Perfect blend: rustic/ industrial/ contemporary

After 8 years in Sweden I thought I knew how to deal with the long winter; leave the country when the snow arrives! If you travel to the Canary Islands or Thailand around early spring you're bound to be surrounded by tanned Swedes stocking up on some much needed sun! But this Autumn I noticed something new-  everyone's heading off now too. A holiday in September presumably to soften the blow of the end of the summer. Since I have missed the boat (litereally) I'm mentally transporting myself  to this stunning home in Spain by architects / property developers Abaton (via 79 ideas) instead. It has just the right mix of Spanish rustic, industrial and modern designer elements to really soften the blow of the impending winter.

Abaton via 79 ideas

I spy Tom Dixon again in the form of the Beat Lights (just goes tp show how versatile Tom Dixon lights are - yesterday the Copper Shade Pendant looked at home in a retro style home, today the Beat Lights look fab in a contemporary minimalist home. The Wegner Wishbone Chairs also blend in beautifully. I could certainly see myself celebrating the end of summer here, could you?

Do you have any winter survival tips?!

A renovated Farmer's cottage

Well, well, well! Architects Calvin Tsao and Zack McKown certainly knew what they were doing when they renovated this former farmer's cottage in upstate New York. If I could own a weekend retreat, this would be it. I've heard of people moving houses....
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Photographs by Richard Powers for Homelife via Charlotte Minty

I think the thing I love the most about this retreat is all of the interesting objects and artifacts displayed. So many beautiful wooden pieces too. Fabulous home, what do you reckon?

A little piece of Scandinavia in Toronto

Because the summer's not over yet - here is a beautiful Scandinavian styled guest house in Toronto, Canada owned by John and Juli Baker of Mjolk, an online shop selling items by Scandinavian and Japanese designers (it's starting to become a bit of dangerous week!).

Remodelista

 For more info on where to find some of the fab items in the home check out the Remodelista's article....perfect!

Enjoy the sun!

Glamping, Cornwall style

Hi campers! I'm back, and what a week! Anyone in England and Sweden will tell you that the weather last month was attrocious - so we packed for rain and more rain. And guess what? The weather was hot, hot, HOT! Perfect for breakfast al fresco and surfing on Cornwall's finest beaches! Here are a few pics from the wonderful Polgreen Glamping complete with beautiful fields, Rosie the sheep, pigs, chicken, a nature trail and a wonderful little honesty shop stocked with produce from the local farms. Thank you Sarah and Simon for a wonderful stay!

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All photos: Polgreen Glamping or My Scandinavian Home as specified

I can warmly recommend this wonderful 'glamping' site, especially if you would like to get back to basics but with an added touch of luxury - double bed with a duvet in a tent anyone?

At the weekend I managed to catch the Olympic men's cycling in Richmond Park, London - which was so exciting! Now I'm totally into the Olympics, which is why i'm writing this post so late (I couldn't tear myself away!!).

It feels good to be back in sunny Sweden though and I'll be blogging daily again with lots of interior design inspiration, so pop back tomorrow!

It's always good to be home!

A cool white and rustic retreat on Mykonos

With rain and more rain in Sweden and England this summer I think it's time to pack the bags and head to Mykonos, Greece (dreaming of course).  This peaceful, rustic holiday home decorated using cool white and local raw materials could just about be the perfect retreat. Oh so beautiful, thank you 79 ideas for the tip!

Lefigaro via 79 ideas

Back to planet earth, and London. On Monday night I went to the launch party of The Tanks at Tate Modern. I'm still recovering from the great party! The Tanks open to the public today with an exciting art in action summer programme, although just experiencing the awesome industrial-concrete chambers is worth a visit in itself!

Have a fab week and see you Friday!

A Swedish summer home on Gotland

Morning! Me in a very wet London calling! Looking on the sunny side (te he) take a look at this beautiful home on Gotland, Sweden (check out other wonderful spaces on Gotland here). You may well have seen this oh so cool white space, photographed by Amelia, the blogger behind A Beautiful Living before with it's wood panelled walls, white floors, industrial and mid century scandinavian touches but it's always worth another look, especially if you're in need of summer cottage inspiration!

Pictures: Lonngren Widell / A Beautiful Living

Despite the driving rain I've had such a great weekend in the Big Smoke. For anyone visiting London  you must visit the very cool new bar/eatery Evans & Peel Detective Agency in Earls Court.  Make sure you reserve a table well in advance though as it gets very booked up and it's soooo worth a visit!

Have a lovely start to the week and see you Wednesday!

A weekend retreat in South Africa

Since it's the week of all white holiday homes in beautiful locations, I had to feature this beautiful weekend retreat of architect Minky Lidchi which I found via the wonderful blog 79 ideas. I visited South Africa for the first time last autumn and already can't wait to find an opportunity to go back.

Photographs Martin Hahn: house and leisure via 79 ideas

If there's one thing that truly stands out to me it's the beautiful walls. I long to have textured walls like this. I also love the sculptures, very beautiful! What do you reckon?

Beautiful cool white home in St Barths

Summer has officially arrived in Sweden and everyone's been kicking back and taking it easy. The weather has been fab all weekend too - YAAAY!  To celebrate I thought I'd post a few pics of this stunning beach home in St Barths. How about this for a holiday retreat?!!

Marie Claire via Purple Area

 If the backdrop of the tourquoise seas and white sands don't make you feel like you're in paradise, the home itself might just be the rum in the colada?! 

Since it's holiday time here in Sweden I'm going to be posting a little less, but do stop by as I'll definitely be popping in here and there each week. Enjoy the sunshine! N x