Got somewhat way laidby replying to Stefan but anyway here we are in LA.
Beautiful weather and the hotel is wonderful. Right in the center of west Hollywood which makes getting places so much easier. This is an enormous city.
Like every tourist we have rented a convertible, trying to be somewhat discreet we got a Mustang, not really my thing but nice to have sun on your face rather than grayness.
Off up the coast not to go and work……..perhaps lunch in malibu.
S & T
Dear Stefan
Sorry that you are so upset about whether the show is english or swedish. To me it is fairly obvious it is a swedish show……. swedish painters, family, carpenters, production team, broadcast channel etc etc. The whole point IS that I speak english. There are plenty of other design shows where everyone speaks swedish but we wanted to do something a little different.
I also find that sometimes when discussing an atmosphere or colour or tone that we are trying to create english is a language that perhaps is a little more descriptive.
S
This has certainly been a tough week.
Wednesday was in Göteborg all day which was very rainly and very miserable but I am sure it is nice for the rest of the year.
Stayed at the Avalon hotel which is very chic and pleasant and to be recomended highly. As you can see from this picture we were given one of those damned straw pigs which I left on the balcony with a wet Göteborg in the background.
Thursday was Trollhättan meeting some very nice people.
Today we have filmed a trailer for the new show as well as lots of meetings and sunday will be off to LA (for work)
That will be really good fun I hope, staying in a new hotel which will be interesting to see. I have bought the most violent pink trousers for this outing as I am fairly certain I would be arrested wearing them here.
Now the weekend can begin…….although T & I need to work tomorrow to get ready for leaving.
S
Jessica, I know you have tried the TV 3 website but all I can suggest is that you try again.
If anyone knows of something truly ugly, not just dirty, 1969’s and furu, now is the time to apply. However what we want are houses where people think they have good taste but it is dreadful, people who like a greek these, columns etc.
However you need to be prepared to accept critisism, because if you have any of the above you will get it by the shed load.
Good luck.
S
I have decided to think very seriously about going to Shanghai, had a meeting with a client today who says it is the most glorious place in the world.
It would seem that night life, hotels bars and restaurants are fabulous and easily rival New York and London.
Tomorrow is fixing the Jul Bord at the Strand hotel with Mölndal on wednesday. For more Shanghai images look at http:snowfish.com/simontomas
Have a good evening.
S
It has been confirmed that there will be another season of Sweden’s Ugliest Homes which is fun to hear.
They are at the moment looking for new projects so if you have something spectacularly awful perhaps it is time to get in touch with TV3. If you look on their website you can see how and where to send information.
But remember, it has to be truly horrible and you need to be able to take T & I pointing out all the worst bits.
Good luck.
S
Here is a photo of T & I & P & P opening a new dog shop in Östhammar, great picture of the boys, I am looking at Pooter as though he has just prutted.
S
Anna has brought up a very good point about the environment and re cycling.
T and I never throw any of the families posessions out and if the family does not want some of their old things we always encourage them to give it to Myrona who can sell it and raise money for something useful.
We also talk about buying furniture at auction as I think this is the greenest of all options if you think about it. The furniture has already been produced, transported etc etc so there really is no further use of energy or precious resources.
When it comes to the kitchen we removed in the last show what was not visable was how broken, run down anduseless it was.
In an ideal world yes wecould have spent a day carefully taking it down, getting in touch with Blocket, taking the phone calls, showing people the kitchen, someone only wants the sink, another person wants the tap…………and on and on.
You have to remember that we have 72 hours to make the show and if we use half that time trying to get rid of a rundown broken old kitchen it simply does not work.
However the basic fact is is that Anna’s point is a good one. In almost evey show we talk about recycling, auctions, the environment, using the new Osram low energy lightbulbs etc as a way of us all doing our bit to make a difference.
S
Last night was great fun (glad I am still not too old) as we were invited by the British Ambassador to their residence. The new ambassador from the US was there who was wonderful and his wife was a riot, Emma Sjöberg, Mickael Bindefeld and Linda, an opera singer with whom I laughted all night.
Drinks in the drawing room, very informal with 20 people but it was the smell of the fire and the dimmed lighting and the feeling of England that was so interesting.
I have lived in sweden longer than any other country and on the whole do not miss england but last night I did.
Then off to The Grand for dinner and a martini.
Today has also been odd as we were in östhammar opening a big hund affär, ribbon cutting, meet and greet, petting other people jack russels etc.
Lots and lots of people and chaos with all the dogs, people, children, shopping and P & P wanting to talk to everyone. Pooter got the event off to a good start by peeing on a chair.
It was nice to help out just for the pleasure of helping out, I hope the place works really well.
Tomorrow off to Alvsjö Mässan for a föreläsning atBostadsrätts Mässan. Should be fun but always rather nervous before hand. hate to dissapoint.
Dinner tonight is fish pie and chablis….I am not getting any younger.
TTFN
S
Dear Viveka,
That was actually jolly funny. You are correct - we would point out that you have a lot of white but I think you are slightly missing the point. We want white to be an active choice. It works in your environment, it suits the design scheme you have gone for and I think it looks exceptionally nice.
And I like your kista, I have one very similar that I bought in Singapore. I also like the fact that you used distressed windows as a feature………in fact I am rather envious. What is important Viveka is that this is YOUR home and it’s what YOU like.
MEN……..What I am against is the idea that white is always the best, it goes with everything, it makes a room bigger, whiter and brighter. There is so much more to colour than white! White is too easy, almost a lazy option for many people. One thing I notice when I look at international design is how much more colourful design schemes are, how much colour brings to a design scheme and can often add layers of depth and interest, accentuate architecture, highlight important areas and knock back less attractive features.
As I have mentioned a many times on the show, you can either live in a house or create a home.
Best regards
S