The lovely, relaxed home of a fashion designer

Loving that it's Friday already! My home has been turned upside down due to a shoot in my office with friend and stylist Gen of The Youngsters. I'm feeling the weekend vibe all the same, which is why I'm inviting you to step inside the lovely, relaxed home of Domino magazine's cover star Ulla Johnson today. Born and raised in Manhattan, Ulla Johnson lives in Brooklyn with her husband and three children and runs a successful clothing line with an eponymous name featuring beautiful custom prints, intricate embroideries and fine tailoring.  Her home has been decorated using light colours and warm textures and furnished with vintage finds from New York as well as far flung places. Enjoy!

Home-owner - photographer Pia Ulin (shared with thanks). Domino magazine

What a lovely family home, don't you think? And just how adorable is her little girl!

A few tips on where to find similar items- sitting room: sofa from CISCO Brothers, Chandelier, source a beautiful Beni Ourain rug, moroccan wedding cushion, sheepskin throw.  Dining room - Copenhague table. Pick-up a mid-century chest-of-drawers here.

Ulla's clothes are from her lovely clothing line. 

See a full interview with Ulla over at Domino magazine.

Pia Ulin, the talented photographer behind this shoot hales from Sweden but is also Brooklyn based. I've featured quite a few homes captured by her before - including Jessica De Ruiter's fabulous LA home, a cool, calm and collected Danish home and that Gotland retreat! Yup, she's got that knack....

Right, better get on with that shoot I was talking about...

Have a great one and see you Monday! 

PS I love the idea of using a Kimono as styling. I think this one is perfect for rooms with dark blue walls - so pretty.  Oh and perhaps this one rocking Saturday night! 

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A dreamy holiday home in a former miner's cottage

Tell me Aussie friends - what is it about Daylesford, Victoria with it's beautiful array of houses?  The latest property to catch my eye is Vintage House Daylesford, captured by Sharyn Cairns.  Set in an acre of land with views over Wombat State Forest and Doctors Gully, the 1860's miner's cottage has been beautifully restored to it's former glory by owner, interior designer Kali Cavanagh.  Available for rent for 6 to 8 people the main house and garden room have been decorated in shades of white, black and everything in between and furnished with a blend of antique, vintage and industrial pieces. Personally, I'm longing for a soak in one of those salvaged lion claw bathtubs! How would you wile away your day?

Credits: photography Sharyn Cairns interior design / styling Kali Cavanagh (shared with kind permission). Vintage House Daylesford is available as luxury accommodation and photo shoots. 

How heavenly?!

I'm feeling particularly inspired by the garden room - this is just what we need at my man's family Swedish summer cottage.  Must pin immediately!

It's also taken me way longer than usual to write this post because I keep day dreaming about how to re-arrange my bedroom to create space for a bath tub! I've worked out the only way I could do it would be to do away with my home office! Hmmmm. Seems a bit radical....but then again....?!

Is there anything that's got you day dreaming?! 

Get the look from Vintage House Daylesford: white and grey stonewashed linen bedding, buy beautiful made to measure linen curtains here, source vintage industrial pendant lamps here. Try Ebay for a salvaged claw foot bathtub.

I've just noticed there are now over 60 spaces to drool over in my 'holiday home' archive - how will I get anything done today at all (mind you, with no home office.....that would be OK, right)?!

Have a *dreamy* day!

PS I got a note from the post office this morning - I think it could be my mobile - yay!

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Two Danish Coffee Tables, One Hyggelig Sitting Room!

Sponsored by Skovby, all words and photos are my own and I only ever work with brands I love*

The blankets are unfurled, and the candles are lit. It must be November! Our sitting room really comes into its own at this time of year, and my family and I spend many a night right here sipping coffee (OK - maybe we exchange it for wine sometimes too, while relaxing and hiding from the cold!) - is it the same in your home? I was therefore super happy to have the excuse to hang out here for a whole day MID-WEEK to capture these beautiful coffee tables for Skovby (you'll likely recognise the name, I've been working with this wonderful danish brand for many years and have always loved their  passion for wood and fine craftsmanship). 

You might recall we usually have a long vintage rustic bench as our coffee table, so it was fun to see how a different arrangement might look. And actually, I realised that there's something very handy about using two tables instead of one. Read on to find out more and take a closer look at these fine specimens! 

So, what's the advantage of two tables? 

Well, firstly, opting for two instead of one (I've chosen the Coffee table #241/264 with a white HPL top and oak white oil legs and coffee table #241/265 in oak white oil) with two different heights, means you can nestle them into one another or pull them apart, which gives you greater flexibility depending on the size of the party. You can also separate them completely - using one as a side table and one as a coffee table. In a small sitting room this is worth its weight in gold! 

Incidentally, the round shape is also a small space saviour, and helps a space to feel softer and more  inviting (it's funny how that can happen). 

Our sitting room suddenly felt a whole lot more practical, user-friendly and sociable! Per will be very happy with this indeed! 

Oh, and there's another important advantage: if you chose two tables, you can get a little more creative with the design. For example, I have combined white with wood in order to create a greater visual impact. 

Incidentally, the Skovby coffee table series is made up of a load of different elements (designed by Danish designer Per Hånsbæk) and invites you to choose the shape, wood type and size of the tabletop -  as well as between classic wooden legs, an edge steel frame or an adjustable height base. So, you can be as creative as you like! 

Keep in mind that a coffee table should be around two-thirds of the length of your sofa. 

What do you think? Are you tempted to opt for two tables instead of one? Or perhaps you've gone for something completely different (ottomans, chests, suitcases - I've seen it all!). I'd love to hear more about your coffee table!

If you're curious about these, you can explore the entire Skovby coffee table series and find your nearest stockist here. 

You might also like some of the other fine specimens from Skovby. I've captured many of their items in my home in the past, including a desk and chair in Per's home office space, a serving trolley which I used to serve glögg last Christmas, bar stools in my dining room and one very fine bench among others!

In the meantime, if anyone's looking for me, I'll be right here sipping coffee and enjoying the hygge until these fine specimens are (sadly) collected on Friday. 

Have a hyggeligt day! 

Niki

*This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Skovby. All words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too! Thank you for supporting the exceptional Scandinavian businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible. 

Photography by me, styling by Helen Sturesson. 

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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

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A home with red floors - with surprising results!

It's not often you come across a home with bright red floors throughout, even in Holland where there's a general love of vibrant pops of colour (alla this and this home). I was sceptical I must say, but when I took the tour of the home (beautifully captured by Holly and Jansje) I was pleasantly surprised. Owners Sanne (an industrial designer) and Tim (an architect), bought this lovely space by the sea in The Hague back in 2013 and set about renovating it one design move at a time. They've filled the house with vintage treasures and upcycled furniture collected over the years (the shelves in the sitting room are made from reclaimed stair treads!) as well as the odd modern find. The result is a relaxed, eclectic and vibrant family home. Let's take a tour...

 

Shared with kind permission: Styling - Holly Marder, Photography - Janske Klazinga.

Wow! What a lovely home. I love the quirky touches and blend of old and new. And of course their cute children!

And what did you make of the painted red floor?

I had the pleasure of meeting Holly and Jansje when they came to photograph my home last year. Such a talented duo! Other spaces shot By Jansje include Tina Fussell's lovely Danish home (also styled by Holly) and a Dutch home in a former children's nursery.

If you fancy a little more beautiful Dutch inspiration today, there's also a whole archive to explore here (scroll passed the first one as it might be this home), I do love a dose of Dutch style, don't you?

Have a lovely day!

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10 Ways To Transform a Room With A Single Painting!

I love reading your comments - it adds so much to the post and more often than not someone will point out something I haven't noticed and I'll look a the home tour from a new perspective. Yesterday,  for example, someone pointed out that there was no art on the walls - and it was in no means meant as a negative - more an observation that a home without art can also be interesting.  So today, I thought I would go to the opposite extreme and take a look at how a single painting can transform a space. When I was writing my first book, Modern Pastoral, the photographer James Gardiner and I captured a beautiful home in the Hudson Valley designed by Jersey Ice-cream Company. One of the things I noticed about the work of Tara Mangini & Percy Bright is how they apply art (mainly portraits, but also landscapes and still life) to bring the look together. Here are ten fine examples:

I found this fascinating, how about you?

Did you have a favourite?

It has totally spurred me on to look out for more original art for my walls. These are often good sources: 

Flea markets

Charity shops

Etsy*

Ebay

Do you have any other suggestions on where to source original portrait paintings? Perhaps some wonderful, modern artists?

I'm going to need to be careful though - there was a painting in my childhood home of my great, great, great grandfather who was an Admiral. My Mother used to have to cover it up with a sheet at night because my sisters and I were so afraid of it! There was something about the way his eyes followed you around the room. Did you have any paintings like that in your home? 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Jersey Ice-cream Company  / some credited to Beth Kirby

Affiliate links marked with *

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