The winner of a signed copy of my book - Modern Pastoral

Thank you so much to everyone who entered the give-away to win a signed copy of my book, Modern Pastoral (published by CICO Books) . I absolutely loved reading all your comments and kind words. I'm happy to announce the winner as.....

Picture from the book Modern Pastoral. Photo: James Gardiner. Stylist: Niki Brantmark. Published by CICO Books.

......Kim den Hartog - I hope this book inspires you!


I wish I could have let everyone win a copy.  However, if you're interested Modern Pastoral is available to buy online in many places including my bookstore and Amazon. I really hope you enjoy it!

This lovely picture is of the wrap-around porch at the Hudson Farmhouse. I remember sitting on that very wicker chair enjoying an early morning coffee looking out over the undulating hills - so peaceful!

PS Thank you so much to Jeska at Lobster & Swan who has written a lovely review of my book here.

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Sneak peek / Win a signed copy of my book - Modern Pastoral

Do you ever feel the urge to up sticks and move to the countryside? Somewhere perhaps, that's just you and your family, and the bears, deer, and foxes outside your window? Although I live in the city, my family and I love to head to the nearby forest or our cottage on Sweden's west coast at the weekends. This desire for a pared-back lifestyle and allowing nature to help eradicate the stresses and strains of daily life inspired me to write Modern Pastoral, published by CICO Books. Photographer James Gardiner and I visited 10 beautiful homes across Scandinavia and USA (all in the name of work - honest!). Although varied in style, the homes are centred around a back-to-basic lifestyle and embrace the nature on their doorstep. The book is available in stores now! Here's a sneak peek....

Images extracted from Modern Pastoral by Niki Brantmark, published by CICO Books, photography: James Gardiner.

These images bring back so many wonderful memories! Here's a picture by picture run down:

1. (Front cover). The beautiful stone cottage belonging to Fabio, Laura & Matteo Ferrara who divide their time between New York City and the fabulous Westwind Orchard in the Hudson River Valley, Upstate New York. When we arrived they made us the most delicious brunch using fresh produce from the farm.

2. Striking Milkweed Barn in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, Delaware County which Bill Hovard (Hudson Made) has transformed into a permanent home.

3. A study / dining room in a Scanian farmhouse (those beams), here in Southern Sweden owned by the Montan family (if you like the look of this room you should see the barn!).

4. The magnificent rustic barn on Westwind Orchard used for entertaining friends, family and guests as well as testing ingredients for produce sold in the farm shop.

5. A light and airy bedroom in the afore-mentioned Scanian farmhouse. When we took this picture it was pretty much dark outside. James took this image with a really long exposure and we couldn't even breath we had to be so still!

6. A cosy wood burning stove and reading corner in a cottage on the North coast of Zealand, Denmark.

The give-away is now closed

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My book - Modern Pastoral (sneak peek!)

Christmas has come early in my house.  After an entire year of shooting (with photographer James Gardiner) and writing, the first copy of my interiors book - Modern Pastoral has finally arrived! Although it doesn't launch until 11th February 2016 I couldn't wait to give you a sneak peak!   Modern Pastoral is published by CICO Books and features homes in Scandinavia and the US which embrace the pared-back lifestyle of living in the country. The homes take nature as the main point of inspiration - from exposed wood and rugged stone surfaces, to neutral textiles and rooms filled with light. They evoke an ideal, rural life adapted to modern living. Here's a sneak peek, I hope you like it!

These two photos were taken by My Scandinavian Home blog.

Finally having it in my hands is such an amazing feeling. When I look through it, it's like re-living the journey - from a day at a breathtaking house on top of a hill in Vermont to a cool cabin in the Catskill mountains and a pretty Danish summer cottage by the sea. I hope this book will inspire you to bring a touch of nature into your home too!

Thank you all for all your tremendous support without which I would never have had this opportunity! And to the generous homeowners who opened their doors to us and made us feel so welcome.

If you are interested in pre-ordering a copy please click the 'pre-order now' button in the top left of this blog page. If you would like a signed copy please send a mail to myscandinavianhome@gmail.com along with your order confirmation, I'd love to hear from you!

Modern Pastoral is published by CICO books and will launch on February 11th, 2016. 

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Interiors book: Chic Boutiquers at Home

I've been eagerly awaiting Ellie Tennant's book 'Chic Boutiquers at Home' - Interiors and expert advice from creative online sellers - having been featured in her first book, Design Bloggers at Home. And it finally arrived in the mail this week! The beautiful hardback book showcases the inspiring homes of creative forces behind fab online shops from around the globe including Le Souk, Ylva Skarp, and textile designer Maryanne Moodie - beautifully captured by James Gardiner. If you're thinking of opening your own shop you'll be excited to hear it also includes a chapter dedicated to advice on how to launch your own chic boutique! I'm so happy to be able to share one of the case studies from the book with you - the Copenhagen home of designer Kristina Dam - who Ellie describes as 'a master of refined, restrained design and a whizz at creating long-lasting pieces that would look good for lifetimes to come'. Let's take a peek....

Photos taken from Chic Boutiquers at Home by Ellie Tennant, photography by James Gardiner, published by Ryland Peters & Small.

You can pick up a copy of Chic Boutiquers at Home here.

PS I had the pleasure of shooting with James Gardiner earlier this year and he's so talented and has an amazing eye for detail.

Have a wonderful weekend! 

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Fab new book: Maker Spaces by Emily Quinton

I'm often being asked to recommend interior books, which is why I'm so excited to be invited to participate in the blog tour for Maker Spaces by blogger, photographer, mother and maker Emily Quinton. Featuring creative interiors from the homes and studios of inspiring makers and designers, the book is totally up my street. Whenever I hear the words 'illustrator', 'artist', 'set designer' I pretty much know their home is going to be fab. And Emily has compiled a lorry load (13 to be precise) of beautiful homes, studios and ateliers of this kind in one place - Maker Spaces! Described as a 'visual feast of ideas for home styling and decor from inspiring makers and designers' the book covers everything from a super-trendy East London studio to a San Fancisco apartment. Here's a sneak peek.

Images taken from Maker Spaces by Emily Quinton, photography by Helen Cathcart, published by Ryland Peters & Small rrp £19.99

The book includes oodles of examples of incredible things the talented owners create, as well as gives ideas of how to re-create some of the details you see in your own home. We like!

See other interior design books I love here. And in case you missed them - a few Scandinavian maker spaces I have gathered here on My Scandinavian Home include the home of a Swedish designer, ceramicist and fashion designer. Oh so beautiful.

PS Don't forget to stop by over the weekend to enter my fab Easter give-away - I think you're going to love the prize!

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'Holiday at Home' weekend give-away!

This give-away is now closed. 

I love getting a surprise package in the post, don't you?  When the bright coloured tome Holiday at Home by Jason Grant (Harde Grant) appeared in my mail box earlier this week I was more than happy. This is one special interior book. Not only does the summer vibe ooze from every page but the images (shot by Lauren Bamford) are a blend of cool Australian interiors, exteriors and holiday snaps which will make you feel like you want to emigrate down under. The good news is that after reading the book you won't need to as it's packed with tips on how to bring that relaxed holiday feel to your own home.  And I'm giving away a copy to one lucky reader this weekend! For more details on how to enter see below. In the meantime here's a sneak peek.

Holiday at Home by Jason Grant (Harde Grant) Photography: Lauren Bamford

Holiday at Home by Jason Grant (Harde Grant) Photography: Lauren Bamford

Holiday at Home by Jason Grant (Harde Grant) Photography: Lauren Bamford

Holiday at Home by Jason Grant (Harde Grant) Photography: Lauren Bamford

Holiday at Home by Jason Grant (Harde Grant) Photography: Lauren Bamford

Holiday at Home by Jason Grant (Harde Grant) Photography: Lauren Bamford

This give-away is now closed. 

For your chance to win a copy of Holiday at Home:

- Simply leave a comment beneath this post saying where you most love to go on holiday. 

The give-away is open to everyone. The competition closes Sunday 21st September, 2014 Midnight GMT. The winner will be contacted via e-mail. Don't forget to leave a way for me to contact you!

Holiday at Home by Jason Grant (Harde Grant) is available for purchase here.

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