Hello there! I had a mail yesterday asking for advice on how to create a Scandinavian feel on a budget. Of course, there are many different looks (both dark and light) but I suggested starting with a light backdrop - white or light grey walls matched with a wood or white washed floor. From there you can make the space unique with a wonderful mix of vintage pieces (it's incredible what you can find at flea markets both at home and abroad, online auctions and one of my favourite sites - Etsy!) and combined with the odd highstreet ( IKEA find and fab new Nordic pieces. Keep textures natural using materials such as wood, leather and linen and add plenty of sheepskin and candlelight for that true hygge feel! What do you reckon? Is this your idea of a Scandinavian home? To my surprise, I found the most beautiful apartment today to illustrate my vision! Step inside the wonderful, warm and inviting home of Henrik Hemmingsen, director of Copenhagen boutique and online store Fil de Fer, captured by Martin Sølyst. I'd love to tuck into that breakfast in bed and stay all day, how about you?!
Credit: photography Martin Sølyst (shared with kind permission).
How toasty! And conceived from an entirely white backdrop too - it's amazing how vintage finds in wood and leather can add character and warmth to a space. Time to start looking for bargains? Or perhaps a visit to Fil de Fer is in order?!
A few ideas to steal from Henrik's lovely home: pick up a vintage punch bag here, cosy up with this grey sheepskin. Source a selection of vintage and antique brass candles here. The Norwegian cabin I stayed in last week had the same Tolix dining chairs
(source vintage ones here and here - although you'll need to hurry, they only have a few left!) which they then softened with sheepskin seat covers. This dark grey linen bed cover and selection of cushions are beautiful.
A little note on floor paint. Rather than opting for white I went for a very pale grey (slightly confusingly named 'strong white' in my bedroom - which I really love and can highly recommend.
A few more fab danish homes to drool over today: a lovely apartment with a relaxed vibe, the home of a Danish style icon and finally a danish home with dusty hues and a homespun feel. Ahhh, so lovely, don't you think?!
Have a wonderful day!
PS I loved reading your 2017 home decorating goals in the houseology give-away, so inspiring! I'm excited to now have announced the winner here!
Credit: photography Martin Sølyst (shared with kind permission).
How toasty! And conceived from an entirely white backdrop too - it's amazing how vintage finds in wood and leather can add character and warmth to a space. Time to start looking for bargains? Or perhaps a visit to Fil de Fer is in order?!
A few ideas to steal from Henrik's lovely home: pick up a vintage punch bag here, cosy up with this grey sheepskin. Source a selection of vintage and antique brass candles here. The Norwegian cabin I stayed in last week had the same Tolix dining chairs
(source vintage ones here and here - although you'll need to hurry, they only have a few left!) which they then softened with sheepskin seat covers. This dark grey linen bed cover and selection of cushions are beautiful.A little note on floor paint. Rather than opting for white I went for a very pale grey (slightly confusingly named 'strong white' in my bedroom - which I really love and can highly recommend.
A few more fab danish homes to drool over today: a lovely apartment with a relaxed vibe, the home of a Danish style icon and finally a danish home with dusty hues and a homespun feel. Ahhh, so lovely, don't you think?!
Have a wonderful day!
PS I loved reading your 2017 home decorating goals in the houseology give-away, so inspiring! I'm excited to now have announced the winner here!
Oh another gorgeous home! I love all the white. I tried to inject a bit of a Scandi feel into my flat with white walls and grey floors. I love how calming the colours are and how the white walls can make a room feel quite light, even on the greyest of days! xxx
ReplyDeleteThat's what I love about the Scandinavian style too Miranda - the play with natural light :) Your home sounds wonderful!
DeleteRegarding scandinavian design, I think "on a budget" can only mean "for less money than the original" not "cheap version". Because as you say, the basis are the materials. And wood, leather and linen ARE expensive. So, you can buy the sheep skin from IKEA, it's probably not expensive, but you'll never have the white washed floor on a budget. And if you are a renter like me, you can have the chevron wood floor (I'm quite lucky) but it being sanded and painted white will never happen ^^
ReplyDeleteHi Lise, you're right that you're much more limited with a rented space, thank you for pointing this out (although it sounds like you've struck gold with your beautiful chevron floor!). If you look hard enough you can still find items made from natural materials at flea markets. Also, I stayed at a cabin last weekend where the owner had made everything from tables and the towel hooks in the bathroom using wood from the nearby countryside to her own tea towels and cushion covers from cotton and wool. Quite incredible! I was so inspired I've set myself 'getting creative' at home as a goal for 2017 - a little nervous about it so watch this space!
DeleteI have the same goal for 2017! I started the year with making 2 lamps (that were on my Pinterest board for a long time). Regarding the natural side of decoration, I asked my dad to bring me back from Morocco where he was on a trip some baskets and plates, and he chose beautiful ones :)
DeleteAlso I've been following your blog for years and never thanked you for giving me beautiful things to look at every morning. So thank you :)
DeleteHi. I've been perusing your beautiful blog for a few years now and always find it inspiring. While I live in Santa Barbara, CA, I strive for a clean, bright uncluttered look...just don't have the white floors. Just wanted to say thank you for all of the beautiful images...
ReplyDeleteBest, Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth, thank you so much! I am so happy to hear you find My Scandinavian Home inspiring! Wishing you a wonderful start to 2017! /Niki
DeleteI'm a huge scandinavian style fan and the whole hygge concept. Your blog is one of my favorite sources for that.
ReplyDeleteYour blog has been a big inspiration to my as I have renovated my Philadelphia row home. I combined budget materials from IKEA, Home Depot and Lowes with original details salvaged from the home and careful workmanship.
ReplyDeleteHome is now for sale: 1910 Mifflin Street, Phila, PA, 19145