Emilie's Charming Family Home Among the Rooftops of Strasbourg

It's Friday people - woohoooo! I hope you've got some fun plans for the weekend. Perhaps a little interior 'zhuzhing' in the mix? If so, I've got plenty of inspiration for you here on MSH! 

Today, we're heading to Emilie's home high up in the rooftops of Strasbourg, France which she shares with her husband and two young children Jeanne and Gustave. Emilie loves to surround herself with beauty - and has created a wonderful home to return to after a day working as a general practitioner doctor. Despite the tricky angles and beams, every room feels spacious and full of light (keep a look out for cover use of dormer windows and skylights) - and there's somewhere to relax around every corner. 

Ready to take a peek? Bienvenue! 

The dining room and sitting room is all one room and a glass partition separates the home office from the main living space. I am often asked about glass room dividers - if you're a dab hand, you could build one yourself, if not, I'd recommend a company like Elfa or Velfac. 

There's something about a piano in a home, don't you think? - just the sight of one is enough to make me feel relaxed. Alice used to play, and I loved hearing her practise (so much better than a recorder!). 

A close up of the room partition - a smart solution if you have one large room which needs dividing but you still want to keep the light. 

I really like how Emilie has included accent walls throughout her home. The colour in the master bedroom is not unlike the 'Blushing peach' we used to have in our bedroom. 

Emilie's prettiest summer dresses hang from a DIY open rail. 

The children share a bunkbed (from Oliver Furniture). Pretty wallpaper from Sandberg adds interest on the side away from the windows. 

I love the black radiator here.

The vintage school desk provides plenty of space for creating (there is some fantastic vintage school furniture available on Etsy*).

*affiliate link.

Skylights fill the bathroom with light and a shelf allows for art or other items in a tight space. 

Very charming! 

I think my favourite thing is how the light dances off a disco ball in the main room (it's Friday after all!), and of course the children's room - I'd have loved a room like this when I was little! 

Is there anything that stands out to you? 

See more corners of Emilie's home over at @lunettesetsalopettes. 

And here are a few other wonderful French homes from the archives to explore this weekend: 

A relaxed, vintage style family home in the French countryside

The fabulous eclectic home of a French antique dealer

A dreamy vintage-inspired home in the French Riviera

Lovely black floors in the home of a French stylist

Alexandra's home in the French countryside

There are even a couple of homes belonging to Swedes (something special happens when two cultures combine!): 

The home of a Swedish photographer and French milliner

A charming Swedish home in the South of France

I hope this has given you plenty of ideas for your own home!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @lunettesetsalopettes with kind permission

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A Warm and inviting Swedish Home with Low Angled Ceilings

This week, I'm taking you on a journey around Scandinavia. On Monday we were at a Danish cabin beside the Kattagatt Sea - and today we're peeking inside a house near the shore of Lake Mälaren, Sweden. Dating back to the 1700s and measuring 70 m2, the house is an upside down one, with a kitchen, bedroom and bathroom on the ground floor and the sitting room and home office at the top off the house. 

Bathed in warm golden sunlight (I love the way the light has been captured), the style is clean and simple, yet inviting thanks to relaxed open shelving, a blend of furniture and a big, plump sofa (I'd be perfectly happy to sink into that today and hang out in it for the rest of the week!). Perfect inspiration for anyone dealing with low angled ceilings! Enjoy the tour! 

A perfect spot to hang out after a day on lake Mälaren! 

FYI it looks like that pot on the stairs has been placed there for the styling (it would be tricky to get around it otherwise! To be fair, the Mimosa does look beautiful even if it's not so practically positioned!

I love the red chair in the kitchen - there's something about throwing something completely different into the mix, it adds an element of surprise which is always good in an interior. 

Is there anything that stands out to you?

Incidentally, I have never been to Mariefred, but it looks lovely from the pictures - see what I mean here! I'll be adding that destination to my travel list for a holiday on lake Mälaren! Maybe see you there? 

Feel inspired by other apartments with angled ceilings today:  

A serene Swedish space in the attic

A smallish Danish home with a vibrant, sunny feel

Before and after: an attic room becomes a light and airy guest bedroom

You can also see how I created storage under an angled ceiling in my bedroom and attic - still thrilled with it today! 

Kram! See you Friday! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Historiska Hem (which house is currently for sale - tempted?). 

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A Danish Summer Cabin with 10 Garden Elements for a Dreamy Oasis!

Are you a fan of instagram? I have to confess I find it a little hit and miss these days, but right now it's fantastic as I'm trying to figure out what to do with our garden at the cabin and my feed is full of dreamy garden inspiration. Which is how I stumbled upon this Danish cabin! 

Lærke Hentze and her family bought a piece of land in the beautiful village of Gilleleje, North of Copenhagen in 2017 and have since built a charming cabin from the ground up. You'd be forgiven for thinking it's old thanks to a traditional Danish coastal vibe - in part due to the beaded wood panelling and earthy tones which have been carefully selected to reflect the surroundings.

In Scandinavia, summers are sacred, and the garden is an important part of the living space! Scroll on down to discover ten ways Lærke has made the most of their outdoor space to ensure a true summer oasis.  

But first, let's start with the indoors: 

The darker blue cabinets in the kitchen help to add contrast and interest and also nod to the nearby Kattegatt sea. 

The main living area is completely open-plan with a kitchen, dining room and sitting room in one - emphasising the idea of togetherness, an important element of the Scandinavian summer cottage. 

A wood-burning stove is an essential piece of kit for a touch of Danish hygge! 

A striped sofa cover adds a subtle coastal vibe while a designer lamp and safari style chair elevate the room. 

Books are an essential element of any summer cottage, as hopefully you finally time to catch up on some reading! 

I love how vases are filled with flowers and foliage from the garden - no matter the time of year. 

A bar? Now we're talking! 

And how beautiful is the vintage rattan bar cart? There are lots of similar ones to buy here* (affiliate link).

Rattan has been hugely popular for a while now, and I can understand why, it adds an instantly relaxed atmosphere, and on warmer, dry days it can be moved outdoors too! 

Possibly one of the most popular lamps in Denmark (and something I covet for my own cabin, is a Le Klint scissor lamp - beautiful! 

Time to move outdoors? Lærke has created a dreamy oasis from scratch. I discovered ten elements she has included for an idyllic Scandinavian summer cottage garden:  

1. The outdoor kitchen: When you have to endure the long winters that we do in Scandinavia, it's important to embrace every moment of the warmer weather. Outdoor kitchens have become increasingly popular and don't require much in the way of equipment. Freestanding units, a sink, and a gas or electric stove should do the trick. 

A spot under the eaves is used to dry flowers such as crown dill. 

2. Dining area: an obvious one, but oh how I dream about meals alfresco! Do as the Scandinavians and add cushions, blankets, oil lamps and lanterns so you can stay outside for longer after sunset.

3. A parasol: while we all love sunshine, it's not so comfortable if you're feeling the heat! The best parasols have a tilting function and should be around 50 cm to 1 metre wider than the space you would like to cover. 

4. An outdoor living room: why lounge around on the sofa indoors when you can lounge around outside in comfort! The rattan outdoor chairs are from Cane-line and the table is by Fermob. 

5. Summer flowers: the key, I have learnt from my Scandinavian friends, is to create a garden that requires as little maintenance as possible (after all, you're there to relax!) and also flowers when you intend to use it - which in most cases in Scandinavia means June, July and August. 

'Annabelle' hydrangea, with its spectacular white pompoms is hugely popular here - and requires little maintenance. Lærke has combined hers with tall grasses for a more wild, natural look. 

6. An annex: seen here across the flower beds, an annex is ideal for extra guests and afternoon siestas - if you have the space! 

7. The fire pit: a log fire is great way to spend time outdoors in wintertime without feeling the chill! But they are also lovely on chillier summer evenings too. Keep it simple and surround the fire with a few logs for seating. 

8. The sleep shelter: If you head out into the wilderness in Scandinavia, you'll spot these open-sided shelters along the trails. Made from wood, they provide shelter over lunch or at night - just add a sleeping bag and pillow for a good night's slumber! I love how Lærke has included one in her garden so her family can sleep out under the stars. 

9. A hammock: so simple, yet so perfect to spend some alone under the boughs of a tree with a book! 

10. Somewhere to take a dip: Since a morning and evening dip are an essential part of summer life, Scandinavian summer cottages are rarely far from water - whether a lake, river, fjord or the sea. No water nearby? Add a simple bath like this danish cabin - or a small plunge pool! 

I hope Lærke's idyllic summer oasis has given you some inspiration for your own home / outdoor space today. If you'd like to see more pictures, hop over to her instagram at @creating_a_cottage. 

Could you imagine spending your summers here? 

Would you like to see more today? Take a scroll through the Scandinavian cabins archive - there are so many dreamy ones in there! 

Have a wonderful start to the week! 

Niki

Photography: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 , 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 ,15 by Copenhagen based photographer Chris Opander Tonnesen. Others by Lærke Hentze / @creating_a_cottage. Shared with kind permission. 

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A Swedish Home with Warm, Golden Tones

Friday already? How great is that? I'm celebrating by working away in a little cafe by the sea beside my house. It's a little foggy though so the Öresund bridge (which connects Sweden and Denmark) is shrouded in cloud). In this Gothenburg apartment though, it looks like the sun is always shining thanks to the warm golden tones. Would you like to take a look around and get some lovely ideas? Follow along for the tour. 

I often talk about a 'red thread' - which is a Swedish phrase for carrying a theme from one room to the next  to create a cohesive look and create harmony. In this space the same beige-yellow hue has been used in some shape or form in every room. 

Note above how a shelf has been placed over the door making use of 'dead space' and also drawing the eye upwards to make full use of the magnificent ceiling height. 

I mentioned in Wednesday's post that range ovens are making a big comeback in Sweden lately. Don't get me wrong, in-built ovens are still more prevalent, but these beauties are sneaking into older homes and adding a wonderful focal point to the kitchen. In Sweden we don't use so much gas, so if you look closely, you'll notice that these are often induction. 

Doing away with upper cabinets for a cleaner look is still a hot trend. Even so, open shelving and rails with hooks help to add a relaxed, cosy touch. 

Note the panelling contains beading which adds a traditional touch to the look (see my panelling style guide for more information). 

Possibly one of the slimmest wine fridges I have seen - so smart if you like to keep your wine at exactly the right temperature but don't have a lot of space to spare! 

An extra dining area has been added in the open-plan sitting room. Note the wall-mounted glass cabinet - a popular feature in Swedish and Danish homes right now! 

All storage in the sitting room is made from the same wood, adding warmth and texture to the space. 

A fully working masonry stove in the corner adds such a cosy touch to the sitting room! 

Whoever has lived here (and soon moving out) is very keen on storage - which is a dream to see! Note how the cabinets do not go the entire way to the ceiling for a contemporary touch (and to not obstruct the beautiful cornicing!). 

I feel warm just looking at this apartment - there's definitely something to be said for yellow-ish tones, don't you think? 

For those of you who think it's helpful to see a floor plan, here it is: 

Right folks, that's it from me this week! 

I'm rushing back home now to help my daughter to pack for her swimming competition in Kungsbacka, on the Swedish west coast this weekend (did you see Lovisa's home which I shared from the same town on Wednesday? So charming!). And tomorrow I'm excited to be heading over that bridge to Copenhagen for the day. Let's hope it isn't still shrouded in fog! I hope you have some sun / relaxing plans too! 

If you'd like to see a little more inspiration over the weekend, check out the Swedish, Danish and Norwegian home archives - there are over 12 years of Scandinavian interiors to explore! 

I'll be back on Monday with a tour of a danish summer cabin with the most beautiful garden (I've been taking notes for our own cabin garden). Hopefully see you then! 

Niki

Photo: Henrik Linden for Alvhem. 

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