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Before And After: A Dated Georgia House Gets The Scandi Treatment!

Oh, how I love to see before and after shots. I find it so inspiring to get an idea of the complete transformation - and the feeling that anything is possible with a little imagination and hard graft (and depending on the scale, some cash, of course!) - how about you? When my amazingly talented friend Valentina Fussell acquired her home in Georgia, Atlanta it was dated and a sea of beige, beige and more beige. But the moment she and her husband Jack and their three children stepped through the door they were in love. Looking at the bones, I can totally see why! Valentina had the vision to turn the house into a striking, contemporary, light-filled home inspired by their years abroad, including a stint in Copenhagen. You might recall a previous feature of the house here (and a tour of their Danish home here) but I couldn't resist revisiting the space today to share a little more about the transformation and show some of the before pictures. Drumroll, please! 

KITCHEN (BEFORE)

AFTER 
Valentina and Jack completely gutted the kitchen and decided on dark grey cabinets (from Bell Cabinetry & Design) to add energy and a sense of drama to the space. Dark colours also help to mask appliances. 

VALENTINA'S OFFICE (BEFORE)

AFTER
Perhaps the most dramatic room in the house, Valentina's office has been painted entirely in dark grey. the large windows help to bathe the space in light. It reminds me a little of the lovely home of Lotta Agaton - what do you think? 

LIVING ROOM (BEFORE)

AFTER
Valentina stuck to her monochromatic scheme and added warmth with details such as books, figurines, photos and plants as well as cushions and blankets. The wood floor is from Authentic Reclaimed Hardwoods and selected due to the imperfect 'alive' nature of the grain which adds texture and a relaxed feel to the monochrome space. I have to say; this room is BEYOND...!!! 

JACK'S OFFICE (BEFORE)

AFTER
This bedroom was transformed into Jack's office. A work in progress (although I struggle to see how it can be improved!), the office has been decorated with a black and white scheme with added texture and interest from a large, patterned rugs, art other personal possessions. 



MASTER BATHROOM (BEFORE)

AFTER
The master bathroom was the first room in the house to be renovated. The pair opted for a more classic look so it would stand the test of time. 

VALENTINA'S DAUGHTER'S ROOM
Valentina's daughter was given free rein to decorate her bedroom. And judging by the results, it seems an eye for design runs in the family! My eldest daughter also loves to personalise her room with pictures - usually ripped out without scissors and haphazardly stuck to the wall using copious amounts of Sellotape! I am feeling particularly inspired by the way the pictures have been displayed in this teenage bedroom! Great inspiration! Thank you! 


What an incredible transformation, don't you think?! Valentina is just so clever!! 

If you're curious to hear more about the renovations and see more of the home (including 'the catwalk' and amazing conservatory, take a peek at her films here and here

Valentina recently relaunched House of Valentina stateside and helps others buy, sell, renovate and decorate. One day she dreams of opening a shop loaded with all the items used to stage and decorate homes. If she does, I'll be the first in line, how about you?! 

See more fabulous 'before and afters'! 

Have a lovely day! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Valentina Fussell with thanks. 

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A Jewel In The Suburbs of LA



Tjeeeeena! How's your week going? I haven't had a chance to say a big THANK YOU for responding to my survey last week! Such invaluable help. It looks like my new project might just hit the ground after all. Watch this space! Speaking of entrepreneurship, allow me introduce you to Jaimi Brooks. Jaimi is a California based marriage and family therapist who also regularly conducts Entrepreneurial Women's groups and special topic group sessions at her wonderful house in Tarzana, LA. The house is located at the top of the Santa Monica mountains against Mulholland Preserve (please see my note below about the wildfires). Inside, the space has been given an incredible overhaul by interior designer Sarah Sherman - think 25 foot high ceilings, arches, white washed walls and contemporary pieces. Love this!









What a great space! I wonder if my new project will require me to travel to LA for one of the Entrepreneurial Women's sessions? A girl can dream, right?!

Did you see the 'hand' chair? Seriously, what are the chances of spotting two 'hand' shaped chairs in the space of one week (the other one was in this home in case you missed it)? Are we allowed to call this a new micro trend? If so, you heard about it first on My Scandinavian Homet!

Is there anything that stood out to you about this home?

You can see more of Jaimi's home and keep up to date with the latest news from her private practice here and on instagram here. The house is also available to rent as a location for photo shoots etc (is it Ok to take your bikini on a shoot?!).

Niki

PS Important note: I'm sad to hear about the deadly wildfires in California right now which have displaced  hundreds of thousands of people and destroyed thousands of homes. If you would like to do something to help, there are some helpful tips in this article.
Thank Dianna for sending this link through.

Photography: TSLR Lifestyle & Daniela Rey

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Anyone Else Rather be on Svenja's Balcony Today?!

Why hello there! Hope you had a good weekend? I'm slowly cranking into action (mondays, huh?!) - but I think I've found where I'd really love to be right now - on Svenja's balcony in beautiful Vienna! In fact, I'd quite happily be relaxing anywhere in her entire apartment right now! Originally from Germany, Svenja worked as a style editor before moving to Vienna with her boyfriend. Today she shares her passion for interior design on Traumzuhaus and her delightful instagram feed (check out her enviable trips to Bali, Greece and Thailand - gah!)- where she frequently shares snapshots of their monochrome-themed home. I spy a whole load of beautiful design pieces too! Enjoy the tour!

Above Ground print, Hank vertical Chandelier (wall candle), Mantis floor lamp, B&B Italia sofa




Her Side print, AJ lamp, Ljungby vase, ECM espresso machine.




Petite Friture Vertigo Suspension light, Flos 265 wall lamp.


Eye Eye Print, Korbo handwired basket

Simplicity at it's finest, don't you agree? And how about that balcony?!

I love the idea of having a coffee machine in the sitting room too - there's something so decadent about it! Sort of like - 'I'm just going to drift on over and make myself an espresso without missing a single second of Games Of Throne'!

Is there anything that caught your eye?

I do believe this is the first ever apartment I've featured from Vienna! I'm not sure why since I'm sure there are lots of fabulous homes in Austria's capital city - tips / submissions welcome!

You can see more of Svenja's apartment here - and check out a load of beeeeautiful monochrome spaces in this archive.

Have a great start to the week!

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A Swedish home reminiscent of the Nordic winter landscape

It was a while since I featured something with monochromatic appeal which is why I was excited when this popped up on one my favourite Swedish blogs Stil Inspiration today. Located in Örebro, The space belongs to Maria Karlberg, an interior designer, blogger and "creative Mom to a magical daughter." The clean lines and marriage of black, white and wood furniture with a concrete floor remind me of the beautiful starkness of the nordic landscape in winter, while soft textiles and textured surfaces add a warm and inviting feel. No wonder it caught the eye of Pella Hedeby and Sofi Sykfont who captured it for this months' edition of Elle Decoration Sweden! Enjoy the tour!







So striking! I particularly love the dining space and bedroom areas.

.....And that stonewashed linen bed skirt against the concrete floor is so beautiful! (this bed skirt / coverlet is similar!). 

Is there anything that stands out to you?

A few items I know and love: dining roomMenu Afteroom dining chair, Kubus bowl (black). Office - Lampe gras. Bedroom - ConceptBetong bedside table, Muuto wood lamp.

Pick up a copy of this months Elle Decoration Sweden (it's a beautiful magazine for inspiration even if you don't understand Swedish!) to see the full tour.

And if you're up for a little more monochrome inspiration today, put your feet up and enjoy this archive

Have a lovely day!

PS I had a great evening chatting with the guys at LiveHappy about my Lagom book - the podcast is now live if you fancy a listen! 

Photography: Sofi Sykfont /  Styling Pella Hedeby (shared with kind permission).

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The striking, eclectic home of Malene Birger

When you go shopping do you find you have a handful of 'go to' brands / shops which you can almost guarantee will have something you'll love? One of mine is Danish brand By Malene Birger. Founder, Malene Birger sold her share in 2010, and left By Malene Birger in 2014. And now the designer and artist is relaunching her Interior and Design brand BIRGER1962 in January at Maison et Objet in Paris - oh yassss! To celebrate, Malene opened the doors of her flat in South Kensington, London to Danish photographer Birgitta Wolfgang and stylist Pernilla Vest. And what a treat! The space is decorated with finds from all over the world and expresses her unique and eclectic style beside her own art work. I remember reading once that Malene loves to move home often - and yet seeing this space tells me that she truly goes all out to make each house a home. Here's a peek inside her office and sitting room!










Photography Birgitta Wolfgang / Sisters Agency. Stylist Pernille Vest.

Such a striking apartment! I love that it has an entirely unique look and feel. It's the kind of place you could potter around for hours, studying all the objects. It makes me so excited to see what's in store for BIRGER 1962 - how about you?

Word on the street is that she's also opening a showroom in Copenhagen in April 2018 which will feature both her interior and design brand as well as her small clothing brand A JOURNEY London (designed, created and based on the idea of packing a suitcase and presenting two small collection per year just before the holiday season begins). A trip over the Öresund bridge is so on the cards for me April '18!!

If you'd like to get more inspiration from Malene, you might want to check out her interior books Life and Work 2010 and Move and Work 2014 published by teNeues as well as her instagram feeds - @malenebirgers_world and @ajourney_london.

Have a great day!

PS see more striking monochrome homes here.

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