A calm white Swedish home

Good morning and hello September! I read somewhere that September is meant to be the most relaxing month of the year. So let's put that to the test! Today's home tour is the picture of calm. It's been decorated in white throughout with just a touch of black and green throughout to create the perfect balance. A great way to start a relaxing month don't you think?!

Stadshem

Stadshem

Stadshem

Stadshem

Stadshem

Stadshem

Stadshem

Stadshem

Stadshem

Stadshem

I had a long chat with a friend last night about whether she should paint her bedroom floor light grey or grey 'wash it'  (yes, we take these things very seriously!). Looking at this home, I think I know the answer. What do you think?

Love, love love the Pia Wallén Cross Blanket as seen in the bedroom.

Some exciting news: being British you can imagine how much I love my tea. I'm therefore delighted to welcome new sponsor LØv Organic, producers of the most delicious, refreshing and soothing organic tea (did I also mention the packaging is beautiful?!). So exciting!  This September they're holding a 'LØv is' campaign and the lovely LØv Organic team are offering us all 15% off with code SCANDINAVIAN. Yay! Since it's the 'relaxing' month I'm going for LØv is Pure and the LØv is Zen variety (although I also have a bit of a penchant for Ginger-Lemon green tea). How about you?  You can keep up to date with the latest Løv Organics blends on Facebook and their international newsletter.

Oh and another note Kids Brand Store are celebrating their 3 year jubileum with 15% off everything (including my favourites Noa Noa, Molo and ChillNorway) for the next three days. Just thought you might want to know...see you there!!

Have a wonderful start to the week!

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Monochrome and cognac in a vintage inspired apartment

I hope you had a wonderful weekend? We've had real April showers here in Southern Sweden and as I write from my corner in a cafe by the sea this morning the rain is coming down in sheets outside, it's all very cosy! Indoors is the best place to be today -  and I have just came across this little gem on Stadshem. This two room apartment is teeming with vintage finds and mid-century pieces. I love the white, black and cognac colour scheme too, very lovely.

Stadshem

I can't take my eyes of that black gloss Smeg fridge! Anything that catches your eye?

I'm a huge fan of cognac, it can add real warmth to a colour scheme. Some of my favourite colour combinations include the blue and cognac mix in this pretty Swedish home, monochrome and cognac in this stunning Danish home and the grey and cognac in this apartment.

Have a lovely Monday!

PS Thank you to the wonderful Krisp Interior for featuring an interview with me over the weekend, I really enjoyed taking part!

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Calm white and grey in a Swedish apartment

Hello week, how quickly you came around again?! Wouldn't you love just one more day of long breakfasts, tinkering and generally taking it easy? I'm going to dream for a minute that I'm in this lovely Gothenburg pad and it's actually Sunday, I've just woken up, the coffee's brewing.... *ahhhh* so nice! I do love the Stadshem style, and this particular space in white and grey is particularly lovely, don't you think?

Stadshem. Photographer: Jonas Berg.

What do you say? The perfect place from which to start a week?

I spy so many pieces I know and love: Kitchen: Muuto E27 light, Menu afteroom chair. Sitting room: House Doctor DIY01 light (I also love this one), traditional Kakelugn, IKEA RANARP floor lamp. Bedroom: Linen bedding, IKEA Aröd lamp, DLM side table. Etch tea light holder.

Interestingly I discovered this apartment in the same block with a totally different look and feel, which style do you prefer? 

Although this specific home doesn't have any hanging plants, they really are taking Spring 2015 by storm (as seen in this, this and this home). I discovered a great guide on how to create a hanging garden the other day. Do you have any hanging plants in your home?

Have a lovely day!

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A Pretty Red and White House in Rural Sweden

When I think of the Swedish summer, I think of a charming little red and white summer cottage surrounded by forest. This is probably because that was my first experience of Sweden back in the day - but it's always stayed with me! This house in Västra Götaland County, West Sweden is somewhat larger than the one in my head - but it's still so quintessentially Swedish! Plus, it has all the trappings of an idyllic Swedish country home - lush surroundings, a beautiful lake nearby and a few neighbours with whom to celebrate midsummer! 

Step inside and you'll be greeted by beautiful wood panels painted in a soft muted green - and a classic style kitchen to match. Wood burning stoves and traditional Swedish tiled masonry ovens help to heat the rooms come winter, and the entire space has been kitted out a blend of old and new. It's the type of place that you'd want to pull up a chair and stay for a while, no matter the season! 

Beautiful!! 

I love the lighting in the kitchen, it's like a modern version of the pendant we have over our dining table at the cabin. The Frama Circle lamp is similar, but if you know who sells these exact pendants, please do let us all know in the comments! 

Oh, and it could be yours! It's currently for sale through Stadshem. Any takers? I'd love to drop in for a cup of tea - or join your midsummer to enjoy the revelry, if you're the lucky one to snap this up! 

Other Swedish country homes to feel inspired by: 

A cosy country home in rural North Sweden

An idyllic red and white farmhouse in the countryside

A warm rural home that combines old and new

Have a great start to the week! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Stadshem with thanks

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A calm Swedish home in neutrals (and a fab fireplace)

Good morning Monday! The Swedish winters aren't always easy - and right now it's cooooold and dark. But occasionally the skies clear, the ground is blanketed with snow and everything sparkles like diamonds.  Yesterday was one of those magical days and we had such a wonderful day sledging and ice-skating on a frozen lake. Today is looking fab again but it's back to work for me - and a day at the IKEA headquarters - exciting! But first I wanted to share this Swedish apartment decorated in muted tones and for sale through Stadshem. I especially love the fireplace in the bedroom (imagine sleeping next to a roaring log fire - so romantic?!) and the reclaimed black wood floors in the kitchen and hallway - how beautiful?! Let's take a tour....

Photography: Jonas Berg. Stadshem.

What a perfect space. Is there anything that stands out to you in particular?

Get the look: kitchen - pendant light, Thonet chairs, Chemex glass coffee maker (I love these - perfect for slow mornings!). Sitting room - leaf light. Bedroom - Artek stool, source geometric cushions here (this one's especially lovely), white linen bedding, light grey throw. Hallway - black and walnut hang it all.

Other ideas from around the web today: 

This unusual brass vase is wonderful (I'll never tire of simple glass vases either). While on the subject, this picture is evidence that spring flowers look lovely against one of interiors hottest trends - dark blue walls.

 13 ways to re-think the foot of your bed I've been looking for a simple rustic bench for the foot of my bed for I don't know how long. Do you have anything at the end of your bed?

I'm such a big fan of cabins with a black exterior - we photographed several for my book, and I've been in awe ever since. In case you're undecided here are 30 houses in black. Or how about this A-frame house (the light)?

I'm on a mission to find the perfect pink / blush hue for my daughter's bedroom (loving the idea of a half/half wall like this). But so far I've been through 4 different test samples and it's still eluding me. Any tips?!

Do you have any of your own decorating conundrums right now? If so fire away in the comment section below, perhaps someone can help?

Have a great start to the week! 

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