I hope you had a good week. We are enjoying every minute over here and are not ready to leave. Here are some pictures from our week. Amusing art from lots of vintage shopping. Monogram carpet-Lavender. The old stone bridge in the town I grew up in close by Karlstad. The main who built thisINSIDE MY WEEK IN – BEAUTIFUL SWEDEN
What do you do with a red Swedish barn?
Our house in Sweden is surrounded by several red barns. Back in the day they were used for animals and hay farming, but for years they have been used as storage facilities for all kinds of stuff. Despite the rainy, chilly (55 degrees and I love it) weather this week, the barn make over project is taking place!
Turning the biggest of our red barns in to a cool barn dining/party room is something I’ve been wanting to do for years. My mother and I decided to invite everyone in this village for cake and coffee or as they say in Sweden “fika” before I leave, so the pressure is on to complete it.
It’s the barn behind me to the left.READ MORE What do you do with a red Swedish barn? →
Christmas, Glogg and Saffron rolls
Happy Holidays!
Christmas shopping barefoot among palm trees I kind of forgot it was Christmas. First year in California is disorienting because you keep thinking is still August. But after a long flight to Sweden Christmas arrived after all. Although this year we’re missing out on snow it’s still Santa’s town.
Hope you are yours are enjoying the holidays. I’m not big o cooking but I’ve added links on the bottom of this post to two things really worth a try this holiday season even for non Swedes. The best Christmas drink ever(!)- Glogg, and saffron rolls.READ MORE Christmas, Glogg and Saffron rolls →
WINNER & Josef Frank fabric for a steal!
One lucky winner gets to have her home custom painted by Michelle!!! The winning number is…. Congratulations comment number # 15!! And for all of you who didn’t win, this might feel like winning, at least it does for me… You might be familiar with the amazing Josef Frank fabrics from Sweden. They are quiteREAD MORE WINNER & Josef Frank fabric for a steal! →
The most beautiful tradition in the world!
Every year I say I will be in Sweden the last day of April for one of my favorite traditions – Valborgsmassoafton. Yet every year comes around and with Luke in school flying back home is not an option. The last night of April Swedes gather around giant bonfires and sing songs to welcome spring. My mother is in love with this night and catches a few celebrations just so thrilled that the deep, dark winter now has an end in sight. I remember this nights vividly when I was a kid. Riding my bike for the first time of the year in the chilly spring air. It’s easy to forget living in Virginia with summer temperatures that back home some people are still skiing!! Valborgsmassoafton gets everyone’s spirits up that warmer temperatures and lighter nights are making their way.
If you want to read more about the tradition you can do it here.READ MORE The most beautiful tradition in the world! →
Hello FEARLESS home! (Swedish Style)
The main reason I started Live Like You was to inspire people to decorate their homes in a way that truly reflected themselves. I saw too many depressing, non nondescript, lifeless interiors without imagination that made me depressed. Often with people living in them having NO I clue how negatively it impacted their lives. Yes it’s true, it affects you more than you think! I’m curious…do you agree, or disagree?
Creating a home that truly reflects you is of course not always going to be popular. It’s a space you that is there to make only YOU happy. It’s not there to impress your guests or look like a museum. Whatever it is that makes YOU happy is fine with me, as long as you do SOMETHING!
This home done by a Swedish stylist/designer for her family on the ocean in Southern Sweden is definitely a fearless home.READ MORE Hello FEARLESS home! (Swedish Style) →
Saving the Station house – the makeover of a lifetime
Do you think you can buy a house for the price of dinner? No, you’re wrong – you can! (Assuming you said no) You might remember some articles I’ve posted about my brother Peter in Sweden. He is becoming quite the name back home as his passion to rescue beautiful old buildings and villages isREAD MORE Saving the Station house – the makeover of a lifetime →
A snowy Swedish Christmas
Hope you are enjoying your holiday.
I wanted to quickly share some pictures of our snowy week. I LOVE SNOW. I grew up in it, but now live in a place where it rarely snows, so I soak it up while here.
Everything looks magical (and clean) with a thick white snow cover. Don’t you think?READ MORE A snowy Swedish Christmas →
Please relax & unwind!
What are you up to? I hope when you read this you’re relaxing somewhere! And staying out of the heat! We have one week left over here in Sweden, and I’ve completely refueled on energy and “taking it easy” doing simple stuff. Here’s some stuff we’ve been doing to relax and unwind! Walking through DOWNTOWN!READ MORE Please relax & unwind! →
AN $ 800 KITCHEN!
My dad took charge of the renovations in the guest house and made it all come to completion this summer. So FINALLY after six years, yes six years it is pretty much done. Thank You Dad for stepping in and making it happen! It looks great. One of the things that needed to be doneREAD MORE AN $ 800 KITCHEN! →