Surrounded by Colour

It's been a while since I've featured a Scandinavian home on the blog. When I came across the Swedish home of Klara Ripa and her family, I was drawn in by the vibrant colours and creative touches throughout. Klara shares more of her creativity on her blog Pippivogel.

Simple paper shapes sewn on to string and strung across the ceiling make a happy display.

A cabinet once covered in wallpaper has been stripped bare by the kids. This is something I'm all too familiar with - my twins used to tear strips off their walls, as two year olds, instead of taking their afternoon naps - grrrr!

Why have standard drawer handles when you can string beads across instead?!

Not even the bathroom gets away untouched. Self adhesive vinyl is cut to fit a row of tiles.

Obviously no one takes themselves too seriously in this family, it looks like a pretty fun place to live. To see even more colour, pop over to Dos Family.

Touches of Gold

Every girl's got to have a bit of gold in her life, right?! Gold, brass and copper is especially hot right now, and we're finding it all around us. Here are just a few of my picks to share with you, but there is so much more...

High-end stylish headphones by Frends

Oh Joy's Hygge & West Petal Pusher wallpaper

Cross Brass Coffee Table by Kate Sylvester and Douglas & Bec

Eclectic Scented Candle by Tom Dixon

Bash Vessel by Tom Dixon

Michael Kors Gold & Glitz watch

Chandelier from Mid Century Swag

Fashion Spotting

You can't have too much pattern in your life, you just can't! Well, there is definitely an art to mixing patterns, but we're not talking about that today. Today I want to talk about spots -
I kinda love 'em!

My favourite fashion blogger, Jules from Sincerely Jules, knows how to rock some leopard spots. I love her boots in the second pic.

And you know how much I love Clare Vivier! You cant go wrong with one of her leopard clutches.

via

Harvest Textiles do spots so well. I'm crazy about their cheetah cushions, also available in pillowcases from Douglas & Bec. And check out Harvest's cute spotted tote and golden envelope clutch.

If you prefer plain spots over animal print, try Sass and Bide. Their spotted halter neck top is divine, and I have the flock spot print jumper on my Autumn shopping list.

What about you... are you a lover of animal print (fake, of course), plain polka dots, or both?

Out of the Ashes

The Connecticut home belonging to Jay Fielden, his wife Yvonne and their three young children is beautiful and elegant, filled with gorgeous detail, and dearly loved by the family after a tumultuous few years.

Originally built in 1960, Jay and Yvonne spent $900,000 and eight months in 2007 renovating the house. Just as the family were enjoying their new-look home, Jay lost his job as editor in chief of Men's Vogue, which folded in the wake of the economic downturn. Then in 2010, when Jay had been out of work for over a year, and their third child had just been born, an electrical fire destroyed most of the house.

The two architecture books in the foreground survived the fire

Although tempted to turn and run in the opposite direction, the Fielden's made the decision to rebuild their home with the help of Robert Dean and Jesse Carrier, the architect and designer who had worked with them on the 2007 renovation.

One of my favourite spaces, the kitchen is clean, simple, and quietly elegant

I love the pictures hung on to the book shelves

The object with this rebuild was to create a place that reflects who they are, without owning them (or putting them in debt!). As well as some beautiful antique pieces, you'll also find a lot of Ikea. With the knowledge they had gained when renovating in 2007, Jay & Yvonne were able to create their near perfect home - open and light, yet private and safe.

A classic sofa, but the fringe that has been added on is a delightful, unexpected touch

Jack's room sports a photograph of snakes over a vintage bureau

Read the full story over on The New York Times.

Congratulations Karly Ryder for winning a gorgeoud Mackenzie throw in the Coast Giveaway!

Moody Blues

I've got the blues something bad! And that's a good thing. Good because deep indigo blue, denim, cobalt, sapphire, steel blue - they're just so rich and gorgeous, I can't get enough of them. See what I mean...

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Urban Outfitters Home Lookbook

I love a good lookbook, don't you?! It's great seeing nice clear cut images of products, but you can't beat a beautifully styled photograph of the products in an amazing environment. I've always had a soft spot for Urban Outfitters. It's their love of colour and pattern, and their Boho quirkiness that wins me over every time. Their first home lookbook is inspired by vintage scarfs, deliberately-kitschy conversationals and boho ikats. Love, love, love!...