A Pretty Way to Store Sunglasses

News flash: the sun has arrived in Southern Sweden. And I'm not just talking glimpses behind the clouds, hat and scarves kinda sun, I'm talking proper, warm-on-the-skin stuff! The type that you could actually get a slight tan and a few freckles from. Hurrah! A warm sunny day is not something Scandinavians take lightly, after all, we've waited a long time for this. Walk down any street or through the local park and you'll see sleeves rolled up and faces angled towards the sun. Feeling inspired to join the fun, I decided to order a new pair of sunnies from Swedish brand TRIWA (who just happen to make sunglasses as well as uber cool watches). A few days later four pretty pairs arrived in the post. In fact they're so fabulous, I decided that rather than stash them on a shelf to collect dust (in between the sunny days!) they deserve their own home.

Feeling inspired, I ordered this glass box with brass edges (you can also buy a similar one here and here - do double check the measurements though first to check your sunglasses fit) - which is perfect for all four pairs (and no doubt two more - yes, that could well be a hint!).

I think it makes a nice little addition to my dressing table (in the form of an antique chest-of-drawers found in my Swedish father-in-laws attic), plus it'll keep them dust and hopefully free from little finger prints too!

A note on the sunnies: I have to admit picking out sunglasses is no easy feat for me - I happen to have the smallest head E.V.E.R (I get it from my Mum!). But I was thrilled with all four pairs - here's a little more info on each:

1. Smoke Miles
2. Turtle Bonnie
3. Pine Folk
4. Peach Nicki

I'd have found it tricky to choose just one (besides, is it me, or is it really hard to try on sunglasses by yourself?!) had it not been for a quick poll on IG Stories last week. It turns out Smoke Miles and Peach Nicki suit me the best - pretty pleased with that! Do you have your eye on a pair?

See the complete men and womens sunglasses collections over on TRIWA (ships worldwide!). 

Bring on the sunshine!



This post is brought to you in collaboration with TRIWA, however all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too. Thank you for supporting the wonderful brands that make MSHB possible!

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A Scandi-inspired Urban Oasis

Hallo (limited German ends there...)! I'm excited to be sharing a tour of the lovely home of Maria in North West Germany today. Maria was born in Sweden, and still feels inspired by Scandinavian style, evidence of which can be seen in her apartment which she shares with her husband and two Jack Russell terriers. Her home had me at the hallway - which is flooded with light from the double glass front door. Imagine coming home to this each day?! In the blog survey, many asked to see more 'real' homes, and Maria's struck me as this. There's something so personal and relaxed about it - and the entire space benefits from the most beautiful light. Enjoy the tour!

 Qatmer kilim rug, Button hooks from HK Living,  French basket bag (so pretty!)

There's something about large, spacious hallways that make a great impact when you walk through the door.

I love Maria's mid-century bureau and it's ideal for narrow spaces too. The mirror above it is from IKEA (and ideal for leaving your lippy / keys etc on!). The accent wall has been painted in Farrow & Ball.

Hay Copenhague table, Kartell Masters Chair, About A Chair, Ripple Curves Pendant lights.

 Over-sized Hektar pendant from IKEA. 

Did you get a warm feel from this space too?

How I'd love to have this much light in my home (it's the one thing we're quite short of in ours and I do miss it - especially in the winter!).

Is there anything that stood out to you?

Check out more shots from Maria's home here

Get The Look

1. qatmer kilim "ser"
2. Copenhague Table CPH30
3. Ripples Curve Pendant Light
4. STOCKHOLM mirror
5. About A Chair
6. Kartell- Masters Chair
7.  French basket
8. HK Living hooks

Looking for a little more interior inspiration for the weekend? You might also like this mid-century inspired space in Berlin, a relaxed home with fabulous splashes of colour and snapshots from the dreamy house of a ceramicist.

Any fun plans for the weelend?! I've got a a bit of an office revamp going on at home which I'm looking to finish up (so wild these days...!). I hope it all works out so I can share the before and after next week (watch this space!). I might just have to treat myself to some drinks in the sun too... do you have any fun plans?

Have a great couple of days and see you Monday!

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'The Scandinavian Home' Book now in German and Italian / A Relaxed Artist's Home in Oslo

Since I'm at the Salones Del Mobile in Milan right now (picking up the latest design / trend news to share with you!) I thought it would be perfect timing to announce some news for my Italian and German friends: my book The Scandinavian Home is now available in Italian and German (yay! I definitely did a little dance when I received them in the post!). To celebrate, I thought it would be fun to share some snapshots from one of the lovely spaces in the book: the relaxed home of artist Maria Øverbye in Oslo. Located in a former school house, the building is blessed with high ceilings (11 foot / 3.5 metres high to be exact) and large spacious rooms and furnished almost entirely with second hand finds. The result is a unique home which is as quirky as it is charming. I'll never forget the day I spent at here chatting with Maria over a fika and sharing lots of laughs (as well as a busy day of shooting). I hope you enjoy the tour!

 Maria has shunned standard kitchen units, preferring to use individual items found over the years. A modern range oven sits next to a little wooden table picked up at a flea market over 20 years ago. 

"If you have one awkward piece it won't work, but lots of awkward pieces together create coherence."

 Maria and her friends like to swap artwork. In the sitting room, a vintage industrial lamp bought on eBay is used to light up a photo by Benedikte Ugland of an old lady from Gudbrandsdalen.

" Like many Norwegians, I want my home to have a clean, minimalist look. Having many textures in the same room makes it welcoming and interesting."

 "My children were able to play without worrying about damaging anything - and each nick and scratch bring back a memory."

"I like my home to feel unfinished. I love the patina of dry, soft grey plaster. it makes it a little rougher, which I think is beautiful."

Maria's bedroom is a personal haven and somewhere she can go to "be alone from the world." A dramatic photograph by Anja Niemi hangs over the bed. If she's feeling a little more sociable, there's a daybed linked to the kitchen too (seen below).

 Thank you for a wonderful day at your home Maria! 

If you'd like to see more, The Scandinavian Home is available in English, Italian and German  - and you can also order it through your local book shop and library.

Thank you all for your wonderful feedback so far - and also to Vogue for including it in their recent round-up of design books - it means so much!  

Ciao for now!

The Scandinavian Home by Niki Brantmark, published by CICO Books. Photography by James Gardiner © CICO Books.

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A Clutter-free Finnish Home with the Loveliest Childrens' Rooms

I seem to be going through a contemporary Finnish phase right now: there's something about the light, minimalist style in particular that feels like a real mid-week breath of fresh air. Do you feel the same? If so you'll love one of my latest finds: the home of Melina, Niko, children Minea and Noah and French bulldog Pablo. The newly built open-plan house has been decorated in shades of white, light grey, tan and beige and is full of light and completely clutter-free (it's the kind of place that even the mess looks pretty) and yet feels family friendly too (the kids rooms rock!).  Ready to take a peek?

Faces No1 Poster, the cushion looks similar the Malmen velver chestnut one I have in my bedroom and you can just see a glimpse of the lovely Saxe lounge chair. Tips on sofa in the comment section welcome (it looks very much like the Bolia one I used to have).

Tom Dixon Fat Beat light and Tall light, Urban childran's chair. 

I love this combination of the black string shelving system against light wood - so striking! 

Nordström sell a canvas play tent like this one. 

What a dream bedroom?! From the gym equipment (from Suomen Voimistelurenkaat) to the rain drop wall stickers (these are fairly simple to make yourself but you can also pick up some just like these) and of course, the bed (made by Niko).

Photography: Melina / Mini Show

And there you have it, a contemporary, clutter-free home that's perfect for children.

Anyone else thinking of attacking their home with a black bin bag?!

See more pics of Melina's home over on her blog and instagram feed - where she also shares children's clothing finds, toys and recipes (yes, she also bakes a mean cake) -  it's in Finnish, but there's always good old google translate! And as always there are a load more wonderful Finnish homes to explore right here too.  

Hyvää päivän jatkoa! (I hope this means 'have a great day' in Finnish...).

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A Berlin Home of Many Colours

Guten morgen! I hope you're feeling fiiiine? Looking through the survey responses a few weeks back I noticed the request for more 'colour' (gulp!). You know me - I'm kind of colour shy. I think it comes from living in Sweden for 14 years! Don't get me wrong, Scandinavian homes often feature colour - but it's often exercised with a huge amount of restraint, and hues tend to be of the muted, earthy variety. Done right however, splashes of bright hues and accent walls can put a real spring in your step and make your home that more interesting. A fine example of this can be seen in the Berlin home of Franziska. I caught up with her to find out more...

 The green in the kitchen is a mixed 'Schöner Wohnen' color, code 04.031.02

I love the use of colour in your home it's subtle yet bold in equal measure, do you have a go-to paint brand?

I love the colors by Farrow and Ball. The color choices at Jotun are great too, but unfortunately they are not available in Germany.

The green is carried through to the hallway to give the flat a cohesive look. I once styled a home with a black hall (for The Scandinavian Home) and the owner told me the darker colour does wonders to hide a messy entrance-way. Got to love that!

It's fun to see two different accent walls in one room. How did you choose the colour combination?

My all time favourite colours are blue, green and pink. To these, I combine 'playing colours', for example in the form of pillows, pictures or flowers that change frequently. Everything inspires me: films and series, art, fashion, nature...

Franziska's home office is painted in Farrow and Ball 'Hague Blue' and Jotun 'Warm Blush'. A zingy yellow eames chair adds another dimension to the colour scheme. 

Do you have any tips for anyone looking to introduce colour into their home?

In order to choose a color you always have to consider the light, the room and the surrounding colors. That's why I would use a large color sample, pinning it on the wall and watching it change over the course of the day. Otherwise: Just try it! A wall is quickly re-painted and gives the room its own character.

The dusty rose bed linen (source similar here) and ochre cushion (this is similar - and budget friendly!) look pretty against the calm Farrow and Ball 'Light Blue' wall.

Where did you get the painting your bed, it's so beautiful?

It's a photo from Billy and Hells, two photographers from Germany. I bought it from Lumas.

And finally, what do you love most about your home?

The cozy, relaxed atmosphere in which I can live my creativity. The apartment is so beautiful with its high ceilings, the old large windows, the hinged door and the floorboards, that it is the perfect canvas that looks good with everything.

All photography ©Franziska / Lieblingsblicke

I especially love the tip to just go for the colour - as it can always be re-painted. Words to live by indeed!

Here's a summary of the key colours used in Franziska's home: 

From left to right:  Schöner Wohnen' color, code 04.031.02, Farrow and Ball 'Hague Blue', Farrow and Ball 'Light Blue' wall and Jotun 'Warm Blush'.

You can see more snapshots of Franziska's lovely home over on her instagram feed Lieblingsblicke. 

Thank you so much for inviting us into your home Franziska!

Looking for more colour inspiration? This archive has tons of it (if this home pops up first, you know the drill... just scroll on passed!). 

Have a härlig dag!

PS If you're intrigued about what's going down at Milan Salone del Mobile it's all on my Stories!

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Win Three Danish Brass Candlesticks from JENSENplus!

Have you heard of JENSENplus? If not, you're in for a treat! The Danish homeware brand focuses on creating simple and minimalist pieces with a Scandinavian touch that are designed to withstand the test of time. The collection includes dining tables, chairs, desks, coat racks and daybeds (among other items), all of which are made in Denmark from natural materials such as wood, concrete, steel and leather. Oh and they also sell the most beautiful multi-purpose candle-stick holders - and they're looking to give-away three to one lucky person (yes, they're lovely people too!). Scroll down for more details! In the meantime here's a sneak peek of their beautiful collection:

I think the K2 chair is my favourite piece of all - especially the Monaco textile and Yellow Revival Velour versions seen here - so pretty! (imagine them in a meeting?!).

The K2 Depot sideboard can be customised to suit you: choose between different colors, heights and number of shelves. And go dark (as seen above) or light.

These ergonomic poufs come with a strap so you can easily move them around (especially handy if you become attached to it and don't want anyone else to take it when you get up!). It comes in such pretty colours too!

Designed by danish architect Mikkel Bahr, the coat rack works equally well in the bedroom, hallway or bathroom (love this white version against the plum coloured wall too!).

... And those candlesticks I was telling you about!

These solid brass multifunctional candlesticks numbers are perfect for getting your hygge on! JP101 and JP102 are reversible and can be used for either tealights or long candles (in our house we're always low on the longer variety but seem to have a lifetime supply of tealights .. does anyone else find this?!).

JP103, on the other hand, comes in three sizes and you can use it as a vase or as a candlestick. Blooms by day, hygge by night! The entire collection offers endless combinations and will look beautiful in the window (Scandinavians love to place candles and lamps in the window since it makes a home look more inviting) - on the table, or as a sculptural piece on a side cabinet. 

If you're already feeling the glow from these beauties, sign-up to the JENSENplus newsletter here for your chance to be the lucky winner of 3 JP-candlesticks (1 x JP-101, 1 x JP103 H70, 1 x JP103 H95) worth 174 euros!

The competition is open worldwide exclusively to My Scandinavian Home Blog readers and the winner will be drawn 11th May, 2018. The lucky winner will be contacted directly by JENSENplus.

Held og lykke (as they say in Danish!). 



This post is sponsored by JENSENplus, however all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too. Thank you for supporting the wonderful companies that make My Scandinavian Home possible.

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