Sanne's Cosy Country Home with Vintage & Antique Finds

I'm really on a roll with Swedish country homes right now, aren't I? I hope you don't mind, it's just that I keep discovering rural properties that are just too charming not to share! This beautiful late 19th century / early 20th century farmhouse in Dalarna belongs to Sanne and her family. 

It's a part of Sweden I've been to a few times and I love the forests, lakes and quintessentially Swedish red and white cottages. Sadly, I've never been to visit Sanne (and her wonderful store) though. 

Apart from having an eye for beautiful interior design, Sanne also has a gift for finding beautiful vintage and antique pieces which she sells through her store Kollgården, in a converted barn. Needless to say, I'll be stopping by next time in the area. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the tour of Sanne's beautiful home as much as I have! 

So beautiful and homely! I particularly loved the tiled masonry oven, kitchen (that table!), wreath and layers of cosy sheepskins, blankets and cushions in the sitting room - so cosy! 

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

Are you also tempted to swing by her store? it looks like a trip to Dalarna might be in order! 

See more from Santa's home over at @sannaprepuk and keep an eye on the latest items in her store over at @kollgardens. 

Thanks for dropping by. 

I'll be back on Friday with probably the most embarrassing picture I've shown on the blog: the before picture of our little laundry room. Thankfully it's been through a major DIY makeover, and I can't wait to show you the after pictures too! Vi ses! 

Niki

Photography: @sannaprepuk shared with kind permission

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Pamela's Serene Hamburg Home In Earthy Tones

Tjena! Hur är läget? (AKA Wazzup?!). Thank you for all your lovely comments about our new woodburning stove up at the cabin, we've had a really cosy weekend sitting right there in the corner! Is it just me, or has Monday rolled around a little too quickly? Even so, I have a home tour up my sleeve which I think has some really inspiring touches. 

Pamela is based in Hamburg and has decorated her turn-of-the-century house in soft and serene off-white tones. The furniture is spartan, yet full of texture thanks to the natural materials which include wood, jute and linen - and a wonderful open-shelf cabinet takes centre stage in the kitchen. Ready to take a tour? 

As a sustainable mindset becomes increasingly important, we're seeing vintage and antique furniture creep into homes in new and inventive ways - often creating an interesting hybrid of old and new. Vintage cabinets such as the one seen here add a relaxed, nostalgic touch to a contemporary space. I've been on the look out for one for my home - and have discovered that many you see here on My Scandinavian Home have been repurposed out of something else such as old doors or given a big revamp.  

The dark wall helps to add contrast and make the shelves more of a feature. 

The dining room is potentially my favourite room in this house. I love all the texture. Notice how Pamela makes use of simple foraged branches from the garden - which include eucalyptus, autumn leaves and spring blossom. 

Doors painted the same tone as the kitchen help to carry the tone through to other rooms and create the famous 'red thread' for a cohesive look. 

Wait a minute, we've seen this guy before! Now, either he has an identical twin brother or it's the same guy. The real explanation? I took these pics from Pamela's instagram feed (with kind permission) and they were all taken at different times. Needless to say, Pamela likes to move furniture and pictures around as much as I do! 

The portrait actually brought back a childhood memory. When we were little my older sister and I would often sleep over at my grandmother's house. She used to have some dark portraits in her house - including one in the guest bedroom - and my sister and I were terrified of it. It was if his eyes were following us around the room! My granny would have to cover up it up with a towel before we'd go to sleep! It didn't help that she also had two swords hanging in the landing too! Do you have any similar experiences?

These days I love portraits in oil paintings such as these, especially when they hold a family value! 

I'm a big fan of a bench used as a coffee table (as seen in my autumn sitting room!). 

Etsy is a great source for rustic* and Nordic benches*. 

Benches make an ideal replacement for a bedside table in small bedrooms. We have one at the end of our bed too. 

Thank you so much for inviting us into your home this bright Monday morning Pamela! 

I hope you enjoyed the tour and picked up some ideas for your own home.

Did anything stand out in particular? 

A few other tours you might like from Hamburg: 

San's relaxed Hamburg home

Snapshots from Sina's Scandi-inspired apartment

An inspiring family home which combines old and new

A quick look on my google maps, and I see I could reach Hamburg in 4 hours 30 minutes by car from here - I could be there in time for afternoon tea with Pamela. Incredibly tempting!

Have a great start to the week! 

Niki

Photography: Pamela / @greyingreyingreen 

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A Vintage-Inspired Home in a Converted Church

Kicking off the week in style - rustic style, with Cheryl's perfectly imperfect home in a converted church the scenic rim of Queensland Australia. Cheryl is a stylist and prop sourcer as well as the owner of Albert and Grace store selling 'a curated collection of worn, weathered and imperfect wares'.  

Evidence of Cheryl's work can be seen throughout her home, which is filled with vintage and antique pieces from dressers and tables to lighting and nick nacks. The architect, is of course, also incredible. Think sky high ceilings, arched windows and exposed beams. Be still, beating heart. 

Is it the weekend yet, I need to go flea market hunting pronto! 

Such a beautiful home, in every way: the blend of furniture and accessories with all their time-honoured imperfections, the architecture of the former church, the surroundings. Everything! 

Has Cheryl's home inspired you too? 

See more snapshots from Cheryls' converted church here, and visit the Albert and Grace online store. 

Here are few more pictures from lovely Australian homes with a vintage touch: 

A Wabi Sabi getaway in the Bay of Fires

A dreamy little cottage by the sea

The white room studio

My dream holiday home and garden

A rustic barn conversion

Love converted buildings? Take a look in this archive for homes in everything from former warehouses, shops, barns, schools, vicarages and even a fire station! If this one pops up first, just scroll on past. 

Kram! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Cheryl / Albert and Grace. 

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Alexandra's Vintage-Inspired Home in The French Countryside

I often think homes are like books: they all have a story to tell. In a library you'll find many genres, and it's the same with living spaces. While some might be akin to romantic novels, others are more playful and colourful - like a comic! Alexandra's home in Chanterelle, central France, is like poetry.

Alexandra has furnished her living space entirely with one-off pieces sourced at vintage and antique markets (how I'd love to visit France purely for the purpose of visiting antique markets.... and maybe the cuisine. OK, the wine too... actually, I could as well soak up some culture while I'm there too!), ensuring every single room is filled with treasures. Subtle, earthy tones, a wonderful stone floor and exposed wood ceiling as well as clever use of paint create a perfect backdrop and add to the overall charm. 

Bienvenue chez Alexandra! 

How beautiful! I almost feel like I'm there, it's a strange sensation. 

Is anyone else now planning to scour flea markets this weekend? Preferably in France, of course!

Incidentally, Alexandra sells a selection of vintage accessories online here (and you can see more of her home over at @milkandhomefamily).

Note the paintwork throughout the house. Using darker shades on architrave, doors, skirting boards and even ceilings is the trend du jour! I think it looks beautiful and in older homes, really helps to enhance period features. 

Would you like to look around a few more French homes this weekend? Here are a few others I love: 

A relaxed, vintage inspired house in the French countryside

The fab home of a French stylist and photographer

Inside the Parisian home of a chef and photographer 

What book genre would you associate your home with? Tricky one actually, I'm looking around mine and currently drawing a blank! 

Have a wonderful weekend friends. À bientôt!

Niki

Photographer courtesy of Alexandra / @milkandhomefamily

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