Colour Inspiration From a Lovely Swedish Apartment

Hello! How are you this bright and sunny day? In recent years, the interior world trend has edged away from a less is more white space (although they'll always feel timeless to me!) towards more of a mix and match menagerie of bold colours, patterns and prints. 

If you feel you're being carried along by the tide and looking to inject a little more colour into your home, this Swedish apartment might just serve as the perfect inspiration. Read on to discover which tones they have used and other smart uses of colour and contrast! 

In the kitchen, the cabinets have been painted in a soft shade beside a bolder blushing peach by Jotun. I used the latter in my bedroom, and absolutely loved it. Stupidly I painted over it on a whim and now I really miss it! 

A lovely mid blue has been used on a dresser by the window - which pairs beautifully with the peach - a very Scandi combo! 

Note how a shelf has been placed across the window, turning storage out of a disused area. If you have a window looking out onto a pavement, shelves like this can help shield you from prying eyes while still allowing light to come in. 

The sitting room wall (and hallway) have been painted in seashell by Becker. I would so love this shade at our summer cottage, if only for the name! So pretty, don't you think? 

Notice how they have brought in yellow as an accent colour. The trick is to bring in at least three pops for a cohesive, balanced look. Here, it can be seen in the blanket, flowers and a picture frame. 

Playing with scale is a great way to add interest to a space. Here, an oversized lamp makes a statement in the hallway. 

In recent years, paint has moved on from just the walls - and people are going wild with doorframes, wainscoting and other features. When done right, it can make a great impact! 

The wainscoting has been given a lick of 'dark teal' and the walls have been painted with 'rooibos' - both by Becker.

And finally, the children's bedroom has been painted in linen blue by Jotun - an incredibly popular shade in Scandinavia as it's incredible calming. Note the blue and pink combo has been repeated here. 

All in all, a lovely home, full of inspiring ideas!

Are there any paint combinations that stood out to you? 

Perhaps you have a favourite colour in your home that you'd like to share with us? 

In case you're looking for more colour inspiration, here are some Norwegian homes with very pretty schemes! 

A stunning Norwegian home in many shades of blue

Before and after: A rural Norwegian cottage gets a makeover

A charming little summer cabin by a Norwegian fjord

Before we all shoot off, a little note to say, it's a public holiday here in Sweden on Thursday and Friday and Alice (my youngest daughter) is competing in the nationals in gymnastics - so we're heading up to Stockholm to cheer her on. It's always a joy to watch her and her team mates and the other young gymnasts in action, if not highly emotional - I'll be needing big sunglasses! 

This means there'll be no post on Friday - but I'll be back again on Monday! 

Have a lovely few days! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Nya Kvadrat - found via Nordroom with thanks

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A Swedish Home with Colour Pops and a Lovely Workspace

Heeeeej there friends! 

I'm writing this blog post from home this morning as later I'm be heading to Copenhagen for a meeting (it's a beautiful, sunny day so I can't wait!). I usually go into my studio to work these days, so sitting here at my desk got me thinking about how it needs a revamp (easily distracted, I know!). Which led me to the workspace in this Stockholm home. Funny how things can happen like that. 

Although a simple space, the spot exudes charm in a very Scandi way! I particularly love the way the owners have painted an old gate-leg table grey and then placed it perpendicular to the window (it's always great to have natural light when you're working, but never directly from behind your screen). And the fabulous little Hay Matin table lamp is the icing on the cake! All that's left is an ergonomic desk chair and you're good to go. Oh, maybe a coffee first. 

Oh, and of course I have thrown in the rest of the lovely Stockholm home too for you - after all, who doesn't love stacks of books, pops of colour, pretty spring-like wallpaper, and the odd dotty piece of furniture? 

Varsågoda! 

Very inspiring! 

Incidentally, the pockets in the hallway are from Swedish brand Norrgavel ('påshylla')- they make for great hallway storage and something I've had my eye on for a while. You never know, my children might just put their things in them rather than on the floor. I'm not so sure though!

Note the stools dotted around. They look like vintage Artek 60 stools, which have become truly iconic! 

Is there anything that stood out to you about this lovely Swedish family home? 

Here are a few other home workspaces to feel inspired by today. If you're in need of a nice looking ergonomic chair, I've had this one for years.

And in case you'd like to see more Scandi homes dotted with colours, I love these: 

Hygge and pops of colour in a Danish home

A tiny Danish home that's big on (handmade) design

12 simple ways to add colour to your home this spring, Danish style

Right, I'd better get myself ready for my trip over the bridge. If you're up for a virtual visit to the Danish capital in the sunshine today, I'll share some glimpses in my instagram stories!

Stor kram!

Niki

Photography: Therese Jahnsen, styling: Thomas Lingsell for Historiska Hem

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Interior Designer Saša Antic's Inspiring Stockholm Home

With a population of ten million, Sweden is a relatively small country. And if you move in the design circle, it's only matter of time before you meet - even if you live in an entirely different city! 

Eleven years ago, I featured interior designer Saša Antic's mini yet impeccably designed apartment in Stockholm. It was one of those memorable spaces which I've find myself returning to time after time for inspiration. 

A few weeks ago, I was at the IKEA mothership (i.e. the IKEA headquarters in Älmhult) where I've been working on a project and I came across Saša! A lovely and interesting guy, we got chatting about home decorating and how he loves to constantly rearrange his living space - even making his own furniture and storage to go with it. And then he dropped the bomb shell - after 20 years, he'd moved to a new apartment.

Naturally, I was straight on the case, and this morning these beautiful images shot of Saša's home by Stellan Herner fell into my inbox. So here it is in all it's glory. Välkommen! 

Located in the Vitabergsparken quarter of Södermalm - a central area of Stockholm known for it's hip, boho vibe, Saša's apartment measures a more sizeable 60 sqm (645 ft.sq) - allowing for a seperate kitchen, sitting room and bedroom. 

Saša's a big fan of colour and the tones he's picked out for his pad are inspired by the English countryside (could this be why I was immediately drawn to the space?): Look closely, and you'll notice that the walls are only painted a third of the way up - helping to add contrast to the rooms yet also ensuring a cosy feel to a space with incredibly high ceilings. He's also been careful to apply the same colour to skirting boards and architraves - for a complete look that's very 'now'. 

Art features heavily in the space - with large, bold work creating a focal point in the sitting room, hallway and bedroom. 

Never one to follow the crowd, Saša has been careful to pick out quirky and unique pieces of furniture - like this red bar cart! 

Each room keeps you guessing in terms of tone, furniture and texture. In the bathroom, lace curtains add a soft touch as well as privacy from the busy Stockholm streets - while allowing a glimpse of the trees.

Absolutely wonderful space, don't you think? 

I'm so happy I bumped into Saša, or I'd have never discovered his pad! Funny how life works isn't it? 

You can follow Saša's latest interior design and concept work over on his homepage and instagram feed. 

Take a peek inside a few other Stockholm homes this weekend: 

The Stockholm home of a design hunter

A charming Swedish apartment in wintertime

A blend of old and new in a Stockholm home

Happy Friday friends! I hope you have a fantastic weekend! 

Niki

Photography: Stellan Herner

Styling: Saša Antic

Shared with kind permission

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A Sprinkle of Colour in an Elegant Stockholm Home

February calls for a little brightness, don't you think? And that's exactly why this Swedish apartment caught my eye! It's sprinkled with colour in the form of art, patterns, furniture and books - yet still feels calm and elegant. Just what I needed to see on a Monday. I hope this lovely home brightens up the start of you week too! 

The Ligne Roset Togo Fireside chair is one to sink into!

Especially when you have a Swedish fireplace like this to sit beside. It's like a work of art! 

A big hallway lends itself to bookshelves and an antique bench! 

Faded kilims are the new favourite here in Scandinavia. But there's no need to do away with your monochrome Beni ourain - they make a cosy wall hanging or headboard! 

The wide windowsills also provide a perfect perch for books! 

To the left and right of the door you can see some wall pockets. Sourced from Norrgavel, these Påshyllor are hugely popular in Sweden as they are great for smaller accessories such as gloves, hats, scarves etc. 

Such a lovely apartment - fantastic bones too! 

It's going on the market this week via Historiska Hem - so keep an eye out for it if you're interested! 

Would you like to see a few other homes with touches of colour today? Check out: 

A fabulous Danish home in a plethora of colours

Lessons to learn from a colourful yet stylish Norwegian home

Home tour: how to add colour the danish way

Have a fabulous start to the week! 

Niki

Photography: Mia Borgelin

Styling: Thomas Lingsell

For: Historiska Hem

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Splashes of Colour in a Swedish Home that Combines Old and New

My sister came to visit me from sunny Mallorca in the Balearic Islands, Spain last month and she found the cold and darkness really refreshing (LOL!). She sent a picture of the landscape to her friends back home - and they assumed she had added a black and white filter to it. Nope, when there's snow on the ground and no leaves on the tree, the world is genuinely monochrome. The snow blizzard we are currently experiencing in Malmö is no different - my friend had to wear ski goggles on her bike to work wbich did actually add a rose tinted film to the world. And yes, the Swedes are still cycling!

It's in wintertime when I appreciate colour in the home the most. A pop of sunny yellow here, serene sky blue there. Maybe a splash of fuchsia pink and pea green won't go amiss either! In fact, this uplifting Swedish house has just the right amount of colour for me - and also boasts some lovely furniture too, much of which is vintage. 

Välkommen in! 

The pendant light is great, don't you think? It's the Filigrana light in Tobacco Canes by Sebastian Wrong. 

Kilim rugs with a hint of colour are becoming more and more popular. In fact, I was in a Kilim dream world at the Domotex floor fair last year! Try Etsy* for similar. 

Loving the layers of linen in the sitting room. If you have an IKEA sofa you can easily re-create this look by investing in a 'loose fit' slipcover in linen from Bemz*.

Most old houses in Sweden have a fairly steep roof (designed so that the snow falls off). The owners of this one has made use of the nooks and crannies to create cosy sleep zones for their little ones! 

Sky blue and pea green is a great, very 'now' combination! Are you a fan? 

Such a cute row of Fjällräven rucksacks too! 

This is one of those home tours which is worth going through several times - and each time you'll spot a new detail! 

For me, it's the mix of treasured second-hand finds or heirlooms with bang up to date, contemporary items that really stands out. The owners are clearly passionate about home decorating and spend time to source special pieces - some of which they have customised. 

Is there anything that stood out to you? Are you onboard with the wallpaper trend? I think it works best with older houses but who knows... we might see a revival in more modern homes too. After all, when I was growing up Laura Ashley wallpaper was EVERYWHERE - with lamps to match! 

Now, it's time for the owners to move on - and for someone else to take the reins of this beautiful house (see the listing here). 

Have a happy Wednesday vänner. Keep warm if you're here in the North - and cool if you're down in the South! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Historiska Hem, found via Nordroom with thanks. 

*affiliated link

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