The winner of the signed print by Maike Kristina Harich is....

Congratulations to Solstice Night, you have won a framed and signed print of your choice in size 20 x 20 cm by German artist Maike Kristina Harich. And also to Anna Papageorge, the winner of a set of three cards with hand drawn daisies. Please send me a mail so we can get your shipping details. Thank you so much to everyone who entered! Maike's lovely prints and cards are for sale here. 

This competition is now closed.

Beautiful snapshots of a home in The Hague

Last night I discovered the blog Saar Manche and was blown away by the beautiful pictures. I quickly e-mailed the owner: Saar and asked if it would be OK to share a few of them with you today. This is a small sample of the images she has captured of her home, which she shares with her husband and three children. Her lovely blog also regularly features her illustrations and paintings as well as magical family life in The Hague, Holland.

Saar Manche - with kind permission. Thanks to Toc Toc Vintage for the introduction. 

Although these are angles rather than complete room shots they still paint a picture of the relaxed feel of family life in Saar's Dutch home.

I was interested to see greenery in many of the images she takes, whether in terms of fern fronds pinned to the wall, wild flowers in vases or floral head wreaths on her children. A girl after my own heart (I have an entire Pinterest board dedicated to this!).

While looking at today's home tour I was reminded of new sponsor - Kær (a Danish word describing the space we inhabit between nature and home: beautiful, simple and calm. Founder and owner Marianne grew up in Denmark and if she was ever sad as a child her mother would say 'go outside and look at something beautiful'. Marianne took this advice with her to Brooklyn and the pillows, throws and 100 % linen personalizable table cloths she sells in her online shop are designed to bring the outside in.

We're flying back to Sweden today after a lovely break in London. it's always sad to leave, especially when the sun's shining. Do you live a long way from home?

Have a lovely day!

Easter give-away: win a print of your choice!

Thank you so much for taking the time to enter. I'm thrilled to announce the winner....Debbie, Greece. If you weren't lucky this time don't worry, there'll be another fab give-away soon - watch this space!

To celebrate Easter, I've teamed up with one of my favourite Swedish artists Elina Dahl, to offer you the chance to win a fab print of your choice from her online shop. For inspiration, you can see examples dotted around Elina's lovely former home (one of my most popular home tours of all time no less, you can see why!). It's soooo quick to enter too - find out how below.

All images: Elina Dahl, shared with kind permission.

How to enter:

1. Visit Elina Dahl's shop and take a look around. 

2. Comment below which print you would most like to win and why

And that's it! The competition is open to everyone until Monday, 6th April 2015, Midnight GMT. The winner will be announced on Tuesday 7th April 2015 here on this post so make sure you pop by to see if it's you!

Terms & Conditions

You must be age of majority in your country of residence. We are not responsible for any duties, import taxes that you may incur. Only 1 entry per person. 

Wishing you a very happy Easter!

The lovely home and atelier of an artist

This Friday I'm part of the  'Makers Spaces' blog tour, a new book by Emily Quinton. And it got me thinking about the wonderful creative spaces people live and work in. Johanna Bradford  and Kristin Lagerqvist shot this simply beautiful home and atelier in Varberg on Sweden's West coast a while back. With a sea-view on one side and forests on the other, it's the perfect place for Lisa Burenius to paint and enjoy life with her family - Petter and Eddie. The artist describes her interior style as 1930's with a personal twist, and loves to surround herself with personal objects, books and ceramics. Her advice is to 'listen to the house and trust your instinct. A home should be personal and warm, it should tell a story about who you are'. I feel her home is a perfect example of this, don't you?

 

Stylist: Johanna Bradford (with kind permission). Photographer: Kristin Lagerqvist

It's wonderful to see an entirely unique home where the personality shines through. It's got soul.

Lisa has some great ideas too - I love the way the books have been arranged so that some are facing outwards and piled high. I also like the simplicity of the fern leaves in jam jars and the retro set of garden furniture outside. All in all, a truly inspiring home.

What do you love most about this space?

You can see more pictures here if you'd like. 

It's well worth checking out Lisa's website  too- I love the video showing her at work in the atelier.  Her work is available here.

I often dip into the art studio archive for ideas. And my office Pinterest board has oodles of work space inspiration. Hey, if we've gotta work we might as well make it pretty, don't you think?

Have a lovely day!

PS do you have a wonderful maker's space I can share on the blog this week? If so, drop me a mail!