A Peek Inside Rene Humphrey’s Evolving Family Home in Malmö

It’s Friday, friends – yay! I’m keeping it local today… very local, in fact!

A few weeks ago, I moved into a new studio on Lilla Torg – a picturesque old square right in the heart of Malmö. I feel so lucky to be sharing the space with some truly lovely, inspiring, funny, and all-round awesome people – one of whom is Rene Humphrey.

Rene has a background in landscape garden design and now works as an interior designer and stylist. Needless to say, the home she shares with her partner Aron and their two little girls, Bonnie (4) and Billie (3), is beautiful in every way.

Set in a leafy villa area, the family moved to the house in 2022. Since then, Rene has been adding her signature touch to the space with an earthy palette, lush textures, and a wonderful sense of warmth. She also loves playing with shape and symmetry, bringing depth and personality to each room. All around the house, you’ll spot her collages-in-progress – mood boards that not only guide her interior projects but also shape her own home, one room at a time.

Dark wood has made a strong comeback in recent years, and it’s lovely to see how it adds contrast and character throughout Rene’s home.

The house is very much a work in progress, with some rooms still waiting their turn. I’m already looking forward to sharing an update when the next chapter unfolds! For now, here are a few lovely angles from Rene’s place to enjoy on this fine Friday!

So calm and serene! If I know Rene right, the garden will also be transformed into a complete oasis. But as a (rookie) gardener myself, I understand the length of time it takes. It's definitely more about the journey than the end destination! 

Did anything stand out to you about Rene's lovely home?

You can see more pictures from Rene's work and home, fashion tips, and delicious-looking culinary creations here. 

I must take some snaps from the new studio I work in soon, I think you'll like it. If you're curious about visiting Malmö, check out my city guides, including 30 things to do for design lovers and 15 favourite local hangouts - although so many cool places have popped up since then, I think it's time for a new one! Have you ever been to Malmö? 

It's a small place, and everyone in the design world is connected somehow. For example, Rene is great friends with Natalia Andersson, whose former home I featured here. Another Malmö home I think you'll love is Natalie's cosy city apartment where old meets new - who happens to be best friends and business partner to Patricia Rodi, a Swede living by a Scottish loch. I told you it's a small world!

That's it from me this week. I hope you have some fun plans for the weekend? It's been a long week of work for me so I am looking forward to kicking back in the sunshine with a glass of rosé! 

Skål from Sweden! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @rene_humphrey, shared with kind permission. 

READ MORE...

3

Escaping to the Woods: Frederika's Swedish Summer Cabin

It’s a beautiful, sunny day in Scandinavia, which means my mind immediately drifts to the idyllic life at a Swedish summer cottage. Over Easter, many spent time preparing theirs for the season, and now we’re all counting down the days until July, when we can close the doors to our city homes and head to the countryside.

Since summer cottages are all about slowing down and spending quality time with family and friends, many choose to expand their living space by adding small garden dwellings – known as an attefallshus (25 m² / 269 ft²) or komplementsbostadshus (30 m² / 323 ft²). These charming little houses offer a perfect spot for extended family or visiting friends to stay.

I recently featured Frederika Palmstierna’s boho Stockholm apartment, and today, I thought I’d share the beautiful cabin she recently built on the grounds of her family’s summer cottage. Inspired by a design from Sommarnöjen, the cabin’s green wooden façade blends effortlessly into the surrounding woodland.

On warm summer days, large glass doors open wide, creating a seamless flow between indoors and out – making the most of the compact living space. On chillier days, meals are enjoyed in the cosy kitchen area, or the family (including their lovely dog!) likes to curl up by the wood-burning stove. Simply furnished yet wonderfully inviting, it’s the perfect little retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Let's take a peek! 

Lovely!

The light wood and white interior reminds me very much of our little cabin, which we too are layering over time. 

Could you imagine spending your summer here? Is there anything that stood out to you? 

In case you missed the link at the beginning, make sure you take a look at Frederika's charming Stockholm apartment, which is filled with art. 

And why not take a look at small space inspiration from Swedish attefallshus - they are great for small space ideas! 

Wishing you a happy mid-week!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @freddiepalmstierna, with thanks. 

READ MORE...

16

Glad påsk! Our Favourite Easter Traditions and Decorating Inspiration

One of my favourite times of the year: Easter. A much-needed break that, for us, is all about soaking up the spring sunshine (hopefully!), relaxing with family, and enjoying a traditional Easter lunch. In Sweden, the main gathering takes place on Easter Saturday, or Påskafton, which is when families come together to eat copious amounts of egg-based dishes as well as salmon and potatoes, and welcome the season together.

In the Brantmark family, we always kick things off with our own little tradition—a morning sauna followed by a (very!) refreshing dip in the sea before sitting down to lunch. It’s the ultimate way to blow away the cobwebs and embrace the start of spring!

On Maundy Thursday, we might just get a little knock at the door from a påskkärring or two—children dressed up as Easter witches in colourful clothes, with painted cheeks and headscarves, going door to door offering drawings or Easter cards in exchange for sweets (a bit like Halloween, but much cuter!).

As always, homes and cottages are decorated with colourful feathers tied to birch twigs—påskris—(and this year I've even seen spotted bows as seen above in the home of Linnea Jirasek), bringing a burst of spring indoors.  You’ll also often spot little witches hanging in the windows, a charming tradition said to ward off evil spirits during the Easter weekend.

If you're on the lookout for a little Easter decorating inspiration, here are a few links you might enjoy:

7 beautifully simple easter craft ideas from Scandinavia

Pretty easter decorating ideas from minimalist to maximalist

Swedish easter traditions explained

And here are a few Scandinavian home tours with an easter touch: 

Easter touches in a charming Swedish home

A Danish home with easter touches

Fancy trying a typically Swedish starter/side dish? Here's my Gubbröra recipe. Got a sweet tooth? You can find the recipe for the yummy-looking carrot cake above here. 

I hope you have a lovely, relaxing Easter break. Glad Påsk! 

Niki

PS I'll be back Wednesday 24th April. 

Credits: 1. Linnea Jirasek, 2. Mandi Nelson, 3. carrot cake, 4. source uknown. 

READ MORE...

11

Inside a Charming Danish Summerhouse in Lammefjorden

It’s only a few days until the Easter holidays begin. For some in Scandinavia, that’s the cue to open up the stuga (summer house or cabin) after a long winter—sweeping out the cobwebs, airing the rooms, and letting the fresh spring breeze roll in.

No doubt the Danish owners of this charming summerhouse in Lammefjorden (a reclaimed fjord area in north-west Zealand, Denmark) are doing just that. The lovely wooden property consists of three buildings: a main house and two smaller outbuildings, including a rustic garden room designed to feel alfresco—even if it’s not quite warm enough yet to go without a roof!

Styled in soft tones of white, grey, and beige, the interiors are pared-back yet full of subtöcharacter. Much of the space has been thoughtfully handbuilt or furnished with vintage finds, giving it a relaxed, soulful charm. It has everything you need to unwind: a kitchen, dining area, sitting room, bedrooms, and of course, somewhere to spill out onto when the sun makes an appearance.

Oh, and a little birdie tells me it’s also available to rent—just in case you’re tempted to embrace a simpler life, Danish-style.

Let’s take a peek inside.

Lovely! 

Understated, simple, calm.

Could you imagine relaxing somewhere like this? If so, head over to Landfolk for more information. You might also like to see more pictures of the Danish summer house on Instagram (there are some great before-and-after pics!). 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

This makes me excited to head up to our cabin at some point over the holidays and sit back and relax a little. Do you have any nice plans? 

While looking through the pictures, I couldn’t help but think of that Swedish summer cottage belonging to a photographer, and also the Danish Airbnb by the river I featured recently—they have a similar vibe, don’t you think?

Happy Monday friends!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @s.o.m.m.e.r.h.u.s.e.t, shared with kind permission. 

READ MORE...

17