Hello there! Thank you for your patience, we're back after bottling up as much sunshine as our EasyJet baggage allowance would permit - not much then! But still, nice to get a little boost and see my sister and nieces before the darkness sets in! While on the subject of darkness, the clocks went back on Saturday which means cosy season has just begun. Have they changed where you are too? This means two things: 1. Ramping up on candles and warm lighting to amp up the hygge and 2. Working on capturing as much daylight in the home as physically possible during waking hours. And it's the latter which is the subject of today's post!
I've talked about the popularity of greenhouses (remember this beautiful Swedish one?) - but a space that REALLY comes into its own at this time of year is a sunroom. Sunrooms come in all shapes and sizes from ornate conservatories to a simple balcony with wrap-around glass - but they're all based on the same principal: enjoying the daylight while staying toasty. And this incredible 'vintergården' (Swedish for 'winter garden') in the home of Wiola (@rapsiodia_w) and her family in Leiden, The Netherlands is a dream!
Wiola's sunroom doubles up as a place to relax, a guest bedroom under the stars and a home office. And her cats love it (of course!).
I have my eye on this sofa bed for our tiny cabin (look out for the update later this week). It's designed by Karup specifically for small spaces.
In the corner I spy a lemon tree, with a LOAD of lemons on it. I have become ever so slightly obsessed with my lemon tree lately (just ask my family). Yesterday I ceremoniously brought it indoors for the winter as the temperatures. Mine only has two lemons on it (which Per refers to as the most expensive lemons of all time due to the level of man hours and nutrition involved!). Do you own a citrus plant of some kind? If so, you might well understand what I'm talking about!
The art - the largest of which is by Marta Chmielecka - focuses on nature, a perfect way to connect the space with the garden. I also love the felt wall lamp from sustainable design shop Luma Lano.
I have been a fan of this desk from IKEA for many years as it's perfect for smaller, narrow spaces.
But more importantly, have I mentioned the floor yet? Soooo beautiful, don't you think?
The 'Meet Me at Jaures' print* adds a touch of colour to the home office area.
Light floods through the sun room into the main living room which has been kitted out with a number of fab pieces including a TOGO armchair, a sofa from FÉST Amsterdam and the Elipse pendent*.
What a wonderful space to enjoy at this time of year! I can definitely imagine curling up here on a Sunday afternoon with a cup of tea and a book, how about you?
Not got the space for a sunroom? Join the club! No worries though, I find simply rearranging the furniture a little to ensure you have somewhere to sit by the window can work wonders at this time of year.
I have to say, it's been such a long time since I featured a Dutch home. Here are a few other Dutch spaces to enjoy today:
Have a great start to the week!
Niki
Photography courtesy of @rapsodia_w with kind permission
Beautiful! i love love love this sunroom, it is soo gorgeous, sofa bed and the garden seeing view, it is just amazing, thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a cosy space despite all the glass. I love the view of the garden. You might already know, but inside modern homes with central heating, it can be too dry for plants like lemon trees. They tend to drop their leaves when they are too dry. I used to bring my gardenia in every winter but realised it is much happier under cover outside. Mind you I do live in France so not quite as cold as where you are! You could try counteracting the lack of humidity inside by keeping a spray bottle filled with water by your lemon tree and squirting it once a day when you walk by.
ReplyDeleteLovely space, especially when seen from the living area; bright and welcoming. I haven't seen these classic futon beds in so long. This one is clearly so much better than the one that saw me through the university moves and studies, but they are so handy to have around. I am always worried about art fading in these sunny spaces but I guess that's what prints are for. Would happily spend hours working here.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be wonderful to have a room like this? We have a lot of overcast days where I live, especially in the winter, and any spaces that invite natural light are really attractive to me.
ReplyDelete