A Swedish oasis with a warm and inviting touch

Minimalism, they say, ' is not the lack of something, but the perfect amount of something.' Even so, it requires a magic touch to evoke that warm and inviting touch.  And the answer is often found in texture. In this lovely Gothenburg apartment, furniture has been kept to a minimum, and a vintage shag pile rug, creased linens, and gracefully aged wood (including a dining table with all it's wonderful nicks and scratches) add just the right amount of warmth. Combine this with a calm grey, black and white palette with light brown and green accents,  and the result is a wonderful little oasis from the hustle and bustle of the busy street life below. Could you imagine padding around here?

Credits: photography: Anders Bergstedt. For sale through Entrance.  

 .... I certainly could, it looks so peaceful!

A quick guide to some of the items: sitting room - source a beni ourain rug here, dark pink and white linen by the metre. This wall lamp is similar. Kitchen -  ant chairs, side cabinet from IKEA. Bedroom - light blue linen duvet cover and pillow cases.

I'm often asked how Swedes can sleep when the curtains are either non-existent or of the sheer variety - but look closely and you'll see tightly rolled black out blinds waiting to be unleashed (as seen in the sitting room here) or blinds between white window panes (we had these in our last apartment). Swedes may love natural light, but they also love their slumber! 

Before I head off for the day,  I thought you might like this little round-up of mid-week link love:

Design mistakes almost everyone makes...

A vintage dining setting against a giant cheese plant!

Ways to fold a napkin.

A pretty easter DIY idea.

Natural shade.

Pella Hedeby's seasonal bedroom update.

Have a lovely day!

PS heads up - it's the final day to take advantage of a 15% discount off a timepiece at Abbott & Mosley - simply use the code 'mshspring15' at check-out!

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An inspiring small studio full of contrast

Well hello there! I hope you had a fab weekend? We woke up to a clear blue sky and plus temperatures here in Southern Sweden - oh how long we'd been waiting for that moment! All along the boardwalk faces were angled up towards the sun, soaking up the warm rays. This morning it's as though everyone has a new spring in their step! And I have another reason to feel happy -  call me a total home geek but I do love clever use of a small space. And when it comes to interior designer Joakim Walles studio apartment in Stockholm, it seems that the best things really can come in small packages! Looking at the apartment, it's hard to believe it's a mere 44 metres square (473 foot square - I hope I got that right?! I've been known to get it wildly wrong.....!), Joakim has completely renovated the space - adding in open shelving by Porro and bespoke kitchen and bathroom cabinets. To top it off, the space has been furnished throughout using a perfect blend of industrial, vintage, and designer pieces. The result is a home full of natural light, contrast, wonderful art and a lovely lived in feel. Oh, and it's for sale!

Interior design: Joakim Walles, Photos - Adam Helbaoui /Kronfoto for sale through Alexander White.

Stockholm anyone?! 

Such a clever use of space, don't you think? I especially love the open shelving used as a division between the sitting room / kitchen area and bedroom. Not only does it create some privacy, it also allow light to slip through, and provides a perfect place to display favourite books, ceramics and artwork.  Got to love that!

Is there anything that stands out to you? 

A couple of items I know and love in Joakim's apartment: Taccia lamp by Flos, source vintage industrial pendants here, the Series 7 arm chair. These wonderful mobiles I posted about recently here are similar.

Have a wonderful start to the week!

PS Don't forget to make the most of your 15% discount at Abbott & Mosley! To claim simply type in mshspring15 at checkout. Find out more here.

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A soothing Swedish space that ticks every box

Happy Friday! Yay! The sun's come out here in Malmö just for the occasion (either that or the weather elves read Wednesday's post and got the fear!! Ha!). This week we've been rocking around the world (virtually speaking of course)- with beautiful home tours in New Zealand, The Netherlands, and California, I hope you've enjoyed the ride! But today I really felt it was time to come home (it'd be kinda rude not to when the sun's come out specially, right?!). In my mind, this lovely family home in Gothenburg ticks absolutely every box - including beautiful high ceilings, large windows, a dining area bathed in light, a lovely work space, plenty of storage and two beautiful bedrooms! Oh and there's also the soothing neutral tones and two masonry ovens to cosy up to. Can I move in please?!

Credits: styling Intro Inred, photography Maria Sahlander. For sale through Bjurfors Göteborg. 

So lovely, don't you think?

Want to be my room mate?!

Get the look from this Gothenburg home: sitting room - Stocksund sofa from IKEA, House Doctor wall light, Hay tray table, macrame plant hanger. dining area - white bistro chairs, this glass bell jar is similar. Bedroom - wall light, white linen bedding. Children's room - wigwam / tee pee, Beni ourain rug, EOS pendant by VITA Copenhagen.

I'm so looking forward to the next couple of days! Last weekend I was away in Kitzbühel which was so wonderful (look out for the post about Bernd Gruber shortly!), so I'm looking forward to rocking about at home this weekend with my family. Have you got any fun plans?

Just in case you have a little spare time and fancy a whirl around the web, here are a few links I've loved this week:

Because ever record player deserves its own little spot.

The power of the black dresser (time to get the paint brush out?!).

A plant loving interior (look out for the long table!). Love!!

A glimpse of Sweden's breathtaking coastline (*shoulder's drop*).

Evidence that all you need in life is a white sofa and sheer curtains!

The cutest, smallest outdoor space I've seen.

Any favourites from these links? I do love the dresser, think I might need to make some changes at home! Don't tell the man.....

Have a wonderful weekend and see you Monday!

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An inviting Danish home with vintage touches

Hello there! I had a mail yesterday asking for advice on how to create a Scandinavian feel on a budget. Of course, there are many different looks (both dark and light) but I suggested starting with a light backdrop - white or light grey walls matched with a wood or white washed floor. From there you can make the space unique with a wonderful mix of vintage pieces (it's incredible what you can find at flea markets both at home and abroad, online auctions and one of my favourite sites - Etsy!) and combined with the odd highstreet ( IKEA find and fab new Nordic pieces. Keep textures natural using materials such as wood, leather and linen and add plenty of sheepskin and candlelight for that true hygge feel! What do you reckon? Is this your idea of a Scandinavian home? To my surprise, I found the most beautiful apartment today to illustrate my vision! Step inside the wonderful, warm and inviting home of Henrik Hemmingsen, director of Copenhagen boutique and online store Fil de Fer, captured by Martin Sølyst. I'd love to tuck into that breakfast in bed and stay all day, how about you?!

Credit: photography Martin Sølyst (shared with kind permission).

How toasty! And conceived from an entirely white backdrop too - it's amazing how vintage finds in wood and leather can add character and warmth to a space. Time to start looking for bargains? Or perhaps a visit to Fil de Fer is in order?!

A few ideas to steal from Henrik's lovely home: pick up a vintage punch bag here, cosy up with this grey sheepskin. Source a selection of vintage and antique brass candles here. The Norwegian cabin I stayed in last week had the same Tolix dining chairs (source vintage ones here and here - although you'll need to hurry, they only have a few left!) which they then softened with sheepskin seat covers. This dark grey linen bed cover and selection of cushions are beautiful.

A little note on floor paint. Rather than opting for white I went for a very pale grey (slightly confusingly named 'strong white' in my bedroom  - which I really love and can highly recommend.

A few more fab danish homes to drool over today: a lovely apartment with a relaxed vibe, the home of a Danish style icon and finally a danish home with dusty hues and a homespun feel.  Ahhh, so lovely, don't you think?!

Have a wonderful day!

PS I loved reading your 2017 home decorating goals in the houseology give-away, so inspiring! I'm excited to now have announced the winner here!

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The cosy winter home of a photographer

Hello! Happy new year! I hope you're feeling all refreshed and ready to go after the holidays? I took a slightly longer break than usual this year and spent the last week in the most magical Norwegian mountain hide-away belonging to the amazingly creative owner of Slow Design (which also features in my book The Scandinavian Home out in 8 weeks... eeee, soooo exciting!). We skied, played board games, ate good food and took in the scenery - it was a true winter wonderland!  We arrived back in southern Sweden late last night (after an eight hour drive) and now I feel all recharged and ready for the year ahead (admittedly a little bleary eyed too!).  I thought I'd kick off with something suitably cosy - the 'winter home' of British photographer Michael Sinclair. The interior draws heavily on nature and showcases an array of natural textures including reclaimed wood, stone, linen and handwoven jute as well as bowls of feathers and pine cones foraged from the nearby countryside. How wonderful?!

Credits / copyright: Michael Sinclair, represented by One. Shared with kind permission.

What a beautiful home! I love the muted colours and vintage touches - how about you?

Ideas to steal from Michael's cosy interior: linen cushion and beautiful linen fabric by the yard. I love how the draft around the door is kept out by a linen curtain, source a similar made to measure one here. This is a great place to pick up vintage chopping boards. I found similar rustic wooden stools (seen in my bedroom) here. It's amazing how much you can add to your home using items found just outside the door. In Michael's house branches make a perfect place to store jewellery and feathers make a pretty display in a ceramic vase. And they're free too!

Is there anything that catches your eye? 

Right, that's it from me today - I'm so happy to be back, I have a feeling this is going to be a great year, don't you?

Have a wonderful start to the week! 

PS Today is the final day to enter the give-away to win £300 / €355 to spend at Houseology - it only takes a second to enter and it's open to all! I've got my eye on so many things in that online store it's unbelievable - see my pick here. Yup -whoever wins is going to be one happy gal / guy!

PS One final thing (bit random!) - does anyone have any experience of an egg bath? Would love to know your thoughts.

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A soothing Swedish space

When it comes to a colour palette there's nothing more calming then soft shades of grey. And this lovely apartment in Gothenburg, Sweden has got the blend just right. It helps that it also has beautiful period features, high ceilings (painted fresh white), and large airy rooms with big windows which flood the space with natural light of course! And I spy a few of my favourite design pieces right now too (more details below!), I'd so love to be padding around here today, how about you?!

Credits: photo - Fredrik Karlsson styling: team Sarah Widman for sale through Alvhem. 

....and breathe!

I recently spotted the Bold chair by French brand Moustache in a home we photographed this summer for my book, and it's equally striking in real life. Love it!

Get the look: sitting room - Bold chair by Moustache, white silk chandelier, TS marble coffee table, crumpled linen throw. dining room - cluster light, pick up a vintage bust here, Series 7 chair, marble chopping board (I love this one-off vintage French one - there's only one though! Hurry!). bedroom - white linen bedding.

Other beautiful grey-scale homes (you knew that was coming....!) include this serene Swedish space, a dreamy urban beach home (love the sound of that right now, how about you?!) and a soothing home on the island of Gotland. I'm not sure if I dare say this, but there are actually over 120 grey and white Scandinavian homes in this archive too!!

Have a lovely day!

PS You'll notice I've been taking a two day breather from Christmas as I do like to shake things up a little! But for those of you looking for a little festive inspiration I'm back with a great gift idea for design lovers this evening and a Christmas home tour tomorrow - eeeeee! There's always my Christmas archive too?! 

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