A Gotland retreat

If there's one place on my wish list it's the island of Gotland on the East coast of Sweden, it's supposed to be stunning. This summer cottage is situated on a little island called Furillen just off Gotland (even better!). According to Anna of blog La Maison D'Anna G, the space was formerly used as army storage and has been carefully renovated using raw materials as well relics from the original building. The blue accent and sheepskin rugs add a warm element to the cold industrial feel of the concrete and pared-back space. Very original and beautiful. 

Photography: Pia Ulin, Styling Cilla Ramnek for Residence magazine. Via La Maison D'Anna G with thanks

I like the way they have 'opened up' the Hay industrial light - it adds a cool twist, perhaps I should do the same with mine in my bedroom....I see they have the Muuto Wood Table Lamp, one of my favourites! I am also a big fan of sheepskin rugs over chairs - as you can see from my dining room (it actually makes them so comfy too!).

Anything about this home you love?

PS Don't miss my very exciting give-away this Friday just in time for the clocks to go forward  (open worldwide).......Ooooo what could it be?!

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A Beautiful Vintage-industrial Inspired Living Space in France

Hej, or should I say 'bonjour! in the language of love - something of which I am hoping to spread today on Valentine's Day with this dreamy open-plan room in France! Alexandra - who owns online antique furniture boutique Petite Belette and runs online 'upcycling' masterclasses - describes her home and workshop as "a universe made of forgotten furniture, of raw and simple materials that respond to the adage: 'nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed,' (Antoine Lavoisier). I couldn't resist sharing this light-filled room, packed with personality - and yet at the same time cosy and calm. A perfect place to curl up with a book!

Eclectic furniture, industrial touches and rough walls rich in patina all help to create this wonderful room!

A library of books wait to be plucked from the shelf before curling up on the sofa. 

Beautiful. 

Imagine all that light! 

Could you imagine pottering around this room today? 

Wishing you all a happy St. Valentine's Day and a wonderful start to the week! 

Niki

Photography picture 1: Audrey Fitzjohn - Home magazine. Other images courtesy of @belettepetite 

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Spring has sprung in a lovely Swedish space

 I love it when the doors and windows can be flung open, the sun streams in and you can pad about the place bare foot and fancy free. This Gothenburg apartment captures the spring vibe perfectly with it's light-filled open plan living space, balcony and bright pops of green. I love the mix of old and new - Scandinavian modern, vintage and industrial, what a perfect blend? And who needs a large backyard to have a herb garden - I really like the idea of using the full height of balcony railings for important culinary ingredients, how about you?!

Styled and photographed by the Alvhem team.

If you're looking for a big plant for your home why not source one second hand? One of my friends, Gen, bought beautiful greenery on Blocket (Sweden's version of Gumtree) - in fact you can see it in her sitting room here. You never know if someone in your neighbourhood or a local business are looking to get rid of some beautiful greenery?! (More plants and flower inspiration here).

Try Etsy for industrial pendant lamps.

Other lovely light-filled homes which are bound to brighten up your day include this idyllic Danish cottage, a back-to-basics Oregon cottage, and  a pared-back Finnish cabin. Or if you're thinking outdoors - this Montreal oasis will always be my favourite - imagine?!

Have a lovely sunny day!

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My home: dining areas!

Morning! I hope you had a wonderful weekend?! Sometimes, an entire weekend at home is just what you need. It helped that the weather was hot hot HOT here in Sweden!.. And I finally got around to putting up my vintage industrial lamp, a birthday present from my parents. Sooo pleased! Here are a few snaps from my kitchen / dining area complete with my little three year old who was busy making me a Mother's Day card, awwww.....

My Scandinavian Home

My Scandinavian Home

My Scandinavian Home

My Scandinavian Home

A little guide: The white storage units are Swedish brand Marbodal. The vintage industrial lamp was sourced online. The Andy Warhol poster is from malmö moderna museet. It's actually a placeholder for now as I'm looking for a great 70's print with a touch of colour. The chair my little three year old is sitting on is trip trap. You may have seen my mid century drinks trolley before here! All my purple / pink cushions are from my favourite, Designers Guild. The floor was originally dark oak which we sanded down and white-washed to brighten up the room.

I have soooo many projects left for this room, my next step is to source an eclectic mix of vintage dining chairs. Watch this space!!

A belated Happy Mother's day to all you beautiful Swedish Mummy's out there! Niki x

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A magical artist's home full of the joys of spring!

Hello April! How wonderful to see you! It would be rude not to celebrate with an absolutely stunning artist's home that's full of the joys of spring! The house, featured on JJ Locations,  has been decorated throughout with accents of green - whether in the form of lush plants, furniture, textiles or accessories. Combine this with the fabulous architecture, light flooding through the windows, mix of designer and vintage finds and art for a truly magical oasis in the heart of Camberwell, South London. Enjoy!

JJ Locations - shared with kind permission. Initially found via Design Attractor with thanks.

Beautiful, don't you think?! I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Get the look: Dining area:  Tulip table,  Eames chairs, source rattan chairs here and spray paint in shades of green.  Bedroom: Tom Dixon beat light, bertoia chair, rustic stool as a bedside table. Landing: This industrial pendant is similar, Beni Ourain rugs.

If you haven't discovered JJ locations before I can recommend pouring yourself a coffee and taking a look around their website this weekend.  Based in Shoreditch, the agency represents a select portfolio of professional photographic and film locations across London, the UK and abroad. See more pictures of this lovely home here.


Other homes with a splash of spring green include this Gothenburg home, and a Skåne home with a vintage touch.
 
More links from around the web to enjoy this weekend:

How to style a credenza.

What a lovely kitchen?!  I've got my eye on these wonderful industrial bar stools similar to the one seen.

I love this funky Finnish children's bedroom inspiration.

My latest Tumblr find.

If you do one thing this weekend - bring in some pretty cherry blossom to divide between vases.

Books stored with their pages facing outwards look lovely but aren't entirely practical. And then someone told me on instagram that this is exactly what they used to do in the national library to preserve the jackets. Could this be the excuse I needed?! Loving the 'casual pile' too!

I was sad to hear the news of architect Dame Zaha Hadid, the first woman to receive the Pritzker Architecture Prize (2004). Here are the 10 magnificent 'curvy' buildings she will be remembered for.

And finally....the night and morning routines of successful women including Rosie Huntington-Whitely and Anna Wintour- and guess what? It doesn't say that much about getting up early (I read about an entrepreneur who gets up at 3am everyday - I mean, really?!).

So that's it from me. Have a wonderful, *sunny* and relaxing weekend! 

PS Oh and I'm holding a fab give-away this weekend so make sure you pop by to enter!

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Adding a little industrial chic with Tolix chairs

I hope you're having a flying start to the weekend. Just a li'l note to say today I also wrote a guest post on the wonderful interior design blog Canoe Design (New York City).  My brief was to choose an item of furniture I love. aaaah, where to start?! In the end I chose the fab industrial style Tolix Model A Chair. If you get a mo, you can check it out here! Thank you for inviting me Anna!

Via The Style Files

Have a lovely weekend! And see you Monday!

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Creative work space inspiration from Studio Hear Hear

Hello, how are you today? This afternoon I've been invited for a fika at a local creative studio here in Malmö. I love going as not only are the girls super talented, the environment is really inspiring too. It always gets me wondering if I should exchange my home office for a beautiful studio somewhere. I have to admit this has been fueled lately by the recent discovery of Studio Hear Hear just outside Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The design studio belongs to Rena, a self-confessed plant enthusiast and founder of  Hear Hear, an online shop selling handmade ceramics, and a forever changing selection of bags, prints and other items selected for their simplicity and authenticity. The two floor space has been divided into a series of zones from which to run the day-to-day business, create ceramics, and other items and hold themed gatherings such as plant swaps and picnics.  What a wonderful place to work, don't you think?!

All photography y Rena / Hear Hear, except the 'overhead table shot' by Oak & Fir and 'table spread' by Food Bandits.

If I were to create a studio I'd like it to look like this! Industrial, slightly boho, an abundance of plants (did you spot the indoor climber?) - somewhere warm and sunny to relax, a great space for entertaining....

It reminds me a little of this fab Brooklyn home and studio of two creatives I featured a while back (also lovely!). 

Could you imagine working here? Or what does your dream work space look like?

Get the look from Rena's studio: the yellow patterned rug is from IKEA, pick up a similar vintage industrial cabinet here. Choose from a selection of vintage yellow table lamps here or pick up a new one here. Pick up beautiful handmade ceramics at Hear Hear.  

Looking for more workspace inspiration? Why not check out the atelier, studio and home office archives?! 

Have a lovely day!

PS I'm holding a really exciting give-away later today so don't forget to stop by!

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