A Beautiful Vintage-inspired Guest House in Reims

I've been writing my regular column for Scandi at Home this morning and it was all about investing in pieces that stand the test of time. And then I discovered Les Pénates in Reims, France on The Socialite Family - a perfect illustration of everything I'd been writing about! A former archive and artist's studio, the building was about to be torn down when Anabelle Bruny and antique dealer Brice Bérard took the reins. The pair lovingly restored the residence, creating a series of guest houses which have been fully furnished with beautiful secondhand finds. I particularly love Guest House One with its white washedwalls and touches of wood and leather which is available to rent both privately but also as a location for film and photoshoots. Did I mention that everything in it is for sale too? I think a trip to Reims might be in order...

Cheeky ending to the tour there!

But isn't this place just so charming?

It just goes to show that if you have the time and patience, hunting for second hand treasures can really pay off! When I was little my Mum used to take us to auctions at the weekends (I remember the huge halls being very cold!) - and she still has many of the items we bought today.

I might just scour the flea markets and antique fairs here in Southern Sweden this weekend... it's something I definitely don't do enough of.

Are you a fan too?

Another thing I'm keen to point out is that this space would actually have been relatively dark had it not been for the skylights, internal glass wall dividers and mirrors - all of which are clever ways to bounce the light around.

Find out more about Les Pénates and book a stay here. There's also a great write-up about the property over at The Socialite Family.

Other French delights:

A relaxed, vintage-inspired home in the French countryside
A charming white and neutral family home in Normandy
A wonderful, relaxed family home in the heart of the Beaujolais wine country

Oh la la!

I hope you enjoyed this tour as much as I did!

Niki

Photograph credits 1,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 11 - The Socialite Family. 2, 9 & 10 Remodelista. 

READ MORE...

2

The Cosy Vintage-Inspired Home of a Swedish Artist

I love a home that feels truly personal. One of those cribs that has you marvelling at the details, a little like a (very relaxed) museum! I'm a firm believer that creating an entirely unique space takes years. Years of hunting for second hand pieces and offbeat furniture. Years of collecting art and little accessories that touch you in some way. It also takes a yearning to create a nest that's full of history and sometimes a certain artistic talent too. And that's when I stumbled across the home of Swedish artist Michaela Grut. Michaela lives in Lindingö, Stockholm with her two children and little kitten. Her style is very much about "decorating in a way that lasts" - opting for vintage furniture, interior details and art "that feels special, unique and a bit odd." The result is a rather eclectic home which blends colours, patterns and furniture from different moments in time to create a cosy family home in which to build new memories. Let's take a peek! 

A wood and marble vintage piece pops against Pomona wallpaper. 

When Michaela bought her first home she found it hard to find affordable art and began creating her own paintings and sculptures instead. her work immediately became popular among other and her online shop was born (I've just commissioned the sculpture in the above picture - I couldn't resist! Isn't it beautiful?!). 

Michaela's art is inspired by everything around her: "shapes, colours, structures... and the human body is a huge inspiration. I often exaggerate or understate the shapes to make it more interesting."

The children's room has been decorated in pretty Lilja wallpaper. Michaela designed the bunkbed herself and then got someone to build it. 

Take a closer at the 1940s kitchen (painted in Velvet 10246 by Jotun Lady) and you'll spot 'Staffan' a clay figure by Michaela casually perched on the open shelves! 

The sofa is in fact the IKEA Söderhamn wrapped beautifully in a loose fit Rosendal pure washed linen cover* from Bemz. The walls have been painted in Senses 2024 by Jotun lady. 

Both the artwork and clay bust are by Michaela and can be commissioned through her shop (particularly tempted by the bust, how about you?!). You can find all items in her shop or e-mail her directly to commission a piece (you can find her contact here and here). 

In fact, there are just SO many lovely pieces in this home. It makes me want to spend the whole of next weekend scouring flea markets and second hand shops for furniture and art, how about you? 

Other inspiring Scandinavian artist's homes to love today: 

The beautiful home of a Danish artist

The relaxed Oslo home of a Norwegian artist (I visited this home for my second book and still think about it today!).

Although not owned by an artist, this wonderful Copenhagen house is designed for an artist with its North facing windows (and lived in by an industrial designer) - that counts, right?! It's one of those places that never comes on the market, it's just passed down from generation to generation. 

This Stockholm home is also not own by an artist - but Karolina Modig is the author behind two art books so I think that totally counts - I love the way she's hung art really low in her home. 

Have a wonderful start to the week friends!

Niki

Photography: Michaela Grut - shared with kind permission.

*Affiliate links

READ MORE...

4

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

READ MORE...

1

London calling: Could This Be Your Next Home?

You know what they say, you can take a girl out of London, but you can't take London out of the girl. And these Victorian terrace houses get me every time. Except this one has been designed with a twist. A subtle country, oldy woldy yet contemporary twist - and a hint of Scandinavian style too. Be still my beating heart! I wonder who lives here? But more importantly, I wonder who is going to snap it up? You see, this fabulous two bedroom, split level apartment in Stoke Newington has just come on the market, and waiting for a new owner. Complete with quarry tiles, original oak floorboards, and the most fabulous stone fireplace, I'm wondering if it could be me. Bit small for our family though (my very own London a pied á Terre perhaps?) - hmmm. Maybe you'll just have to snap it up on my behalf and I'll pop over for tea from time to time. Deal?! 

 The owners have fitted the living space with black cast-iron radiators and put in a fabulous kitchen (loving the deep blue cabinets and that Smeg range*!).

An open storage rack on castors provides a perfect place for earthenware and Le Crueset* pans - but the real star of this corner is the Scandinavian leather safari chair (there are a few vintage ones available here*)! I'm starting to wonder if one of the owners of this home is Danish? 

The Frame circle shade lamp* is similar to the pendants over the table and in the corner I spy a Lampe Gras Wall Lamp*. 

This original stone fireplace though. 

I love how the mantel piece serves as a spot for pottery (the owners clearly collect pottery / ceramics). I feel like I'm playing a game of 'through the keyhole here' where you have to guess the owners. If anyone knows them, I'd love to hear if my guesses have been correct! 

Last night I spent the best part of an hour looking for a round mirror for my hall. I now feel like a bit of a pro! For the best results, choose a mirror that's about a third smaller than the piece beneath it. This one is super nice! 

How dare they have my favourite Flag Halyard chair. The little side table is also Danish.

The downstairs bedroom also serves as a perfect home work space - flooded with light from the double French doors. 

Check out the skirting boards in dark blue. So lovely! 

Such a charming space, don't you think?

I loved playing the detective. I'll eat a tin of fermented herrings if at least owner isn't from Denmark! Did you see any other clues as to who they might be? 

And most importantly, could you imagine snapping up this London home?! 

Other London homes to love:

Tamsin Flower's cheerful London home

A London home with pops of pastel

Cate St Hill's Scandinavian inspired London home

Starting to feel a little home sick now, I must say! 

Have a wonderful day friends, nearly there - tomorrow's POETS day - hurrah! 

UPDATE! Thank you so much to Charlotte for pointing out the interview with owner Paul West (who happens to have the most beautiful instagem @consideredthings) in the comments! You can read about the renovation here and see if I was right with the Scandi influence....

Niki

Design Paul West. Photography courtesy of The Modern House (found via Planete Deco with thanks).  

Affiliate links marked with *

READ MORE...

5

A Charming Miner's Cottage Amongst An Acre of Roses!

Do you ever feel like dropping what you're doing and following your dreams? If so, perhaps today's home tour will inspire you to take that step! New Zealand born Sandy McKinley left her career in marketing to pursue her childhood passion for flowers when she moved next door to a renowned and newly retired florist. Soon after she opened a floral studio where she created a successful business growing peonies and crafting events and weddings. When the opportunity arose to purchase 1000 mature heritage rose bushes, Sandy and partner Rob Roy jumped at it! Originally from Melbourne, Rob is not a stranger to flowers and had previous experience in restoring historic homes. He set about renovating their cosy Miner's cottage with the same tenacity he applied to breaking horses: "Hard work but incredibly rewarding to see raw beauty release its potential."  An Acre of Roses - a micro flower farm and luxury wellness accommodation in Trentham, Victoria, Australia - was born. 

The charming Miner's cottage was built in 1860 and has been renovated to maintain the original charm and decorated with the help of interior designer Belle Hemming-Bright. Think earthy tones, natural materials and modern creature comforts such as a cedar hot tub, smoothie bar and state of the art coffee machine. Sounds like my kind of place! Maybe it's important to mention at this stage that it's also available to rent on Airbnb?! Yep, I know!

The cottage is packed with lovely vintage finds, portraits and of course, fresh flowers! The blend gives the living space a wonderful relaxed feel and must smell divine! 

Love the earthy colours in this corner - so pretty! Green is one of my favourite accents - it works especially well in a countryside location, don't you think?

Imagine getting toasty under a blanket by this fire? 

FYI We could use a roaring fire like this in Malmö today - it's 12 degrees Celsius (53 F!) BRRRR! 

 

How beautiful!

Earlier in the summer I was dreaming of an escape to the Californian desert, on Monday I was dreaming of a stay at a cabin in Whispering Pines, and now I feel a trip to Trentham is in order. I can't think of a more beautiful place to relax, rejuvenate - and literally, stop and smell the roses! 

So many places, such little time! 

Could you imagine hanging out at Acre of Roses too?! 

Sandy and Rob take bookings for the Miner's Cottage and the Potting Shed here - just sayin'! Keep an eye out for forthcoming events too! 

Wednesday already, and I feel like I have a week's worth of work left to do. Anyone else feel the same? I could use a calming walk through that rose garden! 

Happy humpday friends!

Niki

Acre of Roses is owned by Sandy McKinley and Rob Roy. The interior was decorated and styled by  Belle Hemming-Bright. Photography by Marnie Hawson. 

READ MORE...

10