Wabi and a Happy New Year

Paint is especially difficult here as I have mentioned a few times before.  I find a) it is very toxic smelling b) The finishes are not as good c) I don't know the colours as well as I did back home making it a very long trial and error session.

And error I did around this time last year with the sickliest baby blue found on an Ace chart which was very quickly to be changed to Dulux Graceful Green.

With perfectionism brings dissatisfaction and sometimes procrastination in search of the ideal.

The sickliest blue taught me one of life's great lessons, via a dear Japanese friend: Wabi.

She described Wabi as: Japanese aesthetic. Assumes nothing in life is permanent, we are in a transient and imperfect state, and you can seek solace and beauty in imperfection.

I decided to make Wabi my resolution for 2012 and it has served me well.  I will always love quality, beauty, craftsmanship but a little imperfection makes for uniqueness makes for a special kind of beauty and Wabi has made me a lot more relaxed about how I put things together - except for the sickly blue of course!  Still im-perfecting my own resolutions for the coming year, I have until midnight

A very Happy 2013 to you all, may your resolutions be meaningful and good for the soul.  

Framed 19th Century Wallpaper Panel - Large Cherry Blossom at 1st Dibs

Swedish Deco Rugs

I was first introduced to Swedish Deco rugs by a client, several years ago, who had the most wonderful collection of mid century furniture.  Knoll, Platner, Cherner, and more where all there ready for me to assemble a scheme, how easy is that?  Too easy perhaps.

And to pull it all together and anchor the room we needed a rug of course.  Her wish was for a Barbro Nilsson, (1899-1983), the celebrated Swedish weaver of rugs and tapestries.  These rugs, apart from their charming designs, have a distinctive relief and texture which sit so well within the interiors of the moment mixing mid century with older pieces and modern elements.  

As important as Barbro Nilsson are the works of Märta Måås-Fjetterström, (1873-1941) which in fact I favour myself for their more Art Nouveau/Art and Crafts feel.

Salerno Blue Rug, Barbro Nilsson at 1st Dibs

Blåringen ["Blue Ring"]
Märta Måås-Fjetterström in 1931 from http://www.mmf.se

Swedish Deco rug from Mansour

Swedish Kilim from Mansour

How wonderful is that?