Having experienced twelve long, dark Swedish winters - it's safe to say I've become slightly obsessed with light. As a result, I've done everything possible to draw every last drop of sunlight into my home (lightened the floors, white washed the walls and knocked down walls) and I've even written a book about it! So imagine how excited I was when I discovered the Melbourne home and studio of architect Andrew Maynard, inspired by a wish to need to wear sunglasses indoors?! Told by his doctor that a lack of light could be partially to blame for his work-related stress, Andrew and his partner decided to create a space which would bathe them in 'sunlight' and drench them in 'vitamin D'. And just to be sure it truly captured that 'bright (bright) sunshiney day' feeling, he added splashes of sunny yellow for good measure!
Architecture: Andrew Maynard Architects. Photography: Tess Kelly. Found via Dezeen with thanks.
What a great concept?!
Would you consider doing this in your home? As Andrew readily admits, there are limitations with a design like this - such as letting the sunshine in, in places where there definitely shouldn't sunshine! But the sunny yellow colour and abundance of light ure does put a smile on your face, right?
Look out for the inspiring space-saving ideas and clever solutions too - such as book shelves above doors and shelves built into the stairs - love!
Is there anything that stands out to you?
I just realised it's been absolutely ages since I shared a home with splashes of yellow - I even had to root around to find the archive -if you're in a sunny mood and feel like a little more 'yellow' interior inspiration here it is (if this home comes up first just scroll passed it!).
Oh and before I head off - sorry if I've seen a little rushed this week, I'm in the final stages of a big project and it's been a bit hectic (my family will tell you that's an understatement!) - including a computer crash yesterday (how much do you dread the words - "have you backed-up your hard drive"?!). But do you know what? It's all cool.... and it's friday people, FRIDAY - woohoo! I hope you've got some great things planned?
Have a lovely sunny weekend!
A house that invites the sunshine in!
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Beautiful inspiration for plant lovers
Last week I shared a cosy garden shed make-over (how I'd love one of these!) - which was all about creating a little home to call your own at the end of the garden. Today, I thought we'd do the reverse - and take a look at how to create a lovely garden inside our homes - or at least bring a little greenery indoors! Not only are plants said to help boost health, clean the air, boost healing and help us work better (read more here!), they also look beautiful. This weekend I'll be taking inspiration from Jeska and Dean Hearne's lovely home - which Dean recently shot for a 'green-living' feature in Another Escape magazine. I hope you'll feel inspired too!
Credits: Dean Hearne
Time to create that urban jungle?!
Get the look with a few of my favourite planters: vintage terracotta pots, this and this garden pot, and for something a little quirky try Stella Baggott (cute!).
And for the plants - I'm loving some of these 'no fail' plants (said to be nearly impossible to kill we like)...and the 9 best for air purifying.
For more home inspiration this weekend you might want to revisit the beautiful Melbourne home of a florist and a lovely boho home of a Swedish artist and florist.
And finally - 182 beautiful ideas of how to incorporate plants and flowers into your life. I guess we have no excuses!
And before I leave you to have a lovely 'green' weekend, there's good news all round, I've announced the winner of the Feliz bedding here - as well as a fantastic 20% off for everyone else - yay! Click here to get your discount code!
Have a wonderful weekend and see you Monday!
PS Could you live off the grid like this couple?
Credits: Dean Hearne
Time to create that urban jungle?!
Get the look with a few of my favourite planters: vintage terracotta pots, this and this garden pot, and for something a little quirky try Stella Baggott (cute!).
And for the plants - I'm loving some of these 'no fail' plants (said to be nearly impossible to kill we like)...and the 9 best for air purifying.
For more home inspiration this weekend you might want to revisit the beautiful Melbourne home of a florist and a lovely boho home of a Swedish artist and florist.
And finally - 182 beautiful ideas of how to incorporate plants and flowers into your life. I guess we have no excuses!
And before I leave you to have a lovely 'green' weekend, there's good news all round, I've announced the winner of the Feliz bedding here - as well as a fantastic 20% off for everyone else - yay! Click here to get your discount code!
Have a wonderful weekend and see you Monday!
PS Could you live off the grid like this couple?
A fabulous home in a former garage
I hope you've had a lovely few days? I'm having a great time in London and looking forward to some down time today with my girls before heading back to Sweden on Wednesday. How about you? Doesn't this time of year fill you with the need to bring colour into the home? I'm really feeling the yellows, blues, greens and pinks! This converted garage space featured in the February edition of Elle Decoration UK (I've just bought the May edition and it's fab) found via one of my all time favourite blogs SF Girl By Bay is so wonderful it makes my spring heart sing!
There's such a personal stamp to this incredible home. I'm loving the Tom Dixon copper shade lamps customised with neon pink chords, fantastic wood burning stoves and the black rug with the large floral print. How about you?
What a cool home!
For more colour inspiration I love this brightly coloured Dutch home, this stunning vintage inspired home of a Melbourne illustrator, and a lovely Skåne home with pops of green.
Have a wonderful day!
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| Jean-Marc Wullschleger for Elle Decoration UK |
There's such a personal stamp to this incredible home. I'm loving the Tom Dixon copper shade lamps customised with neon pink chords, fantastic wood burning stoves and the black rug with the large floral print. How about you?
What a cool home!
For more colour inspiration I love this brightly coloured Dutch home, this stunning vintage inspired home of a Melbourne illustrator, and a lovely Skåne home with pops of green.
Have a wonderful day!
The relaxed, vintage inspired home of an artist
Why, hello there! I hope you had a wonderful weekend?! While photographing (some beeeeautiful) homes for my book
a few weeks back it struck me that they were almost entirely filled with one-off pieces - picked up on travels or found in flea markets, which made the spaces truly special. I stumbled across this lovely creative home on Apartment Therapy captured by Natalie Jeffcott the other day and it too, is filled with a unique array of treasures, all of which come together simply because the owners Ben and artist Heidi Yardley love them. Situated in a converted stable at the end of a quiet cobbled lane in North Melbourne (what is it with me and Australian homes right now - did you see last week's posts?!), Ben and Heidi's house has been filled with vintage and second hand finds, for a lovely relaxed, bohemian vibe which is as personal as it is fascinating.
Photography by Natalie Jeffcott / Apartment Therapy.
Every time I look through the pictures I spot something new. Did you see the arm for example (it makes sense when you look through Heidi's portfolio)?! And of course their very handsome cat Nico!
I love the colour scheme in the bedroom... so inspiring!
It's these elements of surprises which make the home so fascinating, don't you think?
Get the look: pick up a mid-century credenza here, macrame plant holder, this is a great source for vintage easels. Vintage tin boxes. Heidi's art. I love the round chair in the bedroom but haven't found anything like it - any tips?
More beautiful artists' home to feel inspired by: a beautiful Copenhagen home in a former sculpter's atelier, an artist's home and studio in Stockholm, a Swedish artist's home in a former school.
Have a great start to the week!
PS Don't forget my talented friend Maria is offering 15% discount off her fabulous designs in her shop until the end of October. To redeem simply enter 15RABATTSCANDI at check-out - I've already picked myself up the Little Darling lamp love it! (ships everywhere in Europe).
a few weeks back it struck me that they were almost entirely filled with one-off pieces - picked up on travels or found in flea markets, which made the spaces truly special. I stumbled across this lovely creative home on Apartment Therapy captured by Natalie Jeffcott the other day and it too, is filled with a unique array of treasures, all of which come together simply because the owners Ben and artist Heidi Yardley love them. Situated in a converted stable at the end of a quiet cobbled lane in North Melbourne (what is it with me and Australian homes right now - did you see last week's posts?!), Ben and Heidi's house has been filled with vintage and second hand finds, for a lovely relaxed, bohemian vibe which is as personal as it is fascinating. Every time I look through the pictures I spot something new. Did you see the arm for example (it makes sense when you look through Heidi's portfolio)?! And of course their very handsome cat Nico!
I love the colour scheme in the bedroom... so inspiring!
It's these elements of surprises which make the home so fascinating, don't you think?
Get the look: pick up a mid-century credenza here, macrame plant holder, this is a great source for vintage easels. Vintage tin boxes. Heidi's art. I love the round chair in the bedroom but haven't found anything like it - any tips?
More beautiful artists' home to feel inspired by: a beautiful Copenhagen home in a former sculpter's atelier, an artist's home and studio in Stockholm, a Swedish artist's home in a former school.
Have a great start to the week!
PS Don't forget my talented friend Maria is offering 15% discount off her fabulous designs in her shop until the end of October. To redeem simply enter 15RABATTSCANDI at check-out - I've already picked myself up the Little Darling lamp love it! (ships everywhere in Europe).
A Photographer's Vintage-Inspired Home In A Former Post Office
Over the years the years, the same interior photographers pop up time and time again. Always generous with their images (I write for permission before sharing), these talented shutterbugs are the backbone of my blog. And yet, we're rarely get a glimpse into their world! So today I'd like to introduce you to Australian freelance photographer Marnie Hawson. Based in the Macedon Ranges, just outside Melbourne, Marnie specialises in interior, travel and lifestyle photography, "with a commitment to working with people doing good in the world."
As a former environmental scientist, Marnie is hardwired to tread lightly, and today that means "only working with businesses which have an ethical and sustainable mindset and focus on conscious consumerism and fair trade".
When Marnie isn't on location, she's working from her little weatherboard studio at home, with her miniature pinscher Dexter by her side.
I've featured many of the rustic abodes Marnie has captured over the years - including a Swedish weatherboard cottage, Captain's Cottage and a dreamy holiday home, but never her own beautiful home, and let me tell you, you're in for a treat!
Home for Marnie, is a rustic country cottage which she shares with her husband Ryan Hawson - a whisky specialist (I think Per and Ryan would get along just fine!). Dating back to 1890, the pair have lived in the cottage - which used to be the village post office - for over nine years. During this time, the duo have added their own unique stamp on the property, having made many changes, while working hard to maintain the history of the site.
Fancy taking a peek inside?
The wood panelled interior is a sea of white (much to my delight as someone who is passionate about all things Scandi!) - interspersed with vintage and antique finds.
The kitchen is made up of IKEA cabinets centred around a refurbished 50-year-old AGA (seen to the right). The brass taps and handles are all second hand.
In the sitting room, a sofa has been placed opposite the fire for cosy evenings. The drying rack was in place when they bought the house and they still use it all the time (it reminds me a lot of the one in this charming Swedish summer cottage)! The rug is from Armadillo & Co.
Soon after buying the house, Marnie and Ryan were fortunate enough to be able to buy back the original post office boxes, which they use as day to day storage.
Pairs of vintage shoes bought from a shoemaker in New South Wales can be seen on the wall in the bedroom. The linen bedding is from Elkie Ark and the curtains are from Linenshed.
Oh, and one more exciting thing the pair have added in recent years - a bar (I guess, if you're a whisky specialist you do have the perfect excuse!). Here's a glimpse into the dark, atmospheric space...
What a magical home (and bar!) - which, to be honest, can only be expected from Marnie Hawson!
I feel this home tour has put a real spring in my step for the start of the week - just what I needed! Are you also feeling inspired?
I am so looking forward to continuing to follow Marnie's journey as a freelance photographer. You can see many of the homes she's captured over the years (as well as other projects) on her website. I also love her instagram feed!
Also, check out my archives for more of her work here.
Have a brilliant start to the week friends!
Niki
Photography: Marnie Hawson
A monochrome Melbourne home
Today's home has a very different look from yesterday's Stockholm apartment, even though they are both decorated in monochrome. This double fronted weatherboard cottage in Melbourne was seamlessly adapted by Techne Architects. I love the way the light falls in the house and the way wood is used to soften the black and white interior.
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| Techne Architects. Photography: Thomas Blachford with kind permission via Dust Jacket |
Which monochrome home is more your style - today's or yesterdays? Or perhaps this Finnish one or this Danish one?! So many different ways to do black and white!
