Angles from a former culture centre

There are two key things I'm drawing inspiration from in this lovely 18th century former culture centre in Stockholm. First, the way the books are piled high and used to add colour in the sitting room. And secondly the rustic workman's bench at the end of the bed. Of course the rest of the space is pretty nice too :)

With kind permission from Johan Sellén, featured in Elle Interiör via DecorDots.

I've actually just ordered two workmen's stools from this fab online vintage shop and patiently (read: anxiously awaiting) their arrival, I can't wait! Perhaps the next item on my list will be a workmen's bench for the end of the bed.

Any ideas you're looking to steal?

Have a lovely day!

Rustic / industrial Danish restaurant Höst

It's my husband's birthday next week so I've been doing some planning. Since he loves eating out, at least part of his present should be visiting a new restaurant. And with Copenhagen just over the Öresund bridge how could the the rustic / industrial Scandinavian restaurant Höst not be top of the list?! If you love interior blogs you'll have seen images of this before. But honestly? Höst was completed last year after a collaboration with the fab Norm Architects team (remember this monochrome home last week?!) and Danish designers Menu for Cofoco. And word on the street is that the food is equally sublime.

Norm Architects / Menu / Höst Styling: Emma Fexeus.

Table for two please. And it's more for him........honest :)

PS I hope he doesn't read today's post!

An Interview + A Pretty Room

One of my favorite places to find inexpensive tile and flooring is Floor & Décor Outlet here in Atlanta.  They have some of the same tiles that you may find at high end stores but the prices are extremely affordable.  I highly recommend checking them out if you haven’t already.  They have locations in multiple states so hopefully there will be one near you.  If not, you can always purchase online.

I was thrilled when Malika, editor of their online blog, emailed me and wanted to do an interview.  You can check out the my interview HERE.

Thanks a bunch Malika!

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A Pretty Room

Chango & Co.

Have you ever heard of the design firm Chango & Co.?  I hadn’t until I saw this pin on pinterest the other day.  I fell in love with this space.  I love everything about it from the goldenrod throw to the royal blue, vintage-looking, “Lunch” sign, to the light brick on the fireplace, to the chrome industrial pendants.  Something about it looks warm and inviting while still being bright and invigorating.  I had to check out their portfolio after seeing this image.  I wasn’t disappointed.  If you want to see some more pretty images you should check out their portfolio too!  Click on the image be low to go to their site.

Technorati Tags: Floor and Decor,Chango and co.,portfolio,atlanta,interview

Little ray of sunshine in Gothenburg

There are some apartments which feel like a little ray of sunshine. And this one in Gothenburg (currently for sale) is one of them. It looks so warm. I can just imagine sitting at the rustic kitchen table, in the leather armchair in the sitting room or cosying up in that bed. And don't get me started on the white floors and exposed brickwork.

 

Stadshem

Oh and, once again I spy a moodboard over the bed....current trend alert?

A vintage inspired Brussels home

Hello! I'm back! Thank you so much to Dagny and Marianne for covering me while I was away. I have to say I'm feeling more than a little sorry for myself as I'm STILL ill. I'm sitting here tapping away in my (very cosy) white company slippers and chunky knit cardigan and a big cup of tea (I do love to take these things seriously). And as ever I'm cheered up by a beautiful home! This particular space with all it's vintage and mid century furniture belongs to a talented family in Brussels and was photographed by Louise Desrosiers for milk magazine.

With kind permission from photographer Louise Desrosiers. Milk magazine via Mokkasin.

 The floor has to be the clear winner here. You can just envision someone totally uncool walking in and saying 'OK, the first thing we need is a new floor here' but not this cool Brussels family, they've completely embraced it and it looks fantastic! there's always the reclaimed flooring company for the rest of us!

There are a few more lovely pictures of this home over at Milk magazine, and a full article if you speak French (or if you're like me with errr French hardly a strong point there's always google translate).

Right. Time to get back under my duvet. Have a lovely Monday!

Guest post: Soothing Gothenburg apartment

Hello everyone! I am Dagný Björg from the Feel Inspired blog where I share with my readers what keeps me inspired. I can't believe February is almost through - I feel like the time has literally flown away in this new year. I am starting to look forward to the warm Icelandic summer and have already noted down what I'd like to do and go this year. Have you started any summer planning yet? But, enough of summer talk - care to join me in a home tour? It's a small apartment in lovely Goteburg where everything seems to have it's place. I also really like the soothing color scheme of gray, brown, little bit of mustard yellow and wood which makes this home really warm and welcoming. 

 Hope you enjoy this home tour. Have a lovely day and hope to see you on my Feel Inspired blog!

Love,
Dagný Björg

Guest post: Denmark's most wonderful home

Hello everyone. I am Marianne from Nordic Bliss a Scandinavian girl living in the UK who loves Scandinavian style and is helping the Brits getting their hands on it as well through my little webshop.



What an honour to be guest bloging here on Niki's wonderful blog. I've been following it from the start and has always been inspired here. so when Niki asked me to do a guest post for her I told myself I had to find something wonderful. A few days ago I came across these photos on Femina's website and thought they would be perfect. This home has been awarded "Most wonderful home in Denmark" by DR (DR stands for Denmark's Radio, equivalent to NRK in Norway, SVT in Sweden and BBC in the UK etc.)





I loved the black exterior and patio with all the greenery. It is such an interesting contrast to the bright white interiors.




1. Set of 2 zinc boxes + + + 2. Glass bowl + + + 3. Trivet + + + 4. Tray table
I love how they mixed up the traditional country charm open shelves and white wood panelling on the wall with some stainless steel and metal accessories in the kitchen.


1. "Be Gentle" print by Ylva Skarp + + + 2. Pillow + + + 3. Glass vase + + + 4. Grey cotton throw

This cosy corner in front of the window makes me long for a Easter holiday. When I was younger and lived in Denmark we would always spend Easter on the coast. Lazy days going for long walks on the beach and enjoying nature and a few rays of sunshine.

So what did you think? Is this home one of the most wonderful Danish homes you've seen? Would you like to live here? I hope you are all surviving the winter and I wish you a lovely week.

Marianne xx

Source Femina
Photographer Mikkel Adsbøl

Brizo Fashion Week

A few weeks ago I got a little email in my inbox letting me know that the people from Brizo, a faucet and bathroom accessories company, wanted to invite me (along with a select group of interior designers and bloggers) to New York City for Fashion Week.  I was thrilled at the opportunity and graciously accepted.  So off to NYC I went to meet up with the group. 

Brizo put us up in total style at the Eventi hotel in Chelsea.  They also gave us a really cool tote filled with goodies.  The first night I flew in late because of my filming schedule.  I made it into the city just in time to meet a few of my fellow Brizo Blogger 19 friends before turning it in for the evening. 

The next morning we all met again for an informative and interactive session about Brizo’s brand, their design processes and trend forecasts for the upcoming year. It was so interesting to see how their faucets are created and where the Brizo team gets their inspiration from.

We even got to see a few prototypes that will be coming out next year.  Can’t show those to you yet but you will definitely want to watch for them in 2014.  It was amazing to see the full like of products in person in multiple finishes.  I’m used to mostly seeing them online. 

From there we went to a brief session with Elle Décor on the 42nd floor of the Hearst Tower.  Then we got a tour of the whole building.  The views were breathtaking.

After the Hearst tour we went around the corner to a cooking class at Sur La Table.  This was the highlight of the trip for me.  I had never been to a cooking class before.  It was so much fun.  Definitely something I’ll be doing again.

We made 3 pasta dishes and I had some amazing cooking mates.

From Left to Right – Me, Laura Bielecki, Yvonne Blacker, and Donna Hall.

Now for the sad part of the trip.  Unfortunately, due to the blizzard that hit the East coast, I had to cut my trip short.  I was sad to go and especially sad to miss the Jason Wu fashion show and cocktail party.  From reading all the tweets and blogs I know that all of my Brizo friends had a blast at both of the events. Although I missed the last day of the trip, I still was so thrilled to be able to spend the first part of the trip with all of the wonderful people from the Brizo brand. 

Disclaimer: As a guest of the Brizo brand, my airfare and travel expenses have been comp'd.

White and grey Stockholm apartment

I'm feeling a little worse for wear today with a temperature and everything :(  I was certainly cheered up by this Stockholm home though. Currently for sale through Fantastic Frank,  there are so many things to love about this small, yet charming grey and white apartment.

Fantastic Frank



I love the personalised soap bottle. I think I'll have to make a label saying 'Niki's shampoo' as the rest of my family seem to think my expensive hair care is shower gel, bubble bath or simply something to wash their dolly with!!

Anything that inspires you from this home?

I'm off for a short trip tomorrow. But  of course I'd never leave you high and dry! I've invited two of my favourite fellow bloggers to write very lovely and inspiring guest posts.

Have a lovely few days and see you Monday!