a mini interview w/ chez larsson

Today I'm so delighted to share with you my very first interview on this blog. I've invited the lovely Benita Larsson of the popular blog Chez Larsson for a mini Q & A. Benita is a self-proclaimed neat freak as well as someone who really enjoys getting her hands dirty. She puts a lot of work into creating a beautiful home for herself and her family and it really shows in her inspiring flickr photos. She just opened up a new shop on her blog last week featuring her very cool Punch Art designs. I instantly became smitten the minute I spotted these colorful designs that simply *pop* with happiness!

q: What inspired you to start making your Punch Art designs?

a: I get really inspired in hardware stores and love tools, both hand tools and power tools, and I often find myself thinking if alternate uses for tools and materials I see and while browsing the local DIY store I all of a sudden got the idea of punching holes as art.

q: Your color choices are really great in these designs as well as in the decor of your home. Do you find yourself repeatedly drawn to certain colors or color combinations?

a: I usually incorporate white in my designs, both in my home but also when framing or making art. I love the way white instantly freshens everything up. I originally made the punch art pieces for our own home with no intention of selling them so the colors sort of came naturally. For my own home I'm drawn to bright colors, not necessarily primary colors, but almost. I don't do darks and browns in my home so there's also not much of that in my art. I added black to my punch art although I hardly use it at all in our house but just because some of the pieces looked so darned good in black :) I doubt there will be any browns or tans though.

q: Would you please share with us one thing you really love about living in Sweden?

a: Foreigners who visit usually react to how clean the streets and cities are. When living here you're used to it but as soon as you go abroad you realise what they mean. It's tidy here! And I like tidy :) Also we have something called "allemansrätten" (it translates into "everyman's right"). It basically means you can walk in the woods and landscape even if the land is private property (as long as you don't intrude too close on people's homes). It's really cool!

Thanks so much Benita!

Be sure to visit Chez Larsson's Shop, Blog, and Flickr. :-)