Japandi Style In An Inspiring 'Second-Hand' Home In New Zealand

Even though this home in Hamilton, New Zealand couldn't be further from Scandinavia -  you'd be forgiven for thinking it was at least within the vicinity! But there's something strikingly different about it too - perhaps it's the subtle Japanese influence, or it could be the unique collection of second hand furniture. Erena Te Paa juggles her time between being a Mother to her two little boys Sol (1) and Costa (3) and working as a freelance stylist and Airbnb host. Erena and her husband Joe bought their home two years ago. Designed by well-known New Zealand architect Rod Smith in the 1960s, the house had fallen into disrepair and the pair have set about renovating it one room at a time. The result is a beautiful, Japandi-style home in warm neutral tones and furnished throughout with sculpted furniture - and clever DIY ideas. Welcome inside! 

Above: the kitchen wall can easily be adapted thanks to the pegboard wall. See this DIY for similar. 

"Interior styling is cathartic for me so I am always rearranging furniture," Erena tells me. 

"I almost forget that most of the things I find to fill my spaces are second hand. I am incredibly passionate about reusing and restoring furniture and that, I believe, has influenced by personal style."

Sinnerlig lamp, Flos brass table lamp*

A lot of the bedroom furniture was sourced second hand, including the bed. "I found pieces over a period of time. I tend to give myself a bit of lead time so I'm not rushing. It's an enjoyable process not knowing what I'll find."

"I find neutral tones very grounding and tend to lean towards them. I would describe my style as somewhat Japanese-inspired with a modernist, mid-century twist, though, honestly I think someone observing might be able to describe my style better!" 

I'm feeling so inspired by this home, especially with regards to the second hand finds. It can be a tricky business scouring second hand sites - but Erena's home is proof that you'll be truly rewarded! 

On her Instagram, Erena has this to say about it:

"I often forget that most of the things I find to fill my space are second hand. And I don't say this in a sustainability warrior-princess kind of way (which there is nothing wrong with BTW!) but a) I would not be worthy of the title and b) it was at first unintentional. 

What started as a quest for 'champagne taste on beer budget' has become an enjoyable and reliable way for me to express my interior style and it has become second nature. But buying second hand is not everyone's cup of tea. It has its own set of obstacles, like the fact that it's not easy to find what you're looking for (some may say it's near impossible!) and there's the fact that some things are just better (and more reliable) bought new. 

But what I am most definitely staunch about is considered purchases. Taking that little bit longer to work out if what you are about to buy is really what you need and then taking the time to hunt or save for it. 

So if there is one thing I would say when it comes to purchasing anything, it would be to consider all your options before going out and buying old or new. How we buy is one way to buy smarter (greener) but how we choose is just as important as the what."

You can see more of Erena's home and find out more about her latest projects on instagram and her website. 

I actually thought this is the first ever home I've shown from New Zealand but looking through the archives I realised that isn't the case at all! I have also featured this home with a warm, boho vibe and less we forget Waterfall Bay House and the home and showroom of Father Rabbit! 

Thank you for all the inspiration today Erena / New Zealand! 

Oh, and speaking of far away places - we've just arrived on the beautiful Swedish island of Gotland. It feels like and extra special achievement as it has taken us AGES to get here, battling against the elements by sailboat (it's right out in the Baltic) - I'm particularly proud of my girls who were so patient on the way here! Gotland is somewhere I've dreamed of visiting for years and it exceeds all of my wildest expectations! 

Saying that, Per and the girls are standing over my shoulder waiting for me to finish this post so we can go and explore so I'd better head off! I hope you have a wonderful start to the week too!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Erena Te Paa

*Affiliate links

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A Beautiful Swedish Country Wedding / Party Villa With A Hint Of Old School Glamour

I love to dream up business ideas, do you? One that pops up fairly frequently with friends (but will likely never come to fruition!) is planning weddings /gatherings in Sweden for people who dream of holding their nuptials here but not sure where to start. This discussion usually crops up after one of us has been to yet another incredible wedding. We're not talking the lavish, no holds barred, types of gatherings, we're referring to understated, relaxed, romantic affairs - something the Scandinavians do so well! Earlier in the spring I had the pleasure of attending an event organised by Sandberg & Friends at beautiful Villa Strömförs in Svenjunga, Västra Götaland County, Western Sweden. The moment I walked through the door I was mesmerised by the old school glamour and love that had gone into every single detail. From high ceilings, incredible period features to earthy, muted tones and intricate wallpaper (by the likes of Sandberg & Friends among others), this, I decided, would have a firm place on our wedding venue / party list! 

When the Ståhl family first discovered Villa Strömsfors it was love at first sight. The pair set about restoring the space working to emphasise the incredible bones and pay homage to the original structure built in 1909. Today, every single room in the house boasts different patterns and textures, and all nine bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms are entirely unique.  

"We have listened to the playfulness of the house and made every detail important."

Isn't it beautiful?! 

Oh, and I forgot to mention the sauna / spa area too. 

Could you imagine staying here? If so, Villa Strömsförs is available for all kinds of events including weddings, conferences, and dinner parties. More info here. 

Thank you so much for inviting me Sandberg & Friends! 

Have a wonderful weekend all, I'm looking forward to catching up with you again on Monday!  

Niki

PS Per, the girls and I had an early start this morning and are currently sailing to the island of Öland in the Baltic.  Feeling very excited as haven't been there for years. Tips welcome! 

Note the images in this post were taken from a selection on the Villa Strömförs site / IG feed. A few have been taken by the owners while others have been taken by photographer guests such as Katrin Bååth and Mats Lind. 

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Could You Be The Next Owner of This Delightful B&B in South of France?!

Ever dreamt of running a bed and breakfast? If so, this is a chance of a lifetime! Lovingly restored by New York designer Annie Moore, the interior and courtyard beautifully captures the spirit of the hill top town of Carcassonne in the South of France. And now, the 7 bedroom, magical Camellas Lloret Maison D'Hotes has been put on the market - could you be the next owner?!

Isn't it lovely?!

I'm already imagining myself with a cool glass of the local Vin de Pays d'Oc on the terrace! 

You may recognise this lovely residence as I featured it once before here - but it's the type of place you can never see enough of, don't you think?! 

For more details about purchasing this B&B contact Annie directly. 

Take a peek in this archive for other holiday homes you'll want to check-in to and never leave! 

Speaking of holiday homes, we're still on our floating one (sailing boat) in the Blekinge archipelago. I discovered the prettiest cafe by the sea on a walk this morning. I'm thinking I might just write a feature about this beautiful part of Sweden once I'm home - could this be of interest? If so, I hope the weather improves! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Camellas Lloret Maison D'Hotes

Book your stay here.

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Relaxed Contemporary Meets Old School Charm In A French Chateau

Have you ever dreamt of buying a French chateau and doing it up? It's definitely a (pipe) dream of mine! Isabelle and Hubert Dubois-Dumée have spent two years doing up their home and the results are truly inspiring. Rather than opting for a fusty, traditional style, the chateau has been given a new lease of life with a contemporary rustic vibe. Pea green doors and architraves have been combined with walls that have been peeled back to reveal layers of the past and the furniture is a perfect blend of contemporary, rattan and vintage. A single chandelier offers a hint of old-school grandeur and tells the story of an opulent past. Welcome to Chateau de Dirac! 

I absolutely loved the downstairs area of this apartment in particular. That green is something else! I'm not sure I would have thought of it - but it looks wonderful in this space! 

Is there anything that caught your eye? 

You can see more pictures of this wonderful chateau here and visit Isabelle and Hubert's shop over at Les Petites Emplettes. 

Similar, equally inspiring places to brighten up your week:

A vintage inspired home in the French countryside

An opulent Paris apartment in a minimalist style

A Fabulous home in Fontainebleau, France

Oh la la! 

We're still out sailing (currently in Karlskrona) and the weather is not really showing its best side so we're trying to make the most of it with good food, wine and lots of board games! What are you up to this summer?

Have a wonderful start to the week friends! 

Niki

Photography: Yann Deret 

Design: Les Petites Emplettes

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A Rare Peek Behind The 'Handwoven' Scenes of Tisca Rugs in Transylvania

There's something extremely special about rugs, especially in Scandinavia where hard wood floors are the norm. Not only do rugs help to add cosiness and warmth, when chosen well, they can also bring a room to life. There's something particularly special about handwoven rugs: they possess a unique quality that tell a story. This is one of the reasons I'm a big a fan of Austrian brand Tisca. Tisca has been making handwoven rugs from high quality wool for nearly 50 years. Every rug is unique - and if you take care of it, it can be passed from one generation to the next. It helps of course, that they are beautiful too! A few weeks ago fellow bloggers Decor8, Happy Interior Blog, Vosgesparis, Monster Circus, Passion Shake and I were given the rare opportunity to visit Transylvania to discover more about the craftsmanship that goes into every rug, discover the historic centre steeped in the tradition of weaving - and of course go in search of Count Dracula!  

We stayed at Casa Belvedere in the small village of Cisnadioara which is idyllically situated at the foot of the medieval Kirchenburg. It was the perfect base from which to explore the untouched beauty of the Transylvanian countryside, Romanian culture, history, food and crafts. 

Tisca rugs are made in the lush, hilly district of Cisnădie - a historic centre for the manufacturing of textiles not far from our guesthouse. Although much of the industry has disappeared, local people remain steeped in the tradition of weaving and are highly skilled in crafting beautiful rugs by hand. I was fascinated to discover how Tisca combines cutting-edge knowledge with centuries old tradition to create a variety of unique rugs. 

The Beauty of Wool

Wool has been the preferred raw material used to make rugs thanks to its strength, beauty and that it's easy to clean. When Tisca rugs are woven with a plain weave, wool rugs can be used on both sides - perfect when you have little kids running around - or friends who are occasionally a little unsteady with a red wine! 

Weaving techniques

Tisca use two different weaving techniques - either woven or braided. With the handwoven rugs in Transylvania, the classic plain weave approach is used - which allowed for two-sided use with both flat-woven and pile rugs. 

96 colours!

If the pictures above are anything to go by it would appear you can have any rug you like as long as it's white, blue or grey - but that's far from reality! In fact, with Tisca you can design your own rug - choosing from 96 colours, a variety of yarn thickness and 26 possible textures - yielding never-ending possibilities! And then of course there's the size and configuration (the colours and the weaving techniques can be freely chosen!) with a width up to 6 metres and any length. So handy! 

Social projects

I loved that Tisca textile maintains two small workshops near the factory in Cisnadie. In Bogatu Roman, around 12 women make high quality rugs from waste yarn (from the main plant). The women take pride in running the site themselves, managing their work and holiday schedules. The rugs are incredibly popular thanks to the excellent quality and reasonable prices. In 2014 Tisca opened another small workshop in Tichindeal, a small Roma village as part of the 'Elijah' social project in collaboration with Father Sporschill, where high quality woollen yarns are woven into standard-sized rugs. 

Weaving our own rugs!

Towards the end of our factory visit we got the opportunity to weave our own rug. It was such a satisfying, mindful process. It also gave me a glimpse into what's required to weave a rug - and a new-found respect for the skill of the craftspeople working for Tisca. Weaving a rug requires attention to detail, skill and concentration that I found I didn't quite possess! And the craftspeople I met were always cheerful and passionate about their work. It was wonderful to see! 

Visiting Sibiu

Our trip wouldn't have been complete without visiting the beautiful city of Sibiu. It's not somewhere I would have thought about going, and I was mesmerised by the beauty of it, don't you love it when that happens? It's known for it's Germanic architecture - the legacy of 12th century Saxon settlers. We strolled passed the remains of medieval walls and towers and took in the atmosphere while sipping coffee at one of the many cafés. 

Bran castle

What would a visit to Transylvania be without a visit to Dracula's 'Bran castle'? Despite the journey, it was well a visit (just make sure you're loaded with garlic first - Mwah ha ha haaaa!). But if your schedule is tight, I also recommend Brukenthal Palace which is nearer to Sibiu (and has a great hotel and restaurant attached to it!).  

Thank you so much to Tisca for an amazing trip. I hope to return one day to see more of Romania with my family. What a beautiful country! 

You can read more about Tisca rugs and commission your own one here. I'm sure you will enjoy it for decades to come!

Niki

This is a paid partnership with Tisca, however all words and pictures are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too. Thank you for supporting the businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible.

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