The beautiful, nature inspired home of a ceramicist

Hejsan, hejsan! Sorry for the silence, I've just returned from 10 truly wonderful days in Kerala, India. My grandparents (and Mother) lived in India for many years and I've always dreamed of following in their footsteps. My expectations, already high), were far exceeded - the sights, the sounds, the smells, the vibrant colours, the lovely people, just everything! Have you ever been? If not you must! We only managed to cover the very tip of the iceberg so another visit is definitely in order! Tips welcome as always! I thought I'd kick off the week with this beautiful country house in upstate New York designed and owned by ceramicist Kelli Cain and partner Brian Crabtree. The open-plan space includes 4.5 metre (15 feet) high ceilings, a cosy wood-burning stove and has been decorated using earthy tones and an abundance of natural textures and objects - many of which have been made from reclaimed materials - for a truly warm and inviting home. 

Photography: Pia Ulin - shared with kind permission.

What a cosy space?

I don't think I've ever seen a fireplace right in front of the stairs before, have you?  I love how the disused space under the stairs doubles up as log storage too - very clever. If I had a wood burning stove I'd have it going right now beside me while I sip coffee and tap away at my laptop, how about you?

I also love how the magnificent barn door made from recycled wood which can be pulled across to slip in light or closed to separate the home office from the living space.

Is there anything that stands out to you? 

Get the look: many of the beautiful ceramics (including the incredible geometric backsplash!) are by Kelli Cain.  Herman Miller saucer pendant light, Carl Hansen CH25 easy chair, natural weave basket (love this!).

You can see a full write up and more pictures over at Martha Stewart.

The space reminds me very much of another home in Upstate New York which I featured in my book Modern Pastoral - both of which truly embrace the idea of bringing the tranquility of nature indoors. So inspiring!

Have a lovely day!

PS I'm announcing not one, but TWO give-away winners to today - so keep an eye out on Instagram and this blog post to see if either are you. 'Holding thumbs' as they say in Sweden!

PPS It was a pleasure to contribute to Houseology's round-up of 51 Scandinavian design ideas! 

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Gone fishing!

Just a little note to say I'm on holiday this week. My family and I are in Kerala, India - somewhere I've always dreamed of visiting  - what a beautiful place! I hope you don't mind if I take this week off to enjoy it to the full.

This beautiful photograph is by Anoop Negi.

Have a great week - see you next Tuesday (28th Feb). 

PS In the meantime, you might like to enter the give-away to win a beautiful rug from Nordal and the Instagram give-away to win a fab photography print!

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The beautiful 'Cloverdel' cottage and gardens

I think I should start a series on beautiful Australian holiday rentals - of course I'd need to personally test them all out, and I'd need someone to join me of course! My latest find is Cloverdel. Owned and designed by Annabel Buxton, the cottage is located in the heart of the Macedon Ranges, a mere 55 minutes drive from Melbourne. Available for short-term stays, private and public events, guests are invited to enjoy the tranquil 1.5 acre garden which includes manicured lawns, seasonal wetlands, flower gardens and a beautiful variety of trees looking out over Hanging Rock and Mount Macedon. Inside, the decor is wonderfully cool and pared-back with white wood clad walls, a monochrome scheme and touches of warm wood - offering the perfect respite from the midday heat and a blissful night's sleep.  Who's in?!

Credit: photography Sharyn Cairns. Cloverdel is available for short-term stays and private and public events such as weddings (imagine?!), corporate events, birthdays and kids days. 

It's the type of oasis you'd walk into and instantly feel relaxed, don't you think? The sights, sounds and smells..... the tranquility of the gardens. So lovely!

We can't all transport ourselves to Cloverdel unforutnately but we can incorporate a few of the ideas int our own homes - here's a few items I love: wishbone chairs, this grey marble chopping board is similar, AJ table lamp, this and this bird bu Danish architect Kristian Vedel, white butterfly chair.

Dreaming of going down under? Here's a little more inspiration for you to enjoy.

Other Friday link love for the weekend:

5 'winter warmer' modern saunas. 

Have a *relaxing* day!

PS Speaking of far-away places I've just arrived in India for ten days. I've never been here before and it's somewhere I've dreamed about visiting for a  long time - so excited! I'm going to do my best to stop by every other day with a post but bear with me if I run into difficulty with wifi etc. In the meantime, don't forget to enter the give-away to win a beautiful rug from Nordal and the Instagram give-away to win a fab photography print! 

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A visit from a Swedish Ninja

A couple of weeks ago a talented friend of mine - Maria Gustavsson the founder of Swedish Ninja dropped by for a fika. Maria's little boy and my daughter used to be in the same class at school before they moved to Denmark last Autumn (sniff sniff). Maria's so much fun and when it comes to design, it doesn't surprise me that the Swedish Ninja way is to 'create gorgeous, kick-ass designs...with a whole lot of passion and a big sense of humour' - love that! Swedish Ninja designs include the famous Little Darling table lamp (which made big waves when it launched last year), the new Big Darling floor lamp (doubling up as a dimmable light and clothes stand) and the Zick Zack table designed by Olga Bielawska - out at the end of the month. Here are a few of the designs in my own home - I love them soooo much - oh how great it is to have talented friends!

Credits: photography- Niki Brantmark - My Scandinavian Home. Product designer - Maria Gustavsson - Swedish Ninja. 

So pleased! Especially loving the Big Darling, how fab is that? - I might need one in my hall too?!


Do you have your eye on anything?

A quick guide to where things are from in case you're interested: my bedroom Big Darling floor lamp, light grey, Tom Dixon stool.  My daughter's room: Big Darling floor lamp, black, 'Greater Flamingo' from IXXI, garland / bunting. Sitting room - Little Darling table lampm light grey,  Zick Zack table (keep an eye out for this over at Swedish Ninja soon!), Without Words print (contact Swedish Ninja for more info), 'little figures' limited edition drawings by Swedish artist Pearl Wallén. Green pouf from Bolia.

Word on the street (or over our fika!) is that Zick Zack nest table will come in a matt finish black or light grey - think I've found my new coffee tables! 

Swedish Ninja ships to Europe (and the tables can also be shipped to the USA).  

Thanks for dropping by Maria! 

Have a lovely day! 

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A lovely Swedish kitchen with blue accent

There's a lot of colour blocking going on in the home decor world right now - from dark green and deep blue accent walls to entire spaces painted in charcoal. But what if we're not quite ready to take the plunge? Or perhaps it doesn't work for the space you have? My home for example, was fairly dark when we bought it, so we've done everything we can to brighten it up. The kitchen in this lovely Stockholm apartment might just hold the answer. Everything has been kept fresh white (with subtle touches of black) save for a section of shelving in a beautiful, vibrant blue - and what a difference it makes to the entire room?! The rest of the apartment, which dates back to 1913, is pretty nice too! Let's take a peek...

This apartment is for sale through Fastighetsmäklarna. 

I do love the kitchen, it reminds me a little of this lovely one. 

Could you imagine using colour in this way?

Get the look: kitchen: ant chairs, string shelves, pick up a vintage industrial pendant here, white linen table cloth. sitting room - Aröd lamp from IKEA, source a credenza like this here. bedroom - sinnerlig lamp from IKEA, grey linen bedding.

To me, blue and white will always be synonymous with Swedish homes. Some of my faovurites include: a Swedish home with touches of cornflower blue,  a striking Stockholm space in deep blue and the wonderful home of a food blogger.

Have a lovely day!

PS Don't forget to enter the Instagram give-away to win an a-ma-zing photography print from Lumitrix  - it only takes a moment and sooooo worth it! 

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A lovely small Swedish space with pastel touches

Happy Valentine's day! Are you doing anything special today? In our house we do little things - like eat cake and make cards - oh and my man brought me a cup of coffee in bed (but he always does that anyway, because he's lovely (and knows it's the quickest way to get me up!). Even so, I thought I'd celebrate on the blog with a fab apartment in Stockholm with touches of pastel. The space is pretty small (42 metres square / 450 metres square) - even so, they've managed to create two bedrooms, a dining area, kitchen and sitting room, dividing the zones with colour and curtains.  I love that the owners have kitted it out almost entirely in vintage and retro pieces too (love that sofa!). As a result, the space has such a lovely, cool vibe about it, don't you think?

 

This lovely apartment is for sale through Fantastic Frank. 

I love how personal this space feels, how about you?

Get the look: dining area - vintage Thonet chairs (love these!), Iittala Napula candle holder, vintage terracotta planters. Sitting room - stonewashed linen by the yard, 'the conversation with a Saguaro' print from Lumitrix is similar (look out for the give-away on Instagram later today!).  Bedroom - stonewashed linen bedding.

You can see more pics and the floor plan of this space here. For more great small space inspiration you might also like to check out this archive (so many clever ideas!).

Right....we're leaving for vacation tomorrow and I still need to do a photo shoot, pack and buy all those last minute bits and bobs like sun screen - go go go! 

Have a lovely day!

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