A Gothenburg apartment with a mid-century touch

Hello! I hope you had a great weekend? (Did you get a chance to enter the Danish design piece give-away yet?!). I spent my weekend at The Hive and met so many wonderful, inspiring bloggers and brands, more of which later. But first: today's home tour. I think this is the perfect apartment to ease us into the week don't you? I love the mid-century touch but also how adding a single bunch of flowers can transform a space (in this case, the wild flowers on the kitchen table). Now that's something we can all do on a Monday, right? Hurrah!

Stadshem

Have you noticed vintage black leather sofas are everywhere right now? It's a case of the battered the better! Love that relaxed feel. For your own version try LiveAuctioneers (spotted: Le Corbusier black leather sofa under auction now!).

If you love a mid-century Scandinavian feel, you'll also drool over this, this and this home - *sigh*.

So, The Hive European Blog Conference in Copenhagen. If you're a blogger and haven't been I can recommend it. I learnt so much about photography, filming, styling, travel and even mindfulness and cooking from fellow bloggers like Travelling Mama, The Inner Interior, April & May, Anne's Kitchen and Paul et Paula to name but a few. I also got tips from brands like Farrow & Ball (do you know the perfect white for your home?) and Pinterest (yes, I have an addiction but I realise I'm only just getting started!). If none of this sells it to you, they gave out free Nutella. Yes.

Have a wonderful Monday, chocolate spread and all....

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WIN a Rosendahl Monkey by Kay Bojesen

It's no secret that the beautifully crafted Rosendahl Monkey wooden figurine by Danish designer Kay Bojesen is one of my favourite Scandinavian design pieces. And now thanks to Design 55, a fab online shop selling designer home accessories and gifts, I'm excited to give you the chance to win one of these cheeky chaps for your own home.  See below for more information on how to enter, and the good news is it only takes a minute or two!






For your chance to win all you need to do is:

- choose your favourite item from Design 55 and write it in the comment section below.
- sign up to the Design 55 newsletter for all the latest news here

And that's it!

The competition is open to everyone and closes on Sunday May 25th, Midnight GMT time. The winner will be announced on Monday 26th May both here and Twitter.

Pssst, don't forget to leave a way for me to contact you....and if you have any questions on how to enter pop me a mail and I'll be happy to help!

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A Swedish home that sings

It's Friday. Oh yes. For some reason I always spend more time looking for the perfect home tour on a Friday. After a lot of rummaging around, today I decided to return to the wonderful portfolio of Jonas Ingerstedt (he really does find the best homes and takes the most beautiful images). The beauty of this Swedish home is how it shows the true force of adding colour to a space - whether it's the egg shell blue, bright green or the pop of hot pink, there's something about this home that sings, don't you think?!

Photography: Jonas Ingerstedt

Ooooo, I do like this home, how about you?

I have two pieces of exciting news to share with you today. First, Domino included My Scandinavian Home in their list of 26 best design blogs - what an honour? - thank you guys!

And secondly, I have an amazing give-away here tomorrow which I am so excited about. Eeeee! Don't forget to stop by over the weekend to enter!!

And actually there's something else - I have a new sponsor! I'm proud to present Inspired Design, creator of 'The Rolling Ones' - storage boxes on wheels. I have my eye on 'Mick' for my children's toys, cool yet practical.

For more great home inspiration this weekend you might want to check out a whole host of delightful Scandinavian summer cottages here and my Danish home gallery (I can spend hours in both of these places!).

I hope you've got some wonderful things planned over the next two days! Have a great Friday and see you tomorrow!

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Could you while away summer days in this Swedish garden?

I know it's only Thursday but I'm already gearing up for the weekend and looking forward to some down time in the garden with my family. We've got so much to do to our outdoor space so I've been pouring over inspiration lately (I'd probably do this even if we didn't have anything needed doing...!). Today I'm inspired by this outdoor space. It's a beautiful Swedish which fills me with ideas from the roses over the door, and the hollyhocks lining the wall of the house, the different social areas (cute kid alert) and 'secret garden'. I hope you get some ideas too.

Photography: Jonas Ingerstedt (with kind permission. Sköna Hem. 

Could you while away a summer's day in this garden?

In my (small) garden I've decided the key requirements are: a comfy area for lounging, a social yet relaxed covered (possibly using white linen) dining area, making it as green as possible, beautiful scents wafting from flowers in bloom, the sound of running water, and candle lights. Achievable in 5 metres square? Hmmmm, optimistic. But dream big as they say....

What are your outdoor space essentials?

More garden inspiration can be found on my Alfresco board, as well as previous posts of this beautiful Montreal oasis, eating alfresco and outdoor showers /bathrooms.

Have a lovely day!

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A calm white and grey apartment in Delft

I love the story behind this Dutch home I found on Nordic Days. When the owner moved to Paris she couldn't bear to part with her Delft home so she approached Natalie and Tessa at Nu interieurontwerp to renovate the space following a simple brief: 'white and light' (sounds like my kind of brief!). Although the house is relatively small, the result is a beautiful, bright, calm and seemingly spacious second home. Not only have the creative duo done wonders with the decor, they've also added a few of their own design pieces including the Stool Tess and leather door handles. I think I could give the same brief, how about you?!

Nu interiurontwerp with kind permission via Nordic Days Blog

I could have this as a second home (and a first home!) how about you?

Other items I love include the Fjällräven backpack in the hall, the silhouette portraits (I would like a pair of these of my own little girls) and the mosquito chairs. How about you?

A beautiful rose coloured Flow cushion arrived in the post yesterday from Danish company By Lassen. It's already installed in my dining area (see a picture on instagram here) and I love it. Now all I need is the KUBUS 4 in copper and I'm completely sorted!

Have a lovely Wednesday, half way there - yeah!

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A Swedish home with one very cool sofa

This Swedish home is positively teeming with fab designer pieces from the Knoll Bertoia Diamond chair, Arne Jacobsen 7 chair and Hans Wegner Wishbone (or 'Y') chairs to the the oh so beautiful cognac coloured Charles le Corbusier LC3 sofa which serves as a very cool centre-piece. I also love how adding a simple bunch of peonies brightens up the entire space. I bought a pale pink bunch last week and they've put a smile on my face ever since (not to mention added a touch of spring to my vintage drinks trolley). Is there anything you love in particular about this home?

Bjurfors via Planete Deco

Two other very cool yet simple to update features include the bird light bulb cover and the beautiful linen bedding in soft grey and white.

I'm really excited to introduce a new sponsor today - Dorayaky sells beautifully crafted handbags by creative duo Aurora Pérez and Fernando Albero. As a girl with simple taste I love the Nicole tote, but how cool are all their patterned totes and clutch bags?! I also love the MA-Z range for storage - perfect for a Scandinavian inspired home don't you think? For more inspiration and behind the scenes action check out the wonderful Dorayaky blog.

I hope you have a wonderful Tuesday!

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A converted merchant builder's garage in Melbourne

Hello Monday! And what a rainy one it is here in Sweden too. But that's OK - I've got a wonderful studio home tour to brighten up our mornings. Designed by interior architects Hearth, this space in Melbourne, Australia has been transformed from a merchant builder's garage into a spacious and light home with views out over the gum trees. Many of the pieces you see including the windows, doors, bench tops, lighting and even the sink were salvaged second hand. Which just goes to show you don't need to spend a fortune to have a fabulous home.

Hearth, Melbourne, Australia. Photography: Lauren Bamford

It's incredible what you can do with a small space isn't it? But is this your type of interior?

You can find more small space apartment inspiration here, here and here (such clever solutions!).

Oh and I published a rare post on Saturday featuring an a-ma-zing Swedish home-tour (I would hate for you to miss it!!). And next Saturday I have such an exciting give-away on here open to you all - I can't disclose the prize just yet but I can say that it's made from classic Danish craftsmanship with a cheeky twist! Ooooo, intriguing.....?!

I hope you have a wonderful start to the week and see you tomorrow!

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A truly inspiring Swedish home in monochrome

I promised to come back after yesterday's 'party' with a fabulous home tour. And here it is! A beautiful monochrome Swedish space. I'm not sure if it's the white floor, the rustic touches or the blend of vintage and designer but I think this home is the perfect inspiration for the weekend, don't you?!

Shoot stylist: Jenny Hjalmarson Boldsen, Photography Hannah Lemholt (kind permission). For Elle. Via Coco Lapine. 

Any rooms which inspire you in particular? I never thought I would but I love the big black rug (from here) in the bedroom!

Quick round up of other the items: Bertoia Diamond chair, Flos 265 wall light, Frama E27 pendant light, Clear storage boxes by Muji (these make amazing jewellery boxes too), Bertoia side chair , rug by Private 0204 and white linen bedding.

I hope you have a wonderful, inspiring weekend! See you Monday.

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Party time!

I moved to Sweden exactly ten years today. Crazy! In that time I married my wonderful Swedish husband, had  my two lovely little girls, created this blog and renovated our home among other life adventures. Thank you Sweden, for being a wonderful hostess, here's to many years to come! In my dreams I'm celebrating with a fabulous alfresco party and of course you're all invited. Hope you can make it?!.....

Image 1 via Grey and Scout, 3: Ann Street Studio. Final image via Lay Baby Lay. If you can supply the photographer / stylist name for any of these beautiful images please let me know, it would be wonderful to accurately credit them. 

I love the last picture in particular - who needs a babysitter? This is such a great way of keeping the little ones entertained while we dance the night away don't you think?! And of course, that's you in the second picture arriving?

Waterfall and cluster fairy lights and vintage champagne glasses a must as well as lots more inspiration on my new party and food pin boards. There's always my alfresco board for the morning after brunch too. Party on people!

Back tomorrow with a Scandinavian house tour to enjoy and inspire us all over weekend, see you then. And in the meantime, have a wonderful Friday!

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