A Relaxed, Vintage Inspired Family Home in the French Countryside

Why, hello there! How was your weekend? It's been snowing all morning here in Malmö - such a perfect excuse to pad around at home in chunky knit socks! I was so happy to see many of you also loved graphic designer, artist and interior decorator Zoé de Las Cases' Paris apartment on Friday. There's something so special about her style. As mentioned Zoe and her lovely family: husband Benjamin, daughter Olya (6), son Sacha (4) and dog Napoleon (1!) divide their time between Paris' 2nd arrondissement and their country home in Normandy, near Vernuil-sur-Avre, around one and half hours from the capital. When they first acquired the country house, it was in desperate need of some TLC. The family have been painstakingly renovating it, adding their unique touch - while being careful to maintain the beautiful original features. Bienvenue!

Zoe is a big fan of flea markets and nearly all of the items you see are second hand (inspires me to get hunting, how about you?!). The eclectic blend of items and materials as well as the simple wall to wall open shelving adds to the casual vibe of their country home. 

Falcon range oven in china blue, vintage chopping boards*, Ikeas kitchen cabinets with Östernäs leather pulls 

Glass windows dividers are one of Zoé's signature design traits; she's used them in her Paris apartment, studio and country home. I absolutely love them too. They offer a perfect way to maintain a light and airy, open plan feel while creating more intimate zones. The ones in this kitchen appear to be vintage (source beautiful vintage panes here*).

Anyone else notice how much the firewood column adds to the room? Perfect inspiration! I need a fireplace first, but if my dream ever comes true, I'm stacking the wood like this!

Cute wall-mounted sink alert - no doubt a vintage find. It looks perfect matched with the light blue tiles too, don't you think?

I'm not sure, but guessing that the original tiled floors throughout the ground floor were one of the reasons the family fell in love with the home. Aren't they stunning?

Anyone else now considering looking for a home deep in the country to do up? I'll be dreaming about this all week now!

In cased you missed it, you can take a peek at the family's Paris home here and read more about Zoé's latest projects here (there's also a load more pics on her instagram).

So friends, shall we go all out French again today? Why not! Here are a few spaces I've featured in the past and love:
The fab home of a French photographer and stylist
An opulent Paris apartment in minimalist style
A French kitchen is given. a modern twist
Inside the home of a French chef and photographer

Have a fabulous start to the week!

Niki x

PS Oh and my Lagom book is available in French - just in case any of my wonderful French friends fancy a read. I have such fond memories of my time in Paris over the launch! What a great city / country!

Photography: Zoé de Las Cases shared with kind permission

// Affiliate links marked with *

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For The Love of Rugs: Three Favourite Looks From Domotex 2019

It's amazing what a difference flooring can make to a home - whether you go for tiles, wood, concrete, wall-to-wall carpets (word on the street - or should I say feet - that these are starting to make a come back in Denmark!) - a space can be completely transformed in an instant. Needless to say, choosing what to go for can be so daunting! We definitely don't have enough rugs in our home (for this very reason) and in my mind, rugs / carpets are what make a home ultra snuggly - do you feel the same? This was top of my mind when I visited Domotex - the leading fair for flooring coverings - in Hanover last weekend. The theme was Create N Connect - and there was just so much to see! I couldn't resist a peek around the wood floor and tile halls, but my mind was on the carpets  - and there were three looks that stole my heart!

1. Timeless Contemporary

Located in the quadrangle formed by Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, Tisca cultivate super cosy, unique hand-woven rugs. Their skilful weavers fashion treasures out of beautiful, hard-wearing textiles which are designed to last. I'm loving the extra chunk Olbia Campo rug below!

2. Modern Boho
For pretty rugs with warm colours, plenty of pattern. and a bohemian edge, Edelgrund is totally on point! Their stand had a souk like feel, showcasing their tribal carpets made in the homes of weavers in Iran. Each of Edelgrund's patterned kilim rugs are Fair Trade and tell an individual story.

3. Natural Toasty
I spent a disproportionate amount of time eating chocolate with Austrian based company Natur Pur. The small, family-run business creates a range of luxury hand-knotted rugs made from natural undyed wool for an extra toasty feel!

Aren't they beautiful?! Do you have a favourite?

Coral Garden
I'd like also like to do a special shout out to Vanessa Barragäo, who handcrafted the stunning Coral Garden. A notice next to the artwork read: "Global warming and pollution are destroying one of the world's most vital environments, the coral reefs, which are the heart of marine life's bio diversity." Vanessa used recycled materials to create the coral reef (which fades out from a healthy reef to the left and dying reef to the left) to raise awareness of up cycling and environmentally conscious production. Beautiful and so important!

My Tribe!
And last but not least: my tribe! It was so fun catching up and taking part in two panel discussions with my favourite blogger gang including (from left to right below) The Ruggist, Happy Interior, Monster Circus, Decor8 (the creative behind the stand seen in the first image), Camilla Bellini, Vosgesparis,  Passion Shake, (Me!), and Trend Stefan seen here on the stand of Jaipur Rugs. And a special thanks to Lars Rogall from Domotex for inviting us!

//Image credits (from top to bottom):
Taken by me, designed by Decor8, Stylizimo, Tisca, Edelgrund, Natur Pur, Lars Rogall / Domotex

//This post is brought to you in collaboration with Domotex. As always, all words are my own and I only ever work with brands, companies and events which I love.  

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Old Meets New In A Charming Paris Home

Zoé de Las Cases deliberately sought a smaller apartment in central Paris so that she and her family could acquire a bolthole in the countryside. Exactly two years ago, her dream was realised when she stumbled upon this wonderful etage in the 2nd arrondissement, and an abandoned country house in Normandy. Zoé is a creative soul, and divides her time between working as a graphic designer for French stationary company Clairefontaine, an artist - her latest project includes a collection of colouring books which have been translated into more than twenty languages including Secret Paris, Secret New York and Secret Tokyo and an interior decorator - she is currently juggling seven houses and apartments between Paris and the South of France! And I thought I was busy...! Her creative philosophy is born from an art of living "that is a mix of decoration and style in a happy, playful and colourful universe." Laid out over two floors, the family's Paris apartment is a charming blend of old and new, resulting in a wonderfully relaxed home that's full of soul. Let's take a peek!

Zoé finds inspiration in "objects, books, nature, flea markets and everyday life" and shops for items for her home "everywhere in France".  The space is filled with pretty vintage finds, a result of weekly flea market visits with her children. "They love it too!!" The finds pop out against a sea of white creating an eclectic yet calm home, with influences from both France and Scandinavia. "I love mixing contemporary and older objects, I love the poetry of objects that tell a story."

Isn't this just such a pretty space? I love the blend between old and new, it gives the home such a warm vibe.

I particularly love Zoé and Benjamin's bedroom with those double doors leading out to a balcony and bathroom behind the glass room dividers.

Is there anything that stood out to you?

If you're curious to see more (I can't blame you!) - you can see more pictures on Zoé's instagram, and discover more about her latest projects and services here and take a peek at their charming country house here.

There are some incredible French homes in the archives if you fancy a delve. Some of my favourites include a pretty home with striking black floors (possibly one of my favourite kitchens of all time!), a charming French family home full of inspiring details and a light and airy Paris loft. 

Vive la France!

Have a wonderful weekend, see you Monday!

Niki

Photography: Zoé de La Cases, shared with kind permission

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A Light And Elegant Swedish Home

Tjena! I thought we'd nip to Sweden's capital city for today's post and check out the recent work by Refine Design Studio. What do you say?! The Swedish design studio created this incredible space for one very lucky family who are returning home from overseas. The family were keen for the apartment to combine Swedish design with subtle influences experienced during their time abroad. The design worked with the spectacular 19th century bones and full ceiling height (imagine?!), while also adding elegant, contemporary design pieces. Clearly, these pictures have been (beautifully) styled for the shoot, but can you imagine returning home and unpacking all your books, clothes and other belongings here?! Heaven!

This is one of my favourite tables right now. It's the Palais Royal designed by Anya Sebton and Eva Lilja Löwenhielm for Asplund. Isn't it fabulous? Understandably, it's making waves across the interior world right now.

It's a fairly small master bedroom, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in clever furnishings - and has everything you might need: plenty of storage, black-out curtains and compact bedside tables. Loving the contrast between the Lampe Gras 214 wall light* and linen Ghost headboard - perfect! 

We often have friends and family over from the UK, and since it's usually for a couple of days at a time, they don't need an entire wardrobe - a simple hanging rack like the one below is ideal! I found a great DIY post here in case you're considering one too!

What do you reckon? Could you imagine moving into this space and making it your own? I certainly could!

Check out other places in Sweden's capital city here (love Amelia's home full of books and Lovisa's stunning apartment!).

Have you ever been to Stockholm? If not, it's an absolute must but definitely wait until the summer so you can venture out to the islands too!

Haj så länge!

Niki

PS this has got nothing at all to do with Scandinavian design - but have you see 'A Star Is Born'? I was in bits!! Brilliant though!

Photography: Clearcut Factory / Styling Johanna Larsson found via TDC with thanks.

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