A relaxed family home in the Australian countryside

The weekend calls for a super relaxed home where you feel you can just kick off your shoes and be completely yourself doesn't it?! So today I'd like to share this laid back, retro family home in the Australian countryside with you. The owners photographer Jessica Tremp and Michael Madden and child Syd only moved in a few months ago but they've already put their personal stamp on the space. Art (mainly by Jessica's father), big leafed plants, yellow accent colours and mid century teak furniture make up the look. There's something that feels incredibly warm about this lovely family home don't you think?

Home owners: Jessica Tremp & Michael Madden. Photography: Tara Pearce. Source: Design Sponge

Is there anything you particularly love about this home?

Yesterday I started an evening class in interior design. The aim of the course is to learn how to plan a room from scratch. We spent the evening creating mood boards: ripping pictures out of magazines (interior, fashion and nature) which we felt had the right 'feel' whether they were of a bird, a lamp or a skirt flowing in the wind and sticking them onto an A3 board. The result amazed me. The colours and feel of the room bounced from the board and I could really see the embryo of my new room. So exciting! I can definitely recommend this process to you if you're planning on re-decorating a room in your home.  More tips from next week's session....

I hope you have a great weekend and see you Monday!

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A beautiful, white, light and airy Australian cottage

I loooove this dreamy Australian cottage today. Pastels, muted tones and natural wood against a pristine white backdrop. A few modern touches and beautiful white panelling throughout. So pretty, light and airy. Yes please!

The Design Files Via 79 ideas

There are lots more pretty pics and info about this lovely cottage and where you can buy some of the dreamy items here. What do you reckon? Something for you?

Have a lovely day!

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A fab swedish home in neutrals and a cute doggy!

Hello! I hope you had a great weekend?! I'm on an early morning train with Southern Sweden flashing passed the window as I type (and matchsticks holding open my eyes - I'm not a morning person, are you?!). But I can just about see enough to discover this lovely home in all it's soft grey, brown and blues. A couple of things struck me the most - firstly the use of natural materials throughout - rattan, leather, shells etc, and secondly the pages from a book used as a wall decoration. I've seen this before in the bedroom of an Australian home in 'Holiday at Home'. And spot the hungry doggy, waiting for her breakfast....

Alvhem

I wonder what book it is? Which would you choose? Something romantic perhaps?

I also love the industrial touches - the side table in the sitting room and bedside table are fab, dont you think?

Is there anything that struck you about this home? Apart from that very cute doggy of course!

This weekend I had a glance through my archive of Australian homes - they are just so fantastic! I really feel Australia is having a design moment right now. I'm a huge fan of the blog Design Files too - do you follow that blog too?

Have a great start to the week! 

PS Thank you to everyone who entered the Blackthumb / Sne Design give-away this weekend, the winners have now been announced here. Don't forget you can get 10% off all beautiful products at Blackthumb and Sne Design until 8th May!

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A super relaxed, boho cottage in Australia

I'm feeling all relaxed and inspired working from Djäkne, a café and communal workspace in town. It's amazing what a change of scene can do, don't you think? I stumbled across this lovely boho coastal cottage over at Apartment Therapy and it immediately matched today's mood! Situated in Victoria, Australia, the 100 year old home is rented by Kirsty Davey (founder of Otis and Otto), Simon Taylor and their daughter, Mali. The family lived in Melbourne and loved to come out here at the weekends before realising this is where they wanted to live permanently. The lovely, relaxed home is filled with vintage, reclaimed and restored pieces, works by local and overseas artists and a rich blend of textures to form a lovely base from which to enjoy surfing, cooking, gardening and other outdoor adventures. Let's take a peek....

Photography: Sophie Timothy for Apartment Therapy. With thanks.

Aaaaah, what a charming home, don't you think? 

Could you imagine moving to your 'weekend' retreat permanently? I shared this account by Sara Tasker recently who moved to the country and shared her lessons learned here. And this Swedish artist took up permanent residence in this former school house (honestly, I can totally see why!).

Where do you dream of moving to?

Get the look: Kitchen / dining: vintage Thonet / bentwood chairs (love these!), SMEG fridge,
Chemex brewer, Apollo coffee maker, source a beautiful range of copper pans here. Bedroom: white waffle bed spread. Porch: Hunter wellies, black plant stand.

You might also want to check out Kirsty's shop for lovely handmade pieces by local artisans (some of which can be seen in her home).  

You can also see more pics and a full write-up of this Australian home over at Apartment Therapy.

Other similarly relaxed Australian spaces you may have missed: a dreamy cottage,  a retro beach house and Kara Rosenlund's weatherboard cottage.  You might also want to get lost in my archive of  summer cottages for the longest mid-week coffee break ever.





Have a lovely day!

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A Vibrant Family Home in An Architect Designed Mid-century House

G'day! It's another absolute ripper here in Sweden - even so, I thought we could venture to Sydney's Northern Beaches (virtually of course - although wouldn't it be nice to stop by in person?) to visit the incredible mid-century home of Louise and Graeme Bell, and their children Jasper and Anoushka. The three bedroom, glass fronted house was built by Australian architect Loyal Alexander in 1957 and features the most fabulous butterfly roof. Their trades (Louise is founder of the popular homeware store Table Tonic and Graeme is an architect) have meant they have been able to thoughtfully renovate the house over time and create a beautiful, vibrant family home. Think classic mid-century furniture, contemporary art and luscious layers of texture. Let's dive in!

 I spy pretty juju hats (sold through Table Tonic), a Marshall speaker and contemporary art by Henry Curchord.

A Snakes Tongue plant (also known as mother-in-law's tongue!) is one of those wonderful house plants which can be neglected for weeks on end and still look fresh. Oh and it can also survive low light conditions. 

A vintage leather sofa (source similar here) and a pair of Moroccan poufs help to create a relaxed, cosy vibe. 

The pair installed a new 1950s-style sandstone fireplace and hearth in the centre of the house. Six Bertoia chairs have been placed around the dining table beneath a Louis Poulsen PH5 lamp. But above all else - I love how the bar has been designed so it can be accessed from both the sitting room and dining room. It's all in the details!

The sitting room has been kitted out with a corner sofa from King Living,  Mark Tuckey coffee table, Cross blanket by Pia Wallén and a Beni ourain rug (available through Table Tonic). But the real star of the show is the panoramic window offering views of the garden and lush surroundings.

 The family's adorable Italian Greyhounds Audrey and Lucia chilling in front of the classic mid-century house designed by Australian architect Loyal Alexander in 1957 for his own family. 

 I wouldn't mind sitting on one of these fabulous yellow butterfly chairs (source similar here) for a while and simply taking in the afternoon sun - fancy joining me?!

The front door has been painted in Dulux "Gold Rush" for a very sunny welcome! 

What a fabulous house?!  I love the architecture, it's just incredible. The pair have worked really hard to maintain the original features too, I really appreciate that!

Could you imagine living here?!

You can see more of Louise's home here - and shop the look over on Table Tonic.

For more mid-century inspiration today you might like to check-out this archive (if this home pops up first just scroll passed!).

I hope your day sparkles like the sun - or you at least get to kick back in a chair like those butterfly ones for a while!


Niki 

All photography: Louise Bell / Table Tonic

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All Things Bright & Beautiful in a Pared Back Family Home

I am so in love with today's home tour. Nestled in the jungle, but still a short distance from Singapore's popular shopping and dining precincts, the black and white colonial house was built in 1935 for an Officer of the British Army. Today the beautiful property is leased by Charlie Cameron, the creative behind interior and lifestyle blog Lottie Is Loving, her British husband, two children Finn and Pippa and their mini schnauzer Jet. Originally from Australia, Charlie has decorated the home with a fusion of Australian and Scandinavian style which includes lashings of fresh white, touches of rattan and pastel accents. The result is an incredible, light and airy relaxed family home.

 "My upstairs cup of tea / reading spot. When you’re not looking down at your book - all you see are trees and jungle. It’s my favourite room in the house."

The bamboo pendant light steals the show in the sitting room (this one is similar) and the Palm in the corner bridges the gap between the soft furnishings and pendant - while adding a little colour and drawing the jungle inside.

 "Over the years I have developed a less is more approach to styling.  I am drawn to a contemporary Australian aesthetic but I am influenced by a combination of styles and have a soft spot for Scandinavian design and Moroccan flair." 

The Swedish string shelving system has been used in replace of a windowsill and melts into the back ground. But my favourite piece has to be the pink Moroccan rug - how pretty is that? Happytapis sells similar (just saying!).

A white hanging chair, leather pouf and Rubber plant have been used to create the perfect reading corner! Having said that, we used to have a hanging bubble chair in our sitting room and these things are a total kids magnet!

Love this Mark Tuckey Stool from Australia - a new favourite of mine! 

"For me, it all comes down to pieces that I love and finding a balance between styles - a little masculine with a balance of feminine."  

 

I can't get enough of these rattan hallway benches right now, how about you? There are plenty in the shops right now (this one is from Elements Concept in Singapore) but I've got my eye on some of the one-off vintage ones too, like this fabulous mid-century modern love seat. Keep an eye on Etsy, Gumtree and Ebay for similar!

"There is something to be said for beautifully crafted well designed pieces and I prefer to practice patience and wait for the right piece than to quickly buy something to fill a space and then regret it.  I really believe that creating a beautifully styled home takes time."

 

The soft pink accent seen in the rest of the house is carried through to the bedroom using cushions and art. In the guest room (below) 'The King of Potreus' flower adds a hint of soft pastel.

And finally, Pip's room is as pretty as can be - with One Fun Day wallpaper and fairy lights.

Photography © Charlie Cameron / Lottie is Loving

The rooms are fairly spacious, yet Charlie has exercised a huge amount of restraint, giving each item plenty of breathing space. If you'd love to re-create this style in your home but not sure where to start, here are a few tips and tricks:

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Charlie's Tips for Creating a Pared Back Style

1. Use Negative Space

Leaving areas of your home free of design actually helps to draw your eye to the elements that are most interesting in a room.  Cleverly used, negative space can help a room to feel deliberate and well styled.

2. Think in Tones

A base of whites and greys can always be added to with a bright pop of colour - so keep things neutral and harmonious and choose a small amount of colour to add to your scheme.

3. Remove the Clutter

Have a small room or area of your home (that is preferably hidden) where all the everyday items of life with a family can live.  Regularly clear the clutter from the day and if you have kids, get them in the habit of clearing all their items away at the end of each day.

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You can see more of Charlie's home over on her Instagram feed and blog (where she also shares recipes and other lifestyle inspiration).

Other bright and beautiful family homes you might be interested in: a lovely Dutch family home, a striking and relaxed Swedish family home and a light-filled Swedish home.

Have a lovely day!

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