An Inspiring Studio Flat - And Shrove Tuesday Celebrations, Swedish style!

Big shout out to all of you who live in a one room studio. This Gothenburg apartment is for you! The studio flat occupies one room of an old apartment building - and has been designed to incorporate everything one might need - a mini cloakroom, a practical yet drool worthy kitchen (handcrafted by Taras Hallgren & Son), a dining area, sitting room and semi-private bedroom with lots of storage and a dressing area! What a perfect pied-à-terre! Keep a look out for the telly too - a rare find on My Scandinavian home simply because photographers and stylists like to hide them from view. But in this home, it takes pride of place - and can be watched from the dining area and sofa. All it needs is a 360-degree swivel and you could watch it from bed too! But really, my eyes are still on the kitchen - I love the dark green cabinets in combination with the stone. Vackert! 

How cute is that little side table in the last image. I wonder where it's from. Any idea? 

Is there anything that stood out to you about this lovely little space? 

Curious to see how it looked before? Click here (thanks anon in comments!). Which look do you prefer?

There's a load more small spaces to feel inspired by in this archive. 

Here in the Brantmark household today I can hear Liv leaping around in her bedroom doing an online PE class. Meanwhile, outside the world is blanketed in snow - and there'll no doubt be a little sledging action later. No ice action on the frozen sea though - especially after seeing this film of a guy ice-skating in Holland!! How crazy is that?

And of course, we'll be tucking into 'semlor' - dreamy buns packed with marzipan and whipped cream and Sweden's answer to 'Fättisdagen' (literally translated to 'Fat Tuesday', better known around the world as Shrove Tuesday. Recipe here! And a fine example below, captured by Malin Poppy Darcy Mörner:

Will you be enjoying one of these today? Or perhaps pancakes? If the latter - what filling? In need of some inspiration! 

Wishing you all a lovely day, stay warm, stay safe!

Niki

Photographs: Anders Bergstedt

Styling: Nouvel Interior

For: Entrance

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A Swedish Home In Soothing Shades of Blue and Green

Why hello there! We have a mid-week situation going on today and with that, I figured we could take a little break from Christmas decorations and focus on some vackert (beautiful) Swedish design. Up for that? If so, come and take a peek at this stunning Stockholm apartment. The living space is a lesson in earthy, blue, green and emerald jewel-like tones. Study the pictures carefully and you'll also spot ideas for a relaxed kitchen island, vertical bookshelves, how to arrange a small living room area, a 3D gallery wall, vignette styling and much, much more! Swedish photographer Jonas Ingerstedt was there to capture it...

Since the apartment has a dining room (which is fairly common in these turn-of-the-century Swedish homes), a raised breakfast bar in the kitchen serves as a spot to catch a quick bite to eat or simply sit and chat to the chef! The marble top transforms the simple bar (a great hack if you have an IKEA island) - and the mix and match stools help to give the kitchen a lovely, relaxed vibe. 

Many of us have rooms with multiple doors (in our landing we have no less than 5 doors plus a stairwell - gah!) - which can make furniture arranging really tricky. In the sitting room of this flat the two doors opposite each other creates a corridor that needs to be kept obstacles free. The owners have used rounded furniture, arranged in a compact, yet cosy way to carve out a lovely social area. 

A vertical bookshelf makes use of a corner (see - 11 ways to make use of an awkward corner). 

Notice how the owner has used the same tone of marble in the sitting room and kitchen, creating a 'rödtråd' (red thread) and connecting the rooms (see - 8 ways to create cohesion in your home, Danish style for more ideas). 

I love the vignette on the side table - made up of unique pieces such as art, an a-symmetric table lamp, ceramics, books and vases.  

The dining room doubles up as a formal dining setting and study. Stacks of coffee table books lay ready to be browsed, while a 3D gallery wall adds interest to the space. 

The bedroom has been painted in a soothing green - a colour symbolising nature and as sense of tranquillity.  Researchers have also found green can improve reading ability - something to think about if you're a bit of bookworm (or trying to get your children to read more!). 

Love the Series 7 chair by Arne Jacobsen as a home office piece! It's a favourite of mine, except I love the leather version. 

Such a lovely, calm apartment. 

I particularly love the green and blue tones and the art photography. Is there anything that stood out to you?

Are you ready for a little more festive inspiration tomorrow? Pop back to take a peek at the latest Christmas decorations from Georg Jensen (I particularly love the candleholders in Helen's little tree!). In the meantime, there's plenty of Scandinavian Jul inspiration in this archive.  

Happy lillördag (little Saturday). 

Niki

Photography: Jonas Ingerstedt, shared with kind permission. Found via Nordic Design with thanks.

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The Incredible Earthy Green Home of a Swedish Interior Designer

A few years ago I was at our summer cottage when I stumbled across a beautiful photo shoot on the beach. Feeling intrigued (OK, nosey!) I strolled over to find out more. It was the work of Swedish interior designer Sofie Izard Høyer. We've been messaging each other back and forth over the years and I was excited to discover she's recently completed the renovation of her Gothenburg home. As with everything Sofie turns her hand to, it looks incredible! Located in Vasa in the heart of Sweden's second largest city, Sofie lives with her two daughters Mira (14) and Siri (11) surrounded by a wonderful blend of old and new, against an earthy green backdrop. Welcome to their world!

Sofie on furniture: 

"I love to blend old with new and am completely crazy about Danish design, which could be due to my half Danish heritage. 

On colour:

"I love green, the colour of nature! I've used different shades of green from Jotun Lady throughout my apartment as well as a touch of grey. In the open-plan sitting room and dining room, I've used Organic Green. We don't have a TV here, instead we like to hang out, play games, read, and sit and chat for hours. In my bedroom I've applied Green Leaf. In the kitchen I opted for Vallmofrö - which I also applied to the dresser to create a greater sense of calm. In the children's room I went for a lighter Minty Breeze."

On materials:

"I love natural materials with lots of texture such as untreated leather, wood, oxidized brass etc. It's important to me that furniture is sustainable and beautifully made so that it stands the test of time."

On bedrooms: 
"In my daughters' room (below) we didn't want to make it so dark because they often spend time in there during the daytime. In my own bedroom (above), I decided to go for a slightly darker green as I love to lie on my bed and listen to podcasts or audio books by candlelight." 

On decorating: 

"When decorating, I think it's very important to unite the building, furniture and people who live there in order to create a sense of harmony."   

On the future: 

"I love out apartment, but one day, I dream about building and decorating my own house - I love the sea and would love to live near the water." 

****

What a beautiful home. A sense of calm oozes from the pictures, don't you think? I love the idea of the three girls hanging out, reading, playing games and chatting! 

Is there anything that stood out to you about Sofie's home? 

Oh, and that beach shot I was telling you about? I managed to find it in her portfolio....

The evening really was as magical as it looks :)

For more of Sofie's work, check out her instagram and website - where you can also find out information about her interior design work. 

Looking for a little more inspiration today?  I love these homes from deep within the My Scandinavian Home archive: 

A cool Swedish home with inspiring touches (that shoe display!!)

A beautiful Gotland home in shades of grey

A danish island summer oasis

Small side note: We're now in the Gothenburg archipelagos, winding our way up through the islands by boat. I brought my camera so I can hopefully put together a guide once I'm home - everyone should visit this part of the world at least once! 

See you Friday friends1 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Sofie Izard Høyer, shared with kind permission. 

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Feel Inspired By A Beautiful Stockholm Family Home

On Monday I featured the beautifully calm Stockholm home of Emilie and Fredrik Carmén. And I also promised to share their new home. So vänner (friends), here it is! The family moved to one of Södermalm's oldest houses which was built in 1640 by a bar tender by the name of Hans Marschalk. It's fair to say the bones of this Stockholm pad are incredible: staggeringly high ceilings, eye-catching grid windows, ornate panelling and an original parquet wood floor (I can almost hear that wonderful creak as you walk across it!). The family have opted for a calm, earthy green-grey-beige palette (Almond beige by Jotun) - which they've applied throughout the home with the exception of one of the children's rooms. I have been musing over whether she / he point blank refused! Blue it is then! Industrial Blue to be precise :) Pull up a chair, pour yourself a coffee and enjoy the tour!  

Table from Hay, chairs by Asplund. 

A shaggy rug sets the scene for a cosy sitting room complete with a Normann Copenhagen circus pouf and IKEA sofa (it's the same deep, Söderhalm one I have!). 

The fabulous Monkey Lamp* by Seletti looking cheeky in the corner!

This organic light grey linen bed set* is similar.  

I love the Industrial Blue in the children's room above (with the IKEA desk and storage units painted to match), especially with the pink-brown tones in the chair (from Ikea believe it or not!) and rug. My Allie has the same 'apple apple' print in her room and tells him all her secrets. Apparently, he's a very good listener - despite the small ears! 

All in all, a wonderful, elegant home, don't you think?

Oh, to have bones like that to play with.

Is there anything that stood out to you about Fredrik and Emilie's home?

It's a hive of activity in my own home today since we're leaving for the cottage today - and guests are taking over tomorrow. #SOMUCHTODO! Gaaaaah! I'd better go and help poor Per! It will be so nice once we finally arrive and can put our feet up a little. I hope you've got some nice plans for the weekend too!

Due to the school summer holidays, I'll be winding down the blog a little to three days a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) until August. I promise to make the posts I do create EVEN MORE inspiring! 

Trevlig helg! 

Niki

Photography: Jonas Gustavsson 

Styling: Charlotte Frey Svidén

Shared with kind permission

*This post contains affiliate links

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A Beautiful Stockholm Pad In Calming Green and Grey Tones

Why, hello there! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I'm not sure what's happened to the Swedish summer - it seems to have disappeared!! We've all retreated from the bathing platforms back into our homes and spending summer holiday days (it's not unusual to take up to 4 weeks off and 'staycate' here) cooking, reading and meeting friends for a 'fika' (coffee and a cake) - which, thinking about it, doesn't sound so bad! Some of my friends have actually shut down their summer cottages for the week and reappeared in the city. In honour of the occasion, I thought it would be nice to share a beautiful, calm turn-of-the-century Stockholm apartment with you! Located a stone's throw from Mariatorget ('Maria Square') in the relaxed Södermalm district, Emilie and Fredrik Camén have decorated their living space in calming, earthy tones of green and grey. I particularly love the kitchen, it may be small, but it makes up for it in style and ceiling height! Enjoy the tour! 

 

What a difference the William Morris wallpaper makes in the hallway! I love the way it matches the kitchen cabinets.

Is there anything that stands out to you about this home?

Incidentally, the word on the street is that Emilie and Fredrick have since moved - and their new place has also been captured by Jonas Gustavsson and Charlotte Frey Svidén. I can't wait to share their new home with you next week - keep your eyes peeled! 

In the meantime, do you fancy taking a nose around a few other Stockholm homes today? 

Get the look from a the fab home of a design hunter

7 small space tricks to learn from a beautiful Stockholm space

The fabulous Stockholm home of Lovisa Hager

Wishing you a great start to the week! Hope you're having better weather than us! 

Niki

Photography: Jonas Gustavsson

Styling: Charlotte Frey Svidén

Shared with kind permission. 

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Cool Colour Ideas From The Home Of A Swedish Set Designer

Hump day (nope, still not used to that term!), calls for something that little extra special, don't you think? After all, we still have two whole days until the weekend and need something to dream about! Today 'special' comes in the form of the wonderful world of Swedish interior stylist and set designer Emma Wallmén. Emma, her fiancé Magnus and their two children Alba and Edith live in an apartment in Kärrtorp, Stockholm. I love the uniqueness of their home - from funky design chairs, cool lamps and handmade features to the fab use of colour. Think pink, green and sand hues applied to walls, curtains, furniture radiators and bed headboards. Not only does the colour create a wonderful thread throughout the home, it also helps to create an entirely personal living space! Welcome to Emma's world! 

I haven't seen kitchen cabinets like these before, have you? The cabinet fronts and drawers are from Pickyliving (who make cool designer fronts for IKEA kitchens) - and Emma has applied valchromat to the fronts and worktop. 

Check out the radiator which has been painted in Card Room Green by Farrow & Ball to match the bedroom. Such a lovely idea! 

A kitchen nook is always a good idea in a small space, don't you think? 

Emma has added a Flos Parentesi Suspension lamp* and a simple set of IKEA shelves to the corner of the kitchen - which is perfect for small, pretty items that deserve to be on display! 

The sitting room walls have been painted in Cashmere by Jotun. But the real showstopper is the fabulous Etcetera armchair by Jan Ekselius. Incredible piece! I've got a feeling Alba and Edith fight over who gets to sit there (my girls certainly would!). 

The bedroom wall and (hand built) shelving has been painted in soothing Card Room Green by Farrow & Ball while some has also been left in plain wood to emphasise the 'sleep zone'.  

Wow, I'm feeling so inspired by this home - especially the use of colour and all the different lamps (look closely and you'll spot so many in all different shapes and sizes!). 

Was there anything in particular that stood out to you about Emma's home?

Take a peek at more corners over at @emmawallmen.

If you love pink and green you might also like a retro 'funks' home in Norway, pink and green accents in a beautiful Swedish home and an idyllic Swedish cottage with an awesome pink caravan! 

Ha det fin! 

Niki

Photography: Emma Wallmén

This post contains a few affiliate links which are marked with *

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