A beautiful, rustic mill on the shores of lake Rinnen, Sweden

I absolutely love this time of year (don't get me wrong - I do get a bit of a winter slump round about January / february time, I promise!) - but as the days get shorter and the leaves turn from yellow to deep red things start to get super cosy. Dark mornings and evenings are transformed under the glow of candlelight. Autumnul pictures of people gathering around a table for a hearty stew or caramelized white chocolate tart start to pop up on my Pinterest feed. And I start to feel hugely inspired by rustic spaces (and hungry!). That's why this beautiful converted mill caught my eye.  After an extensive renovation, the Erlandsson family are embracing their new life in the former flour mill on the shore of lake Rinnen deep in the forest of Värmland, Sweden which includes a beautiful space for year round gatherings. Let's take a peek inside...

Credits: Photography - Carina Olander (shared with kind permission). Styling Anna Truelsen. See the full feature in Hus & Hem 12/201. 

Aaaaaa, just so cosy, don't you think? 

What a perfect room to gather for birthdays, thanksgiving (for you americans and canadians!) and Christmas (in fact I'm pretty sure I could come up with something to celebrate every week of the year, if this were my home, how about you?!). 

We can still create a lovely rustic style at home though - here are a few items I love from the mill : Linen table cloth (or stonewashed linen by the metre), long haired sheepskin throw, chunky knit blanket. I love classic Swedish Skultuna brass candleholders - and have a couple myself - beautiful! Although not featured, this one is lovely too. 

I can imagine the upstairs bedroom looks something like this - can you?! 

Have a cosy day! 

PS  We photographed a few beautiful, rustic homes for my book Modern Pastoral last year and I've been dreaming of a owning a lovely retreat ever since.....one day?!  

Do you live in a building with a cool history?

This beautiful Stockholm apartment is laid out over two floors of a former piano factory (sounds so romantic don't you think?). It's been completely modernised and houses some fab designer pieces (more on that below) but the beautiful bones of the early 20th century building are still evident and the huge windows flood the space with light even on the darkest of days. I could call this space my home, could you?! perhaps I'd need to add a piano like the one in this home, just for old times sake?!

Stylist: Ida Cederlöf. Photographer: Jessica Silversaga.Fantastic Frank

Stylist: Ida Cederlöf. Photographer: Jessica Silversaga.Fantastic Frank

Stylist: Ida Cederlöf. Photographer: Jessica Silversaga.Fantastic Frank

Stylist: Ida Cederlöf. Photographer: Jessica Silversaga.Fantastic Frank

Stylist: Ida Cederlöf. Photographer: Jessica Silversaga.Fantastic Frank

Stylist: Ida Cederlöf. Photographer: Jessica Silversaga.Fantastic Frank

The kitchen in particular is utterly striking - I could imagine an evening with friends - good food, candles, music, perhaps a little dancing?!

Is there any part of this home you like in particular?

A few items I know and love: Artichoke Suspension Light, String shelving system, Tolix chairs, HAY strap mirror.

I do absolutely love the idea of a conversion don't you? I've seen so many fabulous converted spaces over the years including a converted carpenter's workshop,  bar, monks retreat, barn, garage and garden shed. In other words, you could convert just about anything and make an incredible living space!

Is there a cool history behind your living space?