interiors Archives - Style&Minimalism

Santa Clara 1728, Lisbon

Travelling abroad is now become a little unrealistic for me, after flying home from Kos at 28 weeks I decided it was probably my limit for comfort. That hasn’t stopped me dreaming up future travel destinations to visit once the little one has arrived and we’re feeling settled. I’ve been hoping to get back to Lisbon this year, as I loved it so much when I was last there and there’s still so much I want to explore. How dreamy would it be to go back and stay here at Santa Clara 1728?

The Santa Clara 1728 hotel is located on a square in the Alfama district, the oldest in Lisbon. João Rodrigues and his family have taken a fresh approach to the hotel industry. They took an ancient Lisbon building and imbued it with warmth and comfort, to create a space that feels like home to the guests they welcome. João worked with architect Manuel Aires Mateus to evolve the old building in a way that would respect its past whilst bringing light and warmth to its rooms. They chose to use local materials (such as Lioz limestone, pine wood for the floors and handmade tiles), traditional building methods and handmade furniture.

There are just 6 large suites which look out towards the Tagus River. The rooms are decorated with furniture from B&B Italia and Carl Hansen, as well as bathtubs and sinks made from Lioz limestone. Breakfast and lunch are served on a long table in the dining room, encouraging guests from different cultures and countries to get to know each other. There’s also a bright secluded garden with lemon trees where you can sit, relax and read.

It looks like the most calming and relaxing place to stay, the perfect base for our next visit to Lisbon.

Stockholm Design Apartment with A View

Good design should be at the heart of every interior design project, and the whole of this Stockholm apartment lives and breathes it. Living here would be just so easy. Not to mention, there’s a hotel attached that offers cleaning and laundry services, room service, a rooftop bar and a gym. The apartment is on the 16th floor of a block in the Norrmalm district of Stockholm, with stunning views over the city.

It’s the slick well-considered design that I’m most impressed with. Good quality materials have been used throughout. Industrial glass walls allow light to travel through the apartment, creating a bright space. The beautiful Carrara marble in the bathroom is one of my favourite materials and has been used to great effect. The lovely wooden floors have been finished seamlessly. The built-in storage has a Mid-Century feel which compliments the collection of assorted contemporary furniture designs. There’s also a great selection of artwork, books, decorative details, textiles and lighting throughout that give the potentially cold space a relaxed, lived-in feel; including all those gorgeous Louis Poulsen lamps.

I love open-plan living as it creates a sociable space, you can be cooking in the kitchen and still chat with your guests. The glass walls cleverly partition each area without building barriers. Although I’m not too sure how I would feel having my bedroom on display to my guests whilst entertaining, maybe with all that storage it would be presentable.

I found this beautiful apartment for sale on ESNY.

The Home of The Owners of Artilleriet, Sweden

Every now and again I come across a house that’s been so beautifully designed that I want to move in immediately; this is definitely one of them. Unfortunately, it’s in Sweden and is already inhabited by the owners of Artilleriet, Christian and Bjorn. Artilleriet is an incredibly well curated homeware website with two shops in Gothenburg. Like their shops, their home is an eclectic mix of classic design, both old and new, blended to create a warm, welcoming space. It’s exactly how I see my own home in years to come. The palette is neutral which I’ve found really helps when it comes to combining old and new design. Everything seems to have its place but it doesn’t feel so contrived that if you pick something up you’ll disrupt the whole look; it’s all very liveable.

Although we don’t have nearly as much space as these guys there are a lot of similarities between their house and ours. They’re both old buildings which have been lovingly taken care of and we have a lot of similar pieces of furniture and decorative homewares. I wish we had their bathroom though, how incredible is the wooden sink stand that looks like it was once a regular sideboard? We don’t have such a large collection of chopping boards but we’re definitely headed that way. And that bowl on their dining room table looks remarkably like our fruit bowl. There are lots of things that I could point out but I’m sure in time you’ll be able to spot things as I share more of my home. If, one day, our home looks like this I’ll be very happy.

Styling by Lotta Agaton

Could You Live With Less?

This post was created in collaboration with Habitat.

When people talk about ‘less is more’ they’re probably not suggesting you sell all your prized possessions and live in an empty white box. It’s a phrase that was first used in design by the architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and he explained it as having ‘the greatest effect with the least means’.

1. TALIA White Bench | 2. LYSS Smoked Glass Table Lamp (no longer available) | 3. SUEDA Nude Pink Suede Cushion (no longer available) | 4. MERCO Black & White Ceramic Vase (no longer available) | 5. VIVA Glass Teapot with Infuser (no longer available) | 6. YVES Black Floor Lamp with Black Shade (no longer available) | 7. DEACON Blue Faceted Bowl (no longer available) | 8. VIVA Set of 2 Double Walled Glass Cups (no longer available) | 9. LYLE Charcoal Fabric 3 Seater Sofa

For me, it’s about buying only the things we really need and appreciate, whether that be aesthetically or functionally (or both, whenever possible); and getting rid of those we don’t. We currently live in a society in which we show our wealth with excess and I think it’s about time we took stock and realised that this nonsensical approach might not be the greatest one. It’s not only damaging to the environment but nurtures an anxiety in us to keep proving our success through larger, grander purchases. I’m not suggesting you stop working towards a better future for yourself. Just consider how you spend those well-earned pounds and pennies. Think about whether the next item you buy is going to make you happy today or for years to come. Will you still want to live with it in six months time? I’ve found that spending my money on items I really love and surrounding myself with these things makes me feel good in a way I never expected. You’ll also find that you save money, as you won’t feel the need to replace things so often because you’ll still enjoy both using and seeing them in your home.

Getting to grips with your personal tastes can be beneficial in determining what really brings you joy in your home. Go out and spend time soaking up the atmosphere and decoration in your favourite cafés, restaurants and hotels. Pick up a few interiors magazines next time you’re passing a newsstand or scour your local bookshop for interior design books, and sit with a cup of coffee and savour the pages. Pinterest boards are also an incredible way to build up a picture of what excites you. By discovering and determining the style that you love most you’ll make much better buying decisions. You’ll also find that the things you buy sit well together.

Over the last few years I’ve discovered that I’m drawn to a fairly minimalist aesthetic, functional pieces that have been made with great consideration for material and construction. They are quietly confident pieces that need no fanfare. I’m no longer distracted by what’s trending and know what suits me and my style. When I shop I look for pieces that will have a function in my home and I’ll have a spot in mind for them before I actually make a purchase. If you’re not sure, use the wish list function on your favourite website to curate a collection of items that you think might work. Then come back to them in a week or a fortnight when you’ve really given them some consideration.

It’s quite common to stop noticing the items we decorate our homes with, even the ones we spent hours debating over buying. We get them home, find the perfect place for them and then after a few months become quite used to them, to the point where we stop acknowledging them in the same way we once did. It’s not that you like them any less, they’ve just become part of the furniture (excuse the pun). Every couple of months have a rejig, move plants and prints around the house, change the books on your coffee table, try out a different configuration of your furniture. And if there are pieces in your home that you’ve completely tired of, get rid of them, either by selling them or giving them away to charity.