The Charming Swedish Home of a Plant and Flea Market Enthusiast

Malin Brostad loves gardening. In fact, she loves plants and flowers in general. The borders in the garden of her pretty, classic yellow and white house in Hässelby, Western Stockholm are bursting with fox gloves, ferns, roses and other species hardy enough to withstand the Northern climate. In the winter, more sensitive shrubs are brought inside and rest on shelving, vintage tables and credenzas alongside climbers, monstera and coleus as well as treasures picked up at flea markets. It's hard not to fall in love with Malin's charming home - which she shares with husband Markus and their children Ville (10) and Vidar (7). Välkommen in!

My parents-in-law have had a climber like this around their window for decades - and I appreciate it every time I visit. In Malin's home, it makes a feature of the window - and adds a green feel even when there are no leaves on the trees outside. (See my guide to indoor climbing plants if you're curious to do something similar!).

A classic danish Stoff candleholder* can be glimpsed amid the urban jungle atop a mid-century side table*.  I remember seeing the same candleholder in Karolina Modig's Stockholm home (another plant enthusiast!).

I cheated a little here and am sharing a photo which Malin took at another time (which explains why it's not the same arrangement seen in the photo above it!). I couldn't resist though, as I love the lions head and gallery wall and thought you might too! 

Kim Kardashian is not the only who can break the internet. The incredible coleus seen in the corner of the family dining area (and in Malin's arms below!) caused a stir on instagram in 2018! I can totally see why, how about you?!

In the winter, there's one geranium for every step! 

There's so much to love about Malin's bedroom - the A-frame ceilings, the vintage chair, the plants, the soft teal wall colour (by Jotun), the apricot linen duvet cover*. Isn't it pretty?!

Looking at the exterior of Malin's Swedish home - it's hard not to dream about moving to the suburbs of Stockholm, does anyone else feel the same?!

Failing that, this home has taught me that there's absolutely nothing stopping me from bringing more plants into my homes. I love how a coleus like Malin's adds a burst of colour to the room too - perfect! 

Is there anything that stands out to you? 

See more snaps of Malin's lovely home over on her instagram @malinbrostad - and other Swedish homes with pretty outdoor spaces here, here and here! 

I've just returned from a great weekend in Frankfurt where I attended Ambiente Fair. It was a bit of a flyby tour and I'm feeling sooooo tired this morning (cue - 'kids, can you fix your own breakfast today'?!) but it was super inspiring too! If you'd like to take a peek at the latest trends, I recorded this interview with the Ambiente Facebook Live (eeek!) team on Saturday.  

Have a wonderful start to the week!

Niki

Photography: Malin Brostad, shared with kind permission.

Affiliate links marked with * 

READ MORE...

5

A tranquil, light-filled Swedish home

Good old Emma Fischer - up to her usual wizardry styling tricks! This beautiful Gothenburg home she styled for Bjurfors recently perfectly captures my image of the Swedish home - pared-back, light-filled, and featuring an abundance of natural materials.  Think soft, muted tones, paper, wool, wood and an abundance of plants. The entire apartment is an exercise in peace and tranquillity! Prepare to lower your pulse!

Mantis BS3 table lamp*

This looks very much like The Frame TV (which cleverly disguises itself as art). I've had a weakness for these ever since my greenhouse make-over with Emily Henderson.

I'd love to be able to update the post with the name of the chair in the foreground if anyone knows it?

As you know, I do love a Kakelugn (Swedish masonry oven), and this looks like one in full working condition too - yay!

Formakami JH4 Pendant lamp* (also seen in this relaxed Stockholm home!), Ant chair*

Klong oil lamp* (I love these - they come in a ton of different colours and materials too). And just how beautiful is the table? A vintage / antique find - keep looking guys, they turn up when you're least expecting it!

 

My friend and neighbour Lisa Hilland designed the stunning Torso chair* - she's so talented, I really must see if she'd like to participate in a design story so I can share more of her designs with you! Pick up a similar pretty ruffled bed skirt here*.

I love the off-white wall colour too, it's so calming. I wonder what shade it is? I recently painted my daughters room in Complexion by Jotun - I can also highly recommend it, but it has a slightly warm, pinkish hue to it.

Aaaaa, who needs yoga when you can have a home like this?

I so enjoyed the tour, how about you? It's made me feel the need to nip out and buy a couple of cheese plants too!

Is there anything that inspired you about this home?

If you'd like to see more beautiful Swedish homes today - why not take a tour of this archive - there are literally hundreds and hundreds of drool-worthy spaces in there. Varsågod!

Have a lovely day y'all!

Niki

PS I'm so excited to be holding a FAB global give-away to win a set of Montana Free Shelving System on Instagram until 6th October - if you'd love one of these in your home hop over here to enter!

Photography Alen Cordic / Styling Emma Fischer for Bjurfors 


Affiliated links in this post marked with *

READ MORE...

5

A Relaxed, Boho Family Home on the Edge of A Desert

Why, hello there! How was your weekend? We were at a couple of parties in a row and I'm such a light weight these days, I've got a feeling it won't be before Wednesday before I've totally recovered! Mind you it could be the nights in the VW Camper van catching up with us too - it was well worth it though - now I'm totally feeling the retro vibe! Perhaps that's why I was drawn to the wonderful boho home of Matt and Tish, their twin girls, little boy and dog Lemon in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The town is located on the northern tip of the Chihuahuan desert - and it's the 'brown on brown beauty' of the landscape that inspires their beautiful brick and mortar shop, photography and private home, the latter of which is packed with vintage finds, rich textures and a load of 'plant babies'! 

Isn't it great to see a TV in a home tour?! I like the way it's been wall mounted over a lovely vintage chest of drawers that Tish picked up in a local second hand shop. 

Beni ourain rug, vintage rattan stool

In the blog survey earlier on in the year I asked what you wanted to see more of and many responded 'real homes'. Seeing this space it's easy to see why.  Tish's instagram feed No Longer Wander is awash with little peeks into their everyday life at home - and the one above is a great example of this!

IKEA PS bench (I'm not sure is this is still available, if not it's worth checking Ebay for second hand ones), seagrass belly basket, Alseda pouff

Project 62 globe floor light, cushion from Anthropologie (sadly no longer available but perhaps they'll get something similar in this autumn), bed from West Elm

Though she be but little, she is fierce - and I put it down to the striking black grouting and plants!

I love the laid back style of Tish and Matt's home, it feels so personal and lived in - just as a family home should be! 

And how gorgeous is Lemon? She looks so content on that bed! 

Is there anything that stands out to you? 

You can check out more pics and get more inspiration from Tish's 'No Longer Wander' blog (which covers health, interiors, fashion and beauty) and instagram feed - and if you're in Albuquerque I'm reckoning it's totally worth nipping into her shop! 

More boho homes today: a family home where Nordic meets boho, a cosy modern bohemian home and a bohemian-style abode in Berlin. 

We're heading back to Sweden this evening - we've had an amazing time but it is going to be so nice to be home (I miss my bed!) - does it sound strange to say I'm kind of looking forward to a little routine and eating and drinking in a marginally healthy way again (at least until the weekend)?! 

I hope you have a great start to the week! 

Niki

Photography: No Longer Wander with kind permission. 

READ MORE...

6

Nora's Charming Eclectic Home

I'm not sure if it's the warm pools of sunlight, the plants, art (some of which casually rests on the floor), or the eclectic mix of furniture (or simply the contribution of everything!) but there's something truly charming about Nora's apartment in Cologne, Germany. It's one of those homes where you could imagine feeling instantly at home the moment you step in the door! Enjoy the tour!

// affiliated links marked with *//

Here's an idea: different sized wooden chests (source similar vintage ones here*) stacked on top of one another to create extra kitchen storage and a side board!

String lights*, rattan chair* (similar), Bertoia side chair*

 Plant watering day in the Nora household! But some plants get to stay (in a Bittergurka plant holder).

House Doctor wall lamp, rug from IKEA,  the Zuiver cupid side table* is similar, Line Collection No 05* print by Hein Studio.

The sitting room is possibly my favourite room  - doesn't it look just so warm and inviting?! I love the big windows too.

Mid-century teak side boards / credenzas have been popular for a few years now, plus they're perfect for vignettes! Etsy* is a great source for similar vintage pieces. 

One of the reasons Nora's apartment works so well is because she makes the most of the height. Look closely and you'll spot lots of wonderful details too - like the Kay Bojesen monkey* hanging from the shelf!

 It took me a while to notice the TV in the picture above - can you see it?! 

Aaaaa, all in all, one lovely, cosy home!

Could you imagine rocking about here?

If you'd like to see more, check out Nora's instagram where she shares daily snaps. 

And if you're up for a little more German apartment inspiration today (now that we're on a roll....) take a peek at this bright and beautiful loft (I know this was only last week, but I couldn't resist linking to it again in case you missed it!), a Scandi inspired urban oasis (how fab is that hallway?!) and a relaxed home filled with fab colours. 

We're currently bumping along the narrow, winding rooms of Cornwall, South West England in Scarlett, our rented VW campervan (so if there are any typos in this post you know why!). Feeling a little tired (these rides are way smaller than I'd imagined!) but we've had a lot of laughs along the way! If you'd like to get a glimpse check out my stories! It's such an incredible part of the world.

I hope you have a fab day to couple of days and see you Friday!

Niki

Photography by Nora

READ MORE...

4

The Ultimate Guide to Indoor Hanging Plants

Niki Brantmark / Genevieve Jorn

While Kendall Jenner and Kaia Gerber might be the It girls of fashion, in the interior world it's plants that are stealing the limelight! From large Palms and Fiddle Leaf Figs to smaller Chinese money plants and asparagus ferns, anything goes in the urban jungle! Last month we explored indoor climbers which have been slowly winding their away up the inside of windows across the continent. And this month I thought we could get into the swing (get it?!) of hanging plants. These guys have been hanging around (this is fun) for a while now and look set to stay! In fact, new and exciting ways to suspend your greenery to new, lofty heights are, er, on the rise! I caught up with my green-fingered friends Igor Josifovic, author of Urban Jungle: Living and Styling with Plants, Hilton Carter, who's incredibly green home I featured here and the Arctic Gardener to get the complete low down and find out more about how we can create our best hanging garden game!

Hilton Carter

So what makes the best hanging plant? Igor advises "any trailing plant is perfect for a hanging pot as they prefer space to grow freely."

5 great hanging plants

1. English ivy*
2. Heartleaf philodendron
3. Spider plant 
4. Devils Ivy*
5. Boston Fern 

* the leaves are toxic so keep away from children and pets.  

Benjamin Edwards

 Tip:  If you have a ground floor window plants make a great 'natural' screen. But Hilton warns "be mindful to not block too much light coming into your windows so that your other plants, sitting away from the window can still benefit."

via Bloesem

Carly Page Summers

Hanging plants can be really heavy so you need a sturdy hook and a drill in order to make sure they stay up. Alternatively look for natural places to hang them in your home - like handles, knobs and ledges.

Chris Warnes

They also make great table decorations. In this space there were no pots necessary as branches were simply hooked over a long cane suspended from the ceiling. The beauty of this is you can update it depending on your mood, the occasion and what you find in the garden / local flower shop!

Hannah Puech Marin

Continuing on the same theme... using a rail (or in this case, a vintage ladder) is ideal if you're looking to hang lots of plants (and add to the collection as time goes on). This also means less holes in the ceiling (in a bathroom that's always good!).

For a more relaxed look it's good to use a variety of blooms. "I like to mix and match hanging planters choosing different hangers and pots as well as various lengths creating a more lively hanging garden," Igor tells me. "Of course this depends on personal preferences. But usually I would say hanging plants look lovelier when grouped together unless you have one big hanging statement plant."

Jeroen van der Spek

As long as the plant is suitable for hanging, there are no rules to the types you group. "I like to go free and wild listening to my guts. You can get playful and pair a trailing Tradescantia with purple leaves with a green Bird's Nest fern and romantic ivy plant," enthuses Igor.

Nicolette Johnson

When it comes to keeping your plants healthy, Hilton advises hanging them in places you can easily get to. "The easier they are to get to, the more likely you'll keep them alive and healthy."

And to water them; "take them to the shower or kitchen sink, water them and then let them drain out for about 15 minutes before putting them in back in the water," he adds.

Homezy

You might want to forgo the traditional hanging planter in favour of a Kokedama. Of Japanese origins, a Kokedama is a ball of soil, covered with moss from which a plant grows. Word of warning - these guys need a lot of water and a shady place.

To care for them check the weight and if it feels light, it's time to submerge the ball in water.

Hilton Carter

Another great option is the hanging terrarium or 'air plant' (source a similiar glass here). The beauty of these is that they are lightweight and can therefore be hung from the branches of other plants. 

via Vtwoven

And finally, the best hanging plant for a beginner? The Artic Gardener suggests opting for a spider plant. "It's really easy to grow so if you're a newbie gardener, you should give it a go."

Now that we're armed with the know-how, all that's left to do is invest in a few planters. Here are some of the prettiest out there:



1. Woven Palm Leaf Hanging Basket
2. Concrete Hanging Planter
3. Raj Hanging Planter Set
4. Mistana Nanette Flower Pot
5. Affiti Hanging Clay Planter
6. Macrame plant hanger
7. Hanging Planter

I hope this has been helpful! I for one, feel much more equipped to create my own hanging garden. I quite fancy one over the bath! Do you have a spot in your home ready and waiting?!

Niki

READ MORE...

2