A Home In The South of France With a Lovely Black Kitchen

Black kitchens are on my mind after chatting to Desirée of Vosgesparis over the past few days (she's currently renovating a kitchen too so we had a lot to talk about!). We're in Transylvania for a few days on a blogger trip and today we're off to Dracula's castle! Mwah ha ha haaaa. Anyway, where was I? Ah yes, black kitchens. They are not for everyone but if you have the courage to go dark, you'll be rewarded with a dramatic space that makes a wonderful statement. This warm kitchen belongs to Camille - a deco coach, online shop owner and the blogger behind Cosy Home - her husband and two little boys, Jules and Noah. The family live in a pretty little village near Aix en Provence in the South of France and their home is full of vintage and artisanal pieces from the region, art, warm wood as well as lots of plants and dried flowers. I couldn't resist sneaking in a few pictures of their open-plan dining room and sitting room too (you'll totally see why!).

Such a lovely family space, don't you think? I'd be happy to hang out here over a fika or two, how about you?! 

You can see more of Camille's home on instagram and her blog. 

Tempted by a black kitchen? Try IKEA (made from recycled plastic bottles), Reform (one of my latest favourites) and VIPP.

Right, I'd better head off, I've got an important 'Count' to visit. I'm so glad I had all that garlic at the Italian restaurant last night! 

If you'd like to see a few pics from Transylvania they're all on my instagram stories right now - it's mesmerisingly beautiful here. Have you been to this part of the world?

Niki

PS I apologise for any spelling / grammar errors - I'm writing from the back of a very bumpy mini bus!

Photography: Camille / Cosy Home

READ MORE...

4

A Beautiful Danish Ceramicist's House By The Sea

If you take the coastal road just North of Copenhagen you'll find yourself snaking up the Danish Riviera lined with pretty hedgerows and incredible homes looking out over the Öresund strait, one of which belongs to Danish ceramicist Hannah Koppel. Perched high up on a clifftop with magnificent vistas out to sea, the home is understated yet full of art and interesting pieces - some of which were created by Hannah's Father - the late artist and designer Henning Koppel, who resided here until 1981. The light-filled space still serves as a home and ceramics studio today.

A stainless steel vase* and alarm clock* designed by Henning Koppel for Georg Jensen can be seen on the windowsill (we actually have one of his wall clocks* and barometers in one of our windows too!). The ceramic vase (used for pens) is one of Hannah's creations. 

Lovely to see another CD collection (this is the second time in the space of a week!) - it never fails to make me feel nostalgic, how about you? 

TIP - less is definitely more in Scandinavian spaces. Think about creating negative / empty space   around prized items (like the sculpture above) so that you can more easily admire the form. 

More items designed by Henning for Georg Jensen can be seen on the windowsill. A simple workman's stool provides a perch from which to gaze out into the garden. 

Vintage bentwood chairs surround a Tulip table*. In the far corner you can glimpse a Porcelight designed by one of Henning Koppel's contemporaries - Erik Magnussen. I've been a fan for years and have three over my dining table!

Hannah's studio can be found down a spiral staircase. Imagine having a space like this from which to create? A dream! 

What a stunning, light-filled home, don't you think?! 

Could you imagine working from here? Sure beats my former corporate workspace overlooking a motorway!

Find out more about Hannah Koppel's ceramics here (you'll need two translate the page from Danish). 

If you ever find yourself in Copenhagen why not hire a bike and head up the coast - I promise it'll be worth the effort! 

Other Danish homes to dream about today: 

15 coastal living ideas to steal from a breathtaking Danish home

My day at a charming cottage by the sea

A charming summer cottage on the Danish island of Fejø

Hav en dejlig dag!

Niki

PS I spy Swantje Hinrichsen sitting on the front steps. She doesn't actually live there but was invited on the same tour! :) 

Photography: Freya August for Scandinavian Standard, shared with kind permission. 

Affiliate links marked with *

READ MORE...

6

A Lovely, Hyggligt Home In Jutland, Denmark

Newlyweds Katrine and Jacob Laoru know how to create a hyggligt home that's full of charm. The creative pair (Katrine is an interior decorator and visual merchandiser and Jacob is studying Psychology at Aarhus University while making beautiful clay masks in his spare time), live in Mårslet, a village in Eastern Jutland, Denmark with their 12-year-old cairn terrier Nemo. Their cosy home is furnished with a beautiful collection of vintage finds, Danish classics and plenty of art against a soft, muted backdrop. Hints of warm brown and terracotta add just the right amount of warmth, while natural materials give the space a wonderful lived-in vibe. Enjoy!

Grand Prix chair*

Panthella lamp* (found secondhand), LÖNHOLT rug from IKEA.

"We found the Wegner armchair secondhand. It's the comfiest thing ever! The seat is so wide, my dog and I can easily sit there together."

Kizu lamp

TIP! Creating a naturally aesthetically pleasing interior is about balance - in the corner of the living room, the terracotta linen curtains pick out similar shades in the oil painting for a perfectly balanced look. I have found that pairing items in terms of colour helps a space to come together and creates a sense of harmony (it's a tool I also used in this styling work in my own home a few weeks back).

Grönadal rocking chair, source a similar sheepskin here* 

Clay masks by Jacob Laoru, Flos 265 light* 

What a lovely home! It all feels so natural!

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

I've been thinking about making a trip to Eastern Jutland for a while (I've been to Skagen but keen to visit other parts too!). In case you feel the same, I asked Katrine for a few tips:

Katrine's East Jutland must-sees /dos: 

1. Visit Moesgaard Museum - the architect is amazing!

2. Go for a hike in Mols Bjerge National Park in summer time

3. Take a walk at Kalø Slotsruin

4. Enjoy the best ice cream ever at Social Foodies in M P Bruuns Gade, Aarhus

You can see more of Katrine and Jacob's lovely home here. 

I've shown a fair few homes from the Danish mainland in the past. Some of my absolute favourites include a rural retreat in Jutland, hygge and pops of colour in a Danish family home and a relaxed mid-century inspired Danish home. Guh! Did I tell you just how much I love Danish style?! 

Have a hyggligt day! 

Niki

Photography: Katrine Laoru shared with kind permission

READ MORE...

1

A Relaxed, Vintage Inspired Family Home in the French Countryside

Why, hello there! How was your weekend? It's been snowing all morning here in Malmö - such a perfect excuse to pad around at home in chunky knit socks! I was so happy to see many of you also loved graphic designer, artist and interior decorator Zoé de Las Cases' Paris apartment on Friday. There's something so special about her style. As mentioned Zoe and her lovely family: husband Benjamin, daughter Olya (6), son Sacha (4) and dog Napoleon (1!) divide their time between Paris' 2nd arrondissement and their country home in Normandy, near Vernuil-sur-Avre, around one and half hours from the capital. When they first acquired the country house, it was in desperate need of some TLC. The family have been painstakingly renovating it, adding their unique touch - while being careful to maintain the beautiful original features. Bienvenue!

Zoe is a big fan of flea markets and nearly all of the items you see are second hand (inspires me to get hunting, how about you?!). The eclectic blend of items and materials as well as the simple wall to wall open shelving adds to the casual vibe of their country home. 

Falcon range oven in china blue, vintage chopping boards*, Ikeas kitchen cabinets with Östernäs leather pulls 

Glass windows dividers are one of Zoé's signature design traits; she's used them in her Paris apartment, studio and country home. I absolutely love them too. They offer a perfect way to maintain a light and airy, open plan feel while creating more intimate zones. The ones in this kitchen appear to be vintage (source beautiful vintage panes here*).

Anyone else notice how much the firewood column adds to the room? Perfect inspiration! I need a fireplace first, but if my dream ever comes true, I'm stacking the wood like this!

Cute wall-mounted sink alert - no doubt a vintage find. It looks perfect matched with the light blue tiles too, don't you think?

I'm not sure, but guessing that the original tiled floors throughout the ground floor were one of the reasons the family fell in love with the home. Aren't they stunning?

Anyone else now considering looking for a home deep in the country to do up? I'll be dreaming about this all week now!

In cased you missed it, you can take a peek at the family's Paris home here and read more about Zoé's latest projects here (there's also a load more pics on her instagram).

So friends, shall we go all out French again today? Why not! Here are a few spaces I've featured in the past and love:
The fab home of a French photographer and stylist
An opulent Paris apartment in minimalist style
A French kitchen is given. a modern twist
Inside the home of a French chef and photographer

Have a fabulous start to the week!

Niki x

PS Oh and my Lagom book is available in French - just in case any of my wonderful French friends fancy a read. I have such fond memories of my time in Paris over the launch! What a great city / country!

Photography: Zoé de Las Cases shared with kind permission

// Affiliate links marked with *

READ MORE...

11

Old Meets New In A Charming Paris Home

Zoé de Las Cases deliberately sought a smaller apartment in central Paris so that she and her family could acquire a bolthole in the countryside. Exactly two years ago, her dream was realised when she stumbled upon this wonderful etage in the 2nd arrondissement, and an abandoned country house in Normandy. Zoé is a creative soul, and divides her time between working as a graphic designer for French stationary company Clairefontaine, an artist - her latest project includes a collection of colouring books which have been translated into more than twenty languages including Secret Paris, Secret New York and Secret Tokyo and an interior decorator - she is currently juggling seven houses and apartments between Paris and the South of France! And I thought I was busy...! Her creative philosophy is born from an art of living "that is a mix of decoration and style in a happy, playful and colourful universe." Laid out over two floors, the family's Paris apartment is a charming blend of old and new, resulting in a wonderfully relaxed home that's full of soul. Let's take a peek!

Zoé finds inspiration in "objects, books, nature, flea markets and everyday life" and shops for items for her home "everywhere in France".  The space is filled with pretty vintage finds, a result of weekly flea market visits with her children. "They love it too!!" The finds pop out against a sea of white creating an eclectic yet calm home, with influences from both France and Scandinavia. "I love mixing contemporary and older objects, I love the poetry of objects that tell a story."

Isn't this just such a pretty space? I love the blend between old and new, it gives the home such a warm vibe.

I particularly love Zoé and Benjamin's bedroom with those double doors leading out to a balcony and bathroom behind the glass room dividers.

Is there anything that stood out to you?

If you're curious to see more (I can't blame you!) - you can see more pictures on Zoé's instagram, and discover more about her latest projects and services here and take a peek at their charming country house here.

There are some incredible French homes in the archives if you fancy a delve. Some of my favourites include a pretty home with striking black floors (possibly one of my favourite kitchens of all time!), a charming French family home full of inspiring details and a light and airy Paris loft. 

Vive la France!

Have a wonderful weekend, see you Monday!

Niki

Photography: Zoé de La Cases, shared with kind permission

READ MORE...

8