The 'Green Home Book': inspiration for plant lovers

One of the trends I love right now is 'urban jungle' or the idea of filling your home with plants. Greenery is said to have many positive benefits including providing cleaner air, boosting your mood and even enhancing concentration and memory (yes, really! I discovered many other benefits too here). But above all else, they do look lovely, don't they?! I mean, what would a home be without plants and flowers? That's why I was so happy to discover the 'Green Home Book'. The tome was created as result of a collaboration between Finnish creatives Riikka Kantinkoski (I once featured her beautiful home here) and Susanna Vento and includes beautiful photography taken in homes across Finland as well as simple tips on how to care for plants. Here's a sneak peek....

Photos from 'Green Home Book' by Riikka Kantinkoski and Susanna Vento.

Ah so inspiring. I must pick up a copy as soon as possible!

Doesn't it look lovely?

If you're a bit of a plant lover you'll also love these snapshots from the beautiful home of Jeska Hearne, the Brownstone of the owner of plant interior design company, and the bohemian home of a florist.

Oh, and I love this DIY idea - how fab? 

Have a lovely day!

PS I think the reason I'm thinking about books today is because I'm sitting at the library researching a new project (more to follow soon!). It's actually the perfect place to sit and work as it's super quiet and overlooks the park. The only problem is my typing is so LOUD!! I think I might need to sellotape cotton wool to my finger tips next time!

PPS I have such an exciting Swedish summer cottage to share with you tomorrow - it will have us all dreaming of balmy summer days!  

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A Swedish oasis with a warm and inviting touch

Minimalism, they say, ' is not the lack of something, but the perfect amount of something.' Even so, it requires a magic touch to evoke that warm and inviting touch.  And the answer is often found in texture. In this lovely Gothenburg apartment, furniture has been kept to a minimum, and a vintage shag pile rug, creased linens, and gracefully aged wood (including a dining table with all it's wonderful nicks and scratches) add just the right amount of warmth. Combine this with a calm grey, black and white palette with light brown and green accents,  and the result is a wonderful little oasis from the hustle and bustle of the busy street life below. Could you imagine padding around here?

Credits: photography: Anders Bergstedt. For sale through Entrance.  

 .... I certainly could, it looks so peaceful!

A quick guide to some of the items: sitting room - source a beni ourain rug here, dark pink and white linen by the metre. This wall lamp is similar. Kitchen -  ant chairs, side cabinet from IKEA. Bedroom - light blue linen duvet cover and pillow cases.

I'm often asked how Swedes can sleep when the curtains are either non-existent or of the sheer variety - but look closely and you'll see tightly rolled black out blinds waiting to be unleashed (as seen in the sitting room here) or blinds between white window panes (we had these in our last apartment). Swedes may love natural light, but they also love their slumber! 

Before I head off for the day,  I thought you might like this little round-up of mid-week link love:

Design mistakes almost everyone makes...

A vintage dining setting against a giant cheese plant!

Ways to fold a napkin.

A pretty easter DIY idea.

Natural shade.

Pella Hedeby's seasonal bedroom update.

Have a lovely day!

PS heads up - it's the final day to take advantage of a 15% discount off a timepiece at Abbott & Mosley - simply use the code 'mshspring15' at check-out!

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An inspiring small studio full of contrast

Well hello there! I hope you had a fab weekend? We woke up to a clear blue sky and plus temperatures here in Southern Sweden - oh how long we'd been waiting for that moment! All along the boardwalk faces were angled up towards the sun, soaking up the warm rays. This morning it's as though everyone has a new spring in their step! And I have another reason to feel happy -  call me a total home geek but I do love clever use of a small space. And when it comes to interior designer Joakim Walles studio apartment in Stockholm, it seems that the best things really can come in small packages! Looking at the apartment, it's hard to believe it's a mere 44 metres square (473 foot square - I hope I got that right?! I've been known to get it wildly wrong.....!), Joakim has completely renovated the space - adding in open shelving by Porro and bespoke kitchen and bathroom cabinets. To top it off, the space has been furnished throughout using a perfect blend of industrial, vintage, and designer pieces. The result is a home full of natural light, contrast, wonderful art and a lovely lived in feel. Oh, and it's for sale!

Interior design: Joakim Walles, Photos - Adam Helbaoui /Kronfoto for sale through Alexander White.

Stockholm anyone?! 

Such a clever use of space, don't you think? I especially love the open shelving used as a division between the sitting room / kitchen area and bedroom. Not only does it create some privacy, it also allow light to slip through, and provides a perfect place to display favourite books, ceramics and artwork.  Got to love that!

Is there anything that stands out to you? 

A couple of items I know and love in Joakim's apartment: Taccia lamp by Flos, source vintage industrial pendants here, the Series 7 arm chair. These wonderful mobiles I posted about recently here are similar.

Have a wonderful start to the week!

PS Don't forget to make the most of your 15% discount at Abbott & Mosley! To claim simply type in mshspring15 at checkout. Find out more here.

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Celebrating spring with a vase from be&liv

Don't you love spring flowers? They do make me smile. I'm always looking for new ways to arrange them at home and so excited by my latest find: a 24k gold plated One Flower Vase from Scandinavian design brand be&liv. Described as 'a delicate flower vase that compliments the beauty of a single flower,' One Flower Vase also comes in chrome and copper and was designed by Ilkka Suppanen because 'sometimes just one modest flower is more than a big bouquet' (I'm with you Ilkka!). Established in Helsinki in 2012, be&liv make many other items for the home too, including the Halo shelf, Palea candle holder  (also seen on my coffee table), leaf coaster set and Lily cake stand - all beautiful and unique in their own way. So exciting!

Photography: Niki Brantmark / My Scandinavian Home. 

Oh so lovely - and the perfect vase for one delicate ranunculus, don't you think?!

be&liv pieces are sold through many different retailers - find your nearest one here.

Have a great weekend!


This post was sponsored by be&liv. However, all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too. Thank you for supporting the wonderful businesses that make My Scandinavian Home blog possible.

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A lovely London home with pops of pastel

It's Friday, the sun's shining, if the birds had migrated back to town they'd be singing (I'm sure of it!)- and the weekend is on the horizon - yeeeeah! This calls for a fresh house with lovely pops of colour that make you smile, don't you think? Available through Light Locations for photo shoots, film sets etc, this house is located in London's Kensal Rise on the aptly names 'Mount Pleasant Road' (love that!). White walls provide a backdrop for vintage finds, a hint of shabby chic and pretty floral touches. Let's take a peek inside. 

 Credits: Light Locations found via SF Girl By Bay with thanks.

The distinct architecture makes me all nostalgic (must head home to London for a visit soon!) where as the colour palette has a distinct Dutch feel about it, don't you think? (take a look at these lovely Dutch spaces and you'll see what I mean).

All in all, a lovely, fresh space and so much room to breathe!

Is there anything that stands out to you?

Before I head off to enjoy the sunshine, here's a little weekend link love I think you'll enjoy:

Inside a designer's cali-cool office make-over.

DIY table top standing desk (I could do with this at home!).
 
The Dark floral mural in this little girl's bedroom totally steals the show.

How about a strawberry and rhubarb doughnut this weekend? Mmmmm!

Ocean pinterest board: roll on balmy days and dips in the sea!

And finally how I'd like to be waking up to a view like this tomorrow - time well tent indeed!

Have a wonderful weekend!

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An arty Gothenburg home in rich tones and bold patterns

Hejsan allihopa! There's been a whole load of white going on here over the past few days so I thought it was time to indulge in something a little different. Think rich, deep tones in grey, green and dusty pink, luxurious textures and bold patterns. Art and photography dominates the walls and a blend of designer, one off vintage finds and reclaimed items set the tone for a beautiful relaxed home in the heart of Gothenburg, Sweden. Enjoy!

 Credits: this home was recently sold through Alvhem.

I love the boho, creative style of this space - it oozes warmth.

The dark green velvet curtain used to hide the wardrobe really adds to the beautiful rich textures in the bedroom, as do the pretty vintage kimonos.

We're seeing bold wallpaper more and more in the home (as seen in Johanna Bradford's lovely apartment, the world of Anna Kvarnström and a romantic Swedish home?), are you a fan?

And do you happen to know the name of the wallpaper in this sitting room? If so, wonderful if you can let me know in the comment section below and I can update the post for anyone who's wondering about it!

If you like the idea of wallpaper but prefer a lighter, more whimsical look - I love Blossom (as seen in this home).

And finally, a few items I know and love from this Gothenburg space: sitting room -  round mirror, le lampe gras (wall lamp), Butterfly chair (love this!), Gotland grey sheepskin throw. Bedroom - linen valence.

Have a lovely day!

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