A Dreamy Hidden Gem In Menorca, Spain

This summer we planned to visit my sister and nieces who live on the island of Mallorca, Spain - who knows, maybe we'll make it later on in the year, I really hope so. But for now, I'll allow this beautiful Menorcan finca to whisk us away to the sunny climes of the wonderful Balearic Islands instead - come and join me! Let's dream of days by that pool with friends and family, casually trailing a hand through the cool water while we sip on a granizado. And when the midday sun starts to scorch - a cool, calm interior awaits for that all-important siesta! Ready to visit the hill top 19th century Es Bec d'Aguila? Let's go! 

 

Gaaaah, so lovely! 

I've never been to Menorca, even though it's not that far from Mallorca, but I've heard that it's a rugged, beautiful island and it's high on my list. Have you been?

If you plan on going, maybe this finca is one to squirrel away in the holiday file? You can find all the details here. 

Shall we pour ourselves another granizado and do a little more holiday dreaming today? Don your sunhat, and enjoy these beautiful places that await. After all, this too shall pass.  

A bohemian style hideaway in the desert

A rustic summer cottage on the swedish island of Gotland

Loll about at The Chalet, Byron Bay

Not too keen on the heat? How about this cool, Icelandic hideaway on the coast? 

Sending lots of love to family and friends in Spain today, we're all thinking of you.  

Niki

Photography courtesy of Es Bec d'Aguila - found via Style Files with thanks. 

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A Fabulous Danish Home In A Plethora of Colours!

So, mina raringar, here's the colourful Danish home I've been telling you about. And I wasn't kidding - colour fiends out there, are going to do a little dance when they see this!! It's fabulous! Located in leafy Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, this colourful bonanza of a home belongs to Cathrine de Lichtenberg, her husband and dog Pedersen. The trio occupy the ground floor and basement of the old Patricia villa which dates back to 1898! I caught up with Cathrine, who works at the fabulous flower design studio Poppykalas and also as an interior stylist, to find out more: 

Brumbury table lamp, Uno form kitchen cabinets, wall colour: Deco Pink 2782

Have you always loved colour?

Yes, in elementary school I would always colour match my belt, bag, socks, t-short and other details! The same with the colours on my bedroom wall - which were everything from pink to mint green- However, as a teenager, I became a little insecure (like most!) and found comfort in dressing like others. - so, I toned it down. But today I mix and match my clothes as I feel fit for the day, and I have a very relaxed approach to paint. If I have a feeling about a new colour, I just do it - it can always be redone! 

Vertigo ceiling light*, Series 7 chair*, Flower field rug from Layered. 

What are your go-to home decorating colours?

I don't think there are any main colours. However blue, light pink and lavender tend to appear in most rooms. 

IKEA stool painted in Dyrup metallic 'Shiny blue' 

Flower Field Wool Rug, sofa from Sofa Company, wall colour: Smooth White 8470

Scandinavian homes are synonymous with being white or monochrome, would you say there's also scope for lots of colour? 

Yes, colours are becoming more and more normal in Scandinavian style. Having said that, I don't think we have a typically Scandinavian style. Ours is a mix of everything we like - no rules! 

Montana storage units

What inspired the colours in your home?

A mood, a feeling, a fruit, a pattern, a photo, a dress, or whatever awakes the feeling in me and drives me to implement it in my home. 

Curtains from &Drape, pale blue bedding*

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

Don't think too much, just do it! 

If four walls feel like too much, start with one... and if that still feels like too much, then add pillows and vases in the colour you love the most as a great starting point! 

I love using fruit and vegetables to add colour in the kitchen, and of course flowers! Place them in a colourful bowl on the table - it's an easy way to bring energy to the room. 

Well, well, well, where do I even start?! 

Maybe with Pedersen! Doesn't he look happy in this home? I don't blame him. 

I think the most exciting thing of all about stumbling across Cathrine's home on instagram (@cathdelichtenberg - in case you're curious!) is that it's unlike any Scandinavian home I've seen before. It really has put a spring in my step. 

I love her colour tips too, so simple! 

I'd love to hear what you loved most about this Copenhagen home! Has it tempted you to add more colour too?

In case you're feeling the colour therapy today, here are some other fabulous Scandinavian homes filled with colour:

An artful and relaxed home in Aarhus

Embracing the blues in the Danish home of Michael Schmidt

Spring has sprung in this delightful Copenhagen home

Happy lillördag friends!

Niki

Photography: Cathrine de Lichtenberg

This post contains some affiliate links which means I might make a tiny amount of money if you click on a link marked with * and buy something. 

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A Cosy Boho Living Space With a Drop Of Golden Sun!

Hejsan! A drop of golden sun goes a long way to raise the spirits right now, don't you think? I stumbled across these lovely pictures captured for the Maison du Monde Spring Summer 2020 Tuscany Collection and could feel the warmth oozing from my screen, I knew I had too share them with you! The beautiful spaces have been furnished with a relaxed, boho blend of rich textures in earthy tones of ochre, burnt umber, rust, and sunset yellow - and are bathed in warm pools of sunlight! Pull up a chair amica, it's time to get toasty and dream of summer days alfresco! 

 

Can you practically feel the sunlight on your face?!

I love the sitting room in particular - I could totally get cosy there and wile away an entire afternoon (or two, or three) there, how about you?!

Did anything stand out to you?

I was going to show you a really colourful Danish home today but the post has got slightly held up - bear with me, I promise it will be well worth the wait later on in the week. Feeling excited about it already!

Have a lovely, sunny day friends!

Niki

Photos from Maison Du Monde / found via Planete Deco with thanks

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Divide And Conquer: 6 Great Ways To Make More Out of Your Home!

Hello wonderful friends, how are you all doing? Over the weekend, I reflected on how staying at home more right now means our living space is having to work a whole lot harder - do you find the same? If you think about it, our homes have changed from a place where we cook, eat, sleep, relax, and do homework to somewhere that needs to cater for all kinds of extra activities like working from home (for those who can), exercising, home schooling, and much, much more! And don't even get me started on trying to carve out that all important 'me time'! Gah! 

In case you're feeling the heat, or simply want to make your living space go further  -  here are 6 simple ways to carve out zones for that online meeting, studying a new language, the kids' Joe Wicks PE class' (or more importantly, your morning yoga session!) or simply enjoying a heavenly siesta in peace! 

1. Shelf life: Shelves are a great way to divide a room in two but still allow the light to flow. Think about moving your freestanding shelves perpendicular to the wall or get crafty and build your own!

2. Vertical garden: not everyone can stroll to the park right now, but you can bring a little park life indoors. I love the idea of using shelves bursting with plants as a room divider. Plus, they'll help clear the air too! 

3. Temporary floating wall: for a more erm, solid approach - why not build a floating wall and split a room in two. I love this idea below! 

3. Screen from view: for a more temporary idea, wood, rattan or bamboo screens with fabric are great for shielding a space from view, and can be moved around the home (I think I might just carry mine around with me for permanent 'me time' - te he he!). You can also use them as a makeshift place to hang clothes, towels etc. 

4. The light screen: see-through screens are perfect for carving out a separate one without blocking the light (and plunging others into semi-darkness!). This lovely one says, "do not disturb morning yoga session in action". Who knows, later it might say "do not disturb: tick tock choreography in session" (likely in my home!). 

6. The peg board: ideal for kitchens and home offices, peg boards are really versatile. They make great room dividers too! 

7. Curtains: Easily forgotten but oh so useful - curtains are easy to install, perfect for privacy, act as sound dampeners and don't take up any space. I love how curtains have been used to turn a nook into a private bedroom below. Who needs a silk eye mask when you can nap here?! 

I hope you've found this round-up helpful. Are there any ideas you might steal for your own home?

I'm also really curious to hear how your home is having to work harder right now? 

In Sweden our children are still at school (for now) but Per is teaching his six-form-college lectures online - so I need to be careful not to whisk pass in my robe!! 

Looking for beautiful home tours to brighten up the start of your week? Here are a few of my favourites:

An enchanting Danish home in a sea of green

A beautiful, relaxed home in shades of moss green, white and brown

A charming studio filled with vintage finds

Speaking of home tours - I've got a really cheerful, colourful home lined up to share with you tomorrow so make sure you stop by. It's bound to put a spring in your step! 

Niki

Photo credits 1. Serena Mitnik Miller 2. Hoommy.com 3. Serena Mitnik Miller 4. Brittany Purlee 5. Anon (Pinterest). 5. Hayley Kessner / Apartment Therapy 6. Sweet Harmonie 7. Urban Outfitters 8. Kriesdesign 9. VT Wonen 10. Berdoulat

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Before & After: A Swedish Kitchen Gets a DIY Makeover!

It's Friday friends, FRIDAY! Eeeeee! This weekend I'm planning a few home DIY projects to make our home as cosy as possible for the next coming weeks (we might even hang a mirror that's been lying about in our landing for two months - who knows?!). How about you? In case you're also looking for DIY inspiration, I thought I'd share this wonderful kitchen make-over by Swedish interior designer Johanna Bradford. Johanna and her husband Adam bought their former apartment in 2016. The kitchen was nice enough (see below) - but missing that extra 'mys' (cosy) factor.  Check out the changes the pair made using a DIY carpentry and a splash of paint to transform a basic, narrow kitchen into the cosy heart of the home!

Before

Formerly a maid's room with a separate entrance to the back stairwell, the previous owners moved the kitchen into this room in 2014. The kitchen units and fresh white cabinets ran along one side of the room and include double cabinets which extend the entire way up to the ceiling (perfect for maximising storage space! The stainless-steel worktop was beautifully fitted, and all the appliances were in good working order. The kitchen also featured a dark stained solid oak floor. 

Johanna and her partner wanted to leave the fully functional and perfectly planned kitchen intact but at the same time were keen to make their mark on it. 

The process

Prior to moving in, Johanna sanded down the oak floors and treated them with natural oil so that they would match the flooring in the rest of the apartment. 

They also wanted to make more of the right side of the kitchen - and make room for more people. Adam built a wall-to-wall bench using a long plank of wood mounted on solid brackets. He also added a wainscot using wood panels. And finally, he created a raised wood shelf. All of the equipment was bought from a local hardware store. 

Once the work was completed, the kitchens painted in calming Little Greene. 

After

Ta daaa! The work has made so much more of the right-hand side of the kitchen, and up until they sold the flat, they could accommodate up to 10 people for dinner! The update also helps give the illusion that the kitchen is wider than it is - and the wainscoting adds a really cosy touch. I also love the soft green shade, it's calm yet cosy and also adds a traditional touch to the space. Beautiful!

The table was custom made by Friends & Founders. A Flos light* hangs from the ceiling.  

What a great transformation! 

Perhaps you have a kitchen that needs a simple update (this is certainly proof that you don't need to do a lot to add your mark!), or looking for a project at home this weekend? If so, I hope this Swedish kitchen make-over has inspired you.  

Johanna frequently shares other DIY projects and news about her house renovation over on her wonderful blog here. 

If you love an awesome 'before and after' as much as I do put your feet up this weekend and take a look at these - so inspiring!!

A Mid-century Danish House Gets a Fabulous Makeover

A Dated LA House Becomes A Light & Airy Family Home

A Rundown Flat Becomes a Stylish London pad

A Miami Penthouse Gets The Royal Treatment!

So guys, that's all for me for the week. I hope My Scandinavian Home has provided just the bubble of respite you've needed this week and you've felt as inspired as I have!

Wishing you a lovely weekend - take care, stay home and relax (unless of course, you're planning an awesome DIY make-over!). 

Niki

PS I am not sure if you saw that Holly Becker of Decor8 and I started a #30dayhomelove challenge on instagram. It centres around providing a positive challenge each day for everyone at home. The daily themes include plats, shelves, coffee table etc. The hope is that it will help the home be an even brighter place to be. We're thrilled to see more than a thousand entries from all over the world. If you fancy participating, you can read more about it here. It's not to late to join in! 

Photography: Johanna Bradford 

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