Spring has sprung in a lovely Swedish space

 I love it when the doors and windows can be flung open, the sun streams in and you can pad about the place bare foot and fancy free. This Gothenburg apartment captures the spring vibe perfectly with it's light-filled open plan living space, balcony and bright pops of green. I love the mix of old and new - Scandinavian modern, vintage and industrial, what a perfect blend? And who needs a large backyard to have a herb garden - I really like the idea of using the full height of balcony railings for important culinary ingredients, how about you?!

Styled and photographed by the Alvhem team.

If you're looking for a big plant for your home why not source one second hand? One of my friends, Gen, bought beautiful greenery on Blocket (Sweden's version of Gumtree) - in fact you can see it in her sitting room here. You never know if someone in your neighbourhood or a local business are looking to get rid of some beautiful greenery?! (More plants and flower inspiration here).

Try Etsy for industrial pendant lamps.

Other lovely light-filled homes which are bound to brighten up your day include this idyllic Danish cottage, a back-to-basics Oregon cottage, and  a pared-back Finnish cabin. Or if you're thinking outdoors - this Montreal oasis will always be my favourite - imagine?!

Have a lovely sunny day!

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Hello Monday, have I got a Finnish house for you...

So, it's straight off to Finland this morning (only virtually- but it sounds good doesn't it?!) and the lofty Helsinki penthouse of graphic designer Jirka Väätäinen and his partner, Pete Rahikainen who works in the fashion industry. Airy and spacious, the apartment has beautiful high ceilings and an abundance of light. The duo have artfully decorated the space with a fab mix of old and new. The underlying tone is Scandinavian which has then been diluted with vintage furniture, floral patterns, fascinating details and objects collected on trips abroad all coming together in these beautiful shots styled by Laura Seppänen and photographed by Pauliina Salonen. Let's take a tour...


 
 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home owner: Jirka Väätäinen. Photographer: Pauliina Salonen. Stylist Laura Seppänen (shared with kind permission).

This wonderful home makes me want to skip work and go on a trawl around the flee markets of Skåne / Copenhagen today, how about you?! If only! I particularly love the vintage sewing machine used as a side table and the small industrial trolley posing as a stand for the record player. But the more I look the more I see and love about the space.

Anything that stand out to you?

Thank you so much to Laura Seppänen, the Helsinki based interior designer and stylist behind this shoot for sending me these images - such a treat! Laura used to work for Deko magazine as a social media / web editor and recently started her own agency. She also works as a freelance on home editorials for various magazines and companies. I'll definitely be keeping up to date with her work on instagram from now on.

You can read more about this lovely home in this months edition of Deko magazine. And there are tonnes more fabulous Finnish homes to be found here (scroll passed the first one as it'll be this home).

Have a wonderful start to the week! 

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The tasty home of a Swedish food blogger

I actually once linked to this wonderful home of food blogger Sofia Wood and her family, but today I realised this South of Stockholm space deserves a post of it's own. I mean, look at that blue sofa for starters! Before I even comment on the decor though, shall we begin with the breakfast? I mean, cinnamon swirl, blueberrires, chocolate and figs? I know what I'll be eating for breakfast this weekend, you?! Anyways, the home. What can I say? It's lovely - pared-back, fairly monochrome but with a lovely touch of mint green and brass in the kitchen - what a wonderful combination? I could certainly pad around here this weekend, how about you?!

Photo: Amelia Widell shared with kind permission.

Back to the sofa. I note how she has added a dark grey sheepskin - which against the dark blue is very now. To take the whole look a step further I will always love this and this home, with their dark, brooding notes through out. Could you go over to the dark side?

This and this sofa are similar.

Another thing that stands out is the way the books are stacked in the bedroom. They've gone for a similar look in this home. I love this informal way of storing / displaying novels, how about you?

Is there anything that stands out to you?

More photos and full interview with Sofia (in Swedish) here.

This morning I'm on my way to the IKEA headquarters in Älmhult. Which is exciting but in one way a shame too - I was looking forward to making my mad dash to nab a limited edition street art print at my local store this morning. Will you be going? If so, let me know how you get on!

Have a fabulous weekend and see you Monday!

PS I've had lots of questions about the fab print in yesterday's post - anyone know where it's from?

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The Loft, Holland

Hello. I'm in virtual shop heaven this morning. Enter The Loft, an oh so beautiful 'shop' in Arnhem, Holland.  If there's one thing the owners love it's to see 'spaces work their magic on people', and work it's magic it does  Set in a former school the owners hand pick design furniture, art and accessories and piece them together in a forever changing apartment to allow you to see how they work in reality. All items are available for purchase. This isn't the first time we've seen this concept, I've previously featured The Apartment in Copenhagen and The Line in New York. Could this be the interior shopping of the future? If so I'm in, are you?!

All images except the final one Maartje Van Suijdam (shared with kind permission)

What a shop?! Amsterdam is already on my travel hit list but seeing stores like this make me want to get straight on a flight and visit Arnhem too, how about you?! (I'd stay at this guest house and also pop into this shop- see I've already got it planned!).

If you're lucky enough to be living or visiting Arnhem you can buy all the items you see in the Loft (if still available). Otherwise here's a quick guide: Hay Mags soft Sofa, Normann Copenhagen bell lamp, Z1 cotton light. Source wooden benches and stools at Lovely & Co.

For more fab Dutch home inspiration today you might want to take a look inside this fab Amsterdam apartment, a beautiful white home and this lovely holiday cottage which is actually available to rent.

Have a lovely day!

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A home for a mid-week touch of calm

There are just so many lovely Swedish homes on the market right now I can barely keep up! Today, I'm all over this beautiful light-filled space in Gothenburg. The 1920's era in which it was built is still very much evident thanks to the serving cabinet, mirrored doors and cast iron radiators (I used to live in an apartment very similar to this and the tour makes me feel so nostalgic - I'd forgotten all about the blinds which are actually placed between the triple glazed window panes!). Stylist Emma Fisher, has given the space a cool modern touch with mid-century furniture, art and copper while the muted tones create a real sense of calm in the midst of a city. 

Stadshem. Photography: Janni Olander. Styling: Emma Fisher.Post inspired by (My) Unfinished Home with thanks.

For me the stand out piece has to be that copper light shade - don't you agree? Does anyone know where to find it? Other pretty copper lights, accessories and furniture for the home can be sourced here - where to start?!).

Did anything catch your eye?

More homes to add a little mid-week calm to your life include these spaces in pastels, this fab Danish home with a beautiful grand piano (oh how I'd love one of those!) and this serene white and grey Swedish apartment.

And if you're really in need of a little serenity this morning - I find dreaming I'm floating in one of these idyllic pools helps. And I could quite happily swap places with this girl or enjoy the peace and tranquility from one of these loungers, how about you?! *sigh* if only!

Have a wonderful, relaxing day!

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A simply beautiful Finnish home

Have you ever been to Finland? The Finns have a simply beautiful, natural sense of style - often pared-back and monochrome with a hint of colour. Nature also plays an important role. Today I decided to re-visit the lovely home of Maiju of indie days (formerly 'my second hand life'). I once showed her kitchen decked out for Christmas but never shots from the entire home. I think it's definitely about time don't you?! So here's a sneak peek into Maiju's lovely home full of inspiring details and new ideas. I could live here, could you?!

Maiju of Indie days, with kind permission.

Inspiring ideas to steal from Maiju's home:

Kitchen: black candles match the vintage industrial light fixtures to create balance, and a simple marimekko plate has been hung on the wall. Wooden birds add a touch of nature to the shelves. Mix and match Bertoia, Hay, Eames, and Thonet chairs. 

Sitting room: Muuto dots have been used throughout the home as decoration, a way to hang clothes and for lighting. A simple bench makes a great side board in the sitting room - I love how Maiju has stacked magazines underneath and plants, candles, prints etc are on display above.

Bedroom: I love the wallpaper (I am hoping to find out where this is from, so pop back later if you're interested) and DIY grey marble side table. The black top and vintage girls dresses emphasise the power of using clothes to decorate - so simple yet so striking (check out other ways to display clothes and shoes in the home).

Children's bedroom: I've never thought of placing a garland across the middle of a big window, what a great idea (maybe I should do this in the girls room?!). A black rug grounds an all white room. DIY bunting is a great way to spruce up plain white storage (check out this fab Finnish children's room for more inspiration). 

Anything that catches your eye?

If you're after a little more Finnish inspiration today there are some great homes to explore here, here and here. I think it's about time I got myself to Finland...?!

Have a lovely day! 

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