I first discovered the Danish painter Carl Wilhelm Holsoe through Pinterest about 3 years ago. I remember loving the quietness and stillness of his subjects. I love the tones he used for his work. And most of all I love what he painted. Beautiful interiors and women doing very simple things (like laundry, reading, tending to the house linens).

This feeling came over me when I looked through his work. This longing. For a life like the ones in these paintings. I have never had big grand dreams. My dreams are simple. A home, a garden, taking care of my husband and (eventually) children. Have a couple dogs, perhaps a cat (if I can convince my husband). / image credit: Woman Looking Out A Window

*side note* There are a few hashtags on Instagram you can check out that evoke these feelings. #aquietlife #theartofslowliving or Beth Kirby’s (aka @localmilk) entire feed.

Much of how I decorated our home was inspired by Holsoe. And someday, when we have a house out in the country, I’ll have a garden as well!

I do wonder if these two paintings are the same room. Don’t they look so very similar? Even down to the hanging plant in the window! There are some differences, but I can’t help but wonder these ARE the same room and the lady of the house is similar to me and likes to move furniture around all the time, but really it always looks a bit the same. / image credits: A Room , A Woman At Sunny Window, Girl Reading in Sunlit Room

The images below are a mix of different painters. All the ones above are by Carl Wilhelm Holsoe.

View Through A Window (1934) by Russian painter Konstantin Andreevich Somov. (credit)

I’m not quite sure who painted the one on the left, all I know is that is is Russian. I just love both of the chairs in these paintings. And all the plants! / image credits: Russian Interior, Carl Larsson 1887 “Toys in the Corner”

These two above are by Carl Wilhem Holsoe. Aren’t they delightful? The one below has a very bohemian feel and is by Swiss painter Albert Anker. His work is also one I greatly admire as he often depicts daily farm and peasant life and I love all those muted colors so much. (image source)

If you want to decorate your home this way here is a list of things you will want to acquire…

1. Antique/Vintage furniture with simple, clean, and feminine lines in dark wood finishes
2. Sheer or lace curtains. Anything that evokes airiness and will flutter with a light breeze.
3. Richly colored rugs, most likely tapestry rugs. You could probably get away with Kilim rugs if it doesn’t look too Southwestern.
4. Plants with delicate stems and leaves. And lots of them. Keep on a window sill or a pretty pedestal table. Terra-cotta pots are preferred especially if it shows patina.
5. Antique/Vintage paintings depicting landscapes or portraits of people in dark wood frames or gold frames. Hang art sparingly or in gallery style as a focal point the room.
6. Brass or silver as highlights, but use sparingly.