The serene Bergen home of Gunn Kristin Monsen

Hej! I hope you had a wonderful weekend?! It's been pouring all day here in South Sweden, but I kinda don't mind a wet Monday, do you? I mean it's better than a wet Saturday, right?! I kicked off the day with a photo shoot in my bedroom (sounds dodgy, it's not! Check out instagram stories for more if you're curious!) supported by copious amounts of coffee and the dulcet tones of my friend, Kat Healy on Spotify (she has such a beautiful voice)! Another talented lady is Gunn Kristin Monsen - a visual storyteller and lifestyle photographer based in Bergen, Norway. You only have to look at Gunn's beautiful Instagram feed to get an idea of her work and innate sense of style (she also has a lovely blog). Gunn frequently shares snapshots of her home which has been decorated in soft blue and grey tones and white to reflect the lake it overlooks.  She kindly gave me permission to share a few of them on My Scandinavian Home today.  Enjoy!

All photography: Gunn Kristin Monsen

How lovely! There's something poetic about Gunn's photography. I love that there's flower theme throughout  (look closely and you'll spot one on the bed too...).

Is there anything that stands out to you?

If you'd like to see a little more Norwegian home inspiration today, don't miss this archive (as always, if this pops up first just scroll passed!).

Have a great start to the week!

PS I'm gearing up to several press interviews with US newspapers this afternoon which have been set up ahead of the launch of the US & Canadian version of my new book Lagom: The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life tomorrow - so exciting! Better go and prepare (one's a podcast!).

Snapshots from a beautiful Swedish family home

I always find it incredible just how many beautiful feeds there are on Instagram, don't you? One of my latest faves is Swedish lifestyle photographer Emily Slott - who shares the most beautiful images of her family and their home on Instagram and over on her blog at The Happy Hill (lovely name for a shop!). It's safe to say Emily has the most impeccable taste - plumping for simple earthy tones and soft, natural textures. Stonewashed linens, antique finds and in-season flowers play a central role in the happy and relaxed family home. Let's take a peek...

Photography / interior design: Emily Slott

That light! - And just how pretty is the traditional children's bedroom?

Is there anything that stands out to you?

Get the look: dining room - Z1 pendant light, Bentwood chairs. Sitting room - Bemz sells linen slipcovers for IKEA sofas (see mine here!). Source similar stonewashed linen cushions / pillows here. Kitchen: POLPO book, L:A Bruket hand & body wash. Children's bedroom: bed canopy (how pretty is the 'powder' one?!),  origami mobile, Jute floor mat, chunky knit blanket. 

You can also source some beautiful items with this look and feel over at The Happy Hill (in Swedish).

Oh and if you're planning a wedding - you must check out the pics of Emily's wedding which was set in the Swedish countryside - so magical?! I included a guide on how to create a Swedish style wedding (and hen /stag do) in my new book Lagom: The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life - (soon available in Portuguese, German, French and Czech! eeeeee!). I hope you find it helpful!


Have a lovely day!

PS I'm just packing for a three day Arctic sailing trip in Northern Norway with three girlfriends (including my sister Cas). Sooooo excited! Feels weird packing beanies, buffs and gloves at this time of the year, but feeling very intrepid! I'll be sharing updates over on Instagram stories if you're curious! In the meantime, I will of course be doing my best to bring you daily home tours (I've got some really exciting ones lined up!). Hejdå for now!

A beautiful, relaxed Swedish country home

Hej hej! Its my second day here in the Hudson Valley - and all going well (promise I'll be able to reveal all soon!). It's such a beautiful part of the world, have you been? I've been once before to photograph a couple of homes for my first book Modern Pastoral and so excited to be back! I do love country homes with a modern twist no matter where in the world. This home in Borås, West Sweden, for example, is so inspiring!  It belongs to Swedish interior stylist and blogger Johanna Flyckt Gashi, husband Luzim and their three children, and has been furnished with an amazing blend of vintage, flea market finds, handmade pieces and lots of art which makes the home a truly warm and inviting. Let's take a tour...

Photography / styling: Johanna Flyckt Gashi - shared with kind permission.  

I love how this space is instantly recognisable as Johanna's home. She's got such a unique style which stands the test of time (I showed her home a few years ago here  and I think it looks equally good then as it does today, don't you reckon?!).

Get the look from Johanna's wonderful home: Sitting room - pick up a vintage metal folding chair here, mustard coloured throw, source a vintage black scissor lamp here. Bedroom - I love this pale grey stonewashed bed linen (and it's in the sale too!).

If you're doing up a country home (or actually, just want to wile away an hour or so - and why not I say?!)  kick back and enjoy this lovely archive (makes me want to move to the country - how about you?!).

Have a lovely day!

A beautiful Swedish apartment in the attic

Tjohoo! I've got a feeling this is going to be a great weekend! Tomorrow I'm heading off on a road trip to Denmark with my Danish friend Daphne to shoot a wonderful home - so excited! I hope to be able to share it with you next week! Have you got any fun plans? Before we all get carried away by the fact that it's FRIDAY (woohoo!) I've got a really gem of a home to share with you. This lovely space is a lesson in creating a stunning light-filled home in the attic!  Measuring a mere 60 metres square (645 feet square)- what it lacks in size it makes up for in style. Look out for the clever space saving tricks such as the narrow table in the hallway, and the way they've used an open-plan design, dividing windows, white washed walls and light wood floors to lighten up the living space.

Photography: Anders Bergstedt. For sale through Entrance Mäkleri.

What a wonderful space, don't you think?

I love how the sofa is placed on the diagonal - something you don't always think about when planning a room (the desk in the Italian holiday home I featured yesterday was also placed in the same way - although there were a few fun comments here, asking why it wasn't facing out towards the fabulous view! I can't help thinking I'd only day-dream had it been facing outwards.Which way would you have it?).

Get the look: bedroom - source a beni ourain rug here, I love this lavender linen duvet cover, these wall lamps are similar. Dining area: the bowl is from the JASSA collection by IKEA.

Check out loads more small space inspiration here. 

Right, better get ready for that shoot tomorrow. Denmark here I come!

Have a wonderful weekend and see you Monday! 

A 19th century Swedish home with an outdoor oasis

I'm curious - what would you say the best thing about summer is? For me, it's the time spent outdoors. I love how you can throw the doors and windows open in the morning and stride around barefoot all day. We have a very small backyard, which does the trick (on the whole) but when I spotted this Swedish home which went out on the market this week it was hard to not jump straight in the car and head over for a viewing! Located in Landskrona, here on the south west coast of Sweden, the late 19th century house belongs to designer and architect Robin Berkhuizen (if you don't already follow Robin on Instagram, you must!). The white property has been beautifully renovated to reveal original brickwork and beams while at the same time transforming the interior into the magnificent family home it is today. And just look at that outdoor oasis?!

Credits: home-owner / designer: Robin Berkhuizen  / For sale through Fastighetsbyrån.Thank you for the tip Pella Hedeby!

Could you imagine living here? I think I need to have words with the man when he gets home!

You can see more pics of this magical home over on Robin's instagram feed and find out more information about the sale here.

Oh and on an entirely separate note - you may have noticed some changes going on around here with my blog design! I felt it was time for a subtle refresh and am working with the talented Ana Dagenaar of Blog Milk Design to give My Scandinavian Home a little bit of a face lift. There may be some disturbances over the next few days - but I hope it should all be up and running by the end of the week. Do let me know if you spot anything strange, you're missing anything or simply have a thought about the design you would like to share. I'm all ears! Thank you!

Have a lovely day!

PS I thought you might be interested to hear the wonderful blogger / colour trend specialist Gudy Herder is holding a give-away to win a copy of my book, The Scandinavian Home: Interiors inspired by light - open to European readers!