The palatial home of a Stockholm stylist

A Friday home needs to be just a little dramatic doesn't it? Something awe-inspiring that sets us in the mood for the weekend. I knew I'd found it when these images dropped into my inbox last night. This inner-city Stockholm apartment belongs to stylist Joanna Lavén who (represented by agent molly), her husband and two children.  The architecture itself is something of a masterpiece. And as for the decorating, she had me at the hallway....

Agent molly, http://www.agentmolly.com , http://www.linkdeco.se, Photographs: Idha Lindhag with kind permission

Wow. I'm not sure where to begin actually. I guess what I love the most is that she has brought mid century up to date. Sort of mid-century meets tribal meets grey marble meets industrial. And there's that grey bed linen which is oh so popular right now too. 

How fabulous. What do you think?

I am  currently awaiting the arrival of Holly Marder (Avenue Lifestyle blog), photographer Jansje Klazinga and Tina from TravelingMama  who are coming over to shoot my home today. So exciting! I think we're going to have lots of fun and I can't wait to show you the results.

So. It's time for the weekend! Yay! Have you got any great plans? I think I'll spend the weekend relaxing (it's amazing how much work goes into getting a house ready for a shoot - phew!!! 

Before I head off - something cool, have you ever wondered what your name would be if you were Finnish? Now you can find out here. My name is Ritva Männistö (meaning A hanging branch. Home of pine trees)! 

Have a really wonderful weekend and see you Monday! 

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Monday's home: shades of grey

Hello and happy Monday to you! I'm finally back in Sweden and despite the jet lag (although it's actually quite useful to be up at 4.30am!) it's lovely to be home. It's cold, grey and gloomy compared to Thailand and Singapore but sometimes that can be beautiful too. Take this apartment for example. Decorated in black, white and grey it's the oh so cool apartment of Josefin Hååg of 20 kvadrat photographed recently for Residence Magazine.

20 kvadrat, Lotta Agaton, Sara Mortensen. Photography: Kristofer Johnsson for Residence

I am loving that it has the real Lotta Agaton stamp (check out another styling project by Lotta here and her own home). Lotta is my absolute favourite stylist of the moment, she has such a unique personal style. She is also a firm believer that grey will be the go-to colour for interiors in 2014 like in the home featured here.

What do you love about this home?

Oh and I have some exciting news: the book featuring my house:  Design Bloggers at Home by Ellie Tennant launches in March. I can't wait to see a copy! I only hope there were no socks lurking under the sofa or something...!

And the second exciting thing is I'm holding a fab give-away here tomorrow so be sure to pop back for your chance to win.

Have a lovely Monday!

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The home of an Australian stylist

Set on top of a hill in Brisbane, Australia, this beautiful home belongs to stylist Kara Rosenlund, her husband and flock of Pekin Bantam hens. Kara is a master at vintage finds which she then blends with contemporary pieces.  The space has such a summer time feel to it with it's soft hues, white pannelled walls and sunny veranda. Love this space!

Photography and styling Kara Rosenlund with kind permission. Via 79 ideas. 

I could live here, could you?!

I spotted a lot of beautiful round rugs like the one in the top picture on Etsy last night here.

This morning I'm preparing my home for  shoot. First stop IKEA! I do love a morning at IKEA, my Mum thinks I'm mad as the one in London is not really somwwhere you'd go to chill out.....but here in Southern Sweden it's totally different. I might just stop for a coffee and cinnamon bun in the cafe too!

Have a lovely day!

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A little ray of sunshine from LA

Today we're all battoning down our hatches here in Southern Sweden Meteorologists have predicted the worst snow storm in 10 years. GRRR! On days like today we need a home whuich comes with a little ray of sunshine. This fun, vibrant sitting room belongs to the fabulous Bri Emery of Design Love Fest fame and was the result of a collaboration with one of LA's hottest interior designers / stylists Emily Henderson. It's just the fix I need!

photos by: laure joliet, space designed by: emily henderson, makeup by: danielle walsh

With kind permission from Bri Emery, Design Love Fest

Love the mid century Danish touches, love the colour, love the prints and the plants. In fact the whole living room space makes me smile and it's just the inspiration I needed on this snowy morning in March! What about you?

More pictures and a very cool before and after snap here. Oh and a full feature in the LA Times here!

Before I head off into the snow, if my blog looks a bit weird for a few days it's because it's going through a small facelift which I'm working on with the talented Ana from Blog Milk. I hope you'll like the end result! See you tomorrow :)

PS Thank you so much for all your lovely words about my bedroom yesterday. Lots to do still bit it's a start :)

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Home tour: Stylist Saša Antić

Hello! From Copenhagen, Denmark yesterday, to Sweden's capital city today. This is the fabulous home of Stockholm based interior stylist, fashion and props expert Saša Antić. Sasa's philosphy: "Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes; and most importantly, having fun – that’s really what it’s all about." 

Photography:  Jonas Ingerstedt for Elle Interiör. With kind permission from home owner and stylist: Saša Antić via Anna Gillar

In my mind, what really makes this home are the vignettes; he has collected so many interesting items and then artfully arranged them in a way that looks fab. Very inspiring!

What do you like best about this home?

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Home tour: Anne Louise Breiner

I've gone stylist Rikke Graff Juel crazy this week. Yesterday we took a peek at Anne Mette Jensen Skodborg's lovely home. And today I'd like to show you the Copenhagen apartment of Anne Louise Breiner of BALlab which has also been styled by Rikke. There's just so much inspiration to be taken from this space from the artwork and mismatched chairs around the dining table to the flea market / mid century finds and pretty spring flowers. Lovely, lovely, lovely!

Stylist: Rikke Graff Juel. With kind permission from photographer: Frederrike Heiberg via Ellens Album with kind permission from Anne Louise Briener

Tricky to actually choose a favourite room (perhaps the bedroom?) and hard to believe this is all aqueezed into 90 metres of space! It makes think I need to start rummaging around the local flea markets more (and pay a visit to the local flower shop!).

PS Grand prix chair envy!

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Lovely work by stylist Sania Pell

Sania Pell is one very talented stylist. I've been browsing her portfolio and blog for hours (as you do on a cold wintery day in Sweden). She's lovely too (I know as I sent her a mail about sharing a few images and she couldn't have responded quicker and been more helpful) we're also both London girls and it transpires that we both studied in Edinburgh too so I have taken an even bigger liking to her work now - ha! But seriously, don't you love these images Sania styled for Cox & Cox last Autumn?

Styled by Sania Pell, Photographs by Emma Lee for Cox & Cox

Sania also has a couple of books out; The Homemade Home for Children and The Homemade Home. How cool. I have a dream to write an interior book one day. Do you have a dream like this? Perhaps we can write one together :)
These images set the tone nicely for my weekend. I've promised to bake cakes with my girls, although I'm feeling a little ill-equipped now that I see the cute footprint cookie cutter! Oh and I'm also missing a sweet and soft looking cat too. Hmmm.

Have a really lovely weekend! (see you on Pinterest!).

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