The Inspiring Monochrome Home of An LA Interior Designer

Hej vänner, hur må ni idag? - Can you tell I'm feeling the Swedish after sharing my film yesterday?! Having said that, I'm about to whisk you to a home far, far, far away where the sun is shining and the weather is warm - yep, today we're going on a virtual trip to Los Angeles and the beautiful home of Anne Sage! Looking at her lovely abode you can probably guess she works in the interior world. And yes, Anne is indeed a full-time interior designer as well as the author of popular design book Sage Living - a business that started when she launched her blog almost 12 years ago (wow -  that makes her blog even older than My Scandinavian Home!). Anne is also a content creator and the co-owner of a creative studio and photography space in LA called LightLab (which looks amazing!). Yet, she's still found the time to do everything from refinishing the floors to renovating the kitchen in her wonderful 1954 LA rental which she shares with her husband Ivan, two cats and a baby on the way. The look is monochrome with warm touches of light wood and brass. Ready for the tour?

The kitchen has been built using cabinet doors from Semihandmade which are designed to fit IKEA units. It was kind of cool to discover that there's a washing machine and tumble dryer hidden behind the cabinets to the right - I'm all for keeping things clean (and I'm not talking about the clothes!!). The oven is from Kitchenaid and the lights are by Schoolhouse.

I do believe it's that Stockholm 2017 coffee table again (remember it appeared at the end of the bed in yesterday's home?). From the name I'm guessing IKEA intended it to be used as a coffee table (rocket scientist that I am!!) but I've yet to see anyone using it that way. It certainly makes a fine bench as seen here in a corner of Anne's kitchen. 

I absolutely love the spotted rug (from Jaipur Living) - it totally makes the space, don't you think? The sofa is from Thayer Coggin) and the wall light is Serge Mouille.

One of the things Anne loves the most about her home is the large windows which flood the living space with light. I like how California Closets have built the units around the window. 

On Instagram Anne declared that she loves the Hoffmann Armchair (seen here as a desk chair) almost  as. much as (if not more) than her husband. I can totally see why! It's a beauty!

Ever since photographing Gen's office a few weeks back, I'm convinced that every workspace needs a daybed. Are you with me on that? This fine specimen is from Blue Dot.

EDIT: I initially thought this nursery was in Anne's house ready for the BIG arrival (and I could be forgiven for thinking that, considering it fits in perfectly with her aesthetic, but actually Anne created this lovely nursery for a client.  The über soothing palette is perfect for lulling a baby to sleep (and that armchair is ideal for exhausted parents!). 

Cot from Babyletto, art from Minted and lighting by Mitzi.

I think I could curl up in that armchair and have a snooze right now.  Doesn't it look inviting? 

Is there anything that stood out to you about Anne's home? 

You can see more snapshots over on Anne's instagram @citysage and blog. 

Shall we take at a few more LA homes? After all, we have come all this way....

California meets Scandinavia in a Cosy LA Home

A Jewel In The Suburbs of LA

A Warm and inviting Boho-Style LA home

Have a lovely day! 

Niki

Photography: Monica Wang shared with kind permission

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A Pared-back, Warm Family Home With Handcrafted Pieces

Why, hello there! Any plans to celebrate lil lördag (little Saturday) in style? Maybe this home tour will set you on the right path! Schirin lives in an old house dating back to 1928, in Bremen, North Germany with her husband Thomas and their two children Mattis (8) and Karlotta (4). Schirin works for a non-profit organisation by day - and at night pens Schmasonnen, a blog focusing on sustainable interiors. When Schirin and Thomas first bought their house over 7 years ago it was incredibly run down and in major need of repair. The duo set about renovating the property with a sustainable mindset, being careful to retain the original details. Today, the family enjoy a pared-back home which exudes warmth thanks to the abundance of natural materials, handcrafted pieces (Schirin and Thomas designed and built the kitchen table, shelving unit and children's climbing frame among other things! yep, I know!) and vintage finds. Step this way for the tour! 

There are so many pieces to love in Schirin's sitting room including: Nomad chair, Hay sofa, Kristina Dam table. I also love the woodturning stove tucked into the corner of the room - such a cosy touch in wintertime! 

Schirin and Thomas built the shelves (try Tylko for similar), Stockholm 2017 coffee table, Kristina Krogh print and Louis Poulsen Panthella lamp*. 

Schirin designed the climbing frame and slide, and Thomas, who is an engineer for wood technology, built it. Oh, how I'd have loved this when I was little! Lilla Gunga sells wonderful wooden indoor toys like this (Allie has the gymnastics rings in her bedroom and absolutely loves them!). 

Feeling very inspired by Schirin and Thomas's home - not least because of all the handmade pieces! 

Do you have any handmade pieces in your home? If so, I'd love to hear more about them! 

You can see more snapshots from Schirin's lovely Bremen home on her blog and instragram: @schmasonnen. 

Looking through the archives, this is actually the first time I've featured a home from Bremen (I'm guessing this won't be the last time, though!). But there are a load of other lovely homes from Northern Germany to drool over, including an inviting family home in a small village,  a charming home in kassel, North Germany and a playful home that will put a smile on your face! 

Have a wonderful day friends!

Niki

Photography: Schirin / Schmasonnen shared with kind permission

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A Cosy Family Home For Seven In Byron Bay

Courtney Adamo and her husband have five children. FIVE! Look closely at their charming Byron Bay home and you'll see the clues: a little boy curled up on the sofa, a tricycle on the porch and two little ones putting the world to rights on the stairs. It's the type of house that makes you want to pull up a chair and stay for a while. It helps, of course, that the interior is wonderfully de-cluttered yet super charming and relaxed. White washed wood panel walls provide a backdrop for wood and rattan furniture, sofas laden with cushions and fluffy rugs bearing subtle, yet intriguing patterns. A perfect coastal retreat for a family of seven! 

Do you see what I mean about wanting to put your feet up for a while? The entire atmosphere is just so easy going. Lovely! 

Is there anything that stood out to you in particular about Courtney's home?

You can see more snapshots from their home and travels on Courtney's instagram feed: @courtneyadamo. 

Courtney is also founder and facilitator of In The Loop, a 5 week community e-course and Babyccino kids. 

I bet you know what's coming. Yep, you guessed it - some links to more INCREDIBLE homes and design hotels in Byron Bay (no shortage in that part of the world, I can tell you!). Here's a little home tour fodder for the weekend:

Dream stay: the cottage, Byron Bay

Stylist and author, Nathalie Walton's understated yet incredibly charming Home

Loll about at the chalet, Byron Bay

A beautiful boho cottager to rent in Byron Bay

... and that's just the tip of the iceberg! 

Got to rush as we have a birthday in the house! Allie's turning 9 tomorrow (how did that happen?) - so I've got presents to buy and fresh pancakes to make...

I hope you have a fabulous weekend, thanks so much for stopping by and making this week so much fun!

Niki

Photography: Courtney Adamo, shared with kind permission

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Step Inside Anna Church's Modern-Vintage Family Home

The other day I was leafing through Holly magazine and stumbled across the work of New Zealand artist  and entrepreneur Anna Church. A little research led me to images of her beautiful home in Toronto, Canada (I love it when that happens!). I couldn't resist sending a note to Anna to find out more about the wonderful living space which she shares with husband Nick and children Molly (10) and Thomas (8). Let's dive in!



How would you describe your style? 
My style aesthetic is modern vintage, mixing the efficiencies of modern-day living spaces with timeless eclectic treasured pieces.






How do you choose furniture for your home? 
I'm always on the hunt for a good bargain, flea market or vintage find! I Splurge on pieces I have swooned over for a good duration of time, like furniture pieces, such as our custom-made shaker dining room table. Which became a beautiful collaborative design effort with Arking Atelier (the stools, day bed and shelf above are also created by his hand). And all the artwork (besides my own) which we've collected over the years (We invest and gift a new piece of art to ourselves on our wedding anniversary each year). The beautiful Budgie / bird portrait above the mantel is by Fine art photographer Leila Jeffreys it was our first real collectable/ art investment piece.





I love the blend of old and new, can you tell me more about your thought process behind this? Mixing styles helps me create something more than meets the eye. It also fuels an impulsive inner necessity to constantly rearrange or evolve our space every few months (as the hunter gatherer in me is always on the lookout for a unique addition to our home or to use in my artworks!). A Lot of the Victorian details you see, have been added back, as they were unable to retain their original condition during the demolition / renovation process. I sourced and splurged on mouldings, a period-appropriate fireplace and ceiling roses custom-fabricated from fibreglass. The traditional backdrop is a perfect foil to the home’s modern architecturally efficient insertions.

What inspired the design?
The aesthetic of our home is a nod to the light-filled renovated homes found in our native homeland of New Zealand. White walls, pastel textiles and the large glass sliding back door lift the atmosphere of this once dark, unfunctional long rectangular home into a spacious light filled family friendly efficient space. Pops of colour come from my love of plants, collected artwork (and my own artwork) and carefully curated furniture accessories & smaller curiosities (both old and new).



As well as exhibiting in New York, Miami, London, Amsterdam, Toronto and New Zealand, Anna's art can be seen in various places around the family home including above their bed and here in her daughter's bedroom. her work is rooted in her graphic design and interior styling background. She uses a Sculptographic process, through which she builds new shapes from surprising elements, creating a sculpture and capturing a photograph of a new composition, yielding a fine art print.

"In an age of sensory inundation, the visuals you surround yourself with should bring joy, create fulfilling vistas in your home and perhaps even materialize your own aesthetic self-expression. "Art should inspire you to look deeper yet be a welcome cohabiter." — Anna Church







What a stunning home. I love how it's fairly clean and minimalist, yet there are interesting details and rare finds around every corner!

Is there anything that stood out to you?

You can find out more about Anna's work, latest projects and exhibitions as well as buy her art here:

Website: www.annachurchart.com

The art featured in her home includes Blurred Lines, Paper Cuts and Party Animal.

You can also get a load more inspiration here:

Instagram: @annachruch_art
Pinterest: Anna Church Art

Shall we kick back for another half hour and stay down Canada way? If so, pour that coffee and come and take a peek at:

An idyllic cabin by Lake Huron
The lovely home of Emilie Desjarlais
Lauren Maclean's beautiful Montreal home

Bah! Love all these spaces!

This post has reaffirmed my dream of visiting Canada one day. Any must sees when I do?

Ha det bra! 

Niki

Photography: Anna Church

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