A vintage inspired Silver Lake home

Hej hej! Are you ready for a little boho-vintage love today? LA interior designer, Kaitlin McHugh, her musician boyfriend Brendan Hines, their cat and pup Charlie, are welcoming us into their wonderful Silver Lake home today and it's full of lovely vintage and mid-century modern pieces! Kaitlin is a firm a believer in reusing and up-cycling but also loves to blend in work by contemporary artists and craftspeople. Think mid-century armchairs, marble tables, planters, kilim cushions, and photo art for a truly personal and relaxed home. Enjoy!

Interior design: Kaitlin McHugh Photography: Dabito / Old Brand New

So much soul! Don't you think?

Get the look: sitting room - sofa by Folke Ohlsson (try Ebay), this is a great source for vintage mid-century armchairs, photo art - El Matador by Jon Rou (I love many of his pieces - how beautiful is the Beach?), pick up Kilim cushions / pillows here (love this lumbar one!).

If you'd like to find out more about Kaitlin's home you can see more pics and read the full feature here.

Other mid-century inspired spaces I love (and there's lots!) include this charming inner-city home, Holly's sitting room and a 1920s home decorated on a shoe-string budget. And for an entire day of mid-century lovin' - there's always the archive! If this one comes up first just scroll passed.

Have a lovely day!

PS I'm waiting for a great friend of mine to arrive from London - oh how I love summertime! Hope you've got some fun plans over the next few days too.

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A Swedish apartment in soft white and grey hues

When you move house, do you look for something in need of a large-scale renovation, a space that simply needs a lick of paint, or a property completely finished and ready to go?! I've only moved home a couple of times, but each time I've looked for something in between - I guess I'm realistic about my decision making skills (or lack of!) although, as you know, I like to dabble and put my own touch on things!  Sometimes though, wouldn't it be lovely to just move in somewhere that's picture perfect? Take this Gothenburg apartment for example.  The space was recently sold by Swedish interior consultant Linnéa who lovingly restored it down to the last detail - adding soft grey hues to the walls, buffing up the beautiful original flooring and adding just the right amount of furniture to make the living space practical and relaxing. I think I could move right in, how about you?!

Photography: Linnéa / Cream and Navy

Doesn't it look so unbelievably calm?!


Get the look: Söderhamn sofa, this chunky knit blanket is similar, macrame plant hanger, white linen table cloth,

You can see more pictures of Linnéa's apartment and latest projects over on Instagram.

I can't wait to see what she does next!

Happy Tuesday!
 

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A delightful family home in Stockholm

Well hello! As Monday mornings go, this has to be one of my better ones. I'm working from my sisters terrace which has the most incredible vistas over the Mallorcan Serra de Tramuntana mountain range. Admittedly it's a bit bright and I can barely see my screen - but, you can't have it all right?!  We're heading home tomorrow - boooo! But it's not all bad, since Sweden has some hidden gems of its own. Take this apartment in Södermalm Stockholm from the 1900s for example. The 127 square metre (1367 square feet) home belongs to Lina Fall, owner of children's clothes, toys and interior web shop Cleo et Lily, partner Fredrik and their children Cleo and Floyd. When the couple bought the space it was dark and dingy and they set about transforming into a bright and vibrant family home full of scandinavian design classics, mid-century finds, Morrocan treasures and the odd vintage find. Enjoy!

Photography: Magadalena Björnsdotter / Featured in Alt.dk. 

Oh how I love this home - I've got a serious case of furniture envy! How about you?

Here are a few items I know and love: sitting room - Flos 265 wall lamp, Beni Ourain rug, sofa from here, search for Safari chairs at auction (I also like this black version), safari daybed, white leather pouffe, coffee table from here, C print is out of stock by the limited edition G version is still available here, this bar cart is similar. Dining room - bistro style chairs (if you'd like to be a bit different, I love this chair!). Children's bedroom - Teepee, Eye Eye print,  check out Lina's shop for other lovely things for children's bedrooms.

Is there anything that catches your eye?

These lovely pictures were taken by photographer Magadalena Björnsdotter who always seems to find the most beautiful locations (such as Calligrapher Ylva Skarp's country home, and this charming Skånegård - which I also included in my book Modern Pastoral)  - she also has the most fabulous house herself! See the tour here.

Hope you have a wonderful start to the week!

PS If you're coming to Mallorca you must get in touch with my sister Charlie - she's lived here 12 years and can help you find the most fantastic finca or townhouse to rent and advise on all the islands hidden secrets - and there are many if you know where to look!

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My dream boudoir!

Baths in the bedroom. Some people love them, some people loathe them. Which camp are you in? If you fall into the latter camp, perhaps this lovely bedroom in The Apartment by The Line in New York will change your mind? Captured by Katarina Matsson, this beautiful boudoir has me dreaming of transforming my bedroom and hanging out there all weekend pampering myself, and reading books and magazines (I'd just need to do away with my office space to make room for the bath - but hey, who needs work?!). Could you imagine hanging out here?!

These lovely photographs were taken by: Katarina Mattson / Ett Rum Till

Oh so wonderful! Could you imagine?!

You can see a full tour of The Apartment here - and if you're in New York, it's a concept store not to be missed! Find out more about opening times here.

Get the look: Flag halyard chair,  Flos floor lamp, source a Beni Ourain rug here, white linen duvet cover.

If you're not in New York anytime soon, there are a few other wonderful 'apartment' style concept stores dotted around including The Apartment, Copenhagen and The Loft in Holland. Such an inspiring way to shop, don't you think?! 

I can't believe it's the weekend already - where did the time go? I'm certainly not complaining though - as my girls and I are busy packing for a long weekend in Mallorca to visit my sister and nieces. I'm already dreaming of a cool glass of sangria! How about you - any fun plans?

Have a fab one - and see you Monday! 

PS If you have time this weekend you must check out Katarina's instagram feed - so inspiring! 

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Classic meets contemporary in a Stockholm home

Hej hej! I'm back at my desk after the holidays, the rain's coming down in sheets outside and there's something kind of nice and cosy about it. Plus my office is feeling super organised (it's got that sort of back to school vibe about it!), wonder how long that will last?! (I'm told the more messy your desk, the more creative you are, which I take great comfort from!). Anyhooo, on with today's tour! This lovely Stockholm space seems to strike just the right balance between classic and contemporary thanks to relaxed linens and traditional kitchen units combined with modern art photography, a state of the art bike and a sleek flat screen TV! I especially like the bedroom - it's so simple yet has such a calm, relaxed feel. Step inside....

Photographer: Mikael Axelsson Styling: Katia Thoger. For sale via Fantastic Frank. 

Happy to see two of my favourite plants in this home. A series of 'Chinese money plants' (on the kitchen windowsill). The beauty of these plants is not only do they look lovely, they're also really easy to keep alive (result!). But best of all, they self seed so the pot is always full of new shoots which can be replanted. Love that!

The other is the national flower of South Africa - 'king protea'. This has recently popped up in flowershops all over town and I absolutely love the pinkish hue. I have discovered that it's equally beautiful dried! Perfect!

Check out these lovely spaces for more plant inspiration (I love Jeska Hearn's home!).


Oh, and this is a great source for new photo art.

Is there anything you love in particular about this home?

If it's raining where you are and you're having a slow day - you can always pour yourself a delicious cup of coffee and scroll through the swedish apartments archive (if this comes up first, just scroll passed).

Have a great day!

PS The American version of my new book (Lagom: The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life) is now on Amazon and available to pre-order here (same tips, ideas etc different cover!) - so exciting!

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A striking Malmo pad with attitude!

We're heading home today after our sail around the Pomerania coast in the Baltic - we've had such a brilliant time! But as the Swedes say borta bra men hemma bäst (away is good but home is best!) and I am looking forward to my bed! Don't you find that?! To celebrate the occasion I'd like to share a home from my adopted home town of Malmö. Captured by talented local photographer Marcus Lawett and featured in the latest edition of Elle Decoration Sweden, this 1920s apartment belongs to Lisa, Sulle and their son Morris. High ceilings, parquet floors and large windows form the backdrop for a space filled with flea market finds, Moroccan touches and interesting art. Välkommen in!

Photography: Marcus Lawett / Styling Karolina Vertus, Featured in Elle Decoration.

Wow! I love how there's an element of surprise in every room (every time I looked through I spotted something new!). And that bedroom is fabulous (I've never seen a room divider used as a headboard before - have you? - you can source a similar one here).

I also spy a Globe Mobile (remember the one in this beautiful Krakow home?). Could this be a thing? Pretty cool! I wonder how easy it would be to make your own (I'm always seeing globes at flea markets)?

I was also happy to see the rubber glove moulds (I first spotted these in the beautiful home of Josephine Ekström when we photographed it for The Scandinavian Home. You can pick up original industrial ones here. 

A few other items I know and love: Flos Viscontea pendant lamp, Tulip armchair, sitting room - womb chair, Marshall speakers (love these - I've got the exact same at home), and  Togo sofa Ligne Roset. Pick up a boucherouite rug here.

The stylist behind this shoot - Karolina Vertus, owns  a beautiful shop in town called Miloii - you must stop by if you're in town! I once featured Karolina's home here. 

You can read more about this home in the latest edition of Elle Decoration Sweden (such a great magazine even if you'd done have a grasp of the Swedish language!). And you can also read more about it here.

Have a great day! 

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Styling a small space, the Swedish way

It's been a while since I've shown a home from Scandinavia - which feels pretty strange, given the alias of my blog! Since we're now back safe and sound in Scandinavia (moored in Rødvig, a fishing village South of Copenhagen to be precise), I thought it was definitely about time! It's hard to envisage that this delightful space in Gothenburg is a mere 37 square metres (398 square feet - I had to double check this conversion as I'm forever getting it wrong!). The illusion of space is largely thanks to clever styling tricks by Emma Fischer - who's made use of the vertical space and maintained the same light, colour scheme throughout. Enjoy the tour!

Photography: Maria Sahlander / Styling Emma Fischer. For sale through Bjurfors. 

I can totally imagine padding around in this lovely apartment, how about you?!

Get the look: sitting room - prints / posters: ADORAY, Eyes Wide Shut, The lady in the bathroom,
source similar nest tables here, this moss knit blanket is similar, seagrass belly basket (I also love this macrame one),  stonewashed white linen duvet cover and pillowcases (see my bedding from the same Etsy shop in denim here - love it!). Kitchen - bentwood chair, bumling pendant light.

If you'd like to take a peek at other small spaces today try this archive (although very different from the above, I am still thinking about this wonderful studio I featured the other week...isn't it fab?!).

Have a lovely day!

PS Thank you for all your amazingly positive feedback on my new book  - both here and on Instagram - truly heartwarming!

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