Sunny white Stockholm studio

With all the snow blanketing the ground outside I'm in the mood for an all white interior (who am I trying to kid....I'm always in the mood for white!). This apartment is currently for sale in Stockholm and is a great lesson in how to design a studio space. I love the blend of light grey marble, galvanised steel and the natural wood / cognac accent. Beautiful!

Erik Olsson via Hannas Room

What do you reckon? Could you happily pad around this home?

My dining room: touch of spring

I hope you all had a lovely weekend? My family and I headed off to a lake here in Southern Sweden called Krankesjön to enjoy some ice-skating and a barbicue on the frozen lake.  The sun was shining and the snow sparkled like diamonds. The only disconcerting noise was the eerie creaking of the ice! 

Speaking of sparkling, I also got down to a little spring cleaning. All Christmas decorations are out and the first signs of spring have arrived in my dining area and it feels wonderful!

Photography: My Scandinavian Home

PS Incidentally I asked a friend from Stockholm about the sound of creaking ice and he said that it can be a sign of 'good ice' but you need to be a pro to know the difference. I certainly wasn't going to wait around to find out!

How was your weekend? 

How do you like your blue?

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I spend part of every year living on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean in a small community in Newfoundland.  Being in such close proximity to the sea influences my colour interests.  It is no surprise that I like watery blue greens. These combinations show up in both of my homes and even in my art work.   

  Margaret Ryall, Slow Drift (2012)  6x8 in.  encaustic monotype on board

 Lisa Sherry

When you mix spring greens and  watery blues the result is always  fresh and lively. There are lots of patterns and textures in this room and the use of an old map as wall art references  land and sea.  Are you beginning to see how both of my careers dovetail?  Interior design and visual art feed each other on a daily basis in my life. Lots of times looking at a room will give me an idea of an art series!

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This is lovely combination  inspired by the spectacular art work over the sofa.  The room is fresh and inviting and the plant adds to that vibrancy.  White, cream and the softest yellows  are the perfect foils for blue green combinations. If you would like to see more of this room check the link above.

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Yellow brings out the best in aqua because there's yellow in its composition . The magenta area rug grounds the design, but for me it has to much energy for a bedroom.  I like my floors muted and just there. Do you like this combination?

 House of Turquoise

A vibrant, casual  sun room in blues and greens.   Just the place to sit and have a cool drink with friends. The colour scheme helps to draw together the variety in furniture pieces. Don't be afraid to use what you have in a room and then  use colour to link the design together.  Matching furniture  is highly over rated!

Waverly Solar Flair Lime/Indigo

Look to fabrics for colour scheme inspiration.  Deeper blues can serve as a good grounding colour in a blue green scheme.  If you like painted furniture choose this colour for high impact . Deep blues are trending for 2013.  

Good Housekeeping

 Christopher Farr

 

Or reverse your combination and use a striking aqua colour and support it with deep blue. Not everyone can live with this much pattern, but you don't have to.  Imagine this piece against  soft creams, charcoal or even purple!

  

How do you like your blue and what's your favourite combination? 

As you can see I like mine with lots of yellow and leaning into green.  Check this fascinating survey to see how people feel about blue depending on sex and age.

Beautiful home of danish fashion designer

This is the fabulous home of Danish fashion designer and co-founder of clothing company Munthe plus Simonsen, Naja Munthe. Naja commissioned Martin Koldby to take the pictures for her book 'Fashionable Living' and spring summer 2012 catalogue. I'm not sure what to say except I love every last detail, from the colour scheme, to the patterns and the personal collections to the architecture, kakelugn fireplace and Tom Dixon beat lights, this home is a dream. 

Photographer: Morten Koldby with kind permission spotted at 79 ideas.

What do you think?

Before I leave you to enjoy your weekend I've got a little exciting news.

I'm really excited to introduce my new sponsor: 'Buy Some Damn Art' (fab name!). If you see the website I think you'll want to (I have my eye on Beachcombing 61 by Jennifer Steen Booher). Owner, Kate, also author of  blog Art Hound, works closely with some of the best up-and-coming artists to bring you new, original artwork every week so keep an eye on the site!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Any great plans? Here we're knee deep in snow and it's freeezing BRRRRRRRR so I will be hibernating like a bear :)

Melbourne home with fab accessories

There are three things I love about this Melbourne home of Justin and Jeanne Roebert; the round mirrors (I am after the Hay strap mirror), the pretty, light grey marble in the bathroom and the fab PP225 Flag Halyard chair. Note the cheese plant too - big leaved plants became popular in 2012 and will continue to be a part of  the home in 2013. The only problem is, I've already managed to kill my Fig tree. looking so healthy in these pictures only a few months back sniff sniff.....

 Interior design and styling by Hecker Guthrie.  Photos – Derek Swalwell, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.Interior design/stylist: Hecker Guthrie, Photography: Derek Swalwell, producer: Lucy Feagins for the Design Files

What are your top picks from this home? Or perhaps something you would change?

PS Anyone got any tips on how to look after a fig tree (much needed)?! Or perhaps you can recommend something else err, a little less high maintenance?!

White industrial style loft in Barcelona

In February I'm off to one of my favourite cities: the wonderful Barcelona!  I wish I was staying in this modern industrial style apartment, originally a textile workshop. Designing an open plan living space can be so challenging but these guys seemed to have planned it to perfection and just look at the 'bones' they had to play with. *sigh* if only.....

Trendland via SF Girl By Bay

The large light filled rooms are so fantastic. I'm telling you, if I owned this apartment I'd cycle the bicycle (by the door) around it all day just because I could!

What do you think of modern industrial style homes and open plan living?

Any fab design tips for Barcelona?

Wishing you all a lovely day!

Cute Danish children's bedroom inspiration

Not many do children's bedrooms as well as Danish brand Ferm Living. These images are from their new Spring Summer 2013 collection. It's patterns galore and just so cute for both girls and boys. 

Ferm Living

Something for your little ones?

While we're on the subject of teeny tots, I am also loving all clothes from Loja Dada - sale now on! yay!

PS This isn't a sponsored post, I simply love their style! :)

Cottage with a modern twist in Landskrona

A Swedish psychologist told me that 40 years ago parents were giving their children names which would help them fit in. Today Swedish children's names are chosen to stand out. When I saw this home in the old quarter of Landskrona here in Southern Sweden it made me think of this. Stockholm architects Elding Oscarson have transformed this town house from a cottage to a 21st century home which certainly stands out from the crowd! 

Photographer: Åke E:son Lindman via Architonic

I absolutely love the interior which is designed around letting as much light in as possible with its large windows and open plan living. I especially love the window nook with cushions, the fab Scandinavian designer pieces, the mid century dining table and chairs and the nod to orange / apricot in every room.

Could you go for a 21st century facelift like this for your home and stand out from the rest?

PS thank you so much to my good friend Ullis for the tip, I hope your little one arrives soon :)