Gone Sailing...

I'm off on the annual sailing vacation! Two weeks of cold swims in the morning, mosquitoes, BBQs, lazy days and white nights! See you in two weeks!

The Captain's house

The old captains house converted to a a lovely summer home. The white walls and withe washed floor board reflects the light. I like this summer home as it looks very simple and clean, yet comfortable, I would love to have the couch in my apartment.... And the veranda looks like a great sun trap for breakfast or  afternoon coffe and cinnamon buns (aka fika). This summer house was featured in Skona Hem a few years back.

Mix and match

Found this home on the estate agent Alvhemmakleri site. As always the homes listed at this estate agent are very nice looking. The firm uses home staging for all the properties, but not in 'the sterile remove all personal things' kind of way. Instead they use ' it looks like someone is living here and it looks lovely kind of way'. In this apartment they have used bits and pieces from their shop (also on the site above) together with the owners own pieces a great mix of IKEA and more expensive designer pieces.

Lovely New England

Take a look at these lovely New England pictures from the NY design firm S.R. Gamrel. The founders of the company, Steven Gambrel's,  trade mark is classic sensibility that comes alive with an individual mix of modern and traditional.  His own Greenwich, NY apartment has been featured in House & Gardens. Very nice!

Stylish Summer Cottage

Summer houses are a far more common concept in Scandinavia then in the UK. I'm not sure whether this is a reflection of the dark Nordic winters and a need and urgency to utilize the few months of light. Most summer houses are quite basic, sometimes without running water inside, all part of the charm and character and living close to nature. This doesn’t mean a small cottage cannot be stylish. Below is a tiny cottage by the sea featured in Skona Hem.

At Home with Tine K again

Some more inspirational pictured from the owner and founder of the Danish Interior design company Tine K home. The base color is white and the white is mixed with oriental flavors. Tine K's basic philosophy when it comes to interior design is that style doesn't have to do with cash, the most important is that you surround yourself with things that you like no matter the price tag they might be associated with. I like the white Scandinavian mixed with the darker exotic furniture and textured pieces. It makes the home very homely, warm and welcoming. The pictures are from Skona Hem.

California dreaming...

The below pictures makes me think about Malibou beach in California, not sure whether it is the light , the outdoor living withouth shelter or beach that makes me think about California dreaming... I would love to come home to this and a nice glas of Chardonay! See more of this range and outdoor living ideas on Pottery Barn

Summers by the Sea

Summer living by the sea with a mix of New England and Scandinavian style. The result a calm, relaxing environment to just enjoy not having to do anything in.

Sommer house in the City

Allotments a perfect mix of getting access to country/ summer living and still be in the middle of the city. The main difference between Stockholm and London allotments is the size of the plot. In London the plot you get allocated might be minimal and would and having anything but a small shed for garden essentials wouldn't be possible. In Stockholm, some allotments are quite sizeable and you would be able to have a smallish summer house on it, possible not with all modern comforts but big enough for a summer home in the city. The below allotment was featured in Skona Hem last year and is a perfect example of what an fantastic little oasis you can create in the heart of the city if you are lucky enough to get hold of a good allotment.

Silver and Blue

These inspirational picures of muted blue, silver details and wood is from Oscars Makleri i Stockholm, a relatively small estate agent entral on Ostermalm. I used to live around the corner and always used to admire the apartments in the windows, now I use their website for inspiration. I love the combination of the muted colors and the wood, mixing traditional and more contemporary. I am looking for a silver pot similar to the one above to have in th ebathroom with a plant in.

Herbs in the kitchen

I love having green herbs in the kitchen they smell nice, readily available for cooking and it looks so summery.

Beach Living

This lovely beach house is from Veranda. I wish I lived somewhere where you could have this outside/inside living without having to worry about rain, cold and patio heaters and blankets and where it would be just a short few steps for a dip in the ocean.

House Beautiful Kitchens

Most beautiful kitchen inspirations from House Beautiful