VILLA BETULA

RANDOM

24/03/2017

Several of my latest blogposts have been all about my analog time in Prague. You have seen photos and words from the poetic villa, the dark interior hotel and under the surface in the botanical garden. This time I want to show you some random shots that I just enjoy to watch and feel. If you payed attention you might recognized this place from September? The floor, the door and the same table as last time. And the gloominess… I’m not sure if it fills the whole place, or if it just fills me. I have some sorting to do.

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WRITING IS CLOSER TO THINKING THAN SPEAKING

19/03/2017

Time for crispy forest fruit truffles (not that there’s any left at this moment…)! No, seriously, about writing – do you sometimes feel it’s easier to write than to speak? I’ve always been like that, words can stop before they come out. I can think one thing, and suddenly when I try to say it out loud, it turns into something different. Not for me, but for the listener, who could be anyone I talk to really. And I guess it’s not just the listener who is a bad listener, but I can be a bad teller.

I’m not that good with words, I don’t trust I will be understood, and that alone can stop them before they get the chance to be spoken. Other times I have way too many words that probably shouldn’t been spoken… Anyone recognize this dilemma?

So when it stops I write it down, sometimes. And one day when I feel ready I will probably begin to write more. I know the theme and I know the title and subtitle. It’s not a romantic one, that I can tell you! 😉 And I can also tell you that we are really close to put up the wallpaper and do some painting in the outhouse, I can’t wait! It has just taken one and a half year more than we thought!

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UNDER THE SURFACE

18/03/2017

Do you remember me being in Prague in September? I made a Prague guide, and one of my recommendations was this botanical garden which got it’s own post, because I loved it so much. So fragile and not very well taken care of. A couple of weeks ago I visited it again, and this time I spent more time having a look under the surface. They had cleaned it up since September, just like I’ve been writing about making this year the year of transformation, reflection and cleansing. And I’ve also mentioned that I’m not afraid of 2017, but I don’t know that for sure every day. Some days I’m terrified. It’s such a hard work to be together with myself all the time. Even though as I write I watch the sunset and three deers just arrived on the field in front of me. To be able to see the beauty in it tells me something good about this day.

Back to the botanical garden – the fragility and abandoned feeling which surrounds me here is like walking into a part of my own mind. Where pretty greenery turn into a black monster when you see the reflection of it. Where things turn a little out of control and even gets a little surreal. Where even the fish is trying to keep it’s head above water…

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DARK HOTEL

14/03/2017

I came back with the poetic villa after my analog time, which I spent in Prague with my husband. I used my time to gather sweets for my soul, and I want to share it with you. This is where we stayed – dark red walls with dark wooden vintage furniture, old mirrors and original art. It was more quiet than the Norwegian countryside even it was in the middle of the town. I love the calmness in Prague, and I love it for the esthetics and the way they care for their city. No big billboards, they dare to be different, and I love different. It takes courage. I love you Prague, you will always be “my city”.

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POETIC VILLA

11/03/2017

The wind had completely changed

the look of my short brown hair.

The rain was pouring.

I bended my neck so it wouldn’t

mess up my make up.

The skirt looked lovely

together with my cognac

coloured leather boots below.

Cold knees and a beating heart

along with my camera

impatiently waiting

for the double doors to open.

And this is what I saw.

All it needs is a little dusting.

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TIME TO BE ANALOG

03/03/2017

Hi everybody! I’ve had a couple of really rough weeks, and I’ve decided to take some days off the internett and just use pen and paper, read a couple of interior magazines, listen to music, eat good food and photograph. A blogger is might not “meant to do” such a thing, but even if I’m a blogger I choose to do it my way – my only way. I don’t know what will come out of it, but I hope and think it will be something good. I’m starting to take my way of slow living serious, really serious.

But everything is not “bad”, for example I’m shipping one more canvas today, and I’m so excited about it! The feeling of selling my own artwork is very special. I never thought that would happen! But now I’ve decided to give it more room – both time to paint and I will dedicate a room just for making more paintings. A tiny atelier will be made on the ground floor this spring , and I will for sure share it with you when the transformation is happening. And the artwork shop will grow! Speaking of my painting – sweetest Kim from Canada, who is one of two who runs the fab blog Desire to Inspire, has made two (!!) blog posts where she share lots of pics and her thoughts of Villa Betula! Here’s part one, and here’s part two where she share a pic of her own bedroom with my painting Madame Clamour over her bed! I’m honoured!

And with that feeling I will now give myself some serious analog time, and you will hear from me later next week. What about leaving your thoughts or questions in the comments below so I have something to read when I get back? I would love that 🙂

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MY WAY OF SLOW LIVING

24/02/2017

Involuntary I get stuck. In thoughts and emotions. In bed or at the sofa, anytime. I can lay there and see the Pilea Peperomioides plant turn from green transparent leaves to a black silhouette as the sun sets and having no idea how long it took. It sounds romantic, I know. But it’s not when you’re not in control of the situation.

I can feel rage and grief, but I don’t feel sorry for myself, and I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for me. I say this because I think it helps myself. Egocentric? I’m suppose to help myself – we all are. If I can’t help myself I can’t help others for sure. I experience that over and over again. I have to start in this “what do I need?” mode every time I’m at what feels like the bottom of the lake. There’s no one else down there who I can grab, I have to grab my own hand and be good with it. Don’t hit it. That’s the hardest thing I’m trying to learn.

And the second hardest is to make a very slow structure in my daily life that I can accept. If I in the evening think that “today I just baked bread and watered the plants”, than the next thought should be “…and that’s just fine…“. When I’m good at accepting that little can be done, mostly I get more done. So I’m working on finding my involuntary way of slow living that makes me healthier. That’s my job. Photographing, blogging and making music is my hobbies.

I don’ think you need another blog which doesn’t even scratch the surface. If you want dark and bold interiors and getting to know the person behind it a little, you’re at the right place! Oh, I actually have a little soundtrack to recommend too, which I’ve been listening several times while writing this post: Deru – I would like.

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DREAM TEAM

17/02/2017

Photo: Janice Issitt Life & Style/ Janice Issitt

Hi lovelies! This blogpost is longer than usual, but I promise you will love it! Today I will present you something very special – I gathered nine brilliant and inspiring people to join my “project vinyl sleeve” for Gråblomst’s second album (Madame Clamour). The team I gathered is just amazing, and I couldn’t be more proud! They were each given one song title they wrote by hand, and it will be used on the back of the sleeve. The sleeve is not done, but I want to present you these nine women while you wait for it. They’re all like a bag of sweets for you who are interested in interiors, greenery, books, photography, stunning blogs and everything. This women got it all!! Before you read more you should pour yourself a coffee and sit back, because you are might going to spend lots of time clicking in to each and everyone listed underneath. You know how it is…

Their task was like “you can write on a napkin and take a snap of it with your phone”. But someone just “had to style” and said “please let me find my ink”, and I could not possible say no, could I?

Photo: Janice Issitt Life & Style/ Janice Issitt

So this very adoring Cold as Frost as you can see on the photos above is written, styled and photographed by the fantastic Janice Issitt for Gråblomst (yes, it’s true!). Thanks, you’re too kind! You can find her blog here and you should really go follow her on instagram here. And she even runs the #behomefree hashtag on instagram, and are into music, which is really exciting I think. You rock big time Janice!

Photo: Babes in Boyland/ Matilda Hildingsson

Next up is the melancholic and poetic Swedish duo Babes in Boyland. The signature in their work is just jaw dropping – as you know my heart skip a beat when it’s dark and moody, and these two knows their style for sure. Thanks for putting your signature on this album! You should also follow them on instagram and adorable blog (psssst – they have just sat up their first workshop & retreat! I would be like a dream to attend…)

Photo: Villa Betula/ Maren Ingeborg Gråblomst

Have you read Life Unstyled, Modern Rustic or Bohemian Modern? I’m in the middle of Life Unstyled right now, and I’m in love! True love. You should really check out the author and interior stylist Emily Henson, who thinks perfection is overrated. And now she has even wrote for Gråblomst, thanks! You find her blog here and instagram here, go follow (and look at her stories, she’s cool, I’m addicted)!

Photo: Lobster & Swan/ Jeska Hearne

So, time to thank the kindest Jeska Hearne for joining too! The person who makes me want to travel to all the misty places I’ve never heard of, and I get totally lost in her photos and universe which she shares with her husband Dean. I love it when couples work together, just like my husband and myself. It’s a beautiful thing to do. They are owners of the online shop The Future Kept, write the blog Lobster & Swan (Instagram here) and also have this Instagram account for botanical love. Me love #botanicalpickmeup.

Photo: Troispetitesfilles/ Victoria

And Victoria – she makes magic! Dark colourful hues with large prints and original paintings, and she re-upholster furniture too. It’s all so beautiful, and she write stories that makes me forget where I am. A huge thanks to Victoria for her handwriting! You just have to follow her feed right here!

Photo: Artynads/ Nadia

Nadia! That caring sweet person who sends messages and help me out to get things I just “have to have”. Remember this vintage leopard painting? It was Nadia who bought it for me in a thrift shop in England and sent it all the way to Norway. And now she helped me out with the back sleeve as well! Thanks a lot! And sure she has a lovely dark home and a fab instagram feed which you find right here.

Photo: The Stora Havet/ Karla-Therese Kjellvander

Another fab woman! How many can there really be? It must be at least nine! Karla-Therese Kjellvander is one of them, and she works in the Swedish The Stora Havet, which means The Big Ocean. I just love that name, and some really cool people work there, check them out here. And don’t forget instagram here. And when I eat pastry in the middle of the week I usually blame Karla-Therese. How that happened I don’t know, but when she has a cake, I want it too!

Photo: Nordic by Maag/ Maria Aarli-Grøndalen

Dearest Maria Aarli-Grøndalen – my partner in crime. Together we host the Instagram competition #darksideshow, and I’ve even had her for a cuppa in Villa Betula. Maria is a Gråblomst fan, and she actually like my artwork too, what an amazing feeling! She’s a dark interior loving journalist and interior consultant/stylist, and I’m so glad I’ve met her! And thanks a lot for helping out on the sleeve! Make sure you follow her on Instagram here and she even has online courses in interiors (VIP-price now!).

Photo: Cowboy Kate/ Katherine Jane Learmonth

Last but not least – the queen of this huge dark 400 year old house – Katherine Jane Learmonth. What a pleasure to have you on board as well! Kate was our first self-titled Gråblomst fan, so I could not imagine a back sleeve without her… And as I write I sit on the most beautiful sheepskin ever, and who’s selling those? Yes, Kate of course! But they usually get sold out the moment they’re added to the shop, so you should follow her on instagram to get a little hint when they will arrive, and at the same time you will get loads of inspiration.

I’m seriously overwhelmed by having these talented and smart women attending my little project. And they´re all so worth checking out! If you’re empty of coffee just pour yourself another cup. I will.

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