Thursday, April 14, 2016

    I loved how popular yesterday's beach cottage was. It's such a lovely, simple home with everything in it either recycled, upcycled or locally sourced - plus they'd made the big move out of the city too. It just shows how much this lifestyle resonates with us all, don't you think?! I've got another beautiful home to share with you today, this time though it's about another form of escapism - like heading back to bed with a freshly brewed coffee and a copy of The Kinfolk Home! Located in Gothenburg, this Swedish apartment from the 1920's simply has the most dreamy bedroom ever - think clouds, fresh air and serenity! Loving the grey tones throughout too - and simple, inspiring details! Enjoy....














    Photography: Anders Bergstedt. Styling: Östlingh & Schedin. Entrance Mäkleri.

    So unbelievably charming.

    Duvet day here?!

    Get the look:  sitting room - Hay dot cushion, and Himla cushions in blue and pink, Beni ourain rug, fig tree plant. I like these plant stands, Hay tray coffee table, Menu chair. Bedroom - white washed linen fabric for a DIY canopy, dark grey stone washed linen bedding, light grey linen bedding, love this chunky knit throw, The Kinfolk Home book.

    A couple of links I love today:

    7 ideas to steal from  a super stylish Scandinavian home.

    15 amazing outdoor playhouses for children with grubby knees and stylish parents. 

    And my favourite - 'Fame of thrones' - the world's most extraordinary loos!! - Thank you to Anna Kay-Sproul for this tip. We agreed the Norwegian 'hut' was the prettiest! Do you have a favourite?!

    Have a lovely day!

    PS I went to see The Danish Girl at the cinema last night. What a beautiful, moving film!  Have you seen it?  I couldn't take my eyes off the costumes and the artist's studio in the heart of Copenhagen either.
    Category: articles

    Wednesday, April 13, 2016

    I'm feeling all relaxed and inspired working from Djäkne, a café and communal workspace in town. It's amazing what a change of scene can do, don't you think? I stumbled across this lovely boho coastal cottage over at Apartment Therapy and it immediately matched today's mood! Situated in Victoria, Australia, the 100 year old home is rented by Kirsty Davey (founder of Otis and Otto), Simon Taylor and their daughter, Mali. The family lived in Melbourne and loved to come out here at the weekends before realising this is where they wanted to live permanently. The lovely, relaxed home is filled with vintage, reclaimed and restored pieces, works by local and overseas artists and a rich blend of textures to form a lovely base from which to enjoy surfing, cooking, gardening and other outdoor adventures. Let's take a peek....









    Photography: Sophie Timothy for Apartment Therapy. With thanks.

    Aaaaah, what a charming home, don't you think? 

    Could you imagine moving to your 'weekend' retreat permanently? I shared this account by Sara Tasker recently who moved to the country and shared her lessons learned here. And this Swedish artist took up permanent residence in this former school house (honestly, I can totally see why!).

    Where do you dream of moving to?

    Get the look: Kitchen / dining: vintage Thonet / bentwood chairs (love these!), SMEG fridge,
    Chemex brewer, Apollo coffee maker, source a beautiful range of copper pans here. Bedroom: white waffle bed spread. Porch: Hunter wellies, black plant stand.

    You might also want to check out Kirsty's shop for lovely handmade pieces by local artisans (some of which can be seen in her home).  

    You can also see more pics and a full write-up of this Australian home over at Apartment Therapy.

    Other similarly relaxed Australian spaces you may have missed: a dreamy cottage,  a retro beach house and Kara Rosenlund's weatherboard cottage.  You might also want to get lost in my archive of  summer cottages for the longest mid-week coffee break ever.





    Have a lovely day!
    Category: articles

    Tuesday, April 12, 2016

    Well hello there! It's a beautiful sunny day here in Malmö - woohoo! (It isn't lost on me that some of you lucky people get sun everyday, but here it's a wonderful, rare thing!). Which reminds me, if you have questions about the weather or anything else Sweden related why don't you call the country. No, seriously! Sweden has just became the first country to have it's own phone number! I haven't put it to the test yet - if you do let us know what happens! Right, on with today's home tour. I thought I'd go slightly further north today with this turn of the century apartment in Vasastan, Stockholm beautifully styled by Emma Wallmén for Fantastic Frank. The space is a great example of the visual impact of using the full height of a room. I'm loving the monochrome theme too. Let's take a tour....









    Photographer: Therese Winberg. Stylist: Emma Wallmén / Fantastic Frank

    Is this your kind of style?

    I especially like the sitting room and children's bedroom. 

    A few pieces I know and love : SINNERLIG jar with lid and cork bench, grey sheepskins, spotted cushion, Eames side chairs, Arne Jacobsen cups with letters, Muuto dot hooks are similar. I love this vintage letter W light. Children's room: Harlequin wallpaper, black and white triangle basket.

    Are you doing any renovating this spring? We're re-arranging our sitting room right now and trying to decide on a new coffee table (as much as I really love our mid-century one it's too big - HUMPH!) - what do you reckon, one roundish one or two nest style? Tips welcome! Literally as I wrote this, the courier arrived with our new Tom Dixon stool - *so excited* - I'm sure a pic will be up on Instagram shortly....

    A few other links I love today:

    I wouldn't mind using this hotel as my base in Paris, so chic!

    Loving this boho bedroom...

    Simple spring style.

    One very cute nursery (using large and small triangular stickers).  And fab cribs!

    My interview with Exclusive Magazine (thank you for inviting me to come and chat about Scandi design!). 

    Have a wonderful day friends!

    PS I can't believe I put up the wrong link yesterday , here it is again - 15 tips that will trick your house guests into thinking you have your sh*t together made me chuckle!

    PPS right, off to unpack that new stool - eeeeeeeee! 
    Category: articles

    Monday, April 11, 2016

    Hello! I hope you had a wonderful weekend?! Spring is officially here in Malmö - our boat was put back in the water, yay! Now for some sunshine (and downtime!).... . I thought I'd kick off the week with this lovely Swedish family home found over at Entrance Mäkleri. The open-plan space has been decorated throughout in muted greens and light greys and has the most beautiful architecture. I couldn't imagine a hectic Monday morning here, could you?













    Entrance / Photograhy: Anders Bergstedt.

    Lovely! The traditional Swedish 'Kakelugn' in the nursery is so charming, don't you think? I love how it can be seen across the flat too.

    Other items I know and love: terrarium used as a candle holder (I love this one!), the shoe cabinet by the door is by IKEA and has been updated with leather handles, House Doctor glass bauble cluster light. Source gold / brass candle holders here. This silver toy car is similar.

    This really made me laugh: 15 tips that will trick your house guests into thinking you have your sh*t together. Have you used any of these?!

    Have a great start to the week!

    PS our boat is available to charter if you fancy a jaunt on the Öresund and a sail under that bridge!
    Category: articles

    Friday, April 8, 2016

    I was chatting to the owner of Miloii, a beautiful lifestyle shop here in Malmö, Southern Sweden earlier this week and she let slip that her home had recently been captured by Andrea Papini and Emma Persson Lagerberg. Naturally I shot home to scour the net, and as predicted, Karolina Vertus (who is also a stylist and make-up artist) has the most beautiful apartment. Married to Daniel Magnusson, the couple live with their two young daughters in the centre of town and have decorated their home in soft, muted tones and the perfect blend of modern design and bohemian vintage finds. Let's take a peek....








    Copyright / Photography: Andrea Papini - shared with kind permission. Styling Emma Persson Lagerberg.

    What a lovely relaxed family home, don't you think?! 

    If you live in or around Malmö, first, why haven't we met for coffee?! And two, many of the items you see can be bought at Miloii - although I'd like to warn you that the store also sells the most fabulous clothes (very dangerous indeed!).

    For everyone else here's a quick guide on where to find some of the beautiful pieces in Karolina's home: sitting room Ay Illuminate Z1 light, Beni Ourain rug, small and large Gubi mirror, Lamp from Madam Stoltz. Kitchen / dining: Petite Friture Vertigo pendant light, Charlotte Perriand les arcs chairs, Tolix chairsHouse doctor metal filing cabinet, Tine K Home rug. Hallway: this industrial pendant is similar, source a Boucherouite rug here. Trinnie's room: cute Ferm Living Dorm storage, Numero 74 bed canopy.

    Thank you to photographer Andrea Papini for giving me the kind permission to share this home tour, he's fast becoming one of my favourite interior photographers - I also love this home in nearby Lund he captured last year.

    I hope you have a wonderful weekend! 

    PS Don't forget to make the most of your 10% off beautiful pieces from Orchard Jewelry with code MSH01.

    Category: articles

    Thursday, April 7, 2016

    While yesterday's interior inspiration was about keeping it simple, today's is about keeping it real. And IKEA's new book Kinder Homes is absolutely crammed with inspiring, creative tips, tricks and ideas on how to do this. From saving water, energy and waste to recycling and reuse, the book helps us to lead a more sustainable life at home - and judging by the imagery, make our interiors beautiful at the same time. Really, what's not to love?!









    I can't decide if I prefer the more modern look of the first three images or boho rustic look of the last three? - which do you prefer? Either way, it looks like there's plenty of inspiration for all and we get ideas on how to live more sustainably too. Perfect!

    The book is available in IKEA stores, and it's worth checking out the IKEA website for some of the items you see in these spaces (I spy a lot from the lovely SINNERLIG collection), but for others I'm loving this vintage industrial desk chair (quick snap that up!), Swedish rag rugs, rattan daybed and a silk kimono rob.

    Other links I love today....

    Pretty balcony inspiration. Or....if you fancy staying in bed.

    I've finally found where to buy those clay urns we keep seeing in home tours (beautiful?!)

    Love the look of a kilim rug against concrete.

    The cutest side table.

    I do like the idea of throwing caution to the wind and buying an old bakery on the beautiful Swedish island of Gotland. how about you? Sadly this was sold a few years ago, but it doesn't stop me dreaming! More homes from Gotland (incase you missed them) include this, this and this - heaven!

    Right folks that's all for me, have a lovely day and see you tomorrow!

    PS To you wonderful style gurus out there, I'm looking for a spring bomber jacket for my 7 year old (who's more the height of a 10 year old)  - any tips? This one could be cute?
    Category: articles