Swedish apartment: black, white and texture

I spotted this beautiful apartment over on Emmas Design blog this morning. The kitchen and bedroom in particular are soooooo fab. Bistro style dining chairs are quickly becoming the dining chair of the moment and I love the contrast of the black against the otherwise white kitchen. The wood effect wall (wallpaper?) also adds warmth to the room.  Having seen the painted grey floor in the bedroom I am seriously tempted with my own bedroom! And what about how they've cut a square out of the plaster to expose the brickwork?

Stadshem

What do you think?

An important announcement - thank you so much for all your wonderful entries to win the Vitra L'oiseau from Designcollectors. The winner of the beautiful birdy is Karina from Makao Home! Congratulations! I wish you could have all won :)

Here in Sweden my family and I are heading up the coast to celebrate Valborg (Walpurgis night) with a huge bonfire and singing. Do you celebrate Walpurgis night in your country?

Ausbau apartment by Studio Oink

Hello Monday!! How are you all? I hope you had a lovely weekend. For those of you struggling with the start of the week, don't worry, I have the perfect home tour; the Ausbau apartment in Wiesbaden, Germany. The brief was to create a quiet and bright space and designers Studio Oink (love the name!) have achieved this using whites and pale wood for a calm and bright atmosphere. They have also added a touch of nature, and a mix of Scandinavian designer, mid century and vintage pieces for a relaxed vibe.

 

Studio Oink with kind permission. Via This is Paper

I spy the Vitra panton chair, the EA117 office chair (15% off with code MYSCAN). The industrial style Hay lamp in the kitchen (I've got one of these here, it's fab!), String pocket shelving , and painted dining chairs (just like mine! I picked them up for 30 quid at the local flee market - bargain!). Have I missed anything?

What do you reckon? Do like the light wood touch?

Celariac Slaw

This week has been jam packed full of new adventures for me. I've been lucky enough to work with three super duper talented food related people. First up, the amazing food stylist Sharon Hearne-Smith who has worked with some big named chefs in the industry, second is the talented chef Neven Maguire who owns MacNean House in Blacklion and thirdly the fantastic photographer Joanne Murphy. It's been a big big week. Big for me, for my career and for this new path my life is taking.

Before I left home to set sail well, start the ferry engine back to Ireland my talented cook of a Mum made me one of my favourite dishes. Celariac slaw. I love the peppery fieriness, the way the little grated pieces make me think of grated clouds and the memories this slaw evokes of picnics at our house in the South of France and sitting on our 'magic carpet' picnic blanket, summer evenings with a fire and music and friends. Always friends.

This salad works well in the winter as well as in the summer due to the spicy nuttiness of the celeriac and the mustard powder.  Celariac is one of those ugly vegetables that doesn't really look like much but has such a punch and kick not only in flavour but in goodness that it's worth plucking these from the veggie stall.
It's known for it's diuretic qualities and is especially useful for those with kidney stones and arthritic conditions. It's also supposed to be beneficial to the urinary, lymphatic and nervous systems. Good all round then!

As for the recipe, it could not be easier. It uses 4 ingredients. Thats it.

Serves 4 as part of a main:
350g celariac, skinned and grated
1-2 tsps of mustard powered, sieved (try 1 to start and then if you want it more peppery put the other in)
6 tbsps of natural non sweet yoghurt.
½ a lemon squeezed (more if needed)

First off, sieve mustard powder and add to the yoghurt. Mix well and taste. Adjust if you want it more fiery, remember that celeriac has a spicy punch to it!

Grate the celeriac into the yoghurt/mustard mix and pour lemon juice over. This will stop it from discolouring and also adds a little 'je ne said quoi'.

Mix well and keep in the fridge. It will last for a couple of days and works well with fish or meat. Enjoy!

A Finnish log cabin

Doing anything fun this weekend? I know one family in Finland who will spend the weekend in this beautiful 48 metre square cottage. I showed a few pictures of it here and today the lovely Minna from Time of The Aquarius has given me permission to show a few more. Complete with two bedrooms, tiny kitchen and a sitting room with a cosy fireplace and a sauna and guest room, the cottage has no running water. It's small for a family of five but that's the idea, they can be close and spend quality time together. Apart from the incredible decor, I think it resonates with me because I love the idea of weekends away with nothing but family and the nature for entertainment.

Time of The Aquarius

Could you spend time in a cottage without running water?

Do you remember this incredible Finnish cabin I showed a few months ago (also without running water?

If you're up for some simple but very cool DIY this weekend check out this cool project.

I love this incredible wooden box house, it's such a refreshing take on architecture and design!

I spy the very cool Vitra L'oiseau in these pictures. If you haven't entered the give-away to win one of these cooly birdies hurry! You have until Monday! :)

Before I head off, I just wanted to mention you've probably noticed my blog is going through a bit of a facelift at the moment, bear with me, the wonderful Ana from blog milk is working on it and it may look a little strange for a few days!

Have a wonderful weekend all!

The Apartment, Copenhagen

An exciting invite plopped into my mail box last week to attend a preview of the Sarah Becker exhibition at The Apartment. For those of you are unfamiliar with the concept, The Apartment was founded by Tina Seidenfaden Busck and Pernille Hornhauer and exhibits 20th century funriture, contemporary art and design in the setting of an 18th century apartment in the heart of Copenhagen. Here are some pictures of the forever changing space which is slightly more flamboyant than the usual Danish style we are used to seeing but nevertheless beautiful.

The Apartment

What do you think of the space, does it reflect your personal style?

Unfortunately I couldn't make the preview as I was rushing off to London, but the exhbition is on until May 8th for anyone who's interested.

I'm heading home today and sooooo looking forward to seeing my little family! Thank you London for a wonderful stay, you'll always be my favourite!!

PS Don't forget to enter the give-away if you haven't already!

PPS Excuse the layout changes this evening - we are just trying to figure out a slightly new and improved layout and it's a bit of a work in progress! 

Keeping it simple in white and wood

This apartment is great inspiration for someone who likes to keep it clean, or is simply a little colour shy. The white and wood theme is so relaxed and warm in this Swedish apartment for sale through Fantastic Frank.

Fantastic Frank via wonderful blog 79 ideas

I think my favourite picture is the last one thanks to the beautiful Swedish 'kakelugn' in the corner and the pretty collection of glass bottles used as candle holders on a perspex side table - clever!

What about you? Could you do white and wood?

Sorry if you had a few problems entering the give-away yesterday (there was a technical problem for a few hours and me and technical don't mix very well!). The problem is solved so if you'd like to enter to win a fab Vitra L'oiseau worth 100 euros stop by here, I'd love you to join in the fun!

I hope you have a lovely day (20 degrees and sunny here in London - now that's more like it!), let's hope I take it back with me to Sweden tomorrow.....

Fab Give-away: L'oiseau

Designcollectors, stockists of the largest Vitra range in Europe, are excited to announce that they will now also sell fab brands Artek and Thonet in the Designcollectors online shop. They have also recently launched a Designcollector's Facebook page for all the latest product info and interior inspiration - yay! we like!

To celebrate  the launch of the new brands Designcollector's and my scandinavian home have teamed up to offer you the chance to win this very cool Vitra L'oiseau worth 100 euros!

To enter all you need to do is:
- Visit Designcollectors website and check out theVitra, Artek and Thonet products
- Write a comment below stating which product you like the most and why
- Like Designcollector's Facebook page 

The competition is open to everyone and closes Monday 29th April at midnight GMT. The winner will be announced here on Tuesday 30th April.

Don't forget, if you're not the lucky winner you can always get 15% off on all products at Designcollectors with the code MYSCAN.

Bright, breezy and perfectly styled in Stockholm

Bright, airy and breezy and beautifully styled. This Östermalm, Stockholm apartment on the market through Alexander White is the perfect way to start the week!

 

Alexander White via Stil Inspiraton

Favourite items? Mine is the the beautiful leather chesterfield and the vintage fan. Incidentally, our new bedroom is at the top of the house and gets extremely hot in the summer - perfect excuse to invest in a vintage fan - any tips on where to source one?

I'm currently in London (my home city!) for a few days. I love being back, it's such a fab city in the spring time. Yesterday I spent a day in London fields, East London home of the Columbia Road Flower Market and a great local pub!

Did you get up to anything fun?

PS Tomorrow I'll be hosting a very exciting give-away so don't forget to stop by for your chance to win!



Homemade Chocolate

Yes you can. Have one that is. These bad boys of bittersweet goodness can be completely sugar free (and if not only contain agave syrup) and will impress your friends no end when you tell them you've made your very own chocolate!

It is so simple and produces such a large amount that it is one of those that I adore to make. Kids will have a blast and parents will love doing it with them because nothing can go wrong! It can be used to dip candied peel in, strawberries and other berries, make a sin-free hot chocolate, add fruit, nuts. Anything you want really!

All you need for this is equal amounts of Cocoa butter and Raw Cocoa Powder. I used 300g and 300g (doh!). Melt the cocoa butter in a bane marie. This is basically where you put water in a saucepan, put a bowl in the saucepan but not touching the water. Put whatever you are trying to melt into the bowl and turn the heat on. Once the water comes to a boil, turn it off.

Once your Cocoa butter has melted (it will look like melted butter) simply add in the Raw Cocoa powder. Take the time to sieve it in otherwise you'll be there far longer trying to get the lumps out!

At this point, you can add Agave Syrup. I adore my chocolate bitter and add just a teeny weeny squeeze but if you like yours a lot sweeter, add more. It is utterly taste dependant so add and try, add and try.

If you do add Agave Syrup, you will notice the consistency gets a lot gloopier and thick and lovely! It will also thicken as it cools.

At this stage either leave it to cool so you can roll it into truffles (dusting with cocoa powder and salt is a fav option of mine) or pouring it in to moulds. If rolling into truffles you will have to go back every 10mins or so to check it hasn't completely solidified! I only had an old ice tray lying around and not really sure if it would work, I gave it a go. Bob is most definitely my Uncle as it worked like a charm!

Or if you want bark type pieces line a flat tray with baking paper and spread the mixture over. I did it this way too and used some apricot kernels as my nut of choice…turned out soooooo good!

Happy making.

There are lots of people making this recipe (all with variations but in general the same) and I should really give them a mention! Sorry I didn't before…..here, here and here.