A Cosy Summer Cabin In The Swedish Countryside (available to rent!)

Tjena! How was your weekend? I'm feeling so distracted today: the schools have broken up, the warm weather has arrived and the sparkling sea beckons!  It's honestly the best time of the year to be in southern Sweden. Why don't you come and join us?! I wrote a local guide to Malmö here - and if you're a foodie, there's the unique Stedsans in the Woods about an hour away. Better still, if you're travelling as a couple and looking to get away from it all, I spotted that Swedish interior designer and photographer Daniella Witte is renting out her super cosy summer cabin.  Situated near Lomma (which has a wonderful beach), the cosy grey and white summer cabin interior is reminiscent of Daniella's own lovely home, sleeps two and has beautiful vistas over the Scanian countryside.  It's hard to imagine that the structure is made from repurposed steel shipping containers! How incredible is that?!

Daniella has painted an Ivar cabinet from IKEA in the same colour as the walls (Jotun Demidekk S 2502-Y) and added wheels.

I like how Danielle has also painted the hooks (seen above left) in the same colour as the walls - and opted for a kitchen cabinets and a table in a similar colour to keep the look clean and decluttered. 

When you go for a monotone look it's important to add loads of texture. Curtains are great for adding texture, softness and dampening the sound. 

A white bed skirt and natural bed linen* add a lovely freshness to the space. As you've no doubt noticed, linen is a massively popular material in Scandinavia. One of the main reasons is that it's really practical - it keeps you warm in winter and nice and cool in the summer, plus the natural creases add a relaxed look to the room - no ironing required!  

Perfect little spot for a morning coffee (or evening G&T! FYI the nearby island of Ven makes a great local gin, just saying!).

You might need to book quickly - before the resident cat gets in there first! 

Daniella rents it out Sunday to Sundays throughout the summer. Her contact details are available here. 

A quick note on container houses: there are thought to be over 14 million out-of-service shipping containers in the world. They have become a popular building material since they are relatively cheap to acquire, easy to transport and keep construction costs down - plus it's a great way to recycle!

Have a fabulous start to the week. 

It might just be time for that first dip in the sea for the day here in Malmö...

Niki

Photography / design: Daniella Witte

PS it's Per and my ten-year wedding anniversary next week and we've booked a little getaway to Italy (so excited, I can't remember the last time we were without children!). We're flying to Pisa and looking for somewhere beautiful to stay on the coast or Tuscan countryside - any tips?! All a bit last minute, I know! 

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6 Clever Tricks To Learn From A Small, Swedish Box Bedroom

Many of us have a small box room in our home. Maybe it's the master bedroom, maybe it's a guest room - or maybe you're a student living in halls (been there!). Whatever the case, it can be soooo tricky to get the balance right, don't you think? A few months ago I shared a feature on 16 ways to transform a tiny room into a dreamy, yet practical bedroom - and the response was overwhelming. So, today I thought I 'd share a tour of another mini yet mighty bedroom! Despite the small size, the bedroom is clutter-free and feels the essence of calm thanks to 6 clever styling tricks. I hope it inspires you to transform the tiniest room in your home! 

1. If you use too many colours in a small space it will quickly start to feel cramped. Yet, subtle, earthy nuances help to add interest while maintaining an element of calm. Try Magic Linen* for similar linen bedding. 

 2. A low round table plays with the height of the room and takes up less visual space - providing a spot for bedtime reads, morning coffee and even fresh blooms!

3. Combine different textures in similar tones to add a cosy feel to the room while keeping the look clutter-free.

4. Make the most of every inch with a wall-to-wall wardrobe. A cleverly placed mirror also helps to light up a dark room and create the illusion of space.  This one is available at IKEA. 

5. An additional bedside table at the foot of the bed provides an extra spot for smaller items. 

6. A row of hooks is perfect for adhoc (or your prettiest) items - but also helps the room to feel cosy. FYI I spotted hooks like these in H&M Home the other day! 

I might just steal some of these tricks for my elder daughters room!

Did you get any ideas for your home too?

Get a load more beautiful ideas in the bedroom archive.

I don't know about you, but this post has made me feel all sleepy and ready for a lie-in - bit tricky when I'm in Transylvania - yes really - so crazy! And I might add, such a beautiful place! More in IG stories right now!

Sov gott! 

Niki

Photography: Anders Bergstedt / Styling Nouvel Interior for Entrance. 

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One of Norway's Most Beautiful Homes Is For Sale!

The Oslo home of Nina Holst is a bit of an institution. Instantly recognised for its clean lines, soft, muted colour scheme, sloped wood ceiling, scandinavian design furniture and fabulous views over the Oslo fjord - it's been at the heart of Nina's wonderful blog Stylizimo for years. And now, it's up for grabs! Yes, really! Not only does this mean one lucky person gets to move in (could you imagine?!), it also gives us a chance to see what Nina does next - which will no doubt be incredible! In the meantime, let's enjoy a tour of her Norwegian home, one last time! 

Egg chair*, I am not sure who this artwork is by (tips welcome) - but Nina creates and sells paintings in similar hues here.

Wishbone chairs, Kong oil lamp

Kubus candleholder

IKEA cabinet, series 7 arm chair, Limited edition PH 3/2 table lamp, source made to measure white linen curtains here*

Do you recognise this fabulous walk-in-wardrobe? I once wrote a feature about it: Tuesday DIY: A Fab Walk-In Wardrobe on a Shoestring.   

I will never tire of Nina's home - it's so simple, yet so serene and inspiring.

Could you imagine living here?

After my trip to Norway earlier this week, I'm certainly tempted!

It's for sale here. Just saying....

Fancy dipping into a few more Norwegian homes this weekend? How about a serene japan style home in western Norway, a Norwegian house by a fjord, an elegant Norwegian home in striking dark colours and a stunning Norwegian home in many shades of blue.

Got to love the Norwegian flair for interior design!

In the words of our Norwegian friends:

Ha en flott helg! 

Niki

PS I'll be stopping in tomorrow to share the latest update on my summer cottage kitchen renovation.

PPS It's been one crazy week, I'm so looking forward to a more chilled one next week (fingers crossed!) and spending a little more time on here. Is there anything in particular you'd like to see? If so, give me a shout below!

Photography: Nina Holst / Stylizimo shared with kind permission

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Could You Imagine Living In This Dreamy Swedish Home?

Why, hello there! I'm tearing about preparing for a trip to Norway (my heart land!) this afternoon. But I couldn't leave without sharing this beautiful home with you first! Located in an iconic turn-of-the-century wooden house in Haga, Gothenburg, the light-filled living space is blessed with towering stucco ceilings, 'mirror' doors, and original wood floors. Look closely and there are also subtle colours and textures at play. Soft grey walls contrast with fresh white ceilings. Jute and linen rugs add muted, rich tones and wood furniture helps to add texture and warmth. Look out for greenery at every turn, from climbing plants and a small tree to the most fabulous botanical wallpaper. What a treat! 

Pernille Bülow glass SKY lamps are similar (as seen in my dining room!), jute runner* 

Four potted ivy plants have been trained to climb the window (see more 'climber' inspiration here!) and lilac from the garden makes a perfect, lightly scented centre-piece. 

The living room is made up of a blend of furniture from antique and rustic to mid-century and contemporary pieces, giving it a personal and relaxed vibe.

The Nelson Saucer pendant lamp* is similar, wooden bench*

The Grand Prix* chair is similar, pick up a vintage Le Klint scissor lamp here*

William Norris Pimpernel wallpaper

Do you think it comes with all the furniture? If so, I'm moving in! 

Could you imagine living here too?! 

Remember this other Haga apartment in a secret courtyard I shared a few months back? I'm still dreaming about it, are you?! 

Right, *slaps lap with both hands* I'd better get packing. I'm soooo excited. If all goes well, this time tomorrow I'll be hiking the Hardanger fjord fruit trail which inspired the fragrance behind the Skandinavisk Fjord collection. I'll also be chatting to the perfumer along the way (I've never met a perfumer before!).  If you're curious, you're so welcome to follow along on instagram stories (I'll also create a blog post once I'm back in case you're looking for travel tips!). 

Despite my (more) Northern location, I'll still be posting as usual, so please do stop by tomorrow! 

Have a fabulous start to the week vänner! 

Niki

Photography: Anders Bergstedt styling Nouvel Interior for Entrance. 

Affiliate links marked with *

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Small Spaces: A Beautiful Swedish Home That Makes The Most of a 'Sceiling'

Sloped ceilings (or 'Sceilings' as they're known in the trade) have their down sides (literally!) - and can be tricky to work with (trust me, we have one on the top floor of our house!). But with a little work they can make beautiful, light and airy living spaces. This small, two room studio is nestled on the top floor of an apartment block in Gothenburg, Sweden. The designer has thought carefully about how to work with the different heights - resulting in a practical, space efficient home - which is comfortable and easy on the eye to boot! 

Bespoke shelving in the kitchen makes the most of every inch of wall space to create as much storage as possible (IKEA shelving can easily be cut to size to create this look). The stove and fridge-freezer have been prioritised as areas that need extra head room while the dishwasher can be opened from the side. 

While looking back at these pictures again I also noticed how they've snuck in a fan amongst the shelving - smart! 

Redundant work space (the ceiling is simply too low on the far left to use) has been decorated with fresh branches of lilac - which could easily be exchanged for fresh herbs! 

The sofa has been placed on the lower side of the room (a little out from the wall) - creating a comfy, spot. I also love how the beams have been painted black for contrast. 

A table for two has been tucked away at the far end. It looks a little tight on the right, but it looks as though there's enough space to shift everything to the left for more head room! 

Does anyone know who the wall lamp is by? Rita?! 

A ladder is stored out of the way but within reach for higher stuff - I see there is an alcove to the left - any guesses what could be hidden up there?! I've always wanted one of these ladders - but haven't found use for one yet! Actually, maybe the shelves in my bedroom? Would Per's handmade shelves withstand the weight though?!  

Artwork: Portrait M* by Gurilla,  Figure 02* by Bycdesign studio

A bench has been placed at the far side of the bed which can be used for lighting, books etc, while the higher side of the room is reserved for storage. Love the light green-grey wall too, how about you?!

Artwork: Shapescape 08* by Jan Skacelik, 

Lighting: Mass light by &tradition. 

On the bed: white linen duvet cover*, beige pillow case*, cream knit blanket, and grey linen throw* are similar.

Loved this! Such great inspiration for spaces with sloped ceilings too. 

I hope you've found this home inspiring too!

Other beautiful small spaces to feel inspired by today:

15 small space hacks to learn from a Danish home
10 ways to turn a pokey top floor flat into a swoon worthy living space
A Small Swedish space that will make you want to downsize

Have a wonderful start to the week - I hope the sun is shining where you are too!

Niki

Photography: Alan Cordic for Bjurfors - found via Nordic Design with thanks
Affiliate links marked with *

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