More Iceland Please!

Last night our troop celebrated Thinking Day! It was wonderful and a great event I hope for all of the girls and their families. While I learned quite a bit about all of the other countries that were presented, none of the others has me quite as fascinated as Iceland - at least in terms of design. So my obsession continues and I'm sharing it with you! 

Kindergarten-3rd grade girls from the troop researched all aspects of Iceland
to present at Thinking Day. We made volcano-pin swaps and prepared Iceland yogurt parfaits!

I realized that in my excitement I jumped right into homes in Iceland without any sort of introduction to this magical country...

In (very short) summary, Iceland is a country of overwhelming natural beauty. Shorelines, hot pools, sheep, fish, geysers, and volcanos. The temps get cold (average high in summer is 55 degrees F in the southern portion of the island) and the people are warm and friendly. It is rich in folk tales (Vikings, fairies, giants abound) and history. They are inventive, innovative, and creative - all really good -ives to be. 

Iceland is a very photogenic country. I mean - Hello inspiration! - Images by Tim Gasperak 

Unique to Iceland are the Turf houses. These homes were originally built by those that colonized the country because building materials were limited (lots of birch forests, but not huge timber) and turf offered excellent protection from the cold.

These homes were perfectly made on bases of stone with pitched timber roofs. Along both sides of the home they built benches. On one side they were open and used for sitting, working, eating, cooking. Tools, storage chests, tables, and the loom were on this bench. Benches on the other side were partitioned, and served as beds.

Turf home interiors - sheep skins were used for seating and bedding. Notice the care in the wood work. - Images by Hurstwic

Turf homes - and church. Images by PhotographyBlogger

OK. Now you probably have a pretty good idea of why I have such a crush on Iceland. Next up I'm going to feature some pretty amazing modern homes. Stay tuned...

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Copyright 2013, Cristina Mullins Interiors. 

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Curious About Icelandic Interiors - Small Home

If you don't know this about me already, I lost my mind last year and chose to co-lead a Troop of crazy, energetic, smart, adorable Girl Scouts. One activity that is part of Girl Scout tradition is Thinking Day. It involves researching, learning, and presenting about a particular country of the girls' choosing. This year, my group of girls chose Iceland.

In helping the girls explore the facts about Iceland, my curiosity about how Icelanders live got the better of me. So I did my own research. I pinned so many pictures that I couldn't pick just a few for this blog - which means Iceland will be featured again so I can show you my favorites. I'm trying to figure out how I can get an Icelandic client there so I can go see them for myself. (Hello Inga - my one and only Icelandic friend - are you reading this?!)

This little jewel of a home in a peaceful, middle-of-nowhere field had me charmed at Hello. The yellow trim, the plants potted in galvanize buckets - it looks like something out of a fairy tale. When you look inside, every space was so well used. There's nothing lacking for it's smallness.

Outdoor living - look at those green, rolling views.

Vintage storage and colorful rain boots - welcome home!
Inside is a very well appointed vintage-style kitchen - bead board and turquoise lower cabinets.
Everything in site and ready for use.

Simple furnishings, open shelving, color and flair. It even has a TV - can you spot it? Nothing extraneous.
The entry "vestibule" is separated by a simple cotton curtain. 

Even the wood-burning stove gets its own flair with oversized candle-sticks and artwork.

Cozy seating area - I love all the light it let's in yet they created coziness by painting the back wall black.

Pretty display of kitchen items - again nothing is lacking. Such a vintage feel.

Small cozy bedroom. I would love to take a book and a blanket to this little sitting area outside.

Props goes to This Little Street who first featured this home. They have lots of great articles on food, home etc. so you should visit the blog.

What do you think so far? Adorable - yes? Well stay-tuned some other very unique Icelandic spaces coming soon!

If you would like to see more of my design stuff, you can follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter.

Thank you for visiting My Head Space!

Copyright 2013, Cristina Mullins Interiors. 

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