Pick of the Pads: Northern Exposure

Pick of the Pads is back with this stunning, light-filled home.

It’s featured in the October 2015 edition of Elle Decoration.

The apartment belongs to Swedish fashion photographer, Maria Wretblad and her film photographer husband, Aril – the Northern Exposure title is a reference to its Stockholm location.

We love the pared back simplicity.

Subtle, layered shades of white, black, grey and dusty pale pastels provide the backdrop.

Carefully selected classic design pieces are dotted throughout the apartment – some beautiful seating and lighting, in particular.

Wood, textiles and lots of books provide warmth and homeliness; plants, seed-heads and feathers draw nature in.

It’s got a lot of impact but, at the same time, is calm and well-balanced – classic Scandi cool!

Pick of the Pads: Ski-lodge Luxe

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'Ski-lodge Luxe' feature from the December 2014 edition of Elle Decoration Magazine

For this month’s Pick of the Pads we’ve chosen this wonderful Alpine ski-lodge in Northern Italy owned by Laura & Maurizio Gasparini.

Cover of the December 2014 edition of Elle Decoration Magazine

It’s featured in the December 2014 edition of Elle Decoration magazine.

'Ski-lodge Luxe' living room sofas

This is no pine-clad monstrosity of floor to ceiling, orange stained tongue & groove. There’s no mistaking this chalet for a giant sauna!

'Ski-lodge Luxe' dark colours

There is lots of wood, but it’s this glorious backdrop of boards reclaimed from old barns. They have the subtle colour & texture variation produced by weathering & oxidisation. It’s not overbearing in any way.

collection of antlers above a bed

The silvery wood is complemented with furnishings in a cool palette of greys & creams.

bunk beds with cushions and furs

In fact, there are no bold flashes of colour at all… but it all works together so well.

'Ski-lodge Luxe' living room sofa

Natural light streams in through the huge windows and there’s the glint of metallics dotted around.

'Ski-lodge Luxe' decorative pieces

It’s quite pared back, but there’s interest everywhere – textiles, luxurious furs and collections of found objects. The spaces are so atmospheric.

'Ski-lodge Luxe' galley kitchen

What a wonderful place to relax after a day on the slopes!

Pick of the Pads: Simply Beautiful

We’ve turned to the February 2014 edition of Elle Decoration for this month’s Pick of the Pads.

This wonderful loft apartment is situated in the Norwegian city of Stavanger and is the home of Mariken Steen and her partner Stian Einar Forgaard.

Mariken is an illustrator & Stian a film director, so as they put it, “are exposed to a lot of visual stimulation” in their work lives. Their home is a retreat from this – calmness, simplicity & functionality are the words that spring to mind.

The interior is essential for their mental well being – an uncluttered house for an uncluttered mind, in effect.

The apartment is decorated quite sparsely, but certainly doesn’t lack interest. In fact, the simplicity makes it easier for your eyes to rest on certain views or pieces. A great deal of thought & sourcing has gone into it.

There’s a wonderful mix of vintage, recycled & contemporary pieces – a palette of greys, creams & browns runs throughout.

The space is full of natural light & materials, much of it provided by the structure of the building which the owners stripped right back during their renovations. Rooms are softened by textiles & candlelight.