Tour the Beautiful St Oaks Studio by 'Our Food Stories'

The girls behind Our Food Stories have done it again. Those of you who’ve been following MSH for a while will remember the Berlin flat and country retreat, derelict classroom that became a  beautiful kitchen and even a charming house in Sweden. More recently, Laura and Nora have been busy renovating St Oak apartments near Berlin, and have just completed a beautiful 200-square metre (2150- square foot) studio. 

Their signature style is unmistakable — richly patinated walls, brass fittings, and incredible cabinetry that always steals my heart. As keen foodies, the kitchen is always at the centre of their projects, and this one doesn’t disappoint. Made from Frama CPH and Kvänum units, it has that old-world feel with a modern twist. I’m especially smitten with the glass-fronted pantry — how beautiful (and handy) is that?

The open-plan space also features two striking green Italian sofas by Tachinni which rest on a textured Cappelen dimyr rug, a light-filled dining area, and a bathroom with a very cool wooden bathtub from Michor (how I'd love to put this to the test!). And there’s even a balcony where you can soak up the summer sun.

It certainly has me dreaming of a weekend away in this holiday home: flitting about, relaxing, and using it as a base to explore the surrounding area (I hear there’s a lake nearby that’s perfect for swimming!) - maybe a day in Berlin (such a fantastic city, have you been?). 

I hope you feel as inspired by the tour as I do! 

Beautiful! I’m always amazed by how they manage to renovate so many spaces — each one unmistakably with their signature style, yet with its own unique character. I also love how they source distinctive pieces, like the sofa and that incredible wooden bath — it’s such fun to see something a little different.

Was there anything in this studio that inspired you?

If you're visiting Germany anytime soon and fancy giving yourself a wonderful spa-like getaway - you can find all the details about booking a stay in this studio here. 

Here in Malmö, the sun is shining and we’re basking in 28°C (82°F) — it’s shaping up to be a lovely weekend, not least because we have a birthday in the house! Liv is turning 17… where have the years gone?

I hope you’ve enjoyed the tours this week. Wishing you a wonderful weekend, and I’ll see you back here on Monday!

Niki

Photography courtesy of St Oaks apartment, shared with kind permission.

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From Classroom to Country Retreat: A Swedish Schoolhouse Turned Artist’s Home

You know how much I love a home with history – especially when it’s had a completely different life before. This one’s lovely: Malmby Gamla Skola, a former schoolhouse dating back to the 1860s. Set along winding country roads and surrounded by greenery, its red facade with white trims is the picture of Swedish charm.

I like to imagine the days when teachers stood at the front of the class, the sound of pencils scratching on paper, and children running out to play in the fields. 

Today, it’s a welcoming family home, now owned by an artist (which makes perfect sense with all that glorious light streaming in through the old mouth-blown windows). Keep an eye out for the quirky rug laid at a diagonal, beautiful wallpaper, a cosy kitchen window nook, and of course, the lovely fireplace – perfect for curling up beside in winter.

The garden has plenty to offer too – a greenhouse, kitchen garden, and space to grow your own vegetables. In summer, you can pick wild strawberries straight from the lawn, and in the evening, there’s a beautiful sunset over the meadows. 

Ready to take a peek inside? 

Did you notice the wavy view you get when you look through mouth-blown glass windows? They are so beautiful and really add to the charm of the house. 

Could you imagine living in a house with a wonderful past like this? Or perhaps you already do? 

I have featured lots of converted homes in the past - including these schools: 

A light-filled Swedish home in a converted school
A Swedish home in former city school from the 1950s

A converted school with flashes of sunny yellow

My friend Louisa's home in a converted school

Colourful, boho and eclectic in a country home

This post is actually very timely as my younger daughter went back to school today - the summer holidays are finally over - even if it is 25 degrees celsius (77 F). 

Happy Wednesday friends!

Niki

Photos courtesy of Historiska Hem

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A Peek Inside a Tapestry Artist’s Notting Hill Maisonette

Sometimes, it’s hard to walk into a property and instantly see its full potential – especially when it’s looking a little… shall we say… worse for wear. Do you agree? The Notting Hill, London home of tapestry artist Teresah Hastings was exactly that – and then some. Gutted by fire, it had lost much of its original character. At one point it was even home to the West London Buddhist Centre, who installed a stage in the front room, and there was only an outdoor loo. Can you imagine nipping outside in the middle of a January night?

But Teresah had a vision. She rolled up her sleeves and transformed the tired Victorian maisonette into a warm, beautiful home and creative studio for herself and her three children. She rented nearby while painstakingly renovating, bringing the place back to life with natural materials, a gentle respect for the building’s history, and a few clever restoration tricks – including borrowing a moulding from the flat upstairs to re-create the missing ceiling cornicing. Love that!

Over the years, she’s filled the space with a lovingly collected mix of antique furniture and cherished pieces. In the sitting room, you’ll spot the sturdy frame that supports her tapestry work – the backbone for her richly textured, handwoven creations.

Now, with a heavy heart and a head full of memories, Teresah is moving on – which means The Modern House has given us a little peek inside before the lucky next owner moves in. So… who’s ready to fall in love with a home that comes with a backstory, a bit of grit, and a lot of heart? Let’s take a tour…

What a lovely home – full of creativity. I’m especially smitten with the wall of saucepans and the eclectic mix of furniture. I also noted how clean and calm the master bedroom is - which lends itself to a peaceful night's sleep. Do you also like to decorate your bedroom in a nice and calm way? 

It’s fascinating to peek behind the façade of a pastel-coloured Notting Hill home I’ve walked past so many times! 

I hope you enjoyed the tour too! Is there anything about Teresah’s home that stood out to you?

You can see more pictures of her home and read more about it over at The Modern House. You can also discover more about Teresah’s work here.

Would you like to see more inspiring homes  today? Check out 8 homes belonging to creatives. 

Stor kram! 

Niki

Credits: photography Dan Glasser for The Modern House, shared with thanks. 

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A Cosy Swedish Home with Vintage Finds & Foraged Charm

To wrap up the week, I’m taking you on a virtual trip to the countryside of Värmland, Sweden—home to Johan Magnussen. Johan has a knack for discovering vintage treasures, filling his home with plants and flowers, and foraging in the nearby forests for whatever seasonal goodness nature has to offer.

His passion is evident in every corner of the house, which feels both peaceful and full of stories. I’m especially taken by the charming period features that whisper of the farmhouse’s history—like the oven fireplace in the kitchen, decorative stucco, wood-panelled ceilings, and exposed brick walls.

As you explore, keep an eye out for antique fabrics draped over side tables and embroidered cushions in the window nook—beautiful comebacks from times gone by.

Johan leans into calming, earthy tones throughout, creating a beautifully serene space—made even more inviting by a cat curled up in blissful slumber on the sofa. Oh, to be that cat!

Fancy a peek around the ground floor? Let’s dive in!

And can we talk about that impressive hoard of chanterelles? I’m quite sure Johan would never reveal where he found them—Swedes are famously tight-lipped about their foraging spots (and rightly so!). Do you like to forage, too? We love going blackberry picking near our cottage. I noticed just this weekend that the first berries are beginning to ripen, so I’ll definitely be out there with my basket!

When I interviewed a friend for my Njuta book, she shared a lovely tradition: she forages throughout the year and then, on New Year’s Eve, she infuses each course of the evening meal with something gathered from a different season—a beautiful homage to the year gone by. How nice is that?

I hope you enjoyed the tour of Johan’s home as much as I did. Was there anything that especially stood out to you?

Let me share a few more lovely country homes with you today: 

A magical Norwegian cottage with a wabi sabi vibe
A very cosy Swedish country home
Ilkka's charming rural retreat in Finland

I hope you all have a lovely, relaxing weekend! 

Niki

Photography: Johan Magnussen, shared with kind permission. 

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