A Relaxed Artist's Home Full of Plants

I started the week 'keeping it real' with a relaxed Copenhagen home, and thanks to the wonderful response (I've loved reading all your comments!), I thought I'd end in the same vein. In my mind, nothing brings a home to life quite like pets (and people of course, but today it's all about the furry friends!), throw in plants and a load of sunlight and you're really onto something. Artist Laura Agustí shares her 'urban jungle' in the heart of Barcelona with her cat Oye and Fox Terrier - Gos D'atura mix, Crasti. A self-confessed 'plant addict', Laura has filled her home with over 100 plants which thrive in the mediterranean sunlight. Art also adorns the walls. In the mornings, Laura throws open the balcony door to create a wonderful airy environment in which to live and work. Welcome to Laura's relaxed world! 

What a gorgeous space. I can practically feel the warmth from the Barcelona sun (well needed in a very grey Southern Sweden today!). 

I love the presence of her furry flatmates Oye and Crasti too!

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

If you have a moment, hop over to Laura's instagram to discover her art and more inspiring shots of her home (as well as hundreds of plants!). 

On the subject of plants: I'm proud to say I've turned over a new leaf (see what I did there?) and am taking way better care of my greenery.  And I'm proud to say they're actually starting to thrive! I might be getting ahead of myself here, but I was even thinking of investing in some form of indoor tree.... although I'm guessing this might require a whole other level of care! Gulp. Should I take the plunge?

If, like me, you love an 'urban jungle' - here's a little more plant inspiration:  

At home with the Arctic gardener

Igor's happy plant-filled home

A white Swedish home filled with plants

And a little know-how: 

The ultimate guide to hanging plants

Indoor climbing plants

Watering cans at the ready! 

Have a great weekend friends, see you Monday!

Niki

PS I hope my posts have provided a little escape for those feeling anxious over the election in the US this week. We're even on the edge of our seats in Sweden! 

Photography: Laura Agustí

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An artist's turn-of-the-century house and studio

Morgon, morgon! How are you today? I've got a busy day ahead with photoshoots! I'm also eagerly awaiting the postman as I have a sneaking suspicion he might be delivering the first copy of my new book. Eeeeee - so exciting! I can't wait to finally get it in my hands! I'm settled at home this morning - wearing something definitely not deemed fit for the outside world! A few weeks back I mentioned that I'd love to move out of my home office (as lovely as it is) and work from a studio (yes, I realise this means getting dressed properly!). Having said that, artist Kate Tucker and her husband Tom Crago have solved this by building a modern studio in the garden of their turn-of-the-century Edwardian home in Fitzroy North, an inner city suburb of Melbourne. When they first bought the house it was in desperate need of repair. Even so, the pair lived in it for a while first - which helped them to determine which features they should restore and which to update. They ended up adding a modern extension as well as adding a separate atelier in the garden for Kate to sit and paint, yet also maintained many of the homes original features. The result is a beautiful living space which artfully combines old and new (with plenty of storage to boot!). Let's take a peek....

Photography: Sharyn Cairns (shared with kind permission).

Oh to have a big enough garden to create a studio (or 'she shed' - remember this and this one?!). I also love the bedroom and the shelving above the door - such a great use of space!

Is there anything that stands out to you?

Get the look from Kate and Tom's home: studio - find where to buy Kate's work here, source vintage armchairs here (how stunning is this pair - a one-off though so you'll need to be quick!). Sitting room -  pick up a scissor lamp here, the fabulous egg chair. Dining area - Eames chair, Y chandelier (love this!), source a teak mid-century credenza / sideboard here. Bedroom - this pink linen pillow case is similar (liking the ruffle!).

You can see the full feature of this lovely house in Dwell magazine.

Sharyn Cairns is one of my absolute favourite Australian interior photographers - I've featured a few other homes she's captured here on MSH - including a beautiful former miner's cottage and Cloverdel cottage and gardens - both of which are available to rent for short-term stays and photoshoots / workshops - could you imagine?!

Have a lovely day! 

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Parisian artist's home in a former button factory

It's Friiiiiiiday! YAY! And to celebrate I thought I'd post the beautiful home of stylist Virginie Denny and artist Alfonso Vallés. If you love Elle Decoration UK or are an avid interior design blog reader you'll have seen this home, in a former 1920's button factory, before. There's even a You Tube clip of it! But I just couldn't resist sharing the pictures again for the weekend! There are so many great colours, vintage finds and 'green' touches. A wonderful piece of art in itself!

Photography Petra Bindel via Pure Green Magazine

There's an interesting piece in Pure Green Magazine, which focuses on how concrete flooring like this is actually very green. Check it out here! And see more pics of this beautiful parisian home here.
I hope you have a lovely weekend, any great plans?! Me, I'm off to a spa tonight with a friend - I love me a little luxury and pampering from time to time!

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The lovely home and atelier of an artist

This Friday I'm part of the  'Makers Spaces' blog tour, a new book by Emily Quinton. And it got me thinking about the wonderful creative spaces people live and work in. Johanna Bradford  and Kristin Lagerqvist shot this simply beautiful home and atelier in Varberg on Sweden's West coast a while back. With a sea-view on one side and forests on the other, it's the perfect place for Lisa Burenius to paint and enjoy life with her family - Petter and Eddie. The artist describes her interior style as 1930's with a personal twist, and loves to surround herself with personal objects, books and ceramics. Her advice is to 'listen to the house and trust your instinct. A home should be personal and warm, it should tell a story about who you are'. I feel her home is a perfect example of this, don't you?

 

Stylist: Johanna Bradford (with kind permission). Photographer: Kristin Lagerqvist

It's wonderful to see an entirely unique home where the personality shines through. It's got soul.

Lisa has some great ideas too - I love the way the books have been arranged so that some are facing outwards and piled high. I also like the simplicity of the fern leaves in jam jars and the retro set of garden furniture outside. All in all, a truly inspiring home.

What do you love most about this space?

You can see more pictures here if you'd like. 

It's well worth checking out Lisa's website  too- I love the video showing her at work in the atelier.  Her work is available here.

I often dip into the art studio archive for ideas. And my office Pinterest board has oodles of work space inspiration. Hey, if we've gotta work we might as well make it pretty, don't you think?

Have a lovely day!

PS do you have a wonderful maker's space I can share on the blog this week? If so, drop me a mail!

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A Light and Airy Danish Cabin by The Sea

A few weeks back I told myself it was time to wrap up the Scandinavian summer cottage posts and return to the city or year-round country homes. But you know me, I'm never one to stick to the rules - especially my own! I couldn't resist sharing this charming, simple Danish cabin with you today. The wooden structure is situated in a cosy, untouched area on the southern tip of Falster, an island in south-east Denmark. 

Zine bought the cabin in 2020 and has been busy transforming it into a simple, relaxing, light and airy place to spend weekends and holidays. As with most Scandi getaways, mix and match 'loppis' (flea market) finds, open storage and a cosy spot in the sun are the order of the day. Enjoy the tour! 

Despite being potentially a little higher maintenance with the dusting, open shelving gives kitchens a relaxed grab and go feel and also means that your porcelain and vases can be a part of the decor! 

Coffee beans and percolators - the most important items in any Scandinavian home! Remember to make it extra strength! 

Stripes and art with nautical motives are a subtle nod to the coastal location. 

Le Klint Sax - A popular Danish lamp, for good reason! 

When designing our own cabin, I was very much inspired by Danish cabins with high, wood panelled walls and ceilings and a stark black wood burning stove (ours is from Contura and looks similar to this). I love the contrast, the statement chimney but also the promise of warmth! 

I also love the parquet floor; it makes me feel really nostalgic as we had a similar one in my childhood home. Some of the pieces had become loose and I used to pick it a part and then build things with it. I don't think that gamer was particularly popular with my parents. 

Baskets are really handy at a cottage like this - and make pretty wall decor when not in use! There are so many beautiful vintage baskets available on Etsy*. 

I am guessing you can enjoy this cabin year-round thanks to the wood burning stove and insulation (thinking blustery walks along the beach followed by a coffee by the fire!). 

And the good news is, it's 1 hr 45 mins drive from Copenhagen and available for short term holiday lets! Danish island life, anyone? 

See more snapshots from Zine's cabin here. 

Would you like to explore other Danish cabins and country homes this weekend? Take a look at: 

The idyllic thatched cottage of a Danish artist

Before and after: a century old Danish cottage is given a revamp

A Danish cabin by the sea became a lockdown haven 

Right guys, that's it from me. I hope you've enjoyed the tours this week of three very different properties (did you see the artist's home in Kent and Copenhagen apartment).

Have a wonderful weekend, see you Monday! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Landfolk. 

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