A Malmö apartment with a mid-century touch

Well hello there Monday! I hope you had a great weekend?! It's half term here in Southern Sweden so I'm gearing up for a trip to London later this week - sooo excited! Are you up to anything fun? Today I'd like to share this lovely apartment here in Malmö with you. There's just something about it I love - could it be the mid-century touches? Most likely! But also the elements of surprise such as the bright floral printed cushion against the green harlequin wallpaper in the hall or the pom poms in the bedroom. So pretty! What do you love about this home?

Bo-laget

Could you live here? If so, you're in luck, it's actually for sale! Come join the Malmö massive!

A few items I know and love: Prints: apple papple, pirum parum, Martin Lannering insect alphabet. String shelves. Hay industrial lamp. 

I know it sounds crazy but my family and I are already talking about what to do next summer! I think it's because the days are getting so short. A few weeks ago I received a mail about Villa Pia in Lippiano, between Tuscany and Umbria in Italy. I immediately started dreaming about sipping a cappuccino while looking out over the olive groves, vineyards and a 10th century castle in the distance. And Villa Pia sounds totally family friendly too. The 5 acre grounds offer two swimming pools, play areas and a trampoline. And children are welcome to join cookery and art classes (my girls would be in heaven!). And for us adults they offer cookery classes, pilates and wine tasting (I guess not all at the same time!) among other things. Could I have found my summer vacation 2015?!

I hope you have a lovely day! 

The striking monochrome home of a Swedish photographer

It's the weeeekend. woohoo! As you know I love to go for a striking home tour to celebrate.  This monochrome home, which I think totally fits the bill,  is in stark contrast to the colourful spaces I showed in yesterday's post. You won't be surprised to hear that this beautiful black and white home is owned by a creative duo: talented Swedish photographer Magdalena Björnsdotter and her husband Eric who's passionately into music. The country home was built as a farmhouse in the 1920's and has been carefully restored into a modern graphical home.  I've featured over 100  black and white homes here over the years and love how each and every one is unique. And this one is no exception. I love how they've draped fabrics over furniture,  the cool artwork throughout and interestingly displayed photography. What do you love about this home?

Magdelena Björnsdotter. Boligliv

Is this your kind of space? Are you more a black and white or a pops of colour interior person?

A couple of items I know and love: White Tolix chairs, Women: Annie Leibovitz coffee table book, Svenskt tenn elephant cushion and textile on the piano seat. Magnetic herb tins and seat cushions on bench by Granit.

More beautiful interiors shot by Magdalena include Ylva Skarp's Christmassy home and  a rustic farmhouse in Skåne.  Oh so fabulous!

I hope you have a fantastic weekend! 

Cheerful Dutch interior spaces to brighten up your day

I do love a home which puts a smile on my face and brightens up my day, don't you? And it seems Dutch photographer Hans Mossel is an expert in finding them. Each of these spaces from Hans' photography portfolio ooze the 'cheerful family home' vibe. Pure inspiration for adding a touch of colour to the home! I can't work out which room I love the most? Can you?

Hans Mossel, inspired by a post seen on Decor8 with thanks

Any favourites? I think the pink in the bathroom and hall is pretty fabulous!

I also love the rustic wooden benches which appear in a number of pictures. I found the rustic workman's benches I use as a bedside table in my bedroom here.

My daughter has the little yellow Fjäll Räven rucksack (backpack) you see hanging in the hall. It's a real, Swedish design classic and amazingly practical too. It's exciting to see them starting to appear on the backs of people in London too! You can buy them here.

More cheerful Dutch home tour inspiration here, here and here.

Have a lovely day and see you tomorrow!

PS My husband and I are planning on going for a weekend away sans children this autumn- yay! Any tips on wonderful, unique, quirky or simply beautiful places to stay in Europe? Tips very welcome!

A dreamy little space to call home

One of my dreams is to have a a work studio in my (future) garden which doubles as a pretty guest house for friends and family. Do you share a similar dream?  Then I came across this shed conversion on Design Sponge and my idea was immediately brought to life! Over the space of two months designer, stylist and artist Paige Morse converted a shed in her back garden into a stunning Scandinavian inspired black and white retreat. Her goal was to create a space from which she can work, She was so thrilled with the outcome she now actually lives in the 'Casita' and rents out her house to afford the lifestyle she so desires: to work on her creatives full time. What an inspiration?!

Before:

Photos Cody Ulrich. Paige Morse. Via Design Sponge with thanks. 

Be still my beating heart!

This really is the casita of my dreams! The only thing I would add is a turf roof as seen on this and this home. How about you? Could you see yourself working / living here?

You can see the full before and after shots over at Design Sponge and read more about Paige's work here.

Other fantastic, unusual and alternative garden shed conversions here and here.

Have a lovely day!

2 Simple, Super Beautiful Studio Apartment Concepts For A Young Couple

Being a young couple can be a challenge. You may just be starting out in your careers, saving to buy a home, or just trying to find your footing in the world. On top of that, moving in together for the first time is stressful. But a few talented designers have decided to take on this challenges, offering two lovely studio apartment designs that would give any pair of newlyweds - or even just lovebirds cohabitating - enough stylish space to spread out and enjoy themselves on their way up the corporate (or artistic) ladder. The first apartment comes from the team at int2architecture, while the second is from designer Art Ugol.

The team at int2architecture designed this one bedroom apartment as a temporary home for a young couple.

Largely, the design focuses on dividing the small space into useful, separate zones without putting up any walls that would serve to close off the space.

The bed is in a small lofted area, which also includes a shared workspace.

A sunny breakfast nook is an amazing place to start a day with your loved one, but it also allows you to shut the door when you need some time to yourself.

Vertical storage – here and inside the main room – is key to making a small space like this work.

The interior dining area uses Eames chairs and a simple table to keep things feel open.

A hidden drawer under the bed is helpful, too.

The designers even managed to tuck a laundry area in, which means less time lugging clothes to a laundromat and more time at home with your honey.

We particularly love the creative herb storage, perfect for a couple that loves to cook.

 

The second apartment was intended for a young female artist, but could easily be suited to a pair of artists as well.

The full sized bed sits in a cozy cubbyhole and can be hidden from view in the event of guests.

 

The living room gets plenty of natural light, which works well with the natural materials used throughout the home. 

A breakfast bar provides a perfect space for one or two, though a dinner party might be difficult to pull off. 

With a stone wall and modern appliances, the kitchen is simply spectacular. 

A mirrored entryway wall is essential for those last minute outfit checks. 

A sleek tiled bathroom with cool, 80’s-inspired fixtures is just artsy enough without losing any functionality. 

Plus it has laundry!