An inspiring Berlin apartment full of contrast

Every time I nip into German blog Herz & Blut I come away feeling truly inspired. Founder, Jules Villbrandt has a real knack for scoping out some of the coolest homes in Berlin (and beyond). A few weeks back I shared this pearl of a home with rich, warm colours, bold patterns and quirky touches (that boob pillow!). And today I couldn't resist sharing this fascinating two-room Templehof apartment belonging to Silke Leinstasse, co-founder of interior consultancy firm wit & voi. Silke's central apartment is both relaxed and luxurious at the same time. In the living room, fabulous 1970's wallpaper juxtaposes with a bare concrete wall and the space has been furnished with a beautiful mix of contemporary, vintage and traditional pieces. Look closely and you'll see plenty of small trinkets, flowers, books and art which combine to create a wonderful homely feel. What a great space?!

  

Photography: Jules Villebrandt - Herz & Blut / Home-owner and design Silke Leinstasse.

I find this apartment so amazingly inspiring! If I had to choose one thing I love in particular though, I'd say the dusty pink sofa against the bold wallpaper (any idea where the wallpaper is from?).

How about you?!

The concrete wall fascinates me. It reminds me of the lovely Norwegian home of artist Maria Overbye which we photographed for The Scandinavian Home. Like in this home, Maria has left the walls bare because she loved the contrast between the raw patina of dried plaster against contemporary items such as lighting.

Could you imagine having this look in your home?

Get the look from Silke's home: dining area - Tom Dixon copper ball pendant, glass cloche. Sitting room - Bolia sofa. Bedroom - source vintage suitcases here.

See more pictures and a full write-up of this lovely home over at Herz&Blut - and over 250 (yes, crazy I know!) beautiful international homes in this archive (if this home comes up first just scroll past).

It's a loooong bank holiday weekend here in Sweden so we're gearing up for a few days off in the sun starting from this evening -woohoo! I hope you have a lovely rest of the week and see you Monday!

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A happy, vibrant Nashville home

The sun is shining, and the weather is fine..... and I'm just about ready to shut down my computer and go out for a while and bask in the warmth! But first, I had to share this extremely cheerful home with you. The Nashville home of Elsie Larson, co-founder of  truly inspiring A Beautiful Mess blog, is fresh and colourful with pops of blush and pastel green, DIY cactus wallpaper and vintage finds galore! All in all, it's one truly happy home full of fabulously inspiring ideas!

Photography: ©Alyssa Rosenheck. Design: Elsie Larson

Photography: ©Alyssa Rosenheck. Design: Elsie Larson

Photography: ©Alyssa Rosenheck. Design: Elsie Larson

Photography: ©Alyssa Rosenheck. Design: Elsie Larson

Photography: ©Alyssa Rosenheck. Design: Elsie Larson

Photography: ©Alyssa Rosenheck. Design: Elsie Larson

Photography: ©Alyssa Rosenheck. Design: Elsie Larson

Photography: ©Alyssa Rosenheck. Design: Elsie Larson

Photography: ©Alyssa Rosenheck. Design: Elsie Larson

Photography: ©Alyssa Rosenheck. Design: Elsie Larson

Photography: ©Alyssa Rosenheck. Design: Elsie Larson

What a truly personal and unique space! I love how it combines many different styles - art deco, mid-century, romantic - and yet it all comes together in a totally cool way! True inspiration for anyone looking to add a little colour and some fun, quirky touches to their home!

That pink front door (painted in Noble Blush) makes my plain wood one feel sooooo boring now! Could you imagine going all out like this too?!

Get the look from Elsie's home:  kitchen - this brass cluster light is similar, I love this pastel green Smeg fridge. Sitting room - leather butterfly chair. Hall -Sisters of the Sun wallpaper, Meurice Chandelier. Modern Media Console. This cactus wallpaper is fun, bold and bright! Rattan hanging chair, The Pink Door, Palm Springs poster. Bathroom - Sputnik chandelier.

I was amazed to find a few of the items are DIY projects - get the tutorials for the Campaign Dresser here (seen under the beautiful 'County Line' print by Max Wanger) and gold cactus wallpaper here! - something for this weekend perhaps?!

You can find out more about Elsie's home by checking out this feature in Domino magazine.

Is anyone else suddenly inspired to add a little more colour to their home?!

Have you ever been to Nashville? It's an energetic and trendy city that attracts new residents each and every year.  Check out this infographic for an in-depth look at Nashville homes.

Have a great day!

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All things bright and beautiful in a small Swedish space!

Hello! I'm working in the garden today - and it feels a little like when we were at primary school and managed to persuade the teacher to take the lesson outside - and then no one concentrated whatsoever! Despite the sunshine, and relative lack of focus my day got even brighter when I stumbled across this delightful Swedish apartment over at Entrance Mäkeri! Although the family of three only have one bedroom, they've used the space wisely - carving out a makeshift bedroom in the corner of the sitting room which can be separated off using a curtain. The entire apartment, except for the children's bedroom -  has been kept gloriously light with natural wood floors and the palest of grey on the walls. I'm in love!

Photography: Anders Bergstedt / For sale through Entrance Mäkleri.  

What a beautiful space, don't you think?!

I've noticed a growing trend for using relatively dark, bold wallpaper in children's bedrooms right now - see another fine example here. In this home, the William Morris Strawberry Thief wallpaper in looks particularly great beside the powder bed canopy - and I love the rabbit nightlight (my daughter has the same!).

Could you imagine going dark and bold in your child's bedroom?

A few other items I love and where to find them: source vintage botanical school posters here, get made to measure linen curtains with ties in a colour of your choice here, combine string shelves to create storage to fit your space.

Have a wonderful start to the week!

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A dreamy, rural Swedish summer cottage

The excitement in the air is palpable in Sweden: the warm weather has finally arrived and in just six weeks time people all over the country will be closing their laptops and heading out of town. Many will visit a summer cottage and spend the summer enjoying the simple things in life: long hours of daylight, nature and being together with friends and family. Despite it's size, this beautiful 19th century summer house (formerly a school for farm workers' children) just North of Stockholm has every trapping of a traditional Swedish summer cottage. Owner, Erica Franzén, who runs design firm Loft Stockholm, has carried out a total renovation and created a magical home which is pared-back and simply furnished with classic fittings, vintage finds and warm, natural textures. Outside it's red and white facade juxtaposes with the lush nature in which it resides - and a terrace has been put in place to enjoy it! Oh and....  you'll never guess what? It's for sale.....

Credits: Interior designer: Erica Franzén. Stylist Line Sandberg. Photography: Camilla Lindqvist. 

Guh! 

I'm actually having a hard time to complete this post now. In my mind I'm already enjoying long lunches on the terrace and Christmas by the wood burning stove! Help!

I mean, could you imagine?!

I'm sure it will get snapped up in no time, and if it's not by one of us, there's nothing wrong with stealing a few ideas now, is there?! Here are a few items I know and love: kitchen - lampe gras wall sconce, Meraki soap, source a vintage school desk here, grey sheepskin throw. Desk area: wishbone chair. Bedroom: William Morris Willow Boughs wallpaper.

Such perfect inspiration for the weekend, don't you think? I might just head over to the estate agent and drool over the remainder of the pictures. And after that, a visit to my 'summer cottage' archive is definitely in order. Meet you there?!

Have a wonderful couple of days and see you Monday!

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