An Inspiring Pastel-infused Finnish apartment

Hands up everyone out there who loves dash of colour in the home. This pastel-infused post is for you! In her instagram profile, Finnish interior designer Emila K described herself as someone who 'loves colours, vintage and good breakfasts'. Her feed is a sea of pictures of her fabulously funky wardrobe and her apartment in Tampere - Finland's second largest city. Think shades of cotton candy, sherbet, lavender and baby blue, as well as on trend curves and playful pattern. Nauti kiertueesta (enjoy the tour)!

This has really brightened up my mid-week, I hope it has put a spring in your step today too! 

Check out more pictures from Emilia's Finnish home here. 

Why not pull up an Artek chair (like the one in the picture above) and check out these Finnish homes: 

Kati's rustic log house in Iitti

Step inside Maiju's charming house in Vaasa, Finland

Ilkka's charming rural retreat

What are your go-to colours at home? Are there some shades you would never use? I'd love to hear!

Niki

Credits: lead picture by @mariaputaansuu, remaining pictures by @emiliakokko_

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A Bright and Airy Southern Sweden Home (With The World's Cutest Puppy!)

From a rustic railway carriage in Norfolk, England yesterday to a bright and airy Swedish home today - My Scandinavian Home is full of surprises and that's just the way I like it! I hope you enjoy the daily surprises! I discovered Swedish digital creator Kajsa Svensson on instagram a while ago - and have been meaning to share some snapshots from her lovely home in southern Sweden ever since. Expect large open plan rooms, pops of pastel, gallery walls, vintage furniture and cuteness overload. Ready to take a peek?

And wait for it. The cuteness overload I promised: Svea as a puppy!

Altogether now....

...awwwwww!

There's something wonderful about this home - it feels so welcoming and relaxed. 

I hope it's given you some ideas for your own home too! 

See more of Kajsa's home over at @kajsasven.

And for other Swedish home inspiration - pour yourself a coffee, find a cosy spot and delve into this archive. 

I've got a big photoshoot at my studio today - it's something I've been working on for a while and I'm slightly nervous but also very excited! I can't wait to share more soon! You may have noticed, I recently stopped posting on Fridays BUT I'm stopping by tomorrow as I'm super keen to share more of Helen's charming 19th century Swedish cottage with you. See you then!

Niki

Photography: Kajsa Svensson, shared with kind permission. 

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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. 

*Affiliate links

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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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Danica's Delightful Danish Home In Cotton Candy Shades

New York Fashion week 2020 was a sea of dreamy pastels - a trend quickly adopted by the Danes. Actually, who am I kidding, the Danes have been rocking pastels for years! If there's one thing I've learned living so near the danish border, it's that the Danes are the ones to watch! One of my latest Instagram follows is the lovely Danica Chloe. Danica lives in a 98 m2 (1054 f2) apartment in the Amager district of Copenhagen with her husband, a paramedic, and their two young children Sylvester and Nola. Danica loves to experiment with cotton candy shades including pistachio green, orange sorbet, baby blue and lavender - both in her home and her choice of clothes - giving a sense that spring is just around the corner. Keep an eye out for quirky, on-trend details too! 

Spot the TV? The Samsung Frame never fails to disappoint -  I love the art Danica has found for hers - found on Etsy*! I had no idea Etsy was such a great source for Samsung The Frame art*, did you? Also seen on the wall are pieces from Paper Collective, Sorte Negle, Little Detroit* and Arthus Studio. 

The Muuto stacked shelves system* have become a real classic - I've had a set in my own home for years, although I wish I'd also gone for the ix of white and wood! 

An array of colourful glasses from Karen's Bord and a Hay candle add a pop of pastel in the kitchen.

The handcrafted dining table is from DAYLY and the twirly candles are from HAY (you can easily make these yourself too - check out the simple twisted candle hack I shared last week!). 

A fan from Sakura Copenhagen has been displayed under Swedish string shelves, lined with pretty pastel ornaments. The bed is made with linen from Juna Design. 

Danica also shares a load of style and beauty inspiration on her instagram and blog - and even the occasional trip (not right now though, of course) as well as recipes. I love her style - it involves her signature pastels, over-sized pieces, quirky accessories and lots of layering! 

Sylvester and Nola sleep in a funky bunkbed by danish brand FLEXA. 

My friend Sarah's going to cry when she sees this picture - which includes not one but TWO rattan wardrobes from IKEA - now out of stock with a rapidly increasing secondhand value on eBay! Gaaah! 

Just as I was writing, the sun came out for the first time in days - and I suddenly feel like spring really is just around the corner. Hurray! 

Time to add a few pastels to the home? 

See more pics of Danica's wonderful home and her fab daily outfits over at @danicachloedk and on her blog. 

Shall we take a peek at a few other pastel-inspired homes today? Why not! 

Trend alert: how to rock the pastels

A delightful Swedish family home in a former schoolhouse

A pastel-infused Danish home

By the way - thank you so much for all your tips yesterday about buying / installing / tuning a piano - so helpful! Happy you loved the home tour as much as I did too! 

Wishing you all a lovely day!

Niki

Photography @danicachloedk - shared with kind permission

*affiliated links, which means I might make a tiny amount of money (at no cost to you) if you click on the link and buy something. 

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