A little while ago I presented the first room of the original House of Anais - the master bedroom which currently serves more or less as the twins bedroom and combined play area. And now our introduction continues: today it's all about the dining room and living room. They are separate rooms, but as the shelves are open and there is no door, the rooms sort of blend into one, which also makes the house appear larger and airier. 

The style of the house is not that strictly defined - there are elements of country style with oak coloured furniture and floral patterns, yet at the same time there is a lot of modern mixed into it: especially with the lighting and those cream leather sofas. This house certainly has been done with the less-is-more-philosophy, which means that it's extremely easy to keep clean and in good order (I didn't need to do any cleaning for the pictures other than move my laptop and coffee mug from the dining table - aka my home office).

On the other hand the reason why there is so little stuff in common areas (kids rooms are filled to the hilt with toys and could be cleaned with a nice donation spree to the thrift shop, at least that's what I think) is because there isn't that much space and I simply haven't opened most of the boxes yet!

The living room is definitely the best room of the house. The shape of the room isn't perfect for it's rather narrow, but this room is all about natural lights and the views! That green, lush countryside all around: looking at it is the most calming thing I can think of (besides the sea of course). That is the everyday luxury country living gives you, and rain or shine it's still amazing.

And the garden gives you so much -more  just look at the lovely bunch of flowers that our kids picked from the garden, their flower for the mom from their heart. Aww is all I can say!

{You might have also noticed that there is no TV in the house: England now has digital TV system and one needs special equipment for that and our receiver was in some box behind 200 other boxes. But TV has also been removed because our son tested their new rounders bat (sort of English version of baseball for girls, as buys play cricket) and he broke the screen. I am happy to report that no-one has been asking for a new TV as there is so much to do outside until dinner-time every day!}

Today, I've been inspired by this beautiful over-sized oak dining table. The home in question belongs to Terence Conran, and a version of the table can be actually bought from the Conran Shop. Since we are a relatively large family I'd love to get something like this so that we could sit down at once while we have friends visiting. 

I also love those floor-to-ceiling sash windows that bring so much light into the room. And the open kitchen design with the old-fashioned way of pots and pans hanging on top of the island and on walls is a lovely contrast to the otherwise a bit more contemporary kitchen design. This setup manages to make the large table appear much smaller and the open space in general cozy despite the relatively high ceilings. 

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Simple yet effective is how I would describe this design. No gimmicks here - it's all about colour in five, not fifty, gradually changing shades of pink. I love they way these closet doors just lighten up the room and take it to another level from plain white and modern decor and add lots of warmth to the room. As I often say: little things make a big difference!

Of course the doors are not the only thing I like about this room: I have always fancied the round Saarinen Tulip table and the Ant chairs - and white airy spaces in general. This rooms just puts it all so well together that I'd give it two thumbs up. 

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It is, once again, time to make a house into a home. We have now done a full circle and returned back to the original House of Anaïs. Except this time the kids have grown so much that the house is just too small: for me it spells as in minimising everything and keeping lots of stuff in boxes (and potentially getting rid of them). 

We decided to change the room order and gave the twins the master bedroom, which also will function as a playroom (not ideal as I like to keep the bedroom for sleeping mainly, but can't help it now). Here's the scoop what old, what's new or brought from other rooms to this room: Miss C. gets to sleep in her brother's trundle bed, so her little bed is out of the picture now. The Ikea storage unit from the playroom is also here, as it similar low unit from living room. I also had to cut down the number of toys in the room, but I think that is only good as I believe in periodically changing the toys anyway and giving children the opportunity to rediscover their things - that also reduces the requests for new things!

The new fresh addition to the room are the polka dot curtains and matching storage cubes from the Great Little Trading Company. I have also added some spring-fresh bunting in the window. A bit girlish maybe, but it will do - I have never stuck to the "girls and boys colours" strictly anyway, but aimed to just bring lots of colour to the room. And the room still has dinosaur bedding and car rugs too...

I have also aimed to divide the room into the central play area, a"home corner" and the crafting table in the other corner. It also great that we at least have a bathroom attached to the bedroom, so accidents are less likely to happen. We are all pretty happy with the outcome and I'd love to hear what you think about this girl-boy combo room?  

New polka dots curtains and storage cubes works well with the old Ikea unit

The bedroom needs to act as play room also - the toys are still stored the same way (but I still have some missing baskets as there are so many boxes to open). The table for activities got a corner position but lighting is good so it won't matter too much 

This view shows most of the room - it obviously helps that the room has nice proportions

The other corner functions as "home play" area with a little kitchen, vacuum, broom and baby things 

I made the "dramatic" decision of using just one bed and having the other twin sleep in the trundle bed in order to save space. The centre of the room is occupied by the train/multi-function storage table  

There is a cozy little en-suite also for the kids, although a bath tub would have been nice 

Wow, is what I said when I saw this house. All rooms full of vibrant colours, quirky details and styles mixed up. There is modern, retro, romantic chandeliers, kitschy lights and knick-knacks of all sorts. It seems that the common factor is shades of pink - mostly bold ones too. 

I love the idea of the house, but in the long run this would be way too full of stuff to suit my style - but I certainly find little inspirations from every room!

What a fabulous living room with high ceilings, ornate coving and a large bay window. The mix is eclectic and interesting with reclaimed wood floor and modern accessories blended in with more traditional ones. A different yet fun style statement!

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It's raining, it's pouring - and I am dreaming of sitting in front of a fire, with a warm seat, throw and a mug of warm tea. A miserable day is a good one to day dream and look for inspirations like this living room with pink accents in curtains and those velvety large floor cushions. 

There are softer shades of pink on the wallpaper, the throw, rug - and even on the fireplace. This room feels feminine, but the pink is not overwhelming, but a fresh and well integrated with the overall decor of the room. This is a pink love day!

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I think there is a pattern to the kind of rooms I like - light and airy, bare wood floors, cream units. The country house as its best. This kitchen-breakfast room area is delightful with its mix of rustic and contemporary accessories. A room one can dream of and be inspired by it: it's a kitchen dream day!

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Think of country style and you probably think of shabby chic or rustic on rather recent builds. Then there is the real thing: truly old and rustic houses which has been renovated; but in the spirit of keeping the old authentic and rustic style. This home falls on the latter category with the old beams, stone oven, stair railings, slanted ceilings, you name it.

The decor is light and airy which helps to open up the space, and the combination of whites and creams against natural wood is just so fresh and comfortable. An adorable hideaway!

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It's rustic, yet rather contemporary. There is plenty of exposed natural wood and Scottish tartan in fabrics. This home office is a delight for the eye and very fresh in style - and also suitably gender neutral with the current colours scheme, so it's perfect as his-and-hers office.

I am inspired by this Scottish Highland-themed room with its lovely yellow, cream and brown tones.Two thumbs up for the design and ambiance!

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I spy horses. This lovely entrance hallway has the main theme of horse motifs - on wallpaper, accessories and even on the wellies.

Combined with light-coloured walls, natural light from the stained-glass window panes and lovely patterned tile flooring, the outcome is fresh and very artistic. Country house style at its best! 

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I think the Murphy's law applies to house hunting too - you always find that beautiful, perfect house somewhere else than where you are looking to settle in. This week my dream house is located by the lake in the Windy City (Chicago, that is). Oh what a pretty place it is - although I think it would be way too big (meaning I would be scared to stay there alone, and would struggle to clean it alone too...) with its 25 (!) rooms.

Anyway, this house is just so pretty - it's different from the generic house, so full of light, pretty details in ceilings and elsewhere - and fabulous extras such as the very English panelled study and so many lovely balconies and terraces - not to forget the groomed gardens (I'v always had the weakness for a circular driveway with a fountain in the middle) and the lakeside location. A perfect mid-week - and Valentine's day inspiration, for there is something very romantic about this house...  

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Feelin' retro vibes today with this fabulous dining area - a mix and match of of chairs in white and baby blue combined with an extra long table (or rather two simple white rectangular tables put together). On the background a black storage unit that reminds of those apothecary systems set on a rather narrow, double-height accent wall, also in black.

This is an airy open-plan living area with plenty of light and height built on the contrasts of black, white (and some more colourful accent pieces such as the blue chairs) and natural wood floor with weaved rugs. A rather simple idea, which has helped to create a very stylish and fashionable interior!

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Greetings from UK - it is great to be back here and surrounded by nature and old houses: beams, stone and pretty little details. Rustic and country-style homes - a bit like this lovely old stone-walled house.

Today it's all about natural stone walls, weathered wood doors and all cute seaside-inspired blue and white fabrics. A cute summer home by the sea...I'll just keep on dreaming!

This home is definitely Scandinavian chic, but a bit different from the typical white on white and rustic take on interior. Here the key concept includes contrasting colours, splashes of bright accents and fun upcycled ideas such as the bases of the sofa and the coffee table made out of wood pallets. The end results is effortless, but certainly not cold - not boring!

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This living room looks so mid-century - and British. It mixes colours and patterns: yellows, blues, pale wood and different prints using iconic pieces in the decor. I love this take on the wallpaper as it feels like a more contemporary version of the traditional floral patterns.  

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...very soon. I'm already loving reading tips on how to spruce up the rooms for the spring. This dining corner with the cute accent lighting, transparent ghost chairs and colourful cushions is just delectable. Pale yellow, vibrant orange and rustic, printed burlap accessories. I am looking forward to the spring, sunlight and some new decorating for the season! 

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I adore the details of this penthouse in Moscow. The apartment itself has great views and some lovely vaulted and very rustic ceilings. But the rustic accessories are what makes this place memorable - those cute carousel-like horses, an old sleigh, ethnic flower-themed wall art. A very Slavic flair, and that just is so delectable! 

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Like they sing in that old song: funky, funky... and this room really is. A bit shabby with industrial vibe, lots of 50s retro and salvaged glamour of old signs. Expect the unexpected here.
 
This room is screaming hip and single, not so much of kids and countryside, but it certainly is my inspiration today. Might need to dig out of the naphthalene my old stripy Burberry pants and Naf Naf tops from the time when they still were pretty unusually cool and feel the funky spirit here at home... 

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What a cool open-plan living room this is. It is rustic, yet feels also modern. it is casual and fun and so full of light and life. I love the warm tones of the beams and the many shades of the floor boards. This is a very different and breathtaking living room!

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...and there were many presents waiting under the tree! Is your house ready for the celebration? Decor, presents, ambiance, little trays of nuts and other snacks in place? The longest day of the year is behind us and the festival of light (as we often call Christmas in Finland) is almost here...

Few days to go for Christmas and today I'm dreaming of this cozy living room. Beautiful, old-fashioned and oh so rustic decor, this room looks like a little country haven ready for the Santa's arrival!

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I heart this room with its modest, and yet so beautiful natural decor of wreaths and garland - and even the bay trees look very suitable for the occasion. Of course it helps to have a gorgeous backdrop of a room with those black shutters and all. Green and red - always suitable colours for Christmas and winter season!