Shades of grey in a small living space

Good morning, and happy Monday!! I hope you had a great weekend? It's finally stopped raining here (it's been raining for a week). Guh! It's still grey though so I thought, why not embrace it? After all, there's something kind of cosy about bringing the grey interiors, don't you think? This Swedish space has been decorated using shades of grey and a touch of black and white. It's actually quite incredible as it's only 38 metres square in total. The use of the space is so impressive. I often get questions asking where the storage is in the homes I show. Not here, look at that wardrobe! I also love the use of windows to divide up the different living areas. Great inspiration for anyone that's tight on space!

Skandia Mäklarna via Trendenser and Anna Gillar

A few items I know and love. Flos 265 wall light, HAY tray table, chunky moss knit blanket, sheepskin throw, Eames side chair. Dark grey bedding, black Muuto dot coat hooks.

Small space take-aways from this apartment: The same task light can be used for the sitting area and the dining area since it can be easily be swung round. The dining table is extendable for when they have guests. The coffee tables can also be used as side tables. Closed cupboard doors means the space looks less cluttered. The use of windows instead of doors to divide rooms means that light still filters through. a curtain in the bedroom can be drawn across for privacy / hide an unmade bed! The same colour theme throughout (greys and brass) give the space coherence, Anything else you notice?

What do you think of grey?

Have a lovely day!

Small space inspiration: a lovely Swedish apartment

It's the weekend. woohoo! It's a special one in our home as my youngest turns 4! She's asked to go horse riding for her birthday so we'll be heading out into the forest with a few friends. I'm so looking forward to it as the leaves are just starting to turn red and yellow and the forest floor is lined with mushrooms and toadstools. Such a lovely time of year! Before I head off I wanted to share this lovely home with you (for sale here). Believe it or not it's only 41 metres square with the sitting room, sleeping area and home office combined in one room. Despite the limitations there's something very calm and uncluttered about it. Perfect inspiration for a small living area don't you think?

Entrance styled by Karin.

I especially love the office area. Is there anything that stands out to you?

For more small space inspiration check out the archive - warning, there's quite a few so you may want to pour yourself a coffee first!

Have you got any plans for the weekend? Taking it easy? Decorating? Walk along the beach? Kite flying? Wild night out? Would love to hear your plans and what you do in your part of the world.

Have a great couple of days and see you Monday!

Beautifully Small - clever ideas for compact spaces

I love an interiors book. And I was especially excited to come across Beautifully Small styled and written by Sara Emslie. We all know how tricky it can be to decorate a small living space, and Beautifully Small is teeming with lovely interior images, each one illustrating clever tips and creative ideas on how to make a small living space both practical and beautiful. I had the pleasure of meeting the book's photographer Rachel Whiting when she came to shoot my home in Sweden for 'Design Bloggers at Home' last year and I can safely say she is as lovely as she is talented. Here's a sneak peek of Beautifully Small.

I think I might have to buy a few of my friends this for Christmas, what a great idea for a book?

Beautifully Small by Sara Emslie, photography by Rachel Whiting, published by Ryland Peters and Small rrp: 19.99 GBP.

Have a lovely day!

A serene home in neutrals and dusty hues.

Hello! I hope you've had a great start to the week?! Today I'm inspired by a home decorated in neutrals, muted pastels, grey and white. The use of soft textiles throughout also work to create a relaxed. homely feel. It's actually a fairly small space (53 metres square) but the owners /designers have made clever use of every inch. What a lovely home!

Stadshem via Planete Deco with thanks

Just like in yesterday's home, I can see so many pieces I love  - Sitting room: rug similar to the one shown in this fabulous home from private0204,  Gubi mirror. Bedroom: Felt ball rug, linen bedding and Hay boxes. Dining area: Bumling light. Office: Tivoli radio, Eames DAW chair. Hallway: Vitra Hang it All.

Anything in particular you love about this home?

Have a lovely day! 

A small space with a big personality

I spotted this Gothenburg apartment over at Stadshem this morning and I thought - ooooo. It's perhaps not everyone's cup of tea but there's something about the black leather sofa, plants and cool art and mid-century mix that I love (as you know I'm a big fan of Scandinavian mid-century in my own home). It's also sightly off beat - the rug is askew, they have used a reclaimed stool as a coffee table and simply piled books on the floor for a more relaxed feel. It's hard to believe that it's a one room flat too!

Stadshem via Coco Lapine with thanks

What do you like most about this space?

It's not an easy look to replicate since many of the items are one off finds. However, second hand black leather sofas are often coming up on Lauritz or LiveAuctioneers and you can search for portrait paintings on Etsy.

If you're in or near Malmö there are some great places to pick up mid-century pieces - once a month Nirvana opens it's doors, and they also have an online shop. If you get lucky you can also pick up cool pieces at Sopstationen (this is my ruse to get you to Malmö! I hope it's working?!).

I hope you have a fab Thursday! 

A pretty Stockholm space in pastels

The sitting room in this Stockholm apartment is so pretty. I love the pastel palette and the beautiful way it's been styled for the shoot by Maria Kangärde and Jessica Silver Saga for Fantastic Frank. The rest of the apartment is pretty lovely too and amazing how the owners have made a relatively small living space look so light and airy. It's located in Södermalm, a borough in Sweden's capital city known for it's rugged terrain and diverse shopping and entertainment  In other words, it's very a cool place to live. I could pad around here on a Thursday could you?

I spy the Muuto stacked shelving system, the Tulip table and a handbag very similar to my terracotta one from (one of my favourite high street stores) Cos (see this beautiful one by Dorayaky too).

For more pastel inspiration check out this label (such pretty spaces!).

Thank you so much for all your suggestions yesterday for somewhere to stay in the Dordogne this summer, I hope some of you make it to the fab camper in Nashville too (and if you do let us know what it's like!).

Have a lovely day!

A converted merchant builder's garage in Melbourne

Hello Monday! And what a rainy one it is here in Sweden too. But that's OK - I've got a wonderful studio home tour to brighten up our mornings. Designed by interior architects Hearth, this space in Melbourne, Australia has been transformed from a merchant builder's garage into a spacious and light home with views out over the gum trees. Many of the pieces you see including the windows, doors, bench tops, lighting and even the sink were salvaged second hand. Which just goes to show you don't need to spend a fortune to have a fabulous home.

Hearth, Melbourne, Australia. Photography: Lauren Bamford

It's incredible what you can do with a small space isn't it? But is this your type of interior?

You can find more small space apartment inspiration here, here and here (such clever solutions!).

Oh and I published a rare post on Saturday featuring an a-ma-zing Swedish home-tour (I would hate for you to miss it!!). And next Saturday I have such an exciting give-away on here open to you all - I can't disclose the prize just yet but I can say that it's made from classic Danish craftsmanship with a cheeky twist! Ooooo, intriguing.....?!

I hope you have a wonderful start to the week and see you tomorrow!