A 1930s Stockholm Apartment with 'Funkis' Charm and a blue kitchen

It’s Lillördag (Little Saturday) – as the Swedes like to call Wednesday – which basically gives everyone permission to sip a drink (or two) guilt free as if the weekend has already begun. And honestly, I could very happily see myself swanning around this Swedish apartment this evening, fully embracing the occasion!

Spread over two floors, this spacious home was designed and built in 1931, right at the dawn of Swedish functionalism’s golden age. Think clean lines, clever use of space, and efficient use materials. And you can absolutely feel that ethos here—an airy, efficient space in the heart of Stockholm, sprinkled with some lovely mid-century furniture and lighting.

Two standout features caught my eye. First, the kitchen, with its eye-catching sky-blue cabinets and open shelving suspended from the ceiling—a genius way to add extra storage in an open-plan setting. And second, the immense library wall stretching across the entire living and dining area. Imagine being surrounded by books while sipping your midweek *insert drink of choice*…?

I've even thrown in a floor plan so you can get a proper feel for the layout. Ready to step inside? Let’s go!

Ceiling shelving is widely available around the world (a quick google search is bound to show up something in your area). 

The original functionalist kitchen units are fabulous—definitely not something you'd want to rip out! That said, a simple lick of paint has completely transformed the look, turning the cabinets into a real focal point of the room. Given that kitchens can be a surprisingly hefty investment, more and more homeowners are opting for a budget-friendly refresh—grabbing a paintbrush or having their cabinets spray-painted for a brand-new look at a fraction of the cost!

Two Gubi Semi pendant lamps, designed in 1968, hang elegantly over the dining table. They're firm favorites of mine—not just because they look fantastic, but because they're wonderfully practical too. In fact, I even recommended them to my mother for her home, and she absolutely loves them. 

A set of 811 chairs by TON, designed in 1930, surround the table, seamlessly tying in with the era in which the apartment was built hence why their timeless design feels right at home here. 

A double curtain rail with softer sheer curtains and black out curtains add a softness to the cleaner lines of the room. 

Blue Swedish string shelves in the bathroom add a fabulous contemporary touch and an element of surprise! 

Glossary: Vån 1– first floor, Bottenvåning– ground floor. Sovrum–bedroom, Bad–bathroom, Vardagsrum–sitting room, Köl–kitchen, Bokhylla–book shelves. 

Some lovely ideas here. I've mentioned a few of my favourite things about this home - is there anything that stands out to you? 

You can see more corners over at Historiska Hem here. 

I hope you enjoyed the tour and have a happy lillördag! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Historiska Hem with thanks. 

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Plants, Books and Wall art in a Boho Berlin Home

Having spent a few wonderful days in Germany this week, I thought we could head down that way on the blog too.  This warm and inviting boho apartment belonging to Ewa Tomko is located in Berlin. 

I have visited the city on many occasions and have always marvelled at how it buzzes with creativity. And in her home, Ewa's creativity shines through. I love that there are lots of plants, art, books and photos - but also countless other personal items such as antique clocks, masks and wall hung plates. 

Keep a look out for the orange lamps (some vintage, some new) which are something of a micro-trend right now. And then of course, there are her feline friends! How many kitties can you find? Take the tour to find out! 

One of my favourite things about Ewa's home is how cosy and relaxed it is. Everything you see is there to be used and enjoyed. The entire living space is truly personal. It's the kind of place you'd step inside and feel instantly at home. 

Also, despite bring a relatively small main room - Ewa has ensured plenty of space for her beloved books and also carved out storage in other tight spaces such as built-in to the side of the sofa. 

Is there anything that I've missed that you love about Ewa's home? 

You can see more pictures over at @ewa_tomko. 

While in Germany, let's take a peek at some other homes from the past: 

A pared-back family home with handcrafted furniture

Step inside Mary's cosy home in Halle

Feel inspired by a delightful colourful home

Have a happy mid-week - and happy Halloween to you all, will you be dressing up? My girls are dressing up as Medusa and a cowgirl - so much fun! 

Niki

Photography by Ewa Tomko, shared with kind permission

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The Fascinating Home of a Swedish Artist

Have you heard of the program 'Through the keyhole'? It's a TV show I used to watch growing up where they would take you on a tour of someone's home and you'd have to guess who lived there. I often think back to this and wonder - 'is my home personal and unique enough that there would be enough clues to who my family and I are?' I would hope so. 

When I stumbled across this home on Historiska Hem, it swept me up into the world of an artist and book lover - perhaps a thespian, or someone who loves amateur dramatics. I could imagine them pouring over tomes for inspiration, tinkering with a paintbrush while listening to jazz with a fire crackling away - and the distant buzz of Stockholm city life in the background. 

Whoever lives here also has a fine collection of furniture. From centuries old hand painted cabinets to mid-century chairs - the collection spans several hundred years and has been picked up from places all over the world, telling the story of a life well lived. Ready to pour over the details? Welcome inside a Swedish artist's world! 

A fascinating home! So many details to discover, and truly unique in a wonderful way! 

I'd love to hear what you discovered about this home - I'm sure I have missed many clues. 

Curious to see a few more artists homes today? 

A relaxed Danish artist cabin in Copenhagen

The charming creative home of a Polish artist

The home of an artist in Copenhagen

A Swedish artist's home in a former school

A danish artist's beautiful and inspiring home

The lovely Georgian home of a textile artist

A Danish artist's home with angles and oodles of charm

Wow, I got a little carried away there - and there are tons more in the archive if you simply search for 'artist'. I do love the home of a creative, always deeply personal and interesting. 

I hope you have a wonderful few days lined up ahead - we're heading up to our summer cottage for a couple of days to make the most of what is likely to be the final heatwave of the summer (considering setting my alarm at sunrise so I don't miss a second of it - need to have my batteries fully charged before the light starts to fade and autumn sets in! Do you sense my unease?). 

Thank you so much for stopping by and for sharing all your thoughts and observations in the comments, I am so happy to be a part of this positive, likeminded MSH community, it really means the world! 

Niki

Photography Therese Jahnson, Styling Anna Van Keppel for Historiska Hem

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A Cosy Stockholm Flat in Tones of Pink, Ochre and Green

I love it when I stumble across an entirely unique home - full of interesting colours, furniture and details. And this is one of those. Looking at the decor, there are certain clues that tell us the owners love scouring antique and second-hand stores, books and nature. They're also not afraid to break the rules, follow their heart and add playful, personal touches. And that's what I love about this living space. 

Third of white and grey? You're going to love this tour! 

In Stockholm space is of a premium and you can spend a fortune on even the minuscule of apartments. Swedes therefore get creative with the space they have. In this sitting room, a dummy wall has been put up in order to add more storage. I love the playful arch and also the tone-on-tone shades of pink. 

A pair of antique Swedish armchairs and a stool offer a seat in the window for fika! 

Old buildings are often blessed with thick stone walls which in turn mean extra wide windowsills. And with the windows opening outwards, they make the perfect place to display plants and other items! 

A home office space occupies the corner of the room. Personally, I love the bright red lamp and how it pops against the earthy pink wall! 

An antique chest-of-drawers has been fitted with a worktop so that it can double up as a kitchen island.  

The dining room is made up of a traditional antique sofa and chairs. 

A rail has been fitted to the children's bunkbed in order to create space for clothes. My daughter Allie, who actually turns 13 tomorrow, would love this as she flat lays her clothes every evening! 

An earthy green tone, plants and pictures of birds draws nature indoors - long after the leaves have fallen from the trees and the birds have migrated south for winter. 

How lovely! Really unique and interesting. Just what I needed to see this Wednesday, how about you?

Are there any details that you loved in particular? 

Take a peek inside other Scandinavian homes which have used plenty of colour: 

A fabulous Danish home in a plethora of colours

Lessons to learn from a colourful yet calm Norwegian home

The incredible Swedish home of Sofie Izard Høyer

12 playful colour ideas in Sussie's Danish house

I have had the pleasure of meeting two out of four of the above home-owners in person: Sofie and Sussie, and they were truly inspiring! 

Happy Wednesday friends. I'll be back on Friday with some really beautiful Autumn inspiration, hopefully see you then! 

Niki

Photography: Lina Östling. Styling: Rydman. For Historiska Hem. Found via Nordroom with thanks. 

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