A dreamy little space to call home

One of my dreams is to have a a work studio in my (future) garden which doubles as a pretty guest house for friends and family. Do you share a similar dream?  Then I came across this shed conversion on Design Sponge and my idea was immediately brought to life! Over the space of two months designer, stylist and artist Paige Morse converted a shed in her back garden into a stunning Scandinavian inspired black and white retreat. Her goal was to create a space from which she can work, She was so thrilled with the outcome she now actually lives in the 'Casita' and rents out her house to afford the lifestyle she so desires: to work on her creatives full time. What an inspiration?!

Before:

Photos Cody Ulrich. Paige Morse. Via Design Sponge with thanks. 

Be still my beating heart!

This really is the casita of my dreams! The only thing I would add is a turf roof as seen on this and this home. How about you? Could you see yourself working / living here?

You can see the full before and after shots over at Design Sponge and read more about Paige's work here.

Other fantastic, unusual and alternative garden shed conversions here and here.

Have a lovely day!

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The perfect Norwegian home for a summer's day

When the sun shines in Sweden I feel the need to spend the entire day outside (I guess this isn't the case when you live somewhere warm and sunny all year round?!). But there is an exception to this. The Norwegian home of blogger and photographer Elisabeth Heier is one of those spaces where you could easily flit between inside and outside on a beautiful day, depending on your mood. Not only is the home bright and airy but it also has several different places you can sit and relax with a book or magazine - window nook, dining table, outdoor terrace....and still enjoy the warmth of natural sunlight and the nature beyond. I could spend a summer's day here could you?

Elisabeth Heier with kind permission

Elisabeth is such a wonderful photographer and her blog is almost entirely made up of pictures she has taken of her own home. So impressive!

See previous posts from her home here, here and here.

I spy a few classic items I love: Knoll Diamond chair and Eames side chair DSR.

I hope you have a lovely Wednesday!

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'Glad Midsommar'

Studio Impressions / photographer Marcus Bell and team, Brisbane, Australia. Bali Wedding - Angie and Ben

“I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,

Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,

Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,

With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine.” 

― William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream

Happy Midsummer! And a great weekend (for those of you in the Southern hemisphere!). See you Monday! x

PS - for midsummer floral hair garland inspiration see today's post by 79 ideas and this page on Pinterest. Beautiful alfresco table settings here and here.  And a Swedish garden you'd want to spend midsummer in. 

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The out house retreat of a Nashville author

It's that time of year when everyone starts last minute summer holiday bookings (OK I speak for myself - can anyone recommend anywhere last minute to stay in the Dordogne?!). Of course there are always hotels, B&B's and holiday cottage rentals but I also love to go quirky too and often consider glamping, tree houses and unique stay alternatives. And that's how I came across this cool 1962 Shaster camper.  Sitting in the back garden of 'Carry My Bones' author J. Wes Yoder in East Nashville, Tennessee, the camper has been lovingly renovated inside and out and includes an outdoor shower, bath house and terrace. When it's not in use as a work studio the author rents it out through Airbnb. Nashville anyone?!

Photography: Laura Dart via Remodelista

What a cute place to stay and a fabulous idea for an out house!

It's not the first time I've come across an unusually cool outhouse. Do you remember this  alternative garden shed for example?! I'm a big fan of outdoor bathroom's too, for inspiration take a peek at this outdoor bathroom post.

Other holiday sites I love right now include Alistair Sawdays Canopy & Stars which offers a collection of wonderful and quirky places to stay and Kid & Coe which makes travelling with children a whole lot easier - (what's not to love about that?!)! And if you're considering SouthWest England - one of my most memorable holidays ever was at Polgreen Glamping in Cornwall.

Do you have great holiday accommodation tips?

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Could you while away summer days in this Swedish garden?

I know it's only Thursday but I'm already gearing up for the weekend and looking forward to some down time in the garden with my family. We've got so much to do to our outdoor space so I've been pouring over inspiration lately (I'd probably do this even if we didn't have anything needed doing...!). Today I'm inspired by this outdoor space. It's a beautiful Swedish which fills me with ideas from the roses over the door, and the hollyhocks lining the wall of the house, the different social areas (cute kid alert) and 'secret garden'. I hope you get some ideas too.

Photography: Jonas Ingerstedt (with kind permission. Sköna Hem. 

Could you while away a summer's day in this garden?

In my (small) garden I've decided the key requirements are: a comfy area for lounging, a social yet relaxed covered (possibly using white linen) dining area, making it as green as possible, beautiful scents wafting from flowers in bloom, the sound of running water, and candle lights. Achievable in 5 metres square? Hmmmm, optimistic. But dream big as they say....

What are your outdoor space essentials?

More garden inspiration can be found on my Alfresco board, as well as previous posts of this beautiful Montreal oasis, eating alfresco and outdoor showers /bathrooms.

Have a lovely day!

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A beautiful Montreal oasis

I once stayed in a finca in Mallorca which had a beautiful green swimming pool. The side of the pool was lined with lavender which danced with white butterflies and beyond was a spectacular view of the Tramuntana mountains. With every stroke down the pool I became more and more relaxed. To this day I vowed if I ever get a pool it will be green or midnight blue with plants and flowers as poolside entertainment. This has inspired today's post from the garden of Mario Lafrenais in Montreal styled by Nicola Marc and photographed by Angus Mcritchie.

Style by Nicola Marc, Photography: Angus Mcritchie with kind permission. Decormag, (French edition)

Beautiful! I think my facvourite thing about this garden is despite the surrounding buildings, Mario has managed to create a wall of greenery. A real city oasis. And of course there's that pool, those moroccan lamps, the waterfall feature, the yellow doors.....what do you like about this courtyard?

PS What's your view on pools? Do you have one? Would you like one?

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Perfect dining settings alfresco and indoors

It's Friiiiday - woohoo! Whether you're having a casual weekend at home or a get together with friends and family, here are three very different table settings, all lovely in their own way. I'll be taking inspiration from all the pretty scented jasmine and vines and the strings of light bulbs. Beautiful!

Photography: Gine Meola Photography,Wedding Coordination: Belle Destination Weddings & Events, Inc.,Floral Design: Bella Bloom

Ariel Dearie Flowers

IKEA Livet Hemma

Imagine a party under the boughs of that tree by the beach?!

When it comes to the great outdoors and eating I have a very particular taste - as you can see from my alfresco board on Pinterest! However, if you're into the more contemporary style you'll love this outdoor lounge by Studiopepe and for cool roof top living check out this post (loving the apple green table).

If you're looking for outdoor furniture Nest have the most amazing collection of contemporary pieces. Or for garden furniture on a shoe string, the fab Roxö chairs in grey (as shown in the last three pics) from IKEA are a perfect choice.

For some fantastic inspiration on how to bring green indoors check out the home of florist Sarah Nolan. Or for simplicity, how about floating plants in glass, so beautiful!

It's going to be SUNNY here in Southern Sweden all weekend so I'll definitely be working on my (tiny) garden and sipping mint tea a chilled glass of Sancerre while my girls mix mud and water to make cakes :) How about you? 

Have a wonderful weekend!

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The alternative garden shed

How about this for an alternative garden shed?! So much fun! I don't think I'd ever go back into the house!

Via

Could you imagine having this at the end of your garden or perhaps as a weekend get-away?!

Today is the last day of our holiday in Mallorca where I've been staying with extended family in a finca over looking the tramuntana mountains, so beautiful! I shall miss this island and my wonderful family.

Next week the blog will be back to normal with daily home tours. I hope you've enjoyed the alfresco inspiration week as much as I have and got a few ideas to spice up your outdoor space? Art in the garden perhaps? Or a refreshing outdoor shower?! On Monday I'll be announcing the winner of the fouta de val give-away, so if if you haven't already, stop by and enter here.

Have a lovely weekend all!

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Eating alfresco

It's impossible not to enjoy eating outdoors. Whether it's the secluded picnic for two or a party with friends on a colourful mix match of chairs, leaning precariously on the unlevelled grass (see the beautiful cottage interior here).....I'm sure I'd be smiling throughout any of these lunches. The wine glasses might have something to do with it too....can I join? 

Pictures 1,2,3 Sharyn Cairns

Jessica Helgersson

Pictures 5, 6 and 7 Jose Villa

What's your favourite way to eat outdoors?

PS As you know I'm currently on  beautiful Mallorca for a week visiting family. Last night we broke away from the tapas and ate fish and chips on the beach with a glass of cava. It was lovely sitting watching the sunset over the bobbing yachts in the distance while the girls played in the sand.

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