A lovely small Swedish space with pastel touches

Happy Valentine's day! Are you doing anything special today? In our house we do little things - like eat cake and make cards - oh and my man brought me a cup of coffee in bed (but he always does that anyway, because he's lovely (and knows it's the quickest way to get me up!). Even so, I thought I'd celebrate on the blog with a fab apartment in Stockholm with touches of pastel. The space is pretty small (42 metres square / 450 metres square) - even so, they've managed to create two bedrooms, a dining area, kitchen and sitting room, dividing the zones with colour and curtains.  I love that the owners have kitted it out almost entirely in vintage and retro pieces too (love that sofa!). As a result, the space has such a lovely, cool vibe about it, don't you think?

 

This lovely apartment is for sale through Fantastic Frank. 

I love how personal this space feels, how about you?

Get the look: dining area - vintage Thonet chairs (love these!), Iittala Napula candle holder, vintage terracotta planters. Sitting room - stonewashed linen by the yard, 'the conversation with a Saguaro' print from Lumitrix is similar (look out for the give-away on Instagram later today!).  Bedroom - stonewashed linen bedding.

You can see more pics and the floor plan of this space here. For more great small space inspiration you might also like to check out this archive (so many clever ideas!).

Right....we're leaving for vacation tomorrow and I still need to do a photo shoot, pack and buy all those last minute bits and bobs like sun screen - go go go! 

Have a lovely day!

A relaxed home with an inspiring array of colours!

Do you ever have one of those nightmares where you're trying to get somewhere but obstacles keep getting in your way?! It's like my day - but for real! It's early afternoon and I haven't actually done anything yet (not for want of trying)! This is partly because Friday posts always take a little extra research. Not only do I love to feature a home that's a little different, but I also like it to give us all one big, boost of happiness right before the weekend, so we all come away feeling inspired!  And I've finally found one, thanks to the lovely Jules over at German blog Herz & Blut (remember this home?!) who recently captured the home of Melodie Michelberger. Melodie is communications editor and co-founder of 'Trust the girls' - an empowering community to celebrate feminism, diversity, equality and freedom -  and a sharp eye for design. In her home, deep blues, rich greens, soft pinks and sunny yellows contribute to the colour scheme which serve as the perfect backdrop for a wonderful selection of ceramics, vintage finds, colourful textiles and mix of plants. Let's take a peek!

Credits: photography Jules Villebrandt / Herz & Blut. Shared with kind permission. 

What a great space? Truly personal - with some wonderful touches too (I actually did a double take on that pillow in the last picture!

Is there anything that stands out to you?

I hope this space has put a smile on your face like it has mine!

Get the look from Melodie's home: pIKEA PS 2014 rug, macrame hanging planters, pick up a vintage Louis Poulsen pendant lamp here, sea grass belly basket, cushion on bed (I also found this more simple version!).

Does anyone know where the mobile in the bedroom is from? If so, wonderful if you can let us know in the comment section below! 

Try Farrow & Ball for similar colours (always try a load of swatches on different walls - it can look completely different depending on the direction of the light.

You can see the full feature and interview here (in German) and follow Melodie's work (and snapshots of her home) over on Instagram.

Loving that it's Friday - woohoo! Do you have any fun plans? In case you're planning a little down time, you might just want to check out some of these links I've loved this week....

How to rock old world art in the modern interior. 

The most cosy looking stools ever.

Seconds of light at rainbow bay.

When Victoria painted her house black.

A modern extension in the snow.

Bedrooms with black art.

And finally... in April I'll be heading to Milan (for the first time) for the Salone del Mobile. I hope I can find somewhere to stay like this apartment - isn't it fab?! I'd love to receive any tips on places to stay!

Have a wonderful weekend and see you Monday!

An inviting Danish home with vintage touches

Hello there! I had a mail yesterday asking for advice on how to create a Scandinavian feel on a budget. Of course, there are many different looks (both dark and light) but I suggested starting with a light backdrop - white or light grey walls matched with a wood or white washed floor. From there you can make the space unique with a wonderful mix of vintage pieces (it's incredible what you can find at flea markets both at home and abroad, online auctions and one of my favourite sites - Etsy!) and combined with the odd highstreet ( IKEA find and fab new Nordic pieces. Keep textures natural using materials such as wood, leather and linen and add plenty of sheepskin and candlelight for that true hygge feel! What do you reckon? Is this your idea of a Scandinavian home? To my surprise, I found the most beautiful apartment today to illustrate my vision! Step inside the wonderful, warm and inviting home of Henrik Hemmingsen, director of Copenhagen boutique and online store Fil de Fer, captured by Martin Sølyst. I'd love to tuck into that breakfast in bed and stay all day, how about you?!

Credit: photography Martin Sølyst (shared with kind permission).

How toasty! And conceived from an entirely white backdrop too - it's amazing how vintage finds in wood and leather can add character and warmth to a space. Time to start looking for bargains? Or perhaps a visit to Fil de Fer is in order?!

A few ideas to steal from Henrik's lovely home: pick up a vintage punch bag here, cosy up with this grey sheepskin. Source a selection of vintage and antique brass candles here. The Norwegian cabin I stayed in last week had the same Tolix dining chairs (source vintage ones here and here - although you'll need to hurry, they only have a few left!) which they then softened with sheepskin seat covers. This dark grey linen bed cover and selection of cushions are beautiful.

A little note on floor paint. Rather than opting for white I went for a very pale grey (slightly confusingly named 'strong white' in my bedroom  - which I really love and can highly recommend.

A few more fab danish homes to drool over today: a lovely apartment with a relaxed vibe, the home of a Danish style icon and finally a danish home with dusty hues and a homespun feel.  Ahhh, so lovely, don't you think?!

Have a wonderful day!

PS I loved reading your 2017 home decorating goals in the houseology give-away, so inspiring! I'm excited to now have announced the winner here!

A vintage inspired Swedish home full of soul

Every now and again I stumble across a beautifully unique, creative, Swedish home that's full of soul.  This is one of them. Tuva Minna Linn, husband Peter and their two children and dog live in a former missionary house in the countryside in Southern Sweden. The house dates back to 1921 and is teeming with vintage treasures and beautiful patterns, and designed throughout so all the family can feel happy and relaxed. So wonderful! A few weeks ago photographer Kristin Lagerqvist (who's home I once featured here), paid a visit.....

Photography: Kristin Lagerqvist Interior design: Tuva Minna Linn

So lovely! And so lovely life!

The wallpapers, the textiles, the quirky art, the one-off pieces. It's all so inspiring, don't you think?

Is there anything that catches your eye?

Get the look from Minna's home: Boucherouite rugs (this one is beautiful - it's a one-off though so you'd need to be quick!) and vintage kilims (love these!), this leather chesterfield is similar, Minna sells vintage kimonos in her online shop. Children's bed canopy and bunting. Try William Morris for similar wallpaper (Hyacinth is a pretty one). 

You can see the full tour of Minna's home here. You might also like to check out Minna's lovely blog, instagram and online shop Oddlovin'. 

Other homes captured by Kristin include the lovely Swedish home of Johanna Bradford, the boho home and studio of an artist and florist and a dairy in the Swedish countryside. Sooooo beautiful, in a fab boho way.

Have a lovely day!

PS With my favourite month of the year just round the corner there are so many exciting things coming up on My Scandinavian Home  (even if I say so myself!) including a big give-away this evening and a tour of my home with Christmas touches tomorrow (I've been busy with my little elves! Always nerve-racking to share too - eeeeek!), as well as lots of other Nordic Christmas inspiration (and of course the usual Scandinavian inspired home tours)....soooooo excited!

The relaxed, vintage inspired home of an artist

Why, hello there! I hope you had a wonderful weekend?! While photographing (some beeeeautiful) homes for my book a few weeks back it struck me that they were almost entirely filled with one-off pieces - picked up on travels or found in flea markets, which made the spaces truly special.  I stumbled across this lovely creative home on Apartment Therapy captured by Natalie Jeffcott the other day and it too, is filled with a unique array of treasures, all of which come together simply because the owners Ben and artist Heidi Yardley love them. Situated in a converted stable at the end of a quiet cobbled lane in North Melbourne (what is it with me and Australian homes right now - did you see last week's posts?!), Ben and Heidi's house has been filled with vintage and second hand finds, for a lovely relaxed, bohemian vibe which is as personal as it is fascinating. 

Photography by Natalie Jeffcott / Apartment Therapy.

Every time I look through the pictures I spot something new. Did you see the arm for example (it makes sense when you look through Heidi's portfolio)?! And of course their very handsome cat Nico!

I love the colour scheme in the bedroom... so inspiring!

It's these elements of surprises which make the home so fascinating, don't you think?

Get the look: pick up a mid-century credenza here, macrame plant holder, this is a great source for vintage easels. Vintage tin boxes.  Heidi's art. I love the round chair in the bedroom but haven't found anything like it - any tips?

More beautiful artists' home to feel inspired by: a beautiful Copenhagen home in a former sculpter's atelier, an artist's home and studio in Stockholm, a Swedish artist's home in a former school.

Have a great start to the week!

PS Don't forget my talented friend Maria is offering 15% discount off her fabulous designs in her shop until the end of October. To redeem simply enter 15RABATTSCANDI at check-out - I've already picked myself up the Little Darling lamp love it! (ships everywhere in Europe).