July 29, 2012

En weekend i pyjamas med Ottosson färg

alldeles för ivrig med att shellacka, grunda, slipa o måla,
när kakelsättningen väl är klar.
Greppa inte den där målarpenseln innan morgonpiffet är klart,
hela helgen försvann med i ett moln av annat spackel och damm
Otålig som man är måste det ju prövas lite på hyllorna
innan den bleka pärlgrå linoljan skall strykas och en del 
justeringar åtgärdas.
Nästa projekt som väntar, men nu är pyjamasen utbytt 
mot en ren och en skön kudde väntar på en kind!


Never grab that paintbrush before the Saturday breakfast,
I've been in my pjs this whole weekend, once I got started I worked 
until I was out of shellac, putty and linseed oil. 

I will never let anyone else but myself to apply the linseed
oil indoors, it demands a lot of patience and meticulously
thin coats than need to dry up a couple of days in between.

Painting with linseed oil is an old tradition in Sweden.
Ottosson färgmakeri is today one of our best manufacturers.
The company has many good tutorials on Youtube.
This is one to start with!


July 20, 2012

Sometimes I forget

that I'm jolly good at waiting for things to be accomplished.
I can wait an eternity for the right artisan with piece at heart. 
 En prins blir flera prinsar i mitt kök....Gysinge kakel med krönlist
This fine craftsman works quietly except for
 the humming along to the music on the radio.
 I so fancy his Borsalino hat as we work side by side, 
sorting out all the boxes with handmade tiles for 
my kitchen before starting the splendid work of his.

A part of today's result!
I can be nothing but happy.

Näe, nu går åskan igen!!

July 13, 2012

Halvt dolda

in my garden
 olika blomsterstöd
 och en kattrumpa
we're cleaning up the garden after today's most awful weather,
we've had strokes of lightning, hail mixed with rain 
and hours with no electricity the whole afternoon!

All is well  


July 03, 2012

I sekatörens tid

en ljummen afton som denna.
Ansa måste man ju även om det tar emot
Den ombyggda entrén till verksta'n börjar bli lite väl lummig och
kunderna får snart börja ducka lätt
eller.....
så börjar de snart undra om jag slagit mig in på vinmakarens bana
The vine changed side of walls before the winter due to the reconstruction
of the entrance into my workshop. I must confess I'm overwhelmed by it's 
verdure as I was rather convinced it didn't have a chance.
So, there will be grapes for some wine-making this year again!!


June 10, 2012

I found a heart

a picture of a window shutter, I shot of my house one or two years ago.
I already knew by then what was meant to come.
I'm devoted to old houses and recuperating them is a tricky thing.
This is a town house, soon to turn a hundred years old located 
close to Stockholm. The area has a restricted cityplan but many
old houses in the block have been demolished by building
commissioners in favour for modern ones. Such a shame, I think!
This is what my house looks like today, after some two years of
reconstruction, starting with the hat going down.
Some things had to be done and balancing the decisions 
of right and wrong with what is best in a longer perspective
compared to what you really want to do has been 
one exhausting journey but also great fun.
 Lately we have slowly been deciding on which of all the 
old remnants we want to keep for the garden and what to throw away.
Now, there's a full dumpster standing in my courtyard,
ready to be picked up tomorrow morning. 
The french old boîte des fleurs was saved and has changed it's 
position in favour for the new bay window.
Here it is...filled with fresh violet hederaceas. 
They just need to spill themselves over.
We found a new perfect spot for it,
hanging on the newly built sun porch, made
out of old windows and doors to fit.
There is still some decor to finish up and 
then of course layers with linseed oil!

The house still has many happy hearts







May 07, 2012

Make up store

time has finally come to fix the last facade with lime paint,
in a pink soft shade. The temperature should be fine by now.
 This is what the new bay window in the kitchen looks from  the 
outside. My design came out just the way I wanted it to.
 There are still a few more things to work out with the tinsmith....

Believe me, when I say
....... 
He has the patience of an angel!!

April 26, 2012

Let there be light

having fun with a Nex7
 suddenly the light was so bright
 I have some reading to do

Out of sharpness

April 06, 2012

A Bouquet of Easter

living some intense days with bright colors
is fine for the Easter holiday.....then I will be done for this year (again)
So today I enjoy having my egg served 
in this antique cup from Rörstrand
and hoping for some warm weather to occur.
It's time to bring them paint brushes outdoors
to finish up the newly built sun porch.