Tour the Beautiful St Oaks Studio by 'Our Food Stories'

The girls behind Our Food Stories have done it again. Those of you who’ve been following MSH for a while will remember the Berlin flat and country retreat, derelict classroom that became a  beautiful kitchen and even a charming house in Sweden. More recently, Laura and Nora have been busy renovating St Oak apartments near Berlin, and have just completed a beautiful 200-square metre (2150- square foot) studio. 

Their signature style is unmistakable — richly patinated walls, brass fittings, and incredible cabinetry that always steals my heart. As keen foodies, the kitchen is always at the centre of their projects, and this one doesn’t disappoint. Made from Frama CPH and Kvänum units, it has that old-world feel with a modern twist. I’m especially smitten with the glass-fronted pantry — how beautiful (and handy) is that?

The open-plan space also features two striking green Italian sofas by Tachinni which rest on a textured Cappelen dimyr rug, a light-filled dining area, and a bathroom with a very cool wooden bathtub from Michor (how I'd love to put this to the test!). And there’s even a balcony where you can soak up the summer sun.

It certainly has me dreaming of a weekend away in this holiday home: flitting about, relaxing, and using it as a base to explore the surrounding area (I hear there’s a lake nearby that’s perfect for swimming!) - maybe a day in Berlin (such a fantastic city, have you been?). 

I hope you feel as inspired by the tour as I do! 

Beautiful! I’m always amazed by how they manage to renovate so many spaces — each one unmistakably with their signature style, yet with its own unique character. I also love how they source distinctive pieces, like the sofa and that incredible wooden bath — it’s such fun to see something a little different.

Was there anything in this studio that inspired you?

If you're visiting Germany anytime soon and fancy giving yourself a wonderful spa-like getaway - you can find all the details about booking a stay in this studio here. 

Here in Malmö, the sun is shining and we’re basking in 28°C (82°F) — it’s shaping up to be a lovely weekend, not least because we have a birthday in the house! Liv is turning 17… where have the years gone?

I hope you’ve enjoyed the tours this week. Wishing you a wonderful weekend, and I’ll see you back here on Monday!

Niki

Photography courtesy of St Oaks apartment, shared with kind permission.

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A Peek Inside a Tapestry Artist’s Notting Hill Maisonette

Sometimes, it’s hard to walk into a property and instantly see its full potential – especially when it’s looking a little… shall we say… worse for wear. Do you agree? The Notting Hill, London home of tapestry artist Teresah Hastings was exactly that – and then some. Gutted by fire, it had lost much of its original character. At one point it was even home to the West London Buddhist Centre, who installed a stage in the front room, and there was only an outdoor loo. Can you imagine nipping outside in the middle of a January night?

But Teresah had a vision. She rolled up her sleeves and transformed the tired Victorian maisonette into a warm, beautiful home and creative studio for herself and her three children. She rented nearby while painstakingly renovating, bringing the place back to life with natural materials, a gentle respect for the building’s history, and a few clever restoration tricks – including borrowing a moulding from the flat upstairs to re-create the missing ceiling cornicing. Love that!

Over the years, she’s filled the space with a lovingly collected mix of antique furniture and cherished pieces. In the sitting room, you’ll spot the sturdy frame that supports her tapestry work – the backbone for her richly textured, handwoven creations.

Now, with a heavy heart and a head full of memories, Teresah is moving on – which means The Modern House has given us a little peek inside before the lucky next owner moves in. So… who’s ready to fall in love with a home that comes with a backstory, a bit of grit, and a lot of heart? Let’s take a tour…

What a lovely home – full of creativity. I’m especially smitten with the wall of saucepans and the eclectic mix of furniture. I also noted how clean and calm the master bedroom is - which lends itself to a peaceful night's sleep. Do you also like to decorate your bedroom in a nice and calm way? 

It’s fascinating to peek behind the façade of a pastel-coloured Notting Hill home I’ve walked past so many times! 

I hope you enjoyed the tour too! Is there anything about Teresah’s home that stood out to you?

You can see more pictures of her home and read more about it over at The Modern House. You can also discover more about Teresah’s work here.

Would you like to see more inspiring homes  today? Check out 8 homes belonging to creatives. 

Stor kram! 

Niki

Credits: photography Dan Glasser for The Modern House, shared with thanks. 

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Inside a Charming 17th-Century English Farmhouse

Twenty-two years. That's how long I have lived in Sweden. And I can safely say it's home. Having said that, I have always felt I have two homes: England will also be home too. Are any of you living outside the country you grew up in and feel that way too? 

So, after a very Swedish, very beautiful weekend last week where the sun shone on Midsummer's Eve celebrations up and down the country, I am hoping you won't mind indulging me here with a tour of a very traditional English country home. I felt extremely nostalgic the moment I saw it as it reminds me very much of my friend Natalie's home in the South Downs. 

Tucked away in the East Sussex countryside, this beautiful 17th-century farmhouse in Pett is full of character and charm. Original features are everywhere — including the incredible beams — adding to its warmth and deep sense of history. I don’t think there’s a single new piece in the entire house, from the tables and chairs to the wall units and the old pull-chain loo (we used to have those at school along with a very waxy loo paper!).

Known as ‘French Court Farmhouse’, the property’s name actually predates the Norman Conquest. The house itself was built around 1640, with later 18th-century additions - how cool is that? C.S. Lewis even stayed here once, writing about the beauty of the woods and the quiet, grounding pull of rural life. That magic still lingers. 

Ready to take a peek inside? 

So beautiful! I love the garden — it reminds me so much of home (even if it does have a Mediterranean touch). And while the interior is very English, there are also hints of faraway places — objects, perhaps, collected on travels.

I used to visit East Sussex on antique auction hunts with my mum (a proud West Sussex native), and this place feels like the embodiment of everything we were chasing — timeless, peaceful, and gently spellbinding.

Does this farmhouse look quintessentially English to you as well? 

I love how the front lawn has been left largely natural — allowing the grasses and wildflowers to grow freely. In my book Lagom, I talked about how closely cut lawns can be like a desert for insects, and how they truly thrive in longer grass like this. I've been so happy to see rewilding take England by storm — it's become popular in Sweden too!

Was there anything that caught your eye?

Would you like to see a few more country homes to wrap up the week? Head over to the country style archive for beautiful rural homes across Scandinavia and beyond. Such a treat! 

I hope you have a lovely weekend — see you Monday!

Niki

For sale via Inigo (if you lover English country homes this estate agent website is like a glossy copy of House & Home magazine - there are so many incredible homes to look at (and buy!). 

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