New interior book: Feelings of Imperfection

Although I like to turn to blogs and instagram for inspiration, there's always a time and place for interior books. There's something wonderful about switching off, curling up on the sofa and leafing through the pages of a lovely book with a cup of tea - don't you think?! One of my latest favourite reads is Feelings of Imperfection: The stylish life of lost places by interior designer Anna Björkman and photographer Anna Malmberg (the curator behind Northern Delight blog), published by Malmö based New Heroes and Pioneers. The tome explores a melancholic world that celebrates the feeling certain spaces tend to evoke within us and examines the duality between two worlds: 'the old and new, the perfect and imperfect, the present and the past'.  If you love dilapidated spaces, whimsical touches, poetry and beautiful photography, you'll love this book! Here's a sneak peek....

By Anna Björkman & Anna Malmberg / from: Feelings of Imperfection: The stylish life of lost places

published by New Heroes and Pioneers.

Something for your bedside table? 

Feelings of Imperfection is available here

For more interior design book inspiration you might like to check out this archive - you'll have an entire library in no time. Happy reading!  

PS We're moored up in a little harbour on the German island of Hiddensee  - it looks beautiful but sadly POURING with rain! More cards, more games and more reading, not always a bad thing! Hope the sun's shining where you are!

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Urban Pioneer: Interiors inspired by Industrial Design

I absolutely love receiving a new book in the post, don't you? The smell of the pages, the anticipation of settling down a little later with a coffee in hand. And today is one of those days. The new book Urban Pioneer: Interiors inspired by industrial design by Sara Emslie has just landed on my doormat. There's something about the rawness of large, spacious rooms and the rustic feel of ex-industrial spaces that is simply awe inspiring. And Sara's wonderful book is packed with industrial-design inspiration, beautiful images and styling tips from homes set in the most magnificent buildings including: a warehouse in London, a former dockworker canteen in Amsterdam and a converted feather factory in Brooklyn. Here's a sneak peek......

This is just a small example of some of the lovely spaces inside....

Now all I need is a conversion of my own. I've always quite fancied a windmill (or even a lighthouse!), how about you?

Sara is a stylist and writer based in London (actually not far from where I grew up). You may recognise the name from her best selling first book: Beautifully Small: Clever Ideas for Compact Spaces (which I reviewed here).

You can pick up a copy of Sara's new book through Amazon here or order one through local bookstore.
 
Have a lovely day!

PS there's a very exciting give-away right now here (would hate for you to miss out!).

Book Credits
Urban Pioneer by Sara Emslie (Ryland Peters & Small, £19.99) Photography by Benjamin Edwards © Ryland Peters & Small

Home-owner credits:  
Pg.12 – Next Door’s Space by Carin Scheve and Francesco Caramella (open-plan space with concrete support columns)

Pg.36 – The London home of Peter Win (dining table with wooden drinks cabinet)

Pg.6 – The home of Louise Miller, available to hire through www.millerstyle.co.uk (kitchen with wooden benches)

Pg.94 – The home of Thomas and Bibi de Haas (galley kitchen beneath a mezzanine)

Pg.62 – The residence and studio of Jennifer and Liam Maher (aka Energy Plan Creative) (book shelf & 2x mannequins)

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My new book: The Scandinavian Home

Today is a very exciting day here at home .... my new book The Scandinavian Home: Interiors inspired by light has officially launched (*does a little dance*)! It's been a year or so in the making - having visited homes across Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland. From a magical mountain cabin in Norway and a contemporary Helsinki town house to a beach house on the North coast of Zealand, Denmark each dwelling is as incredible as it is inspiring and has a wonderful story to tell.  I've arrived home brimming with ideas - but most of all I've learned that it's amazing what you can achieve with a little imagination.  I'd like to say a HUGE thank you to all of you for reading my blog and your wonderful support over the years, without you this book would never have been possible. And I'd also like to pass on my thanks to all the wonderful home owners who so gracefully opened their doors and welcomed us inside. I dedicate this book to all of you! Here's a sneak peek....

The Scandinavian Home by Niki Brantmark, published by CICO Books £19.99. Photography by James Gardiner © CICO Books

This is only a small selection  - if I could I'd have shared the entire book right here on the blog with you! But there is something incredibly cosy about finding a quiet spot and enjoying a cup of tea and a good book, don't you think?

I have so many wonderful memories from the experience. One of the most memorable of which was visiting the home of Norwegian interior designer Tone Kroken on a beautiful summers day. Her house is on an island in the Norwegian Fjords and accessed by a floating pontoon pulled along on a rope. Tone's house was full of items she'd picked up at flea markets and auction houses from all over the world. But she'd also transformed new items too. For example she'd bought a mirror for its shape but hated it's shiny new look, so she placed it in the garden for two years where it lay under autumn leaves, a foot of snow and in the scorching summer sun. It now takes pride of place on the mantel piece looking like a prized antique!

On the same trip we visited the wonderful Norwegian 'hytte' of Marianne, founder of Slow Design Studio. Inspired by a 'seter' (a traditional Norwegian Mountain farmhouse used for summer pastures), the family has transformed a small rustic cottage into a state-of-the-art cabin. Not only does it have magnificent vista's over the valley, nearly everything within has been handcrafted by Marianne including cushions, throws, wall hangings, side tables and clothes hooks. Truly inspiring! You may recall that my family and I went back to visit the hytte in January for a few days and it was equally beautiful in the snow!

If you'd like to pick up a copy and browse all the homes, it's now available on Amazon here (among other places).

I really hope you feel as inspired as I did writing it.

Have a wonderful day! 

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The 'Green Home Book': inspiration for plant lovers

One of the trends I love right now is 'urban jungle' or the idea of filling your home with plants. Greenery is said to have many positive benefits including providing cleaner air, boosting your mood and even enhancing concentration and memory (yes, really! I discovered many other benefits too here). But above all else, they do look lovely, don't they?! I mean, what would a home be without plants and flowers? That's why I was so happy to discover the 'Green Home Book'. The tome was created as result of a collaboration between Finnish creatives Riikka Kantinkoski (I once featured her beautiful home here) and Susanna Vento and includes beautiful photography taken in homes across Finland as well as simple tips on how to care for plants. Here's a sneak peek....

Photos from 'Green Home Book' by Riikka Kantinkoski and Susanna Vento.

Ah so inspiring. I must pick up a copy as soon as possible!

Doesn't it look lovely?

If you're a bit of a plant lover you'll also love these snapshots from the beautiful home of Jeska Hearne, the Brownstone of the owner of plant interior design company, and the bohemian home of a florist.

Oh, and I love this DIY idea - how fab? 

Have a lovely day!

PS I think the reason I'm thinking about books today is because I'm sitting at the library researching a new project (more to follow soon!). It's actually the perfect place to sit and work as it's super quiet and overlooks the park. The only problem is my typing is so LOUD!! I think I might need to sellotape cotton wool to my finger tips next time!

PPS I have such an exciting Swedish summer cottage to share with you tomorrow - it will have us all dreaming of balmy summer days!  

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Boho interior inspiration with sustainable living tips and tricks

While yesterday's interior inspiration was about keeping it simple, today's is about keeping it real. And IKEA's new book Kinder Homes is absolutely crammed with inspiring, creative tips, tricks and ideas on how to do this. From saving water, energy and waste to recycling and reuse, the book helps us to lead a more sustainable life at home - and judging by the imagery, make our interiors beautiful at the same time. Really, what's not to love?!

I can't decide if I prefer the more modern look of the first three images or boho rustic look of the last three? - which do you prefer? Either way, it looks like there's plenty of inspiration for all and we get ideas on how to live more sustainably too. Perfect!

The book is available in IKEA stores, and it's worth checking out the IKEA website for some of the items you see in these spaces (I spy a lot from the lovely SINNERLIG collection), but for others I'm loving this vintage industrial desk chair (quick snap that up!), Swedish rag rugs, rattan daybed and a silk kimono rob.

Other links I love today....

Pretty balcony inspiration. Or....if you fancy staying in bed.

I've finally found where to buy those clay urns we keep seeing in home tours (beautiful?!)

Love the look of a kilim rug against concrete.

The cutest side table.

I do like the idea of throwing caution to the wind and buying an old bakery on the beautiful Swedish island of Gotland. how about you? Sadly this was sold a few years ago, but it doesn't stop me dreaming! More homes from Gotland (incase you missed them) include this, this and this - heaven!

Right folks that's all for me, have a lovely day and see you tomorrow!

PS To you wonderful style gurus out there, I'm looking for a spring bomber jacket for my 7 year old (who's more the height of a 10 year old)  - any tips? This one could be cute?

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Stunning earthy interiors inspired by nature

I came across this set of earthy, atmospheric interiors packed with antiques and treasured finds in Debi Treloar's portfolio and was delighted to discover they were a selection taken from a book! I can tell you there was one little light on in Malmö last night where a certain blogger was busy pouring over The Natural Home by Swedish stylist Hans Blomquist. Think natural textures such as wood, linen, cotton and seagrass against a backdrop of white, dark brooding colours, exposed brick and concrete. Let's take a peek....

 The Natural Home by Hans Blomquist, photography by Debi Treloar. Published by Ryland, Peters & Small.

I'm in interior heaven! I love the creative / artistic element in all these images.

Is this your kind of style? 

Get the look: LOHALS rug, linen pillow covers in muted tones, vintage architects chair (*want*!), tin pen / paintbrush pot, try this shop for vintage industrial pendants and this fab wall lamp,  I love this rare vintage desk lamp. vintage haberdashery chest (beautiful!).

Keep an eye out for Debi's latest projects over here on her blog or instagram (love her work!).

A few other links I love today: 

Grace Bonney is right - there's something about the sound of pen on paper that makes this calligraphy clip captivating (are you learning yet?).

The plants around this pool.  And this Pilea plant.

Minimal, bohemian kitchen love.

Chilli garlic sweet potato fries. So simple (we're talking three ingredients!), yet so good!

The outdoor space that's stealing my Pinterest board show.

Back tomorrow with a fab home tour! See you then.....

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