It all started with this tear sheet of a super delicious dining room (my dream DR) and the search for its origin, and finally I landed upon the online portfolio of Swedish photographer Petra Bindel. Her work is stunning, she has done a lot for Elle Interiör Sweden which some of you may recognize right away.

My dream dining room shown above right. I already own some of these things, it’s just a matter of finding a new apartment with an adequate dining space and making it my own. I also love all the storage options, I could easily have a dining room/craft space in one with a dining table that doubles as a work table for sewing and crafting. This gives me ideas as I begin my new apartment search…

I’ve long wanted a framed butterfly, even more so now… I’m going to start looking for something like this in the near future. And don’t you just love the composition of things in this photo? The poodle reminds me of a vintage Avon perfume bottle on my grandmother’s dresser.

Here’s another glossy white table with mismatched seating in white and wood tones. Must be a Scandinavian thing, huh? I love it. I have a shelf like this one in my current eating nook, I should play around with it and add some new accessories to liven it up.

I haven’t stopped today long enough to eat, and this bun looks delightful. What really grabbed me in this image was the lighting and composition of the shot but also that backsplash tile. I long to someday have pretty tile like that in my kitchen. I’d love some vintage tiles from Belgium, Holland or Turkey, I seem to like their patterns best.

I have a Moroccan wedding quilt (vintage) just like this one but never in the world did I think to tack it to the wall over a sofa! I see lots of people use them on the floor but honestly, I can’t imagine doing that with mine. For now, it remains at the foot of my bed more for decorative purposes than functional ones.

I’m looking for a low lounge chair in wood or rattan for my living room, I can’t seem to find exactly what I want though so I’m in my second year now of searching. But I know once I find what I see in my mind’s eye I’ll be really, really happy and I’ll always keep it! That’s the beauty of getting something stuck in your head, if it stays stuck for a long time — you know you must have it. Then once you do find it you’ll treasure the possession above all other things for many years. It’s better to buy what you love than to settle for something you don’t for a quicker fix.

There are so many things about each of these rooms that speak to me, I don’t know where to begin really. I think in the end it really comes down to the feminine bits combined with the bolder pieces and all of the eclectic items thrown together to compose the perfect interior melody. That turquoise door is to die for, the shoe shelf, beaded chandelier, it’s also very amazing… and then you have a white glossy table again with wood chairs. I also love that black Swedish oven, those things are lovely – aren’t they? The bedroom with that lighting, ah – so welcoming. I like the casually tossed heels on that fluffy white rug. Nice touch. Now can I move in?

If you are interested in Petra’s work, she is represented by Susanne Björkman at Folio in Stockholm, her contact information is listed here.

(images: petra bindel/folio management/portfolio cph/elle interiör)

Tags: photographer

41 Responses to “Photographer Petra Bindel”

1 tara g commented:
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:22 pm

i am loving the wooden chairs & floor cushions on the “tan” photo. great piece – love seeing the diverse styles all photographed in a similar way.
tara g´s last blog ..in their own words | john jacobs, artfire ceo
2 Monica commented:
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:26 pm

I love the chandelier and flowers. This just made me relax a bit.
Monica´s last blog ..The Pink Ottoman is LIVE!
3 Becka @Studio222 Photography commented:
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:27 pm

I’ve seen her stuff before and always LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I love the shoe cabinet!
Becka @Studio222 Photography´s last blog ..On Nutella Ice Cream and Quality Time…
4 Sophie @ Century Finds commented:
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:28 pm

I can see why you love these photos. Everything is clean, pretty and accessible. Like Tara, I am finding myself drawn to the “tan” photo, even though tan is not usually my color…
Sophie @ Century Finds´s last blog ..Vintage Books at Century Finds
5 Janet commented:
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:32 pm

So pretty! I had no idea that was a Moroccan wedding quilt, but I love the way it looks over that long low sofa, and the whole arrangement on the wall with the black wall lamp and the black-framed artwork is wonderful.

Petra’s work is definitely stunning…great interior photography!
Janet´s last blog ..Ruby and the Clicking Bug
6 Jane Flanagan commented:
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:37 pm

I love those herringbone floors. These rooms have the perfect blend of neutral, feminine and rustic charm. J’adore!
Jane Flanagan´s last blog ..Area bedding
7 Elizabeth commented:
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:42 pm

I’ve been looking for a sleek white table and love the idea of mismatched seating– the combo of white and natural looks both chic and do-able (a rare combo, no?). Thanks!
Elizabeth´s last blog ..Today: Catch Up and Ketchup
8 Tricia - Avolli commented:
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:49 pm

I just love each of these images but for very different reasons. I could tell they were Swedish just from looking at them and must say I love Petra’s work very much.

Thanks for passing this along to us!

Tricia – Avolli
Tricia – Avolli´s last blog ..Katy Elliott Visits Avolli
9 Heather commented:
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:50 pm

Just one peak & I can already tell that I’m going to have to set some serious time aside to go through her online portfolio. Absolutely gorgeous! Thanks Holly.
10 Barbara commented:
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:50 pm

Love the blue backsplash tile!
11 Marsha Mifsud commented:
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:00 pm

I love Petra’s work!
beautiful pictures…very inspiring!
Marsha Mifsud´s last blog ..Staircase envy
12 decor8 commented:
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:04 pm

Jane herringbone wood floors are my thing too. i would kill to have them!
13 Amy commented:
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:15 pm

Holly–check bugunderglass.etsy.com for super framed (real) butterflies…They are beautiful!

Lovely post, as always!!
Amy´s last blog ..japanese sweetness
14 tracy commented:
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:41 pm

wow-weee. can I live in those pages?
15 Travelingmama commented:
July 22nd, 2009 at 4:56 pm

Oh my! This is an awesome post! I love these photos!! You have got to stop showing me all those awesome quilts. I already had to order fabric after seeing the last house in Denmark! Oh, and you know I love the photo with the Moroccan wedding blanket. Those are actually made by Berber women in the Atlas Mountains. I can tell you that the beautiful vintage ones are rare! I’ve been on the hunt for a special one, but most of the ones I have seen are total crap. One of my friends took pity on me and gave me a beautiful blanket (which my daughter immediately HAD to have!) She gets me in the worst trouble when we visit the medina. She always wants one of everything! We have our eye on one of Maryam’s blankets. We are trying to go to Marrakesh in the fall! Here is a link to the post of Hailey with her blanket and new slippers:
http://travelingmama.net/?p=2718
Best wishes from Morocco!
Travelingmama´s last blog ..my thoughts on {creativity}
16 Vicki Archer commented:
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:51 pm

The shoes in the glass fronted cabinet – so simple yet totally fabulous. I agree, there are so many wonderful ideas in these photographs – fantastic styling. Thank you for the inspiration, xv.
Vicki Archer´s last blog ..The Shoe Strategy or How to Save Money without really trying…
17 Jen commented:
July 22nd, 2009 at 8:29 pm

I am half Swedish, half Aussie, living in Australia. I have always wondered why I had an overwhelming need to always have a mismatch of white and wood dining table and chairs…now I can blame it on being swedish!! Thanks Holly :)
Jen´s last blog ..Slouchy Samara by ReJenerate
18 gabriellevalentine commented:
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:18 pm

I loved this! Love the neutral/whites with little splashes of color. Wouldn’t it be nice to just move in & have it all furnished just like the magazine? =)
gabriellevalentine´s last blog ..Message for Simon: I’m at the Ivy With Adam…Back around 3-ish. Introducing My First Vlog, Everyone.
19 Jennifer commented:
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:22 pm

My favorites would definitely be the herringbone floor and the shoe cabinet, so lovely!
Jennifer´s last blog ..Three Words: Turquoise, Swing, Coat. Need I say more?!
20 Etincelle commented:
July 23rd, 2009 at 3:36 am

Great! I was in Kuala Lumpur last weekend, and saw BEAUTIFUL framed butterflies in a stunning market called Central market. I haven’t bought one yet, but added it to my list…
Etincelle´s last blog ..Zaza Comfort Doll – Babushka doll with embroidery
21 Sarah@Mocha commented:
July 23rd, 2009 at 6:46 am

I love the look of rugs – or as they’ve done here, a vintage Moroccan wedding quilt – hung on the wall. It adds some texture and warmth to a room.
22 Amanda commented:
July 23rd, 2009 at 6:57 am

I too love that dream dining room Holly – glossy white table & mismatched chairs – it’s fantastic. The shoe cupboard is also such a fun idea. Thanks for such great inspiration today as always!
Amanda´s last blog ..here’s what I really did yesterday
23 StyleRoom commented:
July 23rd, 2009 at 8:31 am

This is so so Swedish – I’m Swedish myself living in London and this just makes me wanna go home!:-)) I just love the glass cabinet, what a fabulous idea to use it as storage for your shoes! Petra Bindel is just great!!
24 Allison commented:
July 23rd, 2009 at 8:32 am

You’ll want to be careful with hanging fabric pieces because their own weight can damage them where they’re hanging from. This is particularly true with older and thus more fragile fibres. With a special vintage piece, I highly recommend getting advice from a gallery that deals with fibre arts on how best to hang it.
Allison´s last blog ..480 squares is a lot!
25 Laura Gaskill commented:
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:42 am

I love your idea of creating a combo dining/crafting space – I hope you find a gorgeous apt in Germany that will give you plenty of room to do that!

Also love the first bedroom pictured with the rattan (?) bed and giant windows. Yum.
Laura Gaskill´s last blog ..Donna Wilson {Textiles & Furniture}
26 alex*strawberry lemonade commented:
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:43 am

Soooooo pretty pretty…..love love love.
You know, years ago my besty pal Geoff gave me a beautiful blue butterfly. It is simply in a box, unframed. I have never known how to frame it….do you take it somewhere special? I’d be afraid to do it myself!! I totally had forgotten about it. It’s really a brilliant blue too. Aw now I’m sad that my poor little butterfly is tucked in a closet somewhere. Waaah! Bad alex…
alex*strawberry lemonade´s last blog ..Mixology 1969
27 Newburgh Restoration commented:
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:50 am

I love all things Moroccan inspired. It add an extra exotic spice to any room or decor.
Newburgh Restoration´s last blog ..Artist Housing in Newburgh
28 decor8 commented:
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:08 am

Alex – you can bring your butterfly to a frame shop and ask them to do it — or you can purchase a shadow box and mount it yourself in the box.
29 sara commented:
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:37 am

Oh, so gorgeous! I want to live there. Love the chandelier in the first picture and that glass-fronted shoe cabinet is to die for!

I love framed butterflies too- my grandmother has a few that I covet.
sara´s last blog ..new fabric
30 kristina commented:
July 23rd, 2009 at 5:54 pm

wood floor/glossy white environment – totally falling in love with the look
and that shoe armoire is such a great idea! i’ve always thought, why hide them (shoes) in boxes and closets when they are so pretty to look at
kristina´s last blog ..inside the artist’s studio – itsokmydear
31 Carpet Shop Finder commented:
July 23rd, 2009 at 7:13 pm

I love the picture of the Moroccan wedding quilt hanging on the wall. I dont have one of these but I do have a similar coloured rug that is hanging on my living room wall. i think it just looks fab.
32 Patrice commented:
July 24th, 2009 at 5:16 am

Wow! So beautiful. How I wish I could have a home as gorgeous as those on the photos.
Patrice´s last blog ..Antiques Are to Love
33 Jutta commented:
July 24th, 2009 at 6:05 am

I love that use of tiles! I’ve been dreaming about kitchen tiles like that but haven’t found a way how to use them, but that is so cool.
Jutta´s last blog ..Elämää Mansikin kanssa
34 *SNYdesign commented:
July 24th, 2009 at 7:09 am

Wow, each and every photo was great! Lovely and inspiring interiors!
*SNYdesign´s last blog ..Antwerp Interiors…
35 Kim commented:
July 25th, 2009 at 3:20 pm

Oh my word – I love ALL of these rooms! Especially the shoes in the cabinet with the glass doors. What a fantastic idea!
Kim´s last blog ..Party On
36 Maria-Thérèse commented:
July 25th, 2009 at 4:16 pm

I think you may enjoy my art photograpy, butterfly collages and books! I don’t create the collages with real / dead butterflies but perhaps the style would be interesting to you.

? maria-thérèse http://www.afiori.com ?
37 Maria-Thérèse commented:
July 25th, 2009 at 4:18 pm

I think you may enjoy my art photography and butterfly collages! Not made with real butterflies but still..
38 Laura commented:
July 28th, 2009 at 12:38 am

love love love the first dining room setting!!!
Laura´s last blog ..Design Diary 28.07.09 Pudding Packaging Design
39 Vicki commented:
July 29th, 2009 at 6:39 am

hi Holly..WRT framed butterflies..i see you’ll be in London, well there is a stall at the Greenwich Market (held on Sundays) that specialises in framed butterflies and bugs..very reasonable too
40 cait commented:
August 12th, 2009 at 11:05 pm

gahhh! i love everything about this. does anyone know where i can buy the scalloped lights in the first pictures (dining room)? thanks :)
41 sly_fox commented:
October 8th, 2009 at 2:42 pm

Shoe cabinet … inspires me to utilize the inherently decorative qualities of my accessories instead of stowing them in the closet. I love the idea of finding the perfect glass paned cabinet and staging scarves, purses, jewelry and embellished shoes in plain sight, creating a fashion wunderkamner/mood board that changes with seasons and color cravings.

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