A Dreamy Vintage-inspired Family Home on the French Riviera

Bonjour! Yes, you've guessed it, we're off to France today. Not IRL of course (although that would've been nice, don't you think?) - but right here on the blog. Jessica, her husband and their two children Cara and Maya live in a beautiful home on the French Riviera. Decorated in calming neutrals, the house is a sea of cool white and cream, punctuated with rattan and wood for warmth. Vintage furniture and art help to add a relaxed vibe throughout - and the perfect base from which to explore Cannes, St Tropez, Nice and Monaco. Bienvenue chez Jessica! 

I'd do a house swap in an instant - how about you? 

There are so many beautiful ideas to feel inspired by too - I love the childrens' room in particular (that bunkbed and shared desk!). 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

See more over at @mayra_and_me

Shall we take a peek at a few other French homes today? Here are some VERY inspiring blasts from the past: 

A relaxed vintage-inspired home in the French countryside 

Lovely black floors in the home of a French stylist

Old meets new in an 18th century basketry workshop

A charming B&B in the French countryside, run by Swedes

I hope you enjoyed today's France-inspired post as much as I did. All this talk has made me dream of having Moules frites for lunch! Mmmm! 

After an international week, perhaps I'll return tomorrow with a Scandinavian tour - we'll see! Sending hugs until then! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @mayra_and_me, shared with kind permission

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An Old School Becomes a Light and Airy Family Home

I seem to have gone down a rabbit hole of Dutch homes lately. It all started with cabin Anna on Thursday, and then yesterday I shared Michiel's harmonious home. And today - I couldn't resist sharing this converted schoolhouse in Rotterdam!  When Aquine, Robbin, Nora and Nood first acquired the property it needed a major amount of work. But their extensive efforts have paid off and today the family enjoy an incredible, light-filled home with sky high ceilings, floor to ceiling windows, open-plan living spaces and a beautiful inner-city garden. Here are a few before and after pics: 

Before

The former school needed a massive amount of work in order to convert it into a liveable space. As well as structural work, a mezzanine floor was added to create space for a living room. 

 

After

In the open plan kitchen, the wooden ceiling has been left exposed to add warmth - a perfect way to balance the coolness of the concrete floor. A pink accent wall also helps to add softness and break up the monochrome theme.

I love this vibrant bouquet - it instantly lifts the spirits and adds a wonderful splash of colour!  

Bikes are as big a part of life in Holland as they are in Scandinavia. This one is so elegant it can be stored in the sitting room area and actually adds to the space (mine wouldn't look quite as aesthetic as this!). 

The bathroom in the bedroom is bound to get tongues wagging in the comment section. I've always thought they're pretty cool as they have a luxury hotel-like feel. I'm not sure everyone agrees though! 

The bed is from IKEA (I was freelancing there when it was first launched and I loved to see how IKEA interior designers styled it: the rail can be used for clothes, hanging plants or nice fabric! The mirror is also IKEA. 

Garden before

The former school playground was extremely barren and need to be re-worked from scratch to transform it into a garden and outdoor social area. 

After

'Pardon the weeds, we're feeding the bees'. I love to see wildflower gardens - it's something I wrote about in my Lagom book. They provide a wonderful home for insects and look pretty too, I'd choose this over a lawn (if I had a garden big enough!). 

A patio area serves as a place to cook, gather and play come summer. 

In all, a lovely property - and knowing that it used to be a school makes it even more special. 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

See more pictures (including the children's rooms) over at @oldschool.newschool. 

Would you like to see a few other conversions? Check out these amazing archives: 

Converted schools

Converted barns

Converted warehouses

Converted factories

A converted Swedish fire station 

A converted railway station

Do you have a favourite? 

Puss or kram! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @oldschool.newschool - shared with kind permission

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Michiel's Harmonious Dutch Home in Natural Hues

Good morning friends! Stopping by here on this bright and sunny Monday morning in Malmö with the beautiful home of Michiel Bosman. A photographer, stylist and teacher, Michiel has been busy renovating his house in the small town of Bodegraven between Amsterdam and Rotterdam in The Netherlands. The canvas is in place with a calming combination of natural wood, stone and soft earthy hues, and now he has begun to layer it with a perfect blend old and new (with a particular penchant for Scandinavian design - which of course, I love!). Here are a few snapshots from his harmonious home. 

The wooden kitchen cabinets are from the Norwegian family run business Ask og Eng, the marble top is from De Keukenbladenfabriek and the taps are by deVOL. Wooden shelves are laden with artisan objects by ceramicists such as Robynn Storgaard and Poppy Lawman. 

This popular lamp is popping up in many beautiful homes right now - it's by Valerie Objects. 

Spotted: pendant lamp from Louis Poulsen*, SK2 chairs from &tradition, Vent stool by Skagerak 

The bedroom is one of Michiel's latest projects, the walls have been painted in 'clay mid' from Little Greene. Next step - art! 

Such a beautiful home. To me, it looks like the perfect canvas, backdrop from which to build upon over time and layer with personal objects, art and everyday items. 

If you love this home as much as I do and have the time today, hop over to Michiel's instagram feed @michieljbosman to see more snapshots and follow his renovation. One of Michel's latest posts really resonated with me in particular, and it's heartwarming to see he has updated the link in his bio to re-direct to a Dutch charity seeking to help those in need. 

Would you like to see a few other Dutch homes this morning? Here are a few I love: 

A fuss-free and laidback Dutch home

A Dutch home in a former children's nursery

A bright and cheerful dutch family home

Stor kram (big hug) to you all at the start of the week. 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Michiel Bosman, shared with kind permission. 

*indicate affiliate partnership links 

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Cabin Anna: Designed to Live At One with Nature

Nature lovers, prepare to be wowed! Dutch designer Caspar Schols has taken the indoor-outdoor living concept to a whole new level with Cabin ANNA: a hybrid cabin designed to bridge the gap between traditional camping and a log cabin. 

So, where did the idea come from? Caspar Schols had just finished a university degree in physics when his Mother asked him to build a garden cabin. With no architectural education, Casper drew on his vision to create a 'dynamic connection between man, nature and home'. The cabin should be a 'flexible space where she could read or paint, organise family dinners, and where her grandchildren could give theatre performances- But above all else, the cabin had to bring her closer to nature.' The idea for cabin ANNA was born. 

The structure is made up of a central conservatory nestled between two permanent structures and works in much the same way as you might dress for the weather - peeling away layers as the clouds clear and the temperature rises.  

Great walls slide back to reveal the open-sky - under which you can sleep, bathe, read and gather. 

On chillier days, the structure can be covered and a wood burning stove - helps to heat the space, all the while still ensuring you feel at one with nature. 

Casper's design received instant worldwide recognition and a flurry of awards generated partnerships which meant he was able to build different variations - some of which are available to purchase (with the option of an on-grid or off-grid versions). Meanwhile, guests are invited to book Cabin ANNA for an overnight stay in several different locations around Holland. I'm there! 

Simply incredible! I only wish I'd known about this concept before we started to build our tiny cabin  (update to follow soon - we're making great progress!). It's not too late to incorporate a sunken bath in the outdoor decking though, right? Remember the Danish summer cottage one?

Could you imagine staying here? I'd love to hear your thoughts on the indoor-outdoor living concept!

Feel inspired by other ideas in the tiny house and cabin archives where you'll find everything from a former railway carriage to a converted Mercedes sprinter van. 

Såååå, That's it from me this week. Thank you so much for stopping by and for all your comments - I might not always be quick to respond, but I love to read each and very one of them. Right now it feels even more important to be a part of a community that's based on peace, love and respect - and I thank you all for helping to create that right here. 

Stor kram (big hug to you all), 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Cabin ANNA. 

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A Lakeside Swedish Log House In The Snow

Living in the south of Sweden, the winters tend to be long, cold and dark and life tends to gravitate indoors. Many a night are spent at home surrounded by candlelight while munching on comfort food! In the North of Sweden however - the days are lit by dazzling white snow and children play outdoors, building snowmen, sledging or building domes. At weekends, many locals like to head off into the wilderness by ski, ice-skates, snowmobile or show-shoes - all of which will leave you happy, rosy-cheeked and ready for a steaming hot chocolate with rum and whipped cream once home! 

Located around 500 km North of Stockholm, Ann Rullander has created a winter paradise in the form of a beautiful log cabin on the edge of a vast frozen lake. The house dates back to the 1800's and was completely renovated in 2006. It was previously used as a summer cottage before Ann and her husband moved there permanently five-years ago. Today, the simple white wood clad interior mirrors the blanket of snow outside, while a roaring fire, candles and blankets help to create a toasty feel. Ready to be transported to a Swedish winter wonderland? 

How beautiful. 

The porch shovelling looks like heavy work (did you notice how much snow there is?) - but an essential exercise if you want to be able to leave your house in wintertime up there! 

Do you get snow like this where you live? 

Ann tells me that in summer they love to swim in the lake and get about by boat. But for a while yet they'll be using skis and a scooter. 

See more of Ann's lovely house over at @annrullander. 

Would you like to see a few others Scandinavian cabins in the snow? Here are few of my favourites: 

A stunning farmhouse in the snow

A cosy Swedish cottage in the snow

A dreamy Scandinavian-inspired chalet in Whitefish

Stor kram! Big hug! 

Niki

Credits: Ann Rullander, shared with kind permission

For my sentiments on what is happening in Europe right now, please see this post. While I continue to blog, behind-the-scenes I am doing what I can from Sweden, while hoping for peace, humanity and a brighter tomorrow. 

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