A Pared Back Copenhagen Home With a Hint of Rock 'n Roll!

Hello! I hope you had a lovely Easter break! I'm feeling revived after a really wonderful week with my family - despite the distinct lack of spring here (snow today - really weather gods, REALLY?!). Luckily there's always music to keep us going. And there's nothing like a great tune to create spring / summer vibes (fake it 'til you make it!). There's a reason to my rambling, I promise. I thought I'd jump straight into the blog week with the Danish home of two musicians! Trine and Torben are the creative duo behind JØRCK a band which prides itself on dark dream pop. Their 19th century 83 m2 / 893 f2 apartment is a stone's throw from Kongens Nytorv in the heart of Copenhagen and doubles up as a recording studio from where Trine writes the lyrics and the pair experiment with sounds. The pared back space is peppered with design classics and interspersed with musical instruments - resulting in a harmonic bohemian space with a hint of rock n' roll! So friends, tune into their sounds on Spotify or YouTube and step this way for the tour!

A vintage leather 'The Spanish Chair' by Børge Mogensen is one of Trine's favourite pieces. 

A vintage type writer (source similar here*), iconic 7-series chair and a classic Gubi semi pendant lamp* can be seen by the window in the music room. 

A shirt hangs as art in the window behind a perfume collection. 

Can we also just take a moment to appreciate the floor? I bet is makes the most wonderful sound when you walk across it. Beautiful! 

Is there anything that stands out to you about Trine and Torben's home?

The shots were captured by photographer Anna Malmberg, whose Stockholm home I once featured here and styled by Swedish set designer Emma Wallmén (who also happens to have a beautiful home!). 

Fancy a peek inside another Scandinavian musician's home? Check out the former Malmö home of Nina Persson from the Cardigans. 

Ahhh, I'm so happy to be back on the blog again - is it strange that I miss it a little when I'm on holiday (the word 'holiday' is to be taken with a major pinch of salt in current times!!). It helps that I'm super excited about some of the homes and interior inspiration I have planned for the coming week. Stay tuned!

Wishing you a happy Tuesday!

Niki

Photography: Anna Malmberg

Styling: Emma Wallmén 

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Line's Relaxed Copenhagen Home with Pretty Pastels

Hej vänner! Popping in with a little Danish inspiration for you to today. Think pared back, whitewashed, with pops of pastel. Yay! This beautiful apartment belongs to Line Schjelde, a Copenhagen based PR manager, who lived with her boyfriend and their little daughter. Excitingly, the family are expecting a little baby girl in a matter of weeks! Given the serenity of the space, it's hard to imagine their home is in the heart of the thriving, urban district of Vesterbro (fabulous area to explore if you're ever in town!). It's beautifully calm yet has some wonderful focal points thanks to the gallery wall, beautiful furniture choices and the lovely details!  Enjoy the tour! 

No one does gallery walls like the Danes! 

Prints from: Paper Collective, Hein Studio, Matisse (available here) and Modernamuseet

But my eyes are on the two mini ball pendant lamps - how cool are they? From what I can gather, Line made these herself using two rice paper balls (costing €5 each!). The HAY dining table is also fab - and the mix and match chairs help to create a relaxed look and feel.

One of the things I have been taken for granted lately are windowsills. Scandinavian homes are generally blessed with wide ones that can be used for so many things (this has been pointed out in the comment section a few times!). Walk around a city street or a country village and windows will be lit by a lamp (this one is the Balustre in pale pink* by Kähler) in the window - make your return home in the dark that more welcoming!

Another observation, un-related, but still interesting: front doors open outwards rather than inwards. I think this might have something to do with the snow - although that doesn't account for apartment doors. Hmmm. What are the windowsills like in your country, and do your front doors open inwards or outwards? 

The kitchen has been kept very minimalist aside from open shelves brimming with pottery by AnnLouise Roman Gustavsson,Julie Damhus Studio, Les Gens Heureux and Bitz Living. 

I love the sofa (from The Sofa Company - the colour is so warm and inviting - just imagine Line and her boyfriend snuggled up here with her two little girls! 

I get asked so many questions about floating bookshelves. Montana is a great source!

What a difference a pretty cushion can make to a room! Line picked this one up from Thus The Fuss (who's home I once featured here). Keep an eye out for her pop-up shops here. 

This lovely Ferm Living pond mirror* is really popular right now - I love the shape! 

The famous IKEA Stockholm cabinet that's now been discontinued and making waves on eBay! If you see one and you like it, nab it! 

What was I saying about windowsills? I mean, seriously!  

All in all, such a lovely home, it's really brightened up my Tuesday - I hope it has yours too!

Loving the pops of pastel!

I'll be keeping an eye on Line's inspiring feed for her latest updates - but more importantly for BABY NEWS! I'll never forget the birth of my second daughter and her sister rushing through the doors of the hospital shouting "WHERE'S MY SISTER?" before showering Allie with a million kisses! Wishing you so much luck with the birth Line - what a magical time you have ahead! 

Looking for a little more Danish inspiration today? 

A Danish family's inviting log cabin

Danica's delightful home in shades of cotton candy

This pastel infused Danish home is a feast for the eyes

Niki

Tonight, I'm excited to participate in a Live Shopping Event over at Boozt.com where I'll be sharing some fun ideas for how you can update your spring table for spring. Come and join us at 7pm (GMT+1). Admittedly, I'm a tad nervous right now (anything 'live' is a little daunting, don't you think?) so it would be wonderful to see a friendly face in the Q & A. Plus, you'll be able to enjoy a discount on anything you buy. Winner!  

Photography: Line Schjelde shared with kind permission. 

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Small Space Living: A Delightful Danish Apartment In Calm, Earthy Tones

We've woken up to wonderful sunshine here in Malmö today. But I won't be fooled into thinking it's spring, there's a vicious wind out there I can tell you! So instead, my mind is turning indoors - and I'm kicking off the week with a virtual tour of Sarah's delightful 46 square metre (495 square foot) 'lejighed' (apartment) in Copenhagen. Sarah's home is located in a salmon-coloured building dating back to 1884 in the beautiful, leafy district of Frederiksberg. The relatively compact, yet stylish and calm living space has been minimally decorated with a strong focus on recycled and sustainable furniture. Think earthy, neutral tones, a blend of open and closed storage solutions and lots of art. Oh, and don't miss the music corner! 

Sarah has recently installed the lovely rack in the kitchen, by sustainable Danish furniture makers We Do Wood. This unit is particularly great for making extra use of vertical wall space (I bet it feels lovely to touch too!). 

How great are these rails? A quick search led me to danish brand Ferm Living - available here. They provide extra kitchen storage while adding character. Love these! 

You'll often see these beautiful radiator covers in older Scandinavian houses (seen here in the corner). They're great - not only do they cover unsightlier, or even wonkily installed radiators, they also provide an extra surface for display.

Note - always check with an expert before covering a radiator obvs (speaking from experience, since the ones in our summer cottage would be lethal if they were covered!). 

These cube-shaped wall mounted shelves from Montana are extremely popular in Denmark for good reason! If you have a wall that can hold it, wall mounted furniture creates a wonderful illusion of space and helps to give a light and airy feel. These shelves in particular are a perfect height for displaying decorative items like the iconic Stoff Nagel candleholder*.  

Special nod to the gallery wall. Is it just me, or are Danes great at these? Try Curated Copenhagen (including one-of-a-kind art) or The Poster Club* for similar prints. 

Every home should have a music corner like this, don't you think? I'm imaging the sweet sound of music gently floating out of the open window and filling the street with life. There's something so wonderful about summer in the city, don't you think? Or maybe that's just the Londoner in me! 

Glass tables with a built-in shelf are brilliant. My parents have one too and they are perfect for storing your favourite coffee table books while keeping them in sight, close to hand and dust free! I'm a big fan! Maybe not so practical in a family home though with kids around (those little handprints!).

Originally, many of these Frederiksberg apartments were built without a bathroom, so the owners have had to make use of tiny closet spaces to recreate them. Bags on hooks equal instant extra storage in a bathroom that's feels like a bit of a squash and a squeeze and has limited storage.  

The iconic 'Hang it all' are great for small hallways since they don't take up much room and yet have a load of hooks in one place. 

So many lovely ideas here - for big and small homes alike! Is there anything that stood out to you? 

Feel inspired by other small spaces in this archive. 

On a separate note - in honour of International Women's Day, I'll be sharing a feature in my instagram stories this evening which includes some of the Scandinavian women I truly admire in the design world. I hope they'll inspire you too! In the meantime, here's to all the strong woman out there - may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them. 

Wishing you a wonderful start to the week! 

Niki

Photography: Sarah / @detlaksefarvedehus - shared with kind permission

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A Danish Artist's Beautiful And Inspiring Copenhagen Home

God morgon! Oh, have I got a beautiful home tour for you today! Located in Østerbro, Copenhagen, the Danish home of Marie and Jacob is full of everything I love: sun light, mid-century pieces, Danish design, art, and a very handsome furry friend! Twenty-eight-year-old Marie works as an information security consultant and loves to paint in her spare time. Her paintings can be seen throughout the 100 square metre space - and are part of what gives their home a wonderful, unique and personal touch. The recently renovated space also features beautiful second-hand / vintage pieces as well as statement lighting and soft serene shades. Velkommen!  

An IKEA kitchen has been combined with a natural stone worktop from Zurface, giving it a luxurious finish. 

Marie and Jacob have made the most of a wide windowsill - turning it into a space to sit with a coffee, soak up the sunshine and watch the world go by. 

The chairs and table were picked up second-hand online and a Drop Chandelier from 101 Copenhagen hangs overhead. 

A painting by Marie takes pride of place in the sitting room - adding a wonderful element of colour. The seating is from the Sofa Company. 

I love how Marie and Jacob have made full use of the windows in every room. In the sitting, a Coventry chair and Arum table lamp* have been combined to create a perfect reading corner. 

In the spare room, the couple have capitalised on the natural light to make a home office. 

I love this rack (source a similar solid oak rail here*) - we could really do with this many hooks in our bathroom (there are always about 15 towels on the go - it drives me nuts!). I'm also itching to put up some art but Per is not happy about drilling into the tiles. What are your thoughts on this? Is it a bad idea? Or should we just go for it? 

How lovely! 

I especially appreciate how Marie and Jacob have added just the right amount of furniture to fit their needs and nothing more! It strikes that perfect balance - pared-back yet warm, something I talk about in my Lagom book.  

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

See more pictures of their lovely home - and keep up to date with Marie and Jacob's latest renovation projects over at @strandboulevardan.  

Shall we take a peek inside homes of a few other artists today? Here are a few I love: 

The cosy vintage inspired home of a Swedish artist

A relaxed Danish artist's cabin in Copenhagen

The charming creative home of a Polish artist

The lovely home of a Danish artist

Do you have a lot of art in your home? 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @strandboulevardan shared with kind permission.

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Danish Blues And Spring Pastels in a Danish living Area

Here in Southern Sweden, it's ice cold (minus 9 degrees Celsius - BRRRR!).  The sea has started to freeze and icicles cling to the rocks and swimming decks. On my walk yesterday evening I noticed how the world turned from dazzling white to pink and then an incredible blue as the sun went down over the frosty waters. A tone not unlike that seen in Maj Winther Træde's dining area and sitting room. In her sitting room Maj has painted the entire room pale blue and added a pale pink accent as well as touches of easter pastels such as yellow, lavender and turquoise. The theme is carried through to the dining area with one single statement shelving unit in dusty blue. Danish design pieces such as wishbone chairs, a panthella lamp and 7 series chair help to add an elegant vibe. A perfect spring oasis in the heart of a wintery Copenhagen! Welcome to Maj's world!   

In the dining area, Maj has combined an Eiremann 2 dining table from Please wait To Be Seated with classic wishbone chairs and a black and chrome chair. A shelving unit from Hay is used to display colourful glassware, vases and kitchen essentials. The rug is from IKEA. 

I wish I could tell you the tone of this blue, but Maj has mixed it herself. I am currently painting Liv's room blue (at her request!) and my one piece of advice, is to pick up as many different colour cards as possible. The colour you choose TOTALLY depends on the room. 

A pink Fritz Hansen 7 Series chair rests against the wall beside various prints including the Line by Hein Studio. The bench is from FDB Møbler (who've been hand crafting furniture in Denmark since 1942). 

How lovely - it makes me feel like spring is in the air, despite the snow outside! I hope you felt inspired by this dining area and sitting room too!

You can see more of Maj's wonderful world (including what she's wearing (pastels of course!), lifestyle shots and her latest interior projects) over at @majtraede. 

For more blue inspiration I love this stunning Norwegian home, the wonderful home of a Swedish food blogger and Sofie Amalie's danish home. 

And a little colour palette inspiration from a feature I wrote last year: True blue baby, 2020 loves you (still proud off that title!). 

Are you feeling the chill where you are too? If so, stay warm out there friends (or if you're Down Under - stay cool - I hear you have the opposite issue!). 

Klem!

Niki

Photography: Another Studio DK / @anotherstudio.dk (accept the 5th picture which was shot by Maj). Shared with kind permission. 

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