A monochrome Swedish home with lovely light

I've never been much of a morning person (understatement), but lately I've been setting my alarm eye-wateringly early so I can get a few hours work in before the rest of the family wake-up. For example this morning my alarm went off at 5.30 just so I could take my youngest to her tennis camp at 9 and watch in a manner verging on chilled! But I've actually found that once my eyes no longer feel like sand paper (yes, I'm ridiculous!), there's another (secret) surprise for early-risers - the beautiful morning light. Our home (and cottage) looks completely different in the small hours. And it's this light which drew me to this Swedish apartment today. The abbreviated monochrome palette allows the soft pools of light to take centre stage, while touches of wood (in the floor and furniture) adds to the over all warmth of the space. Lovely!

Kvarteret Mäkleri found via Coco Lapine with thanks.

 So simple, yet so lovely. And the unique pieces are a feast for the eye too...

....which brings me to a few items I know and love: sitting room - Gubi semi pendant light, white table lamp, string shelves. Study / bedroom -&tradition flowerpot pendant light, cross blanket (I also love this one).

If you're loving this look and fancy a little more monochrome inspiration today, there are over 100 black and white homes in this archive.....(if this comes up first just scroll passed).

And hey, why not - a few other links I absolutely love from around the web today:

There's something beautiful about the 'country evening' post (again, it's that light!).

I quite fancy a blissful night's sleep (or nap) behind this curtain.

7 beautiful bedrooms with grey walls.

Where I'd like to be. In my new favourite Danish bikini cover-up.

I can't stop looking at this wildlife photo....?

Have a wonderful day!

PS is it time for a siesta yet?!

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The beautiful Stockholm home of a Swedish creative

I hope you're having a great start to the week? It's the Swedish holidays here and I'm writing this from my husband's family's summer cottage (love being here, it's so great to get a change of scenery). I bought several magazines on my way up - The Way We Play (TWWP) - beautiful - and Elle Decoration Sweden (a long term favourite). Online, Swedish interior magazines often host a clutch of fab bloggers, of which Elle Decoration has a great line-up. Their latest recruit is DIY extroadinaire Helena Nord. By way of introduction Helena invited readers into her home in Stockholm, which she shares with her partner and two children. Helena is an artist and designer and partner of En Form av Nord which holds creative workshops in DIY and photography among other things.  Helena's beautiful home is pared-back with soft grey-green tones and a wonderful mix of textures, creating a rich contrast. Let's take a tour....

Source: photography Helena Nord, Elle Decoration.

A few items I love in Helena's home: sitting room - stonewashed white linen bedding, jute rug, I love this and this plant pot. Bedroom- rustic stool, white linen curtain (lovely!). Studio - Beni Ourain rug. Children's room: Helena shows how she created the wall here.

Three DIY tips from Helena (in Swedish but often with a picture guide):

Using newspaper clips for framed art.
DIY art
And one for the kids - how to make an elephant out of loo rolls.

You can also keep up to date with Helena's latest projects on instagram here. 

And a couple of my favourite, incredibly simple DIY ideas from the MSH archives: a cloud doormat, go dotty at home and update a wall in an instant!

What a great way to kick off the week?

PS I am looking for a couple of homes (apartments, houses, cabins) to photograph next week in West Norway and West Finland. If you have any tips at all I'd be so grateful if you could send me a mail - thank you soooo much!

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A soothing grey Swedish apartment with a lovely balcony

My childhood home in Southwest London had huge floor to ceiling windows which looked out over woodland. I have to admit I used to peg it through tow woods on my way back from friends houses in the dark! But by day I absolutely loved the green outlook,  and it has totally shaped the environment I feel most happy in today. Even in the heart of the city, I have always tried to live somewhere I can look out and see a touch of greenery (loving this apartment block). (Did your childhood environment have the same impact? My husband grew up by the sea in Helsingborg and can't stand feeling land locked). I think that's what struck me the most about this lovely Swedish apartment - the sitting room opens out onto a balcony with beautiful views over parkland. And even though the outdoor space is small, it would perfectly serve as an antidote to the stresses and strains of daily life (and most importantly a spot for that all important Friday night drink!). The rest of the apartment has been decorate in soothing shades of grey, made cosy by contrasting textures. Lovely!

This apartment was found via Planete Deco with thanks. Can anyone provide the credits so I can update the post?

Fancy joining me for a drink on that balcony?!

Get the look: sitting room - zig-zag cushion (I also love this and this one!), brass table lamp by House Doctor, linen table cloth. Balcony - sheepskin throw, Askholmen table by IKEA (perfect little table for small balconies).

Weekend link love:

These copper plant stands are such a great DIY idea! Love the pink sofa too.

Art in the bathroom - do or don't?

The world's most beautiful tile floors.

Ice sticks to go with the aforementioned Friday night drink!

That's Saturday's lunch sorted - Mmmm!

Have you seen the latest Lodestars Anthology (an independent magazine-meets-journal for curious travellers who long to be inspired, see the world and meet interesting characters along the road)? It's all about Sweden, which is so exciting!

I'm still dreaming of my summer holiday after yesterday's post (oh and for those asking, I finally found a pic of Ernesto! How cute?!).

Speaking of which, if you could choose, would you go for this type of holiday, or this?!

Have a wonderful weekend and see you Monday!

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Home from home: a beautiful rural hotel in Southern Portugal

On the last day of term I walked passed one of my neighbours (also a friend and dad to one of my daughter's classmates) who was putting the final pieces of luggage into the family campervan, having already secured his surf board to the roof. It turns out they were heading off on a six week wavecation to Portugal (imagine?!). And then today I stumbled across the beautiful Pensao Agrícola (thank you Style Files!), a small rural hotel near the idyllic fishing village of Cacela Velha on the Southern Portuguese coast. Built in 1920, Pensao Agrícola was originally a farmhouse which has been transformed by architect Atelier Rua into a small hotel with six rooms and a shaded terrace and plunge pool. Each room has white washed walls and touches of rustic wood, as well as vintage industrial style lamps and pieces by local artists. Let's take a peek....

I see the hotel also offers Vespa rental, a tuk tuk shuttle to the beach and (best of all) invites guests to help bath, brush and feed the faithful family donkey, Ernesto - who'd also love to join you on one of your walks.

I'm there if only to meet Ernesto. You?!

Get the look from Pensao Agrícola- source a beautiful vintage industrial pendant lamp here, jute rug (love the 'natural sand' version), soft herringbone blanket, there are two vintage cast iron beds available on Etsy right now here and here (hurry!).

Other holiday stays I love include this Greek island getaway, a Brazil escape and a Bali pool villa.

Holiday anyone?!

Have a lovely day! 

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The romantic Marienlyst castle meets modern Danish design

I'm feeling inspired by dilapidated walls after my trip to Florence at the weekend. Which is probably why these beautiful images taken in Marienlyst Castle, just North of Copenhagen caught my eye (I love how sections of the paneling have been removed to reveal the original brickwork beneath). The Danish 'slot' formerly served as a royal pavilion for Kronborg Castle (think Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'). The monochrome interior is simple yet elegant with period features and original floors that give the entire space an oh so romantic feel, don't you think? No wonder Danish homewares brand Tine K Home chose it as a setting for their Autumn / Winter 2016 collection - which is inspired by the pale colours found in bouquets of flowers and greenery and how the hues change as they mature (*she sits there dreaming*). Oh the romance of it all. Enjoy!

Tine K Home - images found via Seventeen Doors with thanks

Simply lovely! And such a mid-week treat?! 

Most of the items you see are from Tine K Home (visit the online shop here) and some exciting pieces from the forthcoming Autumn / Winter 2016 collection, which gives us all something to look forward to when the leaves start to fall?! You can also check-out the complete catalogue here.

Is there anything that caught your eye?

Other mid week links I love:

Rijksmuseum.ixxi thinks it's important that collections from prominent museums become accessible to the many. When you see this masterpiece in a cute children's bedroom I think you'll agree?! Pick up your own masterpiece here. 

This artichoke flower arrangement.

Bedside table inspiration.

Tonight's supper:  firey schezwan peanut and chilli zucchini noodles.

Pretty peach coloured house by the sea.  Imagine waking up here? And where I'd love to be right now.

Have a dreamy day

PS This was not a sponsored posts, I just loved the imagery and thought it had to be shared!

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