A short and pretty guide to celebrating Midsummer, Swedish style

Tomorrow is one of my favourite celebrations of the year - midsummer. Here's my round-up of beautiful inspiration for celebrating midsummer the Swedish way. 

Damernas Värld

Miss wallflower

Honestly YUM

Bea's cookbook

A Bryan Photo

And for a little know how:

How to make a ethereal midsummer crown, and a beautifully simple floral wreath for your home.

And the feast. Oh the feast! This post by Honestly YUM is the perfect inspiration to create your own midsummer banquet. A midsummer berry cake. Or why not keep it simple - I love the idea of threading wildstrawberries onto straw (as seen above). 

Your midsummer cocktail: Aquavit, sherry and elderflower liqueur.  And decorating ice cubes.

Single? Swedish folklore says that if you pick seven different sorts of flowers and put them under your pillow on midsummer night, you'll dream of your future love!

 'Glad midsommar!' May the flowers in your hair be fresh, and your maypole dancing stay strong!

See you Tuesday! 

*for those of you in the southern hemisphere,  I guess it's happy winter solstice! - any excuse to celebrate, right....? Skål! 

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Workspace inspiration: an industrial style collaborative space

The other day I went to look at an amazing creative work space here in Malmö. It was in an old factory with a black and white flagstone floor and formerly used as a boxing ring. Unfortunately the timing just wasn't quite right, but at some point in the near future I'd absolutely love to work in an industrial-style shared work space with other creatives like the one I stumbled upon. The Forge in Bristol, England fits the bill quite nicely in fact- and although in the wrong country, it would be an inspiring venue for an event, workshop or just getting together with others and coming up with new ideas! Absolutely loving the exposed bricks, spiral staircase and general relaxed feel of the space. Would it even feel like work if this was your studio?!

The Forge. Source: Found via Desire to Inspire with thanks.  

I am trying to dream up an event now, just so that I can hang out there for a few days there. Any ideas?  Blog workshop perhaps? See you there!

Get the look: DSR chair, source a vintage metal jug here, white sheepskin throw, this industrial floor light is similar, vintage crates.

How lovely is this vintage industrial swivel chair? Because.

Other fab studios and ateliers include the creative studio of Katrin Bååth, the home and studio of a Danish carpenter, and the fabulous studio of an interior designer. Imagine if your office looked like this? And if it already does....pictures please!

Have a lovely day!

PS One word you should never use at work.  Agree or disagree?

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A magnificent Finnish apartment

Oh are we in for a treat today with this magnificent Finnish apartment! Not only does it have the most beautiful bones - large windows which flood the rooms with light, high ceilings, sculpted wainscoting, and original period features (just look at that ceiling in the bedroom!), but it has also been beautifully styled for sale through Bo LKV by the uber talented Marja Wickman (whose home I once featured here and here). Marja has used shades of grey and white and simple, contemporary pieces allowing the architecture to take centre stage. Unsurprisingly the space was snapped up in an instant (we'll have to be quicker next time!).

Source: Bo LKV, styling Marja Wickman. Found via Nordic Design with thanks. 

Is it worth me asking if you could live here?!

A few items I know and love: Thonet chairs, Cove print by Silke Bonde, ABCD poster - D,  cork bench.

For more beautiful Finnish inspiration it's so well worth exploring my 'Finnish home' archive (if the first home you see is the above one, just scroll passed it).... I know it's not the same as being there in person, but it will transport you to Finland in your dreams if only for a few hours!

Have a lovely day! 

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Your island retreat on the Swedish island of Gotland?

Hello! Having a bit of a Monday morning shock here after two very late nights in a row. Guh! Coffee. I hope you've had a great weekend too? Luckily I have something to brighten up the start of our working week. A summer home in Hamra, on the wild and wonderful island of Gotland (off Sweden's East coast)! The retreat recently came on the market through Fantastic Frank (and I'm pretty sure it will be snapped up in no time). The home is a blend of concrete and wood adding just the right amount of warmth. The look is simple and pared-back with soft linens and the obligatory Gotland sheepskin throw. Oh and did I mention a pool and small guesthouse too?!

Source: Fantastic Frank

Oh so lovely. The nature is just beautiful on Gotland.

Could you spend your summers here?

A few items I love from this home:  Gotland sheepsking throw, light grey linen bedding, g print, PH 5 pendant lamp.

*But where's that pool you mentioned?* - see a complete tour of the rural home here.

And more Gotland homes here.

If I've got you in the holiday mood you might also like to see this magical post- hey, shall we just forget the working week completely?!

Have a lovely day!

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Reader offer: Grafomap poster

Hope you're having a great weekend?! I might just have something to step it up one more gear!  Maps are becoming an increasingly popular display in the home - not only do they look nice but they can also tell the stories of our lives. And Grafomap - a tool which helps you create a map poster as a reminder of your special place - is offering all My Scandinavian Home readers 15% off! All you need to do is head over to Grafomap, type in a location, customise your map and add the code scandihome at check-out (valid until 3rd July, 2016). See you there?!

I'm so curious to see which location you choose (perhaps you could share a quick snap of it on instagram  (#grafomap) - and tag me, so I don't miss it! You might also want to check out other maps people have created.

Enjoy! 

This post is sponsored by Grafomap. However, all words are my own. I only ever collaborate with partners that I love and which I think you'll love too. Thank you for supporting the sponsors which make My Scandinavian Home possible.

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