The fantastic home of a creative Finnish duo

Just hearing a home is owned by Finnish interior architect Joanna Laajisto and photographer Mikko Ryhanen I already know the space is going to be pretty fantastic. And that's exactly what this apartment is. Located in Helsinki and decorated in mainly white, black and grey, this family home marries vintage finds with scandinavian contemporary pieces. Love.it.

Photography: Mikko Ryhanen with kind permission. Interior designer Joanna Laasjisto via Emma's Design Blog

So fab don't you think?

I spy: Thonet 209 chair (15% off with MYSCAN),  Louis Poulsen AJ table lamp, Knoll Platner Coffee table  and the Knoll Bertoia dining chairs.

You can see Joanna's wonderful previous apartment here.

Looking for more Finnish inspiration? There's lots and lots of beautiful Finnish home inspiration here!

Have a lovely day!

PS We're in transit in Singapore airport - there's a play area for children with free wifi. It's the simple things in life.... :)

A light and airy Finnish space

Looking through the pictures of this Finnish apartment is like taking a deep breath in, counting to three and a long exhale! The whites, light greys, and wood (love the white shelves against the light wood) create a calming, light and airy feel. I would need to add more rugs for the cosy factor (which I'm discovering are the hardest thing to buy - does anyone else find that?) but other than that I could totally spend a few days here, how about you? 

MUSTA OVI via Riazzoli

What's your favourite thing about this home? I think I'll go for the kitchen trolley.....

For more information about this beautiful home (and many more beautiful images) check out the MUSTA OVI blog (in Finnish). Trust me, you'll get lost there!

PS A huge warm welcome to Tjockt  my fabulous new Finnish sponsor who sells THE MOST incredible handmade chunky knit rugs, throws, cushions, stools and cosy items of clothing as well as 'knitted by me' kits so that you can create your own woollies this Autumn (I'd even buy the wooden knitting needles and 100% wool yarns for decoration!)..... you'll definitely want to check out the Tjockt website here and Facebook page here! oh and 15% discount with code SCHOME :)

Have a lovely day!

The Finnish treatment

This fantastic Finnish home was styled by the home owners in collaboration with Scandinavian Deko's editor-in-chief Ulla Koskinen for the Housing Fair Finland, set up to improve the quality of housing and living conditions in Finland. The space is defined by it's large open spaces, minimalist style, clean lines and the perfect balance of black, grey, white, wood and concrete. It is all very zen. I love it.

Skandinavian Deko via Emmas Design Blog

What do you think? Are you the minamlist, clean lines type of interior person or do you prefer to mess things up a little?

PS Slightly off topic, but since I'm in London this week......Congratulations to Kate and Wills on the arrival of a little boy! I wonder what his name will be? My money's on Alfred (Alfie), what about you?!

Finnish home with vintage finds

I promised to blog yesterday but we were on Anholt, a tiny, very beautiful Danish island with no internet access. So here is a rare weekend post from me to say hello and share a few pictures from the oh so beautiful and cool home of Finnish textile couple Sanna ja Olli.

Saana Ja Olli for Deko Magazine via Scandinavian Deko

The peek into their kitchen gives a sense of a relaxed, cosy home full of vintage finds.

The wooden cups next to the oven remind me of a dog sledding trip I once did in Lapland. After a few hours of silently racing over frozen lakes and fields we stopped to rest the dogs and our guide made us hot chocolate over a fire which he served in cups like these. So memorable! Have you ever been dog sledding?

For a complete house tour check out the latest copy of Deko Magazine.

Have a lovely weekend and see you Monday!

A Finnish log cabin

Doing anything fun this weekend? I know one family in Finland who will spend the weekend in this beautiful 48 metre square cottage. I showed a few pictures of it here and today the lovely Minna from Time of The Aquarius has given me permission to show a few more. Complete with two bedrooms, tiny kitchen and a sitting room with a cosy fireplace and a sauna and guest room, the cottage has no running water. It's small for a family of five but that's the idea, they can be close and spend quality time together. Apart from the incredible decor, I think it resonates with me because I love the idea of weekends away with nothing but family and the nature for entertainment.

Time of The Aquarius

Could you spend time in a cottage without running water?

Do you remember this incredible Finnish cabin I showed a few months ago (also without running water?

If you're up for some simple but very cool DIY this weekend check out this cool project.

I love this incredible wooden box house, it's such a refreshing take on architecture and design!

I spy the very cool Vitra L'oiseau in these pictures. If you haven't entered the give-away to win one of these cooly birdies hurry! You have until Monday! :)

Before I head off, I just wanted to mention you've probably noticed my blog is going through a bit of a facelift at the moment, bear with me, the wonderful Ana from blog milk is working on it and it may look a little strange for a few days!

Have a wonderful weekend all!

A beautifully renovated Finnish cabin

Spring has sort of arrived in Scandinavia and summer cottages are starting to be prepped for weekend visits and the wonderful month of July. This newly renovated cottage in the Finnish archepelegoes belongs to the editor behind inspiring blog Time of the Aquarius, and her partner and three children. It really has been a labour of love through the winter (trust me, I've seen the 'before' pictures!) but the work they've done so far is simply stunning.

Time of the Aquarius

The cottage is about three hours from their home (by car and ferry) and they plan to spend their long summer days their with their three children. How idyllic! Do you have a summer cottage or a weekend retreat?

Before I shoot off for the weekend, I have an important announcement......

.....the Lucky winner of the fab ML Design industrial pendent light (drum roll please...) is Britta Högström. Mette will be in contact with you to organise delivery. Thank you to everyone who entered!

And here's my round-up of fab not-to-be-missed interior news from the web:

If there's one interior site you must visit this weekend it's this Tumblr - it made me laugh so much. Thanks for the tip Mariela!

If you love Finnish style (errr hello!) and a great make-over, check out Varpunen for a fab before and after.

I have a friend who has been talking about getting a new sofa for two years (not even an exaggeration, it could be longer). This uber cool list of top ten sofas is for you Ullis.

And finally, because we all love a home tour.....check out this East London home tour courtesy of Living Etc complete with beautiful Wishbone chairs. And a beautiful Scandinavian inspired Melbourne home.

I hopy you all have a wonderful weekend! See you Monday!

A sustainable Finnish cabin

Yesterday it was so stormy here in Southern Sweden. I nipped around the corner for a coffee and the sea was full of white horses. It was all very exciting! A winter storm calls for a home at one with nature. And this Finnish retreat certainly fits the bill. I have seen the first picture so many times on Pinterest, but never the rest of the home. So here it is, the sustainable Four Cornered House in Virrat, Finland designed by Anu Puustinen and Ville Hara, Avanto Archtiects.

Architects: Avanto Architects Ltd / Ville Hara and Anu Puustinen, Photography: Anders Portman & Martin Sommerschield.

 

Imagine looking out of the vast windows into the wilderness? Or morning saunas with a vista? And there's that wonderful wood burning stove of course. 

If you'd like to read more about this home and the sustainable ethos behind the architecture pop over to This is Paper (word of caution; you'll be stuck there for hours!).

Oh and my friend had a beautiful baby girl yesterday - such wonderful news!! I'm off to Loja Dada now for a little pressie and looking forward to a cuddle this weekend :)

Have a lovely few days and see you Monday!

Black and white Finnish touch

It's been ages since I've shown a beautiful Finnish home. I always think the folks in Finland have got such a distinct, incredible sense of contemporary style. My latest find is the home of Sanni and Joona from The Rag Rug in Turku, Finland photographed by Suvi from lovely blog Lily. The black and white home is crammed with Scandinavian design classics, vintage finds and personal design work.

Photography Suvi Viitanen via Feel Inspired

It's funny how one thing stands out and sticks in the mind when I see a home. In this case it was the 'Rethink' print. It's so clever! Did anything stand out for you?

Hope you all have a lovely day!