The studio / home of a Danish carpenter and designer

Happy Wednesday! It's more than likely you're reading this on a coffee break at work, so I thought it'd be apt to offer a little office / studio inspiration - in case you feel like shaking things up a little. It comes in the form of Københavns Møbelsnedkeri a carpenter's studio in Copenhagen owned by former guitar maker and graphic designer Kim Dolva. People are queuing up for Kim's high quality bespoke wooden fittings and furniture and I can totally see why after taking a peek inside his studio and home which he shares with his wife - interior designer, illustrator and ceramicist Mette Bonnavent and daughter Lucille. Could you see yourself working in a space like this?!

Photographer Gyrithe Lemche, Stylist Mette Bonavent. Shared with kind permission from Kim Dolva.

Would it actually feel like work here?!

In case you're wondering what that fabulous chair in the last image is  - it's the PP130 Circle chair by my favourite designer Hans Wegner. A true Danish classic. 

More incredible studios to inspire a new work space include the creative Swedish space of Katrin Bååth, the Brooklyn home and studio of a creative couple and the industrial style atelier of a Swedish illustrator.

Or if you feel like jumping ship completely I spotted this beautiful land in the Swedish alps for sale - it lies in the mountainous countryside just outside Åre, one of Sweden's largest ski resorts. Could you imagine spending your winters here - what a lovely life?!

A quick reminder that the wonderful guys at Design Collectors are offering everyone 15% off with code MYSCAN!

Have a lovely day! 

READ MORE...

11

A happy and relaxed, boho studio in L.A

It's Friday - oooo yes! I've been waiting for you! Although don't you feel sometimes the weekends go like this?! I'm finding Californian style so inspiring this week and after yesterday's home I went on a hunt for another happy space. And it came in the form of Justin Blakeney's studio in L.A. The industrial architecture makes a great backdrop - the huge windows let in an abundance of natural light, and I'm loving the high ceilings. But it's the vibrant colours and patterns along with the relaxed boho vibe which caught my eye. I know shocks of colour aren't for everyone (especially if you like the monochrome style) but hey, it's the weekend - and they're designed to be colourful right?!  

Justina Blakeney shared with kind permission.

If Monday morning came round and you were headed here wouldn't you feel just a little bit of a skip in your step?!

For more inspiration - Justina is the author behind fab book 'The new Bohemians'. And a ton more office / work / studio space ideas here.

Other links from around the web this weekend:

If you're in the mood for a little DIY project this weekend, I'm loving this key rack (although you might be tempted to buy a neon bag to go with it!).

How cute are these brightly painted sticks and shelves? If you're a bit of a dab hand, perhaps you could make your own this weekend?

Here in Sweden there are deliciously ripe apples all over the ground begging to be baked in a pie or even a comforting melted cheese and apple sandwich - mmmmm! 

Oh and if you're looking at doing up a child's bedroom I've just discovered Yorkelee's cute kids prints as seen in this pic (love the swing too!). In fact, they'd look good in any of these lovely children's bedrooms (inspiration galore!).

Have a wonderful weekend!

PS LAST DAY to vote for My Scandinavian Home in the Amara Interior Blog Awards - I'd be so happy if you feel like stopping by here to vote.

READ MORE...

6

Ordinary attic to a fab work studio in Holland

Do you see work as a necessary evil or hop out of bed like the joys of spring on a Monday morning (actually, does that person actually exist - I mean on a Tuesday yes, but a Monday?!). Either way, most of us have to put our heads to the grindstone for quite a few hours each week - so we may as well make it a happy place!  It was in this vain I decided to share the home studio of (the very lovely) Holly Marder from Avenue Lifestyle blog in The Haague. Holly recently transformed an ordinary attic room into a flexible, mutli-functional and inspiring modern space where she can sit and work and meet clients. Oh and did I mention it's packed full of Dutch and Scandinavian pieces, vintage finds and the odd French masterpiece?

All photography / design / styling: Holly Marder. Shared with kind permission.

It's really not surprising that Holly has created such a fab space, that girl is sooo talented (see her recent bedroom make-over here, and some of the homes she's styled here, here and here)! Even so it's incredible what you can do with an attic room....I might just have to set up a meeting so I can go and hang out there for a day or two...

Is this your kind of studio?

Tips on where items are from: wooden push pins (moodboard) / vintage persian rug / Natural rug / Iumi Steckdesign pendant light / IKEA Docksta table / side cabinet is BESTA from IKEA which has been souped up with doors, brass handles and top from Superfront / Buy similar hanging planters here (20% discount with code MSH20 right now) / Isaac plug-in Sconce task light in brass / Nude study oil on canvas (Henri Matisse) / ALEX desk storage.

Take a peek at the complete before and after. 

More lovely studios / work spaces include this industrial warehouse, a Danish / Norwegian space and and a entire moodboard here. And for the kids - I love this cute black and white creative corner.

Have a lovely day!

PS back by popular demand - the archive labels (to the left), I've realised over the past three years I've posted over 1200 home tours!! Crazy! 

PPS Thank you so much to Elegance magazine who listed me in their top ten favourite European design blogs!! Such an honour!

READ MORE...

8

The fab Brooklyn home and studio of a creative duo

Recently I've shown quite a few makers' spaces. Having made the leap from the corporate world to starting my own business at home (tea, toast and laptop in bed on a snowy day - now you're talking!), I am intrigued by the worlds of others who combine their living and work space. Today's art-filled Williamsburg warehouse in Brooklyn is home and studio to creative duo Jessica Barensfeld and Simon Howell and cat Kooks. Jessica (a jewelry designer) and Simon recently founded Lynn & Lawrence - a shop dedicated to selling hand-knit alpaca and wool hats. The light, airy loft, beautifully captured by Emily Johnston, is adorned with surf boards, large-leaved plants and handmade pieces for a truly inspiring, characterful environment.

Home-owner: Jessica Barensfeld and Simon Howell / Lynn & Lawrence. Photographer: Emily Johnston (with kind permission). For: Urban Outfitters Blog.

Could you work/ live here?

What does your work space look like?

Although I love working from home, my ultimate dream is to share a creative work space. Is there anyone with the same dream? Or perhaps you're already there? Some of my favourite studios include this collaborative workspace in Brooklyn, the light-filled studio of Camille Styles and the industrial style atelier of Love Warriors. One day...!

For those of you looking for home office, atelier, and studio inspiration - there's a ton more inspiration here. Who needs open plan anyway?!

It's never wrong to take time to pour over a few converted warehouse homes too!
 If you'd rather think about anything but work today check out this camper-van / trailer with an unbelievable twist! Something for the summer holidays?!

Have a lovely day!

READ MORE...

9

The lovely home and atelier of an artist

This Friday I'm part of the  'Makers Spaces' blog tour, a new book by Emily Quinton. And it got me thinking about the wonderful creative spaces people live and work in. Johanna Bradford  and Kristin Lagerqvist shot this simply beautiful home and atelier in Varberg on Sweden's West coast a while back. With a sea-view on one side and forests on the other, it's the perfect place for Lisa Burenius to paint and enjoy life with her family - Petter and Eddie. The artist describes her interior style as 1930's with a personal twist, and loves to surround herself with personal objects, books and ceramics. Her advice is to 'listen to the house and trust your instinct. A home should be personal and warm, it should tell a story about who you are'. I feel her home is a perfect example of this, don't you?

 

Stylist: Johanna Bradford (with kind permission). Photographer: Kristin Lagerqvist

It's wonderful to see an entirely unique home where the personality shines through. It's got soul.

Lisa has some great ideas too - I love the way the books have been arranged so that some are facing outwards and piled high. I also like the simplicity of the fern leaves in jam jars and the retro set of garden furniture outside. All in all, a truly inspiring home.

What do you love most about this space?

You can see more pictures here if you'd like. 

It's well worth checking out Lisa's website  too- I love the video showing her at work in the atelier.  Her work is available here.

I often dip into the art studio archive for ideas. And my office Pinterest board has oodles of work space inspiration. Hey, if we've gotta work we might as well make it pretty, don't you think?

Have a lovely day!

PS do you have a wonderful maker's space I can share on the blog this week? If so, drop me a mail!

READ MORE...

6

The fab light-filled studio of Camille Styles

Happy Monday! Is there such a thing?! Well yes, if you work in a space like this. Designed by Claire Zinnecker  for Camille Styles, the studio is filled with natural light, pops of bright colours and lush greenery. There's also plenty of meeting / social spaces where I could see myself drinking tea and chatting - I mean, brainstorming- which include a fab sofa, round Tulip table and grey marble kitchen.  I'm sure I'd look forward to my Monday mornings would be if I worked in this studio, how about you?

 

Owner: Camille Styles. Designer: Claire Zinnecker. Shared with kind permission from the photographer: Jessica Pages

Is this your kind of work space?

Items I know and love: Eames DSR side chairs, kilim cushions/pillows, rustic wooden stool, Tulip dining table.

A lot of thought has gone into this space. Not only does it look great but everything is designed to stimulate productivity. Take the table -research suggests having items which are curved rather than straight create positive emotions which in turn stimulates creativity. Round tables also encourage people to work together (if ever there was an excuse to invest in a Tulip table).

In turn, research has shown that the presence of greenery can help employees recover from demanding activities, lower stress levels and reduce office pollution levels. Time for a little indoor gardening?!

See more pictures of this fab studio here. I also love this, this and this studio and all of these images for office/atelier/studio inspiration.

I also found this piece interesting about why large open-plan offices are so not cool.

Have a great start to the working week! 

PS Thank you so much to everyone who entered the weekend give-away - the winner will be announced here later today! 

PPS I am in the process of making a few improvements to my blog design, please bear with me! if you see anything strange it would be great to hear about it in the comment section. Thank you! 

READ MORE...

10