Vaxholm love

If you are ever in Stockholm and have a spare day - Vaxholm is a must. Surprisingly I can't find any proper site which would introduce the island more officially in English, so now it's only my babble about the place ;). It is pure fantastic!

The island is located north of Stockholm, and can be easily reached by car, by bus or by ferry (check http://www.waxholmsbolaget.se/) leaving from Stockholm city center. The ferries are only extremely full, so be sure to be there on time!

This house pictured above, and in the very first photo, is my favorite. I see myself living there so easily :)! It's like - there's nothing wrong with the house, admiring it from the outside every time I have a chance to visit the island.

Other than wandering around in the town and admiring the scenery, Vaxholm truly offers everything needed for a visitor. There is a nice hotel. There's number of good restaurants and cafes. Small shops, some of them my favorites. Like Magasinet i Waxholm (with a nice restaurant).

But usually - nice lunch, and a walk on the narrow roads does it for me. Enjoy :)!

Some red:

And some pink, of course :):

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Mummonmökki, puutalo, syreeni

Spring love

Pink blossom

Does it happen to you that during spring, when the nature wakes up, you have a desperate need to be part of it somehow? Happens to me  - every year. I start running. During the winter it is more the gym, or some treadmill action indoors, but when the first sunny mornings hit in March - I am OUT!

Pink blossom by the library

Right now it must be prettiest time of all here in our neighborhood. There is a variety of trees with absolutely gorgeous pink blossoms! Now I have no idea what they are, but they are pretty. Need to stop at least 3 times during each jog and just ADMIRE the scene above me. Fab.

The above beauty is on our neighbors yard, just by our driveway. It is a nice entrance and exit way, isn't it?

Apple blossom

Running under this apple tree every morning makes my day :). Have a beautiful Saturday!

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vaaleanpunaiset kukinnot, omenapuu, omenapuun kukka

Le Creuset in Sweden!

Le Creuset

Running through the Barkarby outlet today I run into Le Creuset shop!! In Sweden!! Just yesterday I was visiting one home decor store and discussing with the owner that very few shops in Sweden have a good selection of Le Creuset products. But now - <3.

Le Creuset was established in France in 1925, producing porcelain enameled cast iron pots. Going through tough times during World War II, they kicked off again after the war. Le Creuset has continued to use the hand-crafted techniques and the original process of forging and casting in the manufacturing of its cookware until today. And the products are just gorgeous.

Le Creuset

Le Creuset

Le Creuset

Here some green:

Le Creuset

Le Creuset

And the funniest little pots in all bright colors :):

Le Creuset

Le Creuset

Don't they just make you smile ;)?

Summer dining

I love those small tags by On Interiör <3. If you have candles at a dinner table decorated with these, I bet even the food tastes perfect ;). Spiced up with happiness. Who wouldn't like statements like 'life is beautiful' and 'dreams are free'. Or 'follow your dreams'.

We found some new use for an antique pastry board - in the old times in Finland, when the kitchens weren't so functional like nowadays, the bread was raised with leaven on top of these boards. We thought it made a really nice base for any kind of a low-level centerpiece!

Having matching blankets for those who get cold easily (yes, I raise my hand ;)) as the evening gets cooler, adds nicely to the atmosphere.

I wish you all beautiful outdoor dining this summer!

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kesäjuhlat, kattaus, kesäjuhlien kattaus, syöminen ulkona

Shopping love

Keep calm and go shopping

Riikka went shopping. Yes, in my own warehouse. I wouldn't dare to show you the pictures of the pile delivered to me. A bit embarrassing, even.

But what can I do, seriously, if I haven't bought ANYTHING for my own home for almost a year, as I've been able to satisfy my shopping needs by shopping to Weranna's Warehouse? I mean, it needs to come out EVENTUALLY, right?

And - furthermore - when I shop to the store, or design products, there isn't too many strategies behind it. A couple of simple facts rule - if it meets Weranna's standards, and if I would love to have this in my house, or at our summer house, it may very well be sold in the shop. So it is not very surprising that when I go shopping, it is quite a few items that I just HAVE TO have?

Well, when doing my order, I met with ridiculous dysfunctionalities (does such a word exist? Blogger don't think so) in the shop. I mean - really!! If it weren't mine, I would've not gone through with the process. Like the 'continue shopping' button in the shopping basket - it didn't work!!! Imagine that. And the search field - nothing existed in the store. Some 1 Kenana product, that's it.

Please accept my apologies - I thee promise I will be shopping there more often (:))). Well - everything is now fixed, and you may very well go shopping and I promise, it works now.  And please please please - if you see strangeties (perhaps that word doesn't exist either?), please inform me at info(at)werannas.com - you will receive something nice as a thank you :)!!

Inspired by Linen

Balmuir linen love

Don't need to look too far to understand, that my current material obsession is linen! Kitchen carpet. Curtains. Cushions (with a cute bow, OF COURSE). A Throw. Table linen (and the runner on top of it, I might add). Kitchen towels. Napkins. I've been even drooling over the Balmuir linen sheets (pictured above) for a while, perhaps time to get those, as well. Then I have basically surrounded me with linen <3.

Balmuir bedlinen

As traditionally the home textiles were made of linen, the name itself 'linens' still remains, even if the products themselves are made of cotton or other material. Linen fiber itself is exceptionally durable, some of the oldest textiles from ancient times found in the world are made of linen.  The characteristics of linen, durability, short drying time and heat endurance, even slightly antibacterial qualities, provide simply the most delicious home textile you can dream of. Perhaps not the best fabric for upholstery, as it stretches, but for anything else - yes. 

Our large linen carpet in kitchen really made me smile the other day - our youngest had hidden something underneath, and when taken out, the carpet was slightly stretched. So I figured - I will just make it a little damp with water, as linen is supposed to shrink, and literally as you watch. And it did :)! And I thought - yes, finally a product which does EXACTLY what it should :).

I wouldn't be me, if I wasn't all interested in the production of linen yarn, but perhaps I won't go there this time. The process has steps like winnowing, retting, scutching and heckling - sounds fascinating, doesn't it ;)? The equipment used in the old days are pictured in the below photos. Read more for example in Wikipedia.

Linen production in the old days

We have a bunch of linen products in the shop (obviously) - click here. 

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pellava, pellavanvalmistus, pellavatekstiilit, kodintekstiilit

Wonderful Rice

Funky Rice

Do I need to say more :)? 'Everyday magic', like ELLE decoration puts it. 'We want you to be happy when washing, cleaning, baking and relaxing in your home', like Rice puts it.

Rice was established in 1998 in Denmark, and supports UN Global Compact, the 10 principles in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption:

Human Rights

• Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and
• Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.  

Labour

• Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
• Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
• Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour; and
• Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
   

Environment

• Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
• Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
• Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.   

Anti-Corruption

• Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery. 

Rice was the first Scandinavian company certified with the SA8000 standard based on their projects with the suppliers around the world. SA8000 is one of the world's first auditable social certification standards for decent workplaces, across all industrial sectors. It is based on conventions of the ILO, UN and national laws. If you wish, you can read more HERE.

As part of their production, Rice has projects helping local communities for example in Madagascar. They have a project for street children in New Delhi, and their colorful melamine products are made in Rice Thailand in Chiang Mai, ensuring even better working conditions than stipulated in the national labour law.

Funky AND Fabulous. Please visit http://www.werannas.com/en/kitchen-and-storage.html to see the timeless Rice products we currently have in our selection.

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säilytyskori, säilytys, keittiötarvikkeet, keittiö

a bit about Weranna's Warehouse

In touch with some Nepalese friends again yesterday, and thought  - I should! I should actually tell you some more about the wonderful organizations and people I have the pleasure to work with. Because whenever I hear from them, I honestly, sincerely, feel good. And smile :). Well, who wouldn't smile when for example the wonderful Nepalese people contact you. They always have only positive and sunny things to say, however hard the situation might be ;), but anyway.

A couple of times I've already written about Samantha Holmes and her wonderful projects around Alpaca and knitted accessories. She's such a sweetheart (can you call a successful business woman that, I wonder?), and therefore it is easy to write a word or two every now and then about her :).

But - there are many wonderful suppliers I feel privileged to work with. Rice, for one. Kenana Knitter Critters (the owl which I'm in love with, everyone knows that) and their beautiful, successful project in Kenya. You will be hearing a lot more about this one in the coming weeks, I promise :). Then there's Balmuir with their luxurious home decoration items. Himla - Swedish home textiles brand supporting the textile industry in Europe by still having their textiles made here. Respect to them. Guthaben - recycling old wood gathered around Cape Town in South Africa and using the local communities to make wonderful picture frames and storage boxes. Fabric Copenhagen - received their delivery yesterday, true luxury throws and cushions made of Vietnamese silk. I opened the large box and tears came to my eyes when I felt the light scent of Vietnam  - scents of my childhood. Chin Thay, On Interiör, Sokevan Käsityö, Blockwallah, Chakra...

Last, but I don't feel least, I would like to mention Cottonhut - Weranna's own 'hut' for some treasures. Working with local Finnish artisans and small enterprises, as well as fair-trade and charity organizations all over the world. I would like to share some details on these projects, as well.

During May you will be hearing a little more of each partner, and merely the reasons why we've chosen to work with them. And with some, it feels like - they somehow chose Weranna's :).

Have a beautiful Saturday - after heavy rain on-off all day, we see the sun here in Stockholm, as well :)!

Meg Ryan love

How many times have you seen Sleepless in Seattle or You've Got Mail? I've seen them perhaps - 50 times? I'm not sure how many times it requires to know them by heart, but somewhere around that number. I just love Meg Ryan, or merely the roles she plays <3! A little ding-dong lady high on life, enjoying daisies and a nice cup of tea.

Some time ago I was googling for some Martha's Vineyard homes, and saw in a few blogs this Elle Decor article written in 2010 about Meg Ryan's house in Martha's Vineyard. Lovely!! Just the kind of home I would imagine her having, actually.

She also shared her home decor tips - you can read them here.

And the bedrooms:

Pure - lovely, like her :). You can find the images together with some other WOW homes images in http://pinterest.com/weranna/wow-homes/ - I gather inspiration there when I think the whole home is absolutely stunning. Enjoy :)!

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unelmakoti, kaunis koti

I forgot about travel

I've written before about Samantha Holmes, a great lady steering a brand just like her. We just got her travel shawls to the warehouse, should be out in the shop today here. You'll love them - so soft, and they don't ball or wrinkle. Perfect for flying, it always feels so chilly in the planes during the summer.

And you know what I realized yesterday, chatting with a friend? I've forgotten about travel! I mean not thinking about it, or planning future trips, but actually doing it. How can that be? Shame on me!! I even have the above quote hanging on our dining room wall - and STILL.

Before - it was couple of times a year, at least, some weekend trips with friends to Prague, Budapest, New York (for sure), London...add a family vacation or 2, and some quick getaways with my hubbie. Now? Next to nothing. Well, that has to change.

My latest plan has been to get lost for a week. Like a retreat from the world. You know those vacation organizers who take you somewhere beautiful for a week, you don't even have a name, and you do nothing? Just BE. Well, knowing me, perhaps 2 days would do and then I would be at my computer ;), and if not, scribbling notes on the backs of napkins, but the THOUGHT of doing it is enchanting.

Well - let's see what it will be. I've gathered some must-travels and have-to-visit-again places in
http://pinterest.com/weranna/places-i-d-like-to-go/. You also find the above quotes and origins there (except the one hanging on our wall ;)).

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matkustus

Dream home in Rome - part III

This is now the 3rd and final dream world blog post on apartment in Rome - the previous ones you find here: Part I and Part II.

If a mother of 3 would get a few days off in grown-up company a couple of times a year, what would she do? Well - after she is done with staring at the opposite wall the first day? SLEEP! I don't know how I would manage to change my current slightly strange sleeping patterns, though, but at least I would give it a try. Otherwise my fellow-travelers might be a bit irritated when I disappear at 9 p.m., and they are woken up by the clicking of my keyboard latest at 5 a.m.

A tiny bedroom combined with a bath (no need to worry about kids splashing the water all around the place in this haven) and a fireplace. DEFINITELY those shutters!

I would drag there my antique (it is not antique, just very OLD) wrought iron bed, and build from there. Not too much color, I don't think. A vintage chandelier. Some fluffy cushions, like Samantha Holmes Alpaca fur ones. Perhaps some small splashes of lavender? That would work. As we are still dreaming and the budgetary reality hasn't kicked in yet, I would decorate with a couple of nice accessories. Like Manolo shoes and Hermes scarves. GRRR - shouldn't have googled those. Got some shopping ideas. I'm impossible, known fact.

And  - an Eero Aarnio bubble chair. And now you are asking - how is she going to manage all that in the TINY bedroom she mentioned? Well, let's make it a little larger. Large enough to fit my bubble. Haven't exactly bought the renovation dreamer's apartment yet, so we can be flexible here ;).

Have a great Monday, my friends :)!

All images can be found at http://pinterest.com/weranna/dream-home-in-rome/

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makuuhuoneen sisustus

Dream home in Rome - part II

Cherry blossoms - is there anything prettier? I look at them, and feel always so HAPPY! Spending time in Italy during the spring - my apartment would be FILLED with the blossoms. I promise you!

First thing that comes to your mind when thinking about Italy? FOOD, right? The red and tasty tomatoes, first of all. Garlic. Basil. Gorgonzola. But then again - the thought of standing in the kitchen preparing something extremely difficult and complicated just doesn't feel right, when spending precious moments in Italy (well, talking about me, NEVER feels right ;D). Something simple - the ingredients are so fantastic, it doesn't need to be anything fancy.

I would try to find a place with a small combined kitchen and living room - cozy and comfortable. Just a tiny kitchen corner, where to prepare the necessary - a small table to fit 2-3 people, and a nice couch to read a book. A desk to write. Sound good?

The above is something absolutely beautiful. Perhaps not being able to copy-paste those door frames, it might work to create the same atmosphere with some wall paper and an antique mirror. Do you think it would work?

All images can be found at http://pinterest.com/weranna/dream-home-in-rome/

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olohuoneen sisustus, työnurkkaus