Dream Home

I loved this first image (below) the moment I spied it on Pinterest. The blue walls and door are gorgeous, and I love how it frames the view through to the rooms beyond. So you can imagine my excitement when I found the entire home on Elle Decoration and every room was equally as gorgeous!

It belongs to Swedish blogger and photographer, Kristin Lagerqvist. Like me, Kristin has always loved blue, finding it a soothing, comforting colour. Blue is the common thread throughout the home where it features on walls, in wallpaper, furniture and accessories. It's balanced by fresh white, warm, rich wood tones and mossy greens.

Kristin used North Sea Paints, and they helped her develop the special shade of sky blue naming it after her - Krickelin Haze Blue ("Krickelin" is the name of her blog).

I love the wallpaper in the office (FYI... we can get this wallpaper for you, in case you love it as much as I do - email me for the details). The vintage desk and dresser, along with the chandelier Kristin inherited from her grandmother, add warmth and give the room a sense of depth and history.

The large kitchen is spacious and functional with beautiful brass handles and a marble bench top. I was happy to see the gorgeous blue and white bowl on the bench, as I have exactly the same one in my kitchen - great minds!

Also sharing my love of pattern, Kristin has used all sorts of amazing wallpaper throughout her home. The Designers Guild paper in the entranceway is another wallpaper you can source through us here at Bibby + Brady.

Stepping away from the blue tones momentarily, the bedroom is wallpapered in a restful tone of soft sage green. It echoes the greenery found both outside and inside the window.

I'm finishing this post with another room that makes me really happy. It features a stunning William Morris wallpaper in a metallic bronze. Originally produced in the 1880's it looks incredible in this 21st century home.

Photos: Andrea Papini  | Retouching: Jenny Soderstrom

There isn't one thing that I don't love in Kristin's home. The combination of colours, patterns, furniture and art choices are all amazing. This might just be my dream home!

Architectural + INTERIOR Inspiration | High House

I recently came across 'High House', a major home renovation by Dan Gayfer Design, and was so inspired that I knew I had to share it with you. Located in Fitzroy North in Melbourne, the homeowners were determined to have their inner city lifestyle without compromising on the size they needed for their young family. From the street the house sits quietly amongst it's neighbours, but the inside and back of the house has been turned into a modern and functional home with a spacious, airy feel.

The house is a mere five metres wide but the clever use of built-in furniture helps to maximise the space and it's functionality. The clean lines and the simple colour palette also add to the sense of cohesion and simplicity. I love how the height of the sofa is mirrored by the outdoor bench seat. Also, take note of the powder blue tiles featured on the base of the outdoor bench and the outside back wall, as they are repeated in the downstairs bathroom creating a visual link.

Perhaps my favourite feature is the concrete bench top and how it runs down between the wooden floorboards to the concrete floor beyond. The tiles used in the splash back and under the island bench 'speak to' the tiles used in the two bathrooms and outdoor spaces.

In both bathrooms the built-in cabinetry is kept very simple allowing the coloured tiles to be the hero. The matt black fixtures complete the look and compliment the dark grout.

Some of the cutest house models ever!

Purple velvet is an unexpected touch, and I love subtle surprises like that.

Although I have huge admiration for the design of this home, I would love to see a piece of art above the bed or a headboard in a soft linen or velvet. But I'm crazy about those bedside lights with their pink base that pulls your eye through to the ensuite.

Those gorgeous tiles are repeated on the bedroom balcony, as the blue ones were downstairs.

Each space and every detail is so well thought out, I think this home is super special! To see more work by Dan Gayfer Design head to their website.

Modern Bohème

I have a hard time describing my design aesthetic mainly due to the fact that it's several styles merged together. I love a global, Bohemian vibe, with a touch of luxe, a bit of Zen, and a tiny bit of traditional influence. When I came across the beautiful home of LA interior designer Katie Hodges recently it made me smile - "Modern Bohème" is what she calls her style. She likes to mix contemporary design elements with her love of vintage, Bohemian textiles. I think that fits me well too.


When you're an interior designer, you work on lots of clients' homes, all with differing aesthetics and lifestyles. Your own home is the truest representation of you, and the key is to create a home that makes you happy. "There's no better feeling than waking up every morning being surrounded by things you love," says Katie.





Katie's aim was to create a space that was inviting and warm, layered and collected, yet modern and clean. She truly is a girl after my own heart!




Even though she is only renting this one bedroom apartment, Katie plans to be here a while so she decided to have a dining banquette built-in. Although she won't be able to take it with her when she moves, she enjoys every single day that she gets to sit at it.


The little dining area is the space that really epitomises her - cushions covered in vintage textiles sit happily with the clean, modern lines of the Tulip table and Bertoia chairs.



With no wardrobe in her bedroom, Katie has cleverly installed an Ikea wall unit to house her shoes and accessories. It's slim form and white cupboards means it disappears into the wall and allows the shoe collection to shine.


photos by Amy Bartlam
If you'd like to see more of Katie's home pop over to My Domaine. In the meantime let me leave you with more of her wise words... "When you truly love the foundation pieces you own, the rest comes naturally".