A Cheerful Swedish Home With a 'Tropical Scandinavia' Theme!

A few weeks back someone put in a request for something colourful on My Scandinavian Home - gaaaaah *laughs*. With spring firmly in the air and summer just around the corner I agreed that this was a great idea. The trouble was finding something! And then I came across Tropical Scandinavia. The cheerful Swedish brand designs fab rugs, cushion covers, blankets, jewellery and more bursting with bold colours and pattern! You can imagine my excitement when I also learned founders Emil and Johanna live just across town from me, near the hip neighbourhood of St Knut in Malmö. And they have a fabulous home. Just like their brand, the creative duo has decorated the living space with bold prints, topical patterns and colours that sing against a white-washed background. I reached out to find out more. 

Where are you from? 

Emil is originally from Helsingborg and Johanna is from a small village called Vomb (but spent part of her childhood living abroad in USA and Italy). We have lived in Malmö for many years now. Every year we try to escape the winter for a couple of months and go somewhere tropical to rest, gather energy and come up with new ideas. 

Who lives in your home? 

Emil (41), Johanna (31) and Viggo (4 months). Every now and again you'll find a dog here that we're babysitting. We love dogs! 

What is your background?

Johanna has a background in graphic design and illustration (she studied in Copenhagen at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts) and Emil runs a movie production company but is also a painter (since forever!). We founded lifestyle / interior concept Tropical Scandinavia together a year ago.  

Tell us more about your apartment

It was originally two apartments, now merged into one. We took down a wall when we bought it to turn it into a big open living space, we usually like to be all in the same room! 

What inspired your tropical theme? 

Every year, as summer gets closer, a tropical trend kicks in. But we love the tropics and lots of colour all year round! So, we thought it was a shame that it usually only lasts one season. That's where the idea of Tropical Scandinavia came from. It's also inspired by our travels of course! Most countries aren't nearly as afraid of using colour as Swedes! But to balance it out we do have a lot of white as well, which feels much needed during darker times.

Have you always been into bright colours?

Yes! But I think it really boomed when we started creating our home together and realised we really share a passion for bright colours and quirky things!

What is it about bright pops of colour and tropical motifs that you love? 

Life constantly offers us so many choices, and we truly believe that it is possible to choose to live with an open heart, bright spirit and to make fun things! In some way, I think colour and a happy tropical theme symbolises that for us. It might sound a bit out there, but I really think it's true! Everything kind of blends together for us - life, work, interior, spiritual beliefs and love.

Have you got any tips for anyone who loves Scandinavian style but also wants to add colour?

Start with some details! Maybe you don't have to paint a whole room, start out with some colourful prints or a blanket. And don't think too much about everything matching, sometimes the odd things turn out to be the best! 

Thank you so much Emil and Johanna!

***

This home put a great big smile on my face and a real spring in my step today. It's amazing what bright colours can do, don't you think? 

My daughter Liv already has the Tropical Scandinavia two birds one cat print in her bedroom, and now we've got our eye on a blanket and a rug  - aren't they fabulous?! 

I hope Emil and Johanna's home has inspired you as much as it has inspired me. 

If you'd like to see a little more, check out their instagram feed @tropicalscandinavia or better still,  take a scroll through their wonderful online store - and turn your home into a Tropical Scandinavian haven! 

Other colourful homes to feel inspired by:

A fabulous Danish home in a plethora of colour! 

A Delightful family home decorated in beautiful, bold colours!

The happy vibrant home off a Finnish designer

Have a fabulous day friends!

Niki

Photography: Tropical Scandinavia / Jenny Brandt Grönberg

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Feel Inspired By a Delightful Colourful Family Home

Eva Kaiser's home has been on my radar for a while now. When I first spotted it on Instagram I assumed it was Danish, since the Danes are doing wonderful things with colours right now. But then I bumped into Eva at Formland design fair and we chatted about her life on an old farm in Northern Germany with her husband, three sons, two dogs and seven Icelandic horses. I was so curious to hear more about the family's recent move across Germany, what it has been like to work with a blank canvas and how she combines colour in her beautiful home. Read on to feel inspired! 

I understand you and your family recently relocated; can you tell us more about your move?

Well, it was the most exciting change of my life. We didn't just relocate, we started a completely new life with our three children. Before, we lived in the South of Germany in Karlsruhe in a beautiful house that we renovated 8 years ago. But one day my husband and I asked ourselves if it was the place we could see ourselves growing old in - and it wasn't.

We had a dream, but we didn't know how it would look in detail. Two years ago, we were on holiday and found that we loved to live with our horses (we own Icelandic horses) but also that we were looking for a challenge. So, we were looking for something that would give our life new meaning. 

We found this beautiful place where we live now, and it took all our courage to sell everything we owned in the South and move away. It was the most difficult - and best decision I've ever made. Within one year we completely changed our lives and now we feel the rewards: we are so happy here, it felt like home in an instant. We are very lucky that my husband and I are both self-employed but nevertheless it took a lot to make the move! 

What was the best thing about having a blank canvas to play with? 

What a question! So difficult to answer! For me, it's been really hard to work with a blank canvas. I've had to make many decisions within a short space of time before we moved in. I was also not completely free to choose colours since there were already some colours present in the house - such as the old terrazzo floor. To be honest, it has been so hard to decorate and finish our new home and it's far from being finished. I've moved many times, but it has never taken me so long to make decisions! You really have to take care to strike a balance between not rushing and yet still moving forwards. That's not easy and you have to allow yourself to make mistakes. I've made many - I can tell you! 

Utzon pendant light 

Shuffle table

Flower pot pendant light*, Grand Prix chair, Eames chairs*, Mayor AJ6 sofa, tiles from Mosaic Factory

Are there any tricks you use to combine colours?

My favourite trick is to remember your first idea and remind yourself of it after you make your mood boards and have thought about it night after night. Your first, instinctive idea is usually the best. Another trick is to take a magazine and cut out all the colours you love. It doesn't matter if it's a picture or an advert. Or select shades from colour samples from paint producers. once you have picked out all the colours you love, you'll start to notice the same colours appearing. Play around with these colours and create a mood board or just allow them to come together randomly. It's a really fun and creative process. 

How do you find the perfect wall colour?

This is the most difficult thing for me because I always have a really specific colour in mind and I always try to perfectly match it. My partner in crime is Kolorat - a local paint company. They offer bespoke samples. After receiving these, I hope to have the perfect match and test it on every wall. 

Your home is full of interesting furniture and accessories, where do you find them?

Everywhere. I'm always keeping my eyes open. I find pieces at flea markets, on my travels and find inspiration online. 

When I first saw your home, I thought it was Danish, are you inspired by Danish design?

Yes, I am! I love the way Danish people play with colours and the creativity and ease with which they move away from the mainstream interior. But I always try to find my own way and hope to stay unique! 

What's next?

Our home is far from finished. Art is very important to me and we have a wonderful collection of paintings that are waiting to be hung on the walls. 

Hay Star Throw, wardrobe from Reform CPH

I understand you work within the world of interiors?

Yes, I offer workshops around the topic of colourful living and I also produce and sell homeware including cute colourful cushions from second-hand fabric and recycled yarn. You can also stay at our farm in a small holiday cottage that I have just finished furnishing (you're welcome to contact me directly for bookings)! 

As soon as we can move around a little more, I know where my stop will be! Thank you so much for telling us more about your renovation Eva! 

What do you think? Are you also feeling inspired by these beautiful colours? 

Is there anything that stood out to you?

See more pictures of Eva's incredible home over at @lumikello_ and on her blog www.lumikello.de. 

For more lovely colour inspiration today check out: 

A fabulous Danish home in a plethora of colours

Home tour: how to add colour the Danish way

Lessons to learn from a colourful yet calm Norwegian home

So friends, that's it from me today. I hope this home tour has offered wonderful bubble of respite from all that's happening right now! 

Have a lovely sunny day! 

Niki

Photography: Eva Kaiser, shared with kind permission

This post contains a few affiliate links marked with * which means that if you click through and buy something, I might make a very tiny amount of money. 

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A Fabulous Danish Home In A Plethora of Colours!

So, mina raringar, here's the colourful Danish home I've been telling you about. And I wasn't kidding - colour fiends out there, are going to do a little dance when they see this!! It's fabulous! Located in leafy Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, this colourful bonanza of a home belongs to Cathrine de Lichtenberg, her husband and dog Pedersen. The trio occupy the ground floor and basement of the old Patricia villa which dates back to 1898! I caught up with Cathrine, who works at the fabulous flower design studio Poppykalas and also as an interior stylist, to find out more: 

Brumbury table lamp, Uno form kitchen cabinets, wall colour: Deco Pink 2782

Have you always loved colour?

Yes, in elementary school I would always colour match my belt, bag, socks, t-short and other details! The same with the colours on my bedroom wall - which were everything from pink to mint green- However, as a teenager, I became a little insecure (like most!) and found comfort in dressing like others. - so, I toned it down. But today I mix and match my clothes as I feel fit for the day, and I have a very relaxed approach to paint. If I have a feeling about a new colour, I just do it - it can always be redone! 

Vertigo ceiling light*, Series 7 chair*, Flower field rug from Layered. 

What are your go-to home decorating colours?

I don't think there are any main colours. However blue, light pink and lavender tend to appear in most rooms. 

IKEA stool painted in Dyrup metallic 'Shiny blue' 

Flower Field Wool Rug, sofa from Sofa Company, wall colour: Smooth White 8470

Scandinavian homes are synonymous with being white or monochrome, would you say there's also scope for lots of colour? 

Yes, colours are becoming more and more normal in Scandinavian style. Having said that, I don't think we have a typically Scandinavian style. Ours is a mix of everything we like - no rules! 

Montana storage units

What inspired the colours in your home?

A mood, a feeling, a fruit, a pattern, a photo, a dress, or whatever awakes the feeling in me and drives me to implement it in my home. 

Curtains from &Drape, pale blue bedding*

Do you have any tips for anyone looking to introduce more colour into their home?

Don't think too much, just do it! 

If four walls feel like too much, start with one... and if that still feels like too much, then add pillows and vases in the colour you love the most as a great starting point! 

I love using fruit and vegetables to add colour in the kitchen, and of course flowers! Place them in a colourful bowl on the table - it's an easy way to bring energy to the room. 

Well, well, well, where do I even start?! 

Maybe with Pedersen! Doesn't he look happy in this home? I don't blame him. 

I think the most exciting thing of all about stumbling across Cathrine's home on instagram (@cathdelichtenberg - in case you're curious!) is that it's unlike any Scandinavian home I've seen before. It really has put a spring in my step. 

I love her colour tips too, so simple! 

I'd love to hear what you loved most about this Copenhagen home! Has it tempted you to add more colour too?

In case you're feeling the colour therapy today, here are some other fabulous Scandinavian homes filled with colour:

An artful and relaxed home in Aarhus

Embracing the blues in the Danish home of Michael Schmidt

Spring has sprung in this delightful Copenhagen home

Happy lillördag friends!

Niki

Photography: Cathrine de Lichtenberg

This post contains some affiliate links which means I might make a tiny amount of money if you click on a link marked with * and buy something. 

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Spring has Sprung in This Delightful Copenhagen Home Full of Pastels!

Since living in Sweden, spring has become my favourite season of the year. I can't tell you what a wondrous site it is to see buds on the trees and the vibrant yellow of a trumpeting daffodil! They mark the end of a long, dark winter! Spring also brings with it, the first big event of the year: Påsk (Easter) - in all its pastel glory. If you're a big fan of the season too, you're going to love the Danish home of Melissa Xenia Sandra Gosvig. Nestled in the charming Copenhagen neighbourhood of Amager, Melissa's 80 m2 / 860 ft2 apartment is full of pastel tones - from pale blue, green and pink to bold pops of yellow and electric blue! Interior decorating has been a long-standing passion of Xenia's and her home is full of art, second-hand design pieces and flea market finds. Ready for the tour? Velkommen to Melissa's world!

Above: a Kubus candleholder and iconic Noguchi coffee table* sit atop a Beni Ourain rug*. The fab Planet Lamp is by Please Wait To Be Seated (you might remember it from the hallway in this feature). 

This reading spot in the window with art by Nynne Rosenvinge (check out her shop for other colourful prints!) as well as a lovely bright sunshine yellow velvet cushion* is perfect for a moments pause!

I'd never seen one of these Harlequin mirrors until yesterday and then two come along at once (see yesterday's tour!). It's a sign that I need to pick one up for my own home, what do you think?! 

There's a whole load of mix and match love going on here with different colour Hay chairs and vintage finds. Such a pretty dining space! 

Melissa's kitchen is mini but mighty with striking black cabinet doors, dark wood floors (keep a look out for the darker wood trend this year - it's coming!) and white walls. I can imagine the balcony serves as a perfect spot for a 'kaffe og wienerbrød' (coffee and Danish pastry) in the warm spring sunshine too! 

Another wonderful trend this year: mix and match coloured glassware. And these second-hand ones from Ann-Sofie Munk Hansen are so pretty! Keep an eye out for others on Ann-Sofie's page (there are some great ones up for grabs at the moment). 

What do you think? Does Melissa's home make you want to start bringing a flurry of Easter pastels into your home? I might just get started this afternoon with some 'daffy-down-dillys' as my mother likes to call them! 

If you'd like to see more of Melissa's home - there's a load of pictures on her instagram @mxeniaz. 

In the mood for a little more easter inspiration? You might like:

The Big Easter DIY Edit (some really simple and cute ideas here!)

Five beautifully simple easter DIY ideas

Easter touches in a charming Swedish home

Trend alert: how to rock the pastels

Have a great day!

Niki

PS I was so excited to be featured in the Home section of the London Metro today - there's a short version of the interview online if you fancy a read about how to bring a touch of hygge into your home! 

Credits: 2, 3 and 4 by Klix Kommunikation all others by Melissa Xenia Sandra Gosvig

Affiliate links marked with * which means I might make a tiny amount of money if you click through and buy something. 

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