NEW BOOK – MODERN PASTORAL BY NIKI BRANTMARK

This Monday is all about embracing a pared-back lifestyle, taking nature as inspiration and living in the country. I am so excited to be kicking off the blog book tour for Modern Pastoral by Niki Brantmark. You probably know Niki for her beautiful interiors blog – My Scandinavian Home and if you don’t – get on over there and be inspired!Modern Pastoral is basically my rustic dream book. From magical homes nestled in forests to calm waterside retreats, it’s pages are filled with beautiful examples of rural living adapted to modern life. I really love how Niki’s book shares the outside of the homes as well as the interiors. My favourite exteriors include the black painted Lakeside retreat and the bright white weatherboarded, Hudson Farmhouse! Stepping inside, cosy corners, bare beams and wood, wood, wood! So many brilliant ideas in here – the simply stunning shelf on page 152, the dart picture pins on page 61 and how to showcase botanical elements in a modern Swedish country home – on pages 80 – 93. Below the whitewashed walls and beams add light to what might otherwise be a dark space and most of the furnishings throughout this Scanian farmhouse – have been on my wishlist since we moved to a village ourselves.I love all the modern inspired homes – but my heart soars for the more rustic spaces – surely this hand built kitchen below needs to be dismantled and shipped here to me, right now – and don’t even get me started on the bathroom in the next photo, what a lovely place to relax!If your are renovating, looking for inspiration or love the city and just like dreaming of a rural life – this book will make your weekend. All images from Modern Pastoral by Niki Brantmark, photography by James Gardiner, published by CICO Books.