California Meets Scandinavia In A Cosy LA Home

We did it friends, it's POETS day! Yay! Friday calls for something pretty fabulous right?! And I'm thinking the home of Sophie Carpenter would be an absolutely perfect way to round off the week! Built in 1928, Sophie's 'sepia' LA home is a feast for the eyes. Think brown, brass, beige, cream and milky white tones in a living space that flows beautifully from one room to the next (let's not ignore that rather fabulous arch!). Look closely and you'll see Scandinavian design pieces beside funky pieces picked up in LA - as well as lots of arty details. Sophie, who works with production accounting on TV shows, describes her style as 'Scandifornian' - a totally new term to me, and I'm absolutely loving it. Welcome to her bright, comfortable and super cosy LA home! 

Another day, another rug! The Sarah Sherman Samuel Iconic Stripe Rug to be precise (little surprise that this fabulous rug is already sold out - but they are taking pre-orders for the next batch!), I also love the Santa Barbara Pendant Light and Wishbone chairs

That's Sophie's dog 'Rascal' flying in through the door. Insert your own caption in the comments below! It's definitely either dinner or walkies, what do you reckon? 

Triangular shelving from Spaulding Company, Sven sofa from Article

Absolutely love the bathroom! After a quick snoop on Sophie's instagram I discovered the wall sconces are from Cedar & Moss, the mirror is from Rejuvenation and the cabinets are Spaulding Company. Total perfection! 

Oh wow! This tour really put a smile on my face, how about you?! Rascal, of course, stole the show by sweeping into the kitchen, all four paws off the ground! But once I got passed him, I couldn't help noticing all the details (and the fabulous rugs!). What a wonderful haven!

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

See more pictures of Sophie's lovely home on her instagram and home page. 

Here are a few more 'Scandifornian' homes to enjoy from the archives (I've got a feeling I'll be using that term a lot moving forwards!): 

An inspiring home in Napa Valley

Relaxed, Boho style in Orange County

A Jewel in the Suburbs of LA

A Beautiful Spanish-Style House in California

Kind of wish I was spending the weekend there - but I do have a fun one planned all the same here in Sweden as my sister Cas is coming over from London with my little nieces (who are 1 and 3) - I CAN'T WAIT!!! 

What are you up to this weekend?

I hope you have a brilliant couple of days, see you Monday!

Niki

Photography: Sophie Carpenter / bathroom shot with mirror: Lily Glass for Glitter Guide

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The Calm, Earthy Home of A Danish Design Collector

Tjena! Hur är läget (how's it going?!)? I'm nearing the end of my first week back in the studio after the holidays and slowly cranking into action - but it's sort of painful! Know the feeling?  It's also distracting when the sun's shining and it feels like the rest of Scandinavia are still on holiday - including Danish photographer and stylist Marianne Jacobsen. Judging by her (pretty wonderful) instagram feed, Marianne is currently chugging through Europe by train. It's trips like these, as well as nature, Scandinavian design, minimalist spaces, light, art and architecture which inspire Marianne's daily work and the way she decorates her home in Aarhus, Denmark. Designed by famous architects Friis & Moltke in 1969, her house is full of timeless Danish design pieces as well as other collector's items in calming, earthy tones. I caught up with Marianne to find out more about her minimalist style and what's next on her wish list!

How would you describe your style?

My style is Scandinavian, minimalistic, delicate, eclectic and with a cosy / warm atmosphere (Danish!). I'm also very conscious about choosing a style that fits perfectly with my home. My house was designed by the famous Danish architect Friis & Moltke in 1969 and the architecture is inspired by Le Corbusier. I prefer to live with natural materials like wool, wood, stone, marble and leather. 

Le Klint lights

Alma light, Poet sofa*, The Poster Club* sells prints like this one (and ships worldwide)

How do you choose pieces for your home?

I love to live with carefully selected, beautiful Danish classic furniture and also timeless design pieces from other countries. I love Italian design like Cassina, but I do primarily opt for Danish design, since I love the deep roots we have in beautiful craftsmanship.

Montana Show shelves in 'latte' (I love this Danish storage - and have used the same brand in Allie's room).

Do you have a favourite possession? 

My absolute favourite is my Poet sofa* with sheepskin from House of Finn Juhl - such a beyond beautiful and timeless iconic piece. Likewise, I love my CH07 by Hans J. Wegner in walnut with leather seat and my Show shelves in latte from Montana!

Moebe shelves / desk, Series 7 chair, Gubi wall light*

What do you have your eye on next?

I'm dreaming about the Tabouret Méribel & Berger by Charlotte Perriand (Cassina) and the PK61 by Poul Kjærholm (Fritz Hansen).

Auping bed, VV Cinquanta Wall light

They million dollar question for us hoarders, how do you keep your home so clean and decluttered? 

I just love to live minimalistic and with calm, earthy tones. It's just the way I am since I'm an organised soul that loves to live with few, very beautiful and significant pieces in my home. My mantra is 'less is more'. It's natural for me to declutter my home, but not too much since I like my home to feel cosy. 

Thank you so much for taking time out from your holiday to tell us about your lovely home Marianne!

If you'd like to see more pictures of Marianne's home and latest photography / styling projects hop on over to her instagram or homepage. They are a feast for the eyes!

There's also a load more beautiful Danish homes to drool over in this archive (just saying!).

Anyone else a huge fan of Danish design? I noticed the other day, almost my entire wardrobe is made up of Danish design - with some of my favourite go-to brands being Day, Birger et Mikkelsen, By Marlene Birger and Stella Nova.

Eeeek. Suddenly feeling a trip over the Öresund bridge (AKA 'The Bridge') to Copenhagen is in order... the Swedish crown is so weak right now though, I might have to keep the trip under wraps - not sure how popular it would be with Per!!!

Have a happy Thursday guys - nearly POETS day - WOOHOO!

Niki

Photography and styling: Marianne Jacobsen

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A Photographer's Charming Swedish Summer Cottage In The Woods

Buoyed by my recent summer cottage kitchen renovation I picked up a copy of Swedish magazine Lantliv (Country Life) a few weeks ago. And, OH WOW, did it have some incredible homes in it - don't you love it when that happens?! I got particularly stuck on this charming summer cottage in the woods of Northern Uppland. A former petrol station dating back to 1930, the building was about to be torn down when photographers Lina Ericsson and Karl Anderson acquired it as a weekend retreat from busy Stockholm life. The pair set about lovingly transforming it into a unique and charming home full of antiques, second hand finds and pieces from Lina's sustainable interior shop Noy Road. The result is everything a Swedish summer cottage should be; simple and relaxed yet warm and cosy and packed with charm: a perfect place for Lina, Karl, daughter Charlie and their Jack Russell Terrier, Vilda to switch off, surrounded by nature.

The kitchen is a mix of freestanding and open shelving from IKEA - giving the space a relaxed vibe. I love how the couple have maximised space by adding a book shelf over the window. 

The six metre (SIX METRE!!!) high ceiling gives the sitting room a lovely light and airy feel. The rattan chairs are from Silka Design and the handmade wool rug is from Noy Road. Source a similar sheepskin here*. 

Vilda has adopted the handmade wool rug as her own - and who can blame her?! The linen cover and cushions on the IKEA sofa are also from Noy Road. 

Sheer curtains in the sitting room help to keep out bugs while slipping in a soft pool of light. On warmer days they can move outside and enjoy the shaded terrace (as demonstrated by Vilda - who's looking super relaxed out there, I must say!). 

Lina and Karl have made a feature of the doors and architraves by painting them a soft green. The hammam and linen towels are from Noy Road. 

The veranda has been given a new lease of life with recycled windows from Umeå Byggnadsvård while the floor was transformed using a linseed oil-based paint. I absolutely love this type of painted chequered floor - it's so easy to achieve and yet so striking! Do you feel tempted to do the same in your home?

The cottage was originally a traditional Falu red but Karl wanted to do something different and opted for green umbra. The garden is packed with homegrown vegetables - one of Lina's passions. 

Just beautiful.

I can't imagine a more idyllic retreat, can you?

Imagine how difficult it would be to close the doors on a Sunday and head back to town! Mind you, you'd feel relaxed knowing that the place is waiting for you come Friday.

Did you spot the DIY clothes line in the main dining room area (first picture)?  - isn't it clever? I found a DIY tutorial here - and you can also pick up a similar one here.

If you're feeling the Swedish summer cottage vibes after this tour, why not pour a coffee, light a candle (hey, we're talking Scandi here, after all!) and check out this Swedish Cottage archive. It's one of my favourites! If this cottage pops up first, you might want to look through the pictures all over again, or simply scroll on passed for more inspiration!

Ha så fint! 

Niki

These photographs were taken by Karl Anderson / @karlandersonphotography and shared with kind permission from Lantliv. 

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Light or Dark In The Bedroom?

There's so much to be said for a great night's sleep. You know, when you wake up rested and raring to go? As part of my research for Lagom, The Swedish Art Of Living a Balanced, Happy Life,  I interviewed a Swedish sleep psychologist who advised that before going to bed you need to prepare yourself both mentally and physically. Great pre-bedtime preparations include banishing screens up to an hour before in favour of reading a book, taking a warm bath, cuddling with family and pets or listening to calm music. Your bedroom environment also plays a key role in maximising shut-eye, with banning screens and completely shutting out natural light as well as creating a clean, calm and comfortable sphere being the key to sleep success! I was reminded of this when I saw the beautiful bedrooms Pella Hedeby styled for IKEA recently. Void of clutter, clean and simple - they are the epitome of calm.  But, I'm curious to know: which look do you prefer: the cool, white and pale grey with subtle tone on tone texture, or the darker, cosy, womb-like feel?

The Light Side

The Dark Side

I'm still so happy with my blushing peach tones, but at a push I'd go for the soothing, lighter tones (like I once had in my bedroom) because I feel it would feel lovely and bright by day (especially when the Swedish winter can get so dark and gloomy!).

How about you?

See the complete product lists for the white and dark bedrooms and read an interview with Pella (in Swedish) here.

Have a lovely afternoon friends!

Niki

Stylist: Pella Hedeby (with support from Anna Lenskog Belfrage)
Photography: Ragnar Omarsson
IKEA Livet Hemma

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