House Hunting in Sweden

One of my favourite websites is a Swedish real estate site called Alvhem Makleri & Interior. Every home looks like it's straight out of a magazine, with typical Scandinavian flair and style. This particular home is only little, but it's charming, and has some wonderful elements like the beautiful old double doors that once belonged in a castle. The hardest thing, for me, about buying a home from Alvhem would be choosing one, they're all so gorgeous!

Top Style

With our kitchen and bathroom last on the list of rooms to tackle at our home, I've been gathering together screeds of beautiful images for my inspiration. While researching all the possibilities I came across Topps Tiles, who sell a huge range of wall and floor tiles, laminate and real wood flooring. Not only do they have a fantastic range to choose from, they have a really great inspirational photo gallery, advice and tips from the experts, a style guide, and trend watch so you can see what's hot. 

I know I want tiles in the bathroom, but should I go with a nice clean Scandinavian look,
or appeal to my Bohemian side and throw in some gorgeous Moroccan tiles?

Gloss white ceramic tiles for a clean Scandinavian look

Monaco mosaic sheet tiles look perfect with the bone inlay vanity for an exotic feel

And in the kitchen that old lino definitely has to go. Our back door opens directly into the kitchen, and it's a high traffic area, so lovely big floor tiles would be perfect. But I do love the laminate flooring you can get now, and it's so true to nature that you'd swear it's real wood. Laminate flooring is also really durable, so would be able to withstand the punishment my kids and animals like to dish out on a daily basis. And if I choose a nice blonde colour it would be perfect for my Scandinavian look. What do you think? 

Check out laminate flooring from retailers like Topps Tiles, you'll be amazed at the fantastic range you can choose from.

Two great hardwearing options for your entranceway and kitchen... porcelain tiles (left) with a stone effect; and anti-slip tiles (right) are perfect for areas that may get wet

I love laminate flooring - hardwearing, versatile, and looks so much like real wood

Subway tiles are top of my list for the kitchen. Try using coloured grout for more definition

These large satin porcelain tiles are gorgeous and super classy

Circle of Love

As a kid I loved to draw. I would carry a sketch pad around with me and draw whatever I came across. When I was a teenager I loved to paint. Since becoming a graphic designer and being immersed into the digital world, my drawing and painting has ceased. But for a while now I've had a hankering to pull out my brushes and see if I can get back what I once had.

I'm really drawn to circular art at the moment, so this is where I want to start - maybe something abstract, maybe a bit of mixed media... I'm not sure. What I do know is that I love all of these examples...

A cool print by Michelle Tavares taken from her original collage and photograph

Amazing painting by New Zealand artist, Emma Wright

Another beautiful painting by another incredible New Zealand artist, Nic Scotland

A gorgeous printed wall decal featuring the Pink & White Terraces from Aroha & Friends

Just one of the many cool Wall Dots available from Pony Rider

And I just had to include this photo. I'm in lust with everything here - the sofas with their mix of patterned cushions and throw; the polished concrete floor and rough brick wall; the massive artwork and the circular mirror. Yes, yes, I'm really into circles at the moment :)

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