A little piece of paradise in the Philippines

I was at an event recently and met a girl who grew up on a tropical island off Japan. I was fascinated. She said she didn't appreciate her surroundings as a child but loves to go back and visit as an adult. Many people feel like that about their own home towns. But could you imagine if yours was as stunning as Dedon island in the Philippines? Created in collaboration with designers Jean-Marie Massaud and Daniel Pouzet with the ethos of eco-friendly tourism and barefoot living, it is a little touch of paradise and the ultimate winter escape. Pass me the sun screen.

Dedon Via Style Files

I'm adding this one to my wish list for 2015 (but will need to save up a little first!).

When I post design hotels in tropical places (see also this fabulous hotel on Mykonos) I sometimes get comments asking what this has to do with Scandinavian homes. Well not much! But I think it's inspiring to show get-aways all the same - after all, everyone needs an escape from the Scandinavian winter from time to time or what? As you know I'm currently travelling in Thailand with my family (feeling like the luckiest person in the world) and am so inspired by the beautiful places we have seen and stayed in.

Do you have a place you long to visit?

PS if you'd like to donate to the Philippines following the typhoon on 8th november and read more about aid visit this page.

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A Stockholm apartment with an industrial touch

I absolutely love window room dividers. They are the perfect way to separate living areas without blocking light. And they look cool too! This Stockholm apartment is currently for sale through Per Jansson. I love the industrial / vintage touch and the white walls and floors.

Per Jansson

Could you live here? It's styled for sale but if it were mine (and I wish it was) I'd add a few rugs and perhaps a wood burning stove and then it would be perfect!

For more inspiration on window room dividers you might want to take a peek at this, this and this home. So fab!

Have a lovely day!

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The fantastic home of a creative Finnish duo

Just hearing a home is owned by Finnish interior architect Joanna Laajisto and photographer Mikko Ryhanen I already know the space is going to be pretty fantastic. And that's exactly what this apartment is. Located in Helsinki and decorated in mainly white, black and grey, this family home marries vintage finds with scandinavian contemporary pieces. Love.it.

Photography: Mikko Ryhanen with kind permission. Interior designer Joanna Laasjisto via Emma's Design Blog

So fab don't you think?

I spy: Thonet 209 chair (15% off with MYSCAN),  Louis Poulsen AJ table lamp, Knoll Platner Coffee table  and the Knoll Bertoia dining chairs.

You can see Joanna's wonderful previous apartment here.

Looking for more Finnish inspiration? There's lots and lots of beautiful Finnish home inspiration here!

Have a lovely day!

PS We're in transit in Singapore airport - there's a play area for children with free wifi. It's the simple things in life.... :)

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The stunning home of stylist Nathalie Schwer + give-away winner announcement

This space belongs to the stylist Nathalie Schwer and was shot by one of my favourite interior photographers Line Klein. Working in close collaboration with Line, Nathalie is a new force to be reckoned with in the Scandinavian interiors world. I absolutely love her home which was recently captured by Line for Elle Decoration DK in association with Mille Collin Flaherty.

Nathalie Schwer, Line Klein with kind permission. For Elle Decoration DK. 

This is one of my favourite spaces in a long time. I love the personal items including the coffee table books, ceramics and prints. And  of course the mid-century furniture. What a fab apartment?!

If you do one thing today it's pour yourself a cup of fresh coffee and take a peek at other Danish homes photographed by Line Klein here, here and here.

I do so love the Danish style, don't you?

Before we all head off for the weekend (yay!) I would also like to announce the winner of the St. Valentine's Day give-away  in association with fab online shop Self Packaging. Thank you so much for all the wonderful entries! The winner is (drum roll.....) Zdenka of blog Zdenin Draws. Congratulations! I will contact you via e-mail.

This Sunday my family and I are going to Thailand  for a break (exciting!). It's been a really tough week for various reasons so it comes at a great time. However, I'll still be blogging daily (I do love to blog, it gives me so much energy and that's definitely thanks to you - thank you!) so do stop back but bear with me in case I have problems with wifi!

Have a lovely weekend and see you Monday! 

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A smart and wonderful small living space

Hello Thursday! Earlier this week I got a request to show inspiration for a small living space. I was having fun working on Pinterest this morning and found this perfect little living space in Antwerp owned by Caroline. With the help of architect Katrien Van Doren, Caroline has turned what could have been a fairly cramped space into a beautiful, spacious home full of smart solutions.

Photographer Lisa Van Damme and Ian Hermans, Architect Katrien Van Doren via Roomed / Studio Birdy 

I could live here, could you? I love the use of plywood throughout the home - both as kitchen cabinets and as room dividers. The important thing about this space (in my eyes) is that Caroline has been careful to divide up the space into specific areas such as a sitting room, dining, and bedroom despite space limitations. And although much of it is all white, the different textures create interest and warmth.

Is there anything else you notice about this space?

Thank you to Merel of Studio Birdy for your help with this piece.

If you'd like to see another home with this plywood and white blend check out my neighbour's former home from ATWTP, it's so fantastic! There's also all of these homes labelled under 'decorating with plywood'. And for more small space inspiration I'm loving this and this home.

Have a lovely day / evening.

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The dark side of decorating

The queen of Swedish interior design Lotta Agaton firmly believes dark coloured walls are the new white in 2014. This home mixes dark grey with dark floors and then brightens the space with a lick of white on the ceiling (love those wood beams and pillars!) and white rugs. I have to say the pictures on the wall really pop against the dark grey walls. I like it. 

Maison-Hand via Lotta Agaton

Could you go the dark side? Or perhaps you're there already?!

I spy the fab Knoll  platner side chairs and Knoll dining table (and they're both on sale too!). I think these are my favourite items of the moment.

If you haven't already, don't forget to enter the St.Valentine's Day give-away here, you've got until midnight tomorrow and you know I'd love you to win.

Have a lovely day. 

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Tuesday DIY: fab yet simple way to update a wall

I came across this really fab, yet relatively simple polka dot wall DIY project over at My 2nd Hand Life. Maiju found a reel of dot stickers and stuck them at random over one wall. I absolutely love the outcome how about you? What a simple yet cool way to update a space.

My 2nd Hand Life with kind permission found via Feel Inspired

Could you imagine covering a wall in your home with polka dots?

I've been thinking of renovating my little girls room with heart stickers (or one of these shapes). the question is do I just place them on a white wall or should I paint the wall in a pretty colour first? Tips welcome!

This is another great DIY project for updating a wall (potato printing - who'd have thought?

If you're feeling creative this week you can find more fab DIY projects here and here. And feel free to leave your own tips in the comment section below.

Have a lovely day!

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A light and bright Gothenburg home

Morning! It's truly mid winter here in Sweden now. Dark, cold, snowy. We're all hibernating indoors with lit candles eating too many cinnamon buns (I speak for myself on that last point!). At this time of year I feel having a beautiful, cosy home is even more important since we're inside so much of the time. I like this Gothenburg home currently for sale through Alvhem. It's light, has beautiful bones and blends high street finds like the Urban chair from IKEA with Scandinavian classics like the Eames DSR chair.

Alvhem

My take home message from this home is to add colourful cushions to my sofa in time for spring. How about you?

See more fab homes from Alvhem here, here and here. Or for colourful cushion inspiration I'm loving Elina Dahl's home (one of the most ever viewed home tours on My Scandinavian Home for good reason!).

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting Caroline of Beautifulosophy blog for a fika. It's always so fun to meet someone in person from the blog world, we had such a great chat. I love Caroline's blog, it's such a treat each day.

I hope you have a lovely day!

PS If you haven't already, don't forget to enter the St. Valentine's Day give-away here.

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Saturday wall space inspiration

Hello Saturday. A rare weekend post from me! For some reason I was wide awake early this morning which was a real luxury as the house was so quiet! So I made myself a big cup of fresh coffee on the stove and had a little play on Pinterest (of course!). Here's my Saturday morning find. A very cool print by one of my favourite Swedish designers Therese Sennerholt.

Therese Sennerholt. Styling Josefin Hååg via Elin Strömberg

I have one of her limited edition prints in my sitting room and never tire of it. Do you have anything by her?

I recently came across this fab store The Print Atelier too which is great for photographic art. I'm on it!

Have a lovely weekend and see you Monday!

PS Don't forget to enter the give-away....

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St Valentine's Day Give-away

I've teamed up with the fab online shop Self Packaging to offer you the chance to win a very cool gift box kit with a value up to 100 euros in time for St. Valentine's Day. Whether you're thinking of baking cupcakes for a friend, turning up with a surprise picnic or giving someone their favourite tipple, this online shop has gift wrapping / packaging for everything! Here's my pick:

For your chance to win a very cool kit worth up to 100 euros from Self Packaging all you need to do is:

1. State in the comment section below which Self Packaging item you'd like for St Valentine's day and why
2. Like Self Packaging on Facebook

Sorry folks, the give-away is only open to readers in Europe, USA and Canada. Be sure to enter latest Midnight GMT Thursday 23rd January 2014. Don't forget to leave your e-mail address so I contact you. The winner will be announced here and Twitter on Friday 24th January. Good luck!

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A converted monks retreat

This home has character. A converted monks retreat built in the 1800s, this Cambridgshire  family home is the perfect blend of vintage and contemporary. My favourite item has to be the doggy portrait in the kitchen, a family member portrait perhaps?! How about you?

 

Living Etc via The Relaxed Home

Any favourite room? See more fab pictures of this home here.

I spy the Arper Catifa 45 Chair with trestle base around the dining table- good news, they're on sale at Nest!

Hailing from London myself British homes have a special place in my heart. See some of my favourites here, here and here. So beautiful!

Today I have the pleasure of introducing a new sponsor: nordicthink.  nordicthink is an extremely cool online shop selling all my favourite Scandinavian brands including Muuto, String, HAY, &tradition, Lightyears and Ferm Living. Thank you for supporting my amazing sponsors who make this blog possible.

Pop back tomorrow for a very exciting give-away open to readers in Europe, the USA and Canada (sorry all other continents / nations, I promise there'll be another give-away in Feb open to all!).

Have a lovely day! 

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