VILLA BETULA

THOUGHTS FLOWING (AND PRACTICAL INFORMATION)

25/09/2018

I wonder when I am to get done with the hallway, which have been partly painted for quite some time. I wonder if it helps to cross my fingers when there’s something I really want to happen. I wonder what makes me so tired and strong at the same time, and why I’m not afraid of love anymore. While I feel kind of stuck in a pile of things I never get to sort out in my new home, and wonder about life while trying to live my best in the present, I drink coffee, go to the theatre and travel to Prague. I got back on Friday, and I’m going back there in the end of October too, because why not.

My calendar is as empty and clean as a calendar can be. I’ve even cancelled the Gråblomst & Lott workshop which where to be held in my pad November, because of my health. I basically can’t take a single deadline anymore. Hopefully it will get better again. But I accept it the way it is, and maybe it will give me a nice endless flow in my painting, writing and music making.

Still working on the hallway. I wonder if I’m might going to make a painting directly on the wall or in the ceiling in this room. Time will show. I won’t make any plans, suddenly it just happens because it feels right in that given time.

Things that never seem to find its place on the wall or on a hanger. Everything are leaning to the wall or hung on something else, and most of it is very unpractical. Some days I love it, some days I hate it.

But coffee I never seem to hate, and we are good friends, the coffee and I.

WHEN ONE SINGLE THING MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE

14/09/2018

IN COLLABORATION WITH MYLDRE INTERIOR (HAMAR, NORWAY)

Every time I saw this lamp in a photo, I stopped scroll. Every time. Took a screen shot every now and then – of the same lamp! I mean, do I need to explain? I’m so glad t h e m o s t amazing lamp hangs in my chocolate brown living room now. The colour combinations couldn’t be better either…

Fringes – the way to my heart, ha ha!

And it’s huge! Makes the rosette shine a little extra too, they’re like made for each other. And since the lamp is in the corner/tower room, I can see it from both the kitchen and hallway. If I moved the mess on my bedroom, I would most likely be able to see it from there as well, and if I live the bathroom door open i could see it from the shower, haha 😉

Run, run, run, like I did, to Myldre Interior in Hamar, and your room will change its attitude. No kidding’.

And like it’s not enough with one, I’ve also placed a mirror in a way that I can see two of it, which both reflects the light and the beauty. I couldn’t be more happy with a lamp…

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MY NEVER ENDING BOHEMIAN CHAOS

05/09/2018

I don’t think the minimalist in me ever want to live. But I do think the bohemian in me loves the new apartment! The chaos don’t seem to end, and it’s fine, let me just share reale life, ey? What’s not fine is coping with deadlines and expectations. I can’t deliver. So I have spend the last days emptying my calendar, quitting unfinished jobs. It took some courage!! Just one little job left, and I did some portraits for a local musician in here yesterday, which was great fun! I almost forgot I was depressed, ha ha ha 😉

So my next job is actually my and Michell’s workshop here in November! We have some spots left, but I’m glad there’s also some places taken, so I don’t have to worry about it 😉 Sign up here folks! This will be a once in a lifetime experience that will feed your soul and creativity, and I we want to meet you.

While I “wait” for November, I will wear my hat while writing, reading, composing, drinking coffee, listen to records and stroll around town. Suddenly I want to photograph and share too. Oh, and I’m going to Sweden and Czech for a week later this month, and in October Berber Lodge in Marrakech is whispering my name…

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HOW LIFE AND I EMBRACE EACH OTHER IN ANOTHER WAY

16/08/2018

Hi lovely people. I had never thought it would be five weeks before I were to say hi again. I never thought I would give myself five weeks to let life take me where I were meant to be. Sounds like a long time, right? As I write, I feel five weeks of letting life happen naturally is a very little time. I want my life to happen, like water and fire at once. Not trying to control what to come. The feeling of it gives me peace in mind. Earlier it would freak me out to let myself having so little control. Well, I never had it, but desperately tried to. Convinced myself I could control one direction after another.

I skipped to wash the extremely dirty windows in my new pad, just so I could spend more time drinking coffee. To spend time reading books. I have never dared to read books (the reason is a part of this), and now I’m on my third one in six weeks. And do you remember me going to Stockholm for a long week in April, writing posts (first and second) about my new concept? I’m so glad I wrote those posts, so glad I shared my perspective at that given time. It’s about seven months since the divorce now, and as usual I live so much. So much going on all the time, still I get the feeling of not getting anything done at all. Many of my new plans will be pulled trough, because I want to. Like the workshop in November, and the brunch club. I will paint again too, and def make a record. But I will let it happen with as few dates and deadlines as possible. Deadlines kills me.

While reading books I’ve not used my Mac more than maybe 5-6 times. I have stopped reading the few blogs I usually read. It just happened, and it’s alright. I will read it all when I suddenly feel like. It feels so much better to communicate directly with people now. Chat and sms is not very “directly”, and I prefer to talk on the phone or meet people for a coffee or a beer and talk, for hours. Sit here in this nook in my new kitchen, in the middle of the chaos from moving. It’s fine. I don’t vacuum before someone enters the door. I don’t put bags or boxes under the bed to make it look less chaotic. Because it’s already full underneath the bed.

I buy too many buns and vinyl records, and spend close to a fortune on shrimps, fish and olives. I make my coffee very strong and black, and I bring food for the ducks in the lake several times a week. I have been swimming almost every evening. I order tickets to go new places and meet new inspiring people. Various artists with various backgrounds. But I have so much in common with them, and it’s life changing to be open to other peoples stories and ways to express themselves. I learn so much, and people treat me with such a respect that I am forever grateful .

The plants grow faster here in the middle of the town, than they did in the countryside. Just like myself. The skies run by faster, and let the blue sky return faster here, also just like me. This is my home now, and this is where I want to be. I feel safe, and I feel humble and loved. By myself. Makes me able to trust others as well, and I make decisions that brings me good health, strength and magic.

She’s mad, but she’s magic. There’s no lie in her fire.

JUST GOT BACK FROM ROME!

13/07/2018

Heeeeey, long time no see! I realized it was such a pleasure to drop internet, had no plans to, but I must admit it felt good! Guilty pleasure when you “have to” be so “in here” to make it work. But I can’t let it steer my way, I also need vacations without sharing them in real time.

So, there are two reason why I dropped it all, reason number one: I’ve been in Rome for week with my ten year old, who’s also the photographer (and owner of the cap) in the photo below. She has this magical ability to capture me the way she sees me. This is the only edited photo so far, more to come! By the way, we had an amazing time, and I felt like a child in the pool 😉 We ate less ice-cream than expected, but more caramels, and I’m now addicted to a certain Italian caramel and don’t know how I’ll make it without it!! 😉 I also got a couple of sleepless night, the reason is below the photo…

Reason number two (like I have to excuse myself…): It’s nuts how much admin work and practical work it has been, and still is, with the apartment and the house. I was suppose to be all done with the wallpaper and painting before every big piece of furniture will be moved on Wednesday (!!!!), but noooo way that will happen. Not even close. I’ve hired someone to move my furniture, to avoid a heart attack and a broken back. A new fridge and divers will also arrive the coming week, and if I am to believe the “rumors”, the apartments is now all ready with electricity and water. I’ll go there later today and have a look…

In a couple of weeks Villa Betula is no longer mine, but “New Villa Betula” – I’m ready for you! (even though I have no idea where to put all the things I’ve decided to keep, gosh, there will be several sleepless nights…).

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NOVEMBER WORKSHOP: LOTT & GRÅBLOMST (OPEN FOR REGISTRATION!)

01/07/2018

WHAT DOES YOUR HEART SAY? FIND YOUR PALETTE AND TELL YOUR STORY.

– We will give you the seed you need to start listen and tell your true tale.

I can finally proudly present my partner in crime in November: Michell Lott! He’s a multidisciplinary content creator and journalist, and has covered interiors, design, architecture, art and travel in a very well know Brazilian interior magazine for the last five years.

One of his biggest strengths is to see beauty in simple things, and he has some serious skills (I have to say that!) when it comes to colours and creating a palette. Michell also uses his phone to photograph and edit with, and that’s some of what he want to teach you. I will use a system camera, and together we will make it work for all of you. Bring what you have, and embrace the possibilities with what you got – you will be able to tell your true tale. Together we will find our palettes and photograph environment and people in natural light.

I’ve collected all workshop information (and how to register) at the bottom of this post so you can easily find everything you need to know (time and time again). First I want to repeat What does your heart say? Find your palette and tell your story – We will give you the seed you need to start listen and tell your true tale… Does this sounds like something you would like to join?

Mr. Lott (ha ha) is super excited to meet you all, and so am I!

Colours, atmosphere, you… How to find it, and how to capture it. You don’t have to be in your photos, it’s totally up to you. But before you know it you’re might ready to push yourself a little out of your comfort zone. And if not it’s just as good. So many possibilities, so little expectations. We where thinking about being like a little family the two days we have together!

There will be held two workshops since we want to give as many as possible the opportunity to join us!

Workshop #1 – Saturday 10th + Sunday 11th of November

Workshop #2 – Tuesday 13th + Wednesday 14th of November

We will gather around this table…

Would you be comfortable to be in front of the camera too? At least you will get the opportunity!

So excited to pick up this person at the train station in November!

Hope to see so many as possible of you! <3

WORKSHOP INFORMATION:

Where to buy a spot: in my shop here

Where: Hamar, Norway (in the «New Villa Betula»)

When:

Workshop #1 – Saturday 10th + Sunday 11th of November 2018

Workshop #2 – Tuesday 13th + Wednesday 14th of November 2018

What: Colour and photography workshop.

There will be coffee, tea, simple lunch and really long dinners when the workday is over! Chats and new people with the similar interests, and tons of things to learn from each other along the way! I really want to make you all feel at home, so it will be held in my pad. This means we will be like a small family for a couple of days, and there are only six spots on each of the workshops.

More detailed information about the daily schedule will be given to the participants closer to the workshop date. In general we will be taught all the tips and tools Michell Lott has to offer, both when it comes to colours, styling, and use of your phone as a camera and editing. I will use my system camera and also use some time in Lightroom if some of you want to.

We want to teach you about storytelling, and how you can tell yours, also without the most “fancy” equipment. It’s about heart, it’s about guts and it’s about you. This is your time, your journey, your possibilities.

Host: Maren Ingeborg Gråblomst
Guest instructor: Michell Lott

Fee: 4700 Norwegian Kroner

Included:

– Goodie bag

– Two simple lunches/ snacks
– Two dinners (w/one beer/wine). First day at a restaurant in town, second day in my pad.
– Coffee and tea
– Styling sessions
– Photography sessions

– Editing sessions
– Colour palette sessions

Not included: Hotel and transportation

Language: Will be held mainly in English, and maybe we’ll learn some Brazilian phrases!

Travel: It’s very easy to get to the workshop: take a flight to Oslo Airport Gardermoen (or a train to Oslo), and you catch a train to Hamar which only takes an hour, and then there’s a two minute walk from the station to my apartment! Easy and fast 😉

Cancellation policy: Due to logistics and the people involved, this is a non refundable workshop.

Feel free to email me at contact@villabetula.com.

When you have reserved your spot by purchasing a place through by my shop here, you will receive a confirmation email and a more detailed schedule will arrive in your mailbox closer to the workshop date.

See you in my pad in November! 😉

SLEEPING IN A DARK CHOCOLATE

29/06/2018

All I do is painting! 6-9 hours a day – who said I was tired of painting walls and ceilings after years of transforming Villa Betula? 😉 I just close my eyes and enter new projects, and that’s how I operate. That’s how my life looks like. Workshop projects too, I’m getting sooooo close now, and my next blogpost is most likely the one when I reveal it all. I’m almost getting nervous and have to pinch myself in the arm. Almost too good to be true, ya know…

Yay, my new bedroom colour! It’s totally like dark chocolate, and what could possibly be better to sleep in?! I was at the paint shop before I decided the colour – I was looking at a fan of tiny tiny tiny samples with codes, and just pointed out one. Didn’t know whether I would end up with brown, green, plum…

First coat of chocolate in the ceiling, but I actually managed to get the second (shiny!!) coat on before I went home late last night, so I’m super excited to see it when I get back to the apartment later today. I am so sure this place will be the coolest place I’ve lived.

First sneak peek of the kitchen! Hopefully there will be electricity in not too long, and I will paint it later in July. I have a smashing collaboration going on for the kitchen, living room and hallway! Something I’ve never tried before…

Imagine a wall to the right here, and that’s where this wallpaper is going up. It looks like I’m might going to do it all by myself, wish me luck!! I really don’t like the floor in this room, so also visualize a huge rug, ha ha 😉

And my daughter’s room, where she decided the colour herself. What a brilliant choice! She wanted to have the same as we have now in the hallway in Villa Betula. Melted my heart of course… I’m done with two coats and a shiny ceiling already, I’ll show you later!

So, lovely people, stay tuned and peel your eyes, because I will most likely spend this late evening trying to figure out how to make a “smooth” way to sign up for the workshop in November.

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CAN YOU FEEL THE EXCITEMENT?!

23/06/2018

I got the keys for the apartment yesterday, all of a sudden, yay! No electricity and no water yet, but at least I can paint and be here alone and do some planning. Take some deep breaths. Invite my sister for my first coffee at the balcony (coffee from the vinyl and coffee shop on ground floor, one of the best spots in town!). Walking around in circles, thinking that life has a tendency to sort itself out when I calm down…

My old french sliding doors got its first coat of paint today – black! It’s actually the only thing that will be black as night in the apartment. Tomorrow I’ve set my alarm to ring early, as I eager to continue with the max shine layer of black – this door will shine, just like I’ve started to do. Life – a magical journey, even when it’s bad. All the shit has taken me where I am, and I don’t want to be anywhere else.