A beautiful and smart tiny one room flat in Finland

The other day a friend and I were puzzling over a small one room cottage with a grey wood floor. We were trying to figure out a way to make it practical and cosy. And then this morning I opened my mail box to find a message from one of my favourite Finnish stylists Laura Seppänen. She's been working on a project with YIT - who have recently launched a new housing solution called 'Smartti' - a flexible solution that combines functionality, adaptability and reasonable prices. Cleverly the apartments have no partition walls, instead dividing the space using cabinets and sliding doors - which provide storage and can be removed according to the owners needs. The Smartti home Laura has been working on is a mere 26 metre square (279 feet square) and - yes you've guessed it - has grey wood floors too - the chances?!  Laura's aim was to decorate the space, on behalf of her client, a local florist, with ecological and organic materials such as wood, cork, rattan and flax and locally sourced items. Green plants bring colour to the otherwise calm tones and neutral surfaces. Perfect inspiration for anyone living in a very small space? Oh and there's a twist to this space too....

Credits: Furnishing and styling - Laura Seppänen / @laurajuulia, photography - Krista Keltanen / @krista_keltanen. Architect - Kanttia for YIT / @yitkoti.

....it's been built inside a shipping container!

Remember this lakeside Finnish cabin made from containers? Incredible!

Get the look - eye eye and atelier CPH prints. Chairs, rug, mirror. Bell jar, AJ floor lamp, string shelves, HAY tray table. Small and large glass water bottle, round chopping board. Shorebird. White linen throw.

If you're looking for more small space inspiration you can always check out my small space archive - who needs a large house when you can do all this in under 30 metres square anyway?!

We're enjoying the last couple of days of our summer holiday here in Sweden (in the rain....*^?&%). and will be back on Wednesday. Until then, have a wonderful couple of days!

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A beautifully simple cabin on an island in Finland

In July many Scandinavians flee the city for cottages and cabins by the lake or sea. I've featured Minna Jones' wonderful Finnish cabin overlooking the West Finland archipelago many times both before and after it's been refurbished, but thankfully for us, Minna's constantly updating the look and feel! The look is simple and pared back with warm natural wood and carefully selected items - which allow the fabulous views out to sea take centre-stage. Could you imagine waking up here everyday this summer?

Source - all images by Minna Jones / Time of the Aquarius, with kind permission. 

Oh so lovely, don't you think?

I'm really hoping to visit a few Finnish islands this August (fingers crossed!)....have you ever been to Finland?

A few items I know and love from Minna's lovely home: sitting room - pick up a similar Beni Ourain rug, Bertoia diamond chair, cork bench. Kitchen / dining: this La lampe gras (how nice is this wall lamp too), bertoia chairs, this is a great source for vintage chopping boards, sinnerlig jug. Outside: sea grass belly basket, off white linen table cloth.

I think this definitely calls for some more Finnish summer cottage inspiration today, don't you?! Here are a couple of my favourites from past posts: an idyllic cabin with a sea view and a lakeside cabin with a twist!

Have a lovely day!

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A magnificent Finnish apartment

Oh are we in for a treat today with this magnificent Finnish apartment! Not only does it have the most beautiful bones - large windows which flood the rooms with light, high ceilings, sculpted wainscoting, and original period features (just look at that ceiling in the bedroom!), but it has also been beautifully styled for sale through Bo LKV by the uber talented Marja Wickman (whose home I once featured here and here). Marja has used shades of grey and white and simple, contemporary pieces allowing the architecture to take centre stage. Unsurprisingly the space was snapped up in an instant (we'll have to be quicker next time!).

Source: Bo LKV, styling Marja Wickman. Found via Nordic Design with thanks. 

Is it worth me asking if you could live here?!

A few items I know and love: Thonet chairs, Cove print by Silke Bonde, ABCD poster - D,  cork bench.

For more beautiful Finnish inspiration it's so well worth exploring my 'Finnish home' archive (if the first home you see is the above one, just scroll passed it).... I know it's not the same as being there in person, but it will transport you to Finland in your dreams if only for a few hours!

Have a lovely day! 

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An utterly idyllic Finnish summer cabin with a sea view

I can't tell you how many times I've started to write this post only to delete it again. The truth is, there are no words to describe this idyllic Finnish cottage in the Inkoo archipelago belonging to Jonna Kivilahti, the blogger behind Mrs Jones- it's just to dream that you're there. The doors of the black and white cabin thrown open to reveal panoramic views of the glistening sea beyond.  Soaking up the warm sun on the terrace, watching the sail boats glide by. You might go inside to make lunch or even light a roaring fire on cooler evenings. Either way, I can't think of a more idyllic way to wile away a weekend, a week...a few months....

Photography: Krista Keltanen with kind permission

What an utterly idyllic retreat. Could you imagine spending your weekend here?!

Get the look - Terrace - this black sun lounger is similar, black lantern. Kitchen - white string shelves, striped rug, grey marble chopping board, Marimekko mugs. Dining area - bentwood chair, Series 7 chairs. Bedroom - try notPERFECTLINEN for the most beautiful washed bed linen, this striped cotton jersey top is similar (and fab for summer days by the sea!). Hallway - hunter boots and white converse.

In case you're wondering how to achieve that perfectly glossy grey floor in your own home - Farrow & Ball recommends Strong white paint in Full Gloss with a coat of Interior wood primer & Undercoat underneath to ensure the best finish or for areas of high traffic - the Floor Paint finish which is slightly less glossy but more durable. So there you go!

You can see more pics of this lovely cabin on Jonna's blog and instagram. 

These beautiful images have been captured by Krista Keltanen - you might recognise the name from this Finnish cabin built from containers or this beautiful rustic Finnish summer cottage also featured on here. Imagine!

Oh and there's over 53 summer cottages to explore in my archives. I would recommend pouring yourself a coffee first, but hey, it's Friday so perhaps one of these would be more appropriate. Just saying.

In the words of the Finns - Kippis!

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A Finnish / Danish style blend in a Helsinki home

Good morning, London calling! (how much do I love saying that? It's so great to be home for a couple of days!). Earlier this week I got a lovely surprise in my mail box courtesy of Finnish interior designer/ stylist Laura Seppänen - with details of her latest styling project - a 52 metre square, two room apartment in the heart of Helsinki. The apartment is lovely and fresh thanks to it's predominantly white scheme and has been inspired by Danish design. The furnishings include a mix of Scandinavian design, vintage items and soft textiles for a warm and cosy feel. Look out for the pretty hints of blue too!

Interior stylist: Laura Seppänen. Photographer: Pauliina Salonen

What a lovely space - clean and fresh yet warm and homely.

Get the look: Cove print, Kitchen - Kvik, coffee tables - Zuiver, Brass wall lamp - Menu, Carpets by Anno, Marshall speakers, M print, source vintage chopping boards here. This solid marble mortar and pestle is similar.  Le sac papier.

I've featured a few of Laura's fab projects here in the passed, including this Finnish home in charcoals and a Helsinki penthouse (absolutely love this one).

You can also keep up to date with Laura's latest projects on Facebook and Instagram. Photographer Pauliina also captured these nude and white interior images for Asun magazine. What a talented creative duo!

I'm off to meet my sister and two month old niece this afternoon (and their labradoodle)...what a treat, so excited! But the main reason I'm here is to meet my book publisher tomorrow. So.much.to.do. I'll try to stop by with a post tomorrow, but I apologise in advance if I run out of time! 

Have a lovely day! 

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