A Peek Inside Galerie Storm’s Curated, Calming Home

Why, hi there, friends! Or should I say hej hej! Today is a very special day—the girls and I were up at the crack of dawn to prepare a birthday breakfast for Per. And what did he choose? Nope, not a classic Swedish fralla or smoked salmon, but a full English breakfast! It's lunchtime and I'm still full. Bring on the salmon! 

This afternoon, I need to nip out and buy him a present (nothing like leaving it to the last minute!). I wish I could pop over to Galerie Storm in Stockholm, but sadly, it's a little too far away.

Galerie Storm was founded by Carolina and Mattias Storm and offers a beautifully curated selection of art and objects—some of which can be spotted around their home. The family moved from an apartment (which I recently featured here) into this fairytale house in June 2022 and have been putting their personal stamp on it ever since. Calm yet filled with unique, one-of-a-kind pieces, the subtle earthy tones create a cohesive look with a touch of warmth and history.

Here are some angles I discovered on Carolina’s lovely Instagram feed:

Lovely! So calming and yet cosy too. 

Did you recognise the sofa? No, you're not dreaming–it's the same one we saw in Ebba's home last Friday. It's from IKEA, but it has a buttery yellow cover from Bemz. 

Two other standouts for me: the beautiful old dining chairs in the kitchen and the Gubi 9602 lamp in the sitting room (I've had my eye on that for a while). 

Is there anything you noticed in particular? 

You can see more snapshots of Carolina's home here. For more inspiration and news, why not follow the Storm Journal? 

On another note, recently Instagram changed the picture resolution. The channel is a great source for me to discover new and unique homes to share, and this has been a tricky development as it has meant the quality of the images is not always as high as I would like. Hopefully I can find a solution for this soon, but in the meantime I hope you enjoy the tours all the same. As always, thank you for all your support and for stopping by over at this little corner of the web, it really means the world! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @carolinastorm, shared with kind permission.

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A Modern Open-plan Hideaway in the Treetops with a Spectacular View

Hej! How was your weekend? I hope it was filled with good coffee, great company, and maybe even a little adventure (or a blissful lie-in—no judgment here!).

In Sweden, open-plan designs are hugely popular. I often put it down to light—having less walls works wonders for allowing natural daylight flood into every corner. But while having a space that seamlessly blends the kitchen, dining area, and living room is fantastic in theory, it does come with its own set of challenges (trust me, our ground floor is open-plan, and it still baffles me from time to time!). How do you carve out distinct zones while still maintaining that all-important cosy feel?

Today, I stumbled across Highcliff Cottage perched among the treetops on a hill in Southwest England, and I just had to share it with you. The striking black timber house is cleverly positioned to make the most of breathtaking views that stretch all the way to the Jurassic Coast (if you ever visit the UK, this spot is a must-see!). What really caught my eye, though, is the open-plan living space—it’s a masterclass in blending function and style. The kitchen, dining, and lounging areas melt together beautifully, creating a space that invites everything from morning coffee to cosy evenings by the fire.

This home is all about texture, too—think warm wood, rich copper, soft linen, and cool concrete all working together in harmony. And while it’s a modern build, the furniture brings so much character, mixing rustic pieces with mid-century gems and even a subtle Mediterranean touch.

Fancy a look inside? Let’s explore!

Is it OK if I interrupt the flow here so that we can all admire this bunkbed for a second? The colours, built in shelves, the cosy privacy. Bunkbeds have certainly come a long way since my older sister and I shared one when we were small (visible springs and all!). 

That view is incredible! How I miss the English countryside. 

What did you think of this open-plan property? Could you feel at home here all cosy by the fire while taking in the view? If so, you might be interested to hear Highcliff Cottage is for sale! 

Are you a fan of open-plan designs, or do you prefer separate rooms? I'd love to hear! 

Would you like to see a few more open-plan homes today? 

An artist's super cosy and relaxed open-plan living space

An open-plan Swedish apartment with golden tones

A bright and light-filled open-plan loft

Happy Monday to you all!

Niki

Photography of Highcliff Cottage courtesy of The Modern House.

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A Home Filled with Sunshine: Inside Ebba’s Vintage-Inspired Haven

It’s Friday… and I’m in love. In love with the tiny shoots sprouting on the rose bushes outside. In love with the fact that March arrives tomorrow, bringing us one step closer to spring and summer. And in love with the idea of a weekend stretched out before us—not because anything special is planned, but simply for the slow mornings, the little household projects, the chats with my family, and the joy of popping out for errands. Are you feeling the weekend vibes too?

I’m also in love with Ebba Barkenbom’s house. Ebba—a certified doula and photographer who specialises in capturing the first moments of a baby's life—shares her home with her photographer husband Oscar and their three children, Ingrid, Maj-Britt, and Bertil. Every room in their beautiful family home is sprinkled with yellow, filling it with sunshine even on the cloudiest of days. It’s brimming with charming vintage touches, and there's the sweetest DIY idea in the children's bedroom—how I would have adored a nook like that as a child!

Ready to take a peek inside and soak up the sunshine-filled charm? Let’s dive in!

Ebba has painted the wood panelling in Claro from Jotun and the cabinets in NCS 1015-Y20R. 

The table is a DIY project - combining a worktop with the base from another table. 

The sofa is from IKEA and has been transformed with a linen cover and cushions from Bemz. 

The very cool hand-built bed nook has been made using wood panelling painted in linseed poil paint in tone burnt terra 15% and Green earth 7% from Gysinge Byggnadsvård. 

I love the sky blue on the floor and yellow touches around the window in the little bathroom, it may be a small space, but it sure is pretty! 

A charming family home, full of unique finds. Just lovely! 

Did you appreciate the touches of yellow too? 

It's time to wrap up here on the blog for the week, so I'll leave you with some Danish homes to dream about in case you find a quiet moment to browse with a coffee this weekend: 

A small-ish Danish apartment with a vibrant sunny feel

Spring has sprung in a Copenhagen home full of pastels

Warm, earthy tones in an international family home in Denmark

Happy weekend friends, thank you so much for stopping by! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @ebbabarkenbom, shared with kind permission. 

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Swedish Charm: Step Inside An Idyllic 1907 Villa

Do you live in your forever home? As someone who loves change, I find it remarkable that we've lived in our Malmö townhouse for seventeen years. While I love it and cherish the many memories we've created here, I can definitely see us moving once our children grow up. Perhaps it's because it's modern (built in 2001), and I've always been drawn to older properties—homes with charming details from a time when architects added decorative touches purely for the joy of it.

For this reason, one of my favourite pastimes is scouring real estate sites in search of forever homes, daydreaming about what could be! Admittedly, I may have even signed us up for the odd viewing—much to Per’s bemusement! And today, this lovely villa popped up—one I would undoubtedly consider a forever home!

Painted in the traditional Swedish red and white, the house sits just outside Stockholm and dates back to 1907. It has been beautifully maintained by the current owners, who have created a light-filled space with soft, muted tones, patterned wallpaper, and a mix of designer pieces. In the summertime, there are so many inviting spots to soak up the warmer weather—from quiet nooks and social gathering spaces to a sun-drenched terrace, all framed by a charming heart-motif fence.

The downside? It’s 620 km away—which is quite a stretch (Per would say impossible!)—but I thought maybe it might entice one of you, or at the very least, we can dream away together!

Ready to take a stroll on the sunny side?

In Swedish houses sun rooms like this one are extremely popular as they provide a sunny, sheltered spot to enjoy the garden, even on cooler or rainy days—which, as we know, can be quite frequent!

Note the calming shade of blue in this room. We painted Liv's room (old pictures now but you get the idea!) in a very similar shade called 802 clouds and it remains one of my favourite shades. 

A pair of classic Swedish DUX Karin chairs and a Gross ceiling light add a cool design touch to the room.  

Where would we be without wishbone chairs? Here, sheepskins help to create a cosy touch in winter. 

The pantry has had a huge revival in recent times - with many new kitchen designs incorporating once in some shape or form. I always look on in envy at my friends pantry's - some of whom have an entire little room (larder) dedicated to dried foods! 

PS I'm happy to see they love a Hellman's mayonnaise - as unhealthy as it is, no sandwich would be complete without it! 

Svenskt Tenn Klöverblad wallpaper adds interest to the otherwise fresh white stairwell and landing area. 

Notice how a children's storage unti from IKEA has been given a nice update with linen fabric. I'm also loving the striped wallpaper! 

This bunk bed is from Oliver furniture. 

 

A beautiful home - don't you think? It seems to tick every box - it's traditional yet brought up to date, features lovely wood floor and high ceilings, has working fireplaces and is filled with light. Plus the outdoor space is great too! Yes please! 

Could you imagine living in a house like this too? More images and information available here. 

See more lovely houses in this archive today. 

Wishing you all a happy Wednesday!

Niki

Photography Samuel Uneus for SkandiaMäklarna

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