A Beautiful Swedish Country Wedding / Party Villa With A Hint Of Old School Glamour

I love to dream up business ideas, do you? One that pops up fairly frequently with friends (but will likely never come to fruition!) is planning weddings /gatherings in Sweden for people who dream of holding their nuptials here but not sure where to start. This discussion usually crops up after one of us has been to yet another incredible wedding. We're not talking the lavish, no holds barred, types of gatherings, we're referring to understated, relaxed, romantic affairs - something the Scandinavians do so well! Earlier in the spring I had the pleasure of attending an event organised by Sandberg & Friends at beautiful Villa Strömförs in Svenjunga, Västra Götaland County, Western Sweden. The moment I walked through the door I was mesmerised by the old school glamour and love that had gone into every single detail. From high ceilings, incredible period features to earthy, muted tones and intricate wallpaper (by the likes of Sandberg & Friends among others), this, I decided, would have a firm place on our wedding venue / party list! 

When the Ståhl family first discovered Villa Strömsfors it was love at first sight. The pair set about restoring the space working to emphasise the incredible bones and pay homage to the original structure built in 1909. Today, every single room in the house boasts different patterns and textures, and all nine bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms are entirely unique.  

"We have listened to the playfulness of the house and made every detail important."

Isn't it beautiful?! 

Oh, and I forgot to mention the sauna / spa area too. 

Could you imagine staying here? If so, Villa Strömsförs is available for all kinds of events including weddings, conferences, and dinner parties. More info here. 

Thank you so much for inviting me Sandberg & Friends! 

Have a wonderful weekend all, I'm looking forward to catching up with you again on Monday!  

Niki

PS Per, the girls and I had an early start this morning and are currently sailing to the island of Öland in the Baltic.  Feeling very excited as haven't been there for years. Tips welcome! 

Note the images in this post were taken from a selection on the Villa Strömförs site / IG feed. A few have been taken by the owners while others have been taken by photographer guests such as Katrin Bååth and Mats Lind. 

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Could You Imagine Living In This Dreamy Swedish Home?

Why, hello there! I'm tearing about preparing for a trip to Norway (my heart land!) this afternoon. But I couldn't leave without sharing this beautiful home with you first! Located in an iconic turn-of-the-century wooden house in Haga, Gothenburg, the light-filled living space is blessed with towering stucco ceilings, 'mirror' doors, and original wood floors. Look closely and there are also subtle colours and textures at play. Soft grey walls contrast with fresh white ceilings. Jute and linen rugs add muted, rich tones and wood furniture helps to add texture and warmth. Look out for greenery at every turn, from climbing plants and a small tree to the most fabulous botanical wallpaper. What a treat! 

Pernille Bülow glass SKY lamps are similar (as seen in my dining room!), jute runner* 

Four potted ivy plants have been trained to climb the window (see more 'climber' inspiration here!) and lilac from the garden makes a perfect, lightly scented centre-piece. 

The living room is made up of a blend of furniture from antique and rustic to mid-century and contemporary pieces, giving it a personal and relaxed vibe.

The Nelson Saucer pendant lamp* is similar, wooden bench*

The Grand Prix* chair is similar, pick up a vintage Le Klint scissor lamp here*

William Norris Pimpernel wallpaper

Do you think it comes with all the furniture? If so, I'm moving in! 

Could you imagine living here too?! 

Remember this other Haga apartment in a secret courtyard I shared a few months back? I'm still dreaming about it, are you?! 

Right, *slaps lap with both hands* I'd better get packing. I'm soooo excited. If all goes well, this time tomorrow I'll be hiking the Hardanger fjord fruit trail which inspired the fragrance behind the Skandinavisk Fjord collection. I'll also be chatting to the perfumer along the way (I've never met a perfumer before!).  If you're curious, you're so welcome to follow along on instagram stories (I'll also create a blog post once I'm back in case you're looking for travel tips!). 

Despite my (more) Northern location, I'll still be posting as usual, so please do stop by tomorrow! 

Have a fabulous start to the week vänner! 

Niki

Photography: Anders Bergstedt styling Nouvel Interior for Entrance. 

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10 Ways To Transform a Room With A Single Painting!

I love reading your comments - it adds so much to the post and more often than not someone will point out something I haven't noticed and I'll look a the home tour from a new perspective. Yesterday,  for example, someone pointed out that there was no art on the walls - and it was in no means meant as a negative - more an observation that a home without art can also be interesting.  So today, I thought I would go to the opposite extreme and take a look at how a single painting can transform a space. When I was writing my first book, Modern Pastoral, the photographer James Gardiner and I captured a beautiful home in the Hudson Valley designed by Jersey Ice-cream Company. One of the things I noticed about the work of Tara Mangini & Percy Bright is how they apply art (mainly portraits, but also landscapes and still life) to bring the look together. Here are ten fine examples:

I found this fascinating, how about you?

Did you have a favourite?

It has totally spurred me on to look out for more original art for my walls. These are often good sources: 

Flea markets

Charity shops

Etsy*

Ebay

Do you have any other suggestions on where to source original portrait paintings? Perhaps some wonderful, modern artists?

I'm going to need to be careful though - there was a painting in my childhood home of my great, great, great grandfather who was an Admiral. My Mother used to have to cover it up with a sheet at night because my sisters and I were so afraid of it! There was something about the way his eyes followed you around the room. Did you have any paintings like that in your home? 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Jersey Ice-cream Company  / some credited to Beth Kirby

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A Dutch Family Settle In A Charming House in the Forests of Värmland, Sweden

Some days I spend hours looking for homes - other days they simply pop up in my inbox (hooray!). Today is one of those lucky days. Photographer Chantal Bruienne-Buil emailed me these beautiful images of her home in Sunne, Värmland. Originally from The Netherlands, Chantal and her husband and their daughter emigrated to Sweden 14 months ago in pursuit of a quieter life surrounded by nature ("one of the best decisions ever").  After a period of time in Småland, the Dutch family were drawn to this early 20th century house in the middle of a forest in central-west Sweden. I caught up with Chantal to find out more about their move, transforming their house into a home and the inspiration behind their online print / poster shop Loveprinted.

What attracted you to the house?

While house hunting, we saw this 1909 build and felt immediately smitten by it. It's in the middle of a big forest with all the freedom and peace and quiet we were dreaming of. The perfect place for my husband, our five-year-old daughter and I! So of course, we put in a bid and the house was ours one week later!

Source similar vintage pendant lights on Etsy*, Stokke chair (green)*, Kitchen aid*

How did you turn the house into your home?

Never before has a house felt like home so quickly. I immediately knew what our home should look like. So, making decisions wasn't difficult at all. We love white and wood and natural colours you find in nature so we used these plus a touch of gold. Decorating our home has been a real treat and I love how it all turned out. It really suits our lifestyle. 

This moss green linen throw* is similar, Forget me not print, Reflection print

Tell us about your choice of wallpaper

I've been wanting to use lovely William Morris & Co. and Engblad & Co wallpapers for ages and now we had the perfect home for it. The funny thing was that we took down a wall in the living room and were surprised to find layers and layers of very old wallpaper and even some bits of newspaper dating back to 1912! 

What inspires your work as a photographer?

As a real nature lover, I like to be outdoors: to grill over an open fire, enjoy long walks with my family and capture the Swedish countryside on my camera. I wanted to share this - I mean if it makes me happy surely it must make other people happy as well, right?! That was why I started Loveprinted, an online poster webshop where we sell our nature photography and graphical prints. It's a place where I combine my passion for photography, graphic design and interior design.  

Moonphase print

Lagom print

Thank you so much to Chantal for sharing your lovely home with us! 

See more pictures of her lovely home on @movingslowly.se and @loveprinted

I'm really enjoying seeing wallpaper pop up more and more in Swedish homes (check out this archive  for a load of Scandinavian homes featuring beautiful wallpaper!). Could you imagine using wallpaper like this in your home?

Ha det så fint!

Niki

Photography by Chantal Bruienne-Buil (with a little colour re-touch by me!)

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The Beautiful 1920s House of a Swedish Creative

Is it just me, or is the week moving at an alarming rate? If you feel like taking a breather with me, come and enjoy this beautiful Gothenburg home for a moment! It belongs to Swedish graphic designer, artist and photographer Cecilia Hedin (see her former home here), sambo (meaning 'live-in partner') Johan, their baby Björn and dog Bertil. Built in the 1920s, every room has been painted in a different colour - from a deep, luxurious green to soft blues and warm greige and they've also made use of some fabulous wallpaper, and yet there's a wonderful flow to the space. Cecilia's friends Alice Johansson and Johanna Bradford paid a visit and snapped these lovely pics. Välkommen in!

Kitchen cabinets painted in NORDSJÖ simplicity greige and wall panels in the same shade by 40% lighter. 

A circular table and series of Mogensen J39 chairs are surrounded by geraniums for a wonderful 'winter garden' feel! 

This is the kind of 'snug' you can imagine the family spending the lion's share of their time in. I love the classic Jetson chair and indoor climber. And that rustic wood wall adds so much character to the space too, don't you think?!

Sitting room painted in Farrow & Ball Oval Room Blue

This Blackthorne wallpaper by William Morris is so pretty!

Bannisters painted in Farrow & Ball Estate Eggshell

Source vintage botanical prints like these here*.

This lovely desk area reminds me a lot of the home office in their former apartment. The walls have been decorated in luxurious yet calm Chicken Coop by Alcro. Source a vintage architect's desk like this one here*. 

Björn's room has been partly decorated in Jimmy Cricket Woodland wallpaper in charcoal.

So fun with the vintage gymnastics equipment (source similar here*), don't you think?! Although not vintage, my daughter has a set of wooden gymnastics rings in her room and she absolutely loves them - she even gets ready for bed hanging upside down (you can imagine how long that takes *rolls eyes*!)! Rattan lounge chair from Tine K Home.

If I was merely considering adding more colour to my home before, I'm fully committed after seeing these pictures. It's also amazing how much the right wallpaper can transform a room too - Björn's room is just lovely!

Are you tempted to add more colour / wallpaper to your home too?

If you love Cecilia's home you'll also love her online shop where she sells her photography, art and badges (the latter of which remind me a little of our time in the Lake District, England as a child - my sister had a ton of badges showing all the fells she'd conquered - me, not so many!).  

Other inspiring Swedish homes with plenty of colour and pattern include Johanna Bradford's former home, an eclectic 19th century Swedish house and snapshots from Ida's vintage-inspired home in Dalarna. Oh and there's actually an entire archive dedicated to 'decorating with wallpaper' too! 

Do you have a favourite wallpaper?

Ha så bra! 

Niki

Photography: Alice Johansson. Styling: Johanna Bradford. 

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