A Vibrant Family Home in An Architect Designed Mid-century House

G'day! It's another absolute ripper here in Sweden - even so, I thought we could venture to Sydney's Northern Beaches (virtually of course - although wouldn't it be nice to stop by in person?) to visit the incredible mid-century home of Louise and Graeme Bell, and their children Jasper and Anoushka. The three bedroom, glass fronted house was built by Australian architect Loyal Alexander in 1957 and features the most fabulous butterfly roof. Their trades (Louise is founder of the popular homeware store Table Tonic and Graeme is an architect) have meant they have been able to thoughtfully renovate the house over time and create a beautiful, vibrant family home. Think classic mid-century furniture, contemporary art and luscious layers of texture. Let's dive in!

 I spy pretty juju hats (sold through Table Tonic), a Marshall speaker and contemporary art by Henry Curchord.

A Snakes Tongue plant (also known as mother-in-law's tongue!) is one of those wonderful house plants which can be neglected for weeks on end and still look fresh. Oh and it can also survive low light conditions. 

A vintage leather sofa (source similar here) and a pair of Moroccan poufs help to create a relaxed, cosy vibe. 

The pair installed a new 1950s-style sandstone fireplace and hearth in the centre of the house. Six Bertoia chairs have been placed around the dining table beneath a Louis Poulsen PH5 lamp. But above all else - I love how the bar has been designed so it can be accessed from both the sitting room and dining room. It's all in the details!

The sitting room has been kitted out with a corner sofa from King Living,  Mark Tuckey coffee table, Cross blanket by Pia Wallén and a Beni ourain rug (available through Table Tonic). But the real star of the show is the panoramic window offering views of the garden and lush surroundings.

 The family's adorable Italian Greyhounds Audrey and Lucia chilling in front of the classic mid-century house designed by Australian architect Loyal Alexander in 1957 for his own family. 

 I wouldn't mind sitting on one of these fabulous yellow butterfly chairs (source similar here) for a while and simply taking in the afternoon sun - fancy joining me?!

The front door has been painted in Dulux "Gold Rush" for a very sunny welcome! 

What a fabulous house?!  I love the architecture, it's just incredible. The pair have worked really hard to maintain the original features too, I really appreciate that!

Could you imagine living here?!

You can see more of Louise's home here - and shop the look over on Table Tonic.

For more mid-century inspiration today you might like to check-out this archive (if this home pops up first just scroll passed!).

I hope your day sparkles like the sun - or you at least get to kick back in a chair like those butterfly ones for a while!


Niki 

All photography: Louise Bell / Table Tonic

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15 Small Space Hacks To Learn From a Beautiful Danish Home

Hej, hvordan har du det? I have to admit it's really hard to concentrate today - it's such a beautiful day! And when the sun shines in Scandinavia it's not something to be taken for granted! I was thinking of taking the Stand Up Paddle out at lunchtime ('thinking' being the operative word since it's still a bone-chilling 12 degrees in the water - eeeek!). While I procrastinate - I have a space to share with you which totally makes staying indoors worthwhile! This is the home of Danish model Johanne Landbo and her boyfriend.  Located high up in the eaves in the city of Århus, Denmark, what the home lacks in size and ceiling height, it makes up for in clever small space solutions and beautiful design. Velkommen!

1. A clutter-free home creates the illusion of space. Johanne has used wall mounted floor to ceiling shoe cabinets to banish shoes from the floor. 

2. Simple hooks hung over a door are really handy for everyday items (I use them in the bathroom and bedrooms in my own home) - they also don't require any drilling, making them ideal for rental spaces!

Shoe cabinet, door hook and Sinnerlig stool all IKEA. This round basket bag is similar. 

3. Raising the ceiling to it's full height and adding skylights helps to generate a loftier feel. Plus if you're lucky - you might end up with beautiful beams like these (well worth their weight in hygge!).

Green Forest poster, this pendant light is similar. Source a runner like this here.

4. I love these old warehouse windows between the bedroom and hall. Replacing an internal wall with windows (new or vintage!) allows light to filter through to darker areas and widens the look of a narrow space. Drawing across a curtain is a great way to add a little privacy and darkness at night time.

5. Multi-purpose furniture helps each item to go that bit further, for example, this Gjöra bed doubles up as a place to hang plants (or clothes).

6. Installing minimalist, bespoke wall-to-wall wardrobes helps to make the most of every inch of a room and create a clean look and feel. 

7. Johanne's home has been painted in a fresh, matt white throughout which bounces the light around.

8. Flat wall-mounted book shelves provide a less intrusive place to store magazines in a dead space between the radiator and eaves. 

9. Stackable furniture is a small space's best friend! Here, the lower nest table can be tucked under the higher table when not in use.

10. If your sofa is in the middle of the room, break up the (often cumbersome) back of it with a bench that can also be used for coffee table books and other items.

11. Make full use of ceiling height. Lesser used items can be stored higher up. 

12. Wall mounted, flexible lighting (such as the Mantis) helps to clear floor space and reduce the number of directional lights, since they can be rotated to where ever you need the light. 

13. Stackable, modular shelving like Omar from IKEA help make the most of awkward corners.

14. Opting for less bulky / more streamlined furniture like the Adam stool by FRAMA CPH will achieve a clutter-free, airy look and feel. 

15. Keeping the view clear on the balcony gives a continuation of space (and means you can enjoy it even on a rainy day). 

Aaaa, I was so happy to discover so many great ideas to steal from Johannes home! Is there anything you found particularly helpful?

I also liked Charlie Cameron's tip on Thursday: to use negative space throughout your home (I've been thinking a lot about this). 

You can see more pictures of Johanne's beautiful home over on instagram - and for more small living space inspiration today I can totally recommend these home tours too: small space that's big on cosiness, a tiny one room flat in Finland and Clever small space style in Stockholm. 

Have a great start to the week!

All Photography: Johanne Landbo

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My Dream Bed (In The Making!)

Post updated:

A psychologist friend of mine told me recently that one of the keys to success in life is self-care. I'm not just brushing your teeth in the morning - really looking after yourself. Taking breaks, putting aside time for the things you love and generally pampering the soul! Do you do enough of this? Having ended 2017 feeling a little run down, I decided to make this the year I am kinder to myself - and the first item on my list was getting a better night's sleep! Thanks to the Swedish luxury brand Carpe Diem Beds - and an instagram stories poll last month (so grateful for all your input!) I have finally decided on a new bed: Sandö.

Sandö is a continental bed named after an island in the beautiful Gothenburg archipelago.  What makes Sandö so comfortable are its three unique interacting spring systems that raise your sleep and ensure you feel like you're sleeping on a cloud. It also includes the patented Carpe Diem Beds Contour System, which looks after the body's contours and its protruding parts, such as shoulders, hips and buttocks. Combined with the depth of the spring system, this gives a feeling of weightlessness that must be experience (read more about the Contour Pocket System here). We're talking Princess and The Pea style comfort here! The question is, will I ever be able to get out of bed in the morning?!

The next step was to build it (each bed is handcrafted which means you get to choose all the details including mattress firmness, fabric, headboard and legs).  As someone into design, I couldn't be happier about this!

Getting Cosy!

According to The Sleep Help Institute, choosing the right firmness plays a huge role in getting a good night's sleep and reducing aches and pains.  

When choosing the firmness, there are several factors to consider including your own personal perception of comfort, your weight (the heavier you are, generally the firmer the mattress and vice versa) and your sleep position (whether you sleep on your back, side or front can have an impact on the firmness you choose - who knew?!). Since mattresses can vary between brands it's best to discuss this at the point of sale / directly with the brand.

Deciding On Fabric

I've never owned a continental bed before and love the idea of being able to choose a fabric that feels good and matches my room! Being a Brit I couldn't resist the fabric designed in collaboration with Designers Guild! I opted for the non-allergic Zaragoza eggshell, a soft chenille that I think will go well with the chestnut and blushing peach tones in my bedroom and adjoining home office.

But what about the headboard? Well, I can't tell you how much I'd LOVE an upholstered headboard (do you have one?) - they always look so comfortable! Alas, with our low bedroom window it just wasn't possible, so I opted for two plump headboard cushions made from the same fabric as the bed (available in store soon!).

And finally the legs - being a nature-lover, this was the easiest choice of all (despite a variety of styles and finishes such as copper and black aluminium) I went for the 13 cm OAK legs.

Something tells me I'm going to be a new person once this one arrives!

Have a cosy day,

Niki

This post is brought to you in collaboration with Carpe Diem Beds, however all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too. You can find out more information about Carpe Diem Beds and their dealers here.

Photography courtesy of Carpe Diem Beds.

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Karolina Modig's Beautifully Creative Stockholm Home

For those of you wondering if the week is ever going to end - it's FRIDAY friends - and that aperol spritz is inches away! But before we all reach for the Prosecco, I've got one final home tour to share with you, and it's a real goodie! Welcome to the Swedish home of Karolina Modig - a journalist, editor and author of two art books Värdet av konst (The Value of Art) - 2013 and Häng konsten lågt (Hang the Art Low) - 2015, her husband Erik and children Elliot and Mio. The family live in a three bedroom turn-of-the-century apartment in Södermalm (affectionately known as 'Söder'), an area of Stockholm known for it's relaxed, creative vibe. The 85 metre square (915 square foot) space is adorned with art, a ton of plants (check-out the greenhouse!), books and interesting artifacts set against a backdrop of pale pink, white and grey. I caught up with Karolina to find out more.


The shelves have been placed higher up to create space for the art underneath. The large portrait is by Jesper Waldersten. A Ferm Living wire basket and top doubles up as a table (note how the pink wall colour has been replicated in cushions and the basket to create balance).

How would you describe your style?
Our interior style is a mixture of my arty/airy taste and Erik’s arty/crazy taste. Erik is fond of experimenting with building projects, rare objects etc, I love rare objects but love a bit of light and air as well.

Your home is beautiful and full of fascinating items! Would you say it differs from the usual Scandinavian style? 
Thank you! Yes, I blame Erik for all the stuff haha. And our kids:) I guess it has a bit more ”cosyness" to it than most Scandinavian homes, it’s not very simplistic/minimalistic. We have a lot of books, can’t get rid of a single one. They take up a lot of space:)


A classic Swedish Orust chair by Staland is made a little more comfy with the help of a sheepskin cushion (source similar here). And I spy original Nagel candleholders! Erik has collected them at auction over several years.  Originally designed by Werner Stoff for Hans Nagel in the 1960's, the STOFF candleholder has recently been re-launched by Danish firm Just Right and you can buy it piece by piece to create your own sculptural masterpiece! See my guide to indoor climbers here!

The pair also love to paint. A portrait of Elliot by Erik can be seen here.


An antique Sputnik light (this one is similar) adds a glimmer of gold to the dining area. The chairs are from Stalunds (as before). 

I noticed you also have a lot of plants, including an indoor greenhouse! Can you tell us more about it? 
Erik loves plants, I think he would rather live in some kind of orangery than in an apartment. The greenhouse is his third baby, he fell in love with it just before we moved in to the apartment. It weighs 50000000 kg and everything we plant there dies, but it’s lovely - isn’t it? :)


It sure is! I also appreciate the use of colour - how did you choose the tones?
We actually painted everything white in the beginning, but realised we needed color to keep the rooms together. The bedroom wasn’t really a room before we painted it, just a bunch of stuff placed in a square space. The color made everything "melt together". I believe there was a home in Danish interior design magazine ”Rum” that inspired us to pick the colors for the living room. It changed the room completely, making it the most cosy room in the apartment. The tiles in the kitchen are old  English school-tiles (from The Winchester Tile Company).



IKEA units have been fitted with pale blue Superfront doors and brass handles (Norse Interiors sell similar in the US). Art by Alexander Tovborg. 

You have so many fantastic works of art! Where did your passion for collecting come from?

I’ve always been interested in art, but I started buying when I wrote my second book Häng konsten lågt (Hang the Art Low). I wanted to investigate how much you could buy for a certain amount of money and where you could buy it, as a guide for interested people without experience. It is a book on how to ”approach” the art world in your own conditions.

Do you have any tips on how to choose art and display it in your home?
Try not to match too much, give the art some room and let it stand out. Don’t put it too high on the walls and select your art with your heart and stomach rather than with your brain.


Where do you buy art? 
I’ve bought it at galleries, over the Internet (selected digital art shops) and directly from artists.


Vintage storage has been given a new lease of life using Superfront doors (see previous).  There are some beautiful old botanical school posters available here (ships worlwide).

And finally, what do you love most about your home?
That it is very ”livable”. It doesn’t matter if there are nicks in the tables or the floor, or if the furniture has flaws and faults. I think the ambience is welcoming. At least that is what we want it to be.




The children's room is decorated with Coud wallpaper by Ferm Living and a wonderful bespoke playhouse (I wish I had one of these when I was growing up, how about you?!).

Photography: Nadja Endler for Houzz

Karolina's world in 30 seconds:

If you could own any artwork, what would it be?

A Rothko or something by Louise Bourgeois. 

What music are you listening to right now?

Hanna Järver, James Taylor, Mura Masa and The Secret Sisters. 

What is Stockholm's best kept secret?

Not very secret maybe, but Carl Eldh’s ateljémuseum is a little piece of wonder. 

Thank you so much for inviting us into your home and telling us a little more about your passion for art Karolina!

You can read more about Karolina's home over on Houzz. 

If you'd like to see more arty spaces today I'd totally recommend taking a peek around the lovely home of a Danish artist,  a Copenhagen home in a converted artist's studio and a Swedish artist's home in a fomer school house. 

Have a fabulous weekend!

Niki

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All Things Bright & Beautiful in a Pared Back Family Home

I am so in love with today's home tour. Nestled in the jungle, but still a short distance from Singapore's popular shopping and dining precincts, the black and white colonial house was built in 1935 for an Officer of the British Army. Today the beautiful property is leased by Charlie Cameron, the creative behind interior and lifestyle blog Lottie Is Loving, her British husband, two children Finn and Pippa and their mini schnauzer Jet. Originally from Australia, Charlie has decorated the home with a fusion of Australian and Scandinavian style which includes lashings of fresh white, touches of rattan and pastel accents. The result is an incredible, light and airy relaxed family home.

 "My upstairs cup of tea / reading spot. When you’re not looking down at your book - all you see are trees and jungle. It’s my favourite room in the house."

The bamboo pendant light steals the show in the sitting room (this one is similar) and the Palm in the corner bridges the gap between the soft furnishings and pendant - while adding a little colour and drawing the jungle inside.

 "Over the years I have developed a less is more approach to styling.  I am drawn to a contemporary Australian aesthetic but I am influenced by a combination of styles and have a soft spot for Scandinavian design and Moroccan flair." 

The Swedish string shelving system has been used in replace of a windowsill and melts into the back ground. But my favourite piece has to be the pink Moroccan rug - how pretty is that? Happytapis sells similar (just saying!).

A white hanging chair, leather pouf and Rubber plant have been used to create the perfect reading corner! Having said that, we used to have a hanging bubble chair in our sitting room and these things are a total kids magnet!

Love this Mark Tuckey Stool from Australia - a new favourite of mine! 

"For me, it all comes down to pieces that I love and finding a balance between styles - a little masculine with a balance of feminine."  

 

I can't get enough of these rattan hallway benches right now, how about you? There are plenty in the shops right now (this one is from Elements Concept in Singapore) but I've got my eye on some of the one-off vintage ones too, like this fabulous mid-century modern love seat. Keep an eye on Etsy, Gumtree and Ebay for similar!

"There is something to be said for beautifully crafted well designed pieces and I prefer to practice patience and wait for the right piece than to quickly buy something to fill a space and then regret it.  I really believe that creating a beautifully styled home takes time."

 

The soft pink accent seen in the rest of the house is carried through to the bedroom using cushions and art. In the guest room (below) 'The King of Potreus' flower adds a hint of soft pastel.

And finally, Pip's room is as pretty as can be - with One Fun Day wallpaper and fairy lights.

Photography © Charlie Cameron / Lottie is Loving

The rooms are fairly spacious, yet Charlie has exercised a huge amount of restraint, giving each item plenty of breathing space. If you'd love to re-create this style in your home but not sure where to start, here are a few tips and tricks:

***

Charlie's Tips for Creating a Pared Back Style

1. Use Negative Space

Leaving areas of your home free of design actually helps to draw your eye to the elements that are most interesting in a room.  Cleverly used, negative space can help a room to feel deliberate and well styled.

2. Think in Tones

A base of whites and greys can always be added to with a bright pop of colour - so keep things neutral and harmonious and choose a small amount of colour to add to your scheme.

3. Remove the Clutter

Have a small room or area of your home (that is preferably hidden) where all the everyday items of life with a family can live.  Regularly clear the clutter from the day and if you have kids, get them in the habit of clearing all their items away at the end of each day.

***

You can see more of Charlie's home over on her Instagram feed and blog (where she also shares recipes and other lifestyle inspiration).

Other bright and beautiful family homes you might be interested in: a lovely Dutch family home, a striking and relaxed Swedish family home and a light-filled Swedish home.

Have a lovely day!

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