Scandinavian Inspired Lighting

Thanks so much to everyone who weighed in on my keep the pine/don't keep the pine dilemma.  There was near unanimous agreement for keeping the pine in its natural, un-painted state - especially considering my plan to keep the guesthouse very neutral, with Scandinavian-inspired touches.  Given that it's technically a sauna building - and I'm half Finnish - it feels right!  So now I'm slowly inching my way toward that vision but with cold temperatures approaching, I might have to settle for a good clean (it's pretty messy out there!), maybe address the lighting and window coverings, and save the floor painting/bathroom reno until next spring because we don't heat that space.  I don't mind waiting because then I will have all winter to window shop!  That's not a bad way to hibernate...

If you're feeling the Scandi vibe too, you might be interested in a new-to-me source for Scandinavian-inspired lighting!  I was approached by Parrot Uncle (an online shop with a huge modern lighting inventory) to collaborate with them and I was immediately drawn to their wooden light fixtures.

This Nordic style ash wood flush mount is the first fixture that caught my eye.  It's on sale right now for about $160 - which is so reasonable!  I immediately envisioned using two of them in the guesthouse, but caught myself wondering if maybe that was too much wood...

If I was picking something for the main house, this glass and wood flush mount fixture would help create the mid-century mod feel I covet.

If I had more clearance in the guesthouse, I'd be all over this pine cone shaped pendant light.

This huge pendant light is begging for a spot over a kitchen island in a pared back space with lots of white and maybe a dash of marble with light wood floors. 

This grouping of beaded wood pendant lights is so on-trend right now.  Until now I've only seen these on their lonesome, but I do prefer a grouping like this because it makes more of an impact.

This rubber wood pair of pendants references atomic design, but the wood grain softens the space age influence.  I also like that it isn't just a naked bulb.

I can't say I'd want to dust this wood slat pendant light, but it would be a great way to introduce mid-century inspired slatted designs on a small scale. 

There are actually so many gorgeous hanging light fixtures, but this sculptural, spherical pendant light might take the cake.  It's mesmerizing and I'm sure it casts beautiful shadows, perfect for a moody dining room.

 

This is just a small selection of the modern lighting they offer - no wonder Parrot Uncle is recommended by Houzz!  I picked these fixtures to share because they're so unique and some of these designs feel really fresh - at least I haven't seen them elsewhere.  Of course, Parrot Uncle caters to every style (from Industrial to Traditional), but the modern style wooden hanging lights were obviously among my favorites.

If your interest has been piqued, I asked about discounts and here are some coupon codes to use:

Numberone5% for vintage industrial lights (already 20% off)
Numbertwo5% for wooden lights (already 20% off).

Plus, there are a few promotions on right now and great discounts already applied.  You can even get a 10% discount on new products!

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Parrot Uncle but I was not given any editorial direction.  The content of this post and the products highlighted were all chosen by me.  Parrot Uncle is new to me, but their prices seem incredibly reasonable and when I asked about coupon codes, I was thrilled when they offered a few additional discounts on items already on sale - sweet!

I Need Your Thoughts: Can We Make Pine Paneling Work?

Better Homes & Gardens

Because we've been showering out there, I end my nights thinking about how to decorate the guesthouse.  I've logged a lot of hours out there, pondering.

Last time I showed you the building , my Mom and I were moving the Etsy shop out there, but it turned out to be kind of inconvenient (and cold in the winter).  I ended up stashing everything on shelves in my otherwise useless, 5 foot tall basement and now the guesthouse is purposeless again.  It's filled with some random furniture and some odds and sods.  What would be more practical would be to turn it into a proper guest room, because it even boasts its own three piece bathroom! 

The only downside is the pine bonanza happening in there.  The floors are a faux wood laminate, but the walls, trim and ceiling are solid pine.  I was originally going to paint it all a bright white, but I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by how much work - and paint! - that would be.  We have a laundry list of projects and renovations still to tackle all over the house so I don't really want to commit the resources or time.  Plus, the bathroom out there is what really needs our attention: a new shower, floor, and vanity will take a chunk out of whatever budget we can allot to this space (which will be tiny).  We also need to build new sauna benches (and reinforce the sauna floor), because I insisted we rip out the existing benches for reasons that I won't mention here.  (Rhymes with "cold ban walls"). 

So...in an effort to save some time and cash, could I leave the pine and go for a rustic, Scandi feel?  Here's some inspiration, before I flesh out my exact plans for the space:

DSC Interiors

Life as a Moodboard

Lonny

EST Magazine

Front and Main

via Paper Blog

Chapter Friday

I can't believe I'm arguing for keeping the wood...

Although it would be fun to go kind of dark and moody with a rustic feel, I'll be adding the white bed and white bedding from the guest room in the townhouse.  A faux fur throw would be a cozy touch at the end of the bed - maybe my spare faux lynx one?

Then I'd add some throw pillows with this black and white Marimekko Kanteleen Kutsu print, which has a woodland theme but a mod, Scandi feel:
I'd do white curtains and white curtains rods - not that using towels as curtains isn't a genius idea (I'm serious).  I'm thinking of painting the laminate flooring a dark charcoal grey (or maybe a pale grey or white?) and adding some cozy faux sheepskin rugs my Mom is trying to fob off on me.

Ultralinx

A pine Ikea Tarva dresser, painted or stained white, could be placed across from the bed for some storage.  It would be brighter and lighter, but the same grain as the walls would peek through the finish.

I haven't measured, but it would be awesome if my black wool organic chair could fit out there too - although it's doubtful (it's such a small space!).

Then I'd update the lighting with something modern and simple.  Finally, I'd put my black/white abstract out there, because it's been displaced from the bathroom, and maybe add some smaller textural pieces in creamy whites and soft greys.  My black tree painting is still homeless, too, and it might look great out there.

It would be a quick and relatively easy makeover and my thinking is that by covering up the fake wood floor - and adding LOTS of white - I could make the natural wood walls and ceiling work.  It would be a fun way to experiment with a somewhat different style than the lakehouse - no aqua (ACK! Okay, maybe I'll paint the exterior door aqua) and maybe even some rustic accessories with a Scandinavian feel?  Ultimately this is a sauna building, so that could feel right.  

Am I totally crazy (and lazy) with my plan to keep the pine?  Be honest! 

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Iittala Find: Alvar Aalto Dish!

I really love the Iittala Alvar Aalto collection but the pieces I ogle most, in typical Tanya-fashion, tend to be the most expensive (go big or go home).  A vase over $200 would bring me little joy, I think, because I would be too worried about knocking it over to enjoy it.  Breaking vases is a real fear.  Years ago I bought an amazing chunky, gigantic vase at a yard sale, only to send it to the recycling bin after only a few uses.  Granted, one use was growing a pirate, so perhaps we were a tad rough with it?

At a super messy mid-century shop I ventured into recently, I spotted an Alvar Aalto dish.  With a typical price tag of $80-90, I think the $30 I paid is a good deal . . . ?

I can't stop photographing it, so pretty
& curvy.

In any case, it is bringing me joy.  So don't even think about telling me if I overpaid! 

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