Spring is in the air in this lovely Dutch home

I love March, to me it's a sign that the long Scandinavian winter is coming to an end. And what better way to celebrate than with a Dutch home full of the joys of spring?! Photographed by Margriet Hoekstra, this light-filled three-storey apartment in West Amsterdam is the result of a major renovation by Rick and Linsey. After a re-configuration, the pair furnished the space with fab industrial / vintage finds, modern units and plants and flowers in every room. What a perfect place which to kick off the week, don't you think?!

 

VT Wonen. Photography: Margriet Hoekstra (with kind permission) Styling: Barbara Natzijl - BoulevardB.

I love the way Rick and Linsey have used a variety of plants  - from freshly cut spring flowers to year round cactus and big-leafed plants.

For more plant and flower display inspiration I've squirreled away lots of lovely images on my Pinterest board and can recommend this fab book.

Is there anything that stands out to you about this home?

More pics and full article here (in Dutch - google translate, we heart you!).

More Holland based homes full of the joys of spring here, here and here. 

Have a great start to the week! 

PS Don't forget to enter my give-away to win a String Pocket in a colour of your choice. The competition closes tonight (Monday 2nd March 2015) at Midnight GMT! Hurry!

The stunning Bavarian home of a photographer

You know when homes have a friend's name written all over them? This incredible space found over at Vosges Paris  was made for my sister, Cas! She loves vintage pieces (cinema seats, step ladders, tables), art photography and industrial lighting.  But the home of German photographer Petra Reger and her family in Kompton, Bavaria is oh so much more too. Petra's home decorating style is part industrial, part vintage, part designer, part rock 'n' roll. Throw in the beautiful bones of the apartment including the original plaster wall in the kitchen and 100 year old parquet flooring and the result is an incredibly striking and unique home fit for a creative. How cool is this space?

 

Shared with kind permission from Homeowner / Photographer Petra Reger. Inspired by Vosges Paris with thanks.

I'm such a big fan of the graphical monochrome look, it's just so striking.

Is this your kind of style?

A few items I know and love: Designer chairs: Panton, LCW, Knoll Diamond and Series 7 . Choose your own neon light letters here.  Try Etsy for industrial scissor lamps (that's where I found mine), keep an eye on ebay for cinema chairs. An Apple monitor in Petra's workspace. To get the sitting room look try the Zanotta three seater sofa, the Tulip side table is similar and Zettel Z 6 pendant light. Anything I've missed?

Other fab monochrome spaces with a vintage touch here, here and here. Or if you like a touch of colour, did you see yesterday's post?

Time to pack for Dalarna (I'll still be posting!). Before I shoot off, a quick reminder to stop by this weekend to enter the give-away intended to light up your St Valentine's Day. Oooo, intriguing?! 

Have a wonderful weekend!

PS Speaking of my sister, I sent her some uber cosy Swedish fleece tights and they haven't arrived - did Mr Postman accidentally put them through your (London) door?! #mysistersgettingcold!

A relaxed and eclectic Stockholm space

'A pop of colour here and a vintage vibe there' is the best way to describe this very cool and relaxed apartment in Stockholm captured by Fantastic Frank. I like the casual way the books have been stacked on the kitchen floor, the striking yellow Mhy light, the decadent velvet armchair and the picture gallery wall. All in all, this space is just what I need on a Thursday - somewhere eclectic to kick-back and relax in style. Could you pad around here for the day?

Stylist: Mimmi Staaf, photographer: Emily Laye  Fantastic Frank

I note that stylist Mimmi has added two hot trends in interiors right now  - an oil portrait. They're relatively difficult to find but I love the ones sold by Three Potato Four and also the cool animal portraits by Oldi (I have the Lurcher one which has become a family favourite!). And antique chairs in velvet - how decadent to place a grand armchair in the kitchen - love it! (check out LiveAuctioneers or Lauritz for similar).

Seeing the stacked books has made me reflect on my own sitting room. I love books and feel the space looks disturbingly void of reading material, don't you? This Christmas I'll be pouring over my Pinterest storage board for ideas. One possibility is String shelves (I love the latest inspirational images they've released) and think they'll fit perfectly with my mid-century style. What do you think?

Lastly - today is a big day for me, it's the last day at my corporate job after 14 years in the industry! As of 1st Jaunary I'll be focusing full time on this blog - it's grown so much thanks to you all that I feel it's time to give it the attention it so deserves. Scary and exciting in equal measure! Here's to new and exciting adventures! And thank you all for your wonderful, ongoing encouragement and support.

Have a great day!

PS If it was Christmas decorating ideas you were after you can always check out my Christmas archive with a lorry load of decorating tips, DIY ideas and lovely scandinavian festive home tours. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!