Could you imagine working in this studio?!

This week I officially went back after the summer (cue the daily posts!). As many of you know, before I decided to focus on my own projects I worked for a multinational corporation in a large open plan office over looking a car park on one side and a motorway on the other (guuuuh!). These days my work environment looks a little different. But I've learned that wherever you work there are always small updates you can do to shake things up a little and make it your own. Take Holly Marder's lovely studio in Delft, Holland. I featured it a while ago here, and now she's made some wonderful updates....both small and large. Let's take a peek.....

Photography / styling - Holly Marder / Avenue Lifestyle.

Could you imagine working here?!

A few items I know and love: Cove and Leaf lines posters. Anne Black hanging planters. Wicker chair from Tine K Home. Leaning rack from Walden. The fab side-cabinet doors are from Superfront.

Holly's bedroom is pretty lovely too (in case you missed it previously). 

See the full feature which includes 'six steps to a fun, fresh and functional home office' over on Holly's blog. 

For more office inspiration today you might also want to check out the creative studio of Katrin Bååth, a beautiful Italian design studio and the fabulous studio of an interior designer. Soooo fab! It wouldn't feel like work in any of these would it?!

Love these work links too:

The 9 best TED talks to help you kick ass at work. 

This picture of Ulrike Theusner in her studio.

My 'work' Pinterest board features over 600 lovely office, studio and atelier spaces - can you believe that?!

7 daily habits of highly productive people (strange, it doesn't include slow coffee and long breakfasts - not sure about this list?!).

This beautiful studio has been created by IKEA! The Alex drawers are a favourite of mine.

How lovely is this mid-century desk? Hurry though, it's a one off!

Now I feel like I need to update my office - again! How about you? I'd love to hear about your work space!

Have a lovely day!

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The colourful home of an artist

Doesn't the start of the weekend make you happy? To me it means sunshine (hopefully) the great outdoors (definitely), family, friends and a little freedom (most certainly) and also time to be creative (I've promised myself to do more of this lately). But this Melbourne based artist Kirra Jamison doesn't need to wait for the weekend. Her job is creating beautiful, bright pieces of art and her home is a converted warehouse filled with colour and bold patterns that in itself is a little ray of sunshine. Who needs the great outdoors?!

Stylist: Jason Grant Photography: Derek Swalwell for Inside Out Magazine,  Artwork Kirra Jamison via Avenue Lifestyle

What a fantastic space?!

I love an indoor swing. I'm always trying to think where I could put one in our home but yet to come up with the right spot (I'm thinking muddy feet on the walls.....broken vases.....at best! ha!) - what do you think of swings in the home - do or don't? Do you have one?

Have a wonderful weekend  - see you Monday!

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A studio is transformed into a lovely guest room

How wonderful would it be to have a dedicated guest room with a big double bed, made up with fresh, soft bed linen and light pouring in from the windows? For most of us this isn't a reality so we have to make do with the rooms we already have. But who's to say they can't be transformed into a warm and inviting guest room?!  My talented friend Holly Marder for example, uses a sofa bed in her studio in The Netherlands to transform the space into a private sphere for guests when they come to stay. Plus I noticed, that she has even left out a few noteworthy coffee table books (eh hem!) on the nightstand for them to peruse!

Credits: styling and photography Holly Marder / Avenue Lifestyle.

What a great solution? It helps that her studio is absolutely lovely too. I think it might be time I nipped over to The Netherlands to pay her a visit, don't you?! Te he he!

Get the look from Holly's studio / guestroom: wooden fold out sofa, stool cc (used as a bedside table),  wall sconce (find a vintage version here). Black linen duvet cover. Source botanical prints here. Modern Pastoral interior book.

You can see more pictures and the full feature here.

Any ideas to share on how to make a guest room inviting? I try to live by the following:

- Give a little guided tour when they arrive so they can find everything they need and feel at home
- Leave out a little welcome package in their room that includes: a towel, hair towel (better still, a hair turban - I love these!), dressing gown, slippers and wifi code.
- Place a pile of recent magazines (and a few coffee table books I know they'll love) on the night stand.
- Fresh flowers in the bedroom also add a wonderful touch!

Do you have any tips?

For bedroom styling inspiration I'd definitely recommend taking a look at Holly's own bedroom - one of my most visited posts of all time!

Have a wonderful day! 

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Beautiful Amsterdam bedroom make-over and tips for a great night sleep

I had a bit of a late night last night, arriving back from presenting in Copenhagen (alongside two other lovely social media gals - cake baking extraordinaire Cecilia and talented photographer Christina) at midnight before being rudely interrupted by my alarm at 5.30 am this morning- GUH! As a result sleep (or lack of) is on my mind. Oh how I'd love to crawl under the duvet in this beautiful bedroom in a penthouse in Amsterdam. Designed by Holly Marder, the space has been decorated with soft, muted tones and a subtle mix of  textures to give a serene and relaxing feel.  Could you imagine a peaceful night's sleep (or duvet day) in this light and airy bedroom?

Photography / design - Holly Marder  / Avenue Lifestyle shared with kind permission.

Oh so lovely! The star of the show has to be the kitty cat - he's gorgeous?! But if I had to choose an item I'd go for the African mudcloth pillows/ cushions - fab!

Other items: I have a very similar bench at the end of my bed and love it. You can source a similar one here and here. The wall colour is Ammonite. Source sheer linen here. Hästens bed which has been re-upholstered. Brass pendant light bulbs, white and rose linen bedding. Beni Ourain rug. Books: The Kinfolk Home and Northern Delights. Superfront cabinet doors.

You can also see the before pictures here (I do love a good before and after!). And you might want to check out Holly's own bedroom here (one of the most popular posts of all time on MSH!). 

There's also plenty of bedroom inspiration in the MSH archives here. Plus over 1000 beautiful bedrooms (I'm not joking) on my bedroom pinterest board (clearly I dream about going back to bed a lot).

Other sleep-inducing links:

This dark broody cocoon of a bedroom and light and airy bedroom is also beautiful. Do you prefer the dark or the light?

I love this 'within the tides' bedding.

5 minute bedtime yoga for a better night's sleep.

Bedroom plants that help you sleep.

13 songs to calm you down at night.

How to wake-up without feeling sluggish.

Have a lovely day (and a beautiful night's sleep!). Sweet dreams!

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