Revisting Minna's Serene Finnish Cabin

February huh?! This month always has me dreaming of summer in Scandinavia where time stands still and everyone revels in the 24 hours of daylight (I read a quote the other day which said 'nothing in nature blooms all year round, why should you?' and I realised this is simply not my time to bloom!! Is it yours?! If not, come on a virtual adventure with me to summer in the Finnish archipelagos and the beautiful rural cabin of Minna Jones. I've totally shared it with you before (here - and before it was rebuilt here) but was excited to see Minna recently captured it in a new light with Pauliina Salonen for Asun magazine. Any excuse to share it again in all its clean, serene, minimalist glory, right?! Prepare to dream!

As I wrote in my book  The Scandinavian Home: Interiors inspired by light, cabin life in Scandinavia is about switching off from the stresses and strains of everyday and going back to basics. By keeping the space clean and clutter-free it's said to be easier to relax and enjoy the simple things in life like the forest outside (or the fabulous safari daybed and beehive pendant light!). 

  

What an incredible cabin? Could you imagine spending a summer here? I'm sure even the most stressed among us would find their inner calm!!

I love how Minna has chosen only a handful of items, meaning the beauty of each piece stands out even more. Here's a quick shopping guide to recreate your own Finnish retreat!

GET THE LOOK

 

 

1. Lampe Gras Model 214 Wall Lamp
2. Normann Copenhagen - Tablo Table
3. Antiqued Nickle Steel Round Mirror
4. Knoll Bertoia Diamond Chair with Seat Cushion
5. Artek Chair 69 - Orange Lacquered Seat
6. Artek A331 Beehive Pendant Light
7. Fringed rough linen blanket
8. OGK Safari Daybed
9. Knoll Bertoia Side Chair with Seat Cushion

I have visited Finland several times (see my design guide to Helsinki here) and it's a wonderful country! In fact, I dream of spending an entire summer there. Potentially somewhere remote - like this little cottage on it's own island (with a little boat for getting around!) or this one with a view over the Baltic sea. Wouldn't that be wonderful?!

What does your dream summer look like?

Have a lovely day!

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Old meets new in a beautiful Finnish home

Feeling super excited this morning as I'm off to Helsinki this afternoon for Finland's largest design fair - Habitare along with Decor8, Monsters Circus, Trend Stefan and Home for Soul among other bloggers. So fun! (Keep an eye on Instagram stories for updates!). This calls for a Finnish design post, don't you think? And beautiful Finnish homes are never hard to find (as you can see from this archive!). This lovely apartment belongs to Maija Rasila - interior architect and blogger for Avotakka magazine. Pihkala focuses on modern Scandinavian design and the renovation of her 100 year old house - where white and subtle shades of grey and blue provide a backdrop for design classics and vintage finds for a clean, calm aesthetic.  Let's take a peek....

Photography: Maija Rasila / Pihkala.

Such a lovely space, don't you think? So fresh! If you follow Maija's blog you'll see how the house is becoming more and more cosy as each layer is added (even though it's in Finnish she always adds a short summary in English at the bottom of each post).  I write a lot about taking your time to decorate a home in my book The Scandinavian Home - I think it's a vital part of transforming a house into a home. What are your thoughts on this?

Get the look from Maija's lovely home: Sitting room - Artek Beehive light, Menu afteroom lounge chair, Tisca rug.  Dining room - Eames chairs, art by Juhani Melender. Bedroom - William Morris wallpaper, Mantis sconce, white bed linen set. Hallway: Morris & co wallpaper.

If you'd like to see more Finnish homes today (hey, I'm in!), you might want to take a scroll through this archive (if this home comes up first simply got to the next) - Yup, those Finns really do know a thing or two about design! Can't wait to see more at the fair!

You can keep up to date with Maija's latest projects over on her blog and Instagram.

Right.... better finish packing, I've got a flight to catch! Weeeee!

Have a lovely day!

PS Happy to see my tips on 'how to get Scandi-style on a budget' in Ideal Home magazine this week!

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A finnish home with nature at the heart

I love it when a plan comes together. The pictures of this beautiful Finnish house are a culmination of cabin manufacturers Kannustalo, stylist extraordinaire Susanna Vento and photographer Riika Kantinkoski. Every aspect of the build and styling is centred around putting nature at the heart of the home; whether through the vast windows which offer spectacular views over the lake, or the abundance of wood and other natural materials inside. The result is an incredibly calm, open space in which to unwind. What a beauty?!

Photography: Riika Kantinkoski. Styling Susanna Vento. Styling assistant Pinja Forsman. 

Oh so fabulous.

Could you imagine unwinding here?!

A few items I know and love: sitting room - MANTIS floor lamp, cabinet from IKEA. Bedroom - le Lampe Gras wall light. Pick up white stonewashed bed linen here.

See Riika's own home here. Riika and Susanna also teamed up to produce this lovely book.  

Seeing these beautiful Finnish spaces has got me even more excited about my pending trip to Habitare this September! Think I might just have to stay a few extra days to enjoy Helsinki too! Will you be there?

Have a lovely day!
 

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The Helsinki home of a composer

I thought we could all head to Finland today and take a peek at this bright and breezy apartment owned by Finnish music composer and producer Hank Solo, what do you say? Hank recruited Laura Seppänen Design Agency (great choice!) to transform the 72 square metre (775 square foot) space in the hip Kallio district of Helsinki into a spacious, peaceful home where he can enjoy slow mornings and concentrate on his music. The result is a fabulous home with industrial yet luxurious touches and a homely feel. I think it's time to take a tour don't you?!

Credits: Interior design - Laura Seppänen / @laurajuulia Photographer - Pauliina Salonen Styling Assistant - Minna Ritvanen

There's loads to love about Hank's home but most of all the symmetrical nature of the space and the rugs really caught my eye, how about you?!

 I'm also envious that he has the district of Kallio on his doorstep - such a GREAT place!

Here's a little guide on where things are from: Living room - Wall shelves and sofa - Bolia, Hay Coffee table, painting - Tanja Meski, concrete table + stool - from Made in Finland. Kitchen - high table by Hay, Frama bar stools. Bedroom - Floor lamp by Flos, black shelf wall light by Frama, rug by VM Carpet, Painting - Tanja Meski, Posters from The Poster Club.

I've featured lots of Laura's fab design work before - all of which can be found in the Finnish home ( definitely worth have a mooch around, it's one of my favourite archives! Enjoy!). 

Have a great day!

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The cheerful home / studio of a Finnish visual artist

Tjena! Hur är läget?! I got back from Milan late last night after a fab few days wondering around Salone del Mobile, various design quarters (including the Brera district and IKEA Festival at Ventura Lambrati) and of course taking in the wonderful city itself. As a result I'm feeling all inspired (if not a little bleary eyed!) back at my desk this morning! Having featured her new apartment here, I couldn't resist returning to the wonderful world of Finnish visual artist Saija Starr today. This time I'd like to share her cheerful former home and fab studio with you. Located in the heart of Helsinki, the apartment has a distinct sixties vibe and a fresh feel thanks to the white walls and bright pastel hues. Keep a look out for her artwork in the sitting room and bedroom - most of which is produced in her light-filled industrial-style studio. Love it!

Photography / home-owner: Saija Starr

What a lovely relaxed home - don't you think? I particularly love all the plants - said to be great for the air and your soul (I've been doing a little research lately - although I can't quite reveal the project yet!).

Is there anything that stands out to you?

Get the look from Saija's home: kitchen - string shelving, string lights, blue Iittala jug. sitting room - paintings by Saija, Ferm Living Remix cushion, source a vintage mid-century arm chair here.

You can keep up to date with Saija's latest projects (and see snapshots of her home and studio as well as feel inspired by the Finnish way of life) over on her blog and instagram feed.

Have a great start to the week!

PS It's the last day to enter the give-away to win a limited edition Palm Print worth 3900 sek (around 400 euros!).... hurry!

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