A Cosy Swedish Country Home with an Autumn Vibe

Have you got that weekend feeling? Here, Autumn is in the air and hats are on! I feel like I'm ready for pumpkin soup and chanterelle toast tomorrow...! I wanted to find a beautiful Scandinavian home to reflect the cosy höst (autumn / fall) vibe - and this lovely Swedish country home is perfect! 

Sarah Macfie (a Swede with Scottish ancestors), her fiancé Archie and three sons Ralph, Hugo and Benjamin live in a white house near Gothenburg, West Sweden. Sarah loves antiques and spends lots of her spare time visiting her local thrift store, going to auctions and searching online for beautiful pieces with which to fill their home.  Couple this with earthy shades of earthy shades and plenty of plants and dried flowers, and the result is a dreamy space where no two pieces are alike. 

Don't forget to keep a look out for the moose! 

Such a lovely home - and very hard to believe that it's a new build, don't you think? 

There are so many things to feel inspired by in these pictures, but I especially love the traditional bed nook, kitchen window seat, the adorable baby picture (those feet / socks!) and of course the moose - isn't he handsome? I've only ever seen one in the wild once, and that's when I was Finland taking pictures for my first book Modern pastoral (now called Relaxed Rustic). They are huge! Have you ever seen one?  

Is there anything that caught your eye in Sarah's house? 

See more pictures here. 

Looking for more autumn inspiration this weekend? Check out: 

11 autumn update ideas from a hyggelig Danish home

A beautiful swedish country home with touches of autumn

A Norwegian home with a cosy Autumn vibe

Also I am holding a great giveaway on my instagram right now to win a beautiful table cloth and napkins from Swedish brand Lovely Linen - well worth entering (open to all!) enter here. 

Right folks, that's it from me this week. I hope you've enjoyed the home tours (Anna and Martin's floating cottage with sauna, kitchen and sitting room is causing quite a stir!). 

Have a fabulous weekend, see you Monday! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Sarah Macfie, shared with kind permission. 

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Workspace envy: Studio Slow

Gooood morning! I'm flying back to Sweden today after an incredible few days on set in Upstate New York. I'm so happy with the results (you can catch a glimpse of it here). All will be revealed soon - I hope you like the space as much as Emily and I do!). Tomorrow I'll be back in the office again, but I've been thinking perhaps it's time to get a studio in town - what do you say? I'm kind of thinking something like this incredible work space of Slow Studio in The Netherlands (hey, a girl can dream right?!). We've seen this space before, but being designers extraordinaire that they are, it's constantly evolving. It's where the talented Studio Slow team work to develop interior design, styling and graphic design concepts - and turn visions into reality with a strong sense of sustainability - love that! Let's take a little peek....

Interior design / work space: Studio Slow. 

Could you imagine working here? It certainly gives 'open-plan office' a whole new name!

How I'd get the look in my new studio (stil dreaming....): Z1 pendant light (it's no secret that I loooove this light - as you can see from this and this post of my home!), yards of grey linen (beautiful!), lampe gras wall sconce, old dutch teapot, Eames lounge chair and ottoman, Lisabo side table.

My workspace envy also includes the creative space of Katrin Bååth, Avenue Design Studio's converted loft and Studio Hear Hear. Don't get me wrong, I love my little home office, but it would be fun to have somewhere fabulous to go each day and be able to chat to other creatives! Don't you agree? Any tips Malmö friends?!

How does your workspace look? Do share below!

Have a lovely day!

PS Thank you so much Valentina for including both Modern Pastoral and The Scandinavian Home
in your list of 'the best interior design books you can't live without' - such an honour to be among such good company!

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A calm white and blue 'oasis' in Malmö, Sweden

Hello! I had such a wonderful evening last night to celebrate the launch of my book (feeling it a little today though I have to admit!). I'm nipping in to share a super fresh home here in Malmö,  which is currently for sale through Bjurfors, one of Sweden's largest and oldest estate agents. Bjurfors sold our first flat here in Malmö, and I have to say, they were amazing, I can highly recommend their services! The space has been decorated throughout in fresh white and touches of blue and looks so calm and relaxed. I'd love to be padding around here, I think it'd clear my head in an instant, don't you?!

Bjurfors

It's actually located high up in the eaves above one of Malmö's lovely main shopping streets - a little oasis of calm amongst the hustle and bustle. Perfect!

Could you see yourself padding around here?

A few items I know and love:  Smeg fridge, Beni ourain rug, these beautiful peacock blue velvet cushions are similar.

More white and blue themed homes include this wonderful danish apartment with industrial touches and a pretty white, blue and cognac Swedish space.

Have a lovely day!

PS thank you so much to Lou at Little Green Shed for this lovely post about Modern Pastoral. 

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A delightful family home in Stockholm

Well hello! As Monday mornings go, this has to be one of my better ones. I'm working from my sisters terrace which has the most incredible vistas over the Mallorcan Serra de Tramuntana mountain range. Admittedly it's a bit bright and I can barely see my screen - but, you can't have it all right?!  We're heading home tomorrow - boooo! But it's not all bad, since Sweden has some hidden gems of its own. Take this apartment in Södermalm Stockholm from the 1900s for example. The 127 square metre (1367 square feet) home belongs to Lina Fall, owner of children's clothes, toys and interior web shop Cleo et Lily, partner Fredrik and their children Cleo and Floyd. When the couple bought the space it was dark and dingy and they set about transforming into a bright and vibrant family home full of scandinavian design classics, mid-century finds, Morrocan treasures and the odd vintage find. Enjoy!

Photography: Magadalena Björnsdotter / Featured in Alt.dk. 

Oh how I love this home - I've got a serious case of furniture envy! How about you?

Here are a few items I know and love: sitting room - Flos 265 wall lamp, Beni Ourain rug, sofa from here, search for Safari chairs at auction (I also like this black version), safari daybed, white leather pouffe, coffee table from here, C print is out of stock by the limited edition G version is still available here, this bar cart is similar. Dining room - bistro style chairs (if you'd like to be a bit different, I love this chair!). Children's bedroom - Teepee, Eye Eye print,  check out Lina's shop for other lovely things for children's bedrooms.

Is there anything that catches your eye?

These lovely pictures were taken by photographer Magadalena Björnsdotter who always seems to find the most beautiful locations (such as Calligrapher Ylva Skarp's country home, and this charming Skånegård - which I also included in my book Modern Pastoral)  - she also has the most fabulous house herself! See the tour here.

Hope you have a wonderful start to the week!

PS If you're coming to Mallorca you must get in touch with my sister Charlie - she's lived here 12 years and can help you find the most fantastic finca or townhouse to rent and advise on all the islands hidden secrets - and there are many if you know where to look!

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The beautiful, nature inspired home of a ceramicist

Hejsan, hejsan! Sorry for the silence, I've just returned from 10 truly wonderful days in Kerala, India. My grandparents (and Mother) lived in India for many years and I've always dreamed of following in their footsteps. My expectations, already high), were far exceeded - the sights, the sounds, the smells, the vibrant colours, the lovely people, just everything! Have you ever been? If not you must! We only managed to cover the very tip of the iceberg so another visit is definitely in order! Tips welcome as always! I thought I'd kick off the week with this beautiful country house in upstate New York designed and owned by ceramicist Kelli Cain and partner Brian Crabtree. The open-plan space includes 4.5 metre (15 feet) high ceilings, a cosy wood-burning stove and has been decorated using earthy tones and an abundance of natural textures and objects - many of which have been made from reclaimed materials - for a truly warm and inviting home. 

Photography: Pia Ulin - shared with kind permission.

What a cosy space?

I don't think I've ever seen a fireplace right in front of the stairs before, have you?  I love how the disused space under the stairs doubles up as log storage too - very clever. If I had a wood burning stove I'd have it going right now beside me while I sip coffee and tap away at my laptop, how about you?

I also love how the magnificent barn door made from recycled wood which can be pulled across to slip in light or closed to separate the home office from the living space.

Is there anything that stands out to you? 

Get the look: many of the beautiful ceramics (including the incredible geometric backsplash!) are by Kelli Cain.  Herman Miller saucer pendant light, Carl Hansen CH25 easy chair, natural weave basket (love this!).

You can see a full write up and more pictures over at Martha Stewart.

The space reminds me very much of another home in Upstate New York which I featured in my book Modern Pastoral - both of which truly embrace the idea of bringing the tranquility of nature indoors. So inspiring!

Have a lovely day!

PS I'm announcing not one, but TWO give-away winners to today - so keep an eye out on Instagram and this blog post to see if either are you. 'Holding thumbs' as they say in Sweden!

PPS It was a pleasure to contribute to Houseology's round-up of 51 Scandinavian design ideas! 

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