A New Home For My Mouth Blown Lamps from the Danish Island of Bornholm

Hello friends. Friday - wooop! Thank you for sharing all your thoughts yesterday, hop on over if you'd like to join the discussion! On an entirely separate note, a few days ago, a local paper asked me if there were any items in my home I'd never part with. My answer was "yes, A TON!" Do you feel the same? My reasoning is firstly, because I'm a bit of a hoarder (admittedly!) and secondly, I really try hard to layer my home with meaningful, timeless pieces. But one thing in particular immediately sprung to mind: my set of three mouth blown limited edition bronze SKY lamps from Pernille Bülow. Made on the beautiful Danish island of Bornholm to mark the gallery's 30th anniversary, each lamp is mouth blown which makes every piece entirely unique. There's also something about the smoky glass and bronze combination that speaks to me. They used to hang over my vintage bar cart but today, they have a new home - over the kitchen island!

If you've never been to the Danish island of Bornholm, it's well worth a trip (you can get there by plane or ferry from Sweden or Denmark) - and we actually sailed there once (I'll never forget it since it was a really stormy day and we arrived utterly drenched!). It was well worth it though as the island is so pretty and dotted with little galleries and ateliers. One of which is the Pernille Bülow gallery in Svaneke where you can watch the liquid glass pulp being collected from a 1120 degree furnace and then blown into wooden moulds or shaped with wet newspaper pads, steel tweezers or paddles. 

If you can't make it in person, no worries, Pernille Bülow sells online too! You might need to be quick with these SKY lamps since they are limited edition. FYI my cluster is made up of small (14 cm), medium (18 cm) and large (22 cm). 

However, they also sell beautiful clear glass ones with a gold fixture (seen over my dining table) as well as various coloured options. I also love the SKY ceramic table lamps which I once photographed in this lovely home in Landskrona. 

What do you think? Do you have a place for these lamps in your home? Trust me, you won't want to ever part with them if so! 

Also, I'd love to know: What do you have in your home that you'd never part with? Family and pets aside, of course! 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend! Stay calm, be careful and in the words of the Italians: andrà tutto bene (everything will be all right).

Niki

This post is brought to you in collaboration with Pernille Bülow, however all words and pictures are my own - and I really would never part with them! Thank you for supporting the wonderful businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible! 

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8 Ways to Add Instant Hygge To Your kitchen (From A Lovely Swedish Home)

Why, hello there! Sorry for the radio silence. We drove back from the Austrian Alps yesterday after a really fantastic week - it's just SO beautiful there! I loved spending so much time outdoors too. Something tells me it's going to be tricky to be at my desk all week (if it wasn't hovering around 5 degrees, I'd move it outside!!). Meanwhile, over in London, my Mother is renovating her kitchen after 30 years and freaking out. The latest is that she's opted for all white cabinets and marble countertops and is now worried the overall look will be cold and uninviting. This is not unfounded. After all, it's nice to go for a fresh, timeless look in the kitchen - but it does mean you need to work that bit harder to give it soul. The good news is, it's so simple, and doesn't need to cost the earth! 

This kitchen in Gothenburg reminds me a lot of our summer cottage kitchen with its light grey Veddinge cabinets, brass knobs and marble worktop. It's a look that could appear cold, had it not been for some simple styling tricks. Here are 8 things I spotted: 

1. Go potty over pottery: handmade ceramics are taking the interior world by storm right now - which makes my heart sing (along with all the talented ceramicists out there!). It's amazing how much warmth the textured surface can add to a kitchen.  

2. Add a little vintage: Break up the walls and cabinetry with a touch of vintage. This vintage wall-mounted wine rack immediately conjures up visions of summers in the chianti wine region! Wooden shelves - like the ones made from old scaffolding boards in this London kitchen - can also work wonders. 

3. Go tarnished: It's lovely to have gleaming worktops and super smooth cabinets, but it can start to feel a little cold with a super sheen tap too. I love something a little more tarnished like this brass one from Tapwell (we have the same one in our summer cottage kitchen) for contrast. 

4. Leave the chopping boards out! I was chatting to a friend the other day who said their husband was such a neat nick that every time she gets home all the surfaces are completely empty (she then spends half an hour taking everything back out!). Look at any Scandinavian kitchen and you'll spot chopping boards stacked on the side, giving instant warmth! Source vintage ones here*. Herbs, and lovely rustic containers also help to give a kitchen that lived-in vibe. 

4. Add a little rustic: How dreamy is this Swedish farmhouse table? It adds such a warm and inviting feel to the entire space. I also know that they're VERY difficult to find - and I did say 'instant' in the headline - so if you don't have one of these beauties rocking about, don't worry, rustic stools*, benches and even wooden bowls will do wonders for the space. 

5. Linen love: I wax lyrical about linen all the time - so I'll keep it brief, I promise! Lovely earthy line aprons*, kitchen towels* and other items are perfect for adding a soft touch! 

6. Vintage pendant light: I added a ship pendant just like this over the kitchen sink in our summer cottage kitchen and it totally transformed the space (I see they're currently selling them off in a sample sale here - hurry!).  

7. Soften up with sheepskin: fluff up your chairs and make them a little more comfy with different types of sheepskin - from the super fluffy* to the super curly*! 

8. Don't forget the art: adding paintings, prints and posters you love is a sure way to personalise the space. 

Don't even get me started on that hallway - isn't it beautiful?!

Even as I went back to look through the pictures, I found a load more ideas, please feel free to add your own tips in the comments below, I'd love to hear them! 

I hope that this post has helped anyone who is currently renovating a kitchen (my Mother included!) or simply looking to add a little warmth to your living space.

Speaking of lovely, cosy spaces, did you see the awe-inspiring private danish kitchen of the Noma head chef a few weeks ago? I'm still dreaming about it!

Have a great start to the week, it's good to be back! 

Niki

This apartment is currently for sale via Entrance. 

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Our Kitchen Update: Got A Feeling This Will Be One Good Sunday Roast!

Paid partnership with Samsung

Our fridge and freezer have been on blink for a while now. I was therefore super grateful to Samsung for approaching me to participate in their 'Sunday Evenings' series which meant replacing our existing fridge and freezer with much needed new ones. Thanks for coming to the rescue Samsung! I was also happy because Sunday evenings mean Sunday roasts in our house - and Sunday roast is my middle name! Full disclosure: I'm admittedly, not much of a cook as you know - but Sunday roasts I can do! Are they a typically British thing - or do you also enjoy them in your country too? It's one of the few traditions I brought with me - as in my mind, there's no better way to end a weekend than gather round the table with the entire family! 

So first, the appliances. Which ones did I choose and why? After a lot of research, I opted for the Samsung Refrigerator RR39M73657F/EE and Samsung Freezer RZ32M71357F - both of which have won 'best in test' at Swedish store Elgiganten for three years in a row! 

We loved that the insulation is really streamlined, which means you get more space for food (great for a family with three children who are getting bigger by the day!). We also liked that the freezer has a special Metal Cooling functionality which means you get an even temperature throughout (no more semi-frozen vegetables at the back!).  

And the vegetable drawer has a Humidity Control setting, which helps to ensure that our veggies stay fresher for longer - so less food waste, and an even better Sunday roast! In the words of the Swedes: Hurrah! 

Oh, and the fridge also comes with a water dispenser. It's a little luxury that I've been coveting for a while. Since we don't have any plumbing on that side of the kitchen, I was relieved to finally find a fridge that has a water dispenser that doesn't require any plumbing. The freezer also has a really nifty ice machine which hardly takes up any space.

After all, making a Sunday roast is thirsty work, right?!

This week I'm making roast chicken with roasted vegetables (and all the trimmings) - the girls are going to be so disappointed that this means no Yorkshire puddings, which is why I'm throwing in a pudding too! 

Do you have a special Sunday evening tradition in your home too? if so, I'd love to hear about it! 

Wishing you a lovely Sunday friends! 

Niki

PS I've learnt that there's a great second-hand market for old fridges and freezers. The ones we had might no longer have been efficient enough for daily family life, but they've gone to a great home!

A big thank you to Helen Sturesson for styling / interior design guidance. 

This is a paid collaboration with Samsung. However, all words are my own and I only ever work with brands and products I love and can truly recommend. Thank you for supporting the businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible. 

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The Awe-Inspiring Private Kitchen of Noma Head Chef René Redzepi

You can kind of guess that one of the most highly acclaimed chefs in the world would have an incredible kitchen. And the private sphere of René Redzepi - Danish chef and co-owner of the two-Michelin star restaurant Noma in the Christianshavn neighbourhood of Copenhagen, Denmark certainly doesn't disappoint. You'd think the hand crafted bespoke Garde Hvalsøe kitchen in oak, steel and burnished brass and Dinesen HeartOak plank floors would be enough to make a statement in their own right - but there's also that magnificent open fire place and those charming wood beams to contend with. While his restaurant was voted the best restaurant in the world in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014, I'm nominating René's kitchen for the best kitchen 2020 award. Take a peek and see if you agree! 

A few months ago, I spent a wonderful evening at the Garde Hvalsøe headquarters in a former car assembly garage in central Copenhagen and I have to say, the level of craftsmanship that goes into their kitchens (and other cabinetry) is incredible. I wish you could run your hand along the surface and open and close these drawers! The supper was superb too (even if it wasn't made by René!).

There burning question (sorry, couldn't resist!), is what appliances does the head chef of Noma choose for his own kitchen? The answer: a Grand Cuisine hob and oven. 

You can really see the beauty of the Dinesen wood in the above picture. It's made from 30 mm thick planks in mixed widths (350-500 mm and length 2-6 metres) with a white oil finish. So stunning, don't you think?

So, what do you reckon? Is this also one of the most beautiful kitchens you've ever seen?

I'm also curious to know, have you ever eaten at Noma? I've tried to get a table a few times but never succeeded. It's still high up on my wish list though!

Curious to see a few other magnificent kitchens today?

A fresh mint green kitchen
A calm kitchen made from wood
The inspiring black kitchen of an interior designer

Also:

10 beautifully simple ideas to steal from a Swedish kitchen
Our summer cottage kitchen (plus get the look!) and a tour of my kitchen at home (if only it was this clean and tidy today!).

Have a lovely day!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Garde Hvalsøe and Dinesen

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A Soothing Colour Palette of Blues and Greys in a Swedish Home

Tjena! Lately Per and I have been thinking about moving house - mainly to get a bigger garden (from my side), I think he said something about a tool shed....(maybe he's resigned to the fact that he's the My Scandinavian Home DIY main man!). But, having taken a few months to look around the ruthless housing market that is Malmö right now, we're getting major cold feet and considering making changes to our house instead - have you been through this thought process too?! If we stay put, one of the first things I'd update is our kitchen and open plan living area (potential mood boards to follow!). I think this is why this Swedish apartment appealed so much to me this morning. Look at that blue / brown combination! I also love how they've painted the underside of the dining table to match. The rest of the apartment has been painted in subtle nuances of grey which complement the blue in a beautiful way and help bring the entire look together. All in all, a truly inspiring palette! 

The kitchen cabinets and brass knobs are both IKEA.

This soothing colour palette from Jotun Lady is similar to the one in the kitchen:

On trend brown and amber tones compliment the greys and blues and add warmth. 

The Little Petra armchair looks like a big bear hug! I could totally do with a cup of tea in that very spot right now, fancy joining me?!

The same tones are carried through to the bedroom.

This cushion is very similar to the one seen (it appears slightly darker in the picture but I have the same one on my sofa and it's actually lighter in real life). Source a pretty ruffled bed skirt here*.

We were at the summer cottage this weekend and every other person at the 'morgonbrygga' (morning swimming bridge) was wearing an old dressing gown and pair of clogs like the ones in this hallway. Another observation: if you truly want to fit in the next time you're in Sweden you're going to need a fairly battered pair! Sadly I don't have any either - but a quick search uncovered a treasure trove of vintage clogs and even a pair of wood and leather Scholls*! 

Vintage Swedish footwear aside (!), is there anything you love about this home? Could you imagine going for a colour scheme like this? 

Pull up a chair and drool over a load more Swedish homes in this archive! 

Have a wonderful start to the week! 

Niki

Credits: Entrance

*Affiliate links

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My Summer Cottage Kitchen Final Reveal (+ Get The Look)!

In paid partnership with Bosch:
I can't believe we've finished our summer cottage kitchen! For a mini, 8 m2 / 86 sq. ft. kitchen, it sure was a whole lot of work! Thank goodness for You Tube and all your wonderful tips and words of encouragement along the way. There certainly wouldn't be a kitchen to enjoy without either of these ingredients! It seems a lifetime ago that I shared the before pictures, design plans - and a few nasty surprises along the way - so without further ado, here is the final reveal!



A little background
Our wooden cottage is located on the West coast of Sweden and was built by my husband's grandfather in the 1930s. It isn't insulated, so we're only there on weekends and school holidays between April and October. Life at the cottage is simple and involves a routine of eat, swim, sleep, repeat! It's somewhere we go to escape the city, kick back and enjoy everything the Swedish summer has to offer with no flights to catch and no schedules to keep. I was keen for the kitchen to reflect this back to basics way of life and create something simple, understated and comfortable.

The Colours
The house is a few hundred metres from the shores of the Kattegat sea where off-white sands meet cool, grey-blue waters. A pine forest leads down to the shoreline - and offers a perfect place to forage for berries and mushrooms. I opted for soft,  muted, subtle greys and whites with touches of lush greenery to reflect the lovely surroundings.




THE CABINETS
We chose simple veddinge cabinets from IKEA which I had spray painted by the fab guys at Swiss Metod in Malmö. We completed the look with bagganäs brass knobs (thank you for your help deciding these in my instagram stories poll!).

Above: While we tend to lead a back-to-basics life at the cottage, we still delight in a few modern comforts, and a dishwasher is one of them! We were going to go for a compact / slimmed down size but in the end went for the standard size Dishwasher Series 6 SBE46CX05E so we wouldn't be constantly emptying and refilling it! Since it's a small kitchen we integrated it behind the cabinets for a seamless look. It's also dead silent, so you'd never know it was there! 
 
I felt it was important to inject some of the original features. The original Bakelight fittings had been swapped out for white plastic fittings in the 70s and I felt it would be nice to reinstall replicas from this time. My Mother-in-law thought this was very amusing: "I still remember the day we installed the new light switches. They felt very state-of-the-art.". I wonder what the next generation will do?!





The worktop
If you've been following this journey, you'll know we went backwards and forwards on the worktop for weeks (thank you for all your words of wisdom!). Since it's not our permanent home we wanted something inexpensive, durable and practical. In the end we chose Ekbacken white marble effect as it covered all basics. I am super happy with how it looks and can highly recommend it. However, the 'purist' in me is pining for a natural surface so one day I might just swap it out for wood or stone, we'll see!

Oven, induction hob and fan
Having had Bosch appliances in our home for over ten years and knowing they can be integrated seamlessly into IKEA kitchens, it made sense to go for Bosch goods in our summer cottage too. I'm so happy with our Oven Series 8 HBG872DS1S and Induction Hob Series 6 PXE611FC1E, they're super sleek and state-of-the-art! We're also pleased with the fan, which is tucked into the cabinet above (allowing for more storage space above). You can read more about why I chose these appliances here.

I registered my appliances at My Bosch which allows me to test the appliances for 100 days and return them if I'm not satisfied - how helpful is that?! I also receive recipes, first insight into promotions, and a customer service VIP number - well worth signing up for!

Chopping boards!

I can't tell you how many wooden chopping boards I have (my husband has placed a ban on me acquiring anymore (along with the cushion embargo!). Fortunately, I had enough at home to donate to the cottage!).  I love that they are both practical and add instant texture and warmth to a kitchen - plus they only get better with age. Do you have wood chopping boards too?

Sink area
I think this area is my favourite. Since the house is quite old, the window height isn't standardised, so we hung a linen curtain (which my Mother-in-law found at a flea market) behind the sink to stop things falling down behind the countertop and add a hint of traditional Swedish cottage style. The sink is the porcelain Havsen from IKEA and the tap - which I LOVE - is by Tapwell (see the get the look below). The latter was a little bit more of an investment, but I completely fell in love with the rich patina and love the feel of it when in use - and am so happy I went all out with the it.



The details
Although a white and light grey colour combination helps to make a smaller kitchen appear larger, I was aware that it can also feel quite cold. I therefore added a load of natural textures in the form of linen, stone, wool and wood in order to add depth and warmth as well as draw nature indoors.

I picked up the stone vases at a local nursery (Trädgårdspalleten) in Malmö. I love the rough, imperfect nature of the surface. It's perfect for wildflowers too! Brass items with a subtle patina like the tap and nautical lamp also help to add interest to the room.

Soap dish (of sorts!)
My younger daughter brought this pebble back from the nearby beach, it makes a perfect soap dish!
 
Nautical pendant lamp
I am so pleased with this nautical-style pendant over the sink (from Rowen & Wren) - I got the idea from Jeska Hearne's kitchen! When lit, it looks really cosy and brings a subtle nautical touch to the room; I can imagine every kitchen window in the fishing village had a lamp like this at some point.



Fridge-freezer
In a small kitchen, it's vital to make use of every inch - which is why we opted for a Fridge-Freezer Series 4 KIN86VS30 and installed it behind the cabinet doors (read more about the fridge-freezer here). Not only does it make the kitchen feel less cluttered, it also allowed for more storage (and plenty of space for our summer wine and cheese!).
 



The floor
When we started the floor was covered in a plastic laminate which we ripped out. The wood floor beneath was fairly low quality so we decided to sand it down and paint it with hard wearing floor paint in white (take a peek here!). The walls have also been painted in a simple, matt white to create a light and airy feel.

The Curtain
Since the house isn't very well insulated, a linen curtain helps to keep out drafts by the back door, and adds a softness to the overall look. The stripes are another subtle nod to the coastal vibe, and I love how it billows in the breeze.



Open storage
If you've been following my blog for a while, you'll know I love a row of hooks (I'm pretty sure Per will put an embargo on buying more of these soon, too)! But they're soooo handy and also add a cosy feel. I actually picked up these mango wood ones at H&M Home - such a find as they have a slightly aged look. I placed three side by side. The ones nearest the door are reserved for 'hallway' stuff like shopping baskets and outdoor items, while the hooks towards the centre of the room are for more kitchen-based items.








And that's it!

I hope you enjoyed the tour and like the result as much as we do!

The space feels extra special having done it all ourselves (save for a little plumbing and electrics).

In case you're curious on where items are from, here's the complete low down:

GET THE LOOK

1. Nordal Carpet with Fringes
2. IKEA VEDDINGE cabinets
3. HUBSCH Barstool
4. IKEA Brass Door Knobs
5. Byggfabriken White Photo Lamp
6. NCS Colour S 2002-Y
7. IKEA Natural Net Bag
8. Tapwell EVO184 Kitchen Faucet
9. IKEA White Marble Effect Countertop
10. Redecker Wooden Handheld Dish Brush
11. Byggfabriken Vipp Grounded Outlet
12. Byggfabriken Vipp Switch Trapp
13. IKEA Beige Curtains
14. Woven Finds Co. Straw Bag with Long Tan Leather Handles
15. Bergs Potter Helena Rose Tree Pot and Saucer Grey
16. Bergs Potter Helena Rose Tree Pot and Antique Rosa
17. Medium Hammam Towel With Fringes
18. IKEA Beige Dishtowel
19. H&M Round Straw Tray
20. Iris Hantverk Dustpan & Brush Set Black
21. Rowen and Wren Fowey Pendant
22. TOWA Workshop Japanese Tetsubin Tea Kettle
23. Nordal Chopping Board


APPLIANCES


1. Bosch Hood Series 4 DFM064A51
2. Bosch Dishwasher Series 6 SBE46CX05E
3. Bosch Oven Series 8 HBG872DS1S
4. Bosch Fridge Freezer Series 4 KIN86VS30
5. Bosch Induction Hob Series 6 PXE611FC1E

Did I miss anything? If you're wondering about any of the details, just give me a shout below and I'll do my best to help!

I am so looking forward to chilling out in the summer cottage garden in a few week's time, what do you say?! Not before baking an apple pie first, of course!

Niki

Thank you to: 
The wonderful team at Bosch who made this renovation series possible, the interior design guys at My Scandinavian Home Studio, Per for being my partner in crime and our children who spent HOURS on the trampoline while we worked! I'd also like to say a huge thanks to Sofie Lawett for looking over my ideas, my dear friends Jess Forsberg and Ullis Sjöström and the fab guys at Swiss Metod and Geijersgatan 53. 

*This series is in paid collaboration with Bosch. However, all words and pictures are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too.

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