A fuss-free and laid back Dutch home

When it comes to a natural flair for design the Dutch have it in lorry loads. I can't tell you how many Dutch homes I've shown on here over the years - all of them fabulous!  This home of interior designer Marieke Rusticus which she shares with husband Eddy, children Mees and Eefje and English basset hound Simon is a fine example. Located in Zwolle, it's fuss free and relaxed, and decorated with muted tones and natural materials throughout. I especially love the use of wood on the top floor - so inspiring!

Home-owner Marieke Rusticus. Shared with kind permission.

What a wonderful home, don't you think?! I especially like the bespoke floor to ceiling storage in the bedroom made by Marieke's brother.

Is there anything that stands out to you?

Get the look: dining area: grey sheepskin cushion (I just discovered this etsy shop too which not only sells sheepskin throws but wonderful rugs too), demi-john. Vintage industrial folding metal chairs (I also love this chair). Sitting room - butterfly chair, white sheepskin throw, Trash me table lamp. Source a letter 'e' here. Kitchen - the units are from IKEA, white kettle. Upstairs: Eames RAR rocking chair.

You can keep up to date with Marieke's work on her blog or over at Instagram (love her feed).


Oh and....here's the link to the Dutch homes I've shown on here once again...lest you need a little more inspiration today!

Have a lovely day!

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Take a tour of a lovely traditional Swedish Skånelänge

I live in Skåne (or 'Scania' in English), Sweden's southernmost county. Once a seabed, the land is made up of flat farmland thanks to the rich, fertile soil. The countryside is knotted with Skånelänge - traditional farmhouses built in a U-shaped or four sides around an inner courtyard - which are sheltered from the wind whipping across the fields. I had the pleasure of visiting one for my book and today I thought I'd share this lovely home dating back to the 1850's, currently for sale (hurry!). Located near Ystad (aka Wallander country!), the home has been beautifully renovated in soft whites and greys and decorated with simple, traditional furniture. The ceilings have been removed to reveal an A-frame roof and the stairs wrap around a magnificent fireplace. In the distance you can just make out the baltic coast. I think it's about time we took a tour don't you?!

Fastighetsbyrån

Oh so lovely. It makes me wonder if I could move to the countryside - how about you?! It would be rude to not go to the viewing....at least?!

I love a copper bath - and we're seeing more and more of them in homes right now (like the one in Malin's relaxed boho home !). For similar try these vintage copper bathtubs or check out this french antique copper bath currently for sale on Etsy - wow, just wow!

A few other items from this home I love - vintage terracotta plant pots,  long rustic bench, traditional swedish farmhouse table, dark grey linen curtains. IKEA pendant lamps. Keep an eye out for Swedish antique / Gustavian style dining tables on Ebay.

You can see more of this lovely home here. 

I've featured a few lovely Skånelänge's here before including this pared-back home. And although not a Skånelänge, I also love the A-frame ceilings in this stunning Skåne home!

Have a lovely day!

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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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