A French kitchen is given a fab modern twist

I love discovering a space that offers something a little bit different - especially in the kitchen, don't you? French pair Bertille and Lionel requested the help of interior designers Royal Roulotte (remember this lovely home tour?!) to help create a modern, new feel in the heart of their home in Montreuil. The result is this fab kitchen / diner made from IKEA base cabinets combined with rough particle board wall cabinets and shelving, antique furniture, filament bulbs, beautiful tiles and mix and match Formica chairs (source similar here). Let's take a peek...

Credits: Royal Roulotte

What a great kitchen - I love the idea of the little dining area behind the kitchen island and those tiles are wonderful (does anyone know where to source these?)!

Is there anything that stands out to you?

If you're after more kitchen inspiration today you might want to check out the entire archive here (warning, there are loads, so you might just want to pour a coffee first!). Or if it's more plywood / particle board inspiration you're after - I have an archive for that too! (if this home comes up first just scroll past it).

Have a lovely day!

PS Thank you so much to Luxury London for including me in your top four interior bloggers!  I see I'm in amazing company too, what an honour! 

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Feeling the blue in a Swedish home

I've always loved the colour blue (cornflower blue to be precise). And these days this extends into the home (could this be a Scandinavian influence?!). Right now I'm considering a palette of grey-blue for my own home to mirror the sea nearby - and find myself constantly looking out for 'blue' inspiration.  Like in this beautiful Swedish country house - with it's lovely light blue kitchen and the darker conservatory (OK, I admit it was probably more the idea of sitting and enjoying a morning coffee and a magazine in that conservatory which really got me!), but I love the personal touches and vintage finds too.  What do you reckon - could you wile away a morning here?!

 Credits: photo Johan Spinell, Styling Åsa Copparstad for sale through Historiska Hem.

Oh so lovely. Don't you think?

Is there anything that stands out to you? 

A couple of items I know and love: kitchen aid in yellow, vintage chopping boards (beautiful!),  rattan 'wing chair', light grey stonewashed linen bedding.

When it comes to the shades of blue I'm working on a selection of these, I just need to take that leap (a little scary!). I might just develop my moodboard a little more with some lovely pics from the 'decorating with blue' archive first (if the first home you see is this one, just scroll past).

I'm intrigued - what colours do you have in your home?

Have a lovely day!

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A tour of an idyllic Finnish summer cabin

If someone asked me to describe my dream Scandinavian summer cottage, this would be it (you may recognise the idyllic Finnish cabin from this post). Situated on its own island on the West coast of Finland, the lovely owner, photographer and graphic designer Johanna Lehtinen, her husband Jari and daughter Tilda take the 10 minute speed boat ride out to the cabin as often as they can. "We try to use it the whole year round but because of its location there are times when we cannot get there - for example, when the ice is too thick for the boat but to thin for walking or using the snow cat." With no running water or electricity, the cabin is a true back-to-basics experience, where the family spend their time "chilling, playing board games, taking boat rides to other islands, visiting and welcoming friends, fishing, rowing, swimming etc," But most of all it's about soaking up the surroundings - "I love the wonderful sea and nature, and the peace and tranquility that the island brings. It's great to be in such close contact with nature," Johanna tells me. And I can totally see why.

 

Photography / home-owner Johanna Lehtinen. 

Could you image having a wonderful get-away like this to escape to?

I'm not sure I'd ever leave!

Get the look from Johanna's cabin: kitchen - Marimekko teapot and cups, I love the vintage jugs here. bedroom - this vintage shop sells a selection of one of a kind locker units, pick up an old milking stool here and paint it white. And above all else, the details - like Johanna's stacked pebbles, vases of fern and candles in stones collected from the cabin's surroundings. It seems like the best interior decor of all, is waiting on the ground right outside our backdoor (the theme of my first book Modern Pastoral!).

If you feel inspired by Johanna's cabin you might want to check out her latest photography and graphic design projects on her blog and instagram, and also visit her wonderful webshop where she sells her own nature inspired art photography such as Waves and her book Laiturilla, featuring eleven Finnish summer homes by the sea as well as other items (yes, she ships worldwide - woohoo!).

If like me, you're feeling truly inspired by Finnish design today - here are a few other links to beautiful summer cottages and hide-aways: an idyllic Finnish cabin with a sea view, a dreamy lakeside cabin with a twist, and a beautifully simple modern cabin.

Have a wonderful start to the week!

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An enchanting get-away in the Scottish highlands

Over my four years at the University of Edinburgh I never tired of the magical view of the castle rising out of the mist on my way to lectures and the breath-taking beauty of the highlands at weekends. As a result Scotland will always hold a special place in my heart (have you ever visited?). Yesterday I discovered Killiehuntly farmhouse & cottages - and realised it was definitely time to go back for a visit! The beautiful lodgings, situated near Kingussie in the highlands have been decorated with an enchanting palette of deep, rich colours complimented by natural textures such as wood, sheepskin, rattan, wool and leather for a cosy home from home feel.

Credits: Killiehuntly farnhouse & cottage photographed by Martin Kauffman. Tip from Josefin Hååg with thanks. 

What a beautiful retreat! I'm already picturing long walks in the Cairngorms national park followed by a drink in a village pub! How about you?!  

And if that trip needs to wait a while, we could always add a touch of magic to our own home, here's how: explore Farrow & Ball 'darks' for a similar rich colour palette. This dark blue velvet sofa is beautiful (or to find one that fits your budget try this guide), source a fluffy grey sheepskin rug/ throw here. Dark grey blanket, series 7 chair.

I am intrigued - do you have a place which is special to you? If so, I'd love to hear about it! 


Have a wonderful weekend and see you Monday!

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My home - bedroom tour

I've been meaning to finish my bedroom for ages.  I finally found the opportunity on a recent collaboration with the fab family run Danish homeware shop Nordal - who made it possible to add the final touches for Autumn - including a much needed rug, as well as a cosy quilt and beautiful bench. Our bedroom takes up the top floor of our house (some feel a big room is un-cosy, do you?) it's a very personal thing but I love to have lots of space around me, and even open the balcony door while I'm sleeping for extra measure! Having said that, I feel a bedroom should be calm. Somewhere you can relax and switch off from the stresses and strains of daily life. And as the cold weather starts to set in here in Sweden - cosy too! That's why I've stuck to neutral shades and layers of soft textiles in natural materials such as cotton, rattan, sheepskin and linen! Here's the reveal, I hope you like it!

Photography: Niki Brantmark / My Scandinavian Home. Styling Genevieve Jorn.

What do you think?

I have to say, it really has become my little oasis. Looking at this now, I might just head back to bedfor the day.....Zzzzzzz!

Here's a guide to where I found some of the items:

1. RAW bench (I'd recommend the larger one if you have a double bed) 2. Quilt - black and cream stripes  3. Sheepkin throw 4. DOME lamp 5. sheepskin cushion 6. Round glass bottle 7. ESSENCE carpet (rug).

If you're wondering about anything else in my bedroom ask away in the comment section below and I'll be happy to point you in the right direction!

Have a lovely day!

This post was brought to you in collaboration with Nordal. I only ever work with brands I love and think you will to. Thank you for supporting the businesses which make My Scandinavian Home possible.

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A beautiful and practical Swedish home

Hello there. Happy mid-week! Today I'm taking inspiration from this lovely Swedish apartment. I love how the space is both beautifully furnished (a perfect blend of old and new but also highly functional, with plenty of storage, and everything you need at hand. I'm particularly loving the touches of midnight blue (velvet sofa, linen bedding), brass fittings and calm green wall in the kitchen. Oh and it's cosy too!

Source: Historiska Hem found via Coco Lapine Design with thanks.

Oh and it's for sale too - wonder if it comes with everything inside, wouldn't that be good?!

A few items that caught my eye: this is a great source for mid-century dining chairs. House of Rym blanket,  Lee Broom crystal bulb and pendant light, midnight blue stonewashed linen bedding (love this!), this brass bed is similar.

Notice the books turned inwards? Always a fun talking point. I have some shelves in my bedroom (which I'll be featuring later this week) and all the book jackets have been bleached from sunlight, which is so upsetting! So I do actually see the value in it these days. I'd love to hear your thoughts though!

On a separate note - here's a little mid week link love for you:

Evening light - possibly the most beautiful set of pictures I've ever seen. 

A romantic corner from the bedroom of Mokkasin (love the dress and bag).

How to do open-plan.

This bouquet is beautiful, don't you think?!

51 sitting room ideas. 

An Autumn must have.

Have a lovely day!

PS I spoke at a 'social media influencer workshop' yesterday alongside instagrammer Marion Payr (AKA @ladyvenom)- if you love travel, you must check out her gallery, it's beautiful! 

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