Today's story is brought to you by the letter "Z"

Zeitraum

is a German firm which specializes in product design

 and furniture sales/distribution.

  Pieces are made in Germany, Austria, Italy and Spain from solid hardwood.

   Their wood is harvested from renewable forests, 

 with no chemicals other than beeswax (and elbow grease !)

 added to bring out the beauty in their products.

Swedish firm Zweed

was founded in early 2010 by  Håkan Johansson.

 Their intent is to produce quality hand-crafted pieces of furniture 

which are progressive in design, and timeless in style.

  Pieces are customizable to fit your decor.

 (via Hypebeast.com)

Design Monday - Sanna Annukka

Illustrator  and print-maker  -Sanna Annukka-  has a love for nature and folklore.

The  forest, lakes and wildlife of northern Finland provide a constant source of
inspiration for her.

She was 'discovered' by the British band Keane in 2006 -

and when the London-based creative agency - Big Active - included her as one of
their represented artists -

 her career took flight.

  Her work has been commissioned by Apple / iTunes, British Vogue, and Marimekko to name but a few.  She also is working on her own product line including her first -
 (of many, we hope)
 children's picture book.

studio pic via designspongeonline

Design Monday - Photographer Mikkel Adsbol

Mikkel Adsbol always wanted to be a chef.

Then, at the grand old age of 15 (ninth grade) he discovered the world through a photographic lens,

and he abandoned his culinary dreams.

From his studio in Copenhagen, he shoots amazing photographs for 

commercial clients and editorial media.

His areas of specialty are travel, food and people,  and lifestyle photography.

We are particularly fond of his take on the latter.

Klas Fahlen

Art.

Serious stuff.

Something to be admired - from a distance,

to be carefully curated,

and carefully cleaned

 to that we say

HOOEY !

Sometimes,

 art is intended 

to inject levity into our lives.

To tickle our funny bones, so to speak.

These illustrations by

Klas Fahlen 

may just do the trick-

Enjoy !

Design Monday - We're Moving to Sweden !

Fun facts about Sweden:

Ice-cream comes in rhubarb and blueberry flavours, and is NEVER fluorescent !

all employees - even new graduates - get 5 weeks paid vacation per year

the sun rises at 3:30am in the summer, and sets at 3:30pm in the winter,

and roughly 20% of the country's police stations 

close in the summer time

because everyone is on vacation !

So, just in case you decide to move to Sweden,

Alvhemmakleri is just the broker you need.

These beautiful images of

property listings past and present,

have us planning our flight itineraries

even as we type !

Facts provided by David Black Schaeffer 

http://cva.stanford.edu/people/davidbbs/swedish_facts.html

The " Swedish Mid-Century Beach House " Look

Photography by Rachel Whiting 

If I had to describe my favourite look for a room

this would be it.

Not shabby in its chic-ness,

nor purely Panton nor Eames in its intent,

but beautiful punches of colour on a pure white background.

I think I'm in love !