A Serene Dark Interior With A Wonderful Air of Mystique

It was a while since I showed a home with darker tones - and I forgot just how cosy they can be. Plus this one has a real air of mystique. The incredible project is the work of Ukraine-based interior designer Olga Fradina and belongs to fashion designer Katya Bakhira.  Located in Kiev, the space has been designed using deep, rich tones of grey and blue as well as an abundance of natural materials in order to create a perfect sanctuary - and somewhere Katya can switch off, mediate and sip tea. Welcome to the dark side, I think you're going to enjoy it! 

How wonderful! 

It's incredible how it seems to envelope you in cosiness and serenity in equal measure, don't you think?

Could you imagine going over to the dark side in your home? 

Before you decide, here are a few more homes with a similar vibe: 

Converted stables with a dramatic palette in Norway

A sophisticated Swedish home in dark shades

A beautiful and dramatic Malmö home

I'd love to hear your thoughts! 

Niki

Photography: Yevhenii Avramenko - found via The Design Chaser with thanks

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A Cosy Malmö Home In Rich, Earthy Tones

This lovely Swedish home reminds me of the beautiful words by Leonard Koren: "Pare down to the essence, but don't remove the poetry." Located on St Knuts Torg, a relaxed, 'mysig' (cosy) and hip square in Malmö, Hannah Ingelsten has taken a minimalist approach to her apartment, furnishing it with only items she needs and loves. Think vintage furniture, handmade stoneware and layers of natural textures against a backdrop of rich, chocolate tones. Granted these are snapshots rather than full room shots, I hope you can still get an idea of Hannah's cosy haven on a cold Southern Sweden day. Välkommen in!

Hannah has kitted out the kitchen with IKEA cabinets and sink, spruced up with traditional brass fittings. 

Patterned linen gives the dining table a lift in the open-plan living space. This striped tablecloth from Lovely Linen (who are offering 20% off with code myscandinavianhome until 21st march, 2021!) is similar - and this striped one* is also pretty. 

We all know TV inspiration can be few and far between on MSH (sorry!) - so I'm excited to include this snapshot of Hannah's - which rests on wall mounted shelves. I particularly love how an old dough bowl has been used to store extra cushions (this rustic handcrafted one is beautiful!) underneath. 

In the living room area, an IKEA Karlstad sofa with stocksund legs has been dressed in a Panama cotton cover in Sage Brown* from Bemz. 

The bedroom wall has been painted in ecological 'Granite Stone' from Byggfabriken - such a cosy shade! A single print: 'Reading' By Fine Little Day* has been hung on the wall beside a dry floral wreath, 

The pretty 'frilly' bedding is from online Swedish store Ellos. 

A simple hanging clothes rail* has been installed in lieu of a wardrobe, while a smaller vintage cupboard houses more clothes. 

So cosy, don't you think?

Such a perfect home tour for a cold, overcast day in Malmö! 

You can see more snapshots of Hannah's home here: @Hannah.vivere. 

I'm busy preparing for a photoshoot in my kitchen this afternoon. It takes a little extra work as my kids were obviously in a hurry when they left for school this morning. There's breakfast stuff everywhere *rolls eyes*! If only it looked like this set-up in Hannah's home, I'd be all ready to go:

Sadly, it looks nothing like this! 

Those plates! Beautiful! 

Right, better get on, there's lots of work to be done. 

Wishing you all a lovely, cosy day!

Niki

All photographs by Hannah Ingelsten, except the portrait which is by Amelia Barklid

*this post contains affiliate links

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Could You Be The Next Owner of This Idyllic Swedish Country Estate?

Rumour has it this summer every single Swedish summer cottage was sold - even little shacks surrounded by forest in the middle of nowhere that have been on the market for years. During the pandemic it seems, Swedes have fallen even more in love with the idea of somewhere to escape and koppla av (relax) surrounded by nature nearer to home. The latest house to come on the market is this idyllic estate in the fairy tale region of Sörmland, South west of Stockholm. It's owned by landscape architect and interior designer Kristina Dexter and her husband Karl, a carpenter (who's former home I featured here).

The turn-of-the-century property is made up of a farmhouse, large party barn, carpentry workshop and guesthouse surrounded by orchards, vegetable patches and flower gardens making it perfect as a year-round residence, or somewhere for extended families to gather in summertime. 

Oh, and did I mention the main house has been renovated to perfection? Yep, Kristina and Karl have worked hard to maintain many of the original details and recreate the typical character and charm of the house while adding their signature deep blue accents and wallpaper! 

Could you be the next owner?

Beautiful!

And at the time of going to press, it's still on the market! I wonder who'll be the lucky person to snap it up? If it's you, can I come to your first barn party?! 

You can find more details about the property here. 

Looking to recreate Scandinavian country home style at home? Here are a few other homes I love: 

A rundown house becomes a fairytale home

A Magical Norwegian cottage with a wabi sabi vibe

Before & After: dingy house becomes a charming farmhouse

Ha en bra dag!

Niki

Photography: Kristina Dexner

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A Soothing Swedish Home In Shades of Green and Grey

Updated:

Hej there vänner! I have to admit, I hit a bit of January bump on Saturday and felt so fed up with the relentless grey, cold, dark days (cue very grumpy wife and Mum!). And then - just when we needed it most, the sun came out and we were treated to a diamond of a day - PHEW! Spirits revived and feeling like I can do these winter months after all, I thought I'd kick off the week with a beautiful Swedish home. Formerly owned by Lovisa Kvist, it went on the market a few months back and was, understandably, snapped up within a matter of days (you've got to be quick over here!). Lovisa and her partner have furnished the home with some beautiful design pieces against a soothing backdrop of green, grey and the palest of pinks. Ready for the tour?  

Formakami pendant lamp*

Vertigo pendant lamp*, Pedrera coffee table*, source a similar rug here*

Bentwood and cane rocking chair*

William Morris Pimpernel wallpaper, IKEA Stockholm bench

This cane harbour bed* is similar. I've never seen this lamp before and am curious to know whether it's a DIY hack with a mosquito net? If so - what a fabulous idea!! Now that I've written this, I really hope it's not an eye-wateringly expensive designer lamp or I'll have caused major offence - eeeek! Please do chip in in the comment section if you know anything about it! 

Update: I received a lovely message from owner Lovisa who confirmed that she did indeed make this lamp using a mosquito net. In fact, she used two for extra fluffiness - which she bought from IKEA along with the pendant lamp inside. The bedroom wall has been painted in Thyme from Jotun. 

 Large shell pot*

So beautiful! 

I love the bathroom, it has a touch of old school glamour. My guess is that the curtain hides a washing machine - clever solution, don't you think? In the UK people tend to have their washing machines in the kitchen but in Sweden they are either housed in a communal area known as a 'tvättstuga' which you sign up to use each week, or people put them in their bathrooms. How's it done in your country?

Did you spot the cheeky picture in the bathroom, too?! 

Here are a few other tours which I think will help get your week off to a great start:

If you move to Gothenburg, you could live like this! 

A monochrome Swedish home where creativity shines through

The cosy vintage-inspired home of a Swedish artist

Ha det fint! 

Niki

Photography: Alen Cordic, Styling Emma Fischer. Sold through Bjurfors

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