A beautiful Swedish space in calm greys

I've found a way to beat the Monday blues - bring on the greys! This home is the absolute picture of calm with it's all grey colour pallette. And looking at the home tour you'd never guess it's only 25 metres square (270 feet square) - which is itsy bitsy! So what's the trick? Joanna Bagge has decorated it with the same colour theme throughout which gives the space a sense of coherence, the sofa cushions are stored under the sofa-bed by night - ready for the daytime transformation. The dining table is extendable for guests. Wall to ceiling wardrobes have been installed the entire length of the hallway, and the entire home is clutter free. And I bet there's a TV hiding in that lovely cupboard - what do you reckon? Wonderful inspiration for anyone living in a small space or loving grey today!

Stadshem: Photography: Jonas Berg Styling: Joanna Bagge

I could kick of the week here, how about you?

I see they've got a book on noma - one of the world's finest restaurants, in Copenhagen. Oh how I'd love to go! Have you been?

Other details I love - the fresh bunch of peonies on the chair ('tis the season - yay!), the bentwood Thonet chairs. Miro miro  mirror.  Angle cushions / pillow. Hay gym hook (used as towel hook), House Doctor shelves with brass fittings. Hay Bent Wood mirror, Pina low table and beech tote bag (in hallway). Hay work lamp in brass. Artecnica Trianen pendant light. Soft linen bedding. Try Strong White for a similar floor colour.

If you're after more grey inspiration today I'm loving this Stockholm pad, a fabulous all grey Australian home and a small Swedish space.

Have a lovely start to the week!

Peek inside the world's smallest luxury home

....And it's fab too! The brainchild of Tiny Heirloom, this super cool custom home on wheels, was handcrafted in Portland, Oregon with an aim for people to have the freedom to enjoy a little luxury and then be able to pass it on to the next generation. Beautifully built with everything you could possibly need (and a pretty cool interior to boot), home is literally where you park it!

How fantastic? Could you take off in one of these?

Where shall we head first...?

It reminds me of previous fabulous homes on wheels I've featured- including this alternative garden shed (so cute!),  an out house retreat in Nashville (available on AirBnB) and a vintage caravan (available to rent), who needs a real house anyway?

And do you remember the girl who renovated her garden shed into a work studio and then loved it so much she moved in and rented her house so she could pursue her art full time?!  And it seems there's a load more people following suit - you can read more about the tiny house movement here if you'd like. Makes sense? I also love '8 reasons I love life in a small house'.

I once surprised my husband with a stay at the world's smallest hotel in Copenhagen, Central Hotel og Café, it's honestly the greatest place I've ever stayed! It had a tiny reception with one key hanging on a hook for the one room, outside two bikes were waiting for us (do you remember the beautiful home of one of the girls who works there?).

While researching for today's post I discovered a lorry load of inspiring blogs dedicated to tiny houses including: tiny house swoon,  tiny house blog, small house big adventure.

I have to admit, I feel so inspired by today's post, it makes me feel I could live on our little sail boat and travel the world after all....

Have a lovely day! 

Using mirrors to solve decorating problems

Sometimes I have to remind myself of the power of mirrors to solve common decorating problems.   Here are seven  fantastic uses of mirrors that might not be on your radar.

1. To reflect light

This is one great space for a number of reasons, but the mirrors make it in my opinion.  Not only do they break up a dark wall and provide height to match the window, they reflect light in what might otherwise be a blah room.

2. To create a window in a windowless room 

There are often sections of a space that are dark and windowless.  Mirrors can give the illusion of a window and light without having to make architectural changes.  In both rooms above the mirrors also add dramatic focal points.

3. Add drama to an open space

This high ceilinged space demands a large scale treatment.  This mirror fills the bill when it comes to matching the scale of the space.  The choice of a lucite table ensures that the lines of the mirror remain dominant.

4. To replace art

 Sometimes a mirror when used well can replace art over a bed or mantle.  In this space the sculptural light is reflected in the mirror,  providing an interesting visual focus.

5. To highlight art/collections

6. To create impact 

 One of the best ways to create impact is through repetition.  Imagine the scene above if you just has three or four mirrors.

7. To balance large windows 

I love how the mirror is large scale, soft with its rounded top, and the height relates well to the window.  The gold relates to the lamps and the table which also mimics the rounded top of the mirror.

I am definitely interested in any solution that helps balance heights/scale  in a room.  One of the best things about this mirror treatment is how it relates to the window next to it and the furniture in the space.   You read the fireplace and mirrors as one unit. The fireplace alone is small and delicate.  Keeping the mirror frame lighter and gold helps it to relate to the other furnishings in the space.

Seven reasons why you should have a mirror in your home apart from the obvious.  Who knew? Are you a mirror lover?  I'm sad to say my mirror choices are purely functional.  What about yours?

Please find links to photos on my Pinterest board Mirrors.

Small space inspiration in monochrome

It's the weekend (almost!) and boy do I need it (more later). But first, today's home tour. Following on from what has been a bit of a black and white week, I'm taking inspiration from this monochrome space. Despite being a one room apartment the owners / designers have achieved a spacious, light and airy feel thanks to the two toned colour scheme throughout. If there's one thing I love though, it's the cactus! My grandparents had a similar one and it grew so tall they had to cut a whole through the ceiling (which became a skylight) - no joke! I've been a big fan of these prickly plants ever since, plus you rarely need to water them - what's not to love?!

Stadshem

Is there anything that stands out to you?

A few items I know and love: Thonet chairs, linen bedding, DLM side table, L:A Bruket soaps etc.

I'm so excited to introduce a sponsor today- brand new online shop Blackthumb. Founded by Nicola Fanstone after an inspiring trip to Helsinki, Blackthumb sells a smögåsbord of fab contemporary Scandinavian home and garden items including items from three of my favourite brands Sne Design (I'm in love with this felt storage basket), Ferm Living and Normann Copenhagen (dropit hook anyone?). And the good news? Blackthumb are offering readers 10% discount on any item in the shop with the code MyScandi10 until March 31st.

As mentioned above this week's been crazy. Yesterday I had a visit from TV channel Arte, and I've recently started working on a book (more info to follow at a later date) and to top it all I've also started shooting homes in Southern Sweden. It's all so exciting and what I've always dreamed of doing YAY! I just need a few days rest.... !

I hope you have some fab plans for the weekend lined up?

Have a lovely couple of days!

It all started on an unexpected trip to Helsinki, Finland. While wandering the streets on a cold spring afternoon, admiring all the beautiful and simple designs that Scandinavia is so well known for, Blackthumb was born. - See more at: http://blackthumbdecor.com/about/#sthash.wZ4hCdCE.dpuf

It all started on an unexpected trip to Helsinki, Finland. While wandering the streets on a cold spring afternoon, admiring all the beautiful and simple designs that Scandinavia is so well known for, Blackthumb was born. - See more at: http://blackthumbdecor.com/about/#sthash.wZ4hCdCE.dp

A small space in Gothenburg in neutrals

Let's visit the Swedish west coast today and this charming space-efficient small apartment in Gothenburg. The home has many of the lovely original 1920's features including wooden floor, serving cabinets and pantry. But I also like the way it's been decorated using neutrals, dusty shades of blue and touches of wood and rattan for a warm feel. I'm a big fan of Gothenburg since it's the gateway to one of my favourite places on earth: the stunning west coast archipelago with its dozens of islands and pretty fishing villages. We love to explore it by sail boat in the summer. But in the winter, I could definitely pad around here, how about you?!

 

Stadshem

Is there anything that stands out to you about this apartment?

I'm a big fan of the brass pendant over the dining table (this one is similar). Rattan is trending right now too- are you a fan? I've got a peacock chair in my bedroom which I love (they're often coming up on Etsy), do you have anything rattan in your home?

More beautiful small space inspiration can be found here. It's amazing what you can do with a little imagination.

Have a lovely day!

Back to beautiful basics - monochrome and brass in a Swedish space

Back to basics today with a monochrome space. Oh how I've missed you black and white! This small space 'one room' Swedish apartment for sale through 55Kvadrat is furnished with statement designer pieces (guide below) and black accent walls for a striking effect. Brass has been used as the accent 'colour' -whether in the form of designer lamps or accessories. It looks like it's a trend that's here to stay and I like it! Are you a fan of black, white and brass?

55Kvadrat

Small space inspiration indeed! 

A guide to where items are from: sitting room - the amazing brass lamp could be the Anders Pehrson bumling, Thonet 209 chair,  sheepskin throw, Cross blanket, DLM table, Hay cushion and Ferm Living half moon basket. For black wallpaper try Wilderness by Ferm Living. Kitchen - Thonet 214 chairs, Tulip dining table, Tom Dixon Etch Tea Light Holder in brass, 2015 scratched calendar.

Other fab homes with a monochrome and brass theme include this and this one.  And I've even added a touch to my guest room too!

Out of interest, do you go through waves of inspiration for your home? I've been through a bit of a lull but suddenly I have so many ideas for my house. Yesterday I picked up the most fab vintage Beni rug in Lund which is inspiration in itself (thanks for all your encouragement on IG!). And I'm planning some major projects in the next few weeks....watch this space!

Have a lovely day!