Monochrome elegance in a stunning Lyon apartment

Hello Friday, how lovely to see you! I'm soooo tired today (6 a.m starts are not for me no matter what people say!) but it's nothing one of these  can't fix this evening, and my mum and dad are over from London on a visit, so I've got very special company to enjoy it with too. I'm going to polish off the week with this super elegant apartment in Lyon, France. Not only does the space have absolutely stunning bones (period features, large floor to ceiling windows, herringbone floor etc,.) but the French owners have also artfully furnished it with designer classics, fascinating artwork and the odd vintage piece too. Quite a space, don't you think?!

 

Photography: Felix Forest (shared with kind permission). Found via Seventeen Doors with thanks.

Beautiful!

Could you imagine living here?

Items I know and love: Knoll Platner table and chairs, the Beni Ourain rug is very similar, vintage kitchen utensils, wooden spoons and chopping boards. This rustic bench is similar. Washed linen bedding in charcoal (love this) and white.

More super elegant spaces include a sophisticated Swedish apartment in dark tones and a black and navy Stockholm pad.

Speaking of design - I'm often being asked about blog design. I can highly recommend Blog Milk Shop, who  designed my blog many moons ago and Ana and I still collaborate today. You can choose from custom and off the peg collections. 

I was thrilled to read this review of my book yesterday (it sums up the essence beautifully!). Susann of Purple Area, who's Swedish home features, shared this fab picture on instagram and her blog too! All so exciting. Don't forget to enter to win a signed copy here (give-away open to all until midnight on Sunday). 

Right, I think that's me over and out for the weekend. I hope you have a fab couple of days and I'll see you Monday!

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A Wonderful, Relaxed Family Home In the Heart Of the Beaujolais Wine Country

Sometimes I'm going about my business in Malmö as happy as Larry and then a home tour pops up that knocks me for six and has me dreaming about a total life change! This is one of those days! And once you see the pictures, I have a feeling you might just feel the same. Lysiane Marcel lives in a beautiful 18th century house in the wine-producing region of Beaujolais, France, with her husband Laurent, three children Léonce, Bertil and Colette and their cats and dog. Their home is an inspiring blend of vintage, antique and high street finds (I even spy some IKEA pieces!), giving the space a truly relaxed and personal touch. I briefly caught up with Lysiane, who runs a concept store in Villefranche, to find out a little more about her 'golden' house in the heart of the Pierres Dorées. 

Your house looks magnificent! How old is it and when did you move in?

It is an old vineyard house built in 1752 from pierres dorées, which is the golden stone of our region. We moved in when I was pregnant with Colette three years ago. 

What inspires your interior style?

I follow my heart and allow the house to guide me. 

I can imagine feeling very inspired by a house like this! Was it love at first sight? 

Yes, but we were afraid about all of the space because the house is very large, and we were living in an apartment in Lyon at the time!

Do you plan to decorate the entire house, or will you leave some of the rooms empty?

We plan to create a lot of guest bedrooms for our friends. They are empty during the week, but we often have friends to stay at the weekend. 

What do you love most about your house?

I love the space, the light, the floor and all the little details that come with an old house. 

And finally, do you have any tips for anyone who dreams of owning a similar property? 

It takes a lot of time to find a house like this. We visited 30 properties before we found it! it's all about following your heart, a home must make you feel good. 

What do you reckon, are you ready to enjoy croissants and a café au lit by the pool?! Or perhaps a glass of Beaujolais would be more apt?! 

Check out more of Lysiane's beautiful home over at @une_idee_entete. Lysiane also sells her family's lovely clothes second hand on instagram here. 

I've shown a few other wonderful French country homes (which I still dream about), including:

A relaxed family home in the French countryside

A charming family home in Normandy, France

Before and after: a vintage-inspired family home in Metz, France

Is anyone else feeling truly inspired now for a Monday?!

Have a great start to the week! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @une_idee_entete, shared with kind permission

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