A Beautiful Finnish Family Home in a Former Schoolhouse

It's one of those days where I'm completely behind with E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G and I know that in any minute the children are going to fly through the door from school. Gaaaaah! Before they do, I'm going to reward myself with a moment of pure inspiration - I hope you'll find it inspiring too! Welcome to Anna Wallendahr's stunning country home in Lohjansaari, Southern Finland - "the land of a thousand lakes and breath-taking nature". A photographer and cafe owner, Anna captures breathtaking snapshots of her home and life in Finland which she shares on her instagram @aamuomenatarhassa. She lives with husband Jussi, who works in IT and runs gypsy brewery Ö brewing, two daughters Josefina (10) and Elise (6), three cats and 10 chickens. A former schoolhouse, the family home dates back to1898 and is blessed with 3.5-metre-high ceilings, spacious rooms and large windows. Anna and Jussi are renovating the house bit by bit - sharing their projects as they go. Here are some of my favourite corners. 

"Our house is surrounded by beauty here by lake Lohjanjärvi in Lohjansaari. I feel grateful for living in this amazing country." 

Sometimes Anna finds the many doors, windows and high ceiling a challenge. The living room took her a year to decorate - a make-over which included creating a windowsill that spans the length of the room. The result is stunning - and a perfect place for the cats to sit and gaze out of the window! 

Although only temporary (Anna plans on potentially painting the wood with deep / dark egg tempura paint), there's something beautiful about the wood walls in the master bedroom, don't you think? 

Stunning.  

I can certainly see why Anna feels lucky to live where she does. The house is hauntingly beautiful - and the scenery is simply breath-taking! 

Could you imagine living here?

If you don't already follow Anna on instagram, it's a must! You can find it right here. 

And here are a few other schoolhouses to love:

A delightful Swedish family home in a former schoolhouse

A romantic lakeside schoolhouse in Southern Sweden

A Swedish artist's home in a former schoolhouse

My friend Louise's home in a converted schoolhouse

Oh wow, now that I've started the search, I've found loads of them! Pour yourself a coffee, put up your feet and check out the archive here!

Have a lovely day!

Niki

PS I think I may have made it - no sign of the children yet - PHEW! 

Photography: Anna Wallendahr

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A magnificent townhouse in a converted school

As soon as I hear the word 'conversion' I know it's going to be good (I'm talking barns, warehouses, even a converted bar). There's something about the word which sings fabulous architecture and cool interior (isn't that so?). And this New York City lower east side townhouse in a former school (found via one of my fave blogs The Style Files) is no different. Designer Labo Design Studio has worked hard to ensure the original structure plays a big part in the three storey family home, which also comprises an art gallery on the ground floor (of course!). The space has been simply furnished with mid-century chairs, natural word and soft textures against a backdrop of white and exposed brick. Oh to have a space like this to play with....

 

Labo Design Studio

Minimalist decor really was the way to go with this space as it allows the architecture of the former school building to shine through (although there are flashes of colour in the space too - as seen in the full tour here). Those vast windows on the top floor are just incredible don't you think? The light!  

Loving the leather mid-century chairs too, you can pick up a similar pair here (no bidding required - love that!).

I've featured several converted schools on here before, including the home of a Swedish artist and Ylva Skarp's wonderful home. There's also a whole host of other conversions in the MSH archives - including factories and vicarages (sorry, you might just have to extend your coffee break....).

Thank you to everyone for entering the give-away to win a signed copy of my book (there's still time!). It's always nerve-racking putting your own work out there and all your words of encouragement are so heart warming.

Have a lovely day!

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A Swedish artist's home in a former school house

When you go on holiday do you sometimes have a fleeting moment where you wonder if you should move there permanently?! Whether it's the Gothenburg archipelago in Sweden, Cornwall on the SouthWest coast of England or even the French Alps, I start imagining what life would be like year-round.  Sadly I've yet to follow this dream. However, Swedish glass artist Gunnel Sahlin has done exactly that.  Gunnel and her husband were looking for a summer cottage back in the 1990's and were so mesmerised by the former school house with it's beautiful light-filled rooms and incredible vistas that it eventually became their year-round home and Gunnar's atelier. One look around the house with it's high ceilings, original features and relaxed feel and I understand why, how about you?

Photography: Martin Löf shared with kind permission. Elle Decoration. Found via House of C with thanks.

What a lovely, realxed home?!

I love all the vintage and antique finds, muted blues and greys and the art on the bedroom wall.

I'm also in love with that bathroom - where we're staying right now doesn't have one and I'm missing my long baths - they're my sanctuary! More dreamy bathroom inspiration here, here and here.

Is there anything you love about this home?

More beautiful Swedish country homes include the magnificent Dalarna home of Ylva Skarp, the boho home and studio of a Swedish artist and the striking monochrome home of a photographer. Time to move to the country?! 

 Have a lovely day!

PS last day to enter The Youngters give-away!

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Ylva Skarp's Christmassy home

I seem to be in country mode at the moment as I simply can't stop showing beautiful homes from the Swedish countryside! This converted school house over looking a lake near Leksand in Dalarna was also photographed by Magdalena Björnsdotter for Lantliv. It's the home of Swedish designer and calligrapher Ylva Skarp and her family. Ylva's personal stamp can be seen throughout the house, which is all decked out for a truly cosy Christmas!

Photography: Magdalena Björnsdotter for Lantliv

Such a beautiful home! What do you think?

I know it's only November and the last time I mentioned Christmas everyone panicked (haha!), but this home gets me feeling so Christmassy! I can't wait until the first weekend in December when we'll drive out to a farm in the Skåne countryside and chop down our Christmas tree (a family tradition always accompanied with a steaming mug of glögg (mulled wine). Do you have a Christmas tree tradition in your family?

PS Happy Bonfire Night to all my friends in the UK :)

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