Guest Blogger: Splendid Willow
Hi, Monika here from Splendid Willow. It is such an honor for me to jump in today and support Ally when she is trotting around the world. I met Ally in my very early blog days and I am in total awe of her. (And aren’t we all!). There is a reason why she is everybody’s best friend & we all root for her!
I find it very hard to focus my thoughts when it comes to design. There are so many trends, so much loveliness out there, that I hardly know where to begin!
But here is a selection of the things I Go Absolutely Nuts For right now.
Comfortable seating. Forget chairs and sofas that look good but take the fun out of relaxing. I am so happy that comfort with a big C is back in vogue.
Over-sized headboards. I have had my upholstered headboard for many years and I love it. But an over-sized version can move in with me any day. It brings real comfort to a bed and adds a little bit of drama to the room.
Gray. That color is part of my Swedish DNA, and I am so ecstatic that it is touted as the next white. It is both traditional and chic and it is hard to go wrong with it. Isn’t this simple, gray glass cabinet lovely?
Responsible interiors. This is the time to mix and match old with new, high-end with low-end, swap with friends and add more personality to a home. (And help the planet at the same time!).
Cozy book areas. Sigh. No words needed.
Unique ways of displaying treasured photos. There are more ways than fireplace mantels and grand pianos!
Odd Molly. This Swedish clothing company’s spring/summer collection is filled with lovelies. Feminine, flirty, a little bit of folklore – you are guaranteed to get compliments! And soon Odd Molly is launching its first furniture line.
Home designers (pros and average joe’s) who don’t take design too seriously. Add a little bit of humor. Play a little!
Oh, and this is a new “Bottles Roller Blind” by Bodie & Fou. Fun & unexpected!
Thank you so much for letting me share with you. I wish you all a happy & playful rest of the week! Cyber hug. Monika.
Images via: 1. Getty Image/Splendid Willow, 2. Homes and Gardens UK, 3. Homes and Gardens UK, 4. Everything Fabulous, 5. Apartment Therapy, 6. Elle Interior Norway, 7. Belle Vivir, 8. Emma’s designblogg, 9. Delight By Design 10. Odd Molly, 11. Monika Schuerle DE, 12. Homes and Gardens UK/Bodie Fou
Holy wow! I expected nothing short of awesome from you Monika and you most definitely delivered. So many wonderful examples of what it takes to make a beautiful and inviting home. I could step into any one of these rooms (preferably all of them) and feel myself at ease. I saved every single image for future inspiration.
A truly fanastic round-up! Thanks for taking the time to compose this lovely post!
XX-nelya
.-= nkp´s last post ..{Mon}daily Pretty and My Flowers =-.
Ok girl…I am still wiping drool from looking at that first chair!! Annd that adorable shirt. And ok…everything in between! Great post!
.-= linda@LimeintheCoconut´s last post ..New growth… =-.
Beautiful post, filled with great ideas and that radiant, positive outlook that just makes me want to jump on a plane and go hug you, Monika! Your personality is infectious – and your choices for interiors are fun and comfortable and just, well – so you. I love them all.
xoox,
-maria
.-= Vintage Simple´s last post ..Much. =-.
hi Monika – great post which I agree reflects you and your inimitable style… I too pine for a large headboard. But I would have to ditch my whole bed first and I think it has a few years left in it xoxo
.-= Jane´s last post ..House Tour on Apartment Therapy =-.
What an impressive round up of loveliness! That headboard, all those examples of how gorgeous gray can be…a heart made out of photos…I want to do that in one of my childrens' rooms now! Loved your guest post!
.-= The Zhush´s last post ..Can't Get Enough: Shiny Disco Balls =-.
oh Monika, I absolutely adore all of your choices. white, comfort… yes! have a great day! xo
.-= caroline – patagonia gifts´s last post ..Glamorous Monday =-.
I am drooling. This is an amazing post! Thank you!
.-= g.´s last post ...sexy floors =-.
Hello Monika. Very nice to meeting you.
I just came back from the Milan fair and must say two things you've pointed out here are big trends for this year: Over size headboards and colour gray. I'll be sharing my photos very soon. have a good week.
Hello Monika. What a great post. So much to comment on. I just love gray and white. Love the image of the pair of chaise lounges with the gray ruffled pillow tossed on.
Love every detail in the image with the beautiful little blonde girl seated at the computer. We just purchased some of the old German bake pans like the ones hanging on the wall to sell in our shop. They are the perfect detail here.
You are right, no words needed for the cozy library. Perfection!
I'm crazy for the heart photo idea. Will definitely file this one.
I'm also glad to find Ally's blog. Spent some time in the Archives and will definitely be back for more.
Lot's of inspiration today. Thanks!
Wow! Great job filling in here, I enjoyed this thoroughly! Thanks for a great morning read!
.-= Tina Steele Lindsey´s last post ..Bad Beer – a temporary post =-.
What a fun post! Thanks for the intro – off to check out Monika's site.
xo,
cristin
.-= cristin @ simplified bee´s last post ..Smart Eat-in Kitchen Remodel by Louise Brooks =-.
Loved the post today and as I read it I'm like oh me too, that's what I like but then I read Odd Molly and had never heard of the company before and am so glad to have learned about it! Can't wait to see the homegoods they come out with!!
Yes, yes, yes to gray!! I think it's such a fantastic color to work with as a neutral (I have my whole downstairs painted in different hues – very relaxing!). I LOVE your list here, thanks for sharing
.-= Piper´s last post ..{aus to us…mother’s day gift guide part 3} =-.
Mon, you totally rocked that one…great post.. a few of those images are my favs! Love to you!
.-= A Perfect Gray´s last post ..some kind of wonderful… =-.
that huge lamp is AWESOME! I need that
.-= stephanie´s last post ..That's a HUGE Bag =-.
You delivered Mon!!
I loved this post. You do rock my dear, you rock hard!!!
.-= Therese Long´s last post ..Tea… =-.
Hej/Hello – what a treat to look at my inbox today and see two amazing posts from you – one from Splendid Willow and one here.
Having mopped my keyboard from saliva, I am now able to to say that, as always I am taking notes when I read your design finds & thoughts.
I love and agree on all of these of course dear Swedish sis. xx
Odd Molly lives in mangfold in my wardrobe too. They are fantastic and always make me happy.
As do you.
xx C
.-= Charlotta´s last post ..Feeling the love. xx =-.
gorgeous post! head over heels for the oversized headboard and cozy reading nook. can't wait to check out monika's blog!
.-= Design Darling´s last post ..the look for less {patric johansson} =-.
Hello!! I expect inspiration for the fab mon, but this just threw me off the chair. A superb post from an amazing woman. I heart your style and so want that grey china cabinet!!
.-= manvi @ mochatini´s last post ..tabletop; turquoise + salmon =-.
Thanks for the inspiring images. I especially love that library. I really need to go through and group my books by color. I love the look of it. I also am in awe of that vertical open bookshelf.
.-= Lacey´s last post ..Framing Frenzy =-.
Hi Monika
Nice to see you over here.. Well I am completely with you on the comfort thing…. I really want a sofa that lets me relax.. looking good helps also!! Love all the greys.. definitely a grey girl and love the photos lined up along the shelf… great post.. so many ideas I'd like to have in my own home.. thanks.. xx Julie
.-= Julie´s last post ..Venice: The First Last View =-.
What a wonderful post, Monika! Great photos of classics to have…
I totally agree about sofas and chairs — I have one that I won't sit in, but the rest, must be comfy. As for grey, we our kindred spirits — who on earth can live without grey?! I would love to have that cabinet in my home — whether it's in the kitchen or bath, or anywhere — it's so fantastic! Also, I agree in mixing high and low items — some are seasonal pieces and some are just forever, investment pieces…but to top it off, I agree, a library in a home is a must…even if it's a tiny one. Books and our connection with them can never die, despite technology — there's nothing like the feel and smell of books…
I'm going to save a few of these images in my inspirational files. Lovely
xoxo
.-= Sarah Klassen´s last post ..Au Naturel =-.
Monika,
Just put the children to bed and have now, yet again, been so incredibly inspired by your your fantastic eye and sense of design and composition and just want to thank you for sharing it with all of us.
xoxo,
Katrine
As always, this post is fantastic. I'm not at all surprised as I love your blog.
I love the gray. And I'm particularly excited about any return of oversized headboards. Both my bedrooms have tall headboards and I love them. When you have a small house with small rooms like I do, taller headboards really make the room feel taller and less cramped.
Thanks for the great post!
.-= Lesley @ TheDesignFile´s last post ..High Point Report: Brighter colors mark spring =-.
Love the heart made of photographs on the wall!
.-= Cynthia Maniglia´s last post ..Les Gateaux on my Decoupage Tray =-.
What a fun and bright chair, just what one needs on this grey Seattle afternoon. J'adore the heart shaped photo display, sweet.
Beautiful images Monika! I wouldn't expect any less from you! Great style my dear!
xo
.-= Jenna´s last post ..MANDARIN ORIENTAL HOTEL {BARCELONA} =-.