Dream stay: The Bower, Byron Bay

I seem to be suffering from a real case of wanderlust right now - and the more I travel, the more I realise there's just so much out there I haven't seen. Do you feel this way too?!  One country high up on my list is Australia. Over the past few years, this country has been taunting me from afar with beautiful design, awe-inspiring nature and fabulous places to stay. I mean, take this new hotel for instance! The Bower in Byron Bay, New South Wales was recently converted from a motel into a luxury boutique hotel by eight creatives - all of whom shared a desire to combine urban style with a laid-back beach-side vibe. Made up of 14 suites, a barn, cottage and family house, the calm and laid-back hotel opened it's doors last month - and it's waiting for us to come along and hang-out for a few days. Race you there?!

The cottage

The barn

Photography: Jessie Prince

Soooo. Tempted?! 

Just in case it'll be a while before any one of us make it out there - here's a little guide on where things are from (hey, who's to say we can't re-create that minimalist, Byron Bay beach-side vibe in our own homes?). 

The cottage: dining area - white bentwood chairs, rattan pendant. Sitting room - Moroccan pouf, the Bemz Loose Fit Urban sofa covers are similar to this (see mine here!), this mudcloth cushion is lovely! Bedroom - I like this light grey pillow cover (the ruffles!) and this plain one. Outdoor dining - pick up a similar stool from Lovely & Co (used as bedside tables in my home!).

The barn: buy similar made-to-measure white linen curtains here, try Bemz for chair covers like these. Source vintage school posters here. I like this linen duvet cover (select 'charcoal' for similar).

Oh, and you can make a reservation at The Bower here - on the condition that you make us all jealous by sharing lots of snaps on Instagram - we want to see more! 

Have a lovely day!

PS if you're planning a wedding you might like to read my piece in Ultimate Wedding (sometimes I wish I had another wedding to plan - same guy of course!).

PPS Nest.co.uk are offering the chance to win a copy of my new book Lagom: The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life together with a fab handmade Giannina Capitani Tic-Tac cushion (just add coffee and you're all set for a very cosy Autumn day!). Find out how to enter here!

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The calm Danish home of Emilie Schwartzlose

Hej hej! I'm just packing for my flight back to Sweden after a brilliant few days in London (I do love being back home in the big smoke!). I fly via Copenhagen and I'm soooo tempted to go for a wander (must organise a day in Denmark's capital ASAP!). The Danes have such a great sense of style. This home of Emilie Schwartzlose in Frederikshavn, North Jutlund, is fairly small in size (52 square metres / square feet) but what it lacks in square metres it certainly makes up for in aesthetics. The space is characterised by soft, earthy green hues, natural textures and as Danish magazine, Bolig describes it a 'poetic' appeal. Oh and it's also enjoyed by her furry friend, Charlie. Here are a few snaps from Emilie's lovely home...

Photography - Emelie Schwartzlose

What a lovely space - looking at the pictures it's hard to imagine it's only 52 square metres - don't you think?

You can see more of it over on Emilie's lovely instagram feed.

Here's a quick round-up of items I know and love: sitting room - Eames chair, Kubus candleholder, Saro rug. In cabinet - Royal copenhagen. Bedroom - white linen duvet cover, bentwood chair (pick up a vintage one here). Outdoors - string lights.

There are lots and lots of beautiful Danish homes to drool over in this archive - (as always, if this pops up first, just scroll passed).

Have a great start to the week lovely friends!

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A Charming Swedish Home With Pops Of Golden

I've just arrived in London for my book launch as well as a very exciting collaboration with new Scandi homeware brand Eërtmug (if you're in town try to get down to the pop-up shop in Shoreditch on Saturday where you can pick up beauties like these - with all proceeds going to Centrepoint!). Miraculously it's going to be beautifully sunny all weekend (how's that for a warm reception?!) and it's the same in Sweden too. Even so - don't you find there's a distinct crispness in the air? Today, I'm taking inspiration from this lovely Swedish home which embraces the fiery colours of autumn. Think  tones of cinnamon, golden brown and mustard yellow mixed with olive green and a hint of yellow.

Credit Fantastic Frank / stylist - Ida Lauga

So cosy!

I love how the autumn sunshine pours in through the double balcony doors. I can just imagine drinking a coffee and reading all day in those warm pools of light!

Is there anything that captures your imagination?

Get the look: Dining - Series 7 chairs. Sitting room -  this bar cart is similar, pick up a mid-century mustard yellow chair here. Bedroom - blue linen duvet cover and pillow cases (I have the same in my bedroom and it's such a cosy colour for this time of the year!).

Other homes with autumn touches include a dreamy estate in Australia, a beautiful Swedish home with beautiful autumn touches, and a lovely small Swedish space.

And that's it from me this week! If you're curious about my London adventures follow along over on Instagram Stories!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend - and see you Monday!

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It's hit the shelves!

Advert for my new book. 

Earlier this year I enjoyed many, many fikas with Swedish friends and family. It wasn't just because I was feeling particularly sociable (although it was lots of fun - and I do enjoy a cinnamon bun admittedly!) - I was on an important mission. I was busy researching the concept of lagom (a Swedish term loosely translated as 'not too little, not too much - just right') and how my Swedish friends feel incorporating it into various parts of their lives helps them to achieve greater balance and happiness. They were extremely generous - sharing a wealth of knowledge, tips, ideas and bite-sized actions -  which have been combined with my own experience of living in this wonderful country for over thirteen years to write my new book Lagom: The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life. And today it hits the shelves in the UK! Yay! I'm super excited to share a sneak peek inside....

Photo credits: 1. Niki Brantmark / My Scandinavian Home. 2. Jordam Sanchez/Unsplash 3. Gaelle Marcel/Unsplash

The illustrations are by talented Swede Petra Börner - her work is so lovely and I was so lucky to collaborate with her.

I hope you like the look of my book! If you'd like a copy it's available online here or you can pick up a copy at your local book shop or library (if it's not in stock I'm sure they'd be happy to order it in for you!).

Excitingly, a US and Canadian version of the book will launch on 3rd October - (watch this space!) or if your English isn't quite up to it -  it'll also be available in German, French, Portuguese and Czech (with a possibility of more to be added to the mix too!). Eeeeeeee!

If you've got any questions or would like to know more please just give me a shout in the comment section below and I'll do my best to answer!

A huge thanks to everyone who was involved in the making of this book - especially the fabulous team at HarperCollins!

Trevlig kväll!
 
PS Those of you following on Instagram stories will know I'm on my way to London. YAAAAY! I'm partnering with new Scandinavian homeware brand Eërtmug, which is launching a pop-up shop in Shoreditch this Saturday.  If you're around come along and pick up some fab Scandi pieces for your home - all proceeds will go to Centrepoint!

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