A Stockholm home rich in texture

I have to say, I've really enjoyed this week on the blog, it's been kind of crazy. From an apartment on top of a Norwegian ski jump to your very own Tasmanian (dream) island hide-away  you could never say I don't shake things up a bit! Since it's the end of the week I feel it's perhaps time to come back down to earth. But this lovely family home in Stockholm is far from ordinary. Owned by Petrus Palmér, the founder of Hem design studio and shop, wife Madeleine and two year old son Alvar, the house is full of beautiful textures - from light wood and concrete to marble, cork and linen, and of course, many wonderful items. Let's take a look around....

Photography Erik Lefvander (shared with kind permission).  Styling Alexandra Ogonowski 
Found via The Design Chaser with thanks. 

Get the look: kitchen - Alphabeta pendant duet lights,  Alvar Aalto chair 69,  cast iron Japanese teapot. By the Stairs - Vitra cork stool, Pocket armchair, Kenno throw. Bedroom: this light blue linen bedding is similar.

You can read more about this beautiful home in Residence here (one of my absolute favourite Swedish interior magazines).

And before I shoot off for the weekend, here's a little link love to enjoy when you have a moment:

Curious to know what happens when Parisien style is brought to a Swedish apartment? Take a look here.

The secrets to styling your home like a Parisien.

For the sweet toothers among us, how mouth-wateringly good does this fluffy smor dip look?! It's either that or this (or both?!). Or even this (someone stop me!).

This is where I'd like to go this weekend... what do you reckon?

Have a wonderful couple of days and see you Monday!

PS keep an eye out for my give-away on Instagram this weekend!

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Your very own dream island hide-away

Located off Bruny Island in southern Tasmania, this small island formerly belonged to a writer, painter and poet. And now a family has transformed it into Satellite Island, an off the grid hide-away in untamed Tasmanian wilderness. Your own private island to share with family and friends where you can wake to the sound of sea birds, fish from the boathouse jetty, explore the waters by kayak or simply enjoy the scenery from a deckchair (guh!). Oh and did I mention the beautiful rustic vibe of the summer house and boathouse? The only real way to finish the day would be to watch the sunset with a glass of chilled Tasmanian wine - don't you think?! Can someone please whisk me away here?

Source: these beautiful pictures were taken by Kara Rosenlund and shared with kind permission. 

I mean, could you imagine?!

I wish I could say - and I'm holding a give-away to stay here for a week.... hahaha! I don't think I'd be able to give the prize away if this was the case?! But maybe we could share it?! Satellite Island are you listening?

Now this might sound crazy, but there are a few ideas to steal from this beautiful haven (hey, Tasmania's far away, it's nearly the weekend, we can do tropical too, right?):

Bedroom: source Kilim rugs to overlap here. Kitchen: industrial white pendant light, white Tolix chairs. Sitting room: source beautiful denim blue stonewashed linen by the metre here (how's that for a quick update for an old sofa?!). Bedroom 2: find stonewashed linen bedding in these shades here.

In need of more 'paradise' inspiration? - I'm also loving an ethereal beach house on St Barths,  a villa in tropical gardens in Brazil, and a long term favourite of mine - a little touch of paradise on Mykonos. And yes, you can stay at all of them! Which one first?!

I'll leave you to dream! 

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Could you stay at the top of a ski jump?!

I do love the weird and wonderful houses of this world - and this has to be up there at the top, literally! Listed on Airbnb with the strapline 'ski in, zipline out' this 'penthouse' apartment sits atop a large ski jump in Holmenkollen in Oslo, Norway. If you can stomach the height, the space not only offers incredible panoramic views across Oslo and beyond, it also has bags of style too (loving the mid-century touch!). Unless your Eddie the Eagle though, you might want to take the lift down.

Oslo anyone?!

Ski jumping not quite your thing but love a little downhill skiing (and unusual places to stay)? The  'whitepods' in Switzerland are pretty great too?

And for those of you who like the, er, more traditional - this rustic Norwegian cabin is beautiful!

Have a wonderful day! 

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A Swedish home with cosy textiles

One day at home and I'm back on the early morning train to the IKEA headquarters to see their latest range - busy (but exciting) days! Fortunately I've got something to keep me awake and feel inspired on the train - this Gothenburg home. Unlike yesterday's home tour, this one has been staged for sale (by the talented Emma Fischer). I know only too well that styling is a tricky business and requires a delicate balance. And Emma's use of chunky knit blankets, touches of light wood and the 'relaxed' look make for a lovely, cosy home. I could certainly see myself padding around here, how about you?

Source: Emma Fischer / Bjurfors

It's amazing what a difference the textiles make in this space - after all the shell is actually very modern and angular.

And if my girls see that bed canopy..... (for the record - it's by Numero 74).

As always, a few items I know and love: kitchen - Flowerpot VP1 pendant. Sitting room - this chunky knit blanket is similar (soooo cosy!). Bedroom - knot cushion (these are beautiful too), wishbone chair, linen throw. Children's bedroom - Hay cushion, Muuto wood lamp.

At Paris design week (see a few of my highlights here) I was invited to hear more about an exciting project (which I'll tell you more about in the next couple of days) over a delicious Finnish breakfast (well, if I must....)...and it had me dreaming about Finnish summer cottage life, which this video clip sums up beautifully.

If I've got you in the mood for Finland - here's my  Finnish summer cottage archive - pour that coffee, block the calendar!
 
Have a lovely day!

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Four beautiful designs from Maison & Objet 2016

One of the best things about visiting Maison & Objet Paris this weekend was discovering new items and chatting to the passionate designers behind them. Here are four items that I completely fell in love with:

1. Dutch designer Jurianne Matter creates a whole host of pretty eco-friendly things using paper, textiles and ceramics. I particularly loved the twig leaves - once threaded, you can go wild and bend it into any shape you like.




2.  Created for Alicja Patanowski's final project at the Royal College of Art in London, PLANTATION is made up of four different porcelain shapes used for growing herbs and ornamental plants in any disused glass using the principles of hydroponics. Thanks to the use of only water, you can watch the the stems and roots grow too. Time to put that old pint glass to use?!

3.  The NOMAD chair by Copenhagen based We do Wood is inspired by the traditional English camping chair. It's lightweight and portable, made from sustainable natural resources and above all else - so comfy that when I tested it out at the fair I couldn't get back up!

4. And for the kids, the young French brand Main Sauvage has it covered! The super soft and cosy dye-free toys for kids are hand knitted in a Bolivian Fair Trade Cooperative (I might just have to get one for myself too!).

Such lovely designs!

Do you have a favourite?

PS see more of my Maison & Objet Paris highlights in this short video clip.

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