I have exciting news…

I have just launched Skimbaco Home, inspiration for your home, interior design and home decorating finds that represent the Skimbaco lifestyle of enjoying life, and enjoying little things while living life to the fullest.

This is something that I have been wanting to do for a long time. One of my first design posts was about Alvar Aalto Paimio chair on June 21, 2007, and I have always wanted to write more about interior design and especially about Scandinavian design, but haven’t really felt it fit this blog – and I have so many other things to say here, that the interior design posts were most of the time just left non-written. I hope you enjoy Skimbaco Home as much as I enjoyed creating it for you.

Check it out now and win 1 year subscription to Coastal Living magazine or this cool Stroller storage solution pictured below.

Win StrollAway compact stroller storage solution!

You may be used to seeing Villeroy & Boch in American kitchens and dining rooms, but have you seen Villeroy & Boch also in bathrooms? If not, now if ever is time to check them out, Villeroy & Boch Bath and Wellness just added two new bathroom product lines in the US.

Memento is a minimalist line with clear lines and the elegant design speaks in volumes. The Memento line has several different size sinks, and matching toilet seat and bidet. If you want to make your bathroom to look like million bucks without actually having it, investing in a high quality designer sink is your best bet to make your bathroom to look luxurious. You can always find simple discount tile for floor, or paint the walls instead of tiling, and even inexpensive light fixtures are easy to find. If you splurge on one thing in your bathroom design, let it be sink.

La Belle line brings classic design to this millennium by offering romantic design for contemporary homes, and has rounder lines than the minimalist Memento. The La Belle line also includes bathroom furniture to complete the look. And seriously? Take a look at the bath tub – talk about having a spa in your home!

Photos: Business Wire

FROM BLAH TO SPRING SOPHISTICATED

I am so excited to share my bedroom makeover with you. I turned my bedroom from blah to sophisticated with the inspiration from Better Homes and Gardens and a budget of $500.

Even better – I am able to offer one of my readers and mini-makeover! Read the details on the bottom of this post to win your own Better Homes & Gardens home make over!

It took me a few visits to Walmart to gather all of the products from the Better Homes & Gardens product line, and one day to put together my bedroom. You can also see what my fellow bloggers, Sheena of Mommy Daddy Blog and Colleen of Classy Mommy did for their living rooms and kitchens by visiting BHG.com.

$500 BUDGET

My challenge was to actually to try to spend the whole $500. In addition to bedding, curtains and lighting, I bought some green bowls from kitchen section and garden lights from garden section to bring little details to the room.

My Better Homes & Gardens products from Walmart:

Wall Scones & Candle Holders with candles 70$
Curtains with curtain accessories 60$
Bedding $125
Lighting $52
Picture Frames $40
Book Shelf $75
Bowls $10
Total: $432
(Prices are approximate with taxes)

In addition I got fresh flowers from 1-800-Flowers.com and printed out photos with my printer, and used some items that I found from our home.

BREAKING THE DESIGN RULES AND GOING WITH ASYMMETRY

Originally I bought two of the bookshelves – I know that in interior design it is all about symmetry, and I wanted to have two bookshelves on both sides of the bed as side tables. I like to have books, somewhere to lay down my laptop and other things for the night, but our bedroom is so small, that we couldn’t fit two bookshelves in the room. I decided to forget about traditional rules of design, and decorate my room with less symmetry.

I made my own side table with a few photo boxes and added some height with a third box and added a lamp. Note that even my lamps are not matching – but they have the same color lamp shades and are at the same height. I like the idea of having black and white photos, but I mixed it up little bit even in the photo frames. I used black and white photos, color photos of flowers (to match the decor) and a few pictures with a color pop up.

My plan was to bring spring and garden in our bedroom. I wanted to have green as accent color, but ended up added shades of fuchsia and pink, the colors that I found in a Better Homes and Gardens “Garden Room” rose pillow. I even used different colored candles in the wall scones and in the candle holders on the bookshelf to give some contrast.

Notice also my curtains, which look perfectly symmetrical at the first look, but when you look closely, I added garden lights as a tie back on the other side. The ribbon was holding the cream colored bedding together when I bought it, so talk about using your resources! To add a little personal touch, I tied three old fashioned keys to the ribbon tie back. I repeated the number three many times… three candle holders, scones, keys and three flowers on the window, bowls on the shelf, three boxes stacked as night table.

So.. What do you think? How did I do?

YOUR TURN

Spring is perfect time to think of decorating and something new to your home. I am so happy to give one lucky reader a mini $100 make over of your own! Enter to win a $100 Better Homes and Gardens room mini make over.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY – EACH WAY = ONE ENTRY

1. Leave a comment which room you would like to decorate with the Better Homes & Gardens line from Walmart.
2. Blog about this giveaway and tell me what you would get with $100. Leave a link here.

RULES:
Deadline for comments/above: May 7th midnight EST. US only.

This post is also published at BHG.com.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I received $500 worth of products to do my room make over and a payment to blog at BHG.com. I also received flowers from 1-800-Flowers.com.

Nobody seeing our current bedroom would ever believe that I love interior design, and love scouting new decorating ideas from magazines like Better Homes & Gardens and online, and even share decorating ideas in my blog.

Our bedroom is as blah as blah can be.
Rest of the apartment isn’t that decorated either.

Don’t take me wrong – we have owned beautiful houses that I have decorated, designed and fully renovated; we haven’t always lived in this decorating funk. But after living in three different countries and seven states in the past ten years, the ever changing addresses in temporary apartments have left me with this “why bother, life might take us somewhere else soon anyway” – mentality of not decorating the apartment we moved in last fall. And frankly, we haven’t had it in our budget either.

But making your home beautiful doesn’t have to be expensive and take a lot of time. I am excited to show you how I will turn this blah bedroom to sophisticated in only a matter of days and with a budget of only $500 dollars, using products from Better Homes & Gardens’ new collection sold exclusively at Walmarts. To see what my fellow bloggers, Sheena of Mommy Daddy Blog and Colleen of Classy Mommy are thinking about doing for their living rooms and kitchens, check out their inspirations as well.

My step one was to make myself a big cup of coffee and indulge me for browsing the latest issues of the Better Homes & Gardens magazine and their website for inspiration.

Photos: Copyright© Better Homes & Gardens and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

My plan is to turn our bedroom into sophisticated, relaxing and fresh with a splash of color. I’m thinking adding some green as an accent color and bringing in some flowers too, after all, it’s spring and time to bloom – outdoors and indoors! Some of the items in my shopping list are curtains, new bedding and a bedside table or even a bookshelf. And better lighting is a must. Maybe even a chair to sit on…

Can’t wait to share what I come up with and also see Sheena’s and Colleen’s room makeovers. Now that it’s officially spring – thank you! – you’re probably looking around your house dreaming up a project or two. Your imagination may be healthier than your budget but little moves can have a huge impact. Tell us what kind of a mini-makeover you’re imagining for your kitchen, bedroom, living room or bath. Inspire us! I would love to hear your low cost decorating ideas. Please join us in our low budget decorating journey, and keep an eye for a fun giveaway coming up!

This post is also published at BHG.com.

Spring is here and green is one of the top decorating colors for the spring. The earth month starts today, and while these finds may not be the most environmentally friendly – they get you the green set of mind for the spring.

While it would be great to go all the way green, but instead of starting to paint the walls to the new trendy color of the season, why not just try dressing your dinner table..? Here are three table settings with enough green to qualify to be trendy for spring, but also timeless modern lines & products that won’t go out of style for years to come. That’s why I love Scandinavian design – it’s simple, timeless and always elegant.

This table setting is from Just Scandinavian store in Tribeca, but I can see myself visiting a friend’s house, and seeing it on her table. I mean really, I know for a fact one of my best friends has most of the elements of this table setting. I recognize the dishes and the glassware, but unfortunately I have to admit, I was not able to recognize the place mats.

1. Arabia Paratiisi series is a popular series, found in many Finnish homes.

2. Iittala Maribowls (starting $34) come in different colors and are an iconic Finnish table top decoration and serving dish.

3. Iittala Aino large tumbler ($22.50 for a pair) is every day design, that lasts for years’ of use and still looks fresh and new. Aino glasses come in several colors and sizes.

4. Iittala Kartio Tumblers start at 20 bucks for a pair and come in several different colors (two shades of green) and different sizes.

Picture: Kotiliesi

This time I know the table cloth.. it’s Marimekko’s Dahlström-table clothe, made of Vågsvall-fabric, unfortunately I didn’t find it available online. But note the different colored dishes in the setting. I really like that when you use simple design, and the same dishes (in different colors) you can mix colors pretty randomly. Or get the same glasses or candle holders in different colors to mix it up, that way you can easily create table settings that fit different themes and seasons.

1. Iittala Teema is iconic Finnish collection, designed already in the 60s. From school cafeterias to restaurants to everyday use in homes – Teema has been everywhere since it’s debut. Available in several colors.

2. Iittala Ote glasses are featured in this table setting in clear, but like

3. Iittala Birds ($366) are popular collectibles that make stunning center piece to your dining table. Available in several designs & colors, and yes, all with fairly high price tags.

4. The unfortunate Marimekko fabric that I couldn’t find available online in green.

This table setting has a nice Finnish-Swedish mix. The simple white Finnish Arabia’s 24h-series’ dishes are mixed with Swedish plates that offer a little color to the mix. The Josef Frank’s bird fabric is really the key element to this setting – adding any more color with dishes would have been too much (for Scandinavian look).

1. Gustavsberg Adam plates (small plate $55) with blue dots is old and new at the same time. Great retro look that is easy to mix and match with other series.

2. The simple white Arabia 24h series, starting at X $.

3. Iittala Senta Wine Glasses, starting at $25 for a pair.

4. Did you see Mamma Mia! movie? If you adored the fabrics, they are designed by a Swedish designer Josef Frank, here featured the Green Birds linen fabric.

I wanted to share a few photos of beautiful modern Scandinavian kitchens with you and some product finds you can bring the same look in to your kitchen. Less is more in Scandinavian design, and the colors are neutral, lots of white, earth tones, stainless steel and selected items bringing a splash of color. The kitchen photos are all from Finland, where I am from, and the styles and ideas here represent the Finnish kitchen styles. All of the following products are not from Scandinavia, but offer the same look and are easily available.

(picture: Irja Koivula)

My favorite feature of Finnish kitchens is a dish rack inside a cabinet, on the top of the sink, tiskikaappi. I have no idea why a brilliant invention like this hasn’t spread around the world, but maybe it is just us Finns that thinks it’s brilliant. The dish rack is just simple wire rack, with open bottom of the cabinet, and you can lift all the hand washed dishes inside the cabinet to drip down to the sink. This leaves more space to your counter and your dishes are hidden behind the cabinet. I have chosen the kitchen pictures in this blog post to include the tiskikaappi.

STORAGE

But if you find tiskikaappi a little odd or you don’t have a cabinet on the top of your sink that you could turn into one, here are a few Scandinavian style storage ideas for you.

1. Alessi Jasper Morrison Kitchen Utensils Set ($115) is Italian, but many Scandinavians love Alessi and this utensil rack is a common sight in modern Scandinavian kitchen. Sleek design, nice deco element, but something that is in use daily.

2. Grundtal wall rack from IKEA ($10.99) is a great small rack you can get the Finnish feel to your kitchen.

3. Domsjö chopping board ($14.99) isn’t really a storage element, but I love it and added it here for its multi-purpose. This chopping board fits perfectly on the top of your sink and you get more counter space – and you can hide dirty dishes under it!

4. Swedish Designs’, Horizontal Skillet Rack Beech ($62.00) is made for skillets of different sizes, but I love the look and have it on my countertop and storage plates on it. Beech always has a Scandinavian feel and if you add colorful plates or skillets to this one, it gives just the right about color to your kitchen.

5. Stainless steel bread box ($39.95) from Crate & Barrel looks something many Scandinavians have. Many Finnish kitchens are small, and extra storage is always welcome. This bread box style is a design element and very functional piece of modern Scandinavian kitchens.

ACCESSORIES

Bring the color in with accessories but keep the style still modern. Use essential kitchen tools, and things you can use every day to brighten the look if you want to keep the uncluttered modern Scandinavian look in your kitchen. Finnish people love designer glass wear, and you can find Arabia and Iittala from almost every home.

1. Marimekko Tea Towels ($25/per set of 2) are linen/cotton mix, and give a nice hint of color to your kitchen. The Pakkanen and Pikkunen patterns are designed by Maija Louekari for Marimekko.

2. Iittala Kivi Votives (starting at $12.75) come in variety of colors – collect one or two colors or get them all and change by the seasons. They are also great for coins etc. small items.

3. Iittala Pepper Mill ($59.50) is the only pepper mill you’ll ever need to purchase. High quality, stainless steel, and looks modern and stylish on your countertop ready to be used.

4. Small appliances you use every day like espresso machine are proudly displayed on the countertop – and they blend in the modern design look. I like stainless steel appliances, but if you are like many Finns, you might opt for white appliances. Alessi Toaster with bun warmer ($198) is a great choice, offering impeccable style and function.

5. Marimekko’s Unikko pattern is a no-fail in Finnish kitchens. There are even people with some sort of Unikko-mania and they have everything with the Unikko pattern from tea towels to bathroom accessories to umbrellas to socks. But seems like the most commonly used Unikko products are the kitchen products, like these Marimekko Oven Mittens ($17), which come in several different colors bringing your Scandinavian style kitchen nice splash of color.

6. Alvar Aalto is the most known Finnish architects and designers and his vase collection is also known world wide – and loved in most Finnish homes. Alvar Aalto Mini Bowl ($20) is the least expensive one, and small enough to bring joy on your countertop in a daily use. If you really want to make a statement, get the largest size and use it as a fruit bowl – and tulips in an Aalto vase is a Finnish flower arrangement I’m used to seeing since I was a little kid.

Kitchen photo sources:
Plaza.fi
Sundsberg.fi
vaasa.tvtalo.fi

READ MORE:

Marimekko Starts a New Era
Modern Children’s Bedding by Marimekko
Artek video from Finland
Why don’t we see any Finnish Innovations or do we?
Alvar Aalto and my home town
Cheap Scandinavian Design a’la Swedish IKEA – part 1
Cheap Scandinavian Design a’la Swedish IKEA – part 2