Hood Loves

Content creator, University of Edinburgh researcher and interior stylist, Patricia Rodi

My father is French and my mother is Czech, but I was born in Sweden, so I spent my childhood between different countries and places: my father’s restaurant in Gothenburg; the countryside of Southern France where I spent every summer; and the Italian seaside where I ate too much gnocchi and burrata. This nomadic lifestyle has definitely had an impact on me and influences the type of environment I now crave. 

A couple of years ago, my partner Patrick and I were looking tirelessly on RightMove. I was keen to move out of our flat and have a house with a garden for our Labradoodle, Alva. The search criteria was “house + Scotland”. A property in a village in Argyll and Bute came up and we went to view it. The minute I saw it, I knew we had to live here. The light was fantastic, the ceilings were high, and it had a really good feel about it. I walked through the airy, calm rooms, door by door, room by room, to the back garden, which was filled with lovely plants and the most beautiful Schersmin tree. I was just drawn to it and its potential - it was love at first sight.

I love Scotland, the closeness to the sea and mountains, and the home we have created is truly a reflection of Patrick and myself. It has the cosy yet calming vibe of a Nordic farmhouse, as well as English eclecticism, Renaissance design and French antiques. It sounds like a mash of everything – but together I think we’ve created something beautiful.

I really like to bring a little bit of Swedish specialness to otherwise mundane weekdays. So we always have cake in the house, candles are lit, coffee is always brewing and there’s always a record playing in the background. Bowls of fruit, a linen tablecloth and fresh flowers in every room also help elevate the everyday.

This summer we’ll be headed to the French countryside, the Swedish islands and the west coast of Scotland – and my holiday wardrobe is inspired by long summer days, full of possibilities. Pastel florals, satin slip dresses, silk shirts, embroidered cotton tank tops and knits, well-worn blue jeans, flowy vintage skirts and espadrilles are my go-to. Beauty-wise it’s very low-key, just SPF and the Rouje palette.

This summer, Patricia has teamed up with British Glass to share ways to transform everyday items into interior masterpieces. 

British Glass is urging anyone with old glass bottles around their homes to share their upcycled creations too by using the campaign hashtag #ThisIsGlass. See some of Patricia’s ideas below and visit British Glass here.