A cosy Norwegian home in the country

While photographing homes for my next book -The Scandinavian Home this summer we visited some beautiful places including Oslo, the surrounding fjords (one home was only reachable by boat!) and a mountainous region near Lillehammer and I was completely bowled over. Norway is the most beautiful country ever! I'm only too aware of the parts I haven't seen and have to go back soon to explore. When I do, I'd love to stop by the idyllic country home of Marthe Holien Bø near Stryn on the West coast (once featured here). Marthe is often snapping corners of her home for her wonderful blog  and instagram feed. We were in touch this summer and sadly I didn't get to visit in person, but she has kindly invited us all to step inside her home today.....

Credits / copyright: Marthe Holien Bø / @marsipanogsmilefjes shared with kind permission.

What a beautiful home, don't you think?!

I particulary love the mix of exposed wood, white and black panelled walls and the layers of texture - sheepskins, linen, cable kit cushions and throws. It looks so cosy!

Is there anything that stands out to you?

Get the look from Marthe's lovely home: dining - pick up a vintage industrial swivel chair here. Buy lovely vintage candlestick holders here, icelandic sheepskin throw. Sitting room -  House Doctor Molecular light, tree stump side table,  grey cable knit blanket,  prints from Desenio, Eames chair, wooden star.

Shall we take a peek inside some more Norwegian homes today? Like the serene home on a hill (this is the same beautiful home all decked out for Christmas) a charming home in green, grey and cognac (and the same home in a whiter shade - fab!). And finally, the perfect Norwegian home on a summer's day (and at Christmas!).

Oh Norwegian's, we love your style!

Have a lovely day!

READ MORE...

6

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!

READ MORE...

3

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?! 

READ MORE...

6

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.

READ MORE...

1

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! 

READ MORE...

5