A calm white and blue 'oasis' in Malmö, Sweden

Hello! I had such a wonderful evening last night to celebrate the launch of my book (feeling it a little today though I have to admit!). I'm nipping in to share a super fresh home here in Malmö,  which is currently for sale through Bjurfors, one of Sweden's largest and oldest estate agents. Bjurfors sold our first flat here in Malmö, and I have to say, they were amazing, I can highly recommend their services! The space has been decorated throughout in fresh white and touches of blue and looks so calm and relaxed. I'd love to be padding around here, I think it'd clear my head in an instant, don't you?!

Bjurfors

It's actually located high up in the eaves above one of Malmö's lovely main shopping streets - a little oasis of calm amongst the hustle and bustle. Perfect!

Could you see yourself padding around here?

A few items I know and love:  Smeg fridge, Beni ourain rug, these beautiful peacock blue velvet cushions are similar.

More white and blue themed homes include this wonderful danish apartment with industrial touches and a pretty white, blue and cognac Swedish space.

Have a lovely day!

PS thank you so much to Lou at Little Green Shed for this lovely post about Modern Pastoral. 

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The winner of a signed copy of my book - Modern Pastoral

Thank you so much to everyone who entered the give-away to win a signed copy of my book, Modern Pastoral (published by CICO Books) . I absolutely loved reading all your comments and kind words. I'm happy to announce the winner as.....

Picture from the book Modern Pastoral. Photo: James Gardiner. Stylist: Niki Brantmark. Published by CICO Books.

......Kim den Hartog - I hope this book inspires you!


I wish I could have let everyone win a copy.  However, if you're interested Modern Pastoral is available to buy online in many places including my bookstore and Amazon. I really hope you enjoy it!

This lovely picture is of the wrap-around porch at the Hudson Farmhouse. I remember sitting on that very wicker chair enjoying an early morning coffee looking out over the undulating hills - so peaceful!

PS Thank you so much to Jeska at Lobster & Swan who has written a lovely review of my book here.

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From light to dark in a Swedish sitting room

Hello! I hope you had a wonderful weekend? My family and I took to the slopes at a small tree-lined ski resort here in Southern Sweden called Isaberg Mountain Resort. It's amazing what a weekend get-away can do to revive the senses?! Anyway, on with the Monday morning home tour. Today I thought we'd peak into the lovely home of Anna-Malin who captures corners for her fab blog Helt-Enkelt. With the dark expression slowly sneaking into homes I think it's so interesting to see what a difference a dark sofa cover can make to a white room. Here's the before and after....

Anna-Malin / Helt Enkelt. With kind permission.

Such a nice home - and admittedly hard to look passed the amazing coffee table. But, which look did you prefer, the dark or the light? Tough one.

Get the look: Sofa cover, candle-holders from IKEA. Source a similar rustic / vintage coffee table on wheels here (this beautiful one is very similar). Flos 265 light. I love the idea of a rustic bench behind the sofa - not only does it break up the back of the piece but it also serves as a great place for magazines. Look out for similar rustic benches here. Super soft and fluffy Sheepskin throw.

I once showed Anna-Malin's lovely sitting room decorated for Christmas - so cosy?!

More spaces with a vintage / rustic touch include Line's Norwegian home and an industrial-style atelier (there's that coffee table again).

Before I head off....

The pink wall and fabrics in this by Mölle shoot are spot on. And just how fab is this chair to match?!

This is exactly my kind of kitchen...modern with a relaxed, rustic touch.

Thank you so much for all your lovely entries to win a signed copy of my book. I'm looking forward to reading through them all this afternoon and will pop back later to announce the winner...watch this space!

Until then, have a great start to the week! 

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Monochrome elegance in a stunning Lyon apartment

Hello Friday, how lovely to see you! I'm soooo tired today (6 a.m starts are not for me no matter what people say!) but it's nothing one of these  can't fix this evening, and my mum and dad are over from London on a visit, so I've got very special company to enjoy it with too. I'm going to polish off the week with this super elegant apartment in Lyon, France. Not only does the space have absolutely stunning bones (period features, large floor to ceiling windows, herringbone floor etc,.) but the French owners have also artfully furnished it with designer classics, fascinating artwork and the odd vintage piece too. Quite a space, don't you think?!

 

Photography: Felix Forest (shared with kind permission). Found via Seventeen Doors with thanks.

Beautiful!

Could you imagine living here?

Items I know and love: Knoll Platner table and chairs, the Beni Ourain rug is very similar, vintage kitchen utensils, wooden spoons and chopping boards. This rustic bench is similar. Washed linen bedding in charcoal (love this) and white.

More super elegant spaces include a sophisticated Swedish apartment in dark tones and a black and navy Stockholm pad.

Speaking of design - I'm often being asked about blog design. I can highly recommend Blog Milk Shop, who  designed my blog many moons ago and Ana and I still collaborate today. You can choose from custom and off the peg collections. 

I was thrilled to read this review of my book yesterday (it sums up the essence beautifully!). Susann of Purple Area, who's Swedish home features, shared this fab picture on instagram and her blog too! All so exciting. Don't forget to enter to win a signed copy here (give-away open to all until midnight on Sunday). 

Right, I think that's me over and out for the weekend. I hope you have a fab couple of days and I'll see you Monday!

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A magnificent townhouse in a converted school

As soon as I hear the word 'conversion' I know it's going to be good (I'm talking barns, warehouses, even a converted bar). There's something about the word which sings fabulous architecture and cool interior (isn't that so?). And this New York City lower east side townhouse in a former school (found via one of my fave blogs The Style Files) is no different. Designer Labo Design Studio has worked hard to ensure the original structure plays a big part in the three storey family home, which also comprises an art gallery on the ground floor (of course!). The space has been simply furnished with mid-century chairs, natural word and soft textures against a backdrop of white and exposed brick. Oh to have a space like this to play with....

 

Labo Design Studio

Minimalist decor really was the way to go with this space as it allows the architecture of the former school building to shine through (although there are flashes of colour in the space too - as seen in the full tour here). Those vast windows on the top floor are just incredible don't you think? The light!  

Loving the leather mid-century chairs too, you can pick up a similar pair here (no bidding required - love that!).

I've featured several converted schools on here before, including the home of a Swedish artist and Ylva Skarp's wonderful home. There's also a whole host of other conversions in the MSH archives - including factories and vicarages (sorry, you might just have to extend your coffee break....).

Thank you to everyone for entering the give-away to win a signed copy of my book (there's still time!). It's always nerve-racking putting your own work out there and all your words of encouragement are so heart warming.

Have a lovely day!

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Sneak peek / Win a signed copy of my book - Modern Pastoral

Do you ever feel the urge to up sticks and move to the countryside? Somewhere perhaps, that's just you and your family, and the bears, deer, and foxes outside your window? Although I live in the city, my family and I love to head to the nearby forest or our cottage on Sweden's west coast at the weekends. This desire for a pared-back lifestyle and allowing nature to help eradicate the stresses and strains of daily life inspired me to write Modern Pastoral, published by CICO Books. Photographer James Gardiner and I visited 10 beautiful homes across Scandinavia and USA (all in the name of work - honest!). Although varied in style, the homes are centred around a back-to-basic lifestyle and embrace the nature on their doorstep. The book is available in stores now! Here's a sneak peek....

Images extracted from Modern Pastoral by Niki Brantmark, published by CICO Books, photography: James Gardiner.

These images bring back so many wonderful memories! Here's a picture by picture run down:

1. (Front cover). The beautiful stone cottage belonging to Fabio, Laura & Matteo Ferrara who divide their time between New York City and the fabulous Westwind Orchard in the Hudson River Valley, Upstate New York. When we arrived they made us the most delicious brunch using fresh produce from the farm.

2. Striking Milkweed Barn in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, Delaware County which Bill Hovard (Hudson Made) has transformed into a permanent home.

3. A study / dining room in a Scanian farmhouse (those beams), here in Southern Sweden owned by the Montan family (if you like the look of this room you should see the barn!).

4. The magnificent rustic barn on Westwind Orchard used for entertaining friends, family and guests as well as testing ingredients for produce sold in the farm shop.

5. A light and airy bedroom in the afore-mentioned Scanian farmhouse. When we took this picture it was pretty much dark outside. James took this image with a really long exposure and we couldn't even breath we had to be so still!

6. A cosy wood burning stove and reading corner in a cottage on the North coast of Zealand, Denmark.

The give-away is now closed

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A charming, small swedish home in white and pastels

Hello there! Although we all may still be feeling the cold snap of winter (brrrr!), the days are getting longer and I'm starting to feel spring is around the corner (optimist, me?!). That's why I thought I'd share this lovely Swedish home decorated in white with pops of pretty pastel and floral detail throughout. It belongs to Stockholm-based photographer, stylist and journalist Emmy Lundström (who blogs here). Watch out for the clever space-saving ideas too (loving the window / wall divider). Enjoy!

 

Styling / Photography / home-owner: Emmy Lundström / Ennui. Shared with kind permission.

I do love this space. It's fresh and cute all at the same time with some really lovely feminine touches.

Is this your kind of style?

Get the look: sofa, pirum parum print, source a large ruler here, find similar rugs here, linen bedding,  vintage brown bottle, source vintage floral wrapping paper / wallpaper here.

Other homes with a pastel touch include a lovely home in a former kindergaten, and the cosy and relaxed home of a Norwegian blogger. Oh go on then. Here's the entire decorating with pastels archive.

More links from around the web today  thought you might like...

Ever wondered why barns are painted red?

Farrow & Ball have unveiled nine (nine!) new colours to mark their 70th anniversary - my friend Sarah-Louise is going to be soooo excited...Discover your favourite here.

Must dash, have a lovely day and see you tomorrow!

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The cosy home of a Swedish stylist

Hello February! I'm excited as I have so many things lined up this month including my book launch next week (sneak peak tomorrow) and a holiday with my little family (to Sri-Lanka....have you been, tips welcome?!). I hope you've got some exciting things coming up too. But let's not get ahead of ourselves, as it's still Monday after all - always a tricky day?! That's why I've chosen this lovely home, belonging to Swedish super stylist Pella Hedeby to cheer us all up. I once featured her previous home here and her current home here (that daybed) but couldn't resist sharing these new pictures captured by Sara Medina Lind for My Home - an exciting new Swedish magazine that hit the shelves last week. Let's take a peek....

Styling / home owner: Pella Hedeby. Photographer: Sara Medina Lind. My Home Magazine.

I love this space. To me, it has the perfect mix of vintage, quirky and designer pieces. And the wood / natural materials give it a warm and cosy touch....perfect home tour to kick off the week don't you think?!

Get the look: sitting room - Bertoia side chair, Kubus candleholder, Lohals rug, this concrete coffee table is similar, BestLite wall lamp. Dining room: Wishbone chairs, vintage chopping boards, sheepskin rug. Bedroom: Koushi lamp, dark grey bed linen, source a vintage step ladder here. Bathroom: Aesop hand wash.

Sara (the photographer behind this shoot) has a lovely home which I once showed here and here.  She was also the photographer behind these pictures of a Santorini hotel (imagine?!).

Speaking of getting away from it all - those of you following me on instagram, will know I've got a slight obsession with the Faroe Islands right now. I've been dreaming about skipping the working and staying at this cabin with a turf roof instead - what do you think, fancy joining me?!The plane leaves at 7......

Failing that, I'd be happy to wile away the day in this pool looking out over the ocean - or maybe this natural pool - I'm not fussy....

Elsewhere....

This moss bubble house is crazy and beautiful, all at the same time!

Love this pretty pale blue work space wall (check out the full tour of The Brunswick studio of ceramicist Lucile Sciallano here).

And just how fabulous is Lino Bo Bardis' glass house?

Have a great start to the week and if it's a tough one remember....this.

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