Bright ideas: Lighting up our Cabin and a Friend's Bathroom

Paid partnership with Hudson valley Lighting Group, all words and pictures are my own

There's nothing like the autumn and winter darkness to make you realise you don't have enough lighting at home (yelp!). Put simply, you need at least 5 different types of lights in a standard size room (a mix of ambience, overhead and task lighting). Outdoor lighting is also important to extend the alfresco season, brighten up an entrance and create a welcoming vibe! Last week, Per and I headed to the cabin to install two lights in the fading autumn light. 

The first one we installed was the District pendant by Troy Lighting which is made from hand blown glass with soft black detail. The cabin has a 4-metre ceiling height, so we borrowed a ladder. Here's me checking the length (for someone who has a slight fear of heights, this was a brave moment!). The light comes with a black ceiling canopy which looks super smart once in place.  

As with all handmade pieces, the handblown glass has subtle imperfections which give it a lovely vintage feel. It comes in two different sizes (this is the smaller one measuring 40 cm high x 20.32 cm wide), and three different glass finishes: clear, topaz and smoke. Since it's a fairly small room, I chose the clear glass for a 'barely there' feel. 

I love the closed concave bottom - it's not unlike a fine bottle of wine! But more than that, it catches and reflects the light in a lovely way. 

Outdoor lighting 

Meanwhile, outside it can be pitch black (save for the moon and stars) at this time of year at the cabin. 

I've learned good garden lighting is key for three reasons: it means you can still be outside and enjoy mild evenings after the sun goes down, it creates a welcoming feel when you arrive home and finally, there's something unsettling about looking out into a black hole of darkness through the window, and good garden lighting can do wonders to lighten up the outside world - highlighting your deck, a tree or other parts of the garden, helping you to feel less 'closed-in'. 

Note: try to steer clear of lights that emit light directly upwards as this can disorientate migrating birds.  

For us, the first step was to install a light in the decked area so we can sit outside on autumn evenings (when the weather allows for it of course!). The Atwater Wall Sconce by Troy Lighting caught our eye as we liked the vintage brass finish and the warm glow. 

Specifically designed for outdoor use, it's available in three different sizes. This one is 45.72 cm high x 16.51 cm wide. 

I particularly like the finish - it's a tone I've used throughout the cabin. I also really appreciate the golden glow, it creates a really welcoming, cosy vibe! 

It's so much cosier to sit out here in Autumn now. Maybe we'll invest in a fire pit next, what do you think? 

Lighting up my friend's bathroom

And finally, it would be mean spirited of me to keep all these wonderful lights to myself. My friend Ullis (who I've known since I was five and lives a few doors down) has recently completed her bathroom renovation and it's amazing! There was just one piece missing - mood lighting! 

Ullis already has spotlights in the ceiling, so the overhead lighting was covered, what was needed was a warm mood light. Which is where this beauty came into the picture!

Made from solid cast brass, the Diggs wall sconce by Hudson Valley Lighting Group is small but fairly weighty (you do need a good, solid wall for this one). It looks great all over the home, but I also love that it can be installed in the bathroom. 

It has a hooded design with a handcrafted look and feel which looks equally pretty switched off or on.  

It gives off such a lovely warm glow, don't you think? I love it when a plan comes together! 

I'm considering installing this in our stairwell too (a dark area of our home that's in need of more light!). 

I hope you like these lamps as much as we do. Do you have a favourite? 

You can see all the lights have selected from Hudson Valley Lighting Group in the past here, here and here. 

This weekend is perfect timing to do a light edit in your home and ensure you have enough each room. Is there somewhere in your home you need to work on? 

Have a great weekend friends, vi ses på måndag! 

Niki

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Cabin Update: The Lights Are On!

This is a paid partnership with Hudson valley Lighting Group. All words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love. 

The progress continues at the cabin! During the build we had spotlights fitted in the ceiling, which are all on dimmers. This set the basis for the lighting, and then I needed to add another layer - a more decorative one, but also directional to allow for reading, playing games etc. I.e. The fun part! Read on to see some pictures and find out more about the three new lamps in my life! 

Stanton floor lamp

This little gem in aged brass was the ideal choice for beside the sofa as it is height adjustable, and you can swivel the shade to direct the light. The black and white marble base makes for a great 'anchor' too (with Allie doing her gymnastics all over the shop, there's not much chance of it toppling over!). Find out more about the Stanton at Hudson Valley Group International here. 

Chloe wall sconce

You might recognise the lovely Chloe wall sconce by Mitzi, as I also have one in my sitting room at home. It's a favourite as I'm a big fan of the aged brass and light grey marble combination. For our bed alcove I opted for two - both connected to a dimmer switch so we can choose between a bright light for reading or a warm glow for ambience - this was important as it doubles up as somewhere cosy to relax in the open-plan living area! 

I love that this wall sconce works as decoration when not in use! 

Beside the lamp you'll notice a power source. The idea is to add a little rounded corner shelf at some point for phones and other tiny items like watches etc. All these details take time! 

Back home we added a third light from Hudson Valley Lighting Group: 

Nora Wall Sconce 

This fine Nora Wall Sconce by Mitzi brass wall sconce is part of the same family as Nora Pendant which I installed in Liv's room. It's available in two finishes: aged brass or polished nickel, but you know me, I love a golden touch! This lovely light added just the warm touch we were looking for in our window nook - day and night! It's probably the most coveted spot in our house, but I've got a feeling it will be even more inviting now! 

It's amazing what a difference lighting can make - whether to add decoration, create a warm and inviting feel, highlight a favourite painting or simply brighten up a corner. This weekend, why not do a light edit in your home and figure out what's missing. By adding a well-placed light you can completely transform an entire space and the way you use it! 

See the entire lighting collection over at Hudson Valley Lighting Group. 

Do you have a favourite? 

Right, I might just go and drink that cup of tea ('English breakfast'! - you can take a girl out of England, but you can't take England out of the girl!) and relax for a while before the family come home. 

Wishing you all a relaxing weekend. Vi ses på Måndag! 

Niki

Photography: Niki Brantmark / My Scandinavian Home

Styling at cabin: Helen Sturesson. Styling at home: Niki Brantmark

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Lighting-up Time: Three New Lamps In My Home

MSH partnership, all words are my own:

Lighting. One of the single most important factors in the home and often completely underestimated. Not only can good lighting make a room (or a part of a room) feel more comfortable, user-friendly, and practical - it can change the entire feeling of a space. Of course, natural light is the best, but sometimes it just doesn't quite cut the mustard, especially in wintertime (don't even get me started on the darkness here in Sweden right now!). So, ensuring you have enough lighting in your home at this time of year is essential. 

I usually think of it as the magic three: lighting that makes everything in the room more visible (ambient / general lighting), lighting that accentuates favourite features (accent lighting) and lighting that helps you to do specific tasks (you guessed it, task lighting!). I knew we had too little of all three in my home, so I recently did an audit - and picked up three beautiful new lights from Hudson Valley Lighting Group. Would you like to see them? 

1. Bowery Table Lamp

Our home office was the first area to get an update, in the form of the Bowery table lamp. You know me, I have a real weakness for brass - especially when it has an aged, old look and unique details, and this one is a real beauty! 

My desk looks so much more inviting now, especially as the sun starts to lower in the sky - maybe I'll get more work done now! 

2. Nora pendant lamp

You might recall the recent make-over in Liv's bedroom which I completed earlier this year. I was distinctively aware that the room wasn't finished (nothing is ever 'finished' in my home and that's just the way I like it!). Live and I have been layering the room with pretty things ever since and one of the most important factors, was an additional lamp.  She already has a great reading lamp on the other side of the bed and an overhead lamp so I was really looking for nice ambient lighting to give the space a calming feel. 

We chose the Nora lamp in aged brass and glass by Mitzi. I love that it's quite small yet catches the light like a jewel!

We draped the cable across the ceiling to give it a relaxed, playful touch. 

It's so pretty, and adds a lovely, warm feel at night! 

3. Corinth Pendant

This beautiful pendant, named Corinth made an instant difference to the room. So much so, my youngest daughter got home from school (it was already dark, such is southern Sweden at this time of year) and said 'WOW, it's so nice and light in here'. It honestly added a whole new dimension to the room and turned the bar cart area into a great focal point. 

One of the great things about this elegant lamp is that you get to decide the length / how far it hangs down from the ceiling as it comes with three sections of brass tubing. I went for two sections.

Plus of course, it adds a decorative touch to the room (I love the aged brass and glass combo) and since I selected a bulb with a warm tone, it emits a wonderful warm, diffused accent light after sunset! 

I know it sounds funny, especially as we've lived in our house for fourteen years, but adding these lamps made our living space feel so much more complete. That's the beauty of layering a home over time!

Do you have a favourite?

Check out the entire Hudson valley Lighting Group collection. 

I'd love to hear about your lighting situation at home - do you feel you have enough? perhaps you have a favourite fixture? Or one you dislike! Do share in the comment section below.  

Niki

Photography: Niki Brantmark 

Styling: Helen Sturesson

*This is a paid post in collaboration with Hudson Valley Lighting Group. All words and lamp choices are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too. Thank you for supporting the businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible. 

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3 New lamps At Home from Hudson Valley Lighting

MSH partnership, all words are my own: 

Everyone has a 'thing' when it comes to the home, don't you think? For some it's chairs, for others it might be rugs, or smaller items such as books, art and plants. What's yours? I love all these pieces, but for me, it has to be lighting! I love the way it can be used to create an atmosphere. I appreciate how it's vital for practical tasks such as cooking or reading. And I'm inspired by the way it can be used to highlight the things you love - and hide the things you don't! You also can never really have enough lighting in a home (especially in wintertime), so I'm always on the lookout for something new. 

Recently, I added three shiny new lamps to our living space - courtesy of Hudson Valley Lighting Group. You might recognise the name from the wall sconce in my sitting room. The international brand sells hundreds of lamps, offering everything from pendants to outdoor wall sconces, all with exceptional quality. I'm excited to share the ones I've chosen this time, they've certainly brightened up some dark corners of our house and cottage! I hope you'll feel inspired / get some ideas for your own home too! 

New lighting at the Cottage

Last time we were up at the cottage we installed the Barron lamp in aged brass over the sink. I felt immediately drawn to it since it's inspired by the work of mid-century Danish architects who reduced the glare from electric lighting by applying layers and curved shades. The result is a soft, diffused glow, that immediately feels warm and cosy - or as the Danes would say hyggelig. 

In Scandinavia, people love to place lighting in the window since it gives off a warm and inviting feel - which is why I chose this position over the sink. But I could also see it hanging in the corner of a room, or next to a sofa (I have a feeling this one might get moved around quite a lot!). But for now, there'll be a lovely light shining from our cottage kitchen window! 

New Lighting in our Home Hallway

A few months ago I shared my latest hallway update, but we were still missing lighting (cue: guests fumbling around in the dark for their jackets and kids emptying the entire content of the wardrobe to find a tennis racket... that sort of thing!). Needless to say, good lighting in the hallway is key, especially on darker days and nights. We were lucky enough to have the power source already, so all that was needed was the actual fixture! 

I decided on the Estee semi-flush by Mitzi. It's actually available in two colours: polished nickel or aged brass - but you know me, I love a brass look! Usually Per helps me out when it comes to DIY, but actually I did most of the installation myself, it was surprisingly simple (the round glass pendants just screw into place). Admittedly I was wise enough not to attempt the wiring though - being a Physics teacher, that's definitely Per's area! 

I can't tell you what a huge difference this lighting makes to our hallway - it looks way smarter than before, and the Estee emits a great light - which can also be dimmed down with the right switch if you want to make your hall / sitting room / dining area more cosy. Love that! 

If you're curious about this piece, you might be interested to know that there's also a 6-arm version, which would be perfect for bigger spaces. 

I recently installed a mirror and hooks in the narrow section of our hallway (more details here) - which have been great for bouncing around light and also providing space for a (daily) overflow of coats, bags, hats etc. But I really wanted to add some interesting lighting to the area - and the Angela in aged brass by Mitzi fit the bill perfectly. 

I was pleasantly surprised by the weight (it's quite substantial which makes it feel really high quality!). I also love the cable - which is why I decided to hang it this way using a hook - some cables are designed to shine! 

It has a really cosy feel to it when switched on (especially if you use a dimmer switch like I have). Placed next to a mirror, the reflection immediately doubles the light source too, which brightens up this little corner of our home after dark! 

Next step... the hallway tiles - but that's a subject for another day! 

For now, we'll be enjoying the fact that we can actually see something when we arrive home or about to leave! 

Did you have a favourite lamp among these? Or perhaps you're after something different? If so, you can discover the full range of Hudson Valley Lighting Group lighting here. 

Niki

Photography: Niki Brantmark (and my kids - where I feature!)

Cottage kitchen Styling: Niki Brantmark

Hallway styling: Helen Sturesson

*This is a paid post in collaboration with Hudson Valley Lighting Group, however, all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too. Thank you for supporting the businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible. 

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