A calm Swedish apartment in green and cognac

Hello! I hope you had a great weekend? The sun's been shining here in Sweden and we went out for our first sail of the season- so exhilarating (do you sail too?). While we were out my little girl asked for our favourite colours. I was expecting The Man to say 'I've no idea' (he's more of a maths and science guy...) but he surprised us all by answering 'it changes all the time, right now it's green'. So today's Swedish apartment is for P, as it features the most beautiful green coloured walls. I now know what he means, it's such a perfect colour for spring, don't you think? I love the blue in the kitchen and the striking harlequin wallpaper in the hall too (what an entrance?!). Time to do away with those white walls?

Alvhem

Is there anything you love in particular about this space?

Apart from the touches of paint, I love the cognac leather theme throughout. Safari chair anyone?! The cactus in the glass jar is such a simple idea and yet it looks lovely too, possible DIY inspiration for the week?

The best thing about spring is that all the plants and flowers you need in your home can be found right outside your backdoor. I brought in a few branches from our japanese cherry tree at the weekend and the simple arrangement made me smile all day. If you're after a little more green inspiration this morning I love this really fab botanical inspired photo shoot by VT Wonen (I think I pinned every single picture!). 

Have a lovely day! 

PS If like me, you're stuck indoors but dreaming of being outside today - look at this magical picture, and dream - how idyllic?

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A cool vintage industrial style Stockholm pad

Oh hello Friday, how lovely to see you! And you brought the sunshine with you - you make my heart sing....! Today's industrial functionalist (or 'funkis' as the Swedes like to call it) apartment belongs to Hannah and Christopher Bastin and daughters Irma and Klara. Located in Vasastan, Stockholm, it's been artfully decorated with a cool industrial bistro style kitchen and a fab dose of mid-century throughout. I'm loving the plants, vintage furniture and pops of hot pink.  What a perfect pad for the weekend, don't you think?!  I've got my eye on those wine glasses....

Photography: Johan Sellén (shared with kind permission). Featured in Elle Decoration.se

Lovely, right?

Most importantly that wine glass storage: to get the look you can find a similar rack here. Or buy stainless steel prongs in a local hardware store and fix them to the wall like the owners have. On it!

Another nice detail (shown in the set of pictures over at Elle Decoration) is how Hannah has made a montage using menus from her favourite restaurant. Wat a great idea on so many levels?!

Many of the other items seen in the home have been found at flee markets all over the world - inspiration to go get hunting?! My favourite places online to find vintage / industrial items are Etsy, Ebay and Lauritz.

I love industrial style bathrooms with this one being one of my all time favourites, and I could soak for hours in this bath, beautiful right? I'm also a huge fan of outdoor baths and showers - part of the plan for my dream summer cottage....one day! What does your dream cottage include?

Have a really fabulous weekend (I hope the sun's shining where you are too!). See you Monday!

PS A Dutch guy is selling his house and has found this entirely unique way of showing people around....genius?!!

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The fab Brooklyn home and studio of a creative duo

Recently I've shown quite a few makers' spaces. Having made the leap from the corporate world to starting my own business at home (tea, toast and laptop in bed on a snowy day - now you're talking!), I am intrigued by the worlds of others who combine their living and work space. Today's art-filled Williamsburg warehouse in Brooklyn is home and studio to creative duo Jessica Barensfeld and Simon Howell and cat Kooks. Jessica (a jewelry designer) and Simon recently founded Lynn & Lawrence - a shop dedicated to selling hand-knit alpaca and wool hats. The light, airy loft, beautifully captured by Emily Johnston, is adorned with surf boards, large-leaved plants and handmade pieces for a truly inspiring, characterful environment.

Home-owner: Jessica Barensfeld and Simon Howell / Lynn & Lawrence. Photographer: Emily Johnston (with kind permission). For: Urban Outfitters Blog.

Could you work/ live here?

What does your work space look like?

Although I love working from home, my ultimate dream is to share a creative work space. Is there anyone with the same dream? Or perhaps you're already there? Some of my favourite studios include this collaborative workspace in Brooklyn, the light-filled studio of Camille Styles and the industrial style atelier of Love Warriors. One day...!

For those of you looking for home office, atelier, and studio inspiration - there's a ton more inspiration here. Who needs open plan anyway?!

It's never wrong to take time to pour over a few converted warehouse homes too!
 If you'd rather think about anything but work today check out this camper-van / trailer with an unbelievable twist! Something for the summer holidays?!

Have a lovely day!

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An elegant Swedish space in neutrals

Oh to live in an apartment like this. The high ceilings, the beautiful wood floor, the original kakelugn (tiled fireplace). The space oozes elegance and serenity. The good news is it could be one of ours (it's for sale! - ha! Sweden anyone?!). The less good news is the furniture's not included- loving that safari daybed. Emigrating to Sweden or not, we all get to enjoy this beautiful space in all it's neutral glory right here, today. Could you see yourself padding around this apartment?

 

Erik Olsson

We might not all have a spacious, light filled space but we can take inspiration from the lovely details - for example, there's always space for the aforementioned daybed right? The lovely palm (in a zinc pot from Granit) and rugs (try Le Souk) add an exotic Moroccan feel. And I'm loving that nook - which is actually great small space inspiration - the owners have used the bottom shelf as a little spot for a coffee break - see other fab nooks here for inspiration.

Is there anything that stands out to you about this space?

Other spacious, light filled spaces include the beautiful Danish home on a hill and the breathtaking home of Danish novelist Annika Von Holdt (if you don't follow her beautiful life on instagram, it's a must!).

Have a lovely day! 

PS I was so happy yesterday's holiday home was so popular among those of you in Canada (in particular), thanks for all your comments. I've added Georgian Bay to my travel hit list!

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A Scandinavian inspired Georgian Bay holiday home

It's so nice to be back at my desk (a table by the window in a café by the sea). I've missed my mornings in Malmö! Even so, today I'm going to escort all of us to the other side of the atlantic- specifically - Georgian Bay, Canada. This lovely Scandinavian inspired seaside cottage has been lovingly restored by Juli and John Baker, owners of Mjölk - a shop selling Scandinavian and Japanese design items. Juli inherited the space in 2004 and together with her husband, set about creating a dream holiday home in 2008. The original structure has been painted 'cloud white' and they've added fir plywood boards in the kitchen and bedrooms for a modern look. I love the pared-back, relaxed look and feel - perfect for wiling away long summer days, don't you think?

Juli and John Baker - Mjölk / Kitka

Could you spend your summer here?!

Some items I know and love: PH5 pendant light,  Dining space: Moooi two tops table, J77 dining chairs. Sitting room: Børge Mogensen sofa. Twin room: Hudson Bay Blankets (also seen in this home) and Luxo reading lights. Many of the items you see can also be found at Mjölk.

Is there anything you love in particular about Juli and John's bay side home?

More pictures of this home can be found here. I once showed their fab guesthouse here too - the couple clearly have an eye for design! 

If like me, you love the ocean I can highly recommend this beautiful limited edition sea print by Kara Rosenlund - it's become my favourite piece, and perfect if you live far from the coast.

Have a lovely day!

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The lovely green / grey home of a Swedish stylist

You may think I'm going 'Tant Johanna' crazy at the moment - in the past two weeks I've featured two spaces she's styled (here and here) and on Friday linked to her past homes (here and here). And then today I discovered she's moving again and her home is online. How could I not share it with yours truly? It's such a lovely space. The apartment is located in the heart of Gothenburg and yet has a slight country vibe thanks to the pretty floral wallpapar, vintage / antique furniture and linen curtain used to hide outdoor gear in the hallway. I love the green / grey hues throughout too. What a perfect home to start the week, don't you think?!

Entrance - Photography: Anders Bergstedt. Home owner: Johanna Bradford

Gothenburg anyone?!

I particularly love the corner of her bedroom. The beautiful paint colour Johanna's used in the bedroom has been a huge talking point across Swedish blogs and even in magazines. The code is: S 3005-G20Y.  I love the Bestlite BL7 wall lamp and the antique side table which has been upcycled using grey marble (potential DIY project?). The Linen Works sell beautifully soft charcoal linen bedding.

For small, relaxed touches I like the string of fairy lights around the door frame and the macrame wall hanging in the sitting room which add a boho vibe.

Does anything stand out to you?

How was your weekend? I'm reeling from a wonderful couple of days at The Hive in Berlin (such a great conference and city!). Thank you to all the enthusiastic, smiling faces in the audience - you made it a real pleasure!

I finished my speech with a favourite poem by Erin Hanson, I hope it inspires you this week too:

There is freedom to be found, on the breezes of the sky. And you ask 'what if I fall?' Oh but my darling, what if you fly?

Have a a great start to the week!

PS last week a few of you asked where you could find the globe lamp shown in the window here. I haven't found the actual one - but I did find a fab DIY solution!

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A relaxed Swedish space with floaty linens

Last night my man and I flew into Berlin - and what a GREAT city it is, have you ever been here?  Plus we've woken up to blue sky and sunshine - I can't wait to get out and explore! But first, I've got a couple of shots to share with you from a beautiful Gothenburg home. Captured by Tant Johanna and Kristin Lagerkvist, Sophia Bratt's lovely space is decorated with floaty linen textiles, vintage shabby chic furniture and touches of rattan for a relaxed, wistful, light and airy feel. What a truly lovely space, don't you think?

Photography: Kristin Lagerkvist. Styling: Johanna Bradford (shared with kind permission)

For me, the Z1 and Mark Schooley cotton lights steal the show. I'm currently deciding between the two for my new bedroom (Z1 light on loan) any thoughts on which one?! (my bedroom pre make-over here!).

The two traditional Swedish tiled ovens or 'kakelugn' are so pretty too. 

Is there anything you love about this space?

Another beautiful home captured by creative duo Johanna and Kristin include this lovely home  and atelier belonging to a Swedish artist. I've also shown a couple of Johanna's previous homes here and here. The girl's got style!

I hope you have a truly fabulous weekend. See you Monday!

PS I have a sneaking suspicion I'll appear on a TV show on Arte tomorrow at 2pm (If I remember right). And since I'm in Germany I'll actually be able to watch it, now that will be weird!

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