Coffee time again

Some days the cupboard looks better than others. Which cup to pick this time..? (I went for the pale blue one designed by Mette from Scusi :-)

A little artist's work

However trendy it is with fluorescent colors these days, I can't say I was too pleased to come home and find my desk looking like this... Stick to the paper, boy. The p-a-p-e-r.

City - the chair

This is an old favorite of mine. It's called City and was designed in 1954 by Norwegian designer Øivind Iversen. It was his final degree piece while studying at Statens Kunst og Håndtverkskole, and the first bent plywood chair to be produced in this country (the production factory was Møre Lenestolfabrikk in Ørsta). It was one of the first standard products offered up to buyers of public and private places of gatherings.

After having been away from the market for years, the City chair was put back into production again a few years ago and available in retail. I am lucky enough to have some vintage ones, most of them derived from my mother's old workplace (a hospital). Some or them were rather damaged and in need of some tender loving care - I sanded them down and painted them. I used them for a long time but they're now in storage - waiting for the next round. (Hence the production photos and not my private ones.) At the time I was dreaming of owning Arne Jacobsens 'Ant' or 'Syveren' chairs, but now I'd rather have these. Preferably in walnut...

Rundt bordet - cook book

I've been to a book launch today for the Norwegian cook book 'Rundt bordet' (Around the table) by photographer couple Nina Dreyer Hensley and Jim Hensley + stylist Ann Kristine Wang. The 230-page book is full of beautiful images and simple recipes for healthy everyday meals – great for busy families. It should be a hit! Big thank you to Nina for the invitation and my book sample. I promise to use it. A lot!

The Orla obsession continues

Frankie got me this chocolate box from Orla Kiely in London. Yummy! Top notch all the way.



Shouldn't really be a problem...

70s sunglasses

Remember these? Foldable sunglasses... Have a sunny weekend everyone! (I think I'll dig out my vintage Ray-Ban Wayfarers, though.)

70’s color combo brown and orange

I'll start my blog week with a little color for you. I think these practically scream 1970’s: two vintage mugs from Staffordshire, England and a vintage tin of unknown make. When I grew up my mum had a full set of the dark brown mugs (some with green pattern also, I seem to remember), but has later gotten rid of them. I found this one on ebay.

Blog statistics

I never tire of looking at my blog statistics and ponder on all my readers. You know who you are.

Made to order

Two of my best customers are the girls behind SCUSI. They ordered these two a long time ago, and I finally got around to sewing them. Thanks for being so patient, girls!

The curtain game

My two-year-old loves playing in the curtains. And shifting that floral pouf around.

Cross stitch on pottery

A rather unusual type of decor on pottery this, I think. It looks both royal, folksy and childish at the same time. The design is called Menu and it is - you guessed it - another Figgjo product. Now I need to find a pot for that lid...

Kasthall rugs

Swedish rug company Kasthall has some fantastic products. Their head of design, Gunilla Lagerhem Ullberg is the creator behind the first 3 rugs pictured here; Daisy, Spectra and Nova. The bottom rug, Tun, is sold by the meter and is intended for hallways etc. Comes in great 50’s colors (which I will come back to in a later post). Johan Carpner is the designer.

Lotta Kühlhorn

I saw some of Lotta Kühlhorn’s designs at Designtorget a while back, and have been meaning to look her up. I wish I'd done it sooner! Love her apples and cherries especially, but also her book covers and illustration work.

Pink and orange

This kind of blends in well with the colors in the previous post. (Our two-year old likes parking his cars on the back rest of the sofa.)

Vintage Norwegian album covers

Every now and again I come across some vintage records with great sleeve designs. Here are two Norwegian ones - the top one,"Rosemalt Sound" is from 1967 and is designed by Chris White. White is originally from England where he studied in the mid- to late 1950s, then moved to Norway at some point, and is still living here. The second album, "Pirion" is from 1968 and designed by Peter Haars. Haars died in 2005, came from Germany originally, and became an important contributor to Norwegian graphic design in the 1960s and -70s. One of his biggest influences was Pop Art. I found this book cover collection of his on flickr.

PS: In case you wonder about the music on these albums, Rosemalt sound is jazzy folksy music and Pirion is a childrens album by singer songwriter Alf Prøysen.

Icicles

These daggers of ice are currently hanging outside our home office window.

Emalox II

...and here's my Emalox collection:


Tips: If you have any Emalox items, don't put them in the dishwasher, don't cut on them and if you serve salad in the light colored bowls, skip the red onion...

Emalox

The previous post got me thinking about Emalox. There's not much info out there in cyberspace (at least not in English) so I thought I'd try and fill the gap somewhat.


I've collected a bit of vintage Emalox bowls over the years, because of their simple shapes and great lustrous colors. The designer of these bowls was Bjørn Engø, originally a furniture designer. In the mid 1950s Engø started designing bowls, plates and ashtrays in enameled aluminum for Emalox at Ryen in Oslo. The basic forms of these products, and their fresh colors became very popular and are today sought-after collectors items. Emalox’ Grey Series was awarded a prize for good Norwegian design in 1967, and was then expanded to also be produced in other colors. The jury stated that they 'considered the grey, yellow and light green series to be the producer's best'.

A more well-known contemporary of Bjørn Engø is Grete Prytz Kittelsen. She is arguably most famous for the Lotus range (pots, pans and bowls) for Cathrineholm, but is originally a jewelery artist specialized in enameling works.

Images borrowed from Norsk Designråd (The Norwegian Design Council).

Figgjo fajanse Barcarole

I've been on the lookout for this pattern by Figgjo for some time – it's called Barcarole. I love the color combination. Seeing as I collect little lidded pots, I was very pleased that I managed to bargain this online.

PS. If you wonder about the orange lighter in the picture, it's a vintage Emalox design.

Staffordshire pottery cups

These are my new favorite cups. I found them on ebay. Need I say that I was happy?

Norwegian winter

Just a couple of snapshots from my doorstep this weekend.

I've been tagged

The lovely Biba over at Inspiration Bubble tagged me. These are the rules: Write 6 random things about myself, link the person who tagged you, post the rules. Tag six people and link them. Let them know they have been tagged.

So, here goes:

1. I'm a compulsive shopper of pottery with retro patterns. (As you might have realized if you've visited this blog before).

2. I hope to someday make use of all the pattern inspiration I have gathered up and try to make some patterns myself. Fabric print, possibly.


3. Almost all my furniture is either Ikea or vintage finds/hand-me-downs.

4. I've become addicted to coffee (just as well I have enough cups to support my addiction).

5. I hope to one day own an Eames rocker, preferably with a greyish glassfibre seat and waltnut runners.

6. I procrastinate.

I would like to tag the following people: Heather at Skinny Laminx, H is for Home Harbinger, Marie at Marie In Wonderland, Paul at Sweet Paul, Uncle Beefy at The Bedlam of Beefy and Francesca at Mrs Eliot Books.

Textured glass

Amongst my collections is a bit of textured clear glass. I have only recently started collecting Iittala's Ultima Thule range, but I already have a 24-piece set of vintage wine glasses in a similar design (make unknown). The other items in this style that are filling up my cupboards, are candle sticks, vases and ashtrays. These types of glass items were very popular in Scandinavia in the 70s.

Tomorrow is yet another trip to the fleamarket. Can't wait..

Pretty in blue (and gold)

Sometimes items come my way that isn't really my style, but I still like them enough to hang on to them. This pretty dove blue and gold Egersund teapot being the most recent example. I inherited it from an old aunt of mine, together with the sorbet glasses. The teapot will not be used, but on display in the kitchen, however.

Sebastien Tellier

I went to see Sebastien Tellier live in concert at Blå in Oslo on Tuesday night. I really like this video of his, "Broadway".

Sunshine at last

This is my neighborhood today. It's great to finally see some sunlight again. Don't think we saw it at all through January. Bring on spring!