A serene small space apartment in Sweden

Morning! I hope you had a wonderful weekend? We've been celebrating my youngest daughter's birthday - cue pancakes with melon, raspberries and chocolate for breakfast  mmmmm - a girl after my own heart! Today's home in Gothenburg, Sweden comes courtesy of Ahre. It's a masterclass in how to furnish and decorate a small studio apartment - complete with sitting room by day, bedroom by night, cosy kitchen with dining space and a balcony for that morning coffee all in 34 metres square! The plants and linens add to the overall calmness of the space. Let's take a tour...

Ahre, Stylist Johanna Bagge and Frida Schuler. Found via Tant Johanna with thanks.

I love the stark contrast of the dark wallpaper, desk and rug against the white walls and light wood floor. The black rug really grounds the sitting area and brings the space together.

Is there anything that stands out to you?

A note on where a few items are from: wicker chair, white linen bedding, Thonet 209 desk chair is similar (15% here off with MYSCAN), terracotta plant pots, this swing arm wall light is similar (and fab!). Paris print. Tom Dixon etch light in hall. I'm investigating the wallpaper - could it be William Morris?

More inspiration small space inspiration to be found in this archive (scroll passed the first).

And other inspiration from around the web today:

Loving the vibrant blue colours of this beautiful parakeet.

I like the calm feel of this bedroom with green bed linen (find similar here). A similar green can be seen on the walls of this serene Swedish space and Tant Johanna's bedroom. What a beautiful shade? 

The mornings are getting darker and the weather a little more foreboding here in Southern Sweden- but this GIF puts a positive light on it all - I can just imagine the scene: someone curled up reading a book or a couple playing cards. So cosy and romantic!

Have a lovely day!

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Unusual places to stay: Bert's barge in London

Holiday planning in our family usually begins with the search words 'unusual places to stay' - we love to find places which are just a little bit off the wall - houseboats, the world's smallest luxury home, tree houses, ski pods - you name it! (What are your usual search words?). We're heading to London to attend the Amara interior blog awards soon (exciting!) and I was so excited to discover Bert & May's latest project - a barge hotel. Moored up on Regent's Canal in Hackney, east London, Bert's barge has been decorated using all the panache you might expect from a company that specialises in fab handmade and reclaimed tiles, wood flooring/ cladding and paint. Combine this with a distinct Scandinavian touch and...well, I'll leave that up to you to decide...

 

Oh how I'd love to stay here! How about you?

You'll need to book early though - it's unbelievably popular. I'm definitely going to keep an eye on their site for future trips though. Who knows - maybe this could be a project for the canals of Malmö too?!

If being afloat is not for you, I was also excited to discover Bert's Boxes -  a pre-fab mobile home that can pop up on your land within 14 weeks....

 

Which do you think you'd prefer?

They had me at the tiles and the wood burning stove, so hey, I'll take either, I'm not fussy!

Other examples of oh so cool houseboats include this playful Dutch family space and a dream holiday home on lake Eildon. 

I have a dream to build a little outhouse somewhere like Bert's box and hoping it will look like one of these.

More holiday inspiration in the 'design hotels' archive...

On the opposite scale....for the student...here's some fab inspiration for a college or university room. 

I think it's time to celebrate the weekend don't you? How much would you love to hit this bar straight after work today? See you there?!

Have a great weekend and see you Monday!

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A fabulous Finnish home revisited

I thought I'd return to the home of one my favourite Finnish bloggers today - Musta Ovi. Maja is constantly updating her home in new and beautiful ways so it's changed a lot since we last saw it here. Simplicity is key in this monochrome space which is filled with Scandinavian and international design pieces against a white and concrete grey background. Sadly we can't all have a home with architect as magnificent as this, but we can certainly take inspiration from some of Maja's wonderful ideas. Let's take a look...

 

Photography: Maja / Musta Ovi. Shared with kind permission.

Scandinavian simplicity at it's best, don't you think?!

A note on where a few items are from: Hay lounge chair,  vita wire chair is similar (15% discount with code MYSCAN),  Flos 265 wall light, Tivoli radio, many items by Iittala, Cove print, Remix blanket (I also love this grey geometric one). Cushions by Saana Ja Olli. I haven't managed to find an industrial drinks cart - but I did stumble a vintage / industrial coffee table...

Lots of other fabulous Finnish homes to be drooled over here today (scroll passed this one). And if you're up for a little more inspiration today here's my round up of favourite Finnish blogs: Varpunen, Projekti Verkeranta, Time of the Aquarius, and Weekday Carnival. Do you have any to add? If so, please let us know in the comment section below!

Have a lovely day! 

PS I was really pleased to be interviewed by designer Megan Guise  for her blog. Her cushions are absolutely gorgeous - loving this banana leaf one. The post is live here if you'd like to take a peek.

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An industrial inspired Swedish home + competition winner

I love a vintage-industrial touch to a home, it's one of my favourite looks. Especially in a Scandivian backdrop (of course!). That's why I was particularly excited to come across this Swedish home over on House of C (great blog by the way), photographed by Jonas Gustavsson. The home is located in the countryside just outside Stockholm and belongs to Marie - owner of cute children's shop The Tiny Universe, her husband and daughter. The family have worked to preserve the heritage of the early 20th century and make their own mark on it. I love the pastel touches and grey floor.  I think they've found the perfect balance, don't you?

Elle Decoration. Photographer: Jonas Gustavsson (shared with kind permission). Stylist: Charlotte Frey Svidén.

They've certainly gone all out with the subway tiles - and the kitchen and bathroom are fab as a result.

Get the look: source similar vintage school chairs here, sofa, floor lamp, buy a similar chest to use as a coffee table here. Love this industrial printers swivel chair. Grey linen bed set.

I realised yesterday that I have now amassed an archive of over 250 Swedish homes - crazy! If you fancy putting your feet up, you can enjoy the homes here (this home might come up first, if it does just scroll passed).

I was up super late last night researching where to go for a February adventure - (to escape the Swedish winter for a few weeks - brrrrrrr!). We're thinking about Kerala and Sri Lanka? Have you been to either of these places? If so we'd really welcome any tips! Are you planning anything exciting this autumn / winter?

Thanks so much for entering the give-away to win a leaf table lamp from Houseology...the winner has now been announced HERE!

Have a lovely day!

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A relaxed Danish oasis in Palma, Mallorca

It's about this time of the year when I get torn between hanging on to the summer sun or embracing the cosy autumn chill. Yesterday's post was all about the roaring 'kakelugn' (or masonry oven) in a swedish home and chunky knits and today it's about natural light, rattan and bamboo furniture and morrocan tiles - sorry! Owned by Danes Tine Kjeldsen of Tine K Home and her family, this apartment in the Santa Catalina area of Palma, Mallorca serves as an ideal escape from the chilly Danish winter and her permanent family home on the island of Funen. Let's take a tour...

Homeowner Tine Kjeldsen shared with kind permission. Photographer: Mikkel Adsbol

Such a cool, calm space don't you think?

Oh and did I mention it's available for rent? Autumn escape anyone?!

Most of the furniture you see in this apartment (including those tiles) is from Tine K Home. 

I'm such a big fan of Mallorca - my sister lives in the North of the island and I love visiting her and taking in the beautiful wild nature of the Serra de Tramuntana world heritage site and their surrounds as well as taking dips in the sparkling Mediterranean sea. This air bnb space is the perfect base for exploring the area (and the owners are fab, knowledgeable and helpful!). Have you been?

Another Dane with impeccable taste is author Annika Von Holdt - I once featured her fabulous home here, and frequently stop by her instagram gallery to drool over pics taken at her winter escape in the Bahamas. Imagine?!

Round-up of today's favourite Pinterest inspiration:

This beautiful indoor / outdoor space...*sigh*.

A fab Finnish micro-cabin.

Love this pretty and relaxed kitchen with open shelving and mix matched chairs.

Today's comfort food - baked Italian oregano meatballs mmmmm!

Have a lovely day!

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

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