The home of a Dutch design duo

I always think the Dutch have a wonderful sense of style which wouldn't be out of place in Scandinavia. Take this home in Eindehoven for example. It's the cheerful family home of Dutch designers Tineke Beunders and Nathan Wierink behind the brand Ontwerpduo. The couple have carefully renovated the space with whites, pretty pastels and vintage one off pieces to create a calm yet happy family home. Take a peek...

Holly Marder, Avenue Lifestyle with kind permission. For Decor8. 

How cute is the little girl?

Interestingly the house didn't have a wide enough space for a double bed so Nathan built their bed between two walls. The curtains were put up for privacy and a touch of decadence. The idea turned out to be a great one since it also means their little baby can't roll out of bed! Small space inspiration indeed!

For more pics and the full interview visit Decor8.

I've had the pleasure of meeting Holly (the photographer and stylist behind this shoot) when she came to photograph my home i the spring (images currently for sale through Holly). She's fab - so much fun and really talented.

Other fab Dutch home tours shot and styled by Holly include this, this and this one. Her beautiful bedroom has also featured on here.

Oh and excitement for today - the latest edition of SOFFA magazine - the free digital design and lifestyle magazine that's all about the very best in the world of design went live yesterday. Read the latest edition here.

Have a great day!

The Softest Throw & Other Goodies Under $200

Lazy summer (or fall or winter) days just aren't complete without couch cuddles and a cozy throw.  I found the perfect softest throw blanket at Nordstrom (Zigzag Plush Throw) when I stopped in the other day to return a pair of shoes I ordered that were too big for my son.  Have y'all ever visited the HOME section of Nordstrom?  At our store, they had a big cornhole game set up that my son played for about 20 minutes while I looked around.  When I wanted to browse a little further, I had him come with me so I could keep my eye on him.  We both were drawn to the softness of this blanket and knew it would be perfect for those couch cuddles we love.  

Zigzag Plush Throw

I think I've overlooked the home decor section at Nordstrom, because I was surprised at what stylish bedding and bathroom pieces they have.  

Studio Wallingford Soap Dispenser (online only)

Studio Wallingford Tumbler (online only)

Studio Wallingford Soap Dish (online only)

Homestead Hammered Canister Candle 

Studio Luna White Marble Soap Dispenser (online only)

Studio Luna White Marble Tissue Cover (online only)

Studio Luna White Marble Soap Dish (online only)

Waterworks Studio Perennial Combed Turkish Cotton Hand Towel (online only)

Levtex Zebra Embroidered Accent Pillow 

Folk Stripe Duvet Cover

Magnetic Chalkboard Counter Easel 

Kennebunk Home Saw Tooth Throw

PJ Salvage Elephant Pillow (the back is so cute too!)

Kennebunk Home Chevron Plush Throw

Levtex Letter Accent Pillow



Do you shop for HOME DECOR at Nordstrom?  If I had a little girl, that elephant pillow would be mine in a heartbeat. ;)  I'll be back tomorrow showing some updates to my little boy's room!

Thanks to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post!

A fabulous Swedish apartment in neutrals

Hello Monday! Finding beautiful homes on 'Hemnet' is a favourite past time and this blog wouldn't be the same without featuring at least one Swedish property for sale during the week! And have I got a fabulous one to kick off the week with! I'm not sure what I love most about this mostly white apartment  - the high ceilings and cornicing? The beautiful wood floor? Or simply the owners impeccable style and neutral colour scheme. There's just so much inspiration to be taken from this space...

Stadshem via Coco Lapine with thanks

In case you're wondering where a few of the items are from I spy: a Bertoia side chair, the DLM table, cross blanket and sheepskin throw in the sitting room, and Ferm living Half Moon basket and Thonet 209 chair at the desk the bedroom.

Such a perfect home to start the week with don't you think?! Anything in particular that inspires you?

Have a lovely Monday!

Una casa de ensueño / A dream house

A una semana de empezar mis vacaciones, lo que más me  apetece visitar son casas pensadas para relajarse 

y sobretodo en contacto con la naturaleza.

Esta villa de ensueño está diseñada por el arquitecto Alejandro Sticotti, ha combinado 

 lineas modernas con lineas escandinavas, en un singular y acertado estilo.

!Feliz lunes!

via

Gracias por tu visita ¡Vicky

Last Minute Nordstrom Sale Picks - Boots & Booties

We've already been to an early birthday pool party and now the boys are playing Power Rangers so I snuck away for a few minutes to catch up on my blog.  And then I realized that the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale ends tonight, so I placed a last minute order for three pair of boots/booties for my Fall/Winter wardrobe!  All three of these boots had still been on my mind after seeing them early on, so I figured I better take advantage of the sale prices- too good to pass up!  You know you really want something when you're still thinking about it weeks later . . . 

Louise et Cie 'Veronia' Open Toe Bootie Now $99.90, $149.95 after the sale

I don't have any open toe booties, but I adore the look with everything from shorts and skirts to pants and jeans.  The lace tie is a cute touch too.  I chose the "tiramisu" color because I already bought the black Vince Camuto 'Vala' bootie.  If I didn't already have a grey bootie, I'd get that color too!  

Enzo Angiolini 'Eero' Leather Boot Now $134.90, $199.95 after the sale

I mentioned this boot before when I first saw it and can't get the happy black/brown combo out of my mind, so it's finally coming home with me.  I'm just thinking it will be great with leggings and so many outfit options. 

Franco Sarto 'Linden' Leather Bootie Now $99.90, $149.95 after the sale

This is a great, casual everyday boot.  It's gotten great reviews and the color is really pretty.  With all the running around we do, it's good to have a go-to flat boot that can be dressed up or down and you still feel "put together" when wearing it.  

Did you make any last minute Nordstrom Sale purchases?  

A Clean Dream House

"Decoration can be life-enhancing.  It can make dinner parties more fun, kids happier, relaxing easier, talks more intimate, guests at ease.  And to think decorating is often considered frivolous.  Making a charmed and happy home is a noble endeavor." - Deborah Needlemann

When I first read that quote is resonated with me because after so many years working full-time in the professional world, it can be quite a culture shock to become a stay-at-home mom, even if you fully believe in the "work" you are doing.  Being a mom raising kids and creating a beautiful, inviting home.  I still have contract legal jobs that I work on from home and have not ruled out returning full-time to the career I worked so hard for, but for now, HOME is where I find myself and where I get the most JOY out of life.  We built this home from the ground up and, although I've learned so much along the way, this is a dreamy space that I feel so fortunate to call home.  From the airy kitchen to the comfy living room and the sanctuary bedroom, I'm really happy here.

I mentioned long ago that with our large house, I don't mind admitting I wanted/needed help keeping up with the cleaning and my friend Maria joined me in cleaning on Fridays.  She is a Godsend and truly part of our family.  We've been through life's ups and downs together and her kids and my own are like brother and sisters.  It can be overwhelming to keep a home of any size clean and okay to need help.  But, since I'm home more now, I've been taking on the cleaning responsibility and just have her come help once in a while.  She's been gone this summer, but will return and help me on the big jobs like cleaning the baseboards, cabinets, and windows.  And we get to catch up, chatting away all the while. ;) I'm the type that operates better in a clean house, it just makes me relax and feel better.  Of course, it's not always clean and organized, but I do prefer it that way. 

To clean our floors, I've had the Dyson Animal vacuum for about 7 years, and I still like it, but recently I heard about the Dyson DC59 Motorhead and I'm thinking of making the switch.  It's cordless! and a much slimmer design that our current model.  It's about a third of the weight too (4.9 pounds as opposed to 17.35 pounds).  It cleans both hardwoods (our downstairs) and carpets (upstairs in the bedrooms), so that's a great feature too.  I try to cut corners by not sweeping the downstairs with a broom when possible, just using the vacuum instead, so ours gets a LOT of use. 

I still have to carry our vacuum up the stairs and plug/unplug it, so I think the Dyson DC59 Motorhead would be better in that regard.  Have you tried it?  Any thoughts to share?



Want to WIN one?!

-------- GIVEAWAY --------

One winner will receive a Dyson DC59 Motorhead ($600 value)!

To enter the giveaway:

1)  Visit Dyson DC59 Motorhead site, and

2) Answer this question in the comments: What is your dream space and what Dyson DC59 Motorhead feature do you enjoy the most? 

Oh man, I could really use this for the car too! 

The WINNER of the Dyson DC59 Motorhead will be announced on Monday, August 18, 2014.  Good luck friends! 



CONGRATULATIONS Carla Jordan, the winner of the Dyson DC59 Motorhead!



* Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway.  The giveaway is now closed. * 

*Thank you Dyson for sponsoring this post.

A beautiful boho Mexican home

Have you ever been to Mexico? I once went backpacking there and still think about some of the beautiful places I visited today (Tulum was my all time favourite). Have you ever been? I previously wrote that this home belonged to Brittany Ambridge, this is incorrect - my apologies. The photos were taken by the talented Brittany but the home belongs to Brittney Borjeson, who also designed the space, high up in the hills of Sayalita and overlooking the Pacific. The home recently featured in Domino Magazine and the images took me straight back to my wonderful days in central America. I love the all white (of course!) but also the wistful bohemian touches. Brittany created most of the furniture herself and added natural materials in keeping with the surrounding nature. The boho look is making a big come back this autumn and winter, and I'm taking my inspiration from this two bedroom home!

Brittany Ambridge for Domino

Brittany Ambridge for Domino

Brittany Ambridge for Domino

Brittany Ambridge for Domino

Photography: Brittany Ambridge, Interior and homeowner: Brittney Borjeson for Domino via 79 ideas with thanks

Could you live here?!

For the full article and more images of this home check out the piece at Domino.

I think this is the first Mexican home I have shown on this blog. However I have shown a few homes from South America on here. Do you remember this beautiful beach house in Uruguay and this fabulous beach villa in Brazil?! Lest you could forget?!

Click here for more bohemian style inspiration (scroll past this first home).

The last few days I have also been enjoying a little piece of paradise myself and currently making my way around Fyn (the middle Danish island) on route to Aeroe island. It's slightly different from Mexico but beautiful in its own way. Any tips for Aeroe welcome!

Have a wonderful weekend, see you in a couple of days!

PS Thank you for your patience while I've been on holiday July. It's back to normal next week with a post every single day.