Weekend

Happy weekend! Hope it's a good one. Depending on the weather, we're thinking of checking out the ice sculptures at Winterlude and then warming up afterwards with an afternoon in the kitchen making lasagne. How about you?


(photo from the portfolio of interior designer brad ford)

Collector's Paradise

In an old cottage in Skåne, Sweden, the Sondergaard Kjeldsen family live happily surrounded with an extraordinarily eclectic collection — everything from ballet shoes, old school posters, vintage clothing and Chinese tomb pottery exist harmoniously with mid century modern furniture, while a background of cheerful colour ties it all together. I would love to visit their house for tea — it would be wonderful to spend an hour or so just wandering around looking at it all. More here on Residence.

Photo Sara Svenningrud

Smile

Wow. Inspired by Pixar's animated hit film Up, last spring National Geographic Channel created a real-life version with a team of scientists, engineers, and two world-class balloon pilots, successfully launching a 16' X 16' house 18' tall with 300 8' colored weather balloons from a private airfield east of Los Angeles. More photos here, too.


(via my modern metropolis)

Houzz Ideabook

My latest ideabook for Houzz is up! This month's theme is ever versatile, eco-friendly and beautiful bamboo — have a look here.


(kina natural pendant light by david trubridge available from horne)

Sweetness and Light

Pretty still life of flowers for a Thursday. Love the warm late afternoon light used here — so lovely.


(photo by idha lindhag)

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy.

Adore Magazine
The latest issue of Adore is out — make some tea (or other soothing beverage) and settle down for a lovely read.

The 60 Year Job: The Queen
More Intelligent Life has an interesting series on people who have held jobs for more than 60 years — this week they look at the formidable schedule of Queen Elizabeth, who at age 85 is as busy as she was 20 years ago.

Artists in the World
Great website of links featuring artists working in their studios. Love this.

The 10 Most Iconic Accessories of Famous Authors
Check out the idiosyncrasies of such authors as Vladimir Nabokov (butterfly net), William Faulkner (pipe) and Edith Wharton (puppies!).

Seven Short Films About Obsolete Occupations
Brain Pickings has a great round up of documentaries about occupations that are slowly dying out — follow the link to see bittersweet stories of a man with the world's largest vinyl record collection, a film projectionist, a shoe polisher, a glass sign artist, a sword maker, a tap dancer and a letterpress printer (though I'd argue about the last one, as there's been a real renaissance of this craft in the last few years).

25 Things I Learned From Opening a Bookstore
As a longtime book person (and onetime bookstore employee) I loved reading this charming list by a used bookstore owner.

The Worst Acting Snubs in Oscars History
With the Academy Awards happening later this month, here's an intriguing list of some of the most surprising upsets in the history of the Oscars.

Parmesan Baked Eggs
Eggs, fresh herbs, butter, cream and parmesan — what's not to love about this recipe? Perfect for a special Sunday brunch. Via Pinch of Yum.

(photograph by melanie acevedo)

Smitten

I'm smitten with this little black Bea dress from Morrison — I love the idea of an architectural approach to warm weather clothing.

Moments of Beauty

Love the delicate tones in this gorgeous photo by Jeff Hahn for Tatler Hong Kong — it has the atmosphere of an old Dutch painting. More from the same shoot here.


(via fashion gone rogue)

Serene in the South

Today we'll take a break from the chilly February weather and imagine we're in the south of France, strolling through green meadows shaded by lime and horse chestnut trees towards this cabin of eucalyptus wood and cedar shingles, all surrounded by a spectacular scented garden of jasmine, roses and hydrangeas designed by landscape architect Fernando Caruncho. A former pheasant farm, it's now the country retreat of decorator Isabel López-Quesada decorator.

Inside, walls of corrugated iron recovered from a nearby old house adds texture and an industrial chic, while a mix of vintage and classic modern pieces furnish the rooms throughout. Relaxed and lovely, it's the ideal retreat from the city — and the winter cold, too. More here from Elle Decor Spain.

Meet the Sponsor

I'm very happy to introduce you to a new sponsor on automatism — Michelle of the pretty etsy shop The Art of Michelle. Michelle's delicately beautiful original watercolour paintings, limited edition prints and mixed media pieces would make perfect gifts for a baby shower, new home, birthday and other special occasions. See more loveliness at her shop here.

Simple Pleasures

Old colour prints. So beautiful and endlessly enjoyable — either in vintage books or happily displayed on the wall in frames.


(lovely photo by ryan benyi)

Atelier: Leigh Beisch

Today I'm admiring the delicately atmospheric photography of Leigh Beisch, whose almost abstract work resembles fleeting memories of landscapes from dreams. Beautiful. See more of her lovely images (and purchase prints) here. Via the beholder.

Browse: est magazine

Describing itself as 'global living with an Australian twist,' est magazine is a stunning modern interiors e-mag — and one that's definitely going to be a fave read for me. Make yourself some tea and settle in for a lovely read.

Monday

A delicate still life to start your Monday on a sweet note. Have a good one.


(photo by nikole herriott on flickr)

Work of Art

Jewelry designer Stine A. Johansen has decorated her family's apartment in a pretty mix of flea market finds, design classics and beautiful modern art — plus her own jewelry, making for space of relaxed elegance. Love. More here from Interiørmagasinet.


(photography by birgitta wolfgang drejer/sisters agency)

Weekend

Happy weekend! Hope it's a lovely one. We'll be attending a birthday get together for a very charming 4 year old — should be fun. How about you? What are you up to?


(photo by magnus anesund)

Monochromatic Elegance

Swedish stylist and photographer Daniella Witte turns her camera lens on to her own lovely home for Sköna hem, and I'm so glad she did. Absolutely love the elegant restraint of her monochromatic palette, with its great industrial touches of concrete, brick and metal. Lovely. More here on Sköna hem.


(photography by daniella witte)

Smile

Futuristic technology from 1957 — the Panoramic 111 TV from French company Téléavia. I love this, but I'd also keep expecting it to go skittering across the room when my back was turned, too ...


(via iain claridge)

Sweetness and Light

A burst of citrus colour, to add sunshine to a grey January day.


(photography by victoria pearson)

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy.

Charles Dickens's World of Interiors
Charles Dickens was fascinated with interior decoration and threw himself into the choosing of furniture, paint colours and wallpaper designs. Check out this slideshow of his first home at 48 Doughty Street in London (now the Charles Dickens Museum), his holiday home in Broadstairs, Kent, and Gad's Hill Place, Kent, where he died in 1870.

Imagined Lives Out of False Portraits
Recently the National Portrait Gallery in London posed an intriguing question: what do you do with all the discredited paintings of princes, aristocrats, writers, once it's been shown that art historians got it wrong? A thought provoking essay from the TLS.

David Lynch Loves Coffee
A lot, actually. Check out this great little essay by Lynch explaining just why he loves it so much.

Malcolm Gladwell on Spaghetti Sauce
Author of iconic books such as Blink and The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell brings his inquiring mind to bear on spaghetti sauce, and as always it's fascinating.

Top 10 Books of the Night
Author Ian Marchant picks ten books that examine the mysterious world that emerges when the sun goes down.

Miniature Collapsible Paper Cities
Amsterdam-based artist Ingrid Siliakus creates extraordinary and highly intricate pop-up miniature works of architecture out of paper, inspired by artist M.C. Escher. Amazing.

Learn 40 Languages for Free
The always wonderful Open Culture has put together links to free courses in 40 different languages — download audio lessons to your computer or mp3 player and you’re good to go. Super handy if you're planning on traveling — or if you're tired of reading movie subtitles!

Coconut Red Lentil Soup
Not only a fantastic combination of flavours, but easy to make, too. This is definitely going to become a favourite during the winter months. Via 101 Cookbooks (thanks to Carly for the link).


(lovely photo by petrina tinslay)