The Inspiring Monochrome Home of An LA Interior Designer

Hej vänner, hur må ni idag? - Can you tell I'm feeling the Swedish after sharing my film yesterday?! Having said that, I'm about to whisk you to a home far, far, far away where the sun is shining and the weather is warm - yep, today we're going on a virtual trip to Los Angeles and the beautiful home of Anne Sage! Looking at her lovely abode you can probably guess she works in the interior world. And yes, Anne is indeed a full-time interior designer as well as the author of popular design book Sage Living - a business that started when she launched her blog almost 12 years ago (wow -  that makes her blog even older than My Scandinavian Home!). Anne is also a content creator and the co-owner of a creative studio and photography space in LA called LightLab (which looks amazing!). Yet, she's still found the time to do everything from refinishing the floors to renovating the kitchen in her wonderful 1954 LA rental which she shares with her husband Ivan, two cats and a baby on the way. The look is monochrome with warm touches of light wood and brass. Ready for the tour?

The kitchen has been built using cabinet doors from Semihandmade which are designed to fit IKEA units. It was kind of cool to discover that there's a washing machine and tumble dryer hidden behind the cabinets to the right - I'm all for keeping things clean (and I'm not talking about the clothes!!). The oven is from Kitchenaid and the lights are by Schoolhouse.

I do believe it's that Stockholm 2017 coffee table again (remember it appeared at the end of the bed in yesterday's home?). From the name I'm guessing IKEA intended it to be used as a coffee table (rocket scientist that I am!!) but I've yet to see anyone using it that way. It certainly makes a fine bench as seen here in a corner of Anne's kitchen. 

I absolutely love the spotted rug (from Jaipur Living) - it totally makes the space, don't you think? The sofa is from Thayer Coggin) and the wall light is Serge Mouille.

One of the things Anne loves the most about her home is the large windows which flood the living space with light. I like how California Closets have built the units around the window. 

On Instagram Anne declared that she loves the Hoffmann Armchair (seen here as a desk chair) almost  as. much as (if not more) than her husband. I can totally see why! It's a beauty!

Ever since photographing Gen's office a few weeks back, I'm convinced that every workspace needs a daybed. Are you with me on that? This fine specimen is from Blue Dot.

EDIT: I initially thought this nursery was in Anne's house ready for the BIG arrival (and I could be forgiven for thinking that, considering it fits in perfectly with her aesthetic, but actually Anne created this lovely nursery for a client.  The über soothing palette is perfect for lulling a baby to sleep (and that armchair is ideal for exhausted parents!). 

Cot from Babyletto, art from Minted and lighting by Mitzi.

I think I could curl up in that armchair and have a snooze right now.  Doesn't it look inviting? 

Is there anything that stood out to you about Anne's home? 

You can see more snapshots over on Anne's instagram @citysage and blog. 

Shall we take at a few more LA homes? After all, we have come all this way....

California meets Scandinavia in a Cosy LA Home

A Jewel In The Suburbs of LA

A Warm and inviting Boho-Style LA home

Have a lovely day! 

Niki

Photography: Monica Wang shared with kind permission

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This Stunning Stockholm Apartment Could Be Yours (If Only It Came With The Furniture!)

Remember the Stockholm home of Lovisa Häger? It's just come on the market. I'm not kidding! Oh, how I'd love to buy it along with EVERYTHING in it! Sadly, that's not going to be possible (from my side, at least). But I'm excited to see that the (beautiful) pictures taken for Nomad Mäkleri give us a sneak peek into a few more unseen corners. Think dark grey, soft pink and beige accents and autumnal touches against crazily high ceilings, beautiful period features and a 19th century wood floor. Let's just hope it comes with the design classics and all Lovisa's handmade pieces. See you in Vasastan, Stockholm?!

Could you imagine living here?!

Unfortunately, it's not that easy to just upticks and move to Stockholm - but there's no reason why we can't steal some ideas - like how to play with contrast and use texture to add depth to a monochrome space. 

You can see more of Lovisa's incredible home on her blog An Interior Affair and Instagram @an_interior_affair - I can't wait to see what she does next, how about you?! 

It's kind of apt that I've featured a Stockholm apartment as I'm on my way to Sweden's capital city for the day! I'm holding a talk about Swedish culture / Lagom - one of my favourite topics! Still, I can't help feeling a little nervous. Wish me luck!

I hope you have a fabulous start to the week!

Niki

Photography by Elisabeth Daly courtesy of Nomad Mäkleri. Design Lovisa Häger. 

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Relaxed Californian Meets Modern Scandinavian In An Incredible Family Home

Despite its location in the heart of Venice, California, the owners approached Amber Interiors to transform their house into a Scandinavian Modern Cabin. The results take the indoor-outdoor lifestyle Scandinavians so love, to an entirely new level. Bifold doors in the kitchen and sitting room pull back to create a seamlessness between the interior and exterior and allow a cool breeze to float through the house on warmer evenings. Inside, the theme is strictly monochrome with natural wood and layers of textiles adding softness and warmth. Vintage and contemporary pieces sit by side and the vibrant green hue from a plant is never far away. Enjoy the tour - this home is incredible! 

Flag halyard chair (one of my all time favourites!), leather pouf*, kilim rug*

Look: a TV! Soon we can start saying the 'screen' has become a thing on My Scandinavian Home, don't you think? I love how wood panelling has been used to hide the electrics - so clever! 

The tall plant in the corner of the room completes the look in a beautiful way by adding height. 

The Serge Mouille two-arm wall light* becomes a statement piece against a matt white wall - and can be angled so both can read at night.

This is one of the most inspiring shared children's room I've ever seen - isn't that white and wood bunkbed incredible?! 

Well, what did you think? 

I could move right in and not change a single thing! 

You can see more pictures and find out where many of the smaller pieces are from here. 

If this look has got you dreaming about Scandinavian modern cabins - here are a few others you might enjoy:

A magical Norwegian mountain cabin

A striking holiday home in rural Iceland

An idyllic Swedish hide-away on the island of Dalarö

Soooo dreamy!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! 

Niki

PS Thank you so much for all your lovely comments about my summer cottage kitchen - I'm so happy you like it! It feels great to have finally finished it! 

Design: Amber Interiors

Construction: Potter Mills 

Photography: Tessa Neustadt

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Before And After: A Dated Georgia House Gets The Scandi Treatment!

Oh, how I love to see before and after shots. I find it so inspiring to get an idea of the complete transformation - and the feeling that anything is possible with a little imagination and hard graft (and depending on the scale, some cash, of course!) - how about you? When my amazingly talented friend Valentina Fussell acquired her home in Georgia, Atlanta it was dated and a sea of beige, beige and more beige. But the moment she and her husband Jack and their three children stepped through the door they were in love. Looking at the bones, I can totally see why! Valentina had the vision to turn the house into a striking, contemporary, light-filled home inspired by their years abroad, including a stint in Copenhagen. You might recall a previous feature of the house here (and a tour of their Danish home here) but I couldn't resist revisiting the space today to share a little more about the transformation and show some of the before pictures. Drumroll, please! 

KITCHEN (BEFORE)

AFTER 

Valentina and Jack completely gutted the kitchen and decided on dark grey cabinets (from Bell Cabinetry & Design) to add energy and a sense of drama to the space. Dark colours also help to mask appliances. 

VALENTINA'S OFFICE (BEFORE)

AFTER

Perhaps the most dramatic room in the house, Valentina's office has been painted entirely in dark grey. the large windows help to bathe the space in light. It reminds me a little of the lovely home of Lotta Agaton - what do you think? 

LIVING ROOM (BEFORE)

AFTER

Valentina stuck to her monochromatic scheme and added warmth with details such as books, figurines, photos and plants as well as cushions and blankets. The wood floor is from Authentic Reclaimed Hardwoods and selected due to the imperfect 'alive' nature of the grain which adds texture and a relaxed feel to the monochrome space. I have to say; this room is BEYOND...!!! 

JACK'S OFFICE (BEFORE)

AFTER

This bedroom was transformed into Jack's office. A work in progress (although I struggle to see how it can be improved!), the office has been decorated with a black and white scheme with added texture and interest from a large, patterned rugs, art other personal possessions. 

MASTER BATHROOM (BEFORE)

AFTER

The master bathroom was the first room in the house to be renovated. The pair opted for a more classic look so it would stand the test of time. 

VALENTINA'S DAUGHTER'S ROOM

Valentina's daughter was given free rein to decorate her bedroom. And judging by the results, it seems an eye for design runs in the family! My eldest daughter also loves to personalise her room with pictures - usually ripped out without scissors and haphazardly stuck to the wall using copious amounts of Sellotape! I am feeling particularly inspired by the way the pictures have been displayed in this teenage bedroom! Great inspiration! Thank you! 

What an incredible transformation, don't you think?! Valentina is just so clever!! 

If you're curious to hear more about the renovations and see more of the home (including 'the catwalk' and amazing conservatory, take a peek at her films here and here. 

Valentina recently relaunched House of Valentina stateside and helps others buy, sell, renovate and decorate. One day she dreams of opening a shop loaded with all the items used to stage and decorate homes. If she does, I'll be the first in line, how about you?! 

See more fabulous 'before and afters'! 

Have a lovely day! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Valentina Fussell with thanks. 

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