I think that we can all agree: May is a fabulous month! Spring, the long weekends, staying too long at the park after school but because the sun feels so nice you just do not want to go home. And then this upcoming long weekend which will extend into a week of school holidays for the children.
And we are all looking forward to it. Finally having regained our routines we still need to catch up a little with our energy levels. And Romy is just doing a full week of exams and will be very delighted when she will hand in her last paper on Friday. Ding Dong!
Time for a break and time to explore a little more of our new home town!
But before I will share 21 fun things that I have come across over the last week:
Two new books for the kids:
Fly Flies
A delightful book about staying true to yourself in the face of people who insist they know better.
Love the illustrations!
Don’t Hug The Pug
What’s wrong with the pug….? A hilarious and deceptively simple story that will have little ones shrieking with laughter.
Sometimes you wonder about magical Instagram images? Here is a fun behind the scenes…
Must read article: It was the accumulation of ever-increasing pressures that, over time, became an impossible weight to carry. A weight that most women carry. This is the weight that becomes a stone on my tongue as I struggle to articulate the complicated multitudes of motherhood to my friend.
New products over at Ila y Ela – giant lion heads, blankets and cute baby suitcases!
Today’s Interior Tuesday is about shared kids rooms. Why? Because most families, especially the city based ones, do not have space to have a room for each of their children. And great ideas on how to make a shared kids room work are always wanted.
We downsized with our move to London and actually have three of our four children in one room. So I know a fair part about sharing a room. It is a topic I have in my drafts for a Genuine Friday (because there is a little story to it), but at this moment Romy (our eldest) has her room and we put the three others together. Moreover, it is not a very big room but it works. One day I will share photos of the house, but first, we need to get the lamps changed… which is just one of those tasks that always stay on the to-do-list.
Anyway, sharing a room with your sibling is fun, but often there are just not enough rooms in the house and sharing is the only way. Often the size and shape of the room will already give you an idea on where you place the beds. But why not taking a look at some different layout ideas to see if they could work for you too.
Because there are lots of fun and practical ways to make the most of a shared room. Therefore, here are six ideas:
Via
Probably the most traditional layout: this layout has a nice symmetry and each child has an equal share of the room. I love how they decorated the two sides sop differently and yet they look so complementary way. Fresh, cosy and bright!
The beds and dollhouse are most likely from IKEA, the buntings* from Meri Meri as well as the pompom garland*. The cushions* and the yellow lamp is from Muuto.
Via
Fitting two beds or more in a small space can be tricky and going up is a great solution. So with some DIY talent (or a good carpenter friend), a little imagination and creativity you can create something really cool.
Via
Bunk beds do not always have to mean the typical one above the other thing as this space proofs! Take the ‘light’ IKEA bunks, get clever and create something cool. And these three boys really seem to really enjoy their space.
Via
This was most likely designed by an architect but look how easy and smart these three beds look in this room. Like they are floating! And some smart storage was built in too and three girls have a very cosy room to share!
Via
On first view this space does not look like it can sleep four children, doesn’t? Bunks have the obvious advantage of saving space. And kids love them too!
These are two Perch bunks* from Oeuf in birch. The light colour really helps to keep the room bright and open. The lower bed is independent, by the way, which means you can place it any way you want! Also, the ladders can be put on either the right or the left side of the bed. So the bunk really can adjust to your room!
I know that parents are always looking for stylish and practical storage for children’s rooms. Always!
Why is that? When you become parents for the first time you will start creating a nursery and learn from everyone that a baby does not need much. Which is true. A bed, a changing table, and some outfits. You can get away with that for starters easily. Of course, you may get (and receive) some little books and toys but it is all very manageable.
And then they grow and with that, there are more toys and just more ‘stuff’ in general. And that includes books! I mean, who can resist all these beautifully illustrated children’s books?
Wouldn’t be a pity to put them in a drawer? Of course! Great children’s books are probably the best way to decorate a room in a heartbeat. Which means we need some cool bookshelves! So, the modern parents we are these days we want them to fit our interior style. And, of course, we are smart and want them to be functional too.
Therefore I had a look around and gathered 8 ideas for children’s bookshelves today:
The Peekabo bookshelf* that has lots of space for books and other things. This bookcase is a stunning and useful storage piece, with plenty of space including some handy drawers underneath! The shelves are varying depths and sizes, creating plenty of opportunity for different displays.
Oliver Furniture has this simple wood shelving unit which I love because you can use it as a bench too! You can either mount it to a wall or place it on the ground on a base that you can purchase apart. A very classic Nordic design that will never go out of style and can fit lots of things. The storage boxes and the cushion can be bought separately.
The Oeuf mini bookshelf* is a true classic by now. Functionality meets high-end modern design, because this sleek and contemporary look will fit in with any type of decor. It is designed for easy access which I find is the main advantage for this shelf.
Get your child reading with this award-winning Tidy Books Children’s bookcase*. Moreover, the design makes it easy to pick out books for themselves, and encourages independent reading. Also, this shelf can hold up to 85 books of all shapes and sizes!
Rafa Kids has a lovely collection of shelves in four sizes and various colour combinations. Display your child’s books, toys or heirlooms. Maybe these are more display style than storing tons of books, but they look stunning and I find it is great fun to select your favourite books and put them up! (these pretty box shelves we featured some time back, are great for display too!)
We always knew that a String is a great investment. For any room of the house! Finally the company created some fantastic lifestyle images to show that they are just perfect for a children’s room too! Altogether, a simple, classic design and one of the few investments your kids won’t outgrow as the system can be adapted and adjusted over time to suit your kids’ needs.
Find a big selection of String available here*.
Also from Oeuf is the vertical bookshelf* that comes in handy for narrow corners and corridors. This bookcase was inspired by the original mini library. Its tall, compact design makes it a perfect fit for any size room. Again, the shelves and stylish cubbies provide ample space for books, toys, and other treasured items.
The storage shelf* from Flexa is available in various sizes and colours. I love the pastel shades (there is a style to suit every taste) and rounded edges. Therefore you can organise and display your child’s favourite books in a colourful way. In addition, the shelf can be hung on the wall or placed on the floor.
Would you like more interior inspiration? How about these accessories for a natural kids room or cool world maps? And of course, our kids interior category is full of cool family spaces.
Since I am always on the lookout for a new great series and love to see what others are watching (and why!) I thought that I may share my recent favourites with you.
Because maybe you are the same. And because I do love to watch a good TV series. More than movies these days and I cannot even imagine how things were before Apple TV. Can you? With all the commercials and being ‘on time’ on your sofa and all that stuff.
And, it is rather relaxing to end the day with a good show. To make sure we are not getting lost with all the stuff (Netflix produces a new show every hour it seems), twice a week we do a ‘talk talk‘ evening session with my husband. To discuss anything on our minds and things that need to be done.
But anyway, let’s get back to the point. I am writing these shows down in alphabetical order because there is no way I could give them a listing. I love them all… for various reasons as you will see:
(by the way, I wanted to get this article out earlier this week but it took longer than expected, and since it is not so much about kids, I think it fits quite well on a Friday – not a 100% Genuine Friday but it is quite personal actually because most of these series actually touched me very much)
Dead to me
This show was only launched at the beginning of this month and I think I finished the first season in 2 days, 3 max! I love dark humor and there is plenty! And these two ladies, Christina Applegate stars with Linda Cardellini, are absolutely fabulous. The general story is: A widow is searching for the hit-and-run driver who mowed down her husband and befriends an eccentric optimist through shared grief. And everything is so real, natural, full of emotions that I can relate to, and touching!
Also the topics! There is a lot in the plot, but they are all very important: dealing with grief, mum guilt, being in your 40s, miscarriages, breast cancer, and friendship.
Be warned, there is a good amount of swearing and I know that this put some people off. But this is not a show for children and, to be very honest, I can kinda relate. Jen (CA) has so much on her plate. Her husband died, she has two teenagers and a business to run. And when listening to heavy metal (love that part, can relate to that too!) and swearing helps to navigate your life a bit better, then that is fine. It is all still very raw and new, it will not last forever! And yes, I would love to have a friendship like Jen and Judy (LC) share, because they both allow each other to feel what they need to feel.
By the way, the two seem to really enjoy each others company in general. Love it:
This is the total opposite of Dead to me. And the only reason I actually watch and love it. This soap opera reboot based on the 80’s series is all about glitz, wealth, the corrupt world, and backroom deals. The storyline is totally over the top B U T the main character, Fallon Carrington, is sassy, outspoken, obnoxious and sports the sharpest eyeliner in history. Together with the best outfits! There you go, for me, it is all about the costumes, the styling, the fashion! It is just so good! Once a week I have my Dynasty moment and then I am glued to the TV waiting for a new outfit to pop up. And since the show is recorded at the moment, all the pieces are from current collections! And to top it all, you will see lots of Gucci, Louboutin, Prada, and co. But there is also space for some smaller brands and new designers. That is why each outfit is so interesting. And, yes another ‘and’, the men. They do dress the men in the coolest outfits too. Jeff Colby actually has such a bad a** wardrobe! To sum up: Bold, structured, feminine with a twist, modern, cheeky and always just so on point! Love it! You should try it too if you love fashion…
Also, you absolutely have to follow Meredith Markworth-Pollack on Instagram, the stylist of the show. A genius!
Killing Eve
Another show with two ladies as the main characters. And this one is just never dull, always well observed, made with great attention to detail, and most importantly so much fun.
Eve is a bored MI5 security officer whose desk job does not fulfill her fantasies of being a spy. Meanwhile, Villanelle is a fearsome assassin clinging to the luxuries her violent job affords her.
When Eve is tasked with tracking down Villanelle before she can strike again, the two women are thrown into a cat-and-mouse game that turns the traditional spy-thriller on its head. I love some good crime (also in terms of books) but this is another level. Sophisticated and fantastic acting! Season 2 aired in the US and I am impatiently waiting to get access here in the UK.
Patrick Melrose
This one is intense! And Benedict Cumberbatch is the show. To be honest, I am not sure I would have adored it as much if somebody else would have played that role. He is just such a great actor. The show is based on semi-autobiographical novels about Britain’s upper class by Edward St Aubyn. And about a man from a very privileged yet traumatic childhood in the 1980s. Patrick’s father was abusive, and Patrick’s mother put up with his behavior. He went into addiction and severe substance abuse in New York. The 1st episode is a very accurate description of what it means to be an addict. But the story quietens down and deepens after that, so please do not give up after that start.
The biggest message is that even so, you have given up substances/ drugs, your past will not automatically disappear too. So touching to see Patrick self-sabotaging and still believing that he is not a good person. His mum is played by Jennifer Jason-Leigh who is also extraordinary. Definitely a show that lingers in your memory long after. Image: Sky Atlantic
This is Us
Another one with deeply affecting emotional messages! About the lives and families of two parents, and their three children, in several different time frames.
And a whole lot of important topics as well: Mental health, loss, homosexuality, premature babies, adoption, addiction, and finding your path in life.
This family is surely not perfect and this is what makes it perfect after all. For me! It is so simple and yet so complicated, heartbreaking, sweet and also brutal.
They start to make you adore Jack, the father. The one that is perfect, loved and does everything and cheers everyone up. But episode after episode (especially in the last season)we see more about their lives, what they dealt with and slowly realise that it was actually Rebecca, the mum, who kept everything and everyone together. And it reminds us, that what you see (or want to see) is not always the reality. And that there is more to a story.
It is deep and especially the grieving part feels very close to me. Because losing a very close family member is not something that you eventually “get over”. But instead, that loss becomes an integrated part of your life going forward. And in ‘This is Us’ we can see how every character in this series is dealing with it in very different ways. I think we often believe that grief is temporary, and only allow expressions of it in that first few months or maybe a year. And yet there will always be moments of wishing that loved one was still around. To me, that show was/ is really some form of grief counseling.
What are you top TV series to binge watch? Have you seen one from my list? I would love to know…
Hej! Look at this beautiful house from the 30’s that has kept quite a few features and original details. And that lovely garden with lots of greenery and several fruit trees.
Last weeks stunning family house was sitting right in Goteborg’s archipelago, but today we are a bit closer to the city.
And you are in for a treat! A vintage treat because this home houses two gorgeous Vintage children’s rooms and one even comes with a very special bed.
And? This bed is so cool isn’t? Feels a bit like a bunk on a ship…
Together with the Vintage wallpaper and did you spot the switches? So you can illuminate the box (light box) and that original lamp makes for a great reading lamp. Delightful!
A very cute house owner!
The second children’s room belongs to a girl, I would say. And shows a beautiful Vintage bed that can be extended. A cool rattan chair, a beloved canopy and more cool wallpaper. The room is kept very clean and minimal. Very refreshing and simple!
I need to keep today’s article quick and cheerful because I had a busy morning and I am already off to another rendez-vous! See you tomorrow…
