A Warm and Inviting Boho-style LA home

Hello there! I hope you had a great weekend?! I've got a feeling we're going to rock this week - don't you? Even so I feel like taking a bit of a casual approach and I can't seem to get enough of the  relaxed, boho style right now (must check out this London home and the cosy home of a Berlin blogger if you missed them last week).  The style I'm referring to is a perfectly imperfect, personal living space characterised by white washed walls, an abundance of warm wood, layers of texture, vintage finds, one-off handcrafted pieces and a lorry load of plants! The lovely LA home of art director and creative producer Alison Brislin fits the bill perfectly! Let's take a tour...

Photography: Alison Brislin

Don't you think Ali's home looks so warm and inviting?

The window blinds look a little like fans, don't you think?  - love that!

I also love that if you look closely, you'll see lots of interesting pottery, wall hangings and prints - many of which have been made by local independent craftspeople (more info below!).

Get the look: Sitting room - natural flatwoven rug, ceramics by Heather Levine, Josephine Noel, group partner (these are fab!) and bkb ceramics, cactus print (above record player) by Kate Miss, white sheepskin throw. Check- Urban Outfitters vinyl storage cabinet. Bedroom - Don Freedman sells wall hangings like the one in the bedroom, source a small mid-century side-table like this here.

Is there anything that catches your eye?

If you'd like to see a little more of Ali's home and her life out and about in the LA area check out her Instagram feed here - so inspiring!  You can also check out her latest projects here.

Have a great start to the week! 

A beautiful home with earthy tones and natural materials

It's nearly the weekend - eeeeee! Any great plans?! It's going to be kinda low key around here. This evening we're off to visit my parents-in-law who live in a small fishing village further up the coast. It's a beautiful place, with coastal walks and open countryside. OK, I relent - the Iittala outlet, fabulous Höganäs saluhall (food hall) and Magasin 36 is also just down the road - I might just tip toe out for an hour or two! Speaking of beautiful items for the home - I came across a new Instagram feed earlier on in the week and was completely bowled over - do you follow Anna Cor? Berlin based Anna is a Visual Storyteller - with specialist skills in photography, styling and creative direction and her instagram feed is teeming with the most beautiful images  - including snapshots from her serene home, super cute children (and the most charming kids clothing), food and travel. There's a classic, pared-back touch to everything she turns her hand to - and an emphasis on subtle changes in textures and natural materials. Here's a peek inside her home.

Photography:  Anna Cor

Just how serene is Anna's home?  I love the combination of earthy tones in blue, grey, and pink and natural textures such as pure wood and linen. How about you?

Looking at the tags, I was happy to note that Anna works with many bespoke pieces which have been handmade by small, independent craftspeople (as well as the odd Scandinavian brand). Here's a quick round-up on where things are from:

sitting room - wooden coffee table by By spielplatz. dining room - stonewashed linen tablecloth, bedroom - crinkle bedspread (love this) wooden tray from The Oakmen, ball vase by Catcooee. children's room - rose Milkway bedding by Ferm Living (I also love this rabbit bedding set too - so cute!), ceramic vase by Anna Diekman (check out her page!), spotted black and white bag from Liilu, wooden rack with hooks from Granit.

Anna's home is kind of a soothing way to end the week don't you think? I hope it's given you a little inspiration for your home too?!

If you love Anna's style you might be interested to hear she runs styling and photography workshops - the next one is with Simona Hawlisch (who also has an inspiring instagram feed!) and is centred around the theme of winter and Christmas (it sounds amazing!). You can find more information about it here.

Have a wonderful couple of days - and see you Monday!

PS If you'd like to vote for My Scandinavian Home in the Domino Design Blog Awards - where I was thrilled to be selected as a semi-finalist in the category 'Best International Design Blog'!, I'd be so happy (you can vote once a day...). It's also a great place to find out about other blogs you might like to follow - all of which are truly inspiring!

A Mid-century Inspired Home with Beautiful Light

Originally from London, I get so excited when I come across a home from the Big Smoke  - and even more so when it's really lovely! Owned by Louis Hagen Hall and Catherine Verna Bentley - the creative duo behind architecture and interior design practice Bentley Hagen Hall - the super charming space is filled with unique treasures, mid-century pieces, plants and the most wonderful light (beautifully captured by India Hobson for Haarkon). Let's take a peek...

 

Photography:  India Hobson for Haarkon

I absolutely love this space - it's kind of homely and bohemian but with a hint of Scandinavian modern. I wasn't surprised to see that one of the pair has Norwegian heritage.

Is there anything you love in particular about this space?

Take a look at a load more pictures and read more about this beautiful home here. 

If you're after a similar look in your own home a few of these items will put you in good stead (unless of course you're UK based and can draft in the help from Bentley Hagen Hall- now wouldn't that be wonderful?!): pick up a mid-century side-cabinet here,  I love these Moroccan rugs. Source a vintage architect's swivel chair here, this white sheepskin is similar to the one on the windowsill.

I'm guessing I'm not alone in wondering where the brass pendant ceiling light is from - any ideas? UPDATE: This is the CVL Saturn brass pendant light and was sold by John Lewis a few years back but seems like it's no longer available (thank you Anon.).

If you love this home, you'll also like foodie Anna Jones' home in the same neck of the woods - so fab!

And finally - I am thrilled to see My Scandinavian Home has been selected as a semi-finalist in the first ever Domino magazine design awards in the category 'Best International Design Blog' yaaaay! It's all happening here if you fancy casting your vote (it only takes a second and I'd be so so happy!).

Have a lovely day!

PS looking to save your pennies this autumn?! The Swedish philosophy of Lagom is your answer (so says this piece in the Readers Digest - they might just have read it somewhere...?!).

PPS happy Diwali to all my Hindu friends out there! 

A 1960's bungalow gets a make-over

How about something a little different today? The interior design brief behind this 1960's bungalow in Holland was to create somewhere humble and back to basic - preferably with a hint of a holiday feel. Dutch designers Studio Slow (you might recognise the name from this fab workspace tour) hit the spot using an abundance of pure materials to create a living space which is characterised by its lack of  doors and large windows which flood the space with light. The result is a warm and inviting family home - with a lovely unique and personal touch.

Photos courtesy of Studio Slow.

What a great space! I know it's only a small part of the design but I love the kitchen sink curtain - it ties in nicely with the 'back-to-basic' vibe and yet also adds a soft touch to the space.

Is there anything that catches your eye?

Get the look: office space - Eames wire chair, Octo pendant light. dining area - tulip table and the DCW chair is similar. Kitchen - pick-up beautiful vintage chopping boards here, vintage school poster. Update - the Copenhagen poster by Ferm Living can be found here!

If you'd like to see a little more interior inspiration that features lots of wood today you can always check-out this archive (I particularly like Holly's calm, natural kitchen, the cosy home of a Norwegian blogger and a converted merchant builder's garage in Melbourne.

Oh and you can see more of the residential work by the wonderful Studio Slow here (don't miss this farmhouse kitchen!).

Have a great day!

PS I don't usually talk numbers, but I was thrilled to see the My Scandinavian Home instagram feed reach 100,000 followers yesterday - weeeeeee! It's kind of exciting and yet terrifying to put yourself out there in the public sphere (I'm in awe of all the artists, musicians, writers and other creatives who do this on a daily basis). And I'd like to say a huge thank you to you all for your amazing support and for making the feed what it is (it wouldn't be anything without all your interesting comments, thoughts and ideas!). Here's to many more Instagram moments to come!

The lovely, relaxed home of a Berlin DIY blogger

Helloooo friends! I hope you had a great weekend? Here, it's been an eventful one. On Friday evening I had a live radio interview about my new Lagom book. Except I got the time difference muddled up and when they called from Montreal I had a house full of kids. In my panic I ended up whisking them out into the garden in their socks!! You can just imagine the scene). Thankfully it did get a little more relaxing after that! And now Monday morning has rolled around again (I've got a feeling we're all going to rock this week?!). Despite doing my best to embrace the chill outside (I'm wearing my Swedish Shephards as I write) I am starting to wonder how I'm going to get through the impending darkness of autumn / winter. I'm thinking plenty of DIY and crafts? What do you say? If you're thinking the same - Laetitia Delorme of Monochrome DIY, is our girl! Berlin based Laetitia describes her DIY ideas as 'a world away from chichi and sequins - everything revolves around tinkering and self-making'. Think fab minimalist brass mirrors, semi-flower wreaths and decorative ice-cubes. You only need to a snapshot of her home - as well as pictures of the home of Berliner Claudi's (see the full tour of her home here)- to see examples of how her DIY ideas blend beautifully with mid-century finds an abundance of plants. Roll on Autumn!

Photography: Laetitia Delorme / Monochrome DIY

 Photography: Claudi - Do It But Do It Now

Despite being more of a close-up / snapshot tour of each of the homes rather than the complete picture, don't you find the style to give off  the loveliest vibe?

Get the look from Laetitia and Claudi's homes: Source fab mid-century modern teak furniture here,  mirror from Sissy-Boy, these terrarium's are similar, café notice board, string shelves, Eames side chair.

If you'd like to see a little more of Laetitia's home take a peek here and Claudi's home here.

Speaking of Instagram - I'll be taking over the reigns of the HarperCollins US instagram feed today where I'll be sharing snippets from my new Lagom Book - as well as talking more about the Swedish lifestyle (which, excitingly, seems to be on everyone's lips right now - which reminds me - I need to nip out and by a cinnamon bun in a minute, purely for inspiration purposes of course....). I'd love it if you have the time to stop by and say hi (it's my first ever take-over so it'll be great to see a friendly face!).

Have a great start to the week!

PS my top ten tips to a de-cluttered home.

PPS words to live by: "Be a cactus in a world of delicate flowers"