Take a Peek Inside Steffi's Cheerful and Relaxed Family Home

Hey, Friday - how happy I am to see you! Is it me or has it been one very long week?! It could be because we're going skiing tomorrow and I've honestly been counting down the days! I hope you've got some fun plans for half term too! Before I head off I wanted to stop by and share Steffi's lovely, relaxed home in Hamburg, Germany with you. Built in 1910, the house has a lovely flow and large windows which flood the space with light. Colourful art, flowers and accessories add a cheery feel and I love the mid-century touches. In the words of Bright Bazaar - it's truly 'make you smile style' - and a wonderful family home for Steffi, her husband and two little boys. Enjoy the tour! 

I feel relaxed just looking at these pictures, how about you?

It's the kind of home that would make you feel instantly at ease. Love that.

See more pics over on Steffi's instagram @heyheyhaus. 

Since I'm heading off on holiday (rub it in why don't I?! Sorry!), I'm planning a little blog break until Monday 24th so that I can give my girls and long-suffering husband my undivided attention! I therefore thought I'd leave with you a load of archives (cue hours, days or even weeks of inspiration to be found!). I hope you find a load of inspiration for your home! 

Swedish home tours

Danish home tours

Norwegian home tours

Finnish home tours

Icelandic home tours (not so many in this one admittedly - but SO worth a peek!). 

Before and afters (I'm such a big fan of make-overs!)

Small spaces

Bohemian homes

My home

Oh, and I nearly forgot. Happy Valentine's Day! Are you doing anything special? Per and I don't really celebrate it, but my girls love it. This morning when I left home, there was a little boy putting something in our mailbox - it looked like some chocolates and a card. So sweet! Allie is going to be  happy when she gets home from school! 

Have a fabulous weekend and see you 24th Feb!

Niki

Photography: Steffi / @heyheyhaus shared with kind permission

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Step Inside A Relaxed Bohemian Family Home In South Korea

Why, hello there! I'm excited to be kicking off the week with a My Scandinavian Home all time first: a home tour in South Korea! And it's perfect time with the country's first ever Oscar win last night!  B.Minjung (who I'll refer to from now on as 'B'!), her husband and their adorable two-year-old girl Yoon Seul live in the coastal city of Busan. The family are currently awaiting the imminent arrival of a baby girl, a little sister for Yoon Seul. The relaxed apartment is testimony to B's passion for vintage and bohemian decor and is a sea of warm, earthy tones and natural materials including wood, rattan and bamboo. B also loves to make her own home decor items - some of which she sells through her web shop. I hope you enjoy this lovely tour as much as I did! 

The apartment is full of earthy natural tones - including an abundance of wood, rattan and bamboo. A simple wooden children's fence / gate ensures Yoon Seul can play safely in the sitting room. 

I spy IVAR cabinets from Ikea. In Sweden it's popular to paint the cabinets to match the wall colour - but I love the way B has left them in natural pine. 

And how cosy does that fluffy sheepskin throw* look on the rattan chair?  

I have been scanning the pictures for clues on how South Korean's live. If the picture above is anything to go by, it seems they have a tendency to put washing machines / dryers in the kitchen - just like the Brits (in Scandinavia they these appliances tend to be in the bathroom). Where do you place them in your country? 

Another thing I noticed is the dark wood floors - something you don't tend to see in Scandinavia right now. 

I have always been a fan of binga baskets having seen them in this relaxed beach home, a bargain hunter's Antwerp home and a relaxed Tucson home (source a set of 5 here*). 

Cuteness overload!

Is it too early to be thinking about weekend lie-ins and breakfast in bed? 

Spot the tootsies! 

There are few ledges in the bathroom so B has used the power of hanging plant holders and an Ikea step stool to add a touch of greenery! 

There are so many pretty items in Yoon Seul's bedroom - but I especially love the little wicker trolley. I remember when my girls were two. They used to love rolling their toys from room to room, this luggy basket* would have been perfect! 

I absolutely love that most of Yoon Seul's toys are made from wood. I often wince when I see mountains of colourful plastic toys that buzz and beep (even if kids do love them!). Having said that, I used to have a plastic fisher price garage and my children enjoyed it 30 years later. Some toys never go out of favour! 

Did anything from B's home stand out to you? 

You can see more pictures from B. Minjung's lovely home over on her instagram feed @ddbling. 

Here in Malmö the sun has just come out (hurray!) and I'm thinking of heading out to survey the damage from the storm last night - did you get crazy winds too? I also need to clear my head after a crazy week at fairs in Denmark, Stockholm and Frankfurt. I'm feeling full of inspiration but massively tired too! Roll on the weekend. Oh. It's only Monday. Bah! 

Have a great start to the week folks! 

Niki

Photography: B. Minjung - shared with kind permission

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

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The Delightful Home of a Plant-Lover and a Darling Dalmation!

In my mind, there are several key ingredients that help make a house a home. This list includes people (yes, I can see how this one might be an obvious one *laughs out loud*!!). But lately, it's become really popular for brands to recreate 'apartments'  - and no matter how amazing the interior designer / stylist, they can never truly give a place its soul! Other key factors include art, plants and books. And throw in a delightful pet (or should I say 'companion?' - anyone else following the UK news lately?!) and a home instantly becomes warm and inviting (awww, I miss having a cat!). Twenty-six year-old interior architect student Aya's 80 m2 (862 f2) in Krefeld, Germany includes all of these factors and more (the handsome hound is actually Till's parents' dogs - but he's often over to visit). But above all else, it's Aya's passion for collecting rare plants that really brings their home to life. Enjoy the tour! 

This striking black kitchen is from IKEA.

"I would describe my style as a mix between Scandinavian minimalism and boho - inspired by our vacations abroad."

A plant in the kitchen sink is a daily sight in Aya's home - and I have to say - it sure beats dirty dishes (thinking of my own right now...). 

"My parents use a greenhouse full of plants for their dining area. When I moved out and moved to a new city, I missed taking care of things and needed a hobby - so I started collecting rare plants."

I love how Aya has created different ways to display her plants using plant boxes, plinths and unusual pots! 

"I really like plant boxes - they are great for hiding plastic pots and stuff. It's also a good way to combine plants with different shapes and colours." 

I love the idea of an indoor mini greenhouse and wanted one ever since I saw one in the kitchen of this beautiful, creative Stockholm home. Isn't this one lovely in Aya's home? 

Design House Stockholm sells a great mini greenhouse. 

What do you think? 

Does Aya's home make you want to bring more plants indoors? I love greenery but I have to say, I'm, hopeless at looking after plants. These days I stick to plants that require as little maintenance at all - like plants that root in water and terrariums - genius! How are you with keeping plants alive? 

If you're looking for a little more green-fingered inspiration over the weekend, here's a little more:

The ultimate guide to hanging plants

Indoor climbing plants

Beautiful inspiration for plant lovers

Also, don't miss the fabulous home of the Arctic gardener, the charming swedish home of a plant and flea market enthusiast, Igor's happy plant-filled place and an incredible loft full of plants! Talk about plant heaven! 

Have a fabulous weekend friends! 

Niki

PS If my writing is a little off today it's because I've been at design fairs all week and was up at 4.15am this morning to travel to Frankfurt for Ambiente. Very excited to be here but have to admit, I'm on my third coffee and counting.... if you're curious to see more, I'll be sharing my finds over on instagram stories today and tomorrow. 

Photography: Aya / @living_lush_life - shared with kind permission.

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Tour Brit's delightful home with touches of pink and gold

I've had trends on mind these past few week (as you can tell from my colour feature and your home = your sanctuary posts) - as we start a new decade there are certainly some subtle changes on the horizon.  But for all lovers of 'millennial pink' out there (of which I am one) - you'll be excited to hear that's one rosy hue that's here to stay. Hey, even if it wasn't, I'd have it in my home anyway! But no one loves the hue as much as Brit.  Self proclaimed 'Midwestern gal' Brit Arnesen is an interior stylist, blogger and enthusiastic DIYer with a penchant for dusty pink and golden tones. She shares her home with her 'one and only', 'two little loves' and one very handsome cat! Enjoy the tour! 

Keep an eye out for these dried fan shaped palm leaves - they're everywhere right now, whether displayed in a vase or as a key player in fabulous floral installations! 

Estee lamp by Mitzi, Sculpted rattan mirror from Anthropologie

Mirage yarrow sofa, shell pillow, white sheepskin

So pretty! Not sure if I'll ever tire of the dusty pink / gold combination, how about you? 

See more of Brit's home in all its rose tinted glory over on her blog and instagram @britdotdesign. 

And more pink inspiration here: 

A colourful retro funks home in Norway (love the pop of bright red against the pink!)

5 ways to add an accent colour to your home (inspired by a Malmö home!)

A delightful light-filled home in the rooftops of Munich

Are you a fan of pink? 

Seeing the shell cushion reminded me of this write-up over on Emily Henderson's blog - such an interesting read! What are your thoughts? 

Have a fab day - shells or no shells! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Brit Arnesen shared with kind permission

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A Dreamy Holiday Rental in Daylesford With a Mini Warehouse Feel

Every single time a fabulous new holiday rental pops up in Australia it resurrects my desire to travel Down Under! Today is one of those days. Stylist extraordinaire Lynda Gardener recently added Room + Board to her wonderful repertoire of holiday rentals. The dreamy space has a mini warehouse feel which is part glass and part conservatory. Beautiful recycled schoolhouse windows flood the living space with light and help to highlight curated pieces, furniture, art and plants which have been individually sourced from personal collections and sustainable suppliers. Located in the heart of Daylesford - a town in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range of Victoria (also home to Lynda's fabulous The White Room and The Barn and The Estate Trentham holiday rentals) - the one bedroom property is waiting for its first guests. Form and orderly queue, please! 

This hand sewn burlap lamp* is similar. I have a cinnamon coloured cushion in my sitting room like this - you can pick it up here*.

Raffia net bag*, organic cotton net bag*, artisan brush

The beams! The pools of light! 

When you go for an entirely white washed space, the furnishings need to work harder to create a cosy feel (this comes from personal experience from the days when my bedroom was white!). Look closely at the above picture and you'll see a load of natural textures at play, all of which help to create a relaxed vibe. 

Rattan poof*, vintage pitcher*

Bemz sells similar linen headboard covers* like this, three legged wooden stool*

I'd love to know where the over-sized brown lamp is from - any tips? 

Could you imagine hanging out here for a few days? 

I'm totally in! 

Read more about the space and book your stay at Room + Board here. 

If you're visiting Melbourne, Lynda also has a property to rent in St Kilda (also on my radar!). 

Australia has been on the world's radar for other reasons lately - catastrophic bushfires. Rescue teams have been working tirelessly to help all those affected, including people who have lost their homes and livelihoods and all the beautiful animals. If you would like to offer your support, here are a few charities that welcome donations:

Koala crisis - bushfire recovery - a GoFundMe page created by photographer Kara Rosenlund (who's home I featured here) which set out to accrue $8000 of funding and current donations exceed $210,000 and counting! Incredible! 

WWF Bushfire emergency fund 

Australian Red cross

Please feel free to add charity suggestions in the comment section below - I know there are many, all of whom are doing what they can. 

Wishing you a wonderful start to the week! 

Niki

Photography: Marnie Hawson

Styling Lynda Gardner / @lynda.gardener

* This post contains affiliate links which means I will make a tiny amount of money if you click on the link and make a purchase. 

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