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  • Casa Vipp – a minimalist mountain hideaway in Andorra

    Casa Vipp – a minimalist mountain hideaway in Andorra

    April 18, 2023February 17, 2026

    Set high in the Pyrenees, the latest addition to Danish design brand Vipp’s collection of stylish places to stay mixes modern minimalism with traditional Andorran features…

  • New design finds | March 2023

    New design finds | March 2023

    March 7, 2023February 16, 2026

    Minimalist design finds this month include a mid-century shelving system updated for modern interiors, beautiful furniture with Japanese influences, wall panels made from sustainable cork, and much more…

  • Palazzo Monti – a stunning Italian pop-up hotel from Vipp

    Palazzo Monti – a stunning Italian pop-up hotel from Vipp

    February 22, 2023February 16, 2026

    Opening to mark this year’s Salone del Mobile, Danish design brand Vipp’s Italian pop-up hotel Palazzo Monti fuses Scandinavian minimalism with Baroque maximalism…

  • New design finds | February 2023

    New design finds | February 2023

    February 9, 2023February 16, 2026

    Minimalist design finds this month include sculptural lamps and accessories, versatile furniture for today’s multifunctional homes, and a couple of very exciting collaborations…

  • The ‘Vega’ chair – a versatile design classic for today’s home

    The ‘Vega’ chair – a versatile design classic for today’s home

    January 30, 2023February 17, 2026

    Carl Hansen & Søn’s stackable ‘Vega’ chair is a versatile and timeless Scandinavian design classic for today’s multifunctional home…

  • SP34 Apartments – a new design destination in Copenhagen

    SP34 Apartments – a new design destination in Copenhagen

    January 20, 2023February 17, 2026

    A look around a new set of Copenhagen boutique apartments from the renowned Hotel SP34 – ideal for fans of minimalist Nordic design…

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They say the journey is as important as the destin They say the journey is as important as the destination, and that's certainly true of my trip to Bergen in Norway with my friend Becky earlier this month. Rather than fly straight there, we decided to use it as an opportunity to do something that's been on my bucket list for a while - a classic itinerary dubbed 'Norway in a Nutshell', which goes from Oslo to Bergen by public train, boat and bus (including two of the most scenic railways in the world). 

It was a spectacular experience encompassing mountains, plateaus, fjords, lakes and waterfalls, taking us from spring to winter and back again. Here's a taster from the many photos I took along the way, but there's much more on the blog - including tips on how to book tickets, where to sit on the trains for the best views, and where to stay overnight if you have more time than we did and want to split it over more than one day. 

It's a journey that will linger in my memory for a long time, and one I'm very glad I got to do. 

#visitnorway #norwayinanutshell #fjords #divineworldplaces #postcardplaces
More kitchen progress! The cabinet that sits on to More kitchen progress! The cabinet that sits on top of the worktop (which hides the boiler and some storage) is now finished, and the perfect little freestanding island unit has arrived (I wanted something quite gnarled and rustic to contrast with the pale units). We're just waiting for the window blind to arrive and for the electrician to come out and install the pendant light, and the whole room will be done. Scroll through to see a 'before' shot - it's a big change! 

#cottagerenovation #minimalistkitchen #shakerkitchen #neutralkitchens #simpleinterior
From a beautiful evening mooching around Oslo wate From a beautiful evening mooching around Oslo waterfront last week. I was in Norway for a short break with a friend, and we were treated to an amazing spring sunset. It made a wonderful start to our trip, and also an opportunity to catch up with the fabulous @dimakaterina. Our stay in the Norwegian capital was only very brief, though, as early next morning we headed off to do something that's been on my bucket list for a long time. More on that (and a full blog travel guide) later in the week...

#visitoslo #norwaytravel #theprettycities #divineworldplaces #sunsets_oftheworld
Photos from a spring visit to Great Chalfield Mano Photos from a spring visit to Great Chalfield Manor, a 15th-century National Trust property not far from our new home. It's a beautiful, fairytale kind of place, especially at this time of year when the blossom and wisteria blooms. And see if you can spot the image where I may have captured a ghost... I mean, it was probably just a smudge on my camera lens, but a ghost is a far more interesting explanation. And intriguingly it didn't show up on the frames taken a second beforehand and a second afterwards...

#thisprettyengland #wisteriahysteria #visitwiltshire #springgarden #visitthecotswolds
[AD - ongoing partnership] I'll always have a soft [AD - ongoing partnership] I'll always have a soft spot for @hollowaysofludlow's beautiful flagship showroom in Bath (it's where I held the official launch event for my first book), and it's currently hosting a fantastic takeover by Carl Hansen & Søn. Arranged as a series of zones, it's a great way to see the Danish brand's timeless Scandinavian design in context and try various pieces out for yourself. There are plenty of mid-century icons, including Hans J. Wegner's CH24 'Wishbone' chair (my personal favourite), plus newer pieces such as Rikke Frost's stunning 'Sideways' sofa with its organic curves and woven paper-cord sides. A specially created ochre-and-red colour scheme sets it all off perfectly, as do curated artworks and accessories. 

I’ve long believed that Scandinavian design lends itself particularly well to period settings such as this Georgian former bank building, as its pared-back expression and enduring materials work alongside a range of architectural styles. The takeover is proof of that, and fellow interiors enthusiasts will be in their element. It's on until September, so do take a look around if you're in town.

#scandinavianinteriors #scandiinterior #danishdesign #minimalinterior #scandinaviandecor

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