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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