An elegant, understated modern farmhouse

I was awoken by the eery sound of a ships fog horn cutting through the dense fog over the Öresund strait. It definitely made a change from the harsh trill of my mobile alarm clock, but being a sailor, the sound always makes me fill a little uneasy! The fog's lifted now and so have my spirits - mainly due to stumbling across this beautiful space designed by Griffiths Design Studio. Situated on the Mornington Peninsula, Southeast of Melbourne, Main Ridge Farmhouse is a lesson in elegant, understated style. The rich texture from the French oak floor, wood clad wall and sheepskins add warmth to create a relaxed modern home which reflects it's rural surroundings. Let's take a peek....

Photography: Tom Blachford. Design / Image Copyright: Griffiths Design Studio - shared with kind permission. Found via T.D.C with thanks!

What a lovely, elegant space!  I especially like the wooden side-table - it has such character!

Is there anything that stands out to you about this farmhouse?

Items I know and love: sitting room - grasshopper floor lamp, rug by Halcyon Lake, muuto dots and vase, this cognac leather cushion is similar. Kate Moss Book, wishbone chair, sheepskin throw. Bedroom: Eames house bird, this grey linen throw is similar. By lassen frame box.

For more understated homes in muted tones try my monochrome archive (warning - it contains 107 homes - it could take a while!).  

Have a lovely day!

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Historical Charm and Modern Scandi Minimalism Combine in a Danish Farmhouse

Do you have an image in your minds eye of the perfect house? I have to say, the facade of this Danish cottage comes very close to mine. Thatched roof, whitewashed stone walls and a chimney gently bellowing smoke on a cold winters day - what's not to love? The bad news: It's not for sale. The good news: it's available to rent. Yep, this charming Danish farmhouse in Søllested, southwest of Copenhagen is a new addition to the VIPP portfolio which also includes the VIPP Hotel. Nestled on the incredible Søllestedgaard estate, the former gardener's residence has been beautifully renovated in keeping with the  the time it was built in the late 18th century. Inside, the newly refurbished interior designed by Julie Cloos Mølsgaard combines historical charm with modern Scandinavian minimalism. Featuring three bedrooms and a home office, guests are invited to relax and unwind - or explore the surroundings and make use of the fishing gear to catch dinner in the nearby lake. 

What a perfect place to getaway from it all - and 'work from home' if required!

I'm dreaming about the facade and THAT thatched roof. Beautiful. 

Could you imagine staying here? More details / make a booking here. 

If you're visiting Denmark, I can also highly recommend the design hotel Villa Copenhagen - Per and I had the most wonderful stay there. 

Ha det fint! 

Niki

Photography: Anders Schønnemann courtesy of VIPP Farmhouse.

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A lovely pared-back Skåne farmhouse

I can't believe it's Easter already (I hope you enjoyed my Easter DIY edit!). As promised, I'm back with a home tour before I take a few days off over the holidays (I hope you're planning a nice, relaxing few days too?). This 19th century farmhouse is located in the small village of Förslöv (which I had the pleasure of visiting to shoot a home for my book last spring) here in Sweden's southernmost county of Skåne. The home has been beautifully renovated by architect Lisette Bramsell Ohlsson and her husband Mats Ohlsson - basically 'building a new one within the old one'. Rustic wood beams give warmth to the space which has been decorated using neutral tones and pared-back furnishings throughout. Let's take a peek...

Elle Decor. Styling Pella Hedeby Photography Kristofer Johnsson

Lovely! That exterior?!

Get the look: Nemo sofa, wood flooring by Dinesen, Kvist light, Thonet chair, white pom poms (seen in Ella's bedroom), the bath was a flea market find and painted.

For more pictures and info on where to find items check out the full piece over at Elle Decor. 

Other truly lovely Scandinavian farmhouses (in case you missed them previously) include the monochrome home of a Swedish photographer, a pretty västergötland farmhouse and a boho home,

Before I shoot off, here are a few other links from around the web I love:

One (fab) sofa, three ways. 

How to throw a dinner party in under an hour. 

Count me in: Elderberry-pear hazlenut cake in that location! Honestly?

And comfort food.

The cutest children's bedding. And the perfect Scandinavian kid's bedroom inspiration.

Oh and make sure you enter my big easter give-away this weekend - for your chance to win one of my favourite prizes ever... oh the suspense! Back with more info shortly. 

Until then, have a lovely day!

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A Dated Home Becomes a Fresh, Modern Farmhouse

Ever since I stumbled across the portfolio of Pittsburgh based interior designer Leanne Ford and featured this incredible home, I've been a huge fan of her work! Leanne is currently the star, along with her brother and contractor Steve Ford, of Restored by the Fords on HGTV, which follows the siblings as they turn some of Pittsburgh's most dated buildings into magazine-worthy homes. Their latest project was to transform the Faraci family's pokey ground floor (made up of three rooms) into a fresh, open-plan space. I caught up with Leanne to find out more about the project...

What was the design brief?

I loved the Faraci family! They are so lovely and loving and their demands were rather simple! They wanted a simple and well designed home to be together as a family and to entertain in. The first floor of their house was separated by three walls when we got our hands on it. And of course, I removed them ALL. We wanted those in the kitchen to be able to see out the front window. And we wanted a more welcome communal living space for them.

What style were the family after and how did you achieve it? 

"They wanted a fresh and modern farmhouse style. We gave them all the classic fixings; subway tile, butcher block counters, classic white cabinets, open shelving, farm table down the center of the kitchen, simple design and decor. And I played with all of these features over the original and very beat up wooden floors. Though they started out as a kind of disaster to try to make them work, they ended up being my favorite feature of the home. Ain't that how it happens. The rough and vintage floor really adds life to the clean lines of the new kitchen." 

 Do you have a favourite feature from the make-over?  

That amazing modern "sculpture" of a stair case that Ed Zeiler from Wood N Wrench made us! We had to totally reconfigure where the staircase went after ripping walls out, so we played with the new "railing/wall" And made it a design feature.

 Did you experiment with anything new? 

"We did Board and Batton on the INSIDE of the home for a change. It was a simple and economical way to bring texture and character into this home. Over the coffee table you see a white chandelier that I TRIED to make... I would say this is one of those examples of letting art evolve...I certainly never set out to make the light look like that, but let's just say it really "wanted to" ;) The family made me feel better when they said it looks like something from the MOMA. I don't know about that, but... I'll take it!"

Photography: Alexandra Ribar

Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful make-over with us Leanne!

If you love this look and want to steal a few ideas (I certainly will be!) - here's a quick guide:

Get the look

1. Nuvo lighting, warehouse shade
2. Vintage chopping board
3. Glass cake stand
4. Natural linen napkins
5. L:A Bruket liquid soap
6. Drip Glaze 16-Piece Place Setting
7. Tour Eiffel brackets  
8. IKEA armchair with Bemz Loose Fit Country cover (get 15% off design covers for IKEA furniture at Bemz with code '15myscandinavianhome' until 11th Feb - ships worldwide!).
9. Woven basket pendant light
10. Sisal natural jute rug

Ahhh, so inspired by this space - the statement basket lamp, the asymmetry of the chairs and bench around the table, the open shelves. So much to love. I hope it's inspired you too!

Have a lovely day.

****

Complete Source list:

Kitchen: Cabinets / Miter Box (custom built),  Farmhouse 3018 sink in pearl / Native Trails, Trinsic kitchen faucet in champagne bronze / Delta, White subway tile / Jeffrey Court,  Butcher Block countertop / IKEA. Cutting boards / Whitney Jurgovan of Kinsey Vintage market, Small white rug in bleached jute ivory / world market*, Wooden shelving with Tour Eiffel brackets / Anthropologie*,  Napkins and Tea towels, Parachute home, Vintage Mirror / Garden Style Living, wooden kitchen table / Weisshouse, Woven Basket Pendant / World market. Wooden chairs / 1stdibs. 

Family room (with fireplace): Cloud sofa in beligan linen natural / RH Modern,  Sisal natural jute rug / World market. White linen armchair / Weisshouse. Blue Tin Washer // Kinsey Vintage Market, coffee table / weisshouse, Metal Locker Boxes // Urge Studio.

Living room: White rug in bleached ivory jute / World market, Burlap sofa / Weisshouse,
wooden coffee table / IKEA, Chandlier custom made by Leanne, Green credenza / Urge Studio.

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The striking monochrome home of a Swedish photographer

It's the weeeekend. woohoo! As you know I love to go for a striking home tour to celebrate.  This monochrome home, which I think totally fits the bill,  is in stark contrast to the colourful spaces I showed in yesterday's post. You won't be surprised to hear that this beautiful black and white home is owned by a creative duo: talented Swedish photographer Magdalena Björnsdotter and her husband Eric who's passionately into music. The country home was built as a farmhouse in the 1920's and has been carefully restored into a modern graphical home.  I've featured over 100  black and white homes here over the years and love how each and every one is unique. And this one is no exception. I love how they've draped fabrics over furniture,  the cool artwork throughout and interestingly displayed photography. What do you love about this home?

Magdelena Björnsdotter. Boligliv

Is this your kind of space? Are you more a black and white or a pops of colour interior person?

A couple of items I know and love: White Tolix chairs, Women: Annie Leibovitz coffee table book, Svenskt tenn elephant cushion and textile on the piano seat. Magnetic herb tins and seat cushions on bench by Granit.

More beautiful interiors shot by Magdalena include Ylva Skarp's Christmassy home and  a rustic farmhouse in Skåne.  Oh so fabulous!

I hope you have a fantastic weekend! 

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Airbnb Tip: The Stonecutters Farm on the Swedish Island of Öland

Hot off the press: The Stonecutters Farm on the Swedish island of Öland has just been released on Airbnb for bookings! But first, a little background! 

Christin (an interior designer) and Ronny stumbled across this charming little farmhouse in the Baltic one late Autumn nine years ago. It had been derelict for many years and was in desperate need of repair. "We started a long journey of renovations and at the same time looked into the history of the farm and its surroundings," Christin told me. 

It transpired The Stonecutter's farm was a historical gem with roots dating back to the 19th century, an important era for limestone quarrying on Öland. The pair set about restoring the property, while being careful to maintain as much of the original features as possible. The garden has also been excavated and a wonderful pool added with views over the fields. In my mind, I'm already sipping a Pripps blå beer in one of those loungers!), not for too long though, as there's an island to explore.

"The surroundings are incredibly special, with the beautiful Stone Coast nature reserve a short bike ride away," Christin adds. With the renovation finally complete, the Stockholm-based family of five love to visit the island as much as possible year round. And now they've opened up the opportunity for others too! 

Let's take a peek inside. 

The sunroom / front porch and upstairs have been clad in wood panelling, while rattan furniture also adds to the relaxed vibe. 

Stacks of pebbles connect the interior with the nearby coast. 

The grey kitchen cabinets are designed to match the limestone surroundings. 

The master bedroom is just off the kitchen and is complete with a tiled masonry oven for cosy winter nights! 

The upstairs is made up of a sitting room area and second bedroom. 

The farmhouse is full of charming vintage finds. 

I love the upstairs bedroom; it looks so peaceful. The dark beams, bedspread, vase and vintage frame add contrast to the space. A simple clothes rail (glimpsed left) is all that's needed in a simple summer house! 

The pool I was talking about! 

What an idyllic cottage and such a perfect base from which to explore the island (I included it in my Baltic island hopping guide). 

Could you imagine spending your holiday here? You can find more information about The Stonecutters Farm and book your week on airbnb. It's also well worth following @thestonecuttersfarm on instagram for inspiration too! 

See also: 

A charming croft on the Swedish island of Öland

A Swedish cottage on its own island

Did I mention that the Swedish royal family also holidays on the island? You can visit Solliden Palace during your stay (one summer Prince Carl Philip of Sweden ran past me while out on a jog - I couldn't believe it - I did a double take!). Did you know he's a designer and was involved in the design of the Helix collection by Georg Jensen? 

Have a great start to the week, 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @thestonecuttersfarm with kind permission. 

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