Summer...

Does it get much better than this?? Hope you enjoy the last days of summer :)

Natasha

Image via Bo Bedre

Black & White Moments

This summer, when you go to the beach, I am sure you will do a little shelling, right? We just can't help ourselves... All these pretty shapes and sizes offered up by the ocean. Well, why not display the prettiest of them all in a small glass box, complete with a little sand for good measure :)

Wanna go fishing? Do it in style... Who cares if you catch anything, it's all about the process!

... and at the end of a long day at the beach, turn off the iPad, shut down the phone and bring out the dominos... 

Just a little Black & White story today, hope you loved the images!

Natasha

All images via Slettvol

(Scandinavain) Summer House Love!

Hi! I am still here, in case you were wondering, and want to share a typical Scandinavian Summer House with you this holiday weekend... Enjoy!

This summer home is located on the Northern tip of Jutland, Denmark, in a small town called Skagen. My husband and I visited two summers back, and would have loved to spend more time there...

While the typical old homes in Skagen are all painted the same yellow, with red tile roofs and white trim (trademark look), it's also very much about all white interiors and exteriors... Even the outdoor furniture is white, and it looks so great don't you think?? Skagen in the summer months is all about outdoor living.

Nothing like white walls, white woodwork and white floors, I just LOVE the look!! 

Come a little closer, and you will find lots of texture, but simple furnishings.  

Driftwood found on the wide beaches, rope and open doors all scream Summer House... Wishing I was there :)

A view from the living room to the dining and kitchen area. White Tolix chairs are one of my favorites!

All white kitchen with wonderful grey brickwork, to add a little texture and dimension to the space. Notice the place mats of river stones, helping to underscore the natural elements, and a beautiful touch to the warm wood table. 

It really does not get anymore Danish than this... 

Out door living at its best; sun, summer, flowers, Mega Mussel, Skagen and beach rocks on the table!

Happy Summer!!

Natasha

All images via Mad og Bolig

(Summer) House Love

I am all about white paint, (in case you didn't notice) so when I saw this place, I just had to share!!

The Lake Hamilton place is designed by Bear-Hill Interiors of Arkansas. I first noticed it in a magazine (which one escapes me at the moment), tore out the spread (yes, it's been a while...), filled it away, and while cleaning out our office I came across it again, and went on an internet search.... here you go, hope you like this oldie, but goodie ?!

Ok, so before we go on... did you really notice that view in the image above?? I think it would be fantastic at any time of year, don't you?

I have never really been a lover of Brown, but I can totally appreciate how it "warms up" a space. I will even go as far, as to say, I am using Brown in a current project & surprise, surprise, it's a totally cool color... who knew? ;)

Even the accents in the bedroom are brown. Notice the framed license plate... it's brown!

This kitchen is perfect for a vacation home! You don't want to spend a lot of time in there, probably the grill will be working overtime... And if you visit in the off-season, well, you can make hot chocolate on the stovetop just fine :)

I suspect most of the summer will be spent here, on the huge terrace, overlooking Lake Hamilton. Notice how even the outdoor furniture is kept within the color scheme!

Refreshing at The Lake, don't you think?
Natasha

All images via Bear-Hill Interiors

Too Pretty...

... too pretty not to re-blog!!
This home was first discovered here, and subsequently here & here and I am still drooling!!

This house is in Sweden, just outside Stockholm and just 150 m2 with three rooms, designed by architect Karl-Johan Palmstam. Huge windows throughout allow for the beautiful daylight to stream in, and with the typical Scandinavian white interior this summer home is now a favorite of mine... Too bad it has already sold ;)

Loving the white, with all the punches of black, and tons of natural texture. 

Logs for the fireplace (trust me, it can get chilly at night!), wool throw to curl up with, lots of plants, iron and wood.

The property also has a small 23 m2 "green house", that has been set up for relaxing and entertaining!
I can just imagine sitting around that wonderful farmhouse table with lots of friends and family, under the stars... during the summer it really does not get that dark, typically the sun sets at 11pm and rises super early, depending on how far north in Scandinavia you are located.

Great outside space, lots of places to relax and enjoy being outdoors. Summers are mostly spent outside - weather permitting - and doors and windows are always open!

 

Hope you enjoyed this little house tour. There are many more images from this house, so check out the last link above for the full scope! Here is the floor plan. Do you have a favorite part of this home? Besides the fact that I LOVE the whole house, I think my favorite parts are the tall wood cabinet in the kitchen & all the natural light! Also... the repeat of the glass cloches throughout the home, glass and wire alike.

Natasha

PS.

In case you were wondering... It is very typical in Scandinavia to have black painted summerhouses with white interiors... Just not all of them are this fantastic :) 

All images via Sotheby's International Realty

(Summer) House Love

Just a quick image of a wonderful pool area! Liking the pop of orange from the pillows...
It's been quite hectic the last couple of days, so I can only dream of relaxing in a space like this!!

Have a beautiful day,

Natasha

Image via Skona Hem

Surf's up...

Alfresco showers have always been associated with summer fun, and by the looks of these two surfboard versions, I'd have to agree.
The deep saturated colors of the first image makes me want to "jump right in"!

... it's never been a secret that old boards makes wonderful display items. They lend texture, color and an element of surprise. While a surfboard in a beach house should not really surprise anyone, a board leaning against a wall in a city apartment, that's a different story.

I have been trying to come up with how this board ended up there? Perhaps it was a gift? Perhaps it's the owners passion? Perhaps this is not a city apartment, but a home in the hills overlooking the coastline somewhere exotic? What is your take on this blue board in he corner??

Natasha

Image #1 & #4 via Life of Style, Image #2 via Ecoluioni, Image #3 via GAP Interiors

Incredible Beauty!!

A little while ago I received the (then) new West Elm catalog, and I must say it was just so incredibly beautiful and made me wish I had places for all these things.... Pillows, glasses, plates.... I wanted them all!

 

... and then it happened, I spotted this FANTASTIC little "short film" by the Danish Photographer Ditte Isager.... WOW! 

I truly hope you will take a peek, it will start your weekend of sooooo beautifully!!!

Enjoy,

Natasha

Video by Ditte Isager via YouTube

(Summer) House Love

OK, so in my book, this is EXACTLY what a summer house should look like!!!!
Large comfy furniture, white painted everything, a view that you can just sit and watch all day long... Imagine the long, light filled Scandinavian evenings, candlelight, family and friends.

Happy Summer!

Natasha 

Image via Skona Hem

(Summer) House Love

On the north coast of Sealand, in Denmark, you will find this quaint summer house. Originally an overgrown lot, with an old train cart, this spot has now been turned in to something of a wonderful summer retreat, complete with an out door kitchen, large deck for sunbathing and outdoor entertaining.... extending the living area of the house.

The homeowners have been thrifty when furnishing their little house. Some furniture has been inherited, other items are new, and yet others have found their way there via the curbside..... Pretty little nook by the kitchen for having your morning coffee.

Windows all around the dining area, lets the beautiful light come in. I am sure great conversations have been had here, long into the summer evenings!

Old bamboo chair with cushions make for a comfy reading spot! Love the old frames with botanical prints on the wall. So easy to do, and it keeps the place from looking too white (is there such a thing?).....

Full view of the living room. Couch is from Ikea, and covered with a floral blanket, and a lot of cushions.

Notice how the ceiling and the beams have been painted white, keeps the whole place light and airy, even considering the modest size of the summerhouse.

Clever way to display art, a vase or perhaps a beautiful rock from the beach.... the small ledge atop of the beadbord, that you see through out the whole house!

The main bedroom is facing north, keeping it cool in the summer heat! The light is slightly more blue.... Check out that pretty gilded mirror!

If you would like to view other Scandinavian summer houses, in remote locations, check out the My Scandinavian Retreat blog (here), I am sure you will enjoy the many different styles.

Is it vacation time soon.....? Feels like a long time ago when I was last away!!
What have you been doing this summer? Staycation or vacation? If you would like to win a little something, head on over to here, tell her all about it, and perhaps you could win!

Good Luck!

Natasha

All images via here

(Summer) House Love

UPDATE (Nov. 17, 2012) :

This beautiful story has been removed at the request of the photographer, I am sorry to say.
I hope that you had a chance to view it...

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Helle Nordal, the owner of this fantastic summer house in Denmark, with her son Alexander.

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Just the right size!
Check out the fantastic porch areas, you can move around with the sun, taking advantage of the great outdoors! Summer house living is all about extending the living space to include the outside.

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I would LOVE to spend a little time here!

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Talk about blurring the lines between inside and outside.
This almost qualifies as sleeping in the open,
but not quite roughing it ;)

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The axis of the house; Fantastic light!


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Keeping it fresh and pretty!

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Would love to get my hands on a light fixture like this.
The surround on the mirror, the light fixture, works with the Moroccan tea trays on the patio...
It's the little things like that, that makes it work. Not too much, but just enough so that you notice the ethnic influence.

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And last but not least... I.WANT. ONE. OF. THESE!!!!!!
(never mind it would take over my entire house.....)
I think this (x 2) cabinet is sooo fantastic, what do you think?

Looking forward to vacation time, it's not coming fast enough!!

Natasha

All images have been removed at the request of the photographer on 12.17.12.