The serene Bergen home of Gunn Kristin Monsen

Hej! I hope you had a wonderful weekend?! It's been pouring all day here in South Sweden, but I kinda don't mind a wet Monday, do you? I mean it's better than a wet Saturday, right?! I kicked off the day with a photo shoot in my bedroom (sounds dodgy, it's not! Check out instagram stories for more if you're curious!) supported by copious amounts of coffee and the dulcet tones of my friend, Kat Healy on Spotify (she has such a beautiful voice)! Another talented lady is Gunn Kristin Monsen - a visual storyteller and lifestyle photographer based in Bergen, Norway. You only have to look at Gunn's beautiful Instagram feed to get an idea of her work and innate sense of style (she also has a lovely blog). Gunn frequently shares snapshots of her home which has been decorated in soft blue and grey tones and white to reflect the lake it overlooks.  She kindly gave me permission to share a few of them on My Scandinavian Home today.  Enjoy!

All photography: Gunn Kristin Monsen

How lovely! There's something poetic about Gunn's photography. I love that there's flower theme throughout  (look closely and you'll spot one on the bed too...).

Is there anything that stands out to you?

If you'd like to see a little more Norwegian home inspiration today, don't miss this archive (as always, if this pops up first just scroll passed!).

Have a great start to the week!

PS I'm gearing up to several press interviews with US newspapers this afternoon which have been set up ahead of the launch of the US & Canadian version of my new book Lagom: The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life tomorrow - so exciting! Better go and prepare (one's a podcast!).

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A beautifully serene Norwegian space

I've had the pleasure of visiting Norway twice in the last six months. Both times I've been truly amazed; not only is it the most beautiful country on earth, the people are so warm too! I've been welcomed into many homes - and felt truly inspired by what was within (you can see the results in my book The Scandinavian Home: Interiors inspired by light out soon - exciting!). Although I've never had the pleasure of meeting Norwegian architect and blogger Katerina Dima in person, we've been in regular contact over mail (us bloggers do like to keep in touch!). Originally from sunny Athens, Greece, Katerina lives in Sogndal with her husband and cat. Despite her background, she has always been drawn to the Scandinavian aesthetic and chosen to decorate her home in a 'cool tone palette' using soft greys and fresh white, adding a touch of yellow to the paint to add warmth. Sheer fabrics and natural textures such as wood, cotton, linen and wool add a wonderful softness to the space. Let's take a peek inside!

Photography: Katerina Dima / Only Deco Love.

I absolutely love the canopy over the bed - it's dream like!

Is there anything you love in particular about Katerina's home?

Get the look: bedroom - Skagerak mirror and Georg stool, relaxed light linen bedding and valence, (absolutely love this!),  Flowerpot lamp, Petits Papiers Mad et Len scented candle,
The Kinfolk Table. sitting room - le lampe gras wall light (also seen in Katerina's office), grey ruffled pillow (so lovely!), belly basket, Landmarks print.

You can keep up with Katerina's latest projects,  houses renovations, interior design ideas and whatever captures her eye in the interior world over at her lovely blog Only Deco Love and Instagram.

Got you in the Norwegian mood? You might also like to check out a cosy Norwegian home in the country, a serene home on a hill, the home of a Norwegian blogger - all beautiful in their own way!

Have a lovely day!

PS Looking for a new watch or a present for a friend? Don't miss the 15% discount off an Abbott & Mosley watch with a dial made from real Italian marble!).

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Festive touches in a beautiful Norwegian home

There are a few spaces that I love to go back to time and again. The Norwegian house of blogger Elisabeth Heier is one of them. Elisabeth has that rare talent which combines impeccable interior design and styling with the ability to take beautiful photos - the result of which is regularly featured on her blog. Over the past few weeks, Elisabeth's been adding subtle festive touches to her home - including a white advent calendar, pretty stars, a mini tree, and a wreath (in the bedroom - love that!). Let's take a peek....

Credits: photography / copyright: Elisabeth Heier. Shared with kind permission.

So lovely?!  The light, the natural linen, the pine - everything!

Get the look: dining area - &traditional mass light (marble version), Eames DSR chairs, grey linen napkins, a cast iron teapot, daybed: Himla cushion, sheepskin throw, Christmas tree heart decoration by Stelton. bedroom - brass wreath from COOEE design, the bedding is from Hoi of Scandinavia, marble table light (I also love this one by Lee Broom).

Elisabeth shares her coffee table styling tips (and where the items are from on her coffee table here) - just saying!

Do you remember her home from Christmas 2014? The space looks equally beautiful in summer time (as you can imagine!) - you can find all the posts I've shared of her current and previous home here (not that I'm stalking her or anything....).

And since we're already in Norway - how about a few other favourites including this serene house looking out over the Oslo fjord,  a cosy Norwegian country house and the rustic cabin hide-away. Guh!

Since visiting this summer for my next book I'm officially in love with Norway (I can't wait for you to see the three Norwegian homes we photographed!) and so looking forward to going back as soon as possible (I discovered Oslo is only five hours drive from where I live - how amazing is that?!) - have you been?!

Have a great day!

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A cosy Norwegian home in the country

While photographing homes for my next book -The Scandinavian Home this summer we visited some beautiful places including Oslo, the surrounding fjords (one home was only reachable by boat!) and a mountainous region near Lillehammer and I was completely bowled over. Norway is the most beautiful country ever! I'm only too aware of the parts I haven't seen and have to go back soon to explore. When I do, I'd love to stop by the idyllic country home of Marthe Holien Bø near Stryn on the West coast (once featured here). Marthe is often snapping corners of her home for her wonderful blog  and instagram feed. We were in touch this summer and sadly I didn't get to visit in person, but she has kindly invited us all to step inside her home today.....

Credits / copyright: Marthe Holien Bø / @marsipanogsmilefjes shared with kind permission.

What a beautiful home, don't you think?!

I particulary love the mix of exposed wood, white and black panelled walls and the layers of texture - sheepskins, linen, cable kit cushions and throws. It looks so cosy!

Is there anything that stands out to you?

Get the look from Marthe's lovely home: dining - pick up a vintage industrial swivel chair here. Buy lovely vintage candlestick holders here, icelandic sheepskin throw. Sitting room -  House Doctor Molecular light, tree stump side table,  grey cable knit blanket,  prints from Desenio, Eames chair, wooden star.

Shall we take a peek inside some more Norwegian homes today? Like the serene home on a hill (this is the same beautiful home all decked out for Christmas) a charming home in green, grey and cognac (and the same home in a whiter shade - fab!). And finally, the perfect Norwegian home on a summer's day (and at Christmas!).

Oh Norwegian's, we love your style!

Have a lovely day!

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A lovely Norwegian home in summertime

Summer's in full swing here in Scandinavia and there's nowhere I'd rather be ('there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing' - I hear in Finland it was 11 degrees yesterday - brrrrr!). One particular home in Norway is making full use of being in the land of  the glorious midnight sun. Photographer Elisabeth Heier, who's lovely home I've previously featured here, here and here (yes, I love her style), recently shared pictures of her terrace, ready for long suppers al fresco with family and friends. I love the delicate touches of wild summer flowers indoors too. Perfect inspiration for the weekend, don't you think?!

Source: Elisabeth Heier, with kind permission.

Oh so lovely! It's amazing what you a difference you can make with a handful of pretty wild flowers from the garden. 

Do you have a favourite flower?

Get the look from Elisabeth's home:

Terrace - Elisabeth laid the table on the terrace with Broste Copenhagen dinnerware, fresh white napkins, and flowers picked from the garden and arranged in little vases in various heights and shapes.

Bedroom - The back wall is painted in 1269 Demring (Lady Pure Color) from Jotun. Also featured -  milk lamp, beige stonewashed linen bedding, and Flowerpot lamp. Flower weave rug.

Front of stairs - marble table lamp.  Hallway - &tradition mass light (I also love this marble hanging light), Henrik Rasmussen vase.

Hallway - LIND DNA tray, Swing clothes hanger.

And before I head off, here's a little weekend link love:

I love the idea of designing a room around a painting (this is also a great example!). 

Go big (or go home) with botanicals this season. 

Two ways to see Italy - would you choose this or this?

This cute baby blanket has got over 35,000 repins on Pinterest (I can totally see why, can you?!)

That's the cake solved for Saturday afternoon tea (and Sunday)- nom nom nom!I'd need to recover on this Safari daybed / terrace afterwards - bliss!

And finally, the world's best beaches....just cos.

Have a wonderful weekend, see you Monday! 

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