Well, the self-granted week off last Sunday was a good move, because the opposite of what I thought would happen, happened: I spent lots of time considering the subjects I write about, and took virtually no photographs.
Oh wonderful Sweden! How lovely to see Falun-red houses (tho if I ever have a Swedish house I want a yellow one) and window boxes and Carl Larsson interiors on this gloomy, wet Scottish Sunday. Larsson's windowsills are perhaps my favourite thing of all his interiors, because they are so very Swedish. Swedes seem to be born with a blueprint for how to dress a windowsill, with pot plants and small candlestick lamps and if there's lace it looks just Swedish and not at all lace-curtainish. IKEA used to be much more Carl Larsson than it is now. We brought our first flatpack kitchen back by ferry from Gothenburg in 1986 in the back of our VW Polo, not long after we were married, and before IKEA reached the UK. When we declared it at customs at Newcastle the customs officer was so bemused that he waved us on through. I have a soft spot for Sweden because we got engaged in Stockholm. Planning an autumn visit this year, when my husband will speak Swedish and I will occasionally show my grasp of the language by making that sharp intake of breath that means "yes".
Lovely to hear your memories, particularly about bringing back an IKEA kitchen! I think you are absolutely right about windowsills - too often a missed opportunity.
Lovely, inspirational post, as ever, thank you. I used to buy Larsson post cards from Ikea... don't think they sell them any more - nor do I go to Ikea so often as there isn't a store near me.
So lovely being reminded of beautiful Sweden, where we spent two happy years. I also visited Carl Larsson's glorious cottage, twice at least, and on return to Australia, tried to make our home as similar to his as possible! Such a special place, and country.
I expect that like me you went to the exhibition of their work some years back at the V&A. Very interesting, and despite having had a book of the pictures since the early 1980s, I learnt a lot there about the relationship of their work, and also his tendancy to depression. Fascinating that someone who knew such bleakness was able to produce such light and airy work. I can see I’ll have to go back to the books, and resume hoping to visit there one day. In the meantime, thank you for your account. I’m guessing this may be just your first visit, not the last
Very much hoping it won't be the last. I'm already eyeing up a visit by train to Falun and the UNESCO World Heritage Site there, and then little local bus to the Larssons' house. Any excuse, really.
Thank you very much for this missive from the Larsson home/museum.
My mother, who died in late May, was a huge Larsson fan. She kept trying to make her urban Toronto house to reflect Larsson decorating ideas - usually with IKEA products.
I also had no idea about the source of red barns - also common in Canada.
We should make time for a fika coffee-break today.
Such lovely paintings! I always find people who paint the insides of their houses - I mean with real pictures and designs - so inspiring. Charleston Farmhouse is similar for me, I always feel like I need to rush home, grab a paintbrush and start decorating my walls. Lovely read as always!
We recently visited Stockholm for the first time: i originally booked it as my husband’s Christmas gift in December 2019 … but then stuff happened! 🤦♀️
Absolutely worth the wait! We are both keen to go back for a road trip so this is extremely inspiring!
What a breath of fresh Swedish air this am as I sit in an air conditioned, albeit humid, southern house! I long for those window sills to dress and the freshness of windows embraced in lace…. The Swedes, as Norwegians, appear to know life’s value … I long to hold on to the same…. More about Karin, please?
Oh wonderful Sweden! How lovely to see Falun-red houses (tho if I ever have a Swedish house I want a yellow one) and window boxes and Carl Larsson interiors on this gloomy, wet Scottish Sunday. Larsson's windowsills are perhaps my favourite thing of all his interiors, because they are so very Swedish. Swedes seem to be born with a blueprint for how to dress a windowsill, with pot plants and small candlestick lamps and if there's lace it looks just Swedish and not at all lace-curtainish. IKEA used to be much more Carl Larsson than it is now. We brought our first flatpack kitchen back by ferry from Gothenburg in 1986 in the back of our VW Polo, not long after we were married, and before IKEA reached the UK. When we declared it at customs at Newcastle the customs officer was so bemused that he waved us on through. I have a soft spot for Sweden because we got engaged in Stockholm. Planning an autumn visit this year, when my husband will speak Swedish and I will occasionally show my grasp of the language by making that sharp intake of breath that means "yes".
Lovely to hear your memories, particularly about bringing back an IKEA kitchen! I think you are absolutely right about windowsills - too often a missed opportunity.
Lovely, inspirational post, as ever, thank you. I used to buy Larsson post cards from Ikea... don't think they sell them any more - nor do I go to Ikea so often as there isn't a store near me.
So lovely being reminded of beautiful Sweden, where we spent two happy years. I also visited Carl Larsson's glorious cottage, twice at least, and on return to Australia, tried to make our home as similar to his as possible! Such a special place, and country.
I expect that like me you went to the exhibition of their work some years back at the V&A. Very interesting, and despite having had a book of the pictures since the early 1980s, I learnt a lot there about the relationship of their work, and also his tendancy to depression. Fascinating that someone who knew such bleakness was able to produce such light and airy work. I can see I’ll have to go back to the books, and resume hoping to visit there one day. In the meantime, thank you for your account. I’m guessing this may be just your first visit, not the last
Very much hoping it won't be the last. I'm already eyeing up a visit by train to Falun and the UNESCO World Heritage Site there, and then little local bus to the Larssons' house. Any excuse, really.
Thank you very much for this missive from the Larsson home/museum.
My mother, who died in late May, was a huge Larsson fan. She kept trying to make her urban Toronto house to reflect Larsson decorating ideas - usually with IKEA products.
I also had no idea about the source of red barns - also common in Canada.
We should make time for a fika coffee-break today.
and every day!
Such lovely paintings! I always find people who paint the insides of their houses - I mean with real pictures and designs - so inspiring. Charleston Farmhouse is similar for me, I always feel like I need to rush home, grab a paintbrush and start decorating my walls. Lovely read as always!
I remember in 1997 the V&A did a whole reconstruction of the Larsson house. It was fascinating!
Ah. I first came across the Larsson's in the 90s and have been in love with the paintings ever since. Thank you so so much for sharing your visit.
We recently visited Stockholm for the first time: i originally booked it as my husband’s Christmas gift in December 2019 … but then stuff happened! 🤦♀️
Absolutely worth the wait! We are both keen to go back for a road trip so this is extremely inspiring!
Wow. How I loved reading this.
Wonderful trip! Love the pictures. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, this has been a lovely imaginary trip to a place I would love to go X
Love, love, love these pictures!
What a breath of fresh Swedish air this am as I sit in an air conditioned, albeit humid, southern house! I long for those window sills to dress and the freshness of windows embraced in lace…. The Swedes, as Norwegians, appear to know life’s value … I long to hold on to the same…. More about Karin, please?