and dances is a much look forwarded to summer activity and destination.

For Love of Linen

2009-08-11T22:25:00.019-04:00

Hi out there to everyone in blog land. Edie has been asking me to make an appearance, and I apologize for not writing sooner. Right now, I am working on a fantastic project in Washington, CT that is in the Gustavian style. Every once in a while, a project comes along that not only is a creative challenge, but also is just a joy to work on.

So, what inspires us when we work on interiors? Fabrics, color, mood, and location set the stage. Sometimes, it is as simple as finding the perfect swatch of fabric, and bingo, the space is defined. Linen is a fabric that I find I come back to again and again when doing design. Sweden, historically is known for its amazing linens ( the image above comes from the Skansen website http://www.skansen.se/ . Skansen musuem in Stockholm actually give demonstrations on the art of linen weaving ) and I love finding antique linen from there to bring back for projects.

For natural, hand woven fabric being made today, I especially love the fabrics of Rogers & Goffigon Ltd.. I love their color palette as well as their wide variety of linens and cottons. They are a perfect fit for Swedish inspired interiors.

Here, a rare photo of the visionary founders of Rogers & Goffigon Ltd., Jamie Gould and Jack Flynn. The partners attention to detail, commitment to fine weaving and eye for quality has made their fabric house a favorite with designers around the world.

Their latest venture is called DeLaney & Long Ltd, , a fabric collection of outdoor quality fabrics. Look at the weave on this - something you don't see often in an outdoor fabric. I can't wait to use it!

Well, its back to the job sight for me. Hopefully I will have a chance to post again soon.

Cheers!

Rhonda

"Swedish Country Interiors" shoots to #1 Design Book on Amazon after Cote de Texas Post

2009-08-06T10:04:00.003-04:00

The surge was swift and strong and Joni Webb has proven again to be not only one of the most generous voices in the blogosphere but also one of the most influential. We are huge fans and have been following her, slipper man and that great zebra rug around breathlessly for awhile now. Thank you Joni! You are the greatest and our other most beautiful blog mentor ! And yes, we know that book ranking fluctuates daily but it was such a thrill to see the pre-sale response to the book after all of our hard work! And the post on Cote de Texas was beyond beautiful. We are totally bowled over.

If you have been lost for some reason in the D & D building for the last few years, have been living under a rock or just simply not a blog reader (its ok...) you can jump into Joni's smart inquiring mind on all things interior design at: http://www.cotedetexas.blogspot.com/ .

We love you Joni! A million thank yous...

xo E & R

Seaside: The Swedish Dream

2009-08-01T16:50:00.040-04:00

I long to spend a last summer day on the balcony of this home we feature in our soon to be released book "Swedish Country Interiors"! The photos shown here are by Peter Aaron of Esto for Robert A.M. Stern Architects (RAMA). When scouting for houses Rhonda and I were lucky enough to have heard of this jewel set on the beach in Seaside, Florida and we immediately contacted Gary Brewer, a partner at RAMA and Partner-in- Charge of the project. Although the firm does not usually take on smaller residences, in this case the clients' vision and an opportunity to design a home located in this New Urbanism landmark community (most famously shown in the Film "The Truman Show") was too much to resist.

Gary, whose wife is Swedish, was very influenced he tells us by the neoclassical inspired buildings in Sweden from the 1890's as well as by the work of the great German neoclassical architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel. But this late 19th century interest in neoclassicism was an echo of even earlier crazes for all things Greek, Roman, Etruscan, that happened throughout the 18th century during the period of Baroque classicism, and later, during the neoclassical movement of the Enlightenment. Sweden's great architects participated actively in all of these movements.

I can't help but notice the similarities between the Seaside house and this most Swedish of Baroque palaces Steninge, designed by Nicodemus Tessin the Younger and completed by him in 1705. We will return to Steninge (and hopefully larger images!) in other postings because it has the most exciting and dynamic history; partly commisioned by Gustav III's mother Queeen Hedvig Eleanora with her good friend Carl Gyllenstierna, owned by Marie Antoinette's lover Axel von Fersen, designed by one of the Tessin dynasty...you get the idea. Tessin was partly educated in Rome and was influenced by the great Italian architects Bernini and Carlo Fontana, as can be seen in the facade of the palace. Le Notre was studying the Italians at the same time and there are great similarites here to Vaux-le-Vicomte in France.

Can you see in this the Seaside house? Columns on the facade of the second story are used in both instances and the roof top balustrade with urns of the castle is repeated in a more modern way on the third story balcony of the Seaside house with a pair of stunning large urns.

Here is a view of the house and its balconies from the sand dunes. Rhonda and I agree - we love that Gary did not paint the roof of the projecting "temple" but left the wood natural - this is so Nordic in feeling.

I wanted to show you another neocloassical Swedish facade that takes it cue from Italianate forms. This is the main building of an iron works in Finland designed by Swedish 18th c. architect Eric Plamsted. Unlike the Steninge palace, which has plastered stone walls, this stucture is made entirely of wood. I love the horizontal clapboarding on the third story and how the white faux columns stand out so crisply against the yellow background. Yellow was favored as a house color by nobility of this time as it mimiced sandstone of the Continent and amazing examples of 18th c. yellow two story buildings can be seen throughout the Swedish and Finnish countryside, exclamation points to the ubiquitous Falun red dwellings. (Photo: Ingalil Snitt from "The Swedish House" by Lars Sjoberg, Monticello, 2007)

The classical look was supremely popular indoors as well. Here is a close up of some paneling from the dining room at Medivi Brunn, Sweden's oldest spa. The wall panels were painted to imitate Italian marble and here again the white columns stand out against the soft yellow ochre background.

Is this not a temple to the sun? The single column was used on the third floor balcony not only as an ode to neoclassicism and Schinkel's work but for a more practical purpose as well. By having a single support column the diagonal views up and down the beach are totally unobstructed and one feels totally at one with the landscape.

An outbuilding at Steninge. I am looking for a book with more pictures of the palace grounds to show you...perhaps in another post.

There is such strength in the wooden temples. Here, is a great example from America's own Greek Revival Movement that is located right down the road from our old location in Woodbury, CT. This is the King Solomon's Temple built in the 1830's and what you can't see in the photo is that it is set on top of a mammoth piece of rock. Very dramatic! Throughout all of these classical revivals, from Northern Sweden to Federal America, men were trying to evoke and align themselves with the nobler qualites associated with antiquity....

such as equality, natural order, dignity....in short, THE IDEAL. How do you feel when you see neoclassical influenced design?

"Swedish Country Interiors" receives 1st Blog Review

2009-07-31T20:48:00.010-04:00

Many thanks to two superb blog writers who have so graciously taken the time
to advise us on the "Way of the Blog" and how to better reach our readers through this exciting medium of blogging.

The first is Valorie Hart of Visual * Vamp! The blog of this talented writer, designer and stylist resonates with Rhonda and I deeply because we both studied dance in and around New York and Valorie is a New York dancer
goddess extrordinaire. The Tango!

The Argentine Tango is her dance. We long to go to New Orleans one day and become your students, Valorie! If you are not familiar with the Valorie's site, Visual * Vamp http://visualvamp.blogspot.com/, go immediately ! Thank you Valorie for the review and all of your support !

xxo E & R

We'll tell you next week who our other Super Blogger advisor is. Hmmm. Can we wait that long?

Can we resist telling you that Swedish writer Henning Mankel wrote The Return of the Dancemaster in 2004 about a tango enthusiast who finds the dance figuring prominantly in a grisly murder mystery...http://www.mysteryinkonline.com/2005/01/mankell_henning.html ?

Swedish Floral in Los Angeles

2009-07-27T14:50:00.017-04:00

Those who mourned deeply when Swedish antiques dealer Linda Kennedy decided to move on to other things from her eponymous store Chloe Decor, L.A. a few years ago have good reason to celebrate!

Linda is back... her amazing eye and talent now focused exclusively on floral design! You may recall that Linda and her husband Lindsay's home were featured in our book "Swedish Interiors" and that this grey gustavian dropleaf table in the photo above was highlighted. The Kennedys have since moved but Linda chose to bring this very special table with her and we are glad she did - look how beautiful her vases look all lined up on this rustic country piece.

Anyone who knows Linda knows that she has always had an inspired eye when it comes to design and florals. Her fresh, simple bold arrangements shown in the book were so inspiring as to have spawned a run on Casa Blanca Lilies when the book was released, not to mention a brisk demand for Swedish antique containers at our store in Connecticut!

Last year, Linda decided to take the plunge and take up her floral passion professionallly and has since finished studying in New York. Back in Los Angeles now fulltime, she is in demand with both industry event planners and young Santa Monica brides. One can see why in these photos sent to Rhonda and I the other day.

The look is fresh and, as befits Linda's Swedish sensibility, the unexpected wildflowers and grasses of nature give her work a sense of spontanaity, as if

she just went outside, clipped a few things and brought the outdoors in. Here, notice the grasses floating above the bouquets.

So delicate - anemones, geranium leaf and jasmine mixed with roses. Heavenly.

Congratultions to you Linda on your new enterprise! We wish you all success !

xoo E & R

Gingham Icon

2009-07-25T16:59:00.004-04:00

Just for fun we searched for a Swedish icon in gingham - Liv Ullman, Ingrid Bergman, the Abba girls - to no avail. Swedish American movie stars like Maggie Gyllenhal and gorgeous Uma Thurman fell short as well. The girl in gingham icon award goes to Brigitte Bardot, oui? In the late fifties she single -handedly put gingham back on the map (the towels would come later) with looks like this in Paris Match.

Here is BB at her 1959 wedding to Jacques Charrier in a pink and white gingham dress by designer Jacques Esterel. But she was wearing gingham
even a few years back, in 1956-57, when she was dating jazz guitarist Sacha Distel.

It is hard to tell in this black & white AP photo of the lovers but the dress is blue gingham. She and Sacha recorded together and one can imagine her following him around on tour; a big stop on the European jazz circuit being Stockholm. The 2nd track on Sacha Distel's Midnight in Paris from this period with Bardot is titled Lunchtime in Stockholm...really! She must have loved Sweden because it was the country she threatend to move to during her fractious animal rights fight with France.

Who would you meet for lunchtime in Stockholm?

Country Casual Gingham

2009-07-20T16:05:00.004-04:00

Back to Gingham after a brief digression into Swedish jazz.... Until the middle of the eighteenth century gingham was often used in aristocratic homes and castles to cover the furniture in the off season when the residence would be empty. It was in the Gustavian period that we start to see gingham being used by the ever practical Swedes as slipcovers and upholstery for everyday. Did you know that until the mid-18th century the word "gingham" referred most often to a heavy weave striped cotton, such as that used in Carl and Karin Larsson's home in New Sundborn? The watercolor by Carl, pictured above, of this "lazy corner" perfectly captures the lived in casual feel that slipcovers can impart.

Here is a great example of Gingham done up as a casual slipcover and cushion upholstery from Enrica Stabile's book "Comfortable Country" (Ryland, Paters & Small, 2001) with photography by Christopher Drake. The room is from designer Barbara Davis' home in upstate New York. The gingham cover makes the couch relaxed and so inviting and one can picture oneself sprawling out on it with children and dogs after a long day outside - or with a book (or with a boyfriend listening to Swedish jazz? hmmm.). Note the roll shade over the window done in the same fabric - this is often typical of Swedish design to have the same fabric repeated throughout a room and Barbara gets it just right here. We love the herbs and widflowers cut from the garden too - so fresh looking and easy to do if you want to add a quick pick me up to a room.

Stockholm Jazz Festival

2009-07-18T21:47:00.013-04:00

"They teach you there's a boundary line to music. But, man, there's no boundary line to art." - Charlie Parker

This weekend we are following the Stockholm Jazz Festival ! To read about the line up of Swedish and International talent check out

http://www.stockholmjazz.com/nyheter. The up and coming Jonas Kulhalmmer Quartet is back in Sweden at the Jazz Festival fresh off of playing in our own New York and Washington DC's Kennedy Center. We are playing music by them in the showroom today... a well designed space is always deserving of great music!

Stockholm venues are intimate and if you have never gone to a concert, let alone a jazz concert, in this great city we encourage you to delve in and experience a treat. Bird and his wonder Quintet may be no longer but the legacy lives on this weekend at the Stockholm Jazz Festival.

Gingham Fresh

2009-07-08T22:59:00.003-04:00

Ginggang from the Malay! Gingang from the Dutch! Gingham from the English weavers of Manchester! Whatever its origins or proper name we love Gingham. Gingham has been used in Sweden to striking effect since the 18th century. We love the modern dash that a bold gingham can give to a room and how it can transform even the most formal piece of furniture into a welcoming seat. Here in my sitting room is a transitional Rococo - Gustavian Swedish settee from 1766. It was one of the first important pieces of Swedish furniture I ever bought and I love it to this day. The deep bold blue gingham is Swedish and I have never, despite much inquiry, been able to source the fabric. Any one? The closest match Rhonda and I have found is a Waverly fabric. This photo is from a dream shoot in my own home with two of the most stylish men I've ever met - Photo by Simon Upton and produced by Miguel Flores-Vianna for House Beautiful. How lucky!

Welcome to our new Blog!

2009-07-07T21:35:00.003-04:00

We are thrilled to announce the release of our second book, Swedish Country Interiors (Gibbs Smith, 2009) has been slated for September 1st this fall! In this book we travelled the country from New Hampshire to Los Angeles covering homes whose design premise was inspired by the country style of Sweden. Rhonda and I are so very grateful to all of the wonderful homeowners, designers and Swedish specialists who opened their homes and hearts to us and shared their mutual love of Swedish Country. It was an amazing experience and we feel as if it is only the begining of a discusion on all things related to Swedish design.

There is so much more that we would like share with our readers that space in our books, Swedish Interiors and Swedish Country Interiors simply didn't allow! In this blog we would like to futher explore the architecture, decorative arts, antiques, culture and lifestyle of Sweden that all combine to create what we know as "swedish style". Here you will also find where we take our inspiration for our design work and explore along with us as we pusue our more personal passions - garden, literature, cuisine, travel and entertaining .

Welcome to our journey ~ !

E & R