A Pared-back, Warm Family Home With Handcrafted Pieces

Why, hello there! Any plans to celebrate lil lördag (little Saturday) in style? Maybe this home tour will set you on the right path! Schirin lives in an old house dating back to 1928, in Bremen, North Germany with her husband Thomas and their two children Mattis (8) and Karlotta (4). Schirin works for a non-profit organisation by day - and at night pens Schmasonnen, a blog focusing on sustainable interiors. When Schirin and Thomas first bought their house over 7 years ago it was incredibly run down and in major need of repair. The duo set about renovating the property with a sustainable mindset, being careful to retain the original details. Today, the family enjoy a pared-back home which exudes warmth thanks to the abundance of natural materials, handcrafted pieces (Schirin and Thomas designed and built the kitchen table, shelving unit and children's climbing frame among other things! yep, I know!) and vintage finds. Step this way for the tour! 

There are so many pieces to love in Schirin's sitting room including: Nomad chair, Hay sofa, Kristina Dam table. I also love the woodturning stove tucked into the corner of the room - such a cosy touch in wintertime! 

Schirin and Thomas built the shelves (try Tylko for similar), Stockholm 2017 coffee table, Kristina Krogh print and Louis Poulsen Panthella lamp*. 

Schirin designed the climbing frame and slide, and Thomas, who is an engineer for wood technology, built it. Oh, how I'd have loved this when I was little! Lilla Gunga sells wonderful wooden indoor toys like this (Allie has the gymnastics rings in her bedroom and absolutely loves them!). 

Feeling very inspired by Schirin and Thomas's home - not least because of all the handmade pieces! 

Do you have any handmade pieces in your home? If so, I'd love to hear more about them! 

You can see more snapshots from Schirin's lovely Bremen home on her blog and instragram: @schmasonnen. 

Looking through the archives, this is actually the first time I've featured a home from Bremen (I'm guessing this won't be the last time, though!). But there are a load of other lovely homes from Northern Germany to drool over, including an inviting family home in a small village,  a charming home in kassel, North Germany and a playful home that will put a smile on your face! 

Have a wonderful day friends!

Niki

Photography: Schirin / Schmasonnen shared with kind permission

*affiliate links

READ MORE...

1

A Contemporary Yet Cosy Rural Retreat In The Catskill Mountains

A few years back I visited the Catskill Mountains to capture homes for my first book Modern Pastoral - it was a bit of a whirlwind tour and I've always vowed to return. When I do, I've earmarked the studio at Table on Ten. Table on Ten is a restaurant, cafe, inn and a gathering place for farmers and artists alike. It's located in Bloomville in the western Catskills, just a few hours from New York. Known as 'studio on the hill', the cabin stands alone on a 23 acre hillside overlooking the Catskill Mountains. It's simple and understated, yet contemporary and cosy - just the way I like it! Think vintage furniture and a roaring wood burning stove. Oh yes, and you're only a stone's throw from the best wood-fired sourdough pizza west of the Hudson! 

Did someone say wood-fired pizza?! Even if you don't stay onsite (Table on Ten also offers three other apartments through Airbnb) - it's well worth stopping by at the restaurant to take in the rural surroundings and treat your taste buds! 

Sound like your kind of holiday? Perhaps we'll meet around the table one day! 

You can find out more about Table on Ten here (for the foodies among you - there's a sample of the menu here) and book this studio on Airbnb. 

A few other homes /spaces in the Catskills I think you'll love: 

A Calm White House in the Catskill Mountains

A Black and White Retreat in The Catskills (I visited and captured this one for my book - it was even more wonderful in person!). 

Before and after: an attic in the catskills becomes a light and airy guest room

See you there?!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Table on Ten with thanks.

READ MORE...

0

This Stunning Stockholm Apartment Could Be Yours (If Only It Came With The Furniture!)

Remember the Stockholm home of Lovisa Häger? It's just come on the market. I'm not kidding! Oh, how I'd love to buy it along with EVERYTHING in it! Sadly, that's not going to be possible (from my side, at least). But I'm excited to see that the (beautiful) pictures taken for Nomad Mäkleri give us a sneak peek into a few more unseen corners. Think dark grey, soft pink and beige accents and autumnal touches against crazily high ceilings, beautiful period features and a 19th century wood floor. Let's just hope it comes with the design classics and all Lovisa's handmade pieces. See you in Vasastan, Stockholm?!

Could you imagine living here?!

Unfortunately, it's not that easy to just upticks and move to Stockholm - but there's no reason why we can't steal some ideas - like how to play with contrast and use texture to add depth to a monochrome space. 

You can see more of Lovisa's incredible home on her blog An Interior Affair and Instagram @an_interior_affair - I can't wait to see what she does next, how about you?! 

It's kind of apt that I've featured a Stockholm apartment as I'm on my way to Sweden's capital city for the day! I'm holding a talk about Swedish culture / Lagom - one of my favourite topics! Still, I can't help feeling a little nervous. Wish me luck!

I hope you have a fabulous start to the week!

Niki

Photography by Elisabeth Daly courtesy of Nomad Mäkleri. Design Lovisa Häger. 

READ MORE...

1

A Cosy Family Home For Seven In Byron Bay

Courtney Adamo and her husband have five children. FIVE! Look closely at their charming Byron Bay home and you'll see the clues: a little boy curled up on the sofa, a tricycle on the porch and two little ones putting the world to rights on the stairs. It's the type of house that makes you want to pull up a chair and stay for a while. It helps, of course, that the interior is wonderfully de-cluttered yet super charming and relaxed. White washed wood panel walls provide a backdrop for wood and rattan furniture, sofas laden with cushions and fluffy rugs bearing subtle, yet intriguing patterns. A perfect coastal retreat for a family of seven! 

Do you see what I mean about wanting to put your feet up for a while? The entire atmosphere is just so easy going. Lovely! 

Is there anything that stood out to you in particular about Courtney's home?

You can see more snapshots from their home and travels on Courtney's instagram feed: @courtneyadamo. 

Courtney is also founder and facilitator of In The Loop, a 5 week community e-course and Babyccino kids. 

I bet you know what's coming. Yep, you guessed it - some links to more INCREDIBLE homes and design hotels in Byron Bay (no shortage in that part of the world, I can tell you!). Here's a little home tour fodder for the weekend:

Dream stay: the cottage, Byron Bay

Stylist and author, Nathalie Walton's understated yet incredibly charming Home

Loll about at the chalet, Byron Bay

A beautiful boho cottager to rent in Byron Bay

... and that's just the tip of the iceberg! 

Got to rush as we have a birthday in the house! Allie's turning 9 tomorrow (how did that happen?) - so I've got presents to buy and fresh pancakes to make...

I hope you have a fabulous weekend, thanks so much for stopping by and making this week so much fun!

Niki

Photography: Courtney Adamo, shared with kind permission

READ MORE...

1