The art of Zen (and keeping it simple) in a Swedish home

When it comes to decorating your own home it can sometimes feel like such a tricky puzzle, can't it? There are parts of my house I've been mulling over for months (maybe even years) without finding the solution (admittedly I'm a bit of a procrastinator!). But when I see beautiful, white homes like this a sort of light bulb comes on and it reminds me that it doesn't have to be complicated. A simple colour scheme, some beautiful pieces, an unusual light fixture and some carefully placed pictures. How inspiring (and relaxing!), don't you think?

Credits: photos - Jonas Berg,  styling - Greydeco for Stadshem (for sale here).

It reminds me just how much I love white. It makes a space so much brighter, especially in the winter when the sun never really gets high above the horizon.

A few items I know and love: dining area - this and this style bentwood chair (source lovely vintage ones here), can anyone advise on the lighting over the table? Sitting room - Söderhamn sofa from IKEA, moroccan pouf, Slit mirrored side table by Hay. Office - &tradition mass light. Bedroom: Menu light.

Mind if we dream over a few more white homes today? Like this serene home of a designer (that courtyard?),  this Malmö apartment (probably one if the most pinned of all time), and The White Room (from a few weeks back). *sigh* and relax.

I've learned one of the most important things about decorating with white is texture. I spotted these amazing macarame wall hanging specimens the other day and thinking of getting a large one for my stairway (what do you think?) and of course there's always Gotland sheepskins (especially after yesterday's Swedish island retreat!). And a digression I admit, but just how cute are these Danish baby's sheepskin booties?! Perfect little pressie, hope my little niece isn't reading! 

Have a lovely day!

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Step inside a beautifully simple Swedish island retreat

I hope you had a wonderful weekend? We went to visit friends at their summer cottage on the east coast of Skåne, which was lovely and soooo relaxing! I always find these cottages provide such a perfect way to switch off - partly because the Swedes have got it so right by keeping the decor simple and pared-back, offering the essentials but without distraction. This lovely holiday home on Gotland, an island off Sweden's east coast beautifully captured by Erik Lefvander and stylist Anna Mårselius is a perfect example of this. Home to Johan, Joanna, Melina & Ziggy, the muted colour scheme is complimented by strictly natural materials throughout for a calm living space centered around enjoying the simple pleasures in life: nature and each other.

Photographer Erik Lefvander / Stylist Anna Mårselius shared with kind permission. Featured in Residence Magazine.

So beautiful! Could you imagine spending your holidays here?

It really is such an inspiring space. I love the oil lamp over the kitchen table, bespoke wall to wall sofa lined with cushions and bedroom with space for the entire family. What a well thought out home!

Is there anything that stands out to you?

I'm such a big fan of Gotland and have featured many, many beautiful homes from the island on here before, some of my favourites include a charming 19th century house, a simple island retreat, and a beautiful home in soothing grey.

Hey, I've got an idea. Shall we just skip the working week and head there instead?! 

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Reader offer: 10% off at TYPE HYPE!

Exciting news! Have you heard of TYPE HYPE? It's a fab young German brand with an online shop and concept stores in Berlin and Munich selling a collection of premium designer products featuring the letters of the alphabet. Think tangible design and high-quality printed artwork, only sourced from small and local producers in Germany and Austria that they know personally. We like! And the wonderful TYPE HYPE team are offering you an exclusive 10% discount off all products (except food and drink) in the online store until 1st December, 2016 with code MSH10. What a great Christmas pressie (quite fancy a few bits for my own home too)?! Here's a little inspiration and a fine example of what happens when a fab brand and a great location come together - it's a beautiful thing!

Items from TYPE HYPE in order of appearance:

1. Poster*
2. The wine - ABC
3. Tea towel
4. Notepad* and cushion*.
5. Cushion*
6. Greeting card*
7. 2017 Calendar
8. Cushions* 

*Available in letters of your choice.

Absolutely loving the 2017 calendar! Is there anything you've got your eye on?

And, about the location? You may have spotted this space belonging to photographer Petra Reger before as I've featured it here (and her previous home here - yup, I'm a big fan of her style!). Located in Kempten Bavaria, Germany, the residence is available for half or full day hire for creative projects including photoshoots, film and workshops. Oh and it's near the Alps too. I'm dreaming up a workshop as I write.....! More info here.

Have a lovely day!

This post was created in collaboration with TYPE HYPE and Wertfoll fotografie. All words are my own and I only ever work with business I love and think you will too. Credits: Photo and styling Seraina Silja Hürlimann.

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An inspiring French home with bold colour and patterns

Well hello there Friday! I can't tell you how happy I am to see you! It's been one crazy week over here - how's yours been?! The good news is, the weekend's just around the corner AND I've got an incredible home tour to share with you. Sabrina and Quentin drew on the help of  the talented team at Royal Roulotte to turn their Parisien apartment into a 'warm, happy home that promotes exchange family life and simplicity.... and neat with a little madness.' The result is a home full of beautiful rich colours, bold patterns and yet plenty of room to breath. What better way to celebrate the weekend?!

Credits: Interior design / architecture & photography by Royal Roulotte. Found via French by Design with thanks. 

What an incredible space?! The rich colours, the patterns, the way it combines clean and contemporary with a relaxed and lived-in feel. Magnifique!


A guide to a few of the lovely items in Sabrina and Quentin's home: sitting room - copper pendant light by Tom Dixon, floral wallpaper, kitchen - Signal wall lights, Nespresso coffee machine. dining area - tulip chair, DSW chairs. children's room - source a mid-century credenza here.

I'm such a big fan of Royal Roulotte's work - you may also recognise the name from this fabulous home and this kitchen project.

And that's it for me for the week, all that's left to do is wish you a wonderful weekend! I hope it's full of love, laughter and the all important 'hygge' feel!

See you Monday! 

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A home of a collector in rich, warm tones

I love finding beautiful new Instagram feeds to follow, don't you? Last week I stumbled across Theo Bert Pot and what a find! - are you familiar with him?!  Based in the Netherlands, Theo Bert is the founder of The Nice Stuff Collector blog, which is centered around his love for beautiful things in the form of 'books, vases, friendship, furniture, good food, dishes, photography, graphic prints, family and much more'. His home has been decorated in a plethora of rich, warm tones, and as you can imagine, full of beautiful collectors items. Step inside....

Photography Theo Bert Pot / The Nice Stuff Collector. Shared with kind permission.

The colours in this home are just so beautiful, don't you think? I love the deep greens, dusty pinks and ochre hues. Theo Bert has put us out of our misery by including a colour section on his blog outlining all the details of the tones he's used. I know. He's a great guy.

A few items I love:  Ligne Roset Togo sofa in velvet green (love!), natural linen curtains (by the half yard), vintage Beni Ourain rug, DCW chair, the grasshopper lamp is similar (anyone know the lamp featured?), sheepskin throw.

The blanket over the bed reminds me of one I saw in an incredible home we photographed for my 
next book. The homeowner had bought a batch of vintage Norwegian army blankets. Such a clever idea as they're interesting, lovely to look at and super warm! You can find vintage army blankets here.

Interested in more lovely homes which have ventured over to the dark side today? How about this sophisticated Swedish home in lovely rich tones, an elegant home in black and navy and a fabulous grey Australian home.

Have a lovely day!

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Gift guide: for friends who love a beautiful, warm atmosphere

This year I promised myself to do my Christmas shopping early. Admittedly I say this every year.....(how about you?)! But this year I actually already have a few presents wrapped (for me that's super early, in fact my man would say it's verging on worrying). The reason? Ingredients LDN. For those of you not familiar with the lifestyle concept store, it's a gold mine for beautifully simple items which 'make the ordinary extraordinary'. Think ceramics, candles, soft linens and scents. What more could a girl (or guy) ask for?! Here are some of the gifts I love:

Picture 1: Delight pot, cloud cup, simple ceramic jug, tallow candle.
Picture 2: Hand loomed cotton blanket
Picture 3: natural chocolate body scrub
Picture 4: Nomad balancing perfume
Picture 5: Pure linen napkins, simple ceramic jug in white
Picture 6: Octopus candle

Oh so lovely. It's definitely a 'one for you, one for me' type of Christmas shopping situation....(please tell me you do that too?!).

Is there anything here you'd love to receive?

Have a great evening!

This post was brought to you in collaboration with Ingredients LDN. All words are my own, and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too. Oh and I really do have a few of these beautiful items already wrapped for my friends! 

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