Beni

Dearest friends, It's time for me to head off on my summer vacation for a couple of weeks. But I'd never leave you high and dry without plenty of beautiful Scandinavian summer inspiration! Today, I've put together a big summer round-up featuring some of my favourite Scandinavian summer cottages (plus links to another twenty at the end!), floating saunas, outdoor seating ideas for spaces big and small, pools for every size space and budget, and the most wonderful outdoor shower and bath inspiration, in other words, everything you need to embrace life alfresco. Just add a good book (and perhaps a little mosquito repellent!), and you're all set. I hope these ideas inspire you to soak up every last moment of summer, wherever you happen to be. A Gotland summer escape (available to rent) A rural Norwegian cottage by a fjord A Swedish summer house filled with vintage and antique treasures Before and after: a dated Danish house becomes a summer home A dreamy Danish thatched co...

Sponsored by Formland, all words are my own. Eeek! I've just booked my train to Herning, Denmark and my hotel for 16th-18th August, which means one thing... it's almost time for Formland ! I've been making this biannual trip to the Nordic interior and lifestyle tradeshow for many years now, and honestly, I never tire of it. Every season I come home with a notebook full of ideas, a camera packed with inspiration and (usually!) rather sore feet. People often ask me what makes Formland so special. Of course, it's a chance to see what's new in the world of Scandinavian interiors, but for me it's really about the people. It's where I catch up with old friends from across the industry, finally meet people I've only ever emailed, and spend three wonderful days completely immersed in beautiful design. If you're thinking of visiting this year, I thought I'd share a few of the things I'm looking forward to most. 1. Discovering beautiful brands One of m...

Sometimes a home lands in my inbox that completely stops me in my tracks. Last week, these photographs arrived from the Danish island of Møn and, from the very first image, I knew this was somewhere rather special. The owners, Peter Kirk and Tilde Knudsen, are the creative force behind Asterions Hus , the theatre company they've run since 2003. Known for their imaginative interpretations of myths, fairy tales and classic literature, their productions are poetic, highly visual, sometimes a little grotesque, and always infused with humour. It doesn't take long to see how that wonderfully creative spirit has found its way into the place they call home. Set close to the breathtaking white chalk cliffs of Møns Klint, this former village school has been transformed into far more than a house. It's a family home, a theatre, an artists' residence and a gathering place for creatives from around the world. Built in 1935, the school has lived many lives. After serving generations ...

Can a single piece of art transform a home? I think so! I absolutely love a statement piece and firmly believe it can completely change not only a room, but the feeling of an entire apartment. Better still, it can become the starting point for your scheme, inspiring the colours and mood throughout the rest of the home. In this apartment in Vasastan, Stockholm, there's something even more unusual: a striking work of art above the kitchen worktop (could it be by Milton Avery ?). I love it! It's unexpected, instantly gives the space its own personality, and makes the home feel completely unique. There are plenty of other details to admire too, of course. The butter-yellow kitchen cabinets (quickly becoming one of the most on-trend shades), the cosy window nook, the mid-blue bedroom wall (both seem to have become MSH staples of late!), and the olive green velvet sofa all caught my eye. I also love the way the owner has mixed clean Scandinavian lines with warmer, more expressive tou...