A Bright, Light and Playful Swedish Home

Hej allihopa! I felt like sharing something light, playful and different today - and this wonderful house fit the bill perfectly! Featured on instagram as @tegelsnackan the Swedish owners of this red brick house in Helsingland in central Sweden love their blonde wood and pops of colour - all set against a fresh white backdrop. They have also thrown in some fun chequered patterns and a few stripes for good measure. 

The result is a light and airy house that lifts the spirits, no matter the time of year, but especially when the winter darkness sets in (with a six weeks to go until the winter solstice, I'd say most parts of Sweden are already there. 

I love the uniqueness of this home and hope it feels you with ideas for the week to come! 

From the exterior you can already see that the owners have dared to be different with a bright red pergola and red window frames to match! 

This red theme is continued throughout the interior. 

If I am not wrong, I think this is the Arc vase by Danish brand Hay. The original format was 'mirror'  and the owners have painted it fire engine red! 

Also, spot the horse on the shelf? This is known as a Dalahäst (Dala horse), and is traditionally carved out of wood before being hand painted. It originates from the county of Dalarna - and has become a popular symbol for Sweden as a whole!

From a distance the checks in the hallway look like tiles, but look closer and you'll see that they have been painted onto a wood floor. This is a trick swedes have used for hundreds of years. Tiles have traditionally been very expensive where as it doesn't cost much to buy paint to create a similar affect. I have always loved this idea! 

A lick of yellow around the room ensures the sun is always shining, even if it's grey outside! 

Also, check out the IKEA storage used as a wall mounted bedside table - very clever! 

Aaaaah, I so enjoyed this tour, did you?  It's fun to see something different. Very refreshing! 

Are there any ideas here that you can imagine using for your own home? 

If you're not already following @tegelsnackan on instagram, hop over right away! 

Wishing you a fabulous start to the week! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @tegelsnackan, shared with kind permission. 

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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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Prints, Splashes of colour and Playful Pattern in a Vibrant Danish Home

The country of Denmark is divided into three main land masses - the mainland (Jutlund), Zealand (the island on which Copenhagen is located) and then Funen - there island tucked in between. And everything is connected by spectacular bridges! I have had the pleasure of visiting Funen on several occasions - probably the most memorable of which was a filming session in the castle belonging to the owner of Carl Hansen & Søn. If I were to return to Funen, I'd love to stop by for a coffee with Ann-Sophie at her beautiful house in Ødense - I can see from the pictures, it would bring an instant smile to my face!

Ann-Sophie Ulka - founder and creative director of Fabrek a fabulous online design and interior shop - shares her home with her partner and their three boys. And in true Danish style, she has filled the house with splashes of colour, prints, pattern, Danish design and playful accessories all the while ensuring a calm feel (the balance is in their genes, I tell you!). The result is a vibrant home with a wonderful, relaxed feel. Let's take a tour! 

I love how Ann-Sophie has used a splash of Klein blue throughout her home - seen above on the table and below on the chairs. 

Striped velvet cushions from Fabrek can be seen in almost every room. 

Lamps and colourful vases catch the light on the windowsill and add a fun touch to the bedroom. 

An antique desk painted in vibrant pink livens up a corner in the master bedroom. 

A mid blue adds colour and a fresh touch to the bathroom. 

What a vibrant home! All the colour would really help to brighten up the greyest of days, don't you think?

Is there anything in particular that caught your eye? 

See more of Ann-Sophie's home over at @fieulka and check out all the fabulous homeware items over at Fabrek - who ship worldwide from Denmark! 

Would you like to see a few more vibrant, colourful homes today? Check out: 

Maria's colourful apartment will brighten up your day

Feel inspired by a beautiful, colourful family home

15 fabulous danish homes which will put a smile on your face

Looking for some tips? See 12 simple ways to add colour to your home, Danish style!

Have a fabulous day!

Niki

Top picture by Mia Mortensen, remaining by Ann-Sophie Ulka

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A Dream Stockholm Apartment, Inside and out!

''Think with your head not with your heart'', they say when it comes to house hunting. In my mind, this is way easier said than done, do you agree? 

Take this apartment for example, I'd fall in love the moment I'd step in the door! Located in the oldest buildings in Södermalm dating back to 1640, the exterior is a dream, with an interior to match! Eagle eyes out there might recognise the apartment from this post back in 2020. It's fun to see some new angles, but above all else to discover that it's for sale and looking for a new owner. Could that be you? 

Keep a special eye out for the incredible architectural details, interesting colour scheme, blend of furniture, lighting and art! 

The predominant shade is a deep Almond beige by Jotun. 

I love the way art has been propped atop the wainscoting, so you can move it around on a whim. The glass wood cabinet is also lovely! 

The tone in the bedroom has a pink - red  tint to it giving a soft touch of romance. I'm pretty sure it's also a shade by Jotun, check out their pink range here. 

The Flowerpot pendant in beige red make such a pretty combination with the almond beige walls! 

It's fun to see gymnastic rings in one of the children's rooms. My daughter Allie absolutely loves hers - well worth me bumping into them every time I go into her room (she says)! Source similar wooden rings here*. 

Industrial blue has been on the walls and desk and a hint of pink adds warmth and contrast.  

All in all, a really fabulous apartment! I really love the colour scheme. 

Is there anything that popped out to you? 

If you're curious about where some of the items are from, head over to this post (I did my best to link to as many items as possible!) 

Could you see yourself living here? Word on the street is that there's a viewing this week. More details here. 

Take a look at other Scandinavian homes with noteworthy colour schemes here:

Bringing in the hues of the fells and fjords in a Norwegian cabin

Embracing the blues in a fabulous danish apartment

A danish home in a riot of colours!

Lessons to learn from a colourful Norwegian home

Have a great start to the week! 

Niki

PS did you see the beautiful limited edition wishbone chair in slate in my bedroom / home office on Friday? 

Photography: Peo Bengtsson 

For sale via Bjurfors

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