This pink chair will figure into the story, just hang on. What story? Oh, the defining one in Lapland in which Husband earns himself a Finnish dog house.
Our first day in Lapland, Husband went exploring. It was actually noon but very dim with no sun peeping over the horizon. An hour later he came back, reported a small restaurant and and grocery down the road. "It's dead, though," he said. "Nothing except snow and reindeer fences." So, we gathered up the family and went tobogganing and he was right - nothing other than snow. I would have gone exploring myself but I trusted Husband that I might enjoy the mandatory naked sauna on that first day, rather than perusing a dark, snow encrusted road with "nothing to see." It was pitch black at 2:15pm, after all.
Later, we went on a midnight walk together, holding gloves instead of hands, as the temperature read -27 and the kids slept soundly on their shared pull out couch.
Husband was right: It was perishingly cold and we were in the middle of nowhere, although it could have been Sebois Plantation, Maine (near my hometown), rather than Lapland, Finland, Practically North Pole.
But suddenly I froze (don't panic - not that kind of froze!) and what stood before us? None other than Marimekko. I punched Husband in the arm when I saw it. Truly, how unreliable can a person be? Snow and reindeer fences? "A grocery store?" I asked him. "Yeah, Yank - that's Finnish for market." (points to the Marimekko sign.) JEEZ. Room via Layla Grace and Pink Ananas fabric from Interiorz. Don't worry, I have another Marimekko Ananas story but that one takes place in Ireland.
The first words of this video really pertain to Husband. I think he took this on board and felt sheepish, or at least reindeerish for mistaking Marimekko for a grocery store.
First thing the next morning I hoofed it back (all 300 feet) to the store and spent two hours in it, savoring the Finnish delight that is Marimekko. I was so happy I forgot to take pictures! Unikko cookies via Always Mod.
Top and above photos from Bemz. They make Marimekko furniture coves for Ikea's more basic sofas and chairs.
Marimekko car via Finnish Design Center. My wagon would look completely bitchin' like this.
While those of you who follow Casapinka might not expect a bedroom like this here, I do love the pale warm gray Luminjara wallpaper. It reminds me of romantic Lapland, how I dreaded, kvetched and martyred myself (hating to be cold) but gave it a small, wee chance and ended up loving it. It was just magic. You never know...I might just introduce a wall or curtain into our bedroom that is currently still "sell the house" green.
That is crazy wild unthinkable that a Marimekko store was out there amongst
the reindeer fences and nothingness!
I think you were dreaming...this didn't really happen.
Posted by: phyllis | January 07, 2013 at 08:12 AM
marimekko!!!
lapland!!!
reindeer!!!
xo
elyse
Posted by: elyse | January 07, 2013 at 07:36 PM
Wow, Lapland. So incredible. You adventurer, you!
Posted by: Maryam in Marrakesh | January 08, 2013 at 12:48 AM
Shut. Up. That is so awesome! And I'm so glad you ended up loving it. I lived in Moscow for a winter (the real one, not the one in Idaho) and though it was dark and cold and "dreary" I absolutely loved it. It was so magic!
Posted by: pinksuedeshoe | January 08, 2013 at 07:50 AM
We went to meet the real Santa and I'm now a believer! I didn't even have to sit on his lap and ask him to put a Marimekko store in the middle of Lapland.
Posted by: Pink mohair | January 08, 2013 at 01:15 PM
Oh I am In Love. Jealous. Pink with Envy.
Redoing the bedroom; might have to go to Lapland :)
Posted by: Ingrid Simmons | January 09, 2013 at 05:28 AM