An inspiring small studio full of contrast

Well hello there! I hope you had a fab weekend? We woke up to a clear blue sky and plus temperatures here in Southern Sweden - oh how long we'd been waiting for that moment! All along the boardwalk faces were angled up towards the sun, soaking up the warm rays. This morning it's as though everyone has a new spring in their step! And I have another reason to feel happy -  call me a total home geek but I do love clever use of a small space. And when it comes to interior designer Joakim Walles studio apartment in Stockholm, it seems that the best things really can come in small packages! Looking at the apartment, it's hard to believe it's a mere 44 metres square (473 foot square - I hope I got that right?! I've been known to get it wildly wrong.....!), Joakim has completely renovated the space - adding in open shelving by Porro and bespoke kitchen and bathroom cabinets. To top it off, the space has been furnished throughout using a perfect blend of industrial, vintage, and designer pieces. The result is a home full of natural light, contrast, wonderful art and a lovely lived in feel. Oh, and it's for sale!

Interior design: Joakim Walles, Photos - Adam Helbaoui /Kronfoto for sale through Alexander White.

Stockholm anyone?! 

Such a clever use of space, don't you think? I especially love the open shelving used as a division between the sitting room / kitchen area and bedroom. Not only does it create some privacy, it also allow light to slip through, and provides a perfect place to display favourite books, ceramics and artwork.  Got to love that!

Is there anything that stands out to you? 

A couple of items I know and love in Joakim's apartment: Taccia lamp by Flos, source vintage industrial pendants here, the Series 7 arm chair. These wonderful mobiles I posted about recently here are similar.

Have a wonderful start to the week!

PS Don't forget to make the most of your 15% discount at Abbott & Mosley! To claim simply type in mshspring15 at checkout. Find out more here.

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 beautiful, elegant small space apartment in Stockholm

In Stockholm, Sweden, apartments are known for being a bit of a squash and a squeeze. But when you're as skilled as the Swedes at creating beautiful light-filled homes in a limited space it's never a problem! The key, it seems, is a coherent colour sceheme throughout, an open plan design and fabulous windows as room dividers.  This 45 metres square (484 square feet) in the lovely district of Östermalm has all of this and more! How inspiring?!

Credits: for sale though Bo Sthlm.

The way the bedroom has been incorporated into the space is fantastic! For privacy and to cosy it up a little you could add some curtains to pull across at night. 

I absolutely love the grey, cognac and wine colour scheme, it's so elegant!

You might be wondering about clothes storage etc. (I was!) and after a quick look a the floor plan I see it's all in the spacious hallway.  Perfect!

Is there anything in particular you appreciate about this space? 

Steal the look from this Stockholm apartment: sitting room - EOS pendant light by VITA Copenhagen, try The Poster Club for similar prints, By Lassen Kubus candleholder. Bedroom - linen bed set. 

Interestingly,whenever I feature a home in shades of grey I inevitably receive a few comments requesting more colour. What are your thoughts - is this look for you? Do you have a favourite colour in your home? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Have a wonderful day! 

PS  I'm on the hunt for homes with pops of colour and pattern to feature this week - submissions welcome!

A striking, small Stockholm space in dark blue

Wow, this week has flown by, don't you think?! Any great plans for the weekend? I'm on a train somewhere between Munich and Kitzbühel right now -  heading for a weekend hosted by Bernd Gruber!  *Excited!* It's been all about muted colour schemes over the last few days (think whites and soothing greys) so I thought I'd complete the week with something a little different - a striking apartment in Stockholm, currently for sale through Historiska Hem. Not only does it have beautiful bones (the work of esteemed architect Mauritz Lundstedt in 1909) it's also been painted in an incredible deep blue for a wonderful cocoon like effect. Light grey floors and red and green accents add interest and contrast while touches of wood and lush plants add warmth. You'd never guess that it's a mere 34 metres square (365 square feet) would you? Who said small spaces should be kept light?!

Credits: photo - Johan Spinnell styling - Hanna Rydman - for sale through Historiska Hem.

What a fantastic home? 

I really love the shade of blue. It's difficult to recommend colours as they are so personal and depend a lot on how the light falls - but there are some lovely shades in the Farrow and Ball 'blue' collection. Perhaps you've got some tried and tested colour tips? If so, please let us know in the comment section below.

I also like the combination of blue, green and red, it's so warm and inviting. And those wonderful windows in the kitchen? Perfect!

Is there anything that catches your eye?

Get the look: sitting room / dining area: vintage thonet chairs, 'circus' pouf by Normann Copenhagen (love this!), the sofa is by IKEA. Try Nordal for a similar cabinet. Bedroom: task light, light grey linen bedding.

There are tonnes more beautiful homes with touches of blue here (if you're in the mood for a little more inspiration this weekend!).

Have a wonderful couple of days and see you Monday!

Beautiful Swedish studio where a little goes a long way

Who says you can't have it all in 29 metres square (312 feet square)? This beautiful studio / one room apartment in a building from 1880 in Gothenburg, Sweden has made maximum use of high ceilings to build a bedroom over the bathroom, accessed by a ladder. Black walls and cabinets mark out a separate zone for the kitchen and there's even plenty of storage space. Swedish design at it's best!  #feelinginspired how about you?! 

Credits: Photography Jonas Berg, styling Grey Deco for Stadshem.  

What a clever use of space don't you think? I love the period features just above the bed too - lovely!

Could you live here? 

It almost looks like a wall to wall carpet in the bedroom which would be extremely unscandinavian - but it's actually more likely a rug, which I think adds such a cosy touch!

A few items I know and love:  filament light, this marble side table is similar, a selection of linen pillows / cushions in shades of grey (these are so beautiful!), Karlstad sofa, string shelves (love this combination against the black wall!), White linen duvet cover, light grey linen pillow covers.

Other extremely clever small spaces: a beautiful and smart studio in Finland, an ingenious small space in Antwerp, a lovely Stockholm studio with a suspended loft bed.

Just goes to show that a little really can go a long way!

Have a wonderful start to the week!

PS Did you see the latest addition to my daughter's bedroom? If you're looking for a Christmas present for someone big or small who loves to travel, Bold Tuesday are offering 15% off until 12th December - more info here! Think I might have to get one for myself!

Could you sleep in a cupboard - like the one in this Swedish pad?

In this lovely apartment in Gothenburg, the designers have decided to make smart use of the very small space by doubling the bedroom up with storage space in the living room. The door can be closed for privacy and a cosy feel at lights out - while the windows still allow a little light to slip in (thankfully or I might start to feel more than a little claustrophobic!). The rest of the apartment has beautiful high ceilings and large windows which flood the space with light  - and a beautiful white, grey cognac and brass combination. Let's take a peek....

Photography: Jonas Berg for Entrance Mäklari.

Such an inspiring use of space, don't you think? 

There are quite a few items I know and love in this space, including: Butterfly chair, source a Beni Ourain rug here, Tom Dixon tealight holder (I've got one of these and it creates the most beautiful patterns!). Gervasoni sofa, Gotland sheepskin throw. Bedroom: white stonewashed bed linen.  Kitchen - Ant chair.

There's lots and lots more small space inspiration to be found in this archive...(clear the calender!).

Have a wonderful day!

PS If you love an autumn table you'll absolutely love this (and this) table setting by one of my Instagram favourites _foodstories_ - so incredibly beautiful, don't you think?!