An idyllic holiday home in the South of France

I do love the small coincidences in life, don't you? Take yesterday. I was leafing through Hilary Robertson's book The Stuff of Life and the beautiful home of New York designer Annie Moore in Carcassonne, South of France caught my eye. And then last night her home popped up on my bloglovin' feed from nowhere- and I knew at that moment it was a sign - I had to share it with you!  I am so in love with this space, I could quite easily dine out for days on it....the rustic touches, the beautiful garden, the wallpaper, the freestanding baths, everything! And guess what? I also found out it's somewhere we can actually stay (quoted on the website as 'your spiritual home in the south of france')! Why did I not know about this before?

Credits: pictures 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10 by  Montse Garriga Grau / Nuevo Estilo. Pictures 3 and 8 by Nicolas Mathéus / Marie Claire Maison. Shared with kind permission from Annie Moore.

See you at Camellas-Lloret?!

I like the idea of creating a wall with vintage botanical pictures (pick up a second hand 'flora and fauna' book here to create similar). I also love the painting in the middle of the mirror, I've never seen that before, have you?!

Is there anything that stands out to you?

A few other ideas to steal from Annie's home: outroom - this (one-off) zinc sink is similar or source a custom made one here, pick up a vintage demi-john glass bottle here. Dining room - Tulip table with marble top. Bedroom: stonewashed white linen bedding.

Other beautiful places to stay (hey, there's no reason why we can't do a tour right?!...) include a rural hotel in Portugal, a log cabin in The Netherlands, and a boho cottage in Byron Bay. Do you have any tips?

Have a wonderful day!

PS Just in case you missed it yesterday, the winner of the Houseology give-away has now been announced here!

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Alexandra's Vintage-Inspired Home in The French Countryside

I often think homes are like books: they all have a story to tell. In a library you'll find many genres, and it's the same with living spaces. While some might be akin to romantic novels, others are more playful and colourful - like a comic! Alexandra's home in Chanterelle, central France, is like poetry.

Alexandra has furnished her living space entirely with one-off pieces sourced at vintage and antique markets (how I'd love to visit France purely for the purpose of visiting antique markets.... and maybe the cuisine. OK, the wine too... actually, I could as well soak up some culture while I'm there too!), ensuring every single room is filled with treasures. Subtle, earthy tones, a wonderful stone floor and exposed wood ceiling as well as clever use of paint create a perfect backdrop and add to the overall charm. 

Bienvenue chez Alexandra! 

How beautiful! I almost feel like I'm there, it's a strange sensation. 

Is anyone else now planning to scour flea markets this weekend? Preferably in France, of course!

Incidentally, Alexandra sells a selection of vintage accessories online here (and you can see more of her home over at @milkandhomefamily).

Note the paintwork throughout the house. Using darker shades on architrave, doors, skirting boards and even ceilings is the trend du jour! I think it looks beautiful and in older homes, really helps to enhance period features. 

Would you like to look around a few more French homes this weekend? Here are a few others I love: 

A relaxed, vintage inspired house in the French countryside

The fab home of a French stylist and photographer

Inside the Parisian home of a chef and photographer 

What book genre would you associate your home with? Tricky one actually, I'm looking around mine and currently drawing a blank! 

Have a wonderful weekend friends. À bientôt!

Niki

Photographer courtesy of Alexandra / @milkandhomefamily

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A Wonderful, Relaxed Family Home In the Heart Of the Beaujolais Wine Country

Sometimes I'm going about my business in Malmö as happy as Larry and then a home tour pops up that knocks me for six and has me dreaming about a total life change! This is one of those days! And once you see the pictures, I have a feeling you might just feel the same. Lysiane Marcel lives in a beautiful 18th century house in the wine-producing region of Beaujolais, France, with her husband Laurent, three children Léonce, Bertil and Colette and their cats and dog. Their home is an inspiring blend of vintage, antique and high street finds (I even spy some IKEA pieces!), giving the space a truly relaxed and personal touch. I briefly caught up with Lysiane, who runs a concept store in Villefranche, to find out a little more about her 'golden' house in the heart of the Pierres Dorées. 

Your house looks magnificent! How old is it and when did you move in?

It is an old vineyard house built in 1752 from pierres dorées, which is the golden stone of our region. We moved in when I was pregnant with Colette three years ago. 

What inspires your interior style?

I follow my heart and allow the house to guide me. 

I can imagine feeling very inspired by a house like this! Was it love at first sight? 

Yes, but we were afraid about all of the space because the house is very large, and we were living in an apartment in Lyon at the time!

Do you plan to decorate the entire house, or will you leave some of the rooms empty?

We plan to create a lot of guest bedrooms for our friends. They are empty during the week, but we often have friends to stay at the weekend. 

What do you love most about your house?

I love the space, the light, the floor and all the little details that come with an old house. 

And finally, do you have any tips for anyone who dreams of owning a similar property? 

It takes a lot of time to find a house like this. We visited 30 properties before we found it! it's all about following your heart, a home must make you feel good. 

What do you reckon, are you ready to enjoy croissants and a café au lit by the pool?! Or perhaps a glass of Beaujolais would be more apt?! 

Check out more of Lysiane's beautiful home over at @une_idee_entete. Lysiane also sells her family's lovely clothes second hand on instagram here. 

I've shown a few other wonderful French country homes (which I still dream about), including:

A relaxed family home in the French countryside

A charming family home in Normandy, France

Before and after: a vintage-inspired family home in Metz, France

Is anyone else feeling truly inspired now for a Monday?!

Have a great start to the week! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @une_idee_entete, shared with kind permission

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Plans For The Summer? How About This 19th Century Estate in Normandy?!

Do you have any plans for the summer?! We'll likely head to our summer cottage to relax and (hopefully!) soak up the Swedish summer sun - if the kitchen is finished, of course! But we also like to find one new adventure to surprise our children with, even if it's just for a weekend. Last year we rented a VW camper van and drove around Cornwall, South West England (it was so much fun - but oh, how I loved being back in my own bed afterwards! have you ever slept in one of those things?!).  So, this year I'm thinking purely comfort (OK, and design!). Which is why this beautiful house popped up in my feed (thank you Style Files!)! Located 100km from Paris in a little village in Normandy, France, Riverside House is a 19th century estate overlooking the Seine river. The American / Canadian owner lovingly renovated the house taking inspiration from coastal California architecture and lifestyle. Rental guests can expect days "in front of a fire, sitting out in the sun under the centennial trees or walking off to explore the peaceful trails." Oh, how I could use a day or two like that right now, how about you?! And once you see inside, I've a feeling you'll be completely sold (at least I am!). Bienvenue! 

 

I might just have to leave this blog page open for Per to see when he comes home. A trip to Normandy might be in order!

Could you imagine spending your holiday here?

Read more about the Riverside House estate and make bookings here. 

In case, like me, you now have France on your mind, you might like to also check-out La Belle Vue guest house  and this idyllic holiday home in the South of France. Oh la la! 

Looking for inspiration for your own home? Don't miss Zoé de las Cases' Paris apartment and Normandy country home - SO incredible! 

Bon week-end! 

Niki

PS A little heads up that it's the final weekend to make the most of the 20% discount off a new room design from My Scandinavian Home Studio. If you're scratching your head about a room in your home, we can help you with a layout as well as colour, furniture and accessory suggestions, wherever you are in the world! Sign-up here! Code: MYNEWROOM :) We'd love to help! 

Photography courtesy of Riverside House with thanks. 

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