Svenska dansband (Swedish dance bands)

Before I go away for the weekend (offline) I thought I'd serve you a little treat. If you have a connection to Scandinavia you might be aware of the phenomenon of 'dansband'. If not, you can read more about it at the end of this post.

The photos are from the book Svenska Dansband (which can be ordered for only SEK 59,-/about $10 at Bokus - they deliver Internationally. Totally worth the investment). If you have some spare time (like a couple of weeks) and would like to see a lot more dansband photos, log on to www.svenskadansband.se where you can browse some 6800+ images. In alphabetical order. Enjoy!

Top of the props.

I wonder if these suits were reversable.

Someone must have thought tie-dyed women's blouses would look really cool on a man band.

One of my favorites. Probably because I wore something similar in the early 70's. When I was 4 or 5.

Nice placing of the names. But where's Danny himself?

I wonder what the concept was behind this shoot.

Love the combination of the extreme golden platform boots juxtaposed with the barn in the background. Agriculture meets glam rock.

A great portrait. And the name is so ahead of its time. Sex and the City eat your heart out.

What can I say? The shoes, guys...

No comment.

I fear these guys were posing on quick sand.

The guy to the far right keeps intriguing me. Never seen anything like it.

And now for the Klimax.

This one's been doing the internet rounds for years, but it's kind of like the mother of all dansband pics so I simply had to include it:

Some background stuff: The golden age of Swedish dance bands were in the late 60's- early 80's. These photos were printed on postcards that were handed out to the fans during concerts. Now collecter's items (of course). The bands played in 'Folkparks' and hotel bars mostly and were hugely popular. The Scandinavian people must have really been into dancing back then (we're talking swing type), because there were such a huge number of these bands about. The outrageous costumes came about not only for style impact but for something as banal as tax purposes; In order to be able to write the bands' stage clothes off on their tax, they had to pass as 'fancy dress'.

Have a nice weekend!

New old bits and bobs

Was I pleased when I found these two the other day. Yes, I was. The large vase is most likely a Bitossi, the smaller one is by John Anderson for Höganäs. Dare I say how much I paid for them..? The equivalent of $10. Yup :-)

On a more kitschy note (but not any less lovely), I also got these items: ice bucket of unknow make, mug by Staffordshire Potteries and a small creamer by Figgjo Flint with a pattern called Safran. Great mustardy 60s/70s colour.

London purchases

I said I would post some pictures from my London purchases shortly... Erhmm, well, it took a bit longer than expected. But here they are:

Melamine cups from London Transport Museum.
Designer: Michelle Mason
(check out all her cool products on her web site michellemason.co.uk)

Another mug from London Transport Museum.
I spent a bit longer than expected on this new tube line called the Overground,
so I thought the cup was not just a great design but also a nice memento.

Here's a close-up of the actual fabric pattern that is used on the seats on this line:

This big brass ring is a purchase from Spitalfields market, off Brick Lane. It is an area of London I hadn't previously explored, and I really enjoyed the market stalls there. Lots of great stuff including vintage clothes and accessories.

Traditional tweed patterns in a new way. Irish rather than English, but heck... looks very To The Manor Born to me :-) I'm sure it will go nicely with my classic duffel coat in the fall.
From Hanna Hats.

Homeward bound

Just a quick post to let you know I'm back from London. The trip ticked all the right boxes for me with the Flight of the Conchords show at Wembley Arena topping everything off. (It was beyond hilarious.)

A London purchases and inspiration post will follow shortly. For now you'll have to settle for a couple of 'coming home' images.

Head in the clouds.

Arriving at Aker Brygge by midnight and a full moon.

Guess where, guess what?

I'm going away for a couple of days this coming week...

Left: Sightseeing Bus Tours by Victor Galbraith, 1960.
Right: Sightsee London by Abram Games, 1968.
(I was lucky to witness this fantastic artist give a lecture at Ravensbourne college back in the early 90's).

And I will be seeing these guys :-)



Have a nice weekend!

Scrapbook inspiration

I've been keeping scrapbooks with pages from interior magazines for quite a few years now. Every now and then I flick through them and I still love what I see. Here are some of the pictures that were quite influential when we decorated our house.

Vintage scandinavian front doors

These photos were taken by my dad at a building fair ca. mid 1960s. They don't make them like this anymore.

Sweet Paul Magazine – first issue out now

My friend Paul Løwe has published the first issue of his very own online magazine Sweet Paul. Hooray! Congratulations are in order! It looks stunning, and is full of great receipts as well as tips on decorations. There are lots of funny little stories in there too – all from Paul's life and love for food. You can check it all out here.





Paul enjoyed a very successful career as a food- and interior stylist (and author of many great cook books) here in Norway. Then, about 3 years ago he decided to try his luck in New York. It looks to me like he's done all right for himself so far :-) Way to go, Paul! XOXO

Funky Friday

Wishing you all a jolly nice spring weekend!
This is one of my all time favorites – Funkin' for Jamaica by Tom Browne.

New vintage finds

A week and a half since my last post... Not good. Sorry, folks! Hopefully I will be a bit more active posting as my work schedule is significantly reduced at the moment.

Fleamarket high season has just been, and I purchased these bits (and then some):

Arabia or Finel coffee pot (not stamped). I've been looking for this for a looong time...

Small ceramic dishes (ashtrays, probably) by Norwegian ceramist Konrad Galaaen
for Porsgrund.

I've featured this ashtray/dish before, but now it has a big and wonderful vase to accompany it. Both by Norwegian ceramist Finn Hald.

Now, this hanging disc decoration is signed, but I can't make out the name. I'm not sure I love it, but I think it might grow on me...

Cabin fever

I have seen a lot of nice cabin interior images, but I think this one beats most of them. Love the plywood walls and the mix of Ikea and Eames furniture.

I'm sure my Arabia Ruska collection would be perfect in this cabin environment :-)

OK, so I don't own this whole collection. I wish, though.

In good company with Marimekko

The design team behind this new Marimekko table set have really been clever. All the various pattern designs can be mixed and matched to your own liking - and it will never clash. It makes you want to buy it ALL – at least that's the effect it has on me. Maybe just as well I can't afford it. Or make room for it.

These are some of my favorite patterns and dishes from the series. Make sure you go over to the Marimekko website to see the rest.

I will buy this and put it on the wall, I think.

I got this one :-)

Thank God it's Friday. Now boogie.

Can't get this one out of my head. Have a funky weekend!

Spring at Marimekko

These are my favorite dresses from the Marimekko spring/summer 2010 collection:

Above left: Uma 1 dress designed by Samu-Jussi Koksi, Unikko pattern.
Above right: Basilika dress designed by Mika Piirainen, Keisarin puutarhassa pattern.

Above left: Fold dress by Rinne Niinikoski, Dart pattern.
Above right: Launa dress by Mika Piirainen, Lanketti pattern.

Favorite Marimekko accessories:

'Travel case' by Virva Launo.

Lanketti umbrella by Mika Piirainen.

Happy Easter!

Hope you're having a nice Easter. I'm about to make crème brûlée for our dinner guests tonight - that will be the grown-ups sweet treat – these eggs are for the kids.