Reader redesign. Retro makeover.

Today I want to share with you a reader redesign, (which is a first I think on This Home Sweet Home) Francesca sent me these photos of a mahogany chest of drawers that she has completely transformed,    (unfortunately she didn't take a before photo, but I think you get the idea) Painted using William Morris specialist paint in teal and covered in stripes and flowers I think you'll agree that it looks lovely.  This piece is a one off piece, part of what Francesca is calling 'Morph Furniture' this piece being from the  Retro Chic Collection which she intends to add to with more items  over time.

Lovely fresh green and blues,  perfect to grace a bedroom. 

If you are looking for something different and unique for your bedroom, but don't have time or want to   take on this kind of thing yourself, then you are in luck,  Francesca is looking to sell this piece of furniture which  has 5 drawers and lovely high quality pretty  knobs that add the finishing touch, so practical and stylish at the same time.  If you would like more info just email me at thishomesweethome@yahoo.co.uk and I'll pass on your details, as currently Francesca hasn't got a  website.

If you have a reader redesign that you would like to share, because we all  love a great makeover, feel free to email some photos, but be sure to take a great before and after shot wont you.

Subway tiles and Parquet Flooring.

Two stylish and practical decorating looks that I am currently loving, are subway tiles and wooden parquet flooring. Once you get past the London underground public toilet thing, subway tiles can work well for both a traditional and a modern look, and can add character to kitchens and bathroom. 

Parquet flooring, probably associated more with older properties is also becoming more popular, and laying one is a great way of adding warmth and charm to a room, and also work well with old and new. 

 We have cats at home who often bring  the odd little gift for me, in the form of something dead and usually slightly bloody, and I regularly wish that we had flooring other than a light beige carpet in the lounge, so on a practical level Parquet flooring which is durable and hard wearing could make a great choice for cat owners.

 Always a great source for inspiration, Alvhem Interiors show off subways tiles and parquet flooring to great effect in this apartment, though this is already a characterful building, I could see both subway tiles and parquet flooring working in a  modern home, especially where a focal point or a bit of charm is lacking.

All images Alvhem Estate and Interiors.

Decorating Inspiration from Alvhem.

Since discovering the Alvhem Estates and Interiors website I make a point of dropping by and checking out the latest apartments on a regular basis,  as there is always plenty to be inspired by, like this recent offering currently for sale in  Linnéstaden. 

I really like the open plan kitchen dining and living area, but I love the finishing touches and details that bring this whole look together, mid century modern dining table and chairs  meets dramatic and glitzy Chandelier, bold wall paper and splash back that reflects the light and adds interest, a wonky mirror hangs at a slant to add fun and quirkiness, throw in plenty of fabrics textures and it all equals a winning formula in my book.

A large rug helps define the seating area and creates a place to relax and chill with a favorite film, while the photos and pictures help break up the expanse of white wall, and the mirror adds a bit of fun, could you resits the temptation  to straighten it up though? 

Anything catch your eye here?  For more  apartments and inspiration check out the Alvhem website, but be warned you will loose time here daydreaming.

Simple spray paint make over.

As  I mentioned on Monday, I got busy with a can of spray paint over the weekend and gave a dark brown wooden picture frame  a simple  update by spraying a few coats of gloss black paint.  It does take about a day to do as you have to allow each layer to dry, but I'm pleased with the finish.   The print I down loaded ages ago from here, and just printed it out in black and white.So there you have it, a simple make over with spray paint.

The glass jar is by Bloomingville 

Guest Blogger Marianne, Nordic Bliss.

As promised earlier on today, I would like to introduce Guest Blogger, Marianne from Nordic Bliss blog and owner of  her online shop,  I'm very excited to be able to have Marianne here today, as I have been following her blog for a while now and watching as her new online venture unfolds,  I'm sure you will find Marianne's  post an inspiration and pleasure to read,  Enjoy!

Hello, my name is Marianne and I've been given the honour to be a guest blogger on This Home Sweet Home. You probably haven't heard of me before so I thought I would start with an introduction. I'm 26 years old and was born in the very North of Norway, up where the sun doesn't shine in the winter and never sets in the summer. After 5 years in Norway our family moved to Sweden, then we moved to Denmark, then we moved back to Sweden, and then (I know, I know, I've written "moved" too many times already) about 5 years ago I decided to move to England to study bringing my Swedish boyfriend with me.

Photographer Ditte Isager

Since then I've finished my studies and gotten married to that Swedish boy. Together we have started to become quite settled here in the UK. Furnishing and decorating our little flat and the rest of the process of creating a home has sparked my interest in interiors and designs. For years I could sit for hours looking through lovely blogs and interior magazines to get inspiration for our own place.

Picture from Alvhem

As I was hunting for pieces for our home I didn't always find what I had in mind and other times when I did find something I liked it was not in a price range of a newly graduated young couple. Being a bit of an optimist who starts projects without realising just how much work is involved I decided to start my own shop - Nordic Bliss (and after convincing my other half that this was a great way to spend our savings). It's our little space online where we sell carefully selected yet affordable products from Nordic brands. I try to focus on smaller brands that are not high street but have potential to become great. So far we have products from Hubsch, Madam Stoltz, Lapland W Design, Ylva Skarp and Shyness.

Pictures from Boligmagasinet and DesignoForm

I've collected a few products that would help keep me warm these cold winter days.

1. Pillow from Fine Little Day 2. Wall paper from Bodie and Fou 3. Teapot and Cup by Höganäs from The Lollipop Shoppe 4. Wool rug from Nordic Bliss 5. Felt basket from Nordic Bliss 6. Log side table from West Elm

It has taken time to find out what "my" style is and of course I have moments when I fall in love with pieces that wouldn't really go well with anything else in our home. But after years of searching I've come to realise that there is a deep rooted Scandi inside me (surprise!). I want white bright rooms - a Scandi cliché perhaps, but as I mentioned - the sun doesn't come up in the winter - we need all the light we can get. Details in natural materials such as cotton and linen and pieces and accents in wood to bring nature inside.

Picture from Livet Hemma (Ikea Live)

I also blog so if you want to see more pictures like these here you are welcome to visit me there.

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Thanks once again to Marianne for kindly agreeing to be my Guest Blogger today.