A monochrome Swedish home with lovely light

I've never been much of a morning person (understatement), but lately I've been setting my alarm eye-wateringly early so I can get a few hours work in before the rest of the family wake-up. For example this morning my alarm went off at 5.30 just so I could take my youngest to her tennis camp at 9 and watch in a manner verging on chilled! But I've actually found that once my eyes no longer feel like sand paper (yes, I'm ridiculous!), there's another (secret) surprise for early-risers - the beautiful morning light. Our home (and cottage) looks completely different in the small hours. And it's this light which drew me to this Swedish apartment today. The abbreviated monochrome palette allows the soft pools of light to take centre stage, while touches of wood (in the floor and furniture) adds to the over all warmth of the space. Lovely!

Kvarteret Mäkleri found via Coco Lapine with thanks.

 So simple, yet so lovely. And the unique pieces are a feast for the eye too...

....which brings me to a few items I know and love: sitting room - Gubi semi pendant light, white table lamp, string shelves. Study / bedroom -&tradition flowerpot pendant light, cross blanket (I also love this one).

If you're loving this look and fancy a little more monochrome inspiration today, there are over 100 black and white homes in this archive.....(if this comes up first just scroll passed).

And hey, why not - a few other links I absolutely love from around the web today:

There's something beautiful about the 'country evening' post (again, it's that light!).

I quite fancy a blissful night's sleep (or nap) behind this curtain.

7 beautiful bedrooms with grey walls.

Where I'd like to be. In my new favourite Danish bikini cover-up.

I can't stop looking at this wildlife photo....?

Have a wonderful day!

PS is it time for a siesta yet?!

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The monochrome home of Swedish interior stylist Elin Kickén

Oh wow - I do believe it's the end of the working week - woohaaay! April and May are my absolute busiest months - do you find that too? It seems the same is happening in the Swedish real estate market - I simply can't believe how many homes are for sale right now - which let's face it, is an ideal situation for all of us!! Swedish interior stylist Elin Kickén is the latest to sell her home (I once showed her previous (whiter) home here). Which means lots of wonderful, inspiring pictures for us to enjoy over the weekend (and if you live in Gothenburg -  even a new home perhaps?!). Elin has decorated her home using a monochome scheme which is softened by warm lustrous textiles and a play with different shapes. Let's take a tour...

Alvhem. Home-owner / interior designer Elin Kickén.

It's safe to say, Elin has nailed the monochrome look wouldn't you say?!

And her small bedroom is inspiring too - a tricky narrow room which she has made look sooooo cosy! 

There are so many items I love in this home including: sitting room - the house doctor cluster lamp (available here and here), sofa similar to mine (North from Bolia), Muuto leaf floor lamp. Painting by Karin Wästlund.  Kitchen: Flos aim light. This glass tea pot is similar. Bedroom - white waffle bedspread, By Lassen stropp leather hangers (I've got these in cognac).

Does anyone know where the white armchair is from - I'd love to know... and be able to update the post! 

Linkage for the weekend:

What a beautiful hallway?

There's something so Zen about this bath tub! And I kind of like the industrial style of this shower too.

The awe-inspiring 'Thong House' (love the name!) in Vietnam.

A cute porch / terrace.

Loving these nooks and niches.

Trend alert - grey hardwood floors as seen in Elin's home too (we've got these across two floors in our home and I love them!). 

Must-have item for the summer - a pom pom blanket, I can't decide on this, this or this one? 

Imagine dropping everything and moving to a Swedish cottage like this one, is only for the weekend - with not a care in the world!

Have a wonderful end to the week! Skål!

 PS Tomorrow I'll be featuring my suggestions on affordable limited edition art so definitely drop by if you have the time!

PPS I'm loving working from home today, our wisteria is in full bloom and the clematis over the arch in the garden is bursting with little pink flowers - makes me #happy! Here's a snapshot of our sitting room with the garden beyond I captured just now from my phone....(although it's a bit tricky to see - might have to get my camera out later!). 

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A dramatic Swedish space with black walls

Hello, I hope you had a great weekend? Despite the beautiful sunshine outside I thought we'd kick off the week with a bit of drama with this elegant Swedish studio apartment with black walls. The living space is laid out over two rooms - one large room making up the sitting room and bedroom and a seperate kitchen. I especially love how the period features have been painted in a crisp white which truly makes them pop, and of course the space has beautiful original wood floors and large windows too. Imagine having this as your city pad? Fabulous!

For sale through Entrance. Photos: Anders Bergstedt.

What do you think? Tempted to add a little drama to your own home?

Get the look: bedroom - grey linen bedding and white linen throw. Sitting room - vintage leather sofa, Russel James and Paolo Roversi print. Kitchen: Voliéres bird pendant lamp, Thonet chairs, copper pans, chopping board, Dagg vase, Smeg fridge freezer, toaster.

More spaces with dramatic dark walls you may have missed: A swedish home in dark blues, greys and greens and a Stockholm pad.  Or how about black floors? (I really love this space!).  

Have a lovely day! 

PS it's the last day to enter the fab give-away to win 5 Scandinaviaform vases from Blackthumb. It only takes a sec to enter here. 

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An elegant, understated modern farmhouse

I was awoken by the eery sound of a ships fog horn cutting through the dense fog over the Öresund strait. It definitely made a change from the harsh trill of my mobile alarm clock, but being a sailor, the sound always makes me fill a little uneasy! The fog's lifted now and so have my spirits - mainly due to stumbling across this beautiful space designed by Griffiths Design Studio. Situated on the Mornington Peninsula, Southeast of Melbourne, Main Ridge Farmhouse is a lesson in elegant, understated style. The rich texture from the French oak floor, wood clad wall and sheepskins add warmth to create a relaxed modern home which reflects it's rural surroundings. Let's take a peek....

Photography: Tom Blachford. Design / Image Copyright: Griffiths Design Studio - shared with kind permission. Found via T.D.C with thanks!

What a lovely, elegant space!  I especially like the wooden side-table - it has such character!

Is there anything that stands out to you about this farmhouse?

Items I know and love: sitting room - grasshopper floor lamp, rug by Halcyon Lake, muuto dots and vase, this cognac leather cushion is similar. Kate Moss Book, wishbone chair, sheepskin throw. Bedroom: Eames house bird, this grey linen throw is similar. By lassen frame box.

For more understated homes in muted tones try my monochrome archive (warning - it contains 107 homes - it could take a while!).  

Have a lovely day!

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Monochrome heaven in a small Swedish apartment

Hello there! How're you holding up? It's been a week of early starts for me, and as you know, I'm definitely not a morning person - so I'm clinging onto the thought that tomorrow's Friday - woop! They say though, that the early bird catches the morning worm - and on my train earlier today I caught sight of not exactly a worm - but this delightful monochrome home in Gothenburg, Sweden. The space is a mere 35 square metres (375 square foot) and yet it has a light and airy feel thanks to the predominantly white colour scheme and unobscured windows (look closely and you can see the tightly rolled blackout blinds). I'm guessing the wardrobe is by the door, sectioned off with a linen curtain. What a perfect pad?!

55Kvadrat

I really love this space. It's like a breath of fresh air.

Could you live here? (If so you're actually in luck since it's currently for sale here, yup!).

Get the look: Granit string lights (for those of you in the US, these lights are similar (love!). Koushi pendant light, grey linen throw, white linen bedding, set of two linen pillow cases (beautiful) RANARP desk light, Tolix stool, this coffee table is similar, icelandic sheepskin throw, OMAR wire kitchen shelving unit. Buy natural stonewashed linen by the yard for curtains.

In case you missed them, other beeeeautiful monochrome spaces include a fab apartment with a mid-century touch, a black and white Helsinki family home and a calm small space Swedish apartment.

Have a lovely day!

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