The monochrome home of Swedish interior stylist Elin Kickén

Oh wow - I do believe it's the end of the working week - woohaaay! April and May are my absolute busiest months - do you find that too? It seems the same is happening in the Swedish real estate market - I simply can't believe how many homes are for sale right now - which let's face it, is an ideal situation for all of us!! Swedish interior stylist Elin Kickén is the latest to sell her home (I once showed her previous (whiter) home here). Which means lots of wonderful, inspiring pictures for us to enjoy over the weekend (and if you live in Gothenburg -  even a new home perhaps?!). Elin has decorated her home using a monochome scheme which is softened by warm lustrous textiles and a play with different shapes. Let's take a tour...

Alvhem. Home-owner / interior designer Elin Kickén.

It's safe to say, Elin has nailed the monochrome look wouldn't you say?!

And her small bedroom is inspiring too - a tricky narrow room which she has made look sooooo cosy! 

There are so many items I love in this home including: sitting room - the house doctor cluster lamp (available here and here), sofa similar to mine (North from Bolia), Muuto leaf floor lamp. Painting by Karin Wästlund.  Kitchen: Flos aim light. This glass tea pot is similar. Bedroom - white waffle bedspread, By Lassen stropp leather hangers (I've got these in cognac).

Does anyone know where the white armchair is from - I'd love to know... and be able to update the post! 

Linkage for the weekend:

What a beautiful hallway?

There's something so Zen about this bath tub! And I kind of like the industrial style of this shower too.

The awe-inspiring 'Thong House' (love the name!) in Vietnam.

A cute porch / terrace.

Loving these nooks and niches.

Trend alert - grey hardwood floors as seen in Elin's home too (we've got these across two floors in our home and I love them!). 

Must-have item for the summer - a pom pom blanket, I can't decide on this, this or this one? 

Imagine dropping everything and moving to a Swedish cottage like this one, is only for the weekend - with not a care in the world!

Have a wonderful end to the week! Skål!

 PS Tomorrow I'll be featuring my suggestions on affordable limited edition art so definitely drop by if you have the time!

PPS I'm loving working from home today, our wisteria is in full bloom and the clematis over the arch in the garden is bursting with little pink flowers - makes me #happy! Here's a snapshot of our sitting room with the garden beyond I captured just now from my phone....(although it's a bit tricky to see - might have to get my camera out later!). 

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Charcoal and indigo in the home of a Swedish interior designer

Charcoal, indigo, light blue and white - this might well be my favourite colour scheme right now. It's just so elegant and makes the smallest of spaces look sophisticated and relaxed. Take this Swedish home occupying a mere 32 square metres (344 square feet) in Kingsholmen, Stockholm. Owner Anna Navier (an interior designer) has used this colour scheme (along the same spectrum) to divide zones for a coherent look. I also love how she's used a sheer white curtain to divide the room (I'd been thinking about a wall with windows - like this, this or this -  to divide my bedroom and work space but actually maybe a linen curtain that allows soft light to flow through could work just as well - what do you think?). The small outdoor space is charming too. All in all a lovely home tour - enjoy!

Historiska Hem. Homeowner: Anna Navier. Photography: Fredric Boukari. Found via Planete Deco with thanks.

I feel calm just looking at this space, how about you?

Is there anything that stands out to you? 

Get the look: bedroom - for a similar wall colour dark grey colour try Railings (described as 'handsome and commanding - love that!). This indigo bedspread and linen bedding are similar. Many of these pieces of art can be bought from Desenio (including the clouds poster). Sitting room - , buy a similar jute rug here, Zigzag floor lamp. Dining area: this, this and this industrial pendant lamp are similar. Outside: bistro chairs, linen table cloth, lantern.

I think there's a freshly brewed cup of tea with my name on that outside table in the sun - fancy joining me?! Speaking of gardens - I dream of having an outdoor shower or bath one day (taking this dreamy one as my inspiration!). Imagine?!

Don't miss more of Anna's work here. 

Have a lovely day!

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A fuss-free and laid back Dutch home

When it comes to a natural flair for design the Dutch have it in lorry loads. I can't tell you how many Dutch homes I've shown on here over the years - all of them fabulous!  This home of interior designer Marieke Rusticus which she shares with husband Eddy, children Mees and Eefje and English basset hound Simon is a fine example. Located in Zwolle, it's fuss free and relaxed, and decorated with muted tones and natural materials throughout. I especially love the use of wood on the top floor - so inspiring!

Home-owner Marieke Rusticus. Shared with kind permission.

What a wonderful home, don't you think?! I especially like the bespoke floor to ceiling storage in the bedroom made by Marieke's brother.

Is there anything that stands out to you?

Get the look: dining area: grey sheepskin cushion (I just discovered this etsy shop too which not only sells sheepskin throws but wonderful rugs too), demi-john. Vintage industrial folding metal chairs (I also love this chair). Sitting room - butterfly chair, white sheepskin throw, Trash me table lamp. Source a letter 'e' here. Kitchen - the units are from IKEA, white kettle. Upstairs: Eames RAR rocking chair.

You can keep up to date with Marieke's work on her blog or over at Instagram (love her feed).


Oh and....here's the link to the Dutch homes I've shown on here once again...lest you need a little more inspiration today!

Have a lovely day!

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Take a tour of a lovely traditional Swedish Skånelänge

I live in Skåne (or 'Scania' in English), Sweden's southernmost county. Once a seabed, the land is made up of flat farmland thanks to the rich, fertile soil. The countryside is knotted with Skånelänge - traditional farmhouses built in a U-shaped or four sides around an inner courtyard - which are sheltered from the wind whipping across the fields. I had the pleasure of visiting one for my book and today I thought I'd share this lovely home dating back to the 1850's, currently for sale (hurry!). Located near Ystad (aka Wallander country!), the home has been beautifully renovated in soft whites and greys and decorated with simple, traditional furniture. The ceilings have been removed to reveal an A-frame roof and the stairs wrap around a magnificent fireplace. In the distance you can just make out the baltic coast. I think it's about time we took a tour don't you?!

Fastighetsbyrån

Oh so lovely. It makes me wonder if I could move to the countryside - how about you?! It would be rude to not go to the viewing....at least?!

I love a copper bath - and we're seeing more and more of them in homes right now (like the one in Malin's relaxed boho home !). For similar try these vintage copper bathtubs or check out this french antique copper bath currently for sale on Etsy - wow, just wow!

A few other items from this home I love - vintage terracotta plant pots,  long rustic bench, traditional swedish farmhouse table, dark grey linen curtains. IKEA pendant lamps. Keep an eye out for Swedish antique / Gustavian style dining tables on Ebay.

You can see more of this lovely home here. 

I've featured a few lovely Skånelänge's here before including this pared-back home. And although not a Skånelänge, I also love the A-frame ceilings in this stunning Skåne home!

Have a lovely day!

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Serene and relaxed small space living in Gothenburg

Well hello there! How was your weekend? I feel like I blinked and missed it - but it was lovely anyway! Eye watering start here today - but through my blurry 6am vision I can still just about make out the beauty of this home styled by Emma Fischer for Bjurfors. Yet again it's a great example of how small can also be beautiful (remember last Monday's post? In this home the main living space has been divided into a sitting room and bedroom zone - with great results! And even the fairly narrow kitchen looks like an airy private dining room! Wonderful! Let's take a peek....

Photography - Alan Cordic. Styling - Emma Fischer. Bjurfors.

I think my favourite spots are the gallery wall (love the grey / green tone) and the kitchen with the balcony door thrown open. How about you?!

A few items I know and love: sitting room - rattan chair, coat & umbrella stand, source an over-sized industrial lamp here, I like this zig-zag cushion, menu chair in white. Bedroom - blue and white linen bedding (I discovered this dark green linen bed set at the same time - lovely!), chunky knit cushion, table lamp, basket. Kitchen - linen table cloth, pendant lamp, bentwood chairs.

Looking for more small space inspiration today? Try this archive.....

A few other links I love from the weekend:

This bedroom (the window!).

A mesmerisingly bold girls bedroom.

Indigo bed linen love (this bedding is similar).

Shall we skip the working week and kick back at this beach house? No early starts here....or perhaps a few evenings on this terrace?! How I love a sea view.

Have a wonderful start to the week!

PS That's today's lunch sorted....

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