Serene and relaxed small space living in Gothenburg

Well hello there! How was your weekend? I feel like I blinked and missed it - but it was lovely anyway! Eye watering start here today - but through my blurry 6am vision I can still just about make out the beauty of this home styled by Emma Fischer for Bjurfors. Yet again it's a great example of how small can also be beautiful (remember last Monday's post? In this home the main living space has been divided into a sitting room and bedroom zone - with great results! And even the fairly narrow kitchen looks like an airy private dining room! Wonderful! Let's take a peek....

Photography - Alan Cordic. Styling - Emma Fischer. Bjurfors.

I think my favourite spots are the gallery wall (love the grey / green tone) and the kitchen with the balcony door thrown open. How about you?!

A few items I know and love: sitting room - rattan chair, coat & umbrella stand, source an over-sized industrial lamp here, I like this zig-zag cushion, menu chair in white. Bedroom - blue and white linen bedding (I discovered this dark green linen bed set at the same time - lovely!), chunky knit cushion, table lamp, basket. Kitchen - linen table cloth, pendant lamp, bentwood chairs.

Looking for more small space inspiration today? Try this archive.....

A few other links I love from the weekend:

This bedroom (the window!).

A mesmerisingly bold girls bedroom.

Indigo bed linen love (this bedding is similar).

Shall we skip the working week and kick back at this beach house? No early starts here....or perhaps a few evenings on this terrace?! How I love a sea view.

Have a wonderful start to the week!

PS That's today's lunch sorted....

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Scandinavian style pet furniture and accessories

Do you have a cat? I once had a feline friend called Frederik-Bo, who was so sociable, he'd even go to the cafe round the corner to eat muffins with the clientele. When he first arrived home as a kitten I remember finding it impossible to find pet items that fitted with the look and feel of our home (you know how fussy I am), so instead Fredrik Bo made our sofa his very own scratch pad (guh!). Estonian based designers and creators Anatoli and Liis faced the same dilemma with their cat Juno, but instead set about creating beautiful scandinavian style pet furniture and accessories with clean lines and natural materials. The items proved to be so popular with both Juno and friends alike they have now launched Black Velvet selling a cat litter box cover / pet house, scratcher and toy - here's a sneak peak...

Images by Jana Solom

Pictures: 1, 2, 3.  cat litter box cover / pet house 4. toy 5.  scratcher

What a great concept!

I love the natural look of all the items and also that the pet house can double up as a side table! So clever! Find out more about each of the products over on Black Velvet. Or pick up the items in their online store, Etsy or Crowdyhouse.

Purrrfect! (sorry!).

This post was sponsored by Black Velvet, however all opinions are my own. I only ever collaborate with partner selling products and services I truly love.

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An utterly idyllic Finnish summer cabin with a sea view

I can't tell you how many times I've started to write this post only to delete it again. The truth is, there are no words to describe this idyllic Finnish cottage in the Inkoo archipelago belonging to Jonna Kivilahti, the blogger behind Mrs Jones- it's just to dream that you're there. The doors of the black and white cabin thrown open to reveal panoramic views of the glistening sea beyond.  Soaking up the warm sun on the terrace, watching the sail boats glide by. You might go inside to make lunch or even light a roaring fire on cooler evenings. Either way, I can't think of a more idyllic way to wile away a weekend, a week...a few months....

Photography: Krista Keltanen with kind permission

What an utterly idyllic retreat. Could you imagine spending your weekend here?!

Get the look - Terrace - this black sun lounger is similar, black lantern. Kitchen - white string shelves, striped rug, grey marble chopping board, Marimekko mugs. Dining area - bentwood chair, Series 7 chairs. Bedroom - try notPERFECTLINEN for the most beautiful washed bed linen, this striped cotton jersey top is similar (and fab for summer days by the sea!). Hallway - hunter boots and white converse.

In case you're wondering how to achieve that perfectly glossy grey floor in your own home - Farrow & Ball recommends Strong white paint in Full Gloss with a coat of Interior wood primer & Undercoat underneath to ensure the best finish or for areas of high traffic - the Floor Paint finish which is slightly less glossy but more durable. So there you go!

You can see more pics of this lovely cabin on Jonna's blog and instagram. 

These beautiful images have been captured by Krista Keltanen - you might recognise the name from this Finnish cabin built from containers or this beautiful rustic Finnish summer cottage also featured on here. Imagine!

Oh and there's over 53 summer cottages to explore in my archives. I would recommend pouring yourself a coffee first, but hey, it's Friday so perhaps one of these would be more appropriate. Just saying.

In the words of the Finns - Kippis!

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A charming innercity home with soul

One of the most popular homes I've shown this year has got to be this 'beautiful 1920's home decorated on a shoestring budget' in Brisbane, Australia. I can totally see why, it's relaxed, unique and personal - with fab vintage finds, treasured artwork and handmade pieces. All within a relatively small rental space of 55 metres square / 592 square feet. Yesterday I came across yet more lovely snapshots taken by the owner - photographer and documentary filmmaker Nicolette Johnson who shares the home with fiance, Tom Dawson. And fell in love with the space all over again. It just goes to show what you can do with a little creativity and oodles of love!

Photography: Nicolette Johnson. Found via The Design Files with thanks.

I never get tired of seeing this home - it's sooooo cosy and charming. I especially love the beautiful mix of dark blue and teak.

Is this your kind of style?

Items I love: sitting room - this navy blue mid-century chair is similar (and fabulous!), as is this mid-century oval-shaped table, I like this teak mid-century credenza. Workspace - wishbone chair, white sheepskin throw. Dining area - I love this mid-century style dining chair. Bedroom: blue linen bedding, sea grass belly basket. 

You can read more about this fab home here. And check out more homes with a cool mid-century vibe here.

Have a lovely day!

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A beautiful family home in The Hague

You may recognise this beautiful Dutch apartment from a post last April. It's the home of Saar Manche and her family, this time used as a muse for Over the Ocean - a store highlighting the best of European design with a handpicked selection of children's clothing, toys, and home goods.  Over the Ocean is inspired by 'creative mothers living in different European metropolises and reflecting the authentic style of those cities'. Photographer and illustrator Saar Manche recently opened her doors to share the essentials that make their everyday life more beautiful. Let's take a peek inside....

Photography / Home owner: Saar Manche. Over the ocean.

Oh so pretty. And relaxed. And calm.

I especially love the cabinet in the bathroom. How about you?

My usual get the look: Bertoia chairs in white, this mid-century credenza is similar (or pick up a vintage one here), Source vintage cameras here. Round rattan chair and white sheepskin throw. Milk maid stool. Children's clothes from Over the Ocean.

I love floors with hand painted harlequin pattern. You can see other examples in the hallways of Swedish singer's home, a Swedish country home and a lovely home on an island. Oh and this hallway is amazing too - so striking! This DIY tutorial is handy if you're tempted! Hmmmm, maybe I should do this in my bedroom?!

Have a lovely day!

PS This is not a sponsored post - just a great collaboration I thought you'd like to see!

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