Tjena! How are you today? I'm a little bleary eyed from my work trip to Norway - it was only three days, but it felt like a week, I've been left with so many amazing impressions and my heart is full from all the lovely, smiley, friendly people I met. I've shared a few stories in my instagram highlights if you'd like to see more. ANYHOOO, on with today's tour! Kamilla Heick is a designer, visual merchandiser and a mother living in a house from the 1930s in Denmark. The lovely family home has been decorated in serene, earthy tones. Sheer curtains slip in soft, filtered light into the rooms, casting a warm glow on the mix of iconic Danish design and antiques.
Look closely and you'll also notice 'curated groups' of items. This is a clever styling trickled in many Scandinavian home and involves grouping items in a display like way and then leaving an empty space before the next group of items. This helps to give a room an airy, pared back vibe, while still creating interest with items you love. Ready to take a peek?
Lovely home!
I'm sure many of you appreciated the messier touch in the sitting room! Real life happening right there. Honestly, you should see the state of my home today having come back after three days away. Total chaos!
Dud you notice the shelving in the sitting room? It's the same as the Elfa storage system I installed in Allie's room. It looks lovely in Kamilla's home!
I also love the way curtains help to add softness and texture to the rooms - beautiful!
Is there anything that stood out to you?
You can see more of Kamilla's Danish home and learn about some of the details here.
If you have a little time this morning, why not delve through the danish home archive - so inspiring!
Have a great start to the week!
Niki
Photography: Kamilla Heick, shared with kind permission
Such a restful home. I love the dining chairs.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, the iconic wishbone! :) / Niki
DeleteI find it interesting that Kamilla choose to leave an exposed lightbulb in the kitchen; personally, I am not a friend of see-through glass fixtures because I find that the exposed lightbulb hurts my eyes (I have one of these in my own kitchen, above the sink, and I have been saying that I must replace it for the last 4 or 5 years).
ReplyDeleteI also noticed that the toe kick (which is the North American term for the plate that covers the legs under the kitchen base cabinets) is not off-set (here, as a rule it is off-set by at least an inch or two - i.e. it is about 1-2" "under" the cabinets (I refer to the second photo from top). Here, it actually looks like the cabinets are set in by a smidge.
Also, I would like to know what it the long horizontal opening (right under the ceiling) for?
You are very observant Alena! The off set toe kick is the most common, but in this particular style of kitchen, the more traditional one, it is set this way. As for the long horizontal opening - that will be ventilation for the built-in fridge.
DeleteThank you for covering these Rita! I too am I'm pressed with your observations down to the detail Alena! When it comes to exposed lightbulbs, I'd say a dimmer is key, so that the light can be toned down for ambience - and to avoid the glare. / Niki
DeleteWhat a gorgeous lived-in home that is also seems very serene. One question: do Scandinavians tend to use heavier curtains in winter? I can't imagine these light curtains keeping the cold from escaping through the glass.
ReplyDeleteI think only Niki can answer your question. I live in Canada and I do have a winter set of curtains (made from a heavier fabric) for my living room. The windows have honey comb blinds (that I pull down as soon as it gets dark) and then I close the window curtain. Together with the honey comb blinds they provide very good insulation. I don't if it is only a psychological effect but I always have the feeling the room immediately gets warmer as soon as the curtains are closed.
DeleteThat depends. People used to do that, and some of the older generations still do. But generally I would say that most people now have better windows. Modern windows with three layer insulation is quite common, and with these you do not get that draft that leads to a need for heavier curtains. Remember, the Scandinavian countries have long, cold winters andnot so hot summers, so we are big on insulating our houses. And you get these windows in all style, including the older-looking ones. But some people will still change their curtains as a style choice to get that warmer look as the outside gets colder.
DeleteThank you for asking this - and thank you for your responses Alena and anon! When I first moved to Scandinavia I couldn't believe how little window dressing people use, especially coming from the UK where heavy, lined curtains were essential to keep the house warm. As Anon says above, the Scandinavians can get around this by having amazingly well insulated windows - usually triple glazed - which helps to keep the cold out (although it also means you can't hear the birds sing!). Another factor to think about is the lack of light in the Scandinavian winter. Obscuring what little light there is with curtains is a no-go - instead they'll use sheer curtains which still allow light to come through - or roller black-out blinds in the bedroom. I nope this answers your question! / Niki
DeleteWhat really strikes me about this gorgeous home is the chalky finish on all the walls. Is it just her color choices in matte paint or some sort of special wall treatment? It seems really special to me.
ReplyDeleteYes, thank you for pointing this out - the wall treatment plays a huge part in the serenity of the home. It looks like some kind of chalk or lime paint. Very beautiful! / Niki
ReplyDeleteSeveral things which to me seem very Scandi modern (and which I love as I plan some redecorating) - round mirror, wall shelves with brackets, low shallow cabinets as well as a few wall-hung ones. I wish I had radiators too; these are nothing like the old ones in the US. Gorgeous and serene.
ReplyDelete