A Small, Cosy Swedish Pad with Warm Tones

It's all very well showing incredible country houses with sweeping staircases or apartments made up of a myriad of large, spacious rooms - after all, I'm a firm believer that you can take inspiration from just about anywhere. BUT, if you are dealing with just one room to live in it can be a little tricker to achieve the look you're aiming for. Fear not, this delightful Swedish studio is proof that sometimes the best homes come in small packages. Designed by Emma Fischer, the Gothenburg living space is a sea of earthy, autumn tones and features an abundance of texture giving the home a lovely, relaxed look. Step this way for the tour!

After my post about round coffee tables last week, I've had many responses from readers saying how much they love theirs. In many ways they are so much practical than a square table: no corners to bang your shins on and they're great for entertaining - but also, from an aesthetic standpoint, the shape helps to soften the look of the room. 

Also, the fluffy rug makes the entire room feel real cosy. 

I love how this sofa has a built in shelf - multi-use furniture is always handy in a small space. 

I'm a huge fan of glass cabinets and this vintage one is a beauty, don't you think? It's important to keep clutter to a minimum in small spaces, and this cabinet helps to maintain a neat and tidy look. I am guessing there's a wardrobe on the hallway for clothes etc. And the bed skirt could also be hiding drawers. 

Book lovers would also need somewhere to store their tomes - I would suggest built in shelves above the sofa or over the bed. 

So pretty! 

I hope you felt inspired by this too! 

See a gazillion more small spaces in this archive. 

I haven't quite decided on the order of my posts this week - but I'm looking forward to sharing a cabin update and my first Christmas post of the year (yes, I know it's a tad early, but it's starting to get very Christmassy around here in Oslo, and it's got me in the mood for some 'Jul' inspiration!). 

Ha en fin dag! 

Niki 

Photo -Anders Bergstadt

Styling - Emma Fischer

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Höstlov / Autumn break!

Hej vänner! I'm currently enjoying some downtime with my family over the Autumn half term and will be back blogging again on Monday 8th November.

If you're looking for some beautiful Scandinavian home inspiration, why not pull up a chair and delve into the archives - you'll find ten years of home tours and other design ideas there. Here are some of my favourites: 

Swedish homes
Norwegian homes
Danish homes
Finnish homes
Vintage inspired homes
Bohemian style homes

I hope you have a relaxing week! 

Niki

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Helen's Cosy Swedish Country Cottage Kitchen

Kindly sponsored by Nordal, thank you for supporting the brands which make features like this possible*:

Last week I spent a lovely few days at Swedish interior designer Helen Sturessons's cottage in the Blekinge archipelago on Sweden's east coast. I'd heard so much about it and was really intrigued to see it in person. The opportunity came thanks to a series of photoshoots which required a cosy backdrop - and her country cottage is just the ticket! A short walk from the Baltic Sea, the traditional red and white cottage was every bit as charming as I had imagined! 

The little 19th century cottage is made up of three small rooms (her family of four share a bedroom when they're here at weekends and in the holidays) and the wooden floors creak under foot as you move from room to room. Masonry tiled ovens and a woodturning stove (in addition to a thermostat) kept us feeling toasty throughout our stay as did some woolly socks and chunky woollen jumpers! Best of all - Helen's Mother turned up with a divine smelling apple and cinnamon pie. 

Here are a few snapshots from a cosy afternoon in Helen's kitchen - which she's kitted out with some seriously beautiful items from Danish brand Nordal - as well as other treasured items. 

When Helen and her family first bought the cottage it had no heating, and they would use the woodburning stove in the kitchen to heat up the room. Once-upon-a-time a father cooked meals for his seven children on this very stove (tragically the mother died when the children were young). These days, Helen has electric heating and the stove is used to keep coffee and tea warm.  

A wooden worktop is used for extra storage and keeping a few useful items at hand. 

Pictured: round herringbone board, TORC ceramic bowl, glazed ceramic pot, recycled wooden chopping board

Open shelves add to the relaxed feel of the kitchen. I especially love the traditional Swedish 'kryddhylla' (spice rack). Each of the glass pockets are used to store herbs and spices as well as sugar, flour and even small items like elastic bands and string. These days 'kryddhylla' are made of glass (as seen in Helen's kitchen), but you might also see them in a 60s/70s plastic variety or, if made prior to the 1920s, in porcelain. 

Do you have something similar in your country? 

The shelves are laden with glasses and crockery as well as other small items like egg cups and measuring jugs. 

Pictured: JOG red wine and white wine glasses, grainy cup in sand, grainy dot bowls, plain grainy bowl.

The cottage surroundings portray an ever-changing scene. At the far end of the plot is a woodshed - and beyond that the outdoor loo (the only one at the cottage!). Throughout my stay, a fiery array of leaves swirled to the ground before settling on the rain drenched grass. Helen tells me that the family sometimes see deer and elk wander past, though sadly we didn't see any this time. Even so, we were able to find a load of pretty plants and late autumn flowers in the garden, including this foraged branch. 

Finally fika (a Swedish word meaning taking a break and enjoying a hot drink and a small treat). 

In Sweden you generally eat apple pie with 'cold vanilla sauce' and most would choose coffee - whereas in England we'd go for cream, vanilla ice cream or best of all hot custard with a cup of tea! How do you enjoy yours? 

Pictured above and below: rectangle baker, pie knife, TORC ceramic bowl, cast iron teapot, recycled wooden chopping board, serving spoon

The pie tasted every bit as divine as you can imagine! I wonder if I can get hold of the recepe - it would be nice to nee able to share it with you. Watch this space!  

Pictured above and below: dark blue spotty grainy cake plate, dark blue cake plate, ceramic spoon rest

And the final touch: candlelight! So mysigt!

I have to say, I can almost taste Helen's Mother's apple pie just looking through these pictures! 

Thank you for a wonderful afternoon 'fika' and for having me to stay Helen! 

I can't wait to share more pictures from Helen's cottage soon. 

If you like the look of the Nordal Danish kitchenware, you can find it in various webshops around Europe here. Please feel free to ask about any other item you see, I'm sure Helen would be happy to share the info! 

Have a 'hyggeligt' day friends! 

Niki

*Thank you to Nordal for this paid partnership and helping to make My Scandinavian Home possible. All words and photos in this post are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too. 

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A Pretty Outdoor Autumn Table Setting

Did you see the beautiful Swedish country home of photographer Mari Magnusson on Monday? I've been dreaming about it ever since and couldn't help pouring through her instagram for more Autumn inspiration. And then I stumbled across this outdoor table setting. What a wonderful way to celebrate the season and make the most of the balmy weather before temperatures force us indoors! 

There are so many pretty elements at play - and I'm sure the authors of the book Curate (see yesterday's post!) would be impressed with the natural elements, small imperfections and vintage flair! 

In case you'd like to create a similar look try these items: Mika plate*,  Mika side plate*, Mika soup bowl* from , glass candleholder*, natural linen napkins*, hand blown wine glasses*. And of course add a fabulous bouquet of flowers. 

A bit too chilly? Greenhouses are popping up left, right and centre in Sweden and are a perfect place to prolong the season while still surrounded by nature. If you are lucky enough to have one, why not clear it out and create space for a party? 

So pretty! 

Table setting inspiration for the weekend perhaps? 

Just add a hearty soup! 

Speaking of country homes, I've set up home for three days in a pretty cottage in Blekinge, south Sweden (you might recognise the name from this guide). The cottage will serve as a backdrop for several Danish homeware brands which I am here to shoot. I can't wait to share the results with you soon!

Ha det så bra!  

Niki

Photography: Mari Magnusson / @anangelinmyhome

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A Beautiful Swedish Country Home With Touches of Autumn

Tjena! Hur är läget? Has Autumn kicked in where you are? Here in southern Sweden the edges of the leaves are starting to turn yellow and soon we'll experience nature's fiery last dance. I love to watch the Swedes embrace the season by drawing nature indoors. Just Northwest of Stockholm, 'höst' is a step ahead and interior photographer Mari Magnusson has added vibrant colours to her charming country home. Think dahlia and chrysanthemum in shades of yellow, orange, red, purple and brown, foraged leaves, and pumpkins set against a backdrop of soothing white. This home tour is a total joy!

Absolutely beautiful! What a country dream!

It makes me want to head out to the nearest park or nature reserve to forage for the fruits of Autumn. Do you feel the same?

Wait until you see how Mari decorates her home at Christmas - I can't wait to share some pictures! 

In the meantime, if you're not already following Mari on instagram, head to @anangelinmyhome!

There's also plenty more Scandinavian-style Autumn decorating ideas to be found here:  

11 Autumn updates to steal from a hyggelig Danish home

5 Mysiga Autumn Ideas for the home - Swedish style

A Norwegian home with a cosy Autumn vibe

Time to get foraging and light those candles! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Mari Magnusson, shared with kind permission

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5 Cosy Autumn Trends, Scandinavian Style

With the temperatures set to drop to a high of 13 degrees Celsius (55 degrees Fahrenheit) here in Sweden next week, it's time to make the home extra cosy. Here are some of the key Autumn trends from this part of the world. Think plenty of texture, warm and inviting hues and wonderfully tactile materials - with a few shapes thrown in! 

1. Earthy tones: think a neutral base with warm brown accents and plenty of texture.

2. Wood: tables, chairs, lamps, bowls, picture frames. mid-to dark wood is exceptionally popular right now and fits beautifully with the earthy tones while adding warmth. 

3. Fluffy rugs with contrast: get toasty with shag-pile rugs on the floors and walls!

4. Triangles: think lamps, vases and chair legs.

5. Arches and soft, round edges: the interior world's gone soft. Update your home with arched shape mirrors and rugs or furniture with rounded edges for a contemporary look. 

What do you think? Will you be adopting any of these trends in your home this Autumn? 

I love the earthy walls (check out my bedroom make-over post to see how to achieve the patina look), arched mirrors and fluffy rugs! Cosiness and natural light in one: just what we need here in Sweden this autumn. 

For more Autumn inspiration check out: 

11 autumn update ideas to steal from a Danish home

5 'mysiga' autumn styling tricks, Swedish style 

How to turn your outdoor space into a cosy autumn / winter haven

Here's to cosy times ahead. Unless of course, you're in the Southern hemisphere in which case, welcome to the joys of spring! 

Niki

Photography credits: 1. The Österlen home of Ellen Dixdotter taken by Petra Tungården 2. Linda Haglund 3. Anna Malmberg 4. Ellen Dixdotter with rug demo Cappelendymr 5. Sedsel Roug 6. @scandinavian.interior

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A Norwegian Home With A Cosy Autumn Vibe

Someone once described Norway to me as 'Scotland on steroids' - simply because the nature is so vast and awe-inspiring. And in my mind, the country really comes into its own in Autumn when the fjord lands put on a spectacular display of golden hues and fiery reds. I reached out to Astrid Marie, a Norwegian interior designer whose wonderful home in Western Norway is always a perfect reflection of the season - to hear her best tips on how to harness the beauty of the season. And best of all, most of them won't cost you a penny! 

"Go outside and look for pieces from nature that can be used to decorate your home. I love using branches with or without leaves alongside fallen pinecones"

"I love to take branches from my beech tree. They keep their brown leaves all winter before the fresh green leaves take over in the spring."

"I add pillows and blankets to create a cosy feel. I love to bring the colours of nature inside and choose pillows and blankets in brown, ochre and rust colours. Sheepskins are also nice at this time of year." 

"I love my fireplace, it makes our living room feel complete. It's especially cosy when it's cold outside. I like to listen to the crackle of the wood burning. The logs are a beautiful element in the interior even when the fire is not lit.  I also light a lot of candles during autumn and winter. I love scented candles!" 

"In summary, natural elements from nature are the ultimate decoration in autumn, and best of all, they're completely free!"

Such great tips! I don't know about you, but I'll be heading out to the woods beside my parents' house this week to see what I can find on the forest floor. I love that you don't have to spend a fortune to create a cosy Autumn feel at home - the Norwegian way!  

You can see more of Astrid Marie's lovely home here. And don't miss her instagram where she shares snapshots of her interior as well as latest Norwegian interior design projects. 

If I've got you in the mood for Norwegian style - there are a load more homes here - and there's a ton of Autumn ideas in this archive. 

Here's to a cosy start to the week! 

Niki

Photography: Astrid Marie

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