Source: Portland Monthly

Oh, look–it’s the color of my future Vespa. For some reason, this cool, light green only works for me in scooters (on which I’d ideally zip around Paris) and mint chocolate chip ice cream. And maybe a glossy Wegner chair. I’ve always loved the Wishbone, and now it’s seemingly cropping up on all sorts of design blogs, tantalizing me further. Design Within Reach offers it in a rainbow of lacquers, much to my delight. It seems I can’t escape the appeal of the Scandinavian look.

Though I’ve prided myself on many of my furniture purchases as of late, I have less cozy feelings for my “dining room chairs”–folding chairs from IKEA that I’ve had for ages. Long ready for an upgrade, these–or some close imitation–top my Wish list.

Source: One Off Magazine

As if I didn’t already entertain dreams of living in Scandinavia, The Geography of Bliss further encouraged the fantasy. Yes, I’d happily hole up in a cottage out the outskirts of Oslo or a stylish flat in Cophenhagen (and have actually looked, dreamily, for the latter on Craigslist).  That the region’s dwellers are consistently ranked among the world’s happiest is just icing on the cake.

The frigid, sunless winters hold little appeal, but there is so much else to love.  I know it’s not exactly one big design playground, teeming with sleek, minimalist teak and nature-inspired influences at every turn, but the prevalence of great architecture and design is definitely a draw.

This photo of Copenhagen’s Radisson Blu Royal Hotel room 606 first exposed me to the genius of Arne Jacobsen. And from that moment on, the fixation on the Egg chair began. Eames, Mies, your chairs (no disrespect) have nothing on this cushiony, enveloping beauty. Only instead of in turquoise, I think I’d opt for this gently worn-in, rich leather. Yeah, more ideas to file away for a rainy (read: richer) day…