Scandi Meets Mallorcan Style In a Wonderful Boho Villa!

I'm always intrigued to see how Scandinavian expats decorate their homes. There's something about the merging of cultures and styles which makes the decor extra special and intriguing. Photographer Jonas Ingerstedt recently went to Spanish Balearic Islands to capture the bohemian home of Edin and Lina Kjellvertz. Founders of furniture store Dusty Deco, the Swedish pair swapped their stressful Stockholm life for the picturesque village of Gènova, near Palma, Mallorca.  

The island holds a special place in my heart since my older sister and nieces live there (we're devastated that we won't be able to visit them this summer) - so I have become well accustomed to seeing the interiors of apartments, townhouses and fincas on the island. I was excited to see that Edin and Lina have kept many of the island's trademark features - including brown window and door frames and dark wood furniture. At the same time, they've added some fab touches including contemporary art photography, Danish and Swedish design pieces and vintage finds - making it a wonderful, truly personal family home. Välkommen in!  

In the kitchen a little bamboo drinks trolley sits beside an open fireplace (source a similar one here*). A photo of Lara Stone by Tyrone Lebon and a drawing by Bengt Orup can be seen on the wall. The double doors open up onto a wonderful terrace.

The sitting room features an eclectic mix of furniture - including a wonderful Børge Mogensen armchair and a sofa and coffee table found at a local flea market. The porcelain and pendant lamps were also sourced locally. 

The corner unit was found at auction and the painting was picked up at a local market. To me, the real showstopper is the salmon pink wall - which fits perfectly with Mallorca style (along with the lace) but also has a contemporary feel. Love it! 

A lithograph by Wilhelm Wik brings a graphical, modern touch to the bedroom. 

Imagine morning coffees on the balcony? *Sighs*. 

While I shiver in the May breeze here in Sweden, I can't help feeling a little envious of Edin, Lina and their children Lola and Max in their summer attire! 

For now, I'll be enjoying the warmth oozing from these pictures, how about you?

What a lovely home! I'd be perfectly happy hanging out here year-round, how about you?

If you love the furniture in their home, you'll really like the Kjellvertz's shop Dusty Deco. 

And in case I've got you in the mood, here are a few other lovely Balearic Islands homes to enjoy today: 

A relaxed Finnish home on the island of Mallorca

A dreamy hidden gem in Menorca

A wonderful home from home on Ibiza

I soooo hope everything blows over soon - I've got a sister to visit, summer dresses to roll out and an island to explore! 

have you been to Mallorca? If not, I can highly recommend it once we're free to travel again!

Have a lovely day friends! 

Photographer: Jonas Ingerstedt - shared with kind permission

*affiliate link

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A Relaxed Danish Artist's Cabin In Copenhagen

Do you love a relaxed, creative home as much as I do? If so, you're going to find this lovely little oasis near Copenhagen utterly charming! The allotment house (in Scandinavia many allotments have little cottages on them which you're allowed to stay at during the summer months - much like a Dacha in Russia), provides a space where artist Mie Olise Kjærgaard can paint and create sculptural installations as well as relax in the garden with her five-year-old son Neo. Mie bought the 50 m2 (538 f2) cabin in 2005 and worked with the original 1933 structure, adding on a living room and bedroom using recycled materials. The bright living space has been simply furnished creating a wonderful, warm and inviting atmosphere. Karina Tengberg was there to capture these lovely pictures. Welcome to Mie's creative world! 

Mie has an MFA from the St. Martin School of Art in London and has exhibited her paintings, sculptural objects and installations internationally.  

The high ceiling and wood floors have been painted in a fresh white, which instantly creates a light and airy feel, despite the small living space. 

A tea set, found in a nearby 'loppemarked' (flea market) hangs from a simple metal rod, so that it's easy to grab when a friend stops by. 

Mie's work hangs on the wall beside a piece by Mia-nelle Drøschler. 

The err, eye-catching breasts are made from mouth blown glass at The Glass Factory in Sweden. 

In the garden is a small lean-to / conservatory which is a perfect dining spot in warmer weather.

It's hard to imagine that this gem of a cabin is located in Denmark's capital city - what a find! 

It reminds me a little of some of the houses and boathouses you find on the small islands on the river Thames in London (I used to paddle passed as a kid and be fascinated by the relaxed way of life in the heart of the city). I guess properties like these are like gold dust! 

Do you live somewhere like this? Or perhaps you feel inspired by some special and unique properties near your home. if so, I'd love to hear more! 

Shall we revisit some other Scandinavian artists homes today? I love the cosy vintage inspired home of a Swedish artist, the lovely home of a Danish artist and an artist's home and studio in a converted workshop. 

I hope you have a great start to the week, I have a feeling this is going to be a good one for us all. Stay well, stay safe! 

Niki

Photography: copyright - Karina Tenberg, shared with kind permission. 

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The Beautiful Home and Studio of An Argentinian Textile Weaver

The loom will always remind me of my first ever visit to Sweden at the tender age of 8. We stayed at my friend's summer cottage by a lake in the countryside and they had a huge loom in the corner of the room (actually, looking back, it probably wasn't that big - I was just small!) which her Mother used to make Swedish rag rugs. I've been curious about weaving ever since. It's one of the oldest human crafts and practised all over the world. This home and studio in Argentina belongs to textile entrepreneur Carolina Sanchis. Carolina specialises in modern weaves for the home in the form of very cool cushions, slippers, wall hanging, bags, belts and even items for the office - sold through her brand Carolita Home. Look closely and you'll spot many of her creations in her beautiful home which she shares with her architect partner, Santiago. Enjoy the tour! 

How beautiful is this place? I'd move in tomorrow! 

The textiles totally make the space - adding a warm, cosy and decorative touch. 

Is there anything that caught your eye? 

Check out Carolina's online shop here (even if it's in Spanish you can still get a glimpse of some of the items she makes) and her inspiring instagram feed here. 

Curious about other Maker Spaces? I love:

The beautiful home of a Danish designer

The charming creative home of a Polish artist

An artist's home and studio in Stockholm

I took a quick look through the archives to see if I've featured any Argentinian homes in the past, and this was actually the first (of many, I hope!)! However, I have shown some inspiration from South America - including a Brazilian beach home and a remote beach escape in Uruguay. It makes me realise that I have a lot of traveling to do once all of this blows over! How about you? 

Have a lovely day friends!

Niki

Photography: Magalí Saberian Styling Sil Bidabehehere  / Archicect: Estudio MASS - shared with kind permission. Found via Planete Deco with thanks.

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A Cosy Boho Living Space With a Drop Of Golden Sun!

Hejsan! A drop of golden sun goes a long way to raise the spirits right now, don't you think? I stumbled across these lovely pictures captured for the Maison du Monde Spring Summer 2020 Tuscany Collection and could feel the warmth oozing from my screen, I knew I had too share them with you! The beautiful spaces have been furnished with a relaxed, boho blend of rich textures in earthy tones of ochre, burnt umber, rust, and sunset yellow - and are bathed in warm pools of sunlight! Pull up a chair amica, it's time to get toasty and dream of summer days alfresco! 

 

Can you practically feel the sunlight on your face?!

I love the sitting room in particular - I could totally get cosy there and wile away an entire afternoon (or two, or three) there, how about you?!

Did anything stand out to you?

I was going to show you a really colourful Danish home today but the post has got slightly held up - bear with me, I promise it will be well worth the wait later on in the week. Feeling excited about it already!

Have a lovely, sunny day friends!

Niki

Photos from Maison Du Monde / found via Planete Deco with thanks

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Step Inside A Relaxed Bohemian Family Home In South Korea

Why, hello there! I'm excited to be kicking off the week with a My Scandinavian Home all time first: a home tour in South Korea! And it's perfect time with the country's first ever Oscar win last night!  B.Minjung (who I'll refer to from now on as 'B'!), her husband and their adorable two-year-old girl Yoon Seul live in the coastal city of Busan. The family are currently awaiting the imminent arrival of a baby girl, a little sister for Yoon Seul. The relaxed apartment is testimony to B's passion for vintage and bohemian decor and is a sea of warm, earthy tones and natural materials including wood, rattan and bamboo. B also loves to make her own home decor items - some of which she sells through her web shop. I hope you enjoy this lovely tour as much as I did! 

The apartment is full of earthy natural tones - including an abundance of wood, rattan and bamboo. A simple wooden children's fence / gate ensures Yoon Seul can play safely in the sitting room. 

I spy IVAR cabinets from Ikea. In Sweden it's popular to paint the cabinets to match the wall colour - but I love the way B has left them in natural pine. 

And how cosy does that fluffy sheepskin throw* look on the rattan chair?  

I have been scanning the pictures for clues on how South Korean's live. If the picture above is anything to go by, it seems they have a tendency to put washing machines / dryers in the kitchen - just like the Brits (in Scandinavia they these appliances tend to be in the bathroom). Where do you place them in your country? 

Another thing I noticed is the dark wood floors - something you don't tend to see in Scandinavia right now. 

I have always been a fan of binga baskets having seen them in this relaxed beach home, a bargain hunter's Antwerp home and a relaxed Tucson home (source a set of 5 here*). 

Cuteness overload!

Is it too early to be thinking about weekend lie-ins and breakfast in bed? 

Spot the tootsies! 

There are few ledges in the bathroom so B has used the power of hanging plant holders and an Ikea step stool to add a touch of greenery! 

There are so many pretty items in Yoon Seul's bedroom - but I especially love the little wicker trolley. I remember when my girls were two. They used to love rolling their toys from room to room, this luggy basket* would have been perfect! 

I absolutely love that most of Yoon Seul's toys are made from wood. I often wince when I see mountains of colourful plastic toys that buzz and beep (even if kids do love them!). Having said that, I used to have a plastic fisher price garage and my children enjoyed it 30 years later. Some toys never go out of favour! 

Did anything from B's home stand out to you? 

You can see more pictures from B. Minjung's lovely home over on her instagram feed @ddbling. 

Here in Malmö the sun has just come out (hurray!) and I'm thinking of heading out to survey the damage from the storm last night - did you get crazy winds too? I also need to clear my head after a crazy week at fairs in Denmark, Stockholm and Frankfurt. I'm feeling full of inspiration but massively tired too! Roll on the weekend. Oh. It's only Monday. Bah! 

Have a great start to the week folks! 

Niki

Photography: B. Minjung - shared with kind permission

This post contains affiliate links which means I might make a tiny amount of money if you click on the a link marked with an asterisk * and buy something. 

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The Eclectic Home of Jewellery Designer Andrés Gallardo

Hands up who loves an eclectic home with splashes of colour, lots of plants, art and books? Well, you're in for a treat today! The relaxed bohemian home of designer Andrés Gallardo and his husband has all this and more. A creator of jewellery, handbags and porcelain objects, Andrés has decorated his home with an eclectic array of items from flea markets and secondhand shops as well as some high street finds. Surfaces are crammed with porcelain, glassware and other treasures, and climbing plants wind their way around works of art. Make sure you look through these pictures by Eduardo Boillos more than once - you'll spot a new detail every time! 

Andrés picked up the chairs at El Rastro, an area in Madrid known for its Sunday open air flea market and antique shops.

I love how he's opted for a vintage wall lamp instead of an overhead pendant light - and this one is beautiful, don't you think?

A 40s cabinet it used to store plates, bowls and other kitchen items. The floor has been covered with various rugs including a jute one* (under the dining table) and long mats not dissimilar from Swedish rag rugs*!

The walls are adorned with an eclectic array of art including everything from Mr Men prints, oil paintings, butterflies and porcelain plates. 

An Ikea Stockholm rug covers the floor in the sitting room. 

Uneven plaster walls add to the relaxed charm of the home.

Bunches of dried floor hang over the bed, while a vintage Verner Panton Flowerpot pendant light* adds a pop of colour. This exact late 60s one is currently available here* (you need to be quick - there's only one!). 

A little red chair sits atop a myriad of vintage rugs (the one in the hallway is from Ikea)

SNOOPY! *heart melts*

I used to play with Snoopy and Bella all the time when I was a child (once I tied long leaves to their feet with elastic bands and pretended they were skiing!). Did you have a Snoopy too?  

The rule books have been firmly ripped up with this vintage bureau, and art in the bathroom, and I love it!  

Climbing plants became extremely popular in 2018 (check out my feature / get the look here). I love the way ivy winds its way up over the pictures and the shower curtain. 

If you were worried about getting something 'wrong' in your home while decorating, I hope Andrés home has inspired you to think otherwise - and just follow your heart! 

The next time I'm in Madrid (I say that like I'm a regular visitor - but I've actually only been there once!) - I'm heading straight to El Rastro! While writing my book The Scandinavian Home I learnt that it's usually no problem to pick up larger pieces abroad - post offices are always happy to help ship. Although try telling that to your husband / wife / bf / gf.....!!

If you're feeling inspired by Andrés home, check out his fabulous jewellery, handbags and porcelain here. You might also like to see more pictures over at Revistaad.

I've featured several other homes belonging to jewellery designers - and they're always beautiful! Remember the home of Malia Grace Mao in Topanga Canyon? If you scroll to the bottom, you'll also get a glimpse of their Kauai surf shack. Take me there now! 

I also love the home of Danish jewellery and furniture designer Anders Forup! 

Have a fabulous day!

Niki

Photography: Eduardo Boillos shared with kind permission

Originally featured in Revistaad

*This post contains affiliate links (marked with an asterisk), which means I make a very small amount of money if you click on the link and buy something! Thank you for supporting My Scandinavian Home. 

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