Amy Tyndall Design- Compass Pointe

Black, white and pastel inspiration from Norsu

Oooo, it's a lovely day here in Sweden. I'm feeling especially happy as I'm enjoying it from a cafe by the sea.   I may be celebrating my day in the sunshine but there's someone else that is celebrating a far greater achievement - Norsu Interiors is celebrating it's first birthday. Norsu (meaning 'elephant' in Finnish) is an online shop founded by three mothers who realised they had a common appreciation for all things beautiful and Scandinavian (hang on, I recognise that, don't you?!). The Australian brand is opening a physical store in Melbourne in October but for those of us far away, we'll be admiring your inspirational lifestyle images from a far.

Styling Julia Green, Photography Armelle Habib via Decordots with thanks

I spy: the Pia Wallen Cross Blanket, Leather Strap hangers by Mathilde Clahr (also featured here), Some fabulous prints and items by Hay and Ferm Living. Pretty much everything you see is available in Norsu interiors.

I actually have a little exciting news and something to celebrate myself too! I have just launched my own GREAT.LY boutique. For those of you who are not familiar with GREAT.LY, it is an online marketplace which connects beautiful hand-picked items by 'tastemakers' made by 'makers'. I had so much fun selecting the items for my boutique but my favourite picks (right now, at least) are the neon pompom geometric cushion (perfect for my little girls room?!), a cognac tote (yes please) and the overlapping circles print. Thank you to the GREAT.LY team for inviting me to be involved, I love to support entrepreneurs and small businesses in the design world.

Have a lovely sunny day!

PS This weekend I'll be running a give-away, I can't disclose the prize right now but I think you're going to love it. Make sure you pop by on Saturday or Sunday for your chance to win!

Going Dutch with white and splashes of colour

I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying writing this blog right now, there are just so many fabulous homes out there! This particular space  (shared with generous permission from Souraya of Binti Home) belongs to Antoinette and her husband and two boys in Holland. I love that it's white with splashes of colour  (of course!) which gives it a bright and playful feel but i also love that it's teeming with personal, quirky touches. This is turning out to be a bit of a Dutch week....!

Binti Home

Binti Home

Binti Home

Binti Home

Binti Home

Binti Home

Binti Home

Binti Home

Do you have a favourite corner?! Personally I love the boys room with the desks and huge map - but i love everything about all the other corners too!

A few tips on where items are from: Yellow lamp from HK Living, pink vase is IKEA, cups on table from Fest Amsterdam, cup with lady is Donna Wilson. The pink lamp is SnowPuppe.  Eames armchair RAR.

You can see more wonderful pictures of Annettes home on Instagram.

Have a lovely day!

The lovely home of a Dutch designer / blogger

There are so many wonderful blogs out there, I seem to discover a new one every week! My latest find is  'My Attic', authored by Dutch designer Marij Hessel. Marij has a passion for interior, decorating, fashion and photography (among other things) and frequently shares images of her beautiful  Dutch home on her blog. Here's a sneak peek.

My Attic

My Attic

My Attic

My Attic

My Attic

My Attic

My Attic

My Attic

My Attic

My Attic

Oh so lovely. Monochromes, pastels, patterns and big leafed plants define this relaxed family home (in my eyes at least). I particularly love her bedroom which has been decorated using finds from a recent trip to morocco (long been on my list) and the Danish shop Grenes. You can read more about her bedroom and the items in it here.

Thank you so much for the permission to share the images Marij.

For more Dutch inspiration you might want to check out this family home, a home in a converted chidren's nursery and this fab Dutch bedroom make-over. I think a trip to Holland is in order. Speaking of which, is anyone going to the 'Meet the Blogger' event in October? Sadly I can't go but it looks so great and definitely a firm date in my diary for next year!

Have a lovely day!

5 things I learned this summer

I should make huge apologies for stalling my blogging over the last couple of months, but I have a letter from ... the artist.  I spent most of June, July and August at my summer house without access to the internet except through my phone. Blogging uses data.

 If you follow me on Designing Home you know my life is very cyclical.  I have to find time for two careers- interior decorating and art.  I often flip my attention for blocks of time, and traditionally summer is  art time. I allow my decor business to match my summer speed. It doesn't hurt to be unavailable!

 I'm finding it difficult to accept summer has dwindled into fall.   That doesn't mean I don't make art the rest of the year; I just have to share my time with business. But those summers are important for the rest of the year when you take time to reflect.  I found out that:

Nature fuels creativity

 

A long summer, spent on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean with whales breaching and ice bergs slowly drifting, begs you to slow down.

 

  Contemplation leads to renewal as you allow your mind to follow the rhythms of nature.  When you  relax  this wonderful feeling of "anything is possible" descends. You make new connections, have creative thoughts, and appreciate  your lot in life.  Even the small things, usually ignored, are suddenly worthy of comment.

There's new life in old things

 

 I love to see old houses on their last legs getting attention, and those that don't eventually fall down.  It is in this debris,  that I found inspiration for new work.

 

 What began quietly at the end of last summer has blossomed into a whole new series of  work this year and an exhibition in 2016.

Yes, I've taken over that holy of holies- the shed - as my studio.  Move over Don, I've arrived. Good thing I learned  how to use all the necessary tools years ago. I can make that band saw sing.

Nature provides the best colour schemes 

 

 

My  colour sensibilities are heightened every summer because I am so immersed in nature.  I see coastal colours in my colour schemes in both art and decorating. It's as if I am storing up the feelings of summer in the the palette of my surroundings. 

Know when to stop

Usually for a month each summer we trip around Europe with friends.  This summer we decided to stay put as they went off to China!  Yes, we traded China for a summer "around the bay" in a little harbour with a population of 30+.  I'm so glad I listened to my body.

 There are many kinds of artists

Past lives intersect in small communities where you know everyone and everyone knows you.  Our friends, The Mahoneys, who live in the next community,  have a lovely garden.  I featured it in my last post as proof that many people do not realize how talented they truly are.


What were your summer revelations?

Black, white and copper in a Stockholm space

It's Friday.I'm in love...with this black, white and copper apartment in Södermalm, Stockholm. What a space! Light, airy and bright with beautiful designer pieces and the odd vintage find. Really what's not to love? I could pad around here over the weekend, how about you?!

Fantastic Frank

A few pieces I know and love: CopperShade light by Tom Dixon, Bertoia Side chairs, Diamond Light, House Doctor rug in the kitchen and the Marimekko Hetkiä shower curtain.

My three favourite copper pieces: The Kubus copper candle holder, Tom Dixon Etch tea light holder (which I have in my sitting room) and Scented Candle London (the perfect present for any Londoners living away from home! :). 

But does anyone know where those copper mirrors are from? I feel like I need those in my life! And the black magazine rack?!

For more inspiration you might like to take a peek at this home of a Swedish interior designer which also channels the copper trend. Or how about monochrome and brass?!

Have a wonderful weekend, up to anything great?!

Beautifully Small - clever ideas for compact spaces

I love an interiors book. And I was especially excited to come across Beautifully Small styled and written by Sara Emslie. We all know how tricky it can be to decorate a small living space, and Beautifully Small is teeming with lovely interior images, each one illustrating clever tips and creative ideas on how to make a small living space both practical and beautiful. I had the pleasure of meeting the book's photographer Rachel Whiting when she came to shoot my home in Sweden for 'Design Bloggers at Home' last year and I can safely say she is as lovely as she is talented. Here's a sneak peek of Beautifully Small.

I think I might have to buy a few of my friends this for Christmas, what a great idea for a book?

Beautifully Small by Sara Emslie, photography by Rachel Whiting, published by Ryland Peters and Small rrp: 19.99 GBP.

Have a lovely day!