Alexandra's Vintage-Inspired Home in The French Countryside

I often think homes are like books: they all have a story to tell. In a library you'll find many genres, and it's the same with living spaces. While some might be akin to romantic novels, others are more playful and colourful - like a comic! Alexandra's home in Chanterelle, central France, is like poetry.

Alexandra has furnished her living space entirely with one-off pieces sourced at vintage and antique markets (how I'd love to visit France purely for the purpose of visiting antique markets.... and maybe the cuisine. OK, the wine too... actually, I could as well soak up some culture while I'm there too!), ensuring every single room is filled with treasures. Subtle, earthy tones, a wonderful stone floor and exposed wood ceiling as well as clever use of paint create a perfect backdrop and add to the overall charm. 

Bienvenue chez Alexandra! 

How beautiful! I almost feel like I'm there, it's a strange sensation. 

Is anyone else now planning to scour flea markets this weekend? Preferably in France, of course!

Incidentally, Alexandra sells a selection of vintage accessories online here (and you can see more of her home over at @milkandhomefamily).

Note the paintwork throughout the house. Using darker shades on architrave, doors, skirting boards and even ceilings is the trend du jour! I think it looks beautiful and in older homes, really helps to enhance period features. 

Would you like to look around a few more French homes this weekend? Here are a few others I love: 

A relaxed, vintage inspired house in the French countryside

The fab home of a French stylist and photographer

Inside the Parisian home of a chef and photographer 

What book genre would you associate your home with? Tricky one actually, I'm looking around mine and currently drawing a blank! 

Have a wonderful weekend friends. À bientôt!

Niki

Photographer courtesy of Alexandra / @milkandhomefamily

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The Magnificent Home of Swedish Cookbook Author Sofia Wood

Have you returned to live in the town where you grew up? Or perhaps you've never left? In 2020 Swedish foodie, blogger, podcaster and cookbook author Sofia Wood and her family packed up their home in Stockholm and returned to Sofia's childhood roots in Norrköping. 

It takes a lot to move cities (let alone countries), especially with children in tow, but as they say - fortune favours the bold, and the Wood family are reeping the benefits of a slower-pace of life while living in the most magnificent turn-of-the-century apartment. 

Located in the city centre, the property has the most beautiful period features, sky high ceilings, large spacious rooms and classic tiled masonry ovens. True to Sofia's style, it's also packed with personality and fascinating details - as well as the mouth-watering scent of in-season dish bubbling from the stove! Welcome to the Wood family home! 

Cherry red chairs bring vibrance and warmth to the kitchen / dining area, while a large jute rug helps to reduce noise during lively family meals.  

A traditional Swedish bench (no doubt found at an antique or vintage market) adds a cosy touch to the family dining area. 

Art by Ebba Andersson creates a focal point over the dining table, while the soft Skandinaviskt Ljus  (Scandinavian light) colour on the wall from Jotun adds warmth to the large room. 

Sofia's great passion is cooking. Many of her recipes have been shared in her cookbooks: Darling Pasta, Vinter hos Wood (Winter with Wood) and Chez Wood (At Home with Wood). This year, Sofia also released interior book Nyckeln till Hemmet (the key to the home) with Elsa Billgren, whose vintage-inspired Stockholm home I once featured here - and with whom she shares a podcast (in Swedish). 

I was chatting to a plant specialist last week who told me the biggest mistake people make with plants is going for a pot which is too small. Not on Sofia's watch - the incredible, large plant pot perfectly matches the huge fiddle-leaf fig! 

High ceilings and large spacious rooms can lead to sound issues. To counter this, Sofia has added plenty of textiles in the form of rugs, cushions and sheepskins. 

The sitting room area is full of beautiful details such as a cosy Little Petra chair and an iconic Pipistrello table lamp. 

A fluffy rug from Cappelen Dimyr adds softness, texture and a cosy touch while also helping to dampen the sound in the bedroom. 

Update: Thank you for your questions about the lamp. Sofia tells me it's a vintage Pia lamp by Gärsnäs. which is still in production today. 

What a fabulous home! It's so personal and unique - and full of wonderful details. It's not always easy to furnish such large rooms, but Sofia has got the balance just right!

My mouth is also watering from the delicious looking recipes I spotted on Sofia's blog over at Elle. Mmmm! 

Could you imagine living in an apartment like this? 

It's fascinating to see how style develops over the years. Take a peek inside Sofia's Stockholm apartment from 2015 - so different! 

I'm curious to know if you would consider moving back to your home town? I'm from the suburbs of London and I love visiting, there's so much going on. But I'm not sure I could live so far from the sea again, I love my daily dips too much! 

Happy Wednesday friends!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Sofia Wood, shared with kind permission. 

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Pattern, Prints and IKEA hacks in a Charming Swedish Cottage

Why, godmorgon! I hope you had a lovely weekend! I was up at the cabin and the light was so beautiful (you can catch a glimpse in this little film). Elsewhere in Sweden, illustrator and creator Kajsa Hagelin was also making the most of the late summer days with her family at their home in the countryside. Kajsa and her family have been renovating their quintessential red and white cottage by hand, sharing the inspiring kitchen transformation, Ikea DIY hacks and choice of wallpaper and textiles on instagram. Look closely and you'll also spot lots of Kajsa's own artwork throughout the house too. Ready to feel inspired?

Kitchen before

I'm not sure when the above 'before' kitchen shot was taken - it looks dated to say the least! Either way, Kajsa and her family decided it was time to strip it away and make space for a new kitchen!

Kitchen after

The pair installed an ikea kitchen themselves, adding custom handles for a traditional touch. 

I love this breakfast scene! 

A gallery wall in the dining room includes some of Kajsa's own work (namely the two top right pieces).  You can find many of her prints at Wall of Art. 

A pair of vintage rattan chairs ensure a relaxed vibe in the sitting room, while the gallery wall (which also includes some of Kajsa's own work) cleverly disguises a Samsung The Frame TV - can you spot it? 

Simple hooks hammered into the side of the staircase create a spot for children's coats and classic Swedish Fjellraven Kånken rucksacks. 

The wallpaper in the children's bedrooms is from Willam & Morris and the bedding above is from Garbo & Friends. But what really steals the show is the hand built wardrobe - made from an ikea Billy bookshelf as well as left over panelling and a wardrobe door. 

In the other children's bedroom, they've also worked their magic with a Billy Bookshelf, this time customising it with colour, knobs and fabric. So clever, don't you think? 

The wallpaper is by William & Morris. 

A less than attractive water boiler gave Kajsa the excuse to add pretty Svenskt Tenn fabric to the upstairs bathroom. Svenskt Tenn is a classic brand in Sweden having been around for nearly a century. Recently their colourful textiles and wallpaper have become really popular among a younger crowd! 

So many lovely ideas in this home, don't you think?  

I particularly love all the textiles, wallpaper and prints  - they add so much character. 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

See more of Kajsa's home over at @kajsavisual and discover her work as an illustrator and creator here (she's so unbelievably talented!). 

Would you like to take a peek inside a few other creatives homes today? Here are a few to get your started:

The happy home of a Dutch illustrator and ceramicist

The Melbourne home of an illustrator and vintage bargain hunter

The studio and home of a Danish carpenter

Have a happy start to the week! 

Niki

Photographer Kajsa Hagelin, shared with kind permission. 

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