A Delightful, Pared-Back Swedish family Home

The owner of this beautiful Swedish pad certainly knows a thing or two about interior design. I wish I knew who they were (tips welcome!). But, what I do know is that it was recently for sale through Bjurfors, so one lucky person has got lots to look forward to - even after the furniture has been removed! Just take a look at the beautiful herringbone parquet floors, stucco ceilings and soft toned walls for starters. And of course, there's the actual furniture, with it's delightful mix of vintage and mid-century finds. Let's dive in!

Above: Marshall Speakers*

The long make-shift sofa is everything in this room! Love all the linens! At the top of the wall you can catch a glimpse of a series of porcelain wall lights strung together with old fashioned twisted electrical chord. These are available locally from Byggfabriken (it's worth asking in your local lighting store if they can help source similar).

Stoke Tripp trapp chair*, Grey linen fabric by the half yard /metre* (this one* is pretty too!)

The open storage to the left is all IKEA. 

Source a vintage army cot exactly like this one here* (the Safari daybed is similar).  

I've often wondered about these army cots. They look fab and all, but not entirely comfy?! Is that just me?

These washed grey-blue linen duvet cover* and pillow cases* and dusty mustard-yellow pillow case* are similar. Source made to measure white linen curtains here*. 

Dromedary duvet cover

Kind of a beautiful apartment, don't you think? I couldn't find the exact location but I have a sneaking suspicion it's here in Malmö!

What do you reckon? Could you imagine moving here?!

If you'd like to brighten up your day with a few more inspiring Scandi home tours today - I'm loving a vintage-inspired Swedish home full of soul, a charming Danish home with mid-century touches, and a rustic Norwegian hide-away.

Happy hump day (as a Brit I find this expression very hard to get used to for reasons I'm not going to go into! - does anyone else feel the same)?!

Ha det så kul!

Niki

PS I'll be back this evening with my first of two Scandi gift guides! I hope it'll give you a few ideas for Christmas pressies!

Photography courtesy of Bjurfors - found via Style Files with thanks.

Affiliate links marked with *

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An American Home Gets a Scandinavian Makeover

You may want to bring your hard hat to today's tour! My name's Valentina and Niki invited me to jump in while she is away (hopefully soaking up the sun and eating tons of tapas in Spain!). As I'm writing this, there is massive power sawing going on in the background as my new windows go into the kitchen, so we welcome you in the House of Valentina, even if it is under a cloud of dust!

 

You might remember me from the last time Niki and I were together. We spent the day running around Malmö and shot a Guide to the City and then only weeks later our family packed what little we hadn't sold and moved. 

We lived in Copenhagen for 6 years (one of the many versions of that house was featured here back in 2015!). But our time in Copenhagen had come to a close and we found ourselves heading back to the US. We bought a house close to all the family we had been away from for the last 12 years we had spent abroad and have been renovating it ever since. You can see the before photos here. 

Leaving Scandinavia was so hard for us! We absolutely loved living there and tried to bring back as many things as we could. Even now, while our house is undergoing a major renovation, we find a
peace and happiness that really is indescribable as bring Scandinavian style into our American home.

In the next few weeks we will finish up the first floor with reclaimed pine flooring and a brand new Scandinavian style kitchen. We can't wait! We've certainly learned throughout the process of renovating that aiming for perfection is unrealistic and when you know you are about to empty the house to put in new floors, buying tons of furniture probably isn't smart.

In the meantime, though, we are so delighted to share a few favourite corners of our home even with their imperfections because Scandis are pros at making a bed on the floor look amazing or a living room that is half empty look like a million bucks.

As we attempt to channel a little of that Scandi chic, we hope you will come and visit us and chime in with your advice about colours, furniture, and so much more because even though I work in design making my own decision is awful... and it's way more fun with friends anyways! 

Find us on YouTube, Instagram and our blog, House of Valentina. 

Some of my featured brands; Mobel og rum

Some of my featured colours*:

Family room and master bathroom: Sonic Silver

Fireplace: Nightclub

Master bedroom: Euro Gray

Boy's bedroom: Granite Boulder

Sunroom: Polar Bear

Studio: Hematite

Jack's office: NYPD 

*I use the Behr Marquee paint because it comes with a primer in it. 

Some of my go-to sources for Scandinavian style in the US:

DWR 

Cb2 

West Elm 

Project 62 at Target.

Valentina

PS Niki will be back blogging again on Monday, have a great weekend!

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A Serene Light Coloured Danish Home

Black, white, grey and cream. These four simple hues are all that's needed in Carla Sofie Molge's serene home in Horsens, Denmark.  To add interest and depth, the freelance interior stylist and CEO of Molge Decor, has worked with form and texture. Think layers of crinkled linen, lace, marble, concrete and cotton as well as delightful sculptural pieces and contemporary design. Scandinavian minimalism at its finest!  Enjoy the tour!

Natural linen bedding*    art by Kristiina Haataja

The Standard Table Lamp*

Malling Living Clothes Rack

 Ferm Plant Box*   By lassen view mirror
 

Mantis table lamp*

Mira 4 Opal light   Montana Free Shelving System   Series 7 Chair* 

Pholc Mobil 100 light*
 

 Object blanc no 25*   Concrete table House Doctor

 Pealing print*   Loulou Avenue Print*   Antibes print*

Raw vase Balance candle holder

It's been a bit of a hectic week - and this calm space is exactly what I needed today. Thank you Carla!

Have you enjoyed this tour too?

There's something so effortless about Carla's style and it really does prove that sometimes it's best to keep it simple! 

If you'd like to check out more pictures from Carla's home take a peek at her instagram and website.

A little news from my side. I mentioned yesterday that I was crazily busy with a tight deadline. Today, my The Home Viewings Exhibition has gone live at The Swedish Design Museum! There are already four homes to view with more to follow over the next few days / weeks! If you'd like to learn a little more about Swedish design and architecture come and join the fun! I hope you'll find it inspiring!

Thank you so much  to the Swedish Design Museum, Visit Sweden and Volontair for all your support!

Ha det så kul! 

Niki


Photography: Carla Sofie Molge
Affiliate links marked with * 

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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 *

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A Soft Swedish Home With A Stormy Bedroom Wall!

Why, hello there friends! It's soooo stormy here today - I've battened down the hatches and am rocking about in some chunky knit socks! Perhaps it was my subconscious which picked out this soft, grey Swedish apartment today. The stormy blue / grey wall in the bedroom is reminiscent of the bruised sky outside - although more beautiful of course! I also love the patina (more details about how to achieve this at the bottom of the post), as well as the relaxed blend of old and new furniture. I'd be very happy padding about here storm or no storm, how about you?! 

 Flos light*, Wishbone chair*, IKEA kitchen cabinets

Love the leather handles - I believe these are also from IKEA! When we moved into our house 11 years ago we had the same green marble in the bathroom. I intended to rip it out, but then it steadily grew on me and today I love it. Are you a fan?

Source a custom-made wall hanging like this one here*.

Do you see what I mean about the 'stormy' wall in the bedroom?! It's amazing how it appears calm and dramatic in equal measure. I love that little pop of red from the balcony door too. Is there anything you love about this Swedish space?

I've created a similar patina on my wall in my dining room and window nook by adding Zinsser Roll-A-Tex Sand texture to the paint. The amount you add will determine how textured the result will be. FYI it's a bit of a faff  - I was absolutely covered in the stuff  - the things we do to get a nice home!!

Do you have any other suggestions on how to nail this look?

If you've also battened down the hatches today, how about popping the kettle on, putting your feet up and scrolling through these grey and white Scandinavian home tours - so beautiful!

Stay cosy!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Alvhem (through whom this apartment is for sale) with thanks.

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