A Stockholm home rich in texture

I have to say, I've really enjoyed this week on the blog, it's been kind of crazy. From an apartment on top of a Norwegian ski jump to your very own Tasmanian (dream) island hide-away  you could never say I don't shake things up a bit! Since it's the end of the week I feel it's perhaps time to come back down to earth. But this lovely family home in Stockholm is far from ordinary. Owned by Petrus Palmér, the founder of Hem design studio and shop, wife Madeleine and two year old son Alvar, the house is full of beautiful textures - from light wood and concrete to marble, cork and linen, and of course, many wonderful items. Let's take a look around....

Photography Erik Lefvander (shared with kind permission).  Styling Alexandra Ogonowski 
Found via The Design Chaser with thanks. 

Get the look: kitchen - Alphabeta pendant duet lights,  Alvar Aalto chair 69,  cast iron Japanese teapot. By the Stairs - Vitra cork stool, Pocket armchair, Kenno throw. Bedroom: this light blue linen bedding is similar.

You can read more about this beautiful home in Residence here (one of my absolute favourite Swedish interior magazines).

And before I shoot off for the weekend, here's a little link love to enjoy when you have a moment:

Curious to know what happens when Parisien style is brought to a Swedish apartment? Take a look here.

The secrets to styling your home like a Parisien.

For the sweet toothers among us, how mouth-wateringly good does this fluffy smor dip look?! It's either that or this (or both?!). Or even this (someone stop me!).

This is where I'd like to go this weekend... what do you reckon?

Have a wonderful couple of days and see you Monday!

PS keep an eye out for my give-away on Instagram this weekend!

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A Swedish home with cosy textiles

One day at home and I'm back on the early morning train to the IKEA headquarters to see their latest range - busy (but exciting) days! Fortunately I've got something to keep me awake and feel inspired on the train - this Gothenburg home. Unlike yesterday's home tour, this one has been staged for sale (by the talented Emma Fischer). I know only too well that styling is a tricky business and requires a delicate balance. And Emma's use of chunky knit blankets, touches of light wood and the 'relaxed' look make for a lovely, cosy home. I could certainly see myself padding around here, how about you?

Source: Emma Fischer / Bjurfors

It's amazing what a difference the textiles make in this space - after all the shell is actually very modern and angular.

And if my girls see that bed canopy..... (for the record - it's by Numero 74).

As always, a few items I know and love: kitchen - Flowerpot VP1 pendant. Sitting room - this chunky knit blanket is similar (soooo cosy!). Bedroom - knot cushion (these are beautiful too), wishbone chair, linen throw. Children's bedroom - Hay cushion, Muuto wood lamp.

At Paris design week (see a few of my highlights here) I was invited to hear more about an exciting project (which I'll tell you more about in the next couple of days) over a delicious Finnish breakfast (well, if I must....)...and it had me dreaming about Finnish summer cottage life, which this video clip sums up beautifully.

If I've got you in the mood for Finland - here's my  Finnish summer cottage archive - pour that coffee, block the calendar!
 
Have a lovely day!

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A lovely Norwegian home in summertime

Summer's in full swing here in Scandinavia and there's nowhere I'd rather be ('there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing' - I hear in Finland it was 11 degrees yesterday - brrrrr!). One particular home in Norway is making full use of being in the land of  the glorious midnight sun. Photographer Elisabeth Heier, who's lovely home I've previously featured here, here and here (yes, I love her style), recently shared pictures of her terrace, ready for long suppers al fresco with family and friends. I love the delicate touches of wild summer flowers indoors too. Perfect inspiration for the weekend, don't you think?!

Source: Elisabeth Heier, with kind permission.

Oh so lovely! It's amazing what you a difference you can make with a handful of pretty wild flowers from the garden. 

Do you have a favourite flower?

Get the look from Elisabeth's home:

Terrace - Elisabeth laid the table on the terrace with Broste Copenhagen dinnerware, fresh white napkins, and flowers picked from the garden and arranged in little vases in various heights and shapes.

Bedroom - The back wall is painted in 1269 Demring (Lady Pure Color) from Jotun. Also featured -  milk lamp, beige stonewashed linen bedding, and Flowerpot lamp. Flower weave rug.

Front of stairs - marble table lamp.  Hallway - &tradition mass light (I also love this marble hanging light), Henrik Rasmussen vase.

Hallway - LIND DNA tray, Swing clothes hanger.

And before I head off, here's a little weekend link love:

I love the idea of designing a room around a painting (this is also a great example!). 

Go big (or go home) with botanicals this season. 

Two ways to see Italy - would you choose this or this?

This cute baby blanket has got over 35,000 repins on Pinterest (I can totally see why, can you?!)

That's the cake solved for Saturday afternoon tea (and Sunday)- nom nom nom!I'd need to recover on this Safari daybed / terrace afterwards - bliss!

And finally, the world's best beaches....just cos.

Have a wonderful weekend, see you Monday! 

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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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