A Mid-century Inspired Home with Beautiful Light

Originally from London, I get so excited when I come across a home from the Big Smoke  - and even more so when it's really lovely! Owned by Louis Hagen Hall and Catherine Verna Bentley - the creative duo behind architecture and interior design practice Bentley Hagen Hall - the super charming space is filled with unique treasures, mid-century pieces, plants and the most wonderful light (beautifully captured by India Hobson for Haarkon). Let's take a peek...

 

Photography:  India Hobson for Haarkon

I absolutely love this space - it's kind of homely and bohemian but with a hint of Scandinavian modern. I wasn't surprised to see that one of the pair has Norwegian heritage.

Is there anything you love in particular about this space?

Take a look at a load more pictures and read more about this beautiful home here. 

If you're after a similar look in your own home a few of these items will put you in good stead (unless of course you're UK based and can draft in the help from Bentley Hagen Hall- now wouldn't that be wonderful?!): pick up a mid-century side-cabinet here,  I love these Moroccan rugs. Source a vintage architect's swivel chair here, this white sheepskin is similar to the one on the windowsill.

I'm guessing I'm not alone in wondering where the brass pendant ceiling light is from - any ideas? UPDATE: This is the CVL Saturn brass pendant light and was sold by John Lewis a few years back but seems like it's no longer available (thank you Anon.).

If you love this home, you'll also like foodie Anna Jones' home in the same neck of the woods - so fab!

And finally - I am thrilled to see My Scandinavian Home has been selected as a semi-finalist in the first ever Domino magazine design awards in the category 'Best International Design Blog' yaaaay! It's all happening here if you fancy casting your vote (it only takes a second and I'd be so so happy!).

Have a lovely day!

PS looking to save your pennies this autumn?! The Swedish philosophy of Lagom is your answer (so says this piece in the Readers Digest - they might just have read it somewhere...?!).

PPS happy Diwali to all my Hindu friends out there! 

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A magnificent chalet in the Austrian Alps

A few weeks ago I was invited to visit the Bernd Gruber studio and workshop in Kitzbühel, in the Tyrol region of The Alps, Austria (imagine the little dance I did when it dropped into my mail box). Bernd Gruber is a carpentry and interior design business working with clients all over the world to create bespoke homes. Not only are the team passionate about incredible craftsmanship, honest materials and attention to detail (the fittings and furniture are created in their workshop in the quiet countryside of the Stuhlfelden region), the occupants are central to everything they do. 'The things we surround ourselves with know far more about us than we think: we are not the same person in each room. This knowledge allows us to create rooms that suit the character of their inhabitants – by telling a story about that character, ' says Bernd Gruber, who took over the business from his Father in 1992. Located a few kilometres from Kitzbühel, Chalet Jochberg was completed in 2015 and is a fine example of their work. The interior is both modern and timeless in equal measure and beautifully crafted down to every last detail. I could just imagine returning here every afternoon after a day in the mountains, how about you?!

All photography by Alexander van Berge.

What an incredible space?! The natural materials, the warmth of the wood, the incredible finish - and of course that view! I can just see myself sitting amongst those cushions with a good book and a glass of Gluehwein, how about you?

Is there anything that catches your eye?

Thank you Bernd Gruber for a fabulous weekend in Kitzbühel. I hope one day you're able to design my mountain chalet (I just need to to acquire one first......eh hem......anyone want to go in with me?!).

It's been a while since I've been in The Alps and there's no way I could leave without hitting the slopes! I had such a magical day skiing, taking in the scenery, snapping inspiring log cabins, enjoying the fresh air and of course, picking myself up from the odd wipe-out!  Have you ever been skiing in Austria? If not, I can highly recommend it!

Have a wonderful weekend!

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A lovely Swedish studio / outhouse in 25m2

Hello! Sorry for the radio silence yesterday! Photo shoot done and dusted and I'm happy to be back home tapping away on my laptop in the garden! One day I dream of having an outside space large enough to build a little outhouse to use as a studio, or simply to sit back and drink tea in all day (now wouldn't that be lovely?). Swedish interior designer Pella Hedeby has recently built a white clapboard studio in her garden. And just like her wonderful home, the space is pared back with a monochrome scheme. Wood and cork adds warmth to the over all look and feel, and there's even a loft bed for those afternoon siestas....all in 25 square metres (269 square feet). Inspiring or what?!

Home-owner / styling Pella Hedeby. Photography Sara Medina. My Home.

Could you imagine having somewhere like this to retreat to at the end of your garden? I love how it can be used as a guest house too....

A few items I know from Pella's studio:  cork stool, pick up a vintage stool here (I love this one!), wishbone chair, By lassen candleholder, Japanese cast iron teapot, Gotland sheepskin throw, white linen bedding.

See more pics or Pella's studio here. You can keep up to date with all of Pella's lovely styling work over on instagram or her blog. 

Other of my favourites include a garden shed converted into a charming little home, and a caravan used as an outhouse.

Have a wonderful day!

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The monochrome home of Swedish interior stylist Elin Kickén

Oh wow - I do believe it's the end of the working week - woohaaay! April and May are my absolute busiest months - do you find that too? It seems the same is happening in the Swedish real estate market - I simply can't believe how many homes are for sale right now - which let's face it, is an ideal situation for all of us!! Swedish interior stylist Elin Kickén is the latest to sell her home (I once showed her previous (whiter) home here). Which means lots of wonderful, inspiring pictures for us to enjoy over the weekend (and if you live in Gothenburg -  even a new home perhaps?!). Elin has decorated her home using a monochome scheme which is softened by warm lustrous textiles and a play with different shapes. Let's take a tour...

Alvhem. Home-owner / interior designer Elin Kickén.

It's safe to say, Elin has nailed the monochrome look wouldn't you say?!

And her small bedroom is inspiring too - a tricky narrow room which she has made look sooooo cosy! 

There are so many items I love in this home including: sitting room - the house doctor cluster lamp (available here and here), sofa similar to mine (North from Bolia), Muuto leaf floor lamp. Painting by Karin Wästlund.  Kitchen: Flos aim light. This glass tea pot is similar. Bedroom - white waffle bedspread, By Lassen stropp leather hangers (I've got these in cognac).

Does anyone know where the white armchair is from - I'd love to know... and be able to update the post! 

Linkage for the weekend:

What a beautiful hallway?

There's something so Zen about this bath tub! And I kind of like the industrial style of this shower too.

The awe-inspiring 'Thong House' (love the name!) in Vietnam.

A cute porch / terrace.

Loving these nooks and niches.

Trend alert - grey hardwood floors as seen in Elin's home too (we've got these across two floors in our home and I love them!). 

Must-have item for the summer - a pom pom blanket, I can't decide on this, this or this one? 

Imagine dropping everything and moving to a Swedish cottage like this one, is only for the weekend - with not a care in the world!

Have a wonderful end to the week! Skål!

 PS Tomorrow I'll be featuring my suggestions on affordable limited edition art so definitely drop by if you have the time!

PPS I'm loving working from home today, our wisteria is in full bloom and the clematis over the arch in the garden is bursting with little pink flowers - makes me #happy! Here's a snapshot of our sitting room with the garden beyond I captured just now from my phone....(although it's a bit tricky to see - might have to get my camera out later!). 

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The fabulous studio of an interior designer

Are you back at work this week? Or perhaps you've been working right the way through Christmas (guh!)? Either way, how often do you look around and think - this place seriously needs a make-over?! Today, I'm taking work space inspiration (and in fact, kitchen, dining and sitting room inspiration) from the design studio of Christien Starkenburg - the driving force behind Dutch interior design consultancy firm Interieur + and handmade furniture company SlowWood. Christien follows the philosophy "an interior is the natural projection of the soul'' - Coco Chanel, aspiring to design spaces for her clients using head, heart and a heavy dose of handmade - a philosophy which is projected in her (fab) personal studio too. Let's take a peek inside and prepare to feel inspired....

Interieur Plus

Could you work here? I most definitely could!

Looking at this studio takes me back to my days in the corporate world where I used to sit in a giant  open-plan office by a window (on luckier days) overlooking a car park and a motorway - it was my wonderful colleagues which kept me going! Today I'm master of my own work space (which also features on the front cover of this book!) and it makes such a difference to my working day. Is your office environment important to you?

I spy - Jill Wood chair in natural oak and Lounge chair and Ottoman (15% discount with code MYSCAN), Z1 cotton light, source round jute rugs here (love this one!) try here for a selection of lovely poufs (I like this Burlap one!), Lampe Gras wall lights. The beautifully crafted table can be purchased through Christien's handmade wood furniture company SlowWood.

Could Railings be a similar match to that wonderful colour seen in the kitchen and dining room?

For a real work space inspiration bonanza today you might want to check out this archive or this board - I know you're meant to be working, but hey, a stitch in time saves nine and all that...

I'd love to hear about your work space in the comment section below!

Have a wonderful day! 

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