Old Meets New in an Eclectic London Townhouse

I was initially drawn to the pink in this sitting room. And then when I delved deeper, I was so excited to discover an entire house with impeccable style. The London terrace features room after room of beautiful design. And crucially, it also feels wonderfully personal! 

The property combines beautiful late-Victorian architecture with contemporary interventions - and this blend of old and new is continued in the eclectic array of furniture. Think mix and match one-off pieces embodying different styles, eras and cultures as well as a blend of shapes, pattern and texture. 

Even so, the space emits a wonderful sense of calm thanks to the use of blank space between the elements, and the light that floods in through the windows and doors. 

Ready to feel inspired? 

There are so many things to love about this house - and the more I look through the pictures, the more I see! I particular love the bookshelves in the stairwell, the art and all the one-off pieces no doubt collected over time. 

I'm also dreaming about the pink - and wondering where it can go in my house. Maybe the landing or our bedroom. Not sure if Per will agree though. Can you imagine having a shade like this in your home? 

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

See more of this fabulous property over at Inigo where it is currently for sale. 

Looking at homes in London makes me feel so nostalgic, and I can't wait to head 'home' in late September to catch up with family and friends (and hang out at the pub!). 

Here are a few other houses I've featured from the capital in the past: 

A creative London home full of art, greenery and sunlight

London calling - could this be your next home? 

A charming rustic London townhouse

Have a great Wednesday! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Inigo, with thanks.

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A Swede's Lovely Vintage-Inspired Home in the South of France

On Monday we took a peek inside the home of a Norwegian living in Portugal, today I thought I'd continue the 'scandi abroad' theme! 

Kristin Lagerqvist and her family divide their time between Varberg and Languedoc-Roussillon, South of France. You might recognise this already as I recently featured Kristin's French home. However, they have now moved to an even more beautiful home (if that was possible!). 

The story goes that Kristin was tasked with finding an Airbnb for one of her clients and stumbled across this townhouse. She instantly fell in love with it - telling her husband "if it ever comes on the market, we need to buy it". Sure enough, some time later, the property became available - and true to her word, they exchanged one week later. 

Remnants of the houses former life as a vineyard farmhouse are still evident from the barrels in the basement and the decorative floor tiles remain intact. Kristin and her husband have been careful to preserve the integrity of the house while making their own personal mark using vintage finds from nearby markets. Ready to take the tour? 

Bienvenue chez Lagerqvist! 

Kristin used what she could from the existing kitchen while giving it a lift with an IKEA worktop and units. 

The pair built this magnificent wall-mounted plate rack by hand before painting it in Kristin's signature blue. Get the know-how here. 

Perhaps my favourite room in the house - the sitting room is flooded with light from two directions and filled with lovely local finds. 

An accent wall with bare plaster adds a relaxed touch to the space. 

The house came with an orangery just off the kitchen - which will serve both as a sunroom and also a garden for herbs etc. 

Be still my beating heart! What a find! I can see why Kristin snapped it up, can you? 

Many swedes dream of having a winter home somewhere warmer and lighter in the winter - personally, I'd be happy to escape the cold and dark months of January, February and March and often mulling of where I'd rather be! Perhaps Mallorca? Or after seeing this, South of France could also be on the cards. Do you have a time of year in your country you'd be happy to escape from? 

You can see more pictures of Kristin's homes in Varberg (once featured on My Scandinavian Home here) and France over at @kricklin. 

Kristin also runs an online shop as well as workshops and is a real dab hand at gardening (I bought a copy of her book Livskraft Från Trädgård och Hav last Autumn and it's full of lovely ideas). 

Right folks, I'd better get going - I'm meeting my Australian friend to go and watch England V Australia in the women's world cup football (they're showing it on outdoor screens here in Malmö!). I've loved watching this world cup - have you been following too? 

Niki

Photographs: Kristin Lagerqvist, shared with kind permission.

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The Serene Scandi-style Home of a Norwegian Living in Lisbon!

You can take a girl out of Norway, but you can't take Norway out of the girl.... I don't think this is the original saying, but it certainly fits in this instance!). Marriken moved from Norway to Portugal 11 years ago to live with her boyfriend. The pair instantly fell in love with the period details of this apartment in the centre of Lisbon and moved in three years ago. 

"The apartment had been well maintained, but we have still done some work to it after we moved in," Marriken tells me. "We renovated the bathrooms, painted, opened up a wall and replaced the kitchen. We try to make well-considered decisions that will stand the test of time and prefer to take the time to think things through rather than rushing into decisions, hence it's still a work in progress." 

Ready to take a peek? You're in for a treat! 

Coffee tables - De la Espada, Lucande Floor lamp

'Check' print* - The Poster Club, Wishbone Chair - Carl Hansen & Søn

Striped linen duvet cover* and pillow case* - Magic Linen,  Rug - H&M Home. 

Oak wall rack - by We Do Wood

So serene. Simplicity at its finest. 

I especially love the French balcony in the sitting room - the doors are like art, and all thew windows flood the space with light. Is there anything that stands out to you? 

You can see more daily snapshots from Marriken's Lisbon apartment over on her inspiring instagram feed @third_floor_left. 

Would you like to tiptoe around a few other homes of Scandinavians living abroad today? If so, you'll love these: 

The cosy home of a Swede living beside a Scottish loch

Exciting life change: a Swedish family home in the French alps (I was so happy to catch up with Bettina here in a Sweden a few days ago, whenever we meet, I'm always ready to pack my bags and head to the mountains afterwards. One day friends, one day!). 

The relaxed home of a Finn living in Mallorca

Oooooh, what a wonderful selection of places, styles and inspiring people! 

Do you live in the country you grew up in, or have you also moved abroad? 

Happy Monday! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @third_floor_left

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Stay in This Beautiful Victorian House in Nottinghamshire, England?

You can take a girl out of England, but you can't take England out of the girl - as the saying goes. Despite having swapped my morning tea for coffee, bicycling in all weathers and celebrating midsummer, I will always have a penchant for English country homes! Nicola Huthwaite lives in a 150-year-old Victorian house in the village of Burton Joyce, Nottinghamshire. Founder of Brand Design Studio and a passionate photographer, Nicola has decorated her home in a beautiful muted palette, and focused on texture and the way the sunlight flows in through the magnificent sash windows to create shadow and light. 

It's one thing to admire lovely decor from afar, but entirely different to experience it first hand - and luckily for us, the house is available for hire! Complete with fireplace, three bedrooms, large garden courtyard, a Victorian greenhouse and outbuilding with an outdoor kitchen - who wouldn't want to spend a week, month... year here! Ready for a nose? 

The kitchen has been painted with an earthy chalk paint. Try Kalklitir for a similar affect. 

Nicola has filled the house with lovely vintage furniture for a relaxed look. 

I bought a drop leaf table like this in a Swedish second-hand shop recently - it's so useful since it can be extended and also contain small drawers. The funny thing is, I didn't even have a place for it, but couldn't resist it anyway (that's the thing with second-hand - you have to seize the moment!). And now that it's home I realise it's equally useful as a side table! 

There's something very English about walking through a front door and immediately seeing stairs. In Sweden houses are configured differently - there must be a reason, but I'm not sure what it is! How about in your country?

I love the ruffles on the shower curtain (source one here*)!

Could you imagine staying here? 

See more snapshots of this Victorian home and find out about hire here, and explore Nicola's Instagram for more inspiration!

Would you like to see a few more country homes today? Check out the country style living archive. 

Stor kram! 

Niki

Photography: Nicola Huthwaite - shared with kind permission. 

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