A Calm and Relaxed Berlin Oasis, Inspired by The Med!

Men tjena! Hur är läget? I hope you had a wonderful weekend! I'm going to launch right into today's home tour since I'm so excited about it! If you're into fashion and travel, you might just recognise the lovely lady in the picture above. Jacqueline Mikuta has amassed a global audience of nearly 900,000 on instagram thanks to her inspiring outfits and dreamy travel pictures. Over the past twelve months Berlin-based Jaqueline and her boyfriend, photographer Klemens White have been making the most of their time at home to revamp their new apartment. The pair decided to do most of the work themselves - from plastering and painting, to building shelves and tables - as well working with a local welder to create the most incredible bespoke glass wall. Their home is now complete, and it's AM-A-ZING! I particularly love the earthy tones, texture and subtle beach vibe which was inspired by the calmness of the Balearic Islands - a nod to their mutual love of Mallorca and its surroundings. Let's take a peek! 

In the kitchen, a concrete worktop from Carament rests atop cabinets which the pair made from scratch, find out more details here). 

Large plants like this Fiddle leaf Fig help to draw the eye upwards and emphasise the height of the room - as well as helps to create a green oasis in the heart of the city. The sofa is a vintage find. 

Jacqueline and Klemens have painted the walls and wardrobe doors with Palladio from Kalklitir - a powder paint from Iceland.  

Bespoke steel windows and doors, white linen curtains*, Suspension seagrass lamp

The incredible bed throw is from Colour Locale. Source a similar little wood stool here*. 

The bathroom has been fitted with a round sink from Vallone, lights from Wever & Ducré and the wall has been decorated with a finish from Carament. You can read more about the bathroom and see the before pictures here. 

Wood cladding was added to the balcony walls which has then been decorated with a seagrass hanging bringing a beach vibe sanctuary to the heart of Berlin! The balcony railing has been adapted to create a special place for plants and a glass or two - so clever, don't you think? 

What an incredible home! 

I love that the pair have done a lot of the renovation work themselves - including building shelves etc - it makes the space feel extra personal! 

I hope their lovely home has given you lots of ideas - and a bit of a spring in your step this Monday. Is there anything in particular that caught your eye? 

You can see more of their home, style and travel over at @mikutas, @klemenswhite and also over on their blog. They also run an online shop selling their own brand of clothing and jewellery: Mikuta. 

Wishing you all a wonderful start to the week. We've got this! 

Niki

Photography: @mikutas, @klemenswhite - shared with kind permission. 

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San's Relaxed Hamburg Home With an Industrial Touch

Hejsan hoppsan! I loved reading all your comments on Liv's bedroom reveal post yesterday. I have to say, I'm so relieved many of you had the same terrible taste in 80's boy bands as me (except Morten Harket of course, that one still stands)! T

Today I wanted to stop by to share this lovely, relaxed home in Hamburg with you. In a normal world, Hamburg would be a mere 4.5 hours' drive from Southern Sweden, but it feels a world away right now (gaaaah, will this ever end?). Luckily, we have the internet - and lovely people like San Snova, who has invited us into her lovely, relaxed 56 sq metre apartment today. It's such a privilege to peek around others people's homes isn't it? San's flat is instantly recognisable thanks to its wonderful raw wall, fab kitchen tiles, plants, funky side tables and dramatically high ceiling. Enjoy the tour! 

I love these two coffee /side tables they add a cool edge to the room! Look closely at this picture and you'll also spot two of the biggest micro-trends right now: sculptured candles (this shell one is by Hebe) and 'wow' vases (the one on the desk is 'Kink' by Muuto*). 

Bang on trend colours in the bedroom I see: lavender bedlinen* combined with a beige bedspread - love that! Such a simple, yet lovely way to bring the latest spring trend into the home. 

See more of San's Hamburg home over at @sansnovazuhaus. 

It's been a while since we saw this 'raw' wall look - I'm a big fan as I think it adds contrast and a certain edginess. Are you a fan too? Before you decide, here are a couple of other homes with a similar look: 

A bohemian touch in a magnificent Berlin home

An edgy Berlin home full of contrast

It's half term here and things are getting kind of crazy around here! Time to take a little time out with my girls, I think! 

Wishing you a wonderful few days - see you Monday! 

Niki

Photography: San Snova - shared with kind permission

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An Artist's Super Cosy & Relaxed Open-Plan Living Space

Hello! Before we all head off for the weekend, I wanted to nip in and share this super cosy, super relaxed, open-plan kitchen, dining and living room area with you. The space belongs to Katharina, an artist, her partner and their wonderful cats! I can just imagine the duo curling up by the fire under a blanket, cats purring by their side while the snow falls. 

So cosy, don't you think? 

You can see more of Katharina's charming home and their previous apartment in Nuremberg here. 

Wishing you all a 'hyggeligt' weekend! 

Niki

Photography: Katharina @hiermitmir

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A Relaxed Family Home With Beautiful Bones - And Toy Strewn Floors!

I was so happy to see so many enjoy yesterday's Danish cabin tour - it really was a beauty and certainly brightened up 'blue Monday'! Speaking of which, I learnt a new phrase yesterday: 'oxenveckorna', A Swedish term meaning 'the ox weeks' - used to describe the long, dark, 'sluggish and heavy' weeks between Twelfth night (epiphany) and Easter in Scandinavia! But it's not all bad, right? After all, homes can feel so cosy this time of year - and after enjoying a little 'friluftsliv' (outdoor life) it's perfectly acceptable to snuggle up on the sofa for hours completely guilt free! I think it's this sentiment which led me to today's home tour. Located just outside Frankfurt, the apartment belongs to Mexican born Alejandra (AKA Alex), her husband and their two children. 

What struck me is how the family home is so full of soul. It's awash with warm earthy tones and lovely lights hang from the ceiling. But best of all, we get a glimpse into a children's bedroom with desks and floors strewn with colouring books and toys. Hurrah! Enjoy the tour friends, I hope it helps your load feel a little lighter today! 

The 'Blade' ceiling light is from George's store. Alex isn't sure of the name of the colour on the wall since it was already in place when they moved in. However, if you'd like to do something similar, you could try something like Minty Breeze by Jotun (Allie has it in her room and I find it really calm - even if it's not quite the same shade). 

I love how some German and Scandinavian apartments have these great big hallways! It's a dream of mine  - probably because ours is tiny and has five doors coming off it and like Piccadilly Circus in the mornings! What does your hallway / landing look like? 

When I first moved to Sweden, I was baffled by the two single duvets on a double bed. I've since learnt from you guys that this is quite normal across many countries in Europe - and I've grown to love this too! 

On her instagram Alex is careful to blend in 'real' pics with more tidy pics. The below pic is inspirational in that I would love my daughters' desks to look as neat as this....

And the lic below gives me a great sense of relief to see that other children have desks as messy as mine (check out the full waste paper basket too - I recognise the creative process!).   

Tell me, are your children's desks / your own desk more like exhibit A (top pic) or exhibit b (bottom pic)?

I also love the pics of the children's bedroom on a tidy day, followed by a more 'real' pic of how a children's bedroom tends to look after hours of wonderful, creative play! 

On her instagram Alex expresses her internal struggle at letting go of the pressure of having to keep the house neat and tidy with young children: "when they play, I love it, they want to keep the magic for long, leave the toys or their arrangements for days. Whatever they (have) built or created, is OK I say, and I realise how much I have changed."

I recognise this from when I was young - and when my children were young. There's nothing more lovely than listening to a child lost in play! 

Hop over to @alessmalpica to see more pictures of Alex's lovely, relaxed home! 

See also: Keeping it real in a danish family home in the heart of Copenhagen. 

Have a lovely, relaxed day friends! 

Niki

Photography: @alessmalpica shared with kind permission. 

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An Edgy Berlin Home, Full of Contrast

Is it me or has it been a while since we were in Berlin? Given that it's only a six-hour drive away (plus ferry) from Malmö - I kind of miss that German city. Such is life right now, I guess. But nothing can stop us from paying a virtual visit, right?! So, today I'm taking you on a trip to Berlin, for a peek behind the facade of a building in the beautiful Schöneberg district. Nadine Engels lives with her husband and their ''little street dog'' Coockie (also the name of her popular instagram feed). The magnificent apartment is characterised by staggeringly high ceilings and exposed brick walls. But there's something entirely unique about the space too. Think raw, edgy walls, a touch of graffiti, pops of neon and wonderful contrasts throughout. Welcome to Nadine and Coockie's world! 

We did a lot of the renovation ourselves, and love the charm of the old building - even if it creaks everywhere!" - Nadine. 

"We were lucky to discover the beautiful dual-toned concrete wall when we removed the wallpaper, the only thing we added was the 'Miau' - which we did before our dog moved in....'' - Nadine.

I love the way the Tom Dixon copper round pendant light* contrasts with the exposed concrete wall!

The Walton Ford print is from an exhibition a few years back at Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark (I remember going to see it!). The poster is still available in the museum webshop here. 

I love how Nadine has hung a Ferm Living Mirage Blanket* on her bedroom wall - it makes for great art! It's not the first time we've seen Ferm Living used in this way - remember this Berlin home with a Merge rug*? 

This linen bedding* is similar to the one seen. 

There are so many striking spots in Nadine's home, don't you think? I particularly love the bedroom and dining room! 

Is there anything that stood out to you?

Shall we take a little trip down memory lane and visit a few other Berlin apartments? I am always inspired by:

A lovely, budget-friendly Berlin pad (check-out the DIY fireplace!). 

A serene Swedish home in a Berlin rental

Bohemian touch in a magnificent Berlin apartment (love the kitchen walls!)

Have a lovely day friends!

Niki

Photography: Nadine Engels, shared with kind permission

*This post contains affiliate links with means I'll make a very tiny amount of money on anything you click through and buy - at no extra cost to you. 

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