Holly's beautiful sitting room make-over

Hej hej! One of my favourite interior designers, Holly Marder, is doing up her house in Delft, Holland bit by bit and I'm glued to her blog Avenue Lifestyle, for updates! It's such a treat every time she completes a room (see Holly's beautiful kitchen, bedroom and studio and you'll know what I mean)! Today I'm excited to reveal Holly's lovely new sitting room where she has used white washed walls and sheer linen curtains (source similar, made to measure ones here) as a neutral backdrop for a beautiful blend of vintage, mid-century, and modern designer pieces as well as handmade ceramics and a selection of artowrk.  Enjoy!

Photography / interior design: Holly Marder - Avenue Lifestyle. 

Such a stunning room, don't you think? Relaxed, calm, interesting and above all else cosy!

Holly is a master at gallery walls (I also love the one she created in a client's bedroom in Amsterdam). Here she's combined oak, walnut and white frames with a mix of contemporary and traditional art including 'dragonfly' by Eile-Ethel Polli, 'nude painting of one minute pose' by Gretchen Kelly, and 'eye eye' by Fine Little Day. Such a lovely combination!

I also like how she has used a mid-century bar cart to fill the gap next to the chimney breast (I still love my bar cart but wondering where to put it right now since acquiring this brass one, I'm sure it'll find a home soon! Thoughts?!). You can source a similar vintage mid-century bar cart here.

Is there anything that stands out to you?

Get the look from Holly's sitting room: Flos pendant light, source a vintage Beni Ourain rug here, the sofa is from the SofaCompany.  These fab vintage mid-century trolleys / bar carts are similar. Flos parentesi light, African Bingan basket, hand turned plates on wall by Julie Alrichem.  Glass coffee table,  white plate from The Fine Store (on table).

The sun's shining here in Malmö so I've promised to take a walk along the beach before starting to write a chapter for my new book - Lagom (a Swedish philosophy meaning not too much, not too little - just right!). It feels apt in today's world where we're all rushing about and connected 24/7. The book is very much about slowing down and finding balance, the Swedish way - whether at home, or through activities like blackberry picking , kayaking, baking bread, swapping your car for a bike or even finding a beautiful old cottage by the sea in which to relax and unwind in the holidays! I hope you'll find it inspiring! 

Have a lovely day!

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Snapshots from Claudi and Tiger's lovely Berlin home

Tjoohoo! It's a beautiful day here in Malmö (hey, I'll take anything other than snow right now!). Yesterday I had such a fun day filming with German TV channel  DW-TV around the fascinating term  'lagom' (a Swedish word essentially meaning not too much, not too little: just right) set to air this Saturday. The TV crew were based in Berlin, which is one of my absolute favourite cities (have you ever been? - if not you must!). Today I thought I'd share the home of another Berliner: Claudi. Claudi is a photographer and blogger behind Do it, but do it now and regularly shares snapshots of her home, DIY ideas and fabulous places in Germany's hip capital city. Her home, which she shares with her feline friend Tiger (short for Tigerlily) is packed with vintage finds, mid-century pieces, handmade details and an abundance of plants. Let's take a peek....

Photography: Claudetta Böttcher / Do it but do it now.

Oh so lovely and relaxed! I particularly like the unusual pieces like the green chair in the kitchen and round shelves in the sitting room - so inspiring! Did anything catch your eye?

A few items from Claudi's home: source vintage crates here,  black letter board, Kay Bojesen monkey, this rug is similar (made to order!), blanket from Elmas Home. 

For more pics of her home, DIY ideas, and tips on Berlin (among other things) check out Claudi's blog (in German) and instagram. I've also been having a snoop around Claudi and her boyfriend's fab interiors shop Elmas Home - definitely worth a look!

You might also want to take a peek at these lovely spaces with a mid-century touch: a charming innercity home with soul, a Dutch home in an old tannery and a fabulous mid-century modern home in LA home - a few of my favourite homes! 

Have a lovely day!

PS My Milan Design Week 2017 trend report is now available to read here!

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A creative Helsinki home with a cheerful & relaxed vibe

As you know (I think I've been harping on about it ever since - sorry!), I finally got to visit Helsinki for the first time last summer. And it exceeded all my wildest expectations. It was such a vibrant city but above all else, it exuded creativity (if you go, don't miss the design walk!). Seeing these pictures of visual artist, Saija Starr's apartment in the heart of Helsinki immediately transported me back to my wonderful weekend in Finland's capital city. On her blog Cosy Home, Saija describes her home life and interior as an amalgamation of: 'swaying book blocks, long breakfasts, art, coffee moments, brightly coloured containers, old furniture and the ever changing sequence.' Let's take a peek inside...

Credits: Saija Starr / Cosy Home.

Love this! It's so charming and relaxed but above all else personal, I also like how the pops of bright colours add such a cheerful touch (take a closer look at how Saija has created small pockets of colour. In the sitting room for example, she has combined a poster, vase and painting which share the same tones).

I also love how the space has a wonderful, lived-in vibe. I could imagine walking in here and immediately feeling at ease. How about you?!

Get the look from Saija's home: sitting room - 'the party' painting source mid-century armchairs like these here, Remix blanket. Kitchen - Marimekko teapot. Iittala Nappula candle-holder in high and low versions.

The big painting is 'A Party' by Saija. You can see more of her art work here.

You can follow Salja's latest projects and home updates on her wonderful blog or over on her Instagram feed.

If you'd like to see more Helsinki homes today I'm also in love with this apartment that artfully blends of danish and finnish style, the home of a design blogger and a graphic designer's penthouse - and many more in the archive. Oh I do love Finnish style!

Have a lovely day!

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The lovely, relaxed home of a fashion designer

Loving that it's Friday already! My home has been turned upside down due to a shoot in my office with friend and stylist Gen of The Youngsters. I'm feeling the weekend vibe all the same, which is why I'm inviting you to step inside the lovely, relaxed home of Domino magazine's cover star Ulla Johnson today. Born and raised in Manhattan, Ulla Johnson lives in Brooklyn with her husband and three children and runs a successful clothing line with an eponymous name featuring beautiful custom prints, intricate embroideries and fine tailoring.  Her home has been decorated using light colours and warm textures and furnished with vintage finds from New York as well as far flung places. Enjoy!

Home-owner - photographer Pia Ulin (shared with thanks). Domino magazine

What a lovely family home, don't you think? And just how adorable is her little girl!

A few tips on where to find similar items- sitting room: sofa from CISCO Brothers, Chandelier, source a beautiful Beni Ourain rug, moroccan wedding cushion, sheepskin throw.  Dining room - Copenhague table. Pick-up a mid-century chest-of-drawers here.

Ulla's clothes are from her lovely clothing line. 

See a full interview with Ulla over at Domino magazine.

Pia Ulin, the talented photographer behind this shoot hales from Sweden but is also Brooklyn based. I've featured quite a few homes captured by her before - including Jessica De Ruiter's fabulous LA home, a cool, calm and collected Danish home and that Gotland retreat! Yup, she's got that knack....

Right, better get on with that shoot I was talking about...

Have a great one and see you Monday! 

PS I love the idea of using a Kimono as styling. I think this one is perfect for rooms with dark blue walls - so pretty.  Oh and perhaps this one rocking Saturday night! 

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A charming innercity home with soul

One of the most popular homes I've shown this year has got to be this 'beautiful 1920's home decorated on a shoestring budget' in Brisbane, Australia. I can totally see why, it's relaxed, unique and personal - with fab vintage finds, treasured artwork and handmade pieces. All within a relatively small rental space of 55 metres square / 592 square feet. Yesterday I came across yet more lovely snapshots taken by the owner - photographer and documentary filmmaker Nicolette Johnson who shares the home with fiance, Tom Dawson. And fell in love with the space all over again. It just goes to show what you can do with a little creativity and oodles of love!

Photography: Nicolette Johnson. Found via The Design Files with thanks.

I never get tired of seeing this home - it's sooooo cosy and charming. I especially love the beautiful mix of dark blue and teak.

Is this your kind of style?

Items I love: sitting room - this navy blue mid-century chair is similar (and fabulous!), as is this mid-century oval-shaped table, I like this teak mid-century credenza. Workspace - wishbone chair, white sheepskin throw. Dining area - I love this mid-century style dining chair. Bedroom: blue linen bedding, sea grass belly basket. 

You can read more about this fab home here. And check out more homes with a cool mid-century vibe here.

Have a lovely day!

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A Parisien apartment with beautiful bones

Hello Monday! I usually try to think inspiring, positive thoughts at the start of the week but today all I really want to be doing is sitting here drinking coffee all morning or back in this bed (it looks a lot like Sri Lanka).  But most of all I'd like to be padding around this Zen like space high above the rooftops of the hip Marais District of Paris. If a morning coffee in the sunshine isn't enough then the beautiful herringbone floors, period features and marble fireplace will have you swooning!

Birgitta Wolfgang Drejer / Sisters Agency

Oh the things I'd do to this apartment if it were mine. What a beautiful space?!

Could you see yourself living in an apartment like this?

Get the look: Bubble lamps - Modernica, Beni ourain rug, mid-century modern chairs, Isamu Noguchi coffee table, white bed linen.

Other lovely apartments Paris include this truly unique and eclectic home, and a perfect Parisen home. I also love this home just outside France's capital in Fontainebleau.

More Monday links:

Have you ever thought about escaping the city altogether and moving to the countryside? This lifestyle blogger did, and she shares her lessons learned here.  Tempted?

Does this lovely idea solve your 'back of the sofa' dilemma?

Etsy find of the day - a vintage industrial lamp shipping from Germany. Oh yes.

A guide to the best indoor plants (love the windowsill display).

And finally.....thank you so much to everyone who entered the weekend give-away to win a poster from Posterlounge - the three winners have now been announced here (oh the suspense!). Oh and Posterlounge are offering all readers 10% discount (more info here).

Have a great start to the week!

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