A fab Amsterdam apartment

This is my second dutch home tour of the week (see the other one here). I really do love the Dutch style. It's incredibly similar to Swedish decor with the white floors and walls, but the Dutch tend to go for more bright pops of colour. This home, spotted over at wonderful blog French By Design, in the heart of Amsterdam belongs to interior designer / stylist Brechtje Troost. It follows the general Dutch design rule with the white backdrop and bursts of colour but it also features a fab mid-century twist. And wait - I even spot a Swedish print! An apartment truly deserved of the coveted Friday my scandinavian home tour spot, don't you think?!

Photography Jantien De Bood. Inside Out Magazine via French By Design

Photography Jantien De Bood. Styling Josefin Ljungberg & Brechtje Troost. Inside Out Magazine via French By Design

Photography Jantien De Bood. Inside Out Magazine via French By Design

Photography Jantien De Bood. Inside Out Magazine via French By Design

Photography Jantien De Bood. Styling Josefin Ljungberg & Brechtje Troost. Inside Out Magazine via French By Design

Photography Jantien De Bood. Styling Josefin Ljungberg & Brechtje Troost. Inside Out Magazine via French By Design

I love this apartment,  it's very cool don't you think?

For classic mid-century furniture try auction houses Lauritz and Live Auctioneers. I love the cognac tote (similar one here). I'm not sure if it's possible to find a kitty cat as cute as that one though....?

You can read more about this fabulous space Inside Out magazine. 

Do you know what I'm noticing more and more of? Wall to wall carpets! Now, I know that in the UK and the US it's extremely common to have carpets in the home, especially in more cosy rooms such as the bedroom and sitting room. But I was amazed to hear a Swedish friend who is currently planning to add carpets to all the bedrooms in her new home. This is something of a revolution. Could it be one of the big trends for 2015?! 

How do you feel about wall to wall carpets?

Wishing you all a very happy halloween and a great weekend (up to anything fun?).  See you Monday!  

Shades of grey and white in a Stockholm space

Grey really has been the er, hot interior colour this year. Whether it's an entire apartment painted in a striking charcoal grey like this one or light nuances of grey like this one. This apartment designed by Moodhouse follows the latter trend. 'Brohuset' is a new 16 story high glass fronted apartment building overlooking Stockholm (wow!). The apartment has been painted in shades of white and grey and then softened with sheepskin throws and other textiles. I love the half painted grey wall in the hall with the matching chair - definitely an idea to steal! All in all its such a serene space don't you think?

Photography; Kristofer Johnsson. Interior: Moodhouse. Styling Marie Ramse.

Do you like the mix of whites with greys?

I'm not sure where this lovely Stockholm poster is from (anyone know?) but I came across some similar graphic city posters here. My collection of favourite grey items include these napkins. a super soft grey and white blanket, luxury charcoal linen bedding and this 'fading lake lady' painting (don't you think this print would look lovely in this space?!).

More gorgeous grey interiors here, here and here...

I'm so happy to be in London with my girls for a few days visiting family and re-charging my batteries, are you up to anything fun for half-term?

Have a lovely day!

A striking family home in Melbourne

Beautiful homes in Melbourne, Australia are popping up left, right and centre right now. But this home, recently featured on the Style Files is extra special as it's been nominated for the 2014 Austalian Design Awards. Designed by Robson Rak in collaboration with Made by Cohen, this Edwardian house in Elwood has been transformed into a contemporary light filled family home.  The look is simple and elegant with a mainly black and white theme throughout and yet the space retains a cosy and relaxed vibe. So lovely!

Robson Rak with Made By Cohen

Wow, what a home! Is it just or me or could you imagine this space ever looking messy?!

The one thing that really stands out to me are the window nooks. Those empty spaces by a window usually taken up by a radiator can in fact be the best places in a house to sip a coffee while looking out over the street / countryside beyond, or to read a magazine in the amazing natural light. I love nooks so much I even started a Pinterest board dedicated to them here! Something else for my home in addition to the yellow we talked about yesterday?!

Anything stand out to you in particular?

I've shown my fair share of beautiful Australian homes on my scandinavian home including the modern look here, bohemian here and vintage inspired here!

You could always take a peek at the many stunning homes featured over at Australin blog Design Files too.

Have a wonderful day!

The bright and happy home of a Dutch blogger

I love a unique home. One where you can immediately tell something about the owner when you walk in (or see the home tour in a post!).  That's why I love the home of Dutch blogger Marlous Snijder (also founder of Oh Marie! magazine),  shot by Holly Marder for her 'Homes with Heart' column on Decor8. This home certainly has heart, and bags of it. I love the pops of colour, the quirky touches, and the slightly bohemian feel. I could hang out here all day drinking tea. How about you?! 

Home Marlous Snijder. Photography: Holly Marder. Decor8. 

How cute is the 'This morning, with her, having coffee, Johnny Cash' art?! One to get custom made through Geek Chic Prints?!

I think what I love most about this home are the bright bursts of yellow, such a cheerful colour to add to a home don't you think? One day I'll be brave enough to add a pop of yellow to my own home and when I do I'll also be taking my inspiration from this and this home. 

A SMEG fridge always goes down well too...!

Is there anything you love in particular about this home? 

More wonderful Dutch homes here, here and here (in case you missed them!). 

Have a lovely day!

HAVE A FEEL !!!! ……….

October has been Breast Cancer Awareness month for quite a few years now but, this year, I haven't heard so much about it, so I thought that I give everyone a gentle reminder  { men as well as women } to get them out and have a little rummage around just to make sure that all's well in that area !!

Just popped that one in to remind the men { …. and as a memory training course for me !!!! }

image 1: via pinterest Mario Testino, image 2: via crush cul de sac, image 3: via daily mail, image 4: via elephant journal, image 5: via night tattoo, image 6: via dustjacket attic, image 7: via soulstratum, image 8: via the star 

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!