Lo Bjurulf makes me want to change careers

I know I'm supposed to be inspired by the work of other people, but once in a while I see the portfolio of another stylist and it makes me want to just stop trying. Swedish stylist Lo Bjurulf is one of those people. I look at her portfolio and I want to get into bed, pull the sheets over my head and think of a new career because I feel like I'll NEVER be that good! She's so, so good it makes me want to cry. 

Some of these images were for Ikea (the white wedding setting and the moody mix and match tables and chairs), but you'd never know - they're so un-Ikea. Take some time and look at Lo's entire portfolio. It's really inspiring (unless you're me and then it's just depressing).

Since we're talking about Ikea... I was there a few months back and found a pretty good book they've put together called Love for Textiles. I know it's a bit lame to like a book from Ikea, but it's really quite good. They have very cleverly mixed Ikea product with vintage pieces and craftiness. At the end of the day they're trying to sell, sell, sell, but at least they've made an effort to be creative. For example, there is a how-to on making a mobile from an old lampshade frame and strips of fabric - of course the fabric pictured is from Ikea.

The styling reminds me a bit of stuff we used to do at Anthropologie: upholstered chairs hanging by rope from trees, dining chair legs wrapped in strips of fabric, coffee tables with 'legs' made out of stacks of magazines. And the thing is, the book is only $9.99 which is a total bargain compared to the $60 I paid recently for another home/design/art book. Strangely, there aren't any credits in the book so I can't see if Lo Brjurulf styled it, but it certainly has the same feel as some of the images above.