Could you go grey like this fab (small) Swedish apartment?

It's pouring with rain here this morning - in that cosy way you only feel when you actually don't have to go out in it?! I was actually planning on posting something vibrant today but actually this beautiful grey Swedish apartment matches the day far better  - so I'll park the other one for tomorrow's post! There's a lot to be said for grey - it's calm, it's elegant and it's sort of 'adult' in a way that I love. Do you know what I mean? This Swedish apartment combines grey (in the form of doors, skirting boards, radiator covers, window frames and textiles) with black and white and a hint of cognac leather. And there's some fab lighting going on too! Let's take a tour....

Source: Bosthlm

I love how the kitchen cabinets extend around the corner - what a clever way to add work surface and storage in a small space ( this home is a mere 38 square metres / 409 square foot)?

A few items I know and love: dining - Thonet chairs (absolutely love these!), aim suspension lights. sitting room - Sinnerlig daybed, linen throw, sheepskin throw, sinnerlig stool, leather ottoman. bedroom - charcoal linen pillow cases, light grey linen sheet (in fact my latest linen love has got to be anything and everything from this etsy shop - be still my beating heart!!

After something a little er brighter today? Why not dig into my (dangerous) archives for a few hours and check out this white Brooklyn home with vibrant touches, a Swedish home with black floors and fun, colourful touches, and the happy home of a Dutch illustrator (you can always count on the Dutch for some wonderful pops of colour!). 

By the way, I loved the discussion in the comment section yesterday (a home tour not to be missed by the way)  - so interesting! If you have any constructive thoughts on the homes I show, please do leave a comment in the section below and join the chat! It always adds a huge amount - plus it makes my day too! (if you don't have gmail you can click the anonymous box and then add your name or initials against the comment. 

Have a lovely day!

You can stop raining now Sweden. 

READ MORE...

20

Old Meets New In A Charming Paris Home

Zoé de Las Cases deliberately sought a smaller apartment in central Paris so that she and her family could acquire a bolthole in the countryside. Exactly two years ago, her dream was realised when she stumbled upon this wonderful etage in the 2nd arrondissement, and an abandoned country house in Normandy. Zoé is a creative soul, and divides her time between working as a graphic designer for French stationary company Clairefontaine, an artist - her latest project includes a collection of colouring books which have been translated into more than twenty languages including Secret Paris, Secret New York and Secret Tokyo and an interior decorator - she is currently juggling seven houses and apartments between Paris and the South of France! And I thought I was busy...! Her creative philosophy is born from an art of living "that is a mix of decoration and style in a happy, playful and colourful universe." Laid out over two floors, the family's Paris apartment is a charming blend of old and new, resulting in a wonderfully relaxed home that's full of soul. Let's take a peek!

Zoé finds inspiration in "objects, books, nature, flea markets and everyday life" and shops for items for her home "everywhere in France".  The space is filled with pretty vintage finds, a result of weekly flea market visits with her children. "They love it too!!" The finds pop out against a sea of white creating an eclectic yet calm home, with influences from both France and Scandinavia. "I love mixing contemporary and older objects, I love the poetry of objects that tell a story."

Isn't this just such a pretty space? I love the blend between old and new, it gives the home such a warm vibe.

I particularly love Zoé and Benjamin's bedroom with those double doors leading out to a balcony and bathroom behind the glass room dividers.

Is there anything that stood out to you?

If you're curious to see more (I can't blame you!) - you can see more pictures on Zoé's instagram, and discover more about her latest projects and services here and take a peek at their charming country house here.

There are some incredible French homes in the archives if you fancy a delve. Some of my favourites include a pretty home with striking black floors (possibly one of my favourite kitchens of all time!), a charming French family home full of inspiring details and a light and airy Paris loft. 

Vive la France!

Have a wonderful weekend, see you Monday!

Niki

Photography: Zoé de La Cases, shared with kind permission

READ MORE...

8

Monochrome home of a Swedish photographer

Since this is panning out to be a bit of a Swedish week I couldn't resist sharing images from another Swedish photographer's home. This time, Stockholm based Jakob Nylund who has an incredible portfolio (hard to believe he's 27). I'd definitely recommend having a whirl around his blog. I especially love the white walls and black floors and the use of wall mounted and desk angle poise lamps. And the photography of course, is simply stunning. 

Photography: Jakob Nylund via 79 ideas

There are lots more photographs of this beautiful home on here. Soooo worth checking out!

PS Don't you just love short weeks? Tomorrow is Friday already and then it's LE WEEKEND!!!! YYYYAAAYYY! x

READ MORE...

5

A Calm Swedish Family Home Built in the 1920's

Hej hej! Hur mår du idag? We're still basking in heat in Sweden which is unheard of for May. It's made me very grateful that our house is a little on the dark side: it feels so nice and cool (the ice cold mojito's help too of course!). Perhaps that's why I was also drawn to the 1920's home of Emelie Sundberg today. Emelie, her husband and two children Noah (4) and Ellie (1) and dog Charlie (see if you can spot him having a snooze!) live in the suburbs of Stockholm. The beautiful interior is awash with cool, calm greys and greens and dotted with plants, fresh cut flowers and a blend of warm textures. Enjoy!

Who needs a bath when a farmhouse sink will do just fine? Such a cute picture! Love the plant in the window too (see my guide to hanging plants here and indoor climbers here).

"What is most important to me when it comes to creating a family home is to make it simple, cosy and practical. For me, it's important everything has its own place and that it is easy to clean up. But it must also be personal and inviting." 

I've got the same Z1 pendant light in my sitting room  and I love it in the evenings. It lets of a lovely warm glow.  I also spy a Milk Table Lamp on the windowsill!

"I would describe my style has Scandinavian, simple and with a lot of natural materials such as wood, linen and stone. I love to mix design classics with antique and inherited furniture."

Emelie has embraced the original features of the 1920's house and opted for more of a traditional library feel in the office which she has furnished it with a desk from IKEA and an Eames chair. 

"What I love most about our home is the preserved original details from 1925. I also fell in love with the open floor plan."

The rust coloured linen bedding adds a subtle shot of colour to the bedroom and looks great with the green-grey wall.

There's so much to love about Noah's room including the wall colour (from Beckers) and matching curtains, Garbo&Friends bedding, Pink garland and belly basket.

Aaaaah, so lovely - it's such a picture of serenity.

Did you spot the doggy?!

Are there any ideas you're looking to steal? 

You can see more of Emelie's home on her blog and instagram.

My daughter's just got home so we're heading down to the sea for a swim now (you might here the sizzle from there!).

Have a lovely evening!

PS Looking for something with bright colours? You'll love the Swedish home of Elsa Billgren and a home with black floors and vibrant hues!

Photography: Emelie Sundberg

READ MORE...

0

A striking yet calm monochromatic Swedish home

Hello there! I promised myself I would show a colourful home tour today, and then I spotted this dreamy Swedish space and had to share it! Monochrome home tour it is then. I love the contrast between the elegant high ceilings and original period features and the contemporary dark wood floor pooled with light- it's just so striking, don't you think?! The open-shelving in the kitchen, study and bedroom help to create a really light and airy feel and add interest. *sigh* what a truly lovely space....

Stadshem. Photographer: Janne Olander. Styling: Emma Fischer

Could you imagine tinkering away in that music room / study?  I'm imagining music flooding the home on a summer's evening. I'd love to be able to play the piano - a friend of mine is a musician and she says it's wonderfully therepeutic. Do you play?

Plus they really add to a home - this Swedish family home and striking Danish home with a calm feel have beautiful pianos too.

A note on where a few items are from: Study: Eames DSW chair, floor lamp. Bedroom: linen bedding, clamp reading lamps. Sitting room: elephant cushion, DLM side table, WQ print, Feather pendant light. Kitchen: letter cups.

In case you were after that home bursting with colour today, do you remember this home with black floors and vibrant hues? Which look is more you? I could go either way - or perhaps meet somewhere in the middle?

Have a wonderful day!

PS Do you live in a high-rise but long for a pool? - These guys have found the answer. How terrific is that?! Not for the faint-hearted though....

READ MORE...

8

The worry-free way of buying a home, Stockholm style

I'll never forget selling our apartment and buying our house - all the emotion and worry involved, have you been through the same?! Imagine, if you could try out the property before making up your mind? Get a feeling of how the light falls, the layout, the neighbourhood. Now that would be something. And likewise, as a seller, how great would it be if you weren't in a hurry to sell but instead could relax and wait until the right offer came along, say in 12 months time? Enter Nooks. A Stockholm based property business offering a range of options like this (including the option to place your home on Airbnb). Genius! Personally, I'd be happy to give this apartment a whirl. It looks super relaxed, full of light and has views over the rooftops of Stockholm. What do you reckon?

Images: Nooks

The first picture's a bit baffling.... did you spot the illusion?!

Get the look: wishbone chairs, rattan chair, source a vintage suitcase here, I love this selection of vintage moroccan rugs.

Other homes with a colourful boho vibe include one of my all time favourites - a swedish home with black floors and the happy home of a Dutch illustrator.

Have a great start to the week! 

READ MORE...

4