A beautiful pared-back Finnish cabin

Well hello Monday! I hope you had a great weekend? For my family and I it was a matter of unpacking and settling in back home punctuated by the odd dip in the Öresund sea. Although my summer holidays are over for this year (sniff sniff), it doesn't stop me dreaming and feel inspired by idyllic Scandinavian holiday homes. Take this Finnish summer cottage I spotted over at Emmas Design blog, for example. Belonging to Johanna Lehtinen and photographed by Krista Keltanen , this black, white and wood cabin is beautifully simple, letting the surrounding nature do the talking. Just as a holiday home should do. I could spend some downtime here, could you?

Photography: Krista Keltanen, Bolig Liv. Via Emmas Design blog with thanks.

What a location?!

Anything you love in particular about this summer cottage?

If you're after more Finnish cabin inspiration this bright Monday morning how about this one from Time of The Aquarius (pictures here and here) another fine eample of the pared-back Finnish holiday home style.

 Have a lovely day!

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The bohemian summer home of a Swedish fashion photographer

Many Swedes choose to spend their summers on the beautiful east coast island of Gotland and I can totally understand why. One such person is fashion photographer Peter Gerhke (who has shot for H&M among many other brands) and his family. The family's relaxed, bohemian style stone country house is radically different from their permanent residence in Stockholm which is decorated with a far more contemporary feel. The family spend their time at the summer cottage bare foot, enjoying the grape vines and fig trees in the garden, cooking using home grown vegatables and herbs or fishing and swimming in the clear waters of the Baltic sea. Now that's a way to spend a summer!

Photography: Martin Löf. MILK Decoration with kind permission. 

I love the idea of hanging out bare-foot and care-free don't you?!

My favourite room, has to be the bathroom. I love free standing baths in the middle of the room, and just look at that beautiful original wood floor!

For more inspriation from Gotland you might want to check out this former light house keeper's cottage, the idyllic summer home of the blogger behind a Beautiful Living, and a beautiful Swedish summer retreat. Summer on Gotland 2015 anyone?!

It's Friday - woohoo! Any great plans for the weekend? Whatever you do I hope you have a fantastic couple of days. See you Monday!

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A lovely Gothenburg apartment with eclectic pieces

Hello! From a Norway interior yesterday to a Swedish apartment tour today. This Gothenburg space has been newly renovated to include a black and white kitchen packed with designer items such as a Dualit toaster, Le Creuset cooking pot and an Alessi citron juicer. But it's the tiles in front of the oven that caught my eye, what a great touch? I also love the eclectic mix of one off pieces in the rest of the apartment including mid-century century furniture and antique and flee market finds. What a great home?!

Stadshem

You can see more pictures of this lovely apartment here.

How beautiful is that original wood floor in the sitting room and bedroom?!

The tiles in the kitchen (try Made a Mano for similar) made me think of how the Moroccan trend is developing in the world of interiors. We've been seeing patterned tiles and vintage rugs for a while now but more recently I've started to notice vintage Moroccan wedding blankets adorning walls. Such a great touch for this Autumn's bohemian micro trend?! A trip to Morocco is definitely on the hit list, have you been?

I hope you have a lovely day!

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The perfect Norwegian home for a summer's day

When the sun shines in Sweden I feel the need to spend the entire day outside (I guess this isn't the case when you live somewhere warm and sunny all year round?!). But there is an exception to this. The Norwegian home of blogger and photographer Elisabeth Heier is one of those spaces where you could easily flit between inside and outside on a beautiful day, depending on your mood. Not only is the home bright and airy but it also has several different places you can sit and relax with a book or magazine - window nook, dining table, outdoor terrace....and still enjoy the warmth of natural sunlight and the nature beyond. I could spend a summer's day here could you?

Elisabeth Heier with kind permission

Elisabeth is such a wonderful photographer and her blog is almost entirely made up of pictures she has taken of her own home. So impressive!

See previous posts from her home here, here and here.

I spy a few classic items I love: Knoll Diamond chair and Eames side chair DSR.

I hope you have a lovely Wednesday!

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The home of a Dutch design duo

I always think the Dutch have a wonderful sense of style which wouldn't be out of place in Scandinavia. Take this home in Eindehoven for example. It's the cheerful family home of Dutch designers Tineke Beunders and Nathan Wierink behind the brand Ontwerpduo. The couple have carefully renovated the space with whites, pretty pastels and vintage one off pieces to create a calm yet happy family home. Take a peek...

Holly Marder, Avenue Lifestyle with kind permission. For Decor8. 

How cute is the little girl?

Interestingly the house didn't have a wide enough space for a double bed so Nathan built their bed between two walls. The curtains were put up for privacy and a touch of decadence. The idea turned out to be a great one since it also means their little baby can't roll out of bed! Small space inspiration indeed!

For more pics and the full interview visit Decor8.

I've had the pleasure of meeting Holly (the photographer and stylist behind this shoot) when she came to photograph my home i the spring (images currently for sale through Holly). She's fab - so much fun and really talented.

Other fab Dutch home tours shot and styled by Holly include this, this and this one. Her beautiful bedroom has also featured on here.

Oh and excitement for today - the latest edition of SOFFA magazine - the free digital design and lifestyle magazine that's all about the very best in the world of design went live yesterday. Read the latest edition here.

Have a great day!

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