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Olsson & Jensen

I must thank Cez over at Méchant Design for bringing the Swedish shop Olsson &Jensen to my attention recently. I was swept away by the beautiful rustic styling and textures, the soft muted colours and bohemian touches.

Have a lovely Saturday everyone. If you're after some more weekend inspiration, pop back tomorrow for this week's home tour.

All images via www.olssonjensen.com

Ballard & Co

Based in Hamilton, NZ, twin sisters Hayley Ballard and Jaimee Stark are the creative design duo behind Ballard & Co. Interviewed recently by Urbis, they talk about the interiors project they did for Hamilton cafe Milk & Honey. Specialising in branding, graphic design and event styling, this was their first foray into interiors, but judging by the look of the cafe, you'd be forgiven for thinking they'd done this many times before. White walls, expansive windows, and a mix of materials both old and new, give the space a lovely eclectic feel.

I love the simple pendant lights, custom-made wooden shelving, bench space and gorgeous white dipped wooden stools.

Showing how multi-talented Hayley and Jaimee are, here are some examples from their graphic design and branding portfolio...

...and beautiful event styling and stationery for this Country Wedding.

Judging by their success, and with more exciting projects in the works, I think we'll be seeing a lot more of Ballard & Co!

All images via ballardandco.co.nz

Guest Post | Amy from Milo and Mitzy

Amy recently approached me about guest blogging for each other, and I thought it would a fun thing to do! Milo and Mitzy is another NZ blog, and Amy has a great eye for interiors. We share similar tastes, evident in her post today which carries on the black and white theme from yesterday! Over to you Amy....

I am very excited and honoured to be here with you as a guest blogger for The Design Chaser. I am a new Mum to my little girl Frankie, a wife, a soon to be primary school teacher, a good friend and a crazy lover of interiors, fashion, photography, cooking and all things alike. I have a strong love for black and white in the home thrown in with a dash of colour. Next on my wish list; some cool industrial lights for my kitchen followed by a vintage restaurant menu. (Hard to find, believe me!)

Today I have put together some of my favourite interior images from French by Design. I love the crisp black and white of these interiors combined with other materials such as wood, bricks and concrete. I like that people are embracing a mix of trends in their homes these days rather than sticking to just the one. I am a big fan of mixing vintage, industrial and Scandi designs together as these images show.

All images via French By Design

Amy x

Black & White | Two-Ten

If you missed the first Two-Ten post I did, it's a new occasional column with two moodboards and ten picks on a particular theme. Today I've chosen one of my obsessions - black and white!

Black & White Moodboard / One

Black & White Moodboard / Two

When it comes to both interiors and fashion, black and white can be a simple yet striking combination. I love pattern, especially polka dots, animal prints and stripes. A sure way of adding graphic interest to any room or outfit, here are my ten picks.

Links below images

01 Gran Black Cushion Cover by Fine Little Day
02 Marimekko Siirtolapuutarha Tea Pot from Kiitos
03 Small Talk Print by One Must Dash
04 Safari Tatoo Zebra Toy Watch from Superette
05 Diptyque Paris Figuier Candle
06 The Gospel Pant by Sass & Bide
07 Let Liv Cotton Striped Floor Rug
08 La Sardina Domino Camera from World Shop Lamography
09 Design House Stockholm Bono Mugs designed by Catherina Kippel
10 Superette Pony Hair Clutch

Anything take your fancy? I just purchased the rug yesterday...so that's a start!

Interior Designer | Natasja Molenaar

Dutch interior designer Natasja Molenaar has a talent for creating homes that are both beautiful and functional. Having carved out her career working for Dutch designer Piet Boon, she then moved into the field of interior design before eventually setting up her own design company in 2010. Her services include interior and exterior design for both residential and commercial clients, custom designed furniture and styling.

Natasja's attention to detail has resulted in an amazing portfolio of work. These spaces are among some of my favourites.

Apartment in Haarlem. Photo credit: Paul Grootes

The home above is especially stunning. When it comes to interior design, Natasja's work showcases so many features that I love, like pale wooden flooring, white washed walls, grey or monochrome palettes and simple furnishings, with a few quirky touches here and there. Equally important, the home layouts and furniture provide practical living solutions.

House in Haarlem. Photo credit: Alexander van Berge

Property in Montfoort. Photo credit: Ilse Online

These homes all have a pure, peaceful feel to them, don't you think? If you'd like to see more, check out Natasja's entire portfolio.

All images via www.natasjamolenaar.nl

LET LIV | Giveaway - Winner Announced!

I'm very excited to announce that the LET LIV giveaway winner is Liz Milner. Congratulations!! You have a gorgeous new scarf coming your way.

Thanks to everyone who entered, and a massive thank you to Natalie at LET LIV for her generosity. Now go and buy those gorgeous products you said you loved, if you haven't already!

A New Day | Day Birger et Mikkelsen

Danish brand Day Birger et Mikkelsen is known for its bohemian yet modern style, a result of founder Keld Mikkelsen's incredible vision to merge beautiful ethnic influences from his world travels with Scandinavian simplicity. I especially love the masculine tailoring and embellished details. Whether its eveningwear or everyday essentials, you can be sure of exquisite craftsmanship.

In addition to Day, the main fashion line, there is Day Home, an interior design collection and most recently 2nd Day, a diffusion line launched in 2011. The younger sister to the women's main line and soon to be reaching our shores here in New Zealand, here's a peek at what's coming.

The 2nd Day collection is built around jeans and denim, but you'll also find blazers, t-shirts and leather garments. I love it all! Described as raw masculinity meets sensual femininity, there is definitely a rock 'n' roll vibe here. And the great thing about diffusion lines, is that they are available at a fraction of the price of the main line.

Day Birger et Mikkelsen is stocked in small boutiques throughout NZ and according to NZ blog The Style Insider, wwwmadestore.co.nz is expecting their first drop of 2nd Day soon.

To see the full range, visit www.day.dk

All images: source

Homes to Inspire | Cottage in Canada

Part One - The Guest Cottage

This home provides a weekend escape during the summer months for John and Juli Baker, owners of Mjölk, a Scandinavian and Japanese design store in Toronto. Situated on the shores of Lake Huron, on Georgian Bay, both the guest cottage which I'm sharing with you today, and the main cottage, have undergone a full renovation.

In John's words, the cottage was "musty, mouldy and stuck in the seventies". By bringing it back to its original state, with natural pine floors and simple, practical furniture, it now has a fresh, modern feel. I absolutely love the combination of Scandinavian and Japanese style seen throughout the home. When it comes to design, both cultures share strong similarities such as simple forms, clean lines, an emphasis on functionality, and the use of natural materials.

The original brick fireplace has been plastered and painted white. Details like the iron hook and Japanese palm broom and dustpan break up the white and add interest.

Bringing nature indoors, I love how the vintage Swedish sconces by Knut Hallgren look like little tree branches.

Lovely Scandinavian and Japanese design pieces are displayed on a pair of Aalto shelves.

The stunning dining set, designed in 1955 by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Artek is available at Mjölk. The trio of framed Swedish lithographs were a great find at at Toronto's Junction Flea, while the 1940's cocktail cabinet by Alvar Aalto was an online find.

John opened up the space by removing a drop ceiling. The blue and white dhurrie rug is by Eero Koivisto for Asplund, available at Mjölk.

I love the striped bedlinen from Marimekko. An Alvar Aalto stool makes a great little side table.

The guest bedroom is furnished with two beautiful Alvar Aalto daybeds, to accommodate extra visitors during the holiday weekends.

All details of the renovation, including a series of before and after pics can be seen on the Mjölk blog.

If you were inspired by this delightful little cabin, keep an eye out for Part Two, where I'll show you the main cottage.

All images via kitkadesigntoronto.com