A 19th-Century Stockholm Home with the Perfect Colour Flow

I was so happy to see Kris mention the 'red thread' in the blog comments on Wednesday! Safe to say, it’s one of my favourite decorating tricks—and something I often spot in Scandinavian homes. I love bringing it up here on the blog because it’s such a simple yet effective way to create harmony and cohesion in a space.

Not familiar with the 'red thread'? In a nutshell, it’s about choosing a few key colours and repeating them throughout your home. It doesn’t have to be dramatic—think bold statements like wall colours, kitchen cabinets, or a sofa, or just subtle touches like candles, vases, art, cushions, lamps and throws. Either way, it helps pull everything together and makes your home feel effortlessly cohesive and visually calming.

This lovely Swedish apartment is a perfect example, with sky blue, burgundy, and yellow as the chosen tones. Keep an eye out for how these shades weave subtly through each room! My favourite detail? The painted white and burgundy hallway floor. Traditionally, tiles were a luxury beyond reach for many in Sweden, so painting floors to mimic tiles became a clever and affordable alternative. I love seeing this tradition live on in homes today.

Ready to take the tour and soak up all the charming details in this 19th-century Stockholm home? Let’s dive in!

I'm interested to see that the flat features the same fuse box as the one in our summer cottage. Like this one, ours is also exposed and I've been thinking about a clever solution to hide it. Any ideas? 

Incidentally, I love the wall hallway storage with hooks and bench–practical but also pretty! 

This final pictures presents the perfect opportunity to take a closer look at the painted hallway floor which can easily be created with some planning and lots of paint! 

Other paint colours to look out for: kitchen and children's bedroom: Ginseng, master bedroom: Embrace, both by Jotun. 

I hope you enjoyed the tour! Is there anything that stood out to you? 

Would you like to see a few more homes with a great red thread? Take a peek at: 

Ylva's lovely Swedish apartment with blue and yellow accents

8 ways to create cohesion in your home, Danish style

5 ways to rock a blue and beige theme

A creative Swedish home filled with art

Wishing you all a 'trevlig helg' (nice weekend). 

Kram!

Niki

Photography Fredric Boukari, Styling Petra Yngfalk for Historiska Hem. 

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Inside Juni's Oslo Apartment with Creative Paint Trends & Inspiring Art

Good morning, friends! I hope you all had a wonderfully relaxing weekend. I can’t stop daydreaming about the cosy cabin from Friday’s post—oh, how tempting it would be to swap Malmö’s dreary rain for an off-grid retreat in snowy Lapland this week! How about you? Unfortunately, that’ll have to remain a dream for now. But don’t worry, I’ve got something else to brighten up your Monday—a stunning home tour that’s sure to inspire.

Today, we’re stepping into the beautiful apartment of Juni Halseth Strenberg, a talented UX designer based in Grünerløkka, Oslo. Juni and her partner have been lovingly renovating their home, which dates all the way back to 1894. A colour enthusiast, Juni has embraced earthy tones throughout, using them boldly across ceilings, windowsills, and door frames. The result? A chic, contemporary vibe that perfectly complements an eclectic mix of sculptural furniture, rich textures, and playful patterns. Small bursts of colour in the form of lighting, artwork, and accessories bring an extra layer of energy and joy to the space.

Welcome to Juni’s delightful home—let’s take a peek inside!

Paint colours: Classic white on walls, Morning dew 18 on ceiling, Himla  4 on windowsill

Armchairs–Fogia, Pendant–Hay, Floor lamp–Louis Poulsen, Sofa–MeliMeli, Paint–Klint colours, Lobster cushion–Beau Marché

Paint colours: Vide 107 on walls, Olivlund on ceiling

Frame TV–Samsung. Art by: Emma Widell, Ingrid Haukelidsæter, Anette Moi, Maria Murphy, Jane Hupe, Petter Hoen, Isabelle Feliu, Ragnhild Nes

Glass cabinet–Ellos (painted in another shade), art–Maria Murphy. 

On the other side of the dining room: cabinets–IKEA, Snoopy lamp–Flos, art by Usikkerkunstjente,  Leon Seesix, Astrid Wilson

Cabinets–IKEA, pendant lamp–Hay

Paint colours: Honey bee 32 on ceiling, Limon 82 on walls. 

I get such a lovely feeling from Juni's apartment—don’t you?

The use of colour really stands out to me. A few years ago, it was all about the one accent wall, but these days it’s all about going all out—painting absolutely everything: the ceiling, walls, window frames, radiators, you name it. And, I’m here for it! How do you feel about this contemporary use of paint?

I also loved being introduced to so many new artists (I’ve done my best to link to as many as possible).

Was there anything in particular you enjoyed about Juni’s home?

You can check out more corners of her apartment and stay updated with her latest renovation projects here.

Let's take a look at a few more inspiring Oslo homes today: 

At home with the Arctic Gardener

An artist's home in Oslo (captured for my book!)

A stunning Norwegian home in many shades of blue

Have a great start to the week friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @junik, shared with kind permission. 

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Touring a Dreamy Townhouse with Classic Swedish 'Funkis' Architecture

Monday calls for something with a light touch, don't you think? That way, we can float into the week in a bit of a dreamworld! This lovely Stockholm townhouse fits the brief perfectly with its bright rooms, splashes of colour, and playful touches.

The spotted lamp, colourful floral wallpaper, and hues of pink, blue, yellow, and green give it just the whimsy I was looking for today, lending the entire space a youthful, cozy look. Despite the sharp, functionalist lines typical of 1960s Swedish architecture, there’s a softness to it that makes it feel both lived-in and inviting.

For those of you unfamiliar with Swedish functionalism (or 'Funkis'), it's an architectural and design movement that was especially prominent from the 1930s to the 1960s. It focused on simplicity, practicality, and functionality, with the main principle being 'form follows function.' In contrast to ornate styles, Swedish functionalism emphasises clean lines, minimal decoration, and efficient use of space and materials. Importantly, it aimed to make good design accessible to everyone, with a particular focus on affordable housing and communal spaces that supported modern, healthy lifestyles.

You can really spot the practical 'Funkis' nature of this house—from its functional layout across two floors to its simplicity. It’s the perfect space for a family to hang out, read peacefully (they’re hardly spoilt for choice with that wonderful library!), create, and gather. And when summer comes, Lake Mälaren is just a quick trip away for a swim!

Ready to take the tour?

How lovely, I feel a little lighter just looking at these pictures, how about you? 

To me, this is a very Swedish home - from the choice of porcelain, glassware, trays and textiles to all the furniture. 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

I think this is the first home in a while that doesn't have a pet lolling about - or maybe they are just out of sight? 

Would you like to see a few other homes with pops of colour today? Here are a few from the archives: 

Maria's colourful apartment will brighten up your day

Swantje's beautiful colourful and quirky home

A rare peek behind the facade of Copenhagen's Nyhavn

Have a fantastic start to the week!

Niki

Photography Ozollapa, Styling Lindholm, courtesy of Historiska Hem, with thanks 

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A Copenhagen Family Home Full of Inspiring Details

When you've been writing a blog Scandinavian interiors for over thirteen years, the same talented people are bound to pop up over and over again. Out of the 2968 posts I've published, the Copenhagen apartment of Freja Bak Josias (then Petersen) in 2019 still remains etched in my memory. 

Trends have moved on a whole lot since 2019, but also Freja's too. In the five years that have gone by, Freja has completed her studies and now works as a 'Constructing Architect and Master in Building Culture', and has also moved into a new apartment with her partner and adorable daughter Ruth. And with that, a distinct new decorating style has emerged. 

Freya's beautiful apartment is high up in the rooftops of Copenhagen - which lends itself to high sloped ceilings and old wood beams. But what really stands out to me is the use of colour - which includes door frames and skirting boards painted in pea green, vibrant art, a red ladder, and orange lamps. It's playful, yet calm and adds a touch that feels very 'now' while still feeling personal and relaxed. 

Keep a look out for how high ledges have also been put in use for display purposes and also for the montage in Ruth's room - so pretty! Enjoy the tour! 

What a lovely home - truly inspiring! 

Is anyone else looking around their home and thinking 'maybe I should paint those door frames? I might need a little orange lamp for my home too - so cute! 

What inspires you most about Freja's Danish home? 

See more lovely corners over on her instagram @frejabakjosias. 

You might also like to take a peek at 12 ways to add colour to your home Danish style. 

It's 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) here in Malmö today which is the hottest September day on record. I think a cooling dip in the sea is in order. 

I hope you have a happy Wednesday!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @frejabakjosias, shared with kind permission. 

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