There is something terribly vintage, laid back and pulled together about this Swedish home. Maybe it is the triptych of George Nelson Ball pendant lights over the table, or the mismatched collection of chairs surrounding it but the effect is lovely.  The juxtaposition of vintage and new, the richness of the materials (read teak galore) and the warm prints used throughout are what appealed to most about this home.

Notice also another one of my personal cardinal rules in terms of the rooms being punctuated by black accents as if to give certain objects or architectural features more presence and hence help define the spaces even better.

Is this home too “pale” for you or does it strike just the right balance?

xox

v.

source: Skandia Mäklarna

I have a chair fetish!

Mid Century numbers, classic bergères, Bent wood Thonet’s, leather club chair or iconic Chippendales… I love all chairs. Call that equal opportunity or simple madness, but I love to decorate with chairs!

Chairs have a decorative quality to them that few pieces of furniture can equal. To create order and symmetry beside the fireplace, to fill a small nook with book resting on top, or to furnish the floor space in front of a blank wall, chairs are the most versatile of all.

They are also easily recognizable. Their designs can be easily catalogued by eras and genre, rendering them excellent collectable items that hold their value if not increase it.

Interior design by Lisa Sherry

That being said, I never shy away from a good reupholstering job in order to bring a vintage chair into the Twenty First Century. Bergère… beware!

sources: Juno Harpoon, Apent Hus, Domestico Shop, Decorpad, Ashbourne Design, Lonny Magazine

I rarely take the time to sit down to read a book and yet, I’ve always had this romantic idea of the reading nook: a corner purely dedicated to reading and comfortable beyond belief.

There’s something comforting in knowing that when you get home after a long day, you have the perfect little spot to take your heels off and kick your feet up.

Reading nooks are also great for kids. Not only do they encourage reading, but they also provide a sense of security. I remember I could hide in mine for hours as a kid and make all the problems of the world disappear.

Whether it’s a space carved in a bay window or built into a wall, reading nooks need to convey the idea of ultimate comfort. And they need to be restraint in size. Were not talking about a grand library here, we’re talking small walk-in closet size.

Here are my top 5 essentials for the perfect reading nook:

1. First and foremost, you need a comfortable chair, daybed or sofa. A smaller sofa will give a sense of security so leave the 7-seater sectional for the home theatre. A chair with a higher back will keep your posture in check while still allowing you to rest your head. An ottoman is great with a chair to truly kick your feet up.

2. Plush cushions and throws are an essential to really feeling comfortable. A chair is never complete without pillows. A cute lumbar pillow is excellent for back support. A throw will finish off the soft furnishings and keep you warm in the winter months.

3. Here I’m going to sound sound like your mother, but good lighting is essential for reading to not strain the eye. For reading, the ideal is a task lamp that can be repositioned according to where you will sit. I prefer floor lamps that can easily be dragged around or swing arm wall sconces.

4. A reading nook isn’t complete without a bookcase. In order for the whole concept of the reading nook to work, a beautifully arranged bookcase is a must. Side note, bookcases always look their best with proper lighting and art.

5. Last but not least, think about where you’ll put your cup of tea or glass of water, your reading glasses and your bookmark? You need a small side table or stool large enough to host at least the essentials.

Do you have a reading nook in your house?

Gabrielle | Savvy Home

Sources: 1. Magdalena Aguilar’s Apartment via Nuevo Estilo 2. Angie Hranowsky via Lonny 3. Orrick & Company 4. Carrier & Company for Town & Country 5. Albert Hadley via Lonny 6. Alessandra Branca 7. Laurann Claridge via Lonny 8. Ruthie Sommers via Lonny 9. Hilary Swank’s Apartment via Elle Decor

Those of you who follow my blog will already know that I’m moving into my sweet little new apartment next week. And because I work from home, my home office is the absolute number one priority (well, after my bed)!

This got me thinking recently not only about what I want my next office to look like, but also about what are the important features of a home office.

I came to the conclusion that the same guidelines apply in a home office, no matter how big or how small, whether its shared or not shared, whether its used eight hours a day or one hour a month.

Of course we would all love a spacious office reminiscent of the great big library rooms of yesteryear used primarily for celebratory drinks and quiet reading time (à la Downton Abbey or Mad Men).

But the reality of home offices these days is that they’re often cramped or even shared with other rooms (whether it be the kitchen or the bedroom) and the risk of paper or gadget overflow has become scary!

So rather than letting it become another furniture and gadget graveyard, let’s look at a few ways to efficiently organize your home office for style, comfort and practicality.

1. Edit, edit, edit! I think it’s safe to say that unless you are a hundred years old, your home office probably includes some kind of electronic equipment: a computer, maybe a printer, scanner, tablet, speakers, and the list goes on and on, sometimes to scary lengths!

My rule is: get rid of anything you haven’t used in over six months. Additionally, hide the items that are used occasionally and, as much as possible, hide the spaghetti of chords hanging behind your desk!

2. Watch the view: No one likes to stare at a blank wall. I personally love my desk to face the entrance of the room, the window, or better, both. If none of these options are possible in your layout, decorate the wall behind your computer with frames, shelves or an inspiring pin board.

3. Desire to inspire: Speaking of pin boards, every office should have one. Whether you work in a creative industry or not, a pin board is always a great idea to find inspiration, organise your thoughts or leave important reminders. I personally love this DIY linen pin board with nail head trim.

4. I’ve got your back: Your office chair doesn’t need to look like it’s straight out of a Star Trek episode, but ergonomics are important for productivity and posture. So it’s a good idea to invest in a stylish computer chair that will keep your spine happy hours on end. If the space allows, a guest chair across your desk and a lounge chair for kicking your feet up are also great additions to a home office.

5. Trays and things: You should see my desk at the end of a 10 hour day. It looks like a war zone. Post-its, paperwork of all sorts, empty glasses, open books, electronics plugged in… I’ll spare you the photo. Because of this, it’s extremely important to determine what usually ends up on your desk after a day’s work, and  make sure each item has its place. It makes cleaning up at the end of the day that much easier.

For example, do you always end up with a stack of paperwork? Then a “to-file” tray may be a good idea – but do file your stuff the next day! If you always have a glass or water or cup of tea while working, think about a set of coasters. Pens and office supplies can go in pretty trays. And if you find a nice silver toast rack (often found in antique shops and flea markets), it makes for great mail sorter (a great tip from Arianna Belle)!

Can you see yourself applying these guidelines in your home office? Do you have other valuable guidelines to share?

Gabrielle | Savvy Home

1. Laura Ponte’s Home via Nuevo Estilo | 2. Amanda Nisbet’s Apartment via Lonny | 3. Jan Showers Interior Design | 4. Jenna Alcala Photo via Matchbook Mag | 5. Ellie Somerville’s Apartment via Lonny  | 6. Nuevo Estilo | 7. Lulu Powers via Lonny | 8. Lizzie Baily via Lonny | 9. Jo Berryman of Matrushka Design | 10. Nate Berkus and Anne Coyle via Elle Decor | 11. Laurann Claridge by Patrick Cline via Lonny | 12.  Celerie Kemble | 13. Victoria Thompson by Patrick Cline via Lonny