Time to get toasty

So, September is here, and in Scandinavia that means it's time to get geared up for chilly autumn walks in chunky knits and evenings spent around a kakelugn (Swedish tiled fireplace) sipping glögg (mulled wine). No one does autumn / winter better than Toast. So here are a few inspiring pictures from their beautiful A/W 2012 house & home collection to get us in the spirit. All the leaves are brown.....

Toast

This weekend I was invited to a lovely lunch at friend and fellow interior blogger Mette's beautiful home here in Skåne. Mette and her man are particularly brilliant at DIY, so if you're looking for a few new projects (always?!) check out Make Living blog for a little know-how. We also visited the fab shop Black Balloon where I bought a pretty silver plant pot and a very simple, ultra soft black top - to celebrate errr, the start of a new month?

I hope you had a great weekend too!

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The studio / home of a Danish carpenter and designer

Happy Wednesday! It's more than likely you're reading this on a coffee break at work, so I thought it'd be apt to offer a little office / studio inspiration - in case you feel like shaking things up a little. It comes in the form of Københavns Møbelsnedkeri a carpenter's studio in Copenhagen owned by former guitar maker and graphic designer Kim Dolva. People are queuing up for Kim's high quality bespoke wooden fittings and furniture and I can totally see why after taking a peek inside his studio and home which he shares with his wife - interior designer, illustrator and ceramicist Mette Bonnavent and daughter Lucille. Could you see yourself working in a space like this?!

Photographer Gyrithe Lemche, Stylist Mette Bonavent. Shared with kind permission from Kim Dolva.

Would it actually feel like work here?!

In case you're wondering what that fabulous chair in the last image is  - it's the PP130 Circle chair by my favourite designer Hans Wegner. A true Danish classic. 

More incredible studios to inspire a new work space include the creative Swedish space of Katrin Bååth, the Brooklyn home and studio of a creative couple and the industrial style atelier of a Swedish illustrator.

Or if you feel like jumping ship completely I spotted this beautiful land in the Swedish alps for sale - it lies in the mountainous countryside just outside Åre, one of Sweden's largest ski resorts. Could you imagine spending your winters here - what a lovely life?!

A quick reminder that the wonderful guys at Design Collectors are offering everyone 15% off with code MYSCAN!

Have a lovely day! 

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A lovely Danish student's home - revisited!

Last week I shared pictures from Danish student Julie Wittrup Pladsbjerg's lovely home. And guess what? I just discovered another set! These lovely shots were taken by Tia Borgsmidt (shared with kind permission) and stylist Mette Helena Rasmussen about a year ago. It's fascinating to see how a home evolves over the space of a year (Julie shares all the changes on IG here). I love the rustic wood beams,  day bed (oh how I could kick back there right now with a magazine) and that fab bike! Is there anything that stands out to you?

Photos Tia Borgsmidt (shared with kind permission). Stylist Mette Helena Rasmussen. Homeowner: Julie Wittrup Pladsbjerg

I'm still wishing I lived like this when I was a student, how about you?!

Another things I noticed this time were the gymnastic rings - I've never managed to conquer these - have you?! But that's not to say they don't add a cool sporty edge to the space (in combo with that bike).  Do you have any exercise equipment at home?

Other Danish homes I absolutely love are all squirreled away here (scroll passed the first one as it's likely to be this one).

I'm heading off on a photo shoot today in the Skåne countryside, so excited!

I hope you have a lovely day!

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The Copenhagen Home of an Interior Stylist and Vintage Store Owner

Hej hej! It's been a long while since I've hopped on a train over the bridge to Copenhagen - a visit is definitely in order soon. In the meantime, I hope you'll join me on a virtual trip to the Danish capital today and a tour of Freya Asgersdatter's beautiful home. Freya is a freelance interior stylist and founder of an online vintage interior shop - and evidence of her natural eye for decorating and skill at sourcing lovely second-hand pieces can been seen throughout her apartment.  The backdrop has been kept distinctly neutral, with a hint of light beige on doors, architraves and the wall of the open-plan dining / sitting room. This subtle colour palette allows the furniture, art and lighting to shine. Ready to take a look around?  

A mix and match vintage dining set rests in front of built-in shelving and a covered radiator (designed and made by Mette Steensig). The wall mounted shelving is from We Do Wood.

The lone piece of art is from framer Kristine Bendsten. 

Freya has opted for the Bodarp kitchen from ikea. I was actually looking at this just the other day for our own home. The dark green creates a great contrast against the white tiles and walls. The work surface has been specifically made for the space by Nicolai Bjørnstrup. 

Here you take a closer glimpse at the radiator cover. I love the way it's also provided space beside it for shelving. The radiators in our house are ancient and really ugly so my head is now buzzing with ideas. I wonder if Per's ears are burning! Could you imagine covering the radiators in your house like this? 

The VL45 glass pendant over the dining table is a Louis Poulsen design and below you can spot another radiator cover by Mette - this time creating space to display items over. 

A Valerie Objects hanging lamp makes a statement in the sitting room over a vintage sofa. 

The TV has been sandwiched between picture shelves to create a display and ensure it doesn't take centre stage in the room. In the opposite corner (below) Frama shelves provide space for books, magazine and knick knacks. 

Freya picked up the vintage chest-of-drawers in her bedroom at Boho Habits in Copenhagen. The picture is from Freya's own store. 

To create a unique home, you don't always need to make hug statements. In the bedroom, simple striped fabric has been used to create a curtain to hide items in the wardrobe and a quilted bedspread brings a touch of nostalgia to the space. 

Such a lovely, cohesive home where everything seems to come together so effortlessly! 

It's making me want to head to Copenhagen for some vintage shopping - I wonder how much I can carry back on the train? 

I'm very curious to hear your thoughts on the vintage items, art, kitchen and radiator covers! 

In the meantime, here are a few other lovely Copenhagen homes to browse: 

Books, art and golden tones in a Copenhagen home

Sedsel's serene oasis in the heart of the Danish capital

A Copenhagen family home full of design treasures

Warm tones and texture in an elegant Copenhagen apartment

And of course, you can see more of Freya's own home here. 

Happy mid-week friends, see you Friday! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Freya Asgersdatter, shared with kind permission

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Win an industrial pendant light!

To wish you a very happy easter I've collaborated with Mette from Make-Living blog on a very exciting give-away! Mette makes these fab industrial pendant lights here in Sweden and has recently launched a small webshop here. The light comes in 5 colour ways and one could be yours - yay!

To enter all you need to do is:

- Visit the Make-Living website to see the complete colour range.
- Write and tell us which colour you would most like to win in the comment section below.
- Like the Make-Living Facebook page.

The competition is open to everyone and closes Thursday 4th April at 12.00am GMT. The winner will be announced Friday 5th April. Don't forget to leave your contact details!

Wishing you all a super happy, relaxing Easter.

See you Tuesday x

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Beautiful and Unique Places To Stay, Sweden: Stedsans in the Woods

I don't know about you, but when I go on holiday (or away for the weekend) I always start with a search for 'unique places to stay' - the more special, rare and off-beat the better! Do you do the same? If so, imagine my delight when I stumbled across this gem an hour or so North from where I live! The place in question is Stedsans in the Woods - a retreat in Bohult, Halland, West Sweden. Owned and run by Danes Mette Holbæk and Flemming Schiøtt Hansen, Stedsans in the Woods offers an idyllic, food-centred experience which aims to bring people closer to nature through the use of fresh ingredients and simple cooking (foodies rejoice!). In addition to the wonderful meals, guests are invited to soak up the surroundings, cleanse and relax in the floating sauna and sleep in (comfy) tents under the stars. What's not to love?!

Beautiful and such a perfect way to experience Swedish nature in all its pureness and tranquillity, don't you think? 

All that's left for me to do is check my calendar!

If you're visiting West Sweden this spring / summer - perhaps I'll see you there?!

You can find out more info about Stedsans in the Woods and make a booking here. 

Looking for other beautiful places to stay? Here's my list of 20 Instagrammable places to stay in Sweden. Love some of these! 

Into camping? Thanks to Allmansrätten (the freedom to roam) - one of the beauties of Sweden is you can camp wild. Just be mindful not to pitch your tent on farmland, within 50 metres of a house, water sources etc and show respect towards the environment (forage away, but never take everything from the patch, respect wildlife, take your litter with you etc). There's more info and inspiration about camping in Sweden in my book: Lagom, the Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life. 

Have a lovely day! 

Niki

Photography: Stine Christiansen

PS Anyone else still reeling from the incredible before and after pictures in yesterday's post? Simply amazing! 

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