A White Dutch Home With Salmon Pink Accents

We made it friends, it's Friday - whopeeee!!! The crazies broke up from school today too (Eeeek, so early...!). Time to make some holiday plans. Have you noticed that the Instagram place to go right now is Tulum, Mexico? I visited around 18 years ago - and I have to say it was truly stunning! I promise there is a rationale behind all this chat. I was taking my usual evening scroll through IG yesterday (as you do!) and stumbled across Suzanne's beautiful feed. Suzanne is a stylist, blogger and Mother of two and snaps beautiful pictures of her family's adventures (of which the recent one was to, es, you guessed it, Tulum!) and their wonderful home in The Netherlands. The delightful living space truly puts children in the centre - which goes to show that you can have a predominantly white home and a little children running about! The fabulous salmon pink accent also helps to add fun pops of colour throughout. Enjoy the tour!

How fabulous is that salmon pink Orange Slice chair? It's like a work of art and transforms the entire space.

Rattan stool*, Block rug, macrame wall hanging*

I love the idea of having a children's desk in the corner of the sitting room - and this zone with a homemade desk is so pretty, don't you think?

Once again, it's quite incredible how one statement piece (in this case the patterned throw) can make such a big difference to an otherwise all white space! I'd love to know where this one is from - tips welcome!

Bamboo pendant* 

The little boy's room has been kitted out in a white, dark blue and mustard yellow theme (see this guide on to how to create a half painted wall). It looks as though the desk has been painted the same colour as the wall, which is a nice way to create a cohesive feel (we did this with the shelves in Albin's room, and Lovisa did the same with her bedside tables in her fabulous Stockholm home).

What a great family home, don't you think?!

I really love how the Dutch incorporate colour into their homes, it always looks so fresh!

You can check out more of Suzanne's shots (including that trip to Tulum I was talking about!) on her IG feed and blog Ensuus and explore more homes from The Netherlands here.

Right guys. I do believe that's it for the week!! Hope you've found the posts inspiring!

Have a wonderful weekend and see you Monday!

Niki

Photography: Suzanne / Ensuus shared with kind permission.

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A Thoughtfully Curated Dutch Family Home

Well, I do believe we've made it guys: it's Friday! And the sun is shining. Hurraaaa! I hope you've got some fun plans for the weekend? But please don't go quite yet as I have the prettiest house to share with you ! This gem of a family home in Tilburg city, North Brabant, The Netherlands belongs to Ilona Polycen (also known as @mamoesjka_nl), her partner Daniel and two sons Tycho (13) and Fender (7). The thoughtfully decorated interior is characterised by subtle shades of pastel, soft light  wood, one-off pieces and vintage touches. I caught up with Ilona to find out more.

Thistle lamp, Folding shelves, This Era round chair is similar.

How would you describe your interior style?

I like a fresh white canvas decorated with vintage, design or handmade items, mostly in fresh or soft pastel colours. I’d much rather have one item that I really love rather than five things I just like. I don’t shop on impulse. I will always take my time before I buy something for my home.

Do you have  a favourite spot?
You’ll often find me sitting on my pink home-made bench. It’s my favourite spot in the house, where I write, scroll through Instagram and sit with family and friends. From my bench, I also have a clear view of the rest of the living room and the open-plan kitchen.

Rabbit mirror,  Yori shelves.

Do you update your home often?!

I love to use my home as my test lab. If I haven’t painted anything for a few weeks, the paint tins literally call out to me from the closet.

 Pion lamp, Conrad Sofa,  Cushion from by Mölle, Haru table.

Taki wall hanging, Haru side-table.

Where do you shop?

I like to search the internet for new treasures. I look for both new and second-hand items and design pieces as well as less expensive finds. For me, it’s very important that they’re not things that everybody likes and buys. I want stuff that is unique and is available on a small scale. For that reason, I always search for small websites or designers that sell their own work. It’s so much more fun to make a small independent enterprise happy by purchasing some of their products than to buy something from a big retail chain.

'Wondering' print by Gurilla.

Do you have a favourite piece?

My favourite piece of furniture is the vintage cupboard that my partner and I bought at a thrift store. I really loved it when I first saw it, but we both thought it was far too expensive (the cupboard was not in the best condition) and we left the shop without buying it. But soon I had second thoughts and we quickly went back again and bought it. We gave the little cupboard some love with oil and wood paste and I now think he’ll stay forever!

Chrysanthemum wallpaper by William Morris

25Lamp, this mustard waffle throw is similar.

What's your best home decorating tip?
I like to do things my own way. I think that’s my best tip I can give anyone. Make the choices yourself. Fill your home with items you really love and that make you happy. These days you can find inspiration everywhere. I like to scroll through Instagram and see all kinds of interiors, but I have to stay true to myself. Something I’ve learned over the years is to choose what makes you happy and don’t do what everyone else is already doing.

Thank you so much for inviting us into your home this sunny Friday, Ilona!

If you don't already follow Ilona on instagram it's a must!

And for more beautiful Dutch home inspiration take a peek at a lovely light-filled house boat, the happy home of Marij Hessel, and a charming and relaxed Dutch home.

Have a fabulous weekend all and see you Monday!

Niki


All photography: © Ilona Polcyn

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All Things Bright & Beautiful in a Pared Back Family Home

I am so in love with today's home tour. Nestled in the jungle, but still a short distance from Singapore's popular shopping and dining precincts, the black and white colonial house was built in 1935 for an Officer of the British Army. Today the beautiful property is leased by Charlie Cameron, the creative behind interior and lifestyle blog Lottie Is Loving, her British husband, two children Finn and Pippa and their mini schnauzer Jet. Originally from Australia, Charlie has decorated the home with a fusion of Australian and Scandinavian style which includes lashings of fresh white, touches of rattan and pastel accents. The result is an incredible, light and airy relaxed family home.

 "My upstairs cup of tea / reading spot. When you’re not looking down at your book - all you see are trees and jungle. It’s my favourite room in the house."

The bamboo pendant light steals the show in the sitting room (this one is similar) and the Palm in the corner bridges the gap between the soft furnishings and pendant - while adding a little colour and drawing the jungle inside.

 "Over the years I have developed a less is more approach to styling.  I am drawn to a contemporary Australian aesthetic but I am influenced by a combination of styles and have a soft spot for Scandinavian design and Moroccan flair." 

The Swedish string shelving system has been used in replace of a windowsill and melts into the back ground. But my favourite piece has to be the pink Moroccan rug - how pretty is that? Happytapis sells similar (just saying!).

A white hanging chair, leather pouf and Rubber plant have been used to create the perfect reading corner! Having said that, we used to have a hanging bubble chair in our sitting room and these things are a total kids magnet!

Love this Mark Tuckey Stool from Australia - a new favourite of mine! 

"For me, it all comes down to pieces that I love and finding a balance between styles - a little masculine with a balance of feminine."  

 

I can't get enough of these rattan hallway benches right now, how about you? There are plenty in the shops right now (this one is from Elements Concept in Singapore) but I've got my eye on some of the one-off vintage ones too, like this fabulous mid-century modern love seat. Keep an eye on Etsy, Gumtree and Ebay for similar!

"There is something to be said for beautifully crafted well designed pieces and I prefer to practice patience and wait for the right piece than to quickly buy something to fill a space and then regret it.  I really believe that creating a beautifully styled home takes time."

 

The soft pink accent seen in the rest of the house is carried through to the bedroom using cushions and art. In the guest room (below) 'The King of Potreus' flower adds a hint of soft pastel.

And finally, Pip's room is as pretty as can be - with One Fun Day wallpaper and fairy lights.

Photography © Charlie Cameron / Lottie is Loving

The rooms are fairly spacious, yet Charlie has exercised a huge amount of restraint, giving each item plenty of breathing space. If you'd love to re-create this style in your home but not sure where to start, here are a few tips and tricks:

***

Charlie's Tips for Creating a Pared Back Style

1. Use Negative Space

Leaving areas of your home free of design actually helps to draw your eye to the elements that are most interesting in a room.  Cleverly used, negative space can help a room to feel deliberate and well styled.

2. Think in Tones

A base of whites and greys can always be added to with a bright pop of colour - so keep things neutral and harmonious and choose a small amount of colour to add to your scheme.

3. Remove the Clutter

Have a small room or area of your home (that is preferably hidden) where all the everyday items of life with a family can live.  Regularly clear the clutter from the day and if you have kids, get them in the habit of clearing all their items away at the end of each day.

***

You can see more of Charlie's home over on her Instagram feed and blog (where she also shares recipes and other lifestyle inspiration).

Other bright and beautiful family homes you might be interested in: a lovely Dutch family home, a striking and relaxed Swedish family home and a light-filled Swedish home.

Have a lovely day!

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A home with pretty pastels and inspiring details

Is there no end to the talent on Instagram? A few minutes scroll last night turned into an hour long session as I went from inspiring feed, to inspiring feed (cue double coffee morning today!). One of my new favourites of which is @Wunderblumen. Daniela regularly updates her feed with inspiring snapshots of her half-timbered house in Kassel, North Germany, which she shares with her husband Stefan and their three children and cat, Polly. As well as beautiful style updates for children and adults alike (check out this cute spring outfit for starters!) snapshots of her home reveal soft pastel hues, vintage finds, pretty floral touches and inspiring details. Here's a sneak peek...

Photography: @Wunderblume

Such a beautiful home, don't you think?

I particularly love the painting of the girl on the sitting room wall. It's by an artist from the Faroe islands (available here). I was also excited to see Daniela has the same brass mobile as me (which I've hung here) - great minds...! And of course, the soft pastel touches.

Is there anything that stands out to you?

Get the look from Daniela's home (in order of appearance): brass mobile, source a beautiful mid-century credenza here, art, the light blue wall colour is by Farrow & Ball. The ceramic wreath seen on the wall above the dining table and bed is handmade by Kat's (great shop!). Wallpaper by Sandberg. Children's dress from Kids on the moon.

Such a perfect home tour to wrap up the week, don't you think? But if you'd like to hang around for a while and more homes with a pastel touch you can always nip over to this archive (if this home comes up first just scroll passed). Yes, I have an archive for everything!

Thank you so much again for all the positive feedback around my new book, it's made all those nights burning the midnight oil worthwhile. I was also thrilled to see it appear in the home of TDC and @aboutthishaus as well as many other of my favourite bloggers and instagrammers and in newspaper and magazines including The Sunday Times, Home and Garden and Marie Claire UK - to name but a few! *feeling humbled*.

I think I'll be kicking off the weekend with one of these - Skål på er!

Do you have any fun plans for the weekend?

Have a wonderful couple of days and see you Monday!

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A lovely London home with pops of pastel

It's Friday, the sun's shining, if the birds had migrated back to town they'd be singing (I'm sure of it!)- and the weekend is on the horizon - yeeeeah! This calls for a fresh house with lovely pops of colour that make you smile, don't you think? Available through Light Locations for photo shoots, film sets etc, this house is located in London's Kensal Rise on the aptly names 'Mount Pleasant Road' (love that!). White walls provide a backdrop for vintage finds, a hint of shabby chic and pretty floral touches. Let's take a peek inside. 

 Credits: Light Locations found via SF Girl By Bay with thanks.

The distinct architecture makes me all nostalgic (must head home to London for a visit soon!) where as the colour palette has a distinct Dutch feel about it, don't you think? (take a look at these lovely Dutch spaces and you'll see what I mean).

All in all, a lovely, fresh space and so much room to breathe!

Is there anything that stands out to you?

Before I head off to enjoy the sunshine, here's a little weekend link love I think you'll enjoy:

Inside a designer's cali-cool office make-over.

DIY table top standing desk (I could do with this at home!).
 
The Dark floral mural in this little girl's bedroom totally steals the show.

How about a strawberry and rhubarb doughnut this weekend? Mmmmm!

Ocean pinterest board: roll on balmy days and dips in the sea!

And finally how I'd like to be waking up to a view like this tomorrow - time well tent indeed!

Have a wonderful weekend!

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