Trend Alert: How To Rock The Pastels

The skies might be slowly darkening here in Sweden, but summer looks set to continue thanks to one of this year's hottest interior trends: pastels. Powder pink, mint, lavender, clearwater blue, lemon yellow - it's all about that soft, sweet touch. Own the look by colour blocking with tone on tones or add simple, subtle touches in the form of a single item of furniture or accessory. Combine with clean lines and contemporary touches for a tougher, modern vibe. Here are three pastel shades I'm loving - and a guide on how to rock them in your home this autumn! 

Powder pink

1. Tom Fereday 2. Kelly Day 3. Mark Hadden 4. Surrounding Australia 5. Anna Pirkola 6. H&M Home
Powder pink has reigned supreme in the world of interiors for a while now. Often referred to as 'millennial pink', the earthy shade holds an element of retro (my Granny Ruth had a matching bathroom suite in this shade - and although I didn't appreciate it at the time - looking back it was pretty awesome!). The beauty of this shade is that it looks equally great as an entire room (try deco pink by Jotun Lady or Sweet Pastel by Valspar for the ultimate wall colour) or as an accent in the form of lamps, vases and bedding.

Get The Look

1. SP01 Jeanette Chair
2. Ferm Living Hexagon Vase*
3. Gubi Grasshopper Floor Lamp*
4. H&M Washed Cotton Duvet Set

Lavender

1. Ferm Living 2. Earthborn 3. Little Greene 4. Earthborn 5. Taubmans
I've got a confession to make. I was sceptical about this shade. But then I started to see it creep into interiors in the form of soft, earthy lavender-grey walls (try Lavender Lace by Behr) or a rug here or a sofa there and I quickly changed my mind. In order to avoid it looking fusty, combine with beige, gentle browns, grey and light blue, for a style that's bang up to date.

Get The Look

1. Dino Floor Lamp
2. Anthropologie Veru Dinner Plate
3. Parachute Sateen Sheet Set

Mint green

1. Carpet Right 2. Beth Kirby 3. Deiji Studios 4. Anthropology 5. Mindlike Studio
The least cutesy of the three, mint is cool, calm and contemporary. I'd lean towards the light green- pale blue of the spectrum (try Top sail by Sherwin Williams or even Soft Mint by Jotun Lady if you're looking for something slightly darker) and combine with other natural, earthy shades. I think it works particularly beautifully with rattan, light wood, dark greens and chocolate brown.

Get The Look

1. Ferm Living Tufted Wall Deco Rug*
2. Ferm Living Bau Plant Pot
3. Louis Poulsen AJ Table Lamp*
4. Cachae Tall Pendant*

Did any of these shades leap out at you? I have both powder pink and a darker shade of mint green in my own home. They're very soothing and easy to live with! I'd  absolutely love a pink bathroom just like Granny Ruth's too!

What are your thoughts on pastel? Are you a fan? Do you have any pastel shades in your home?

Niki

PS I've just arrived in Hamburg for the day to record a podcast with Holly Becker (Decor8) and Living At Home Holly magazine. Eeeek, wish me luck! I'll be sure to share snippets from the day on instagram stories so hop on over if you're curious to see how it's going!

*This post contains affiliate links which means I might receive a teeny amount of money (we're talking one coffee bean) if you purchase any of the items accompanied by an asterisk! 

Thank you so much to the wonderful Ana Degenaar for your help to compile this post. 

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In Denmark, A Cosy And Eclectic Home Full of Art

A few moments ago, about a month's worth of rain came down in five minutes. I kid you not. Luckily, I'm working from home, all cosy and dry - and wondering if I've left a window open somewhere. In Denmark, another home was getting a soaking: det lille grå hus (the little grey house). Despite the weather and (pretty) grey facade, Helle's living space in Silkeborg is far from grey. The Dane is driven by "a love for beautiful things and fine materials" rather than designer pieces. Despite this, some classics have snuck in by way of flea market finds, family heirlooms "or simply because a chair is so beautiful it's hard to resist, despite being by Børge Mogensen". The eclectic interior also includes pieces from IKEA and Ilva as well as DIY solutions and lots and lots of wonderful art. Welcome inside the cosy Danish home of Helle, husband Kurt and their children Eve and Herman! 

Pink stairs print, kitchen from IKEA, tiles from Bauhaus

Sulten Geisha print 

PH 5-4 pendant light* & LC Shutters pendant* both Louis Poulsen

Pouf from Sofa Company

Hang-it-all hooks*

What a pretty home! 

I love how Helle has simply followed her heart and chosen pieces for their aesthetics rather than who they're made by, it's given the space so much soul.

Is there anything you love in particular about this home?

You can see more of Helle's home on her homepage and instagram @detlillegraahus and a load of other beautiful Danish homes in this archive. 

Got to love Danish style! 

Niki

Photography: Det Lille Grå Hus shared with kind permission 

*affiliate links

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The Happy, Vibrant Home of a Finnish Designer

Finnish designer Pinja Rouger, her French husband and two daughters recently returned from a stint in the USA, setting up home in a traditional 1940s log house just outside Helsinki. When they moved in, the house was in need of a modern update. The pair have slowly set about renovating it room by room, adding their own fun, colourful stamp while being careful to retain the traditional charm. I caught up with Pinja to find out more about Finnish design, her love for colour, and their vibrant, happy home! 

Above: a Papu X Hakola pouf sits beside an iconic Ball Chair designed by Finnish designer Eero Aarnio. 

Day Velvet armchair by Hakola, rug from Anthropologie, The Botanical Shelf (designed by Pinja) 

Who is the driving force behind the interior? 

We both work in the product design industry, but I would say I'm more into interior design. I love to use colours, pastels and bright colours and like to have fun with my home interior. 

What do you do for a living?

I've worked as a product designer as well as a colour and material designer. At the moment I'm working as a freelance designer across the design field from graphic design to product and furniture design. A couple of years ago I designed The Botanical Shelf for house plants together with Rikke Kantinkoski (see her home here) - we were lucky to find a Finnish manufacturer: Adea.  

What does Finnish design mean to you? 

To me, Finnish design is a lot about functionality and purity of materials. Although I've always been a big fan of Marimekko and their bold use of colour and pattern. I would say Finnish design is a bit of a combination of pure functionalism and minimalism with a fun twist. Us Finns love simple, Scandinavian style, but we're not afraid to play with bold details and colour either. 

Above: Iconic Finnish design pieces such as the Marimekko Siirtolapuutarha teapot and Iittala Alvar Aalto vase sit beside books and other treasures. 

Above: IKEA glass cabinet, Eames rocker (RAR)*

Would you say the products you design are typically Finnish? 

When working on a design I want to be conscious about the design production process and strive to understand how the production process can be made more sustainable and simple. I think this is how a lot of Finnish designers think. We like to use natural materials and simplify the production process - for example, in furniture design we use a lot of wood. Recycling is also close to my heart and I like finding old furniture to renovate. 

How do you transfer your love for colour into your home?

I'm a person who always picks the colourful option and not the safe grey or black. Many colours inspire me. About ten years ago, I went to buy white kitchen tiles and I spotted bright red and glossy red tiles and I knew I had to have them! To me, colour makes things look more interesting and fun and I love to play with different colours and find new combinations. Also the material always affects how the colour appears and I love the tonalities even just one can colour can give depending on the material, light, surface and space. 

Have you always been into interior design?

I got much more into interior design when I started my blog (Pinja Colada) around 8 years ago. For me, it's always been a channel for inspiration, to get inspired and give inspiration.

Above: vintage Artek 69 chairs*, Berså wallpaper by Borås Tapeter

Thank you so much for inviting us into your wonderful home today, Pinja! 

You can see more pics of her vibrant family home over at Pinja Colada (don't miss the DIY ideas!) and on instagram: @pinjacolada. 

There's a ton of other Finnish homes to be found in this archive too!  

Anyone else feeling massively inspired by the colours in this home today?

Niki

Photography: Pinja Rouger

Affiliate links marked with *

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Colour Therapy: The Happy Danish Home of Annemette Moesgaard

Hej! How was your weekend?! It was a triple coffee morning for me today having spent the weekend up at the cottage contemplating the kitchen (I've never been good at making decisions and now it's crunch time!). Thankfully we did manage to sneak in a visit to Copenhagen to see the Michael McIntyre Big World Tour on Friday night (that guy is so funny, go if you get the chance!). Denmark has been on my mind ever since, it's just so relaxed and I love the slight edginess you sometimes see in the interiors. So today, I thought I'd invite us all back for a virtual tour of Annemette Moesgaard's colourful home in Aarhus, Jutland. Annemette suffers from Scoliosis and often finds herself in chronic pain, to such an extent that three years ago her doctor placed her on permanent sick leave. Annemette has used her passion for interiors to create a happy private sphere in which to relax and recuperate. I particularly love the colour choices, art and details which make the space so personal and help lift her spirits on the darkest off days. 

Painted in S0515-Y60R, Formakami light*, Eames chair*, table top from Thorsø. 

"I like to surround myself with happy colours and things that make me happy. For me, colours are my sort of go-to on a bad day. Colour makes me feel better. And now I just think: life is too short not to surround yourself with things that make you happy." 

Annemette Moesgard. 

 Shell vase, expression mobile

Wire plant holder, Kubus candleholder, 

Beni ourain rug*, cognac leather pouf*, Three pink chairs poster

Pick up a similar mid-century desk here*. Eames chair*

Bedroom wall painted in Nordisk Hav by Jotun Lady

What a wonderful home! I can certainly see why it makes Annemette happy, can you?! 

You can see more of Annemette's home over on her blog and instagram. 

I often say Danes are the masters of gallery walls, and I truly believe it - if you're looking to create something similar I can recommend The Poster Club* (I think they ship worldwide) - or if you have the time, nip along to a local affordable art market (flea markets are also great!).  

For more Danish inspiration today why not check out the home of a Danish jewellery designer, a Danish home full of treasures and a Danish home full of vintage finds. So inspiring! 

Have a great start to the week friends!

Niki

Photography: Annemette Moesgaard shared with kind permission.

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The Beautiful 1920s House of a Swedish Creative

Is it just me, or is the week moving at an alarming rate? If you feel like taking a breather with me, come and enjoy this beautiful Gothenburg home for a moment! It belongs to Swedish graphic designer, artist and photographer Cecilia Hedin (see her former home here), sambo (meaning 'live-in partner') Johan, their baby Björn and dog Bertil. Built in the 1920s, every room has been painted in a different colour - from a deep, luxurious green to soft blues and warm greige and they've also made use of some fabulous wallpaper, and yet there's a wonderful flow to the space. Cecilia's friends Alice Johansson and Johanna Bradford paid a visit and snapped these lovely pics. Välkommen in!

Kitchen cabinets painted in NORDSJÖ simplicity greige and wall panels in the same shade by 40% lighter. 

A circular table and series of Mogensen J39 chairs are surrounded by geraniums for a wonderful 'winter garden' feel! 

This is the kind of 'snug' you can imagine the family spending the lion's share of their time in. I love the classic Jetson chair and indoor climber. And that rustic wood wall adds so much character to the space too, don't you think?!

Sitting room painted in Farrow & Ball Oval Room Blue

This Blackthorne wallpaper by William Morris is so pretty!

Bannisters painted in Farrow & Ball Estate Eggshell

Source vintage botanical prints like these here*.

This lovely desk area reminds me a lot of the home office in their former apartment. The walls have been decorated in luxurious yet calm Chicken Coop by Alcro. Source a vintage architect's desk like this one here*. 

Björn's room has been partly decorated in Jimmy Cricket Woodland wallpaper in charcoal.

So fun with the vintage gymnastics equipment (source similar here*), don't you think?! Although not vintage, my daughter has a set of wooden gymnastics rings in her room and she absolutely loves them - she even gets ready for bed hanging upside down (you can imagine how long that takes *rolls eyes*!)! Rattan lounge chair from Tine K Home.

If I was merely considering adding more colour to my home before, I'm fully committed after seeing these pictures. It's also amazing how much the right wallpaper can transform a room too - Björn's room is just lovely!

Are you tempted to add more colour / wallpaper to your home too?

If you love Cecilia's home you'll also love her online shop where she sells her photography, art and badges (the latter of which remind me a little of our time in the Lake District, England as a child - my sister had a ton of badges showing all the fells she'd conquered - me, not so many!).  

Other inspiring Swedish homes with plenty of colour and pattern include Johanna Bradford's former home, an eclectic 19th century Swedish house and snapshots from Ida's vintage-inspired home in Dalarna. Oh and there's actually an entire archive dedicated to 'decorating with wallpaper' too! 

Do you have a favourite wallpaper?

Ha så bra! 

Niki

Photography: Alice Johansson. Styling: Johanna Bradford. 

Affiliate links marked with *

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A Playful And Relaxed Family Home That's Bound To Put a Smile On Your face!

Thursday totally calls for a little colour, don't you think? After all - we need to start gearing up for the weekend - only one day away friends, one day away! PHEW! I can't think of a better way to get into the spirit than by taking a peek inside the wonderful home of Ulrike Lea who goes by the hashtag #coloursaremytherapy. Ulrike, who describes herself as an 'interior design lover, cyclist, crafter, Mamma and nature addict' has decorated her lovely home in Aix La Chapelle, Germany using a mainly neutral backdrop and then add splashes of primary hues in the form of furniture, accessories, ceramics, art and flowers. The look is playful and relaxed - and offers great inspiration to anyone looking to add cheerful tones without going all out!

Tulip chairs* and table*, source a vintage filing cabinet here*.

Ceramics by Foekje Fleur and Can Family

Knoll womb chair*, ceramics by Elise Lefebvre

One of the key kitchen trends this season is to do away with upper cabinets (not entirely practical if you have a small kitchen, I know! But Ulrike gets away with it beautifully in this space). 

Plates by Donna Wilson

This is a great source for boucheroute rugs*, pick up a vintage school chair here*, Love x Play poster from Odot studio. Source a vintage wooden racket here* (or just look in my Mum and dad's upstairs cupboard in London and you're bound to find a whole selection complete with towelling grips - John McEnroe style!!). 

A wall of art by Marta Abad Blay

My home suddenly feels so serious. I might just head on over to the websites of some of the artist's featured in Ulrike's home! So many fabulous ones here, and I've tried to name as many as I could!

Has this home inspired you too?

If you'd like to see more (and I can't blame you!) Ulrike shares daily snapshots of her home over on instagram: @donnerstagsonntag 

Happy Thursday guys!

Niki

PS I'm writing this post in the Malmö IKEA store restaurant having used my 'family card' to buy a great big semla (swedish easter bun-type thing) and a coffee (bargain!). It's surprisingly calm in here (I DEFINITELY wouldn't do the same at the IKEA on London's North circular!!).

Photography:  Ulrike Lea
Affiliate links marked with * 

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