A lovely family home in a former kindergaten

Our Christmas tree was cast out last night (always a sad moment!). This can only mean one thing: it's time for early spring, I even brought some tulips (optimist)! What better way to kick off the season than the lovely home of Britta and her daughter Emma Lotta in Oldenburg, Germany? Britta is influenced by Scandinavian style (she works as an interior design specialist for IKEA) and has decorated the space using a monochrome and pastel colour scheme. Her abode also reminds me of  some of the Dutch spaces we've seen (such as this and this home) so I wasn't surprise to discover she also enjoys design inspiration trips to Holland. The beautiful old building used to be a kindergaten and has now been transformed into a lovely, harmonious home decorated with a mix of IKEA pieces, vintage finds and nordic design items thanks to Britta's innate sense of style. Bring on spring pastels!

Home and photography: Britta (with kind permission). Via Solebich

Anything you love about this home in particular?

I love the entrance hall- it's simply stunning!! (more hallway inspiration here).  

A few items I know and love - if helpful?: Sitting room: J110 Hay chair, Lenn Bakker grey carpet, stockholm black and white rug, Karlstad sofa.  Kitchen: Industrial pendant lights: IB Laursen, the dining table is vintage,  the Shelf and chair are from IKEA. Office: chair and table, IKEA. Brakig boxes, Lenn bakker decorative boxes. Children's room: many of the items can be found at IKEA. Pastel pom poms. The print is man in the moon.

You can see more pictures of this lovely home here (interview in German).


PS The US version of the free My Scandinavian Home Calendar 2015 is now fixed and ready for you to print! I'm currently looking for pictures of 'February' to show here on the blog - so if you have a fun pic please do send it over!

Have a lovely day!

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The bright and happy home of a Dutch blogger

I love a unique home. One where you can immediately tell something about the owner when you walk in (or see the home tour in a post!).  That's why I love the home of Dutch blogger Marlous Snijder (also founder of Oh Marie! magazine),  shot by Holly Marder for her 'Homes with Heart' column on Decor8. This home certainly has heart, and bags of it. I love the pops of colour, the quirky touches, and the slightly bohemian feel. I could hang out here all day drinking tea. How about you?! 

Home Marlous Snijder. Photography: Holly Marder. Decor8. 

How cute is the 'This morning, with her, having coffee, Johnny Cash' art?! One to get custom made through Geek Chic Prints?!

I think what I love most about this home are the bright bursts of yellow, such a cheerful colour to add to a home don't you think? One day I'll be brave enough to add a pop of yellow to my own home and when I do I'll also be taking my inspiration from this and this home. 

A SMEG fridge always goes down well too...!

Is there anything you love in particular about this home? 

More wonderful Dutch homes here, here and here (in case you missed them!). 

Have a lovely day!

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Cheerful Dutch interior spaces to brighten up your day

I do love a home which puts a smile on my face and brightens up my day, don't you? And it seems Dutch photographer Hans Mossel is an expert in finding them. Each of these spaces from Hans' photography portfolio ooze the 'cheerful family home' vibe. Pure inspiration for adding a touch of colour to the home! I can't work out which room I love the most? Can you?

Hans Mossel, inspired by a post seen on Decor8 with thanks

Any favourites? I think the pink in the bathroom and hall is pretty fabulous!

I also love the rustic wooden benches which appear in a number of pictures. I found the rustic workman's benches I use as a bedside table in my bedroom here.

My daughter has the little yellow Fjäll Räven rucksack (backpack) you see hanging in the hall. It's a real, Swedish design classic and amazingly practical too. It's exciting to see them starting to appear on the backs of people in London too! You can buy them here.

More cheerful Dutch home tour inspiration here, here and here.

Have a lovely day and see you tomorrow!

PS My husband and I are planning on going for a weekend away sans children this autumn- yay! Any tips on wonderful, unique, quirky or simply beautiful places to stay in Europe? Tips very welcome!

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A calm white, blue and cognac Malmö home

I hope you had a wonderful weekend? Today I've got very zen home to share with you. It's actually for sale here in Malmö, Sweden (come and join us!!).  There's something about the white, blue and cognac combined with the pastels that I love.  It's perhaps a little too empty for my taste (I guess this is part of the estate agent styling) but  I'm sure I could make it my own in no time, how about you?

Bo-laget

Very calm don't you think?

I see they have my favourite chair - the diamond armchair (throw a sheepskin over in the autumn and winter for extra loveliness) and Thonet 214 chairs. Try the 'Cassis' bed linen for similar. I love the black and white art photography in the desk area, any ideas where it's from?

Thank you to Octavie who featured an interview with me on her lovely blog Scandinave on Friday (in French and English). What an honour!

I wasn't sure whether I was going to say anything but I must admit I'm feeling a little sorry for myself  today- I hurt my calf playing sport yesterday and was sent home from A&E with crutches and now awaiting an ultra sound. Have you ever hurt your achilles heel or a muscle in your calf before? It's soooo painful! Mind you, not all's bad, I get to spend a rainy Monday in bed reading/ watching Netflix, kind of bliss!

Have a lovely day!

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Going Dutch with white and splashes of colour

I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying writing this blog right now, there are just so many fabulous homes out there! This particular space  (shared with generous permission from Souraya of Binti Home) belongs to Antoinette and her husband and two boys in Holland. I love that it's white with splashes of colour  (of course!) which gives it a bright and playful feel but i also love that it's teeming with personal, quirky touches. This is turning out to be a bit of a Dutch week....!

Binti Home

Binti Home

Binti Home

Binti Home

Binti Home

Binti Home

Binti Home

Binti Home

Do you have a favourite corner?! Personally I love the boys room with the desks and huge map - but i love everything about all the other corners too!

A few tips on where items are from: Yellow lamp from HK Living, pink vase is IKEA, cups on table from Fest Amsterdam, cup with lady is Donna Wilson. The pink lamp is SnowPuppe.  Eames armchair RAR.

You can see more wonderful pictures of Annettes home on Instagram.

Have a lovely day!

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The lovely home of a Dutch designer / blogger

There are so many wonderful blogs out there, I seem to discover a new one every week! My latest find is  'My Attic', authored by Dutch designer Marij Hessel. Marij has a passion for interior, decorating, fashion and photography (among other things) and frequently shares images of her beautiful  Dutch home on her blog. Here's a sneak peek.

My Attic

My Attic

My Attic

My Attic

My Attic

My Attic

My Attic

My Attic

My Attic

My Attic

Oh so lovely. Monochromes, pastels, patterns and big leafed plants define this relaxed family home (in my eyes at least). I particularly love her bedroom which has been decorated using finds from a recent trip to morocco (long been on my list) and the Danish shop Grenes. You can read more about her bedroom and the items in it here.

Thank you so much for the permission to share the images Marij.

For more Dutch inspiration you might want to check out this family home, a home in a converted chidren's nursery and this fab Dutch bedroom make-over. I think a trip to Holland is in order. Speaking of which, is anyone going to the 'Meet the Blogger' event in October? Sadly I can't go but it looks so great and definitely a firm date in my diary for next year!

Have a lovely day!

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