SWISS HOUSE - Art Shopping

the calm gallery

I am on the look out for art at the moment for our house, and yesterday this stunning letterpressed print I bought from The Calm Gallery arrived. And it may not be useful, but I do believe beautiful!

SWISS HOUSE - The Seasonal Table

the winter table

So I changed out my dresser to start reflecting the new season. The theme for November is a winter forest. Spotted this idea of a seasonal table over at @babyccinokids and was fondly reminded that the girls Kindergarten used to do this as well. Going to change out my buffet now every month to showcase the season or events happening! (And yay! Next month it is Christmas). 

SWISS HOUSE - A Gallery Wall

zara's gallery

Finally yesterday, our new bedroom furniture arrived, and it is lovely! And that means I can start planning our gallery wall. I still need to get a few pieces and I am actually using Zara's bedroom's gallery wall as inspiration. I did her wall without really planning it, but I think it is a great example of how to do a gallery wall well.

TOP TIPS
1. Have a overall theme: in this case it is two themes, but I think the bunnies and Paris somehow tie in well together.
2. Have a colour scheme: there is quite a bit of black, but followed up with neutrals and "vintage" colours: browns, creams, peaches, greys etc.
3. Mix up the "textures". Some of the items are framed pictures, some are wooden 3D objects and some even made from wire and wool.
4. Different "pictures":  there are photos of places, photos of Zara, illustrations and even an original oil painting!

SWISS HOUSE - Pantone 2017

colour of the year

The Pantone colours for 2017 are out and I have to say it is looking very colourful. The actual colour of the year is Kale and I really like the idea of bringing a lot more green into our home in Switzerland. 

Our lounge this autumn is already doing a good job of showcasing Pink Yarrow and Pale Dogwood. And I am always including lots of blue into our Dining Room, Kitchen, Patio and Bedroom so there will always be Lapis Blue in any of our homes. 

I will have to think about where to incorporate Primrose into our spaces but I am pretty sure I won't be including Flame... Do you have a favourite?

SWISS HOUSE - Our Entrance

zug drawers

At the Hafen Restaurant, I spotted this wooden set of drawers and thought it quite clever to have the letters actually spell out a word rather than just ABC. So when I saw the set for sale at Interio I thought it would make the perfect sideboard for our entrance (our IKEA black drawers of 8 years were finally falling apart).

When the set arrived, I realised it would be hard to create a word as the drawers are all different sizes and have different edges depending if they are on the end or in the middle. Luckily, for me the word ZUG is super short and with a bit of blue paint and some brute force I was able to make it happen.

 

On a side note, I have enjoyed filling up the drawers accordingly to the letter that each one bears:
B is for Bills
E is for Electronics
M is Movie Glasses
and my personal favourite is 
X is for eXplosion and I have popped in the iodine tablets issued by the Swiss Government in case there is a nuclear one.

 

SWISS BUYS
Interio.ch

SWISS HOUSE - Autumn Shelfie

autumn is here

After what was the warmest September since 1911, autumn is official here. The sun rises later and sets earlier, the leavs have started to turn, there is a defiite chill to the air and since Sunday, we are having rainy days. The silver lining to these clouds is the new autumn flowers and colours we get to enjoy indoors and outdoors!

SWISS HOUSE - Picture Framing

frame it

One of the tricks that I have learnt in decorating my own home and in Switzerland is to do with picture framing. Framing a picture here in Switzerland is expensive to say the least, and so for most of our framing needs I have done it myself. This can be a challenge in that before you even decide what frame you need, you actually need to make sure that your art will fit into a standardised frame. 

Tiny little French cards from Darling Clementine in Zara's Bedroom, 

I had pale peach mats cut out to size to fit into standardised IKEA frames.

Nowadays the majority of items do, but what happens if you can't find a frame that fits? Here is a two fold trick that I have learnt. If the items are very small, pick a frame alot bigger than the picture (I measure the width of the picture to be at least the width of the border) and have custom mats made. (This too can be expensive, so I have actually had them cut in South Africa and bought them back with me, as they are light weight and easier to transport than a glass frame). 

Or if the picture is too big, I have actually cut up the picture. I have down this twice, and it has worked great with a large sea landscape I had bought from IKEA and now a large landscape of the Johannesburg Skyline Liam was given as a gift from SA. I cut both of these up into three pieces, but I am sure would work equally as well if there were two or four, depending on the picture itself and the size. These were then framed in identical frames, portrait and with no border inside. (As soon as it is on the wall I will share a photo).

SWISS BUYS - Picture Frames
And here is a list of some of the places that I find great frames:
www.micasa.ch
www.ikea.ch
www.interio.ch

SWISS HOUSE - Study Oeuf Shelf

the study shelf

As promised, I said I would style out and share photos of our oeuf shelf in the girls study/playroom. It really is one of the best pieces of furniture I have bought to date. I am only sorry that I didn't buy it for when the girls were small for their nurseries - but this is one item I am never going to let go - even if it sits in the garage twenty years from now.

 

Some close ups:

 

 

 

SWISS HOUSE - Our Entrance

the entrance

Earlier this week, I took the opportunity to take some snaps of our entrance area as for the first time and probably the last time it was neat and tidy. The hallway has actually largely remained unchanged since we moved in and only a few bits and pieces get changed or added - but I think for now it is "complete".

 

 

SWISS HOUSE - Bailey's Bedroom

children's rooms

A few ideas for kids rooms from a magazine feature I did in Home Owner a year or so ago... 

What are the essential components of a kid’s bedroom? 
Naturally, the first essentials of a child’s bedroom is similar to that of any bedroom: a bed, side table and a cupboard/drawers. And then other items that I too have found very important is a rug and good lighting both overhead and on the side table. 

In terms of décor, what are the new trends when it comes to kids bedrooms? 
There is a trend to move away from “child-only” furniture and decorations, especially when it comes to the larger and/or more expensive items in the room. Parents are purchasing items that will be part of their child’s room for tens of years, instead of a few years. A designer chair or lamp, for example that can easily transcend the years. 

How does one minimize clutter? Do you have any storage advice and tips? 
Kids have “a lot of stuff”. So it is vital that storage is priority first and foremost. Therefore look to every piece of furniture for possibilities: Buy a bed that can fit or already has drawers underneath. Opt for side table with a drawer/cupboard, or forgo a small table for a dresser instead. Fit out the cupboard with multiple levels of shelves and drawers (kids clothing is relatively short) so make use of the space below by fitting in more shelves and or stacked baskets. Make the most of the walls in the bedroom and fit in multiple shelves for books and toys – consider a shelf all the way across the wall – much like would have had a picture rail in the past. 

How do you suggest one goes about creating a colourful, fun and practical kids bedroom?
Create a room that reflects the personality of your child rather than a “cookie-cutter” version of a TV character. What type of style is your child drawn to (traditional? glamourous? playful?). What is their favourite colour? Do you they particularly enjoy a specific sport, book, hobby? Ask what will your child do in the bedroom in addition to sleeping: Will they or you read to them – you will need a chair and side table and lamp? Will they do their homework there – you will need a table, chair and lamp? Will they play in their bedroom – a large area rug and easy-to-access storage baskets or boxes for toys. Will they do arts and crafts – a small table and chair etc. By asking these questions this will ensure your child has a room that is really “theirs” and for them to enjoy. 

What should homeowners consider when creating a kid’s room? 
Be forwarding thinking. Plan your child’s room for at least 5 years of use: so if your child is 5, plan a room that she can enjoy till she is 10. Not only is this sensible but it enables one to rationalise more expensive purchases for example wallpapering a wall or buying a vintage dresser. 

What is the ideal location for a kid’s room? 
The only real consideration for the location of a child’s room I would say is to be close to the bathroom and near the parent’s bedroom. Also, if your child is going to be using the room as a playroom and bedroom, consider it a better option to give your child the largest room in the house. Especially, if you only sleep in your bedroom, and you prefer to work/watch TV/read in another room. That way the living area is an extension of your bedroom rather than your child’s bedroom (and all the paraphernalia that comes with it) taking over. 

Do you have any practical advice when it comes to practical lighting, décor placement and security?
Often lighting is overlooked in a child’s bedroom, and it has a profound effect on a child’s eyesight. Therefore it is vital to ensure that there are multiple sources of light in a child’s room, namely there should be natural light, but this to must be able to be eliminated entirely with the use of curtains and/or blinds to ensure a good night’s rest. Overhead lighting must be able to illuminate the room entirely. A side table lamp and a desk table lamp are important for nighttime reading and homework. However, this is one area I like to splash out on and I make the lighting a feature in the room and opt to purchase a “grown-up” overhead light that would ordinarily be found in a lounge or adult bedroom. Also, there are some really sweet night lights for kids on the market… 

How do you ensure a long lasting room that’s not age restrictive and allows the kid to grow into? 
As mentioned before, this s where it is important to design a room for your child and their current and future interests. For example, my daughter Bailey loves all toy animals, but instead of creating a room focussing on animal TV characters, I opted for a more grown up version of pretty PiP Studio birds and blossoms – and then with the addition of her actual toys, the room itself is still for a child, but can easily become that of a young girl. 

Quick and easy décor tips for a child’s bedroom 
1 - Buy three or more store bought frames but get custom colour boards cut out and frame images from your child’s favourite book. 
2 - Buy three or so matching storage baskets that are of a good quality and add chalkboard tags and pretty satin bows. 
3 - Designate a space on the wall for your child’s art and either string up a line and let them peg on their artwork, or hand them a roll of washi rice paper tape to stick them to the wall.
4 - Transform your child’s room by adding a rug on the floor, not only does this make the room more colourful, but hopefully if there is an accident it will be on the less permanent rug. 
5 - Buy some wall stickers, not only are they cheaper, less permanent and easier than wallpaper or paint – but there is such a wide range of gorgeous options and they can make a very simple room look that much more stylish in seconds. 
6 - Purchase a top quality, high end quilt for your child’s bed, this immediately transforms the bed from cheap to chic, and you will find surprisingly easier for your child to make their own bed. 
7 - Cut back on the clutter. Every year a month before their birthday, “cull” your child’s toys, you will be amazed what is accumulated and actually never used. If you are worried your child will miss them, place them in a box for a month and if no one mentions them – donate them to a local charity or sell at a second hand store, and use the money for some of the new toys. 
8 - Children love photos especially of themselves growing up, family and friends. So be sure to frame photos or pin them to a giant pinboard in their bedroom. 

SWISS HOUSE - The Girls Bathroom

cute bathroom ideas

The Girls share a bathroom downstairs, and as it is mostly floor to ceiling in tile and quite small there was not much room (or need) for major decoration. Therefore, I tried to make it a bit more colourful and cheerful with these few ideas...

THREE QUICK AND EASY BATHROOM IDEAS
1. I stuck on the glass shower wall pretty pink magnolia stickers from IKEA and a Belle and Boo Sticker by the basin. Easy and waterproof artwork for a bathroom where tiles prevail. (and easy to change out as they grow).
2. The little shelf above the loo was decorated with orchids (they do so well in bathrooms what with the humidity and limited natural light), a fragrant diffuser and a little miniature bird house ornament. Would totally recommend have a floating helf above your loo and/or artwork.
3. Bright and colourful towels from PiP Studio - these totally make the room.

SWISS HOUSE - Zara's Bedroom

a party printers tray

I bought Zara this house shaped printers tray for her bedroom from Ferm Living and without knowing it, it represents a sweet nostalgic showcase of all the parties and events we have held for her over the years...

NUTCRACKER Age 5 - A Nutcracker Party at school 

CLOCK Age 7 - Back to School Breakfast

SILVER BUNNY - Many an Easter Hunt Party

SANTA WOODEN DOLL - Christmas Party

OWL LIPGLOSS and OWL SNOW GLOBE - Age 8 Birthday Party Night Owl Sleepover

Z MOUSE - Beatrix Potter First Birthday Lunch

FROZEN - Impromptu Party for B & Zara

KNIGHTS AND PRINCESSES - Birthday Party Age 6

BALLERINA - Swan Lake Ballet Age 7 Birthday Party

ROSETTE BADGE - Bailey's 6th Birthday Party

LION AND ELEPHANT - South African Summer Party 2014

I definitely need to hunt down a few more little things to represent her Strawberry Shortcake First Birthday Party (Age 1), Teddy Bears Picnic Party (Age 2), Hello Kitty Asian Afternoon Tea (Age 3), Dinosaur Snack Attack (Age 3), Penguin Party (Age 4), Ice Skating Party (Age 5) and the Harry Potter Party (Age 9) of course!

SWISS HOUSE - Our Cloakroom

barcelona

Finally after 10 years, the set of two watercolour black and white paintings we bought in Barcelona have been framed and found a resting place in our cloakroom. I'm loing the idea and making good progress of filling all the walls from top to bottom with photos and pictures and 3D artworks with a travel theme.

SWISS HOUSE - My Indoor Garden

green thumb?

I am a plant killer! I try to grow plants, but I think my Mom did not pass on her green thumb to me. However, I would just like to say that this "palm" baby pictured below (no idea of it's real name) has just celebrated it's one year anniversary so there is hope yet! As a reward I finally found a fiddle leaf fig tree, so fingers crossed this time next year you will see a picture of it in all it's glory!

SWISS HOUSE - Our Future Spare Bedroom

entryway

We are looking to change Liam's "den" around a bit over the next few months. In the past this area was used for storage but with addition of wood-looking ceramic tiles, under floor heating and a coat of mint paint the idea was to use it as my office. But as I ended up using the girls study more, the area really just become a dumping ground. Liam and I then swapped the room off the garage, so this area became his gym and with the addition of a sleeper couch a back up area for any guests. And that is where we are now.

However, we have started to relook at the room and it's uses and see if we can't use it to it's full benefit. Especially as it is a large space and right off the girls bedroom and bathroom, so the ultimate goal is that it is not one of those rooms that need to have the door shut.

THINGS TO DO:
1. We have toyed around with the actual purpose of the room, but for now we are hoping to cover all of these bases: guest room, desk area for Liam, gym area, spare bedroom, extra TV room and even a desk/craft area for me? Well, maybe not the last one.
2. For now I think we will stick with paint colour, but ideally we would look to revisit it at some point in time. Possibly, just plain white? Either way we need to bring in more light to the room. Already we have three different light switches for dim lights and a fluorescent one. But it is still dark and with low ceilings we will need to get creative with this. So far I think: a floor lamp, two bed side table lamps and a desk lamp.
3. The walls are concrete bricks and the ceilings exposed, in a proper renovation we would look to plater these - but this is not going to happen this revamp - so I am going to try and minimise the focus by increasing the light, and furnishing the place completely so the focus will be on the contents rather than the "bones" of the room. I'm no expert but I am hoping with wall art and fllor rugs this will draw the focus away from the ceiling and the actual walls.
4. The first main goal is to make it a proper comfortable guest bedroom which means mimicing a main bedroom - and to be precise we are actually making it exactly that. We are going to redo our bedroom, so just about everything in our bedroom is going downstairs. That way the room will have a king bed, side tables, side table lamps, bed linen etc. instantaneously. There is even a three frame black and white beach scene. As luck will have it the area already has cupboards, so the IKEA drawers we had were tossed (they were damaged anyway) and the room already has a black and white rug - which goes perfect with the old black and white FERM LIVING quile we replaced with a new blue one. So, what's missing then? Can't think of anything jsut yet...
5. Liam's desk area is pretty much also already set up there. It is in a good spot, has a computer, chair, bin... so I think all that is needed is probably a memo board in front/art piece and a desk lamp.
6. And so now for the gym area, this also is well situated. There is a shelf dividing the space between the desk and gym area. And I have to give Liam credit, he has displayed all his "stuff" nicely on them. The equipment is cleverly arranged to be in an otherwise akward space (near the door to the boiler room, doors to the electrical room and the laundry shoot). The only thing I think we can improve on is maybe trying to get a few of the weights etc. off the floor. Which means I may have to secretly rearrange Liam's shelves.
7. The entrance into the room as pictured above is perfect, I think. So it would just be a case of using all the drawers to their full potential.
8. Nearby, is the exit door and another shelf that I have been using for Liam's laundry and the cat's stuff. But I think this could be better utilised, so I will need find alternatives for these goodies. And look at "prettifying" this wall.
9. The Emes coat rack is just great in this room. Liam hated it at first but now it is like he wished for it all along. The space below is empty so maybe it would work well to have the shelves mentioned in point 8. back here - but then what to do with that space.
10. Ok so after all of that, I still want to put a TV and crafts and my desk in here? I guess the last two are not options, but I did have my eye of a beautiful anitique Chinese cabinet that I think would disguise a TV really well, and bring a bit of interest to teh room. I'll just need to work out the best spot, so one can lie in bed and watch shows...

And that is where we are so far. Lots to do, but more importantly we can only do this room, once our bedroom is done - so I will be sure to share details of that soon too.

SWISS HOUSE - Our Coffee Table

our leaf tables

A few years ago, I bought this set of two leaf shaped coffee tables from IKEA and they are still such a good buy. I am on the look out for a new table for our TV room and will then move these back to the lounge, but I am figuring that a nesting set is definitely the way to go for both rooms.

I was reading an instagram post the other day on how to style a coffee table and so here is a look at mine and it's must haves.

1. Coffee table books and magazines (my favourite magazine at the moment is the German publication Living at Home.)
2. Plant pot or vase of flowers (I sometimes have fresh flowers, but this black vase from IKEA and a fake succulent is my fall back look).
3. Bowl for bits and bobs - in our case this wooden bowl from Depot holds all our remote controls. I actually wish it was bigger, as I first spotted these bowls in my friend's house and she had a large one on her dining room table and it looked so good with naartjies inside.

So what is on your coffee table? Is yours big or small? Or multiple? Is it minimalistic or full like mine? Do you have anything else extra on yours?

SWISS HOUSE - The Girls Study and Playroom

katzen zimmer

The room at the front of our house next to the girls room had always been in "limbo". From a spare room to a playroom to a study and now the cats room - it has yet to be properly defined and yet so well used. Slowly but surely, I am trying to pull the style together so it has a function and finished look about it. It still needs some tweaks here and there but this is what we have so far.

Clearly I had a blank when I wrote this sign, and meant "Zimmer" and not "Kamer" when it comes to room. (I often whip out Afrikaans words when I am not sure of the German one - and I remember doing this when I was trying to learn Zulu and French - is it a thing?).

The white IKEA bed we had here has been replaced by our IKEA grey sleeper couch and it is a much better option as it now has a lounge feel about it. The grey ottoman does double duty as a place to sit (or lie if you are a cat) and with the addition of a tray it can be a coffee table. However, I think we need to add another chair/stool/bean bag to make the place look more like a lounge than just a couch backed up against a wall.

The far wall is our gallery wall, and here I have tried to frame all the things that mean something to the girls - the real rule only being that if framed, it will be in white. I particularly am proud of the DO MORE OF WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY sign. It actually comes from depot in white or black - and I think it really makes the wall now that I sprayed it in neon orange.

  

Pictured above is the study desk area: The white desk and chairs are from rooom.ch and totally defines the space. I was going to go for fancy shelving above, but then got impatient and went for IKEA ones, and now regret it as even with just adding a few books to the shelves you can already see that they are bowing. But it will have to fo for now. 

Other things I love about this zone are:

The copper pendant lights from Bloomingville.dk

The white metal file folders from ikea.ch (spotted by my friend Christina and they are awesome!)

The pinboards are from micasa.ch - an easy and economical solution to have some space for notices, papers, photos.

The art print of the Toy Museum is actually from a girls trip when we went to Prague. Jen and I had such a fun laugh in this museum so I am really glad to see it framed and up to enjoy. I also like how it divides the space between Zara and Bailey's desk and the printer becomes "invisible" with such a busy print behind.

TEN THINGS STILL TO DO:

1. Figure out where I am going to work. Right now I am Bailey's desk but that is not a long term solution. So either I need to move out or find a solution for my stuff.

2. Beef up the lounge area: another chair? Footstool? Bean Bag?

3. Maybe a small coffee table or side table for the lounge area? I definitely need a tray.

4. Style out the ouef shelf, so I actually show you a picture of it. It is such a great piece of furniture but is just not right quite yet.

5. Tidy out the drawers, so I can also show you a pic of these birch ones I picked up from IKEA as part of a limited collection and I still think are pretty cool.

6. Get Zara a proper desk lamp. Actually I have one - so read: put up Zara's desk lamp.

7. Get another waste paper basket for the other side of eh desk. Or do you think one is enough?

8. Cat litter/cat food/cat stuff = is this the right place for all of this?

9. Add some plants - not sure I want to spread these to far and wide in the house. I aleady killed the two in our bathroom.

10. Spend some time on Pinterest to see if I am missing a trick in terms of study/playroom must haves.

SWISS HOUSE - Our Stairwell

stairway to heaven

We have a double staircase in our house, and the second level is really just a white box (no windows, no openings). Therefore, I was so happy to spot a great interior design idea in the shop Interio.ch that would solve this problem. Instead of hanging pictures in the middle of a wall - they started from the corner of the room and then proceeded to hang a whole gallery of art from radiating from the one corner right to left and from the same corner left to right. The great thing about this is that even with just a few pieces the gallery already looks good - and fast forward a year or so - it has made it easy to add a piece or two every few months. 

The main theme of my gallery wall is black and white - and I guess without knowing, it has a travel theme too - and I've tried to pick pieces that are personal: so sketches of our family and/or places we've been.

The final touch? Last month, I added this lightfitting from IKEA.

SWISS HOUSE - Bailey's Desk

back to school, back to work

I am still working on afew changes in all of the rooms of our house, but a recent little "re.do" was done on Bailey's desk area. I was kindly given a proper work desk and drawers for Bailey, and was able to pick up another stunning rainbow rug for a great price - and now B's desk area is looking all brand new.

SWISS HOUSE
Bailey's Desk Area
Lamp, Stack of boxes, frame, pencil pot and chair - IKEA
Desk, Drawers - INTERIO
Rug - Pfister
Lego Money Box - Legoland
Ceramic Origami Bunny - Manor

SWISS HOUSE - Our Living Room

a pink lounge
A LOOK INSIDE OUR SWISS HOUSE
 
My friend Jane is moving across the lake and offered her gorgeous rugs to me at a fraction of their original cost. Not one to pass up a rug, I now have transformed so many of our rooms with just swapping out the floor rugs and adding a few new bits and pieces.

First up is our living room; and both Liam and I are loving the pink, who would have thought? It just shows a pop of colour can completely change a room's look and one's mood. So looking forward to autumn with these colours to cosy up to.