Ordinary attic to a fab work studio in Holland

Do you see work as a necessary evil or hop out of bed like the joys of spring on a Monday morning (actually, does that person actually exist - I mean on a Tuesday yes, but a Monday?!). Either way, most of us have to put our heads to the grindstone for quite a few hours each week - so we may as well make it a happy place!  It was in this vain I decided to share the home studio of (the very lovely) Holly Marder from Avenue Lifestyle blog in The Haague. Holly recently transformed an ordinary attic room into a flexible, mutli-functional and inspiring modern space where she can sit and work and meet clients. Oh and did I mention it's packed full of Dutch and Scandinavian pieces, vintage finds and the odd French masterpiece?

All photography / design / styling: Holly Marder. Shared with kind permission.

It's really not surprising that Holly has created such a fab space, that girl is sooo talented (see her recent bedroom make-over here, and some of the homes she's styled here, here and here)! Even so it's incredible what you can do with an attic room....I might just have to set up a meeting so I can go and hang out there for a day or two...

Is this your kind of studio?

Tips on where items are from: wooden push pins (moodboard) / vintage persian rug / Natural rug / Iumi Steckdesign pendant light / IKEA Docksta table / side cabinet is BESTA from IKEA which has been souped up with doors, brass handles and top from Superfront / Buy similar hanging planters here (20% discount with code MSH20 right now) / Isaac plug-in Sconce task light in brass / Nude study oil on canvas (Henri Matisse) / ALEX desk storage.

Take a peek at the complete before and after. 

More lovely studios / work spaces include this industrial warehouse, a Danish / Norwegian space and and a entire moodboard here. And for the kids - I love this cute black and white creative corner.

Have a lovely day!

PS back by popular demand - the archive labels (to the left), I've realised over the past three years I've posted over 1200 home tours!! Crazy! 

PPS Thank you so much to Elegance magazine who listed me in their top ten favourite European design blogs!! Such an honour!

READ MORE...

8

A dreamy white home packed with antiques

Floaty white linens, doors re-fashioned into tables and headboards, garden furniture used indoors, a vintage ice cream cone mould upcycled into a bell and fresh flowers around every corner. Welcome to the idyllic world of Maria Carr of blog/shop Dreamy Whites. Maria's home is a horse ranch in Northern California which she shares with her husband and five children. Let's take a peek.

 

All photos: Dreamy Whites. Also inspired by a post by Stephmodo

Wow!!! I feel like I've been to heaven and back (or at least to the French countryside and back), how about you?!

These pictures are a collection from her past and present home as well as a garden exhibition. If you'd like to explore more of Maria's world you might want to follow her on instagram, or take a peek at her latest wedding editorial and have a scroll around her beautiful blog.

Similar items from Maria's home can be found in her shop. The garage shutters have been painted in Farrow & Ball Manor House grey.

More beautiful outdoor inspiration for your garden: here (what a setting for a balmy evening with friends?), Swedish countrystyle garden and eating alfresco. Roll on the summer!

Have a lovely, dreamy day!

READ MORE...

10

A fab swedish home in neutrals and a cute doggy!

Hello! I hope you had a great weekend?! I'm on an early morning train with Southern Sweden flashing passed the window as I type (and matchsticks holding open my eyes - I'm not a morning person, are you?!). But I can just about see enough to discover this lovely home in all it's soft grey, brown and blues. A couple of things struck me the most - firstly the use of natural materials throughout - rattan, leather, shells etc, and secondly the pages from a book used as a wall decoration. I've seen this before in the bedroom of an Australian home in 'Holiday at Home'. And spot the hungry doggy, waiting for her breakfast....

Alvhem

I wonder what book it is? Which would you choose? Something romantic perhaps?

I also love the industrial touches - the side table in the sitting room and bedside table are fab, dont you think?

Is there anything that struck you about this home? Apart from that very cute doggy of course!

This weekend I had a glance through my archive of Australian homes - they are just so fantastic! I really feel Australia is having a design moment right now. I'm a huge fan of the blog Design Files too - do you follow that blog too?

Have a great start to the week! 

PS Thank you to everyone who entered the Blackthumb / Sne Design give-away this weekend, the winners have now been announced here. Don't forget you can get 10% off all beautiful products at Blackthumb and Sne Design until 8th May!

READ MORE...

3