The charming home of a Swedish designer

Keeping it real on a Friday with this lovely, relaxed home and studio of Swedish designer Emma Von Brömsson, husband and three children. It's no wonder that someone who designs patterns for fabric, wallpaper, and products for the likes of House of Rym and Svenskt Tenn has a charmingly creative home full of vintage finds, unique pieces, pretty patterns and greenery. Perfect inspiration for the weekend, wouldn't you say?

Styling: Johanna Bradford. Photography: Kristin Lagerqvist

What a lovely home! The combination of blue and white gives it a real Swedish touch - accentuated by the pair of traditional clogs and Swedish Hasbeens of course!

Is there anything that stands out to you?

I love the relaxed way in which it's be captured for Lovely Life too, you can see more of Emma's pretty home here (see other home tours in a similar style here and here). Is this your kind of look?

For more weekend inspiration, there's oodles of images in my archives: Danish homes,  Norwegian homes, Finnish homes, Swedish homes and International homes. Warning - there are litereally hundreds of homes so get comfy and pour yourself a big old cup of tea first!

I hope you have a wonderful couple of days, see you Monday!

PS I spy the safari daybed....oh how I'd love one of those!

A Swedish artist's home in a former school house

When you go on holiday do you sometimes have a fleeting moment where you wonder if you should move there permanently?! Whether it's the Gothenburg archipelago in Sweden, Cornwall on the SouthWest coast of England or even the French Alps, I start imagining what life would be like year-round.  Sadly I've yet to follow this dream. However, Swedish glass artist Gunnel Sahlin has done exactly that.  Gunnel and her husband were looking for a summer cottage back in the 1990's and were so mesmerised by the former school house with it's beautiful light-filled rooms and incredible vistas that it eventually became their year-round home and Gunnar's atelier. One look around the house with it's high ceilings, original features and relaxed feel and I understand why, how about you?

Photography: Martin Löf shared with kind permission. Elle Decoration. Found via House of C with thanks.

What a lovely, realxed home?!

I love all the vintage and antique finds, muted blues and greys and the art on the bedroom wall.

I'm also in love with that bathroom - where we're staying right now doesn't have one and I'm missing my long baths - they're my sanctuary! More dreamy bathroom inspiration here, here and here.

Is there anything you love about this home?

More beautiful Swedish country homes include the magnificent Dalarna home of Ylva Skarp, the boho home and studio of a Swedish artist and the striking monochrome home of a photographer. Time to move to the country?! 

 Have a lovely day!

PS last day to enter The Youngters give-away!

A truly idyllic Swedish 'kolonistuga' (allotment cottage)

With July just around the corner Swedes across the country are gearing up for the summer vacation. Some will go abroad, some to summer cottages. And some wile away the long days at a 'kolonistuga'; a small cottage on an allotment. This pretty, pared-back kolonistuga just outside Gothenburg, belongs to Elin Lannsjö and her boyfriend Viktor who enjoy relaxing summers bare-foot, tending to their garden and entertaining friends.  When it comes to decorating, Elin relies on her gut feeling, selecting items made from natural materials such as wood, stone, cermics (including her own creations) and natural colours. What a truly idyllic space! Could you spend your summer here?

Lovely Life: Styling Johanna Bradford. Photography Kristin Lagerqvist

Oh so lovely, don't you think?

Sadly we can't all have a Swedish 'kolonistuga' but the great thing is we can create a wall of chopping boards, straw hats or anything else that takes our fancy (do you have a collection gallery wall?). I also love the Thonet chairs painted in matt black leaving only the tip of the legs in natural wood - this trick could be used to spruce up flee market finds or items at home you've grown tired of (remember these beds and side table legs painted in neon?!). There's always Pretty Pegs too. I see a potential DIY project for the weekend, do you? And it's only Monday! 

See more images and read about this lovely home here (in swedish).

Other home tours beautifully captured by Kristin and Johanna include the boho home and atelier of a Swedish artist and a relaxed space with floaty linens. Or if you're after more 'kolonistuga' inspiration - how about this one?!

Have a great start to the week!

An idyllic Swedish summer cottage in Orust

With preperations under way in Sweden for one of the biggest events of the calendar year - midsummer's eve, I thought it would be apt to show a pretty former sea captain's cottage over looking the beautiful Gothenburg archipelego, on Sweden's west coast. What a perfect spot this would be to enjoy the longest day of the year: sing, eat and dance around a maypole with family and friends, don't you think?

55 Kvadrat. Photography: Anders Bergstedt

Just so idyllic!

And guess what...it's for sale! How incredibly tempting! Could you spend your summer's here?

More pictures and the complete details here.

The Gothenburg archipelago is one of my favourite places in the world, it's absolutely stunning. My family and I have spent many incredible summers sailing around the islands. Do let me know if you ever visit and I can give you some tips.

More Scandinavian summer cottage tours here if I've got you in the mood (this one might come up first so just scroll passed). 

Don't miss my mini midsummer's eve guide tomorrow...wild flowers at the ready!

Have a lovely day!

A pared-back Swedish summer home on Gotland

Oooo, it's Friday and it feels like the summer's finally arrived here in Sweden - wooohooo! When it comes to Swedish summer time - a pared-back lifestyle is the way to go. Many like to retreat to a summer cottage for up to 4 weeks to make the most of the long summer days and surrounding nature. This home of a Swedish actor and comedian on the beautiful island of Gotland is a fine example, although a little bigger than most! It's made up of several buildings which allow friends and family to come and go and it's decorated with a lovely no-frills approach. And guess what? it's for sale! Could. You. Imagine? Gotland anyone?!


 

All Photography: Mats Hemlin / Bertwig fastighetsförmedling

Could you wile away a summer with family and friends in this cottage? If so, you might want to see the full tour here....

Other Gotland homes I absolutely love include this former lighthouse keeper's cottage, the boho home of a Swedish fashion photographer and the idyllic stone cottage of a stylist / photographer.

Got to love Gotland!

In case you're in the mood for a little Scandinavian summer cottage inspiration today (hey, the sun's shining, it's Friday, why not?!) you might want to check out all the summer cottages / Swedish cottages and rural retreats I've squirreled away over the years. 

Roll on the long summer holidays..are you up to anything fun?

Don't forget tomorrow I'm holding an exciting weekend give-away so pop back if you have the time, I think you're going to absolutely love the prize. 

Have a lovely day!