A monochrome Swedish home with lovely light

I've never been much of a morning person (understatement), but lately I've been setting my alarm eye-wateringly early so I can get a few hours work in before the rest of the family wake-up. For example this morning my alarm went off at 5.30 just so I could take my youngest to her tennis camp at 9 and watch in a manner verging on chilled! But I've actually found that once my eyes no longer feel like sand paper (yes, I'm ridiculous!), there's another (secret) surprise for early-risers - the beautiful morning light. Our home (and cottage) looks completely different in the small hours. And it's this light which drew me to this Swedish apartment today. The abbreviated monochrome palette allows the soft pools of light to take centre stage, while touches of wood (in the floor and furniture) adds to the over all warmth of the space. Lovely!

Kvarteret Mäkleri found via Coco Lapine with thanks.

 So simple, yet so lovely. And the unique pieces are a feast for the eye too...

....which brings me to a few items I know and love: sitting room - Gubi semi pendant light, white table lamp, string shelves. Study / bedroom -&tradition flowerpot pendant light, cross blanket (I also love this one).

If you're loving this look and fancy a little more monochrome inspiration today, there are over 100 black and white homes in this archive.....(if this comes up first just scroll passed).

And hey, why not - a few other links I absolutely love from around the web today:

There's something beautiful about the 'country evening' post (again, it's that light!).

I quite fancy a blissful night's sleep (or nap) behind this curtain.

7 beautiful bedrooms with grey walls.

Where I'd like to be. In my new favourite Danish bikini cover-up.

I can't stop looking at this wildlife photo....?

Have a wonderful day!

PS is it time for a siesta yet?!

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The beautiful Stockholm home of a Swedish creative

I hope you're having a great start to the week? It's the Swedish holidays here and I'm writing this from my husband's family's summer cottage (love being here, it's so great to get a change of scenery). I bought several magazines on my way up - The Way We Play (TWWP) - beautiful - and Elle Decoration Sweden (a long term favourite). Online, Swedish interior magazines often host a clutch of fab bloggers, of which Elle Decoration has a great line-up. Their latest recruit is DIY extroadinaire Helena Nord. By way of introduction Helena invited readers into her home in Stockholm, which she shares with her partner and two children. Helena is an artist and designer and partner of En Form av Nord which holds creative workshops in DIY and photography among other things.  Helena's beautiful home is pared-back with soft grey-green tones and a wonderful mix of textures, creating a rich contrast. Let's take a tour....

Source: photography Helena Nord, Elle Decoration.

A few items I love in Helena's home: sitting room - stonewashed white linen bedding, jute rug, I love this and this plant pot. Bedroom- rustic stool, white linen curtain (lovely!). Studio - Beni Ourain rug. Children's room: Helena shows how she created the wall here.

Three DIY tips from Helena (in Swedish but often with a picture guide):

Using newspaper clips for framed art.
DIY art
And one for the kids - how to make an elephant out of loo rolls.

You can also keep up to date with Helena's latest projects on instagram here. 

And a couple of my favourite, incredibly simple DIY ideas from the MSH archives: a cloud doormat, go dotty at home and update a wall in an instant!

What a great way to kick off the week?

PS I am looking for a couple of homes (apartments, houses, cabins) to photograph next week in West Norway and West Finland. If you have any tips at all I'd be so grateful if you could send me a mail - thank you soooo much!

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