A Charming Swedish Home Full of Pattern and Plants!

Fancy a trip to the North of Sweden today? Actually, the East coast city of Sundsvall is only halfway up the country (it's one EXTREMELY long land mass!) - but living in the South, it feels a long way North - so wrap up, we're in for a long ride! Johanna and Aron used to live in an apartment, but when their dream house came on the market, they jumped at the chance to move in with their children Elsi and Jack and poodle Louie (look out for him in the snapshots below, he's so handsome!). The previous owners had done a wonderful job of renovating the property, which allowed Johanna and Aron to focus on the fun part - like "choosing wallpaper and adding colour, pattern and plants!" The pair are extremely passionate about furnishing their home with secondhand pieces "that have a history" - which, in my experience, is key to creating a beautiful, interesting and personal home! Välkommen in! 

I can't believe it's September already! Eeek! This is just the type of climbing plant I was talking about in yesterday's home tour. Plants like these, combined with fresh flowers and cushions with botanical motifs (like this William Morris one) will help to feel the transition into Autumn and winter less severe (especially if you're a summer babe like I am!).

Johanna and Aron have created a BEAUTIFUL conservatory using rattan furniture and an abundance of cushions and plants -  giving a feeling of being outdoors! Imagine how cosy this space is on a sunny Autumn day, or all lit by candles in the evening?! 

This leather pouf* and jute rug* are similar. 

Johanna has chosen two different William Morris wallpapers for her bedroom and the guest room.  

I'm a big fan of the glass cabinet - look out for my post over the next couple of days and you'll see why! The one in this bedroom (could it be from IKEA?) serves as a great place to store creative kit which is way to pretty to hide away.

What a lovely, relaxed home!

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

I think all the plants add such a great feel! Some say you can never have too many plants  - just look at the home of Caroline Reichel, Hilton Carter, and the Arctic Gardener!

Are you a big fan of greenery too?

See more of Johanna and Aron's home over at her inspiring instagram feed @kvarteret_krukan.

Thank you for joining me on our armchair trip to Sundsvall today - I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did! I hope one day, we can all visit in person, I think I'd feel right at home here. 

Niki

Photography: @kvarteret_krukan

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A Beautiful Swedish Home With Touches of Sunny Yellow (& Soft Pinks and Browns)

Following on from yesterday's post about how to maximise your outdoor space - I thought this lovely Swedish home in Gothenburg might serve as perfect inspiration for how to bring the sunshine in - even on a rainy day! The colour: yellow! It might be obvious, but it's amazing what a lift the sunny yellow cushions and flowers give to the entire living space, don't you think? The golden tone works beautifully with earthy browns, pinks and cream too. So, why not pull up a chair, put your feet up and stay a while - there are lots more details to love too! 

Lovely!!

Do you have the colour yellow in your home? 

Thinking my home needs some daffodils! 

The tones in the bedroom look very like the ones I've used in mine! I'm thinking they've used the same wall colour (Blushing Peach by Jotun Lady) - one of my favourite tones of all time, it looks equally pretty morning, noon and night. 

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

By the way - I've got such a lovely home tour lined up for tomorrow's post - it's full of warm pools of sunlight, a cat would be in his element! Don't forget to pop back to take a peek! 

Sending sunshine and a stor kram (big hug) your way! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Alvhem (found via Style Files with thanks). 

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A Soothing Swedish family Home With the World's Cutest Kitten!

How are you all doing? Ups and downs? I hear you. But hopefully I have something that can really lift all our spirits! Pull up a chair, put your feet up and stay for a while, this Swedish home will have you dreaming about calm spaces and fairy-tale children's bedrooms. Oh, and it even includes a cute dog and fluffy kitten for good measure! Welcome to the home of Anna-Maria Blomqvist. Anna-Maria lives in the pretty town of Sigtuna, just North of Stockholm. It's a lively little place known for its traditional wooden houses and having the oldest main street in Sweden. Anna-Maria, her partner and their children live in an old croft house which they've lovingly restored into a family home. The house is a sea of earthy greys, deep blues and forest greens, reflecting the lake and forests of the surroundings. Look out for the pretty wallpaper too! 

Since moving to Sweden, a blanket on the sofa has become an essential item (we actual have several these days otherwise there are actual fights!). This chunky knit* one sold online is similar. 

The family hound has found a perfect spot to snooze beside a Josef Davidssons wood burning stove. Oh, to be him today! 

Love this dining setting. But, gaaah, I've seen this star pendant light so many times and can't for the life of me remember the name - can anyone help? It would be great to provide the details.  Also, can I get a slice of that cake, please?

This seems to be the week for vintage glass cabinets (did you see the one in yesterday's Finnish home tour?) - beautiful! I love this one in the children's bedroom too, how about you?

The wall has been finished with Kalkitir chalk paint from Iceland. We painted one of our kitchen walls with this recently. It arrives in powder form and you mix it with water. It's surprisingly easy to apply, organic and gives a beautiful texture. Home DIY project perhaps? If there's enough interest, I might be able to organise a discount. Give me a shout if you're interested!

The wonderful Graylag goose mobile is designed in Sweden by Wonderforest Co. 

What a cosy bed, made even prettier by the Boråstapeter Nocturne wallpaper and bed canopy. And the best news of all for parents - with a bed like this, the children will have no need to turn the sofa into a den! Hallelujah!  

 And finally.....

Because who doesn't feel joy from a picture of the world's fluffiest kitten? Isn't she a Darling? Wonder what she thinks of the flying goose mobile?! 

I spotted this last picture in Anna-Maria's Instagram feed. Not only does it show a glimpse of Sigtuna's pretty Main Street, it also gave me a chance to tell you about a Swedish easter tradition you might not know about! 

On Skärtorsdagan (Maundy Thursday) children across Sweden dress up as påskkäringor (Easter hags) wearing brightly coloured head scarves and faces painted with rosy cheeks and freckles - as seen above! They then wander from door to door asking for sweets. I was so taken aback when I opened the door my first Easter in sweden. They look as cute as a button, but still, being British I was a bit baffled and not terribly well stocked up on godis (sweets)! It's one of the main signs that Swedish Påsk (easter) predates Christianity. It was said that on Maundy Thursday, witches flew to consort with the devil at Mount Blåkulla (a tiny island off Sweden's east coast), some swedes (particularly in the western part of the country) light bonfires to ward off the evil spirits - although these days more so on April 30th (Walpurgis Night). 

Do you have unusual Easter / spring holiday traditions in your country? If so, I'd love to hear about them! 

Back to the home tour. Is there anything in particular that stood out to you? I love the wood burning stove! It's a really beautiful one and adds so much warmth to the home. 

Check out more snapshots from Anna-Maria's home over on her instagram @annamaria.blomqvist.  

Other homes I love with a similar vibe include Anna Kubel's beautiful abode, the soothing Swedish home of Frida Andersson and a charming home on Sweden's West coast.  

I hope this lovely tour (and sharing the unusual Swedish Easter traditions!) has given you a little respite today! Do share your thoughts in the comment section below, I'd love to hear from you!

Niki

Photography: Anna-Maria Blomqvist

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Then And Now: An Iconic Swedish Home Six Years On!

One of the beauties of blogging over time (it's been eight years and counting!) - is that some homes pop up over and over again, each time revealing either drastic transformations or small tweaks. This is the third time this instantly recognisable Gothenburg maisonette has popped up in six years, and I'm happy to see it falls under the latter camp. Former owners Catarina Skoglund, husband Robert and daughter Stella left their mark with exposed brickwork, William Morris Wallpaper and fabulous tiles (among many other fabulous details) which I first featured here. They then sold it in 2016.  The new owners have made their own small mark while maintaining many of the original details that allow the architecture to shine.  Can you spot them? 

I don't know why but I've always felt this house has an English air to it - could it be the narrower rooms, or perhaps the wallpaper? Either way, it always makes me feel really nostalgic! 

How fabulous is this black radiator? I love that they've made a statement out of it. 

Those blue stairs! A bold move that completely paid off. Would you dare to paint your stairs in a different shade? 

I love seeing the contrasting walls, it gives the home a lovely relaxed vibe. Look out for more and more contrast in living spaces throughout 2020! 

I couldn't think of a more lovely spot to sit and work! Although the cane daybed would always be calling me...

It looks like a mid-century piece which has been given a new lease of life with new legs (potentially?) and a striped linen mattress cover (find similar linen here*). Please do give me a shout in the comment section below if you know anything more about this daybed - I'm curious! 

Spotted after several hours looking at the pictures: the pipe in the corner has been disguised using a tube wrapped in the same wallpaper as the wall behind.

I love how the floor is more of a grey tone than white. I've done something similar in my bedroom using 'strong white' by Farrow & Ball which is actually a very pale grey (beats me why they gave it such a misleading name!).

What a beautiful home. I loved in 2014 and I love it now. 

I can't wait to see what the next owners do, can you?  

It's for sale here - just saying!

Shall we take a look at a few more homes with William Morris wallpaper and textiles? Here are a few of my favourites: 

A cosy boho swedish family home

Old meets new in a charming swedish apartment

An eclectic 19th century Swedish house

A thoughtfully curated Dutch home (love this!)

A Warm and inviting Danish home with beautiful textiles

Oh, and curious to see what Catarina did with her next home? Check out her free-spirited family home on a Swedish island, it's so beautiful! 

Talk about free spirit. Can I let you in on a secret? I haven't made it into the studio yet. In fact, I'm not even dressed. Talk about breaking every rule in the 'how to successfully work for yourself' book. I have two say though, it feels great!  

Have a fabulous start to the week friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Kvarteret Mäkleri - and found via Coco Lapine with thanks! 

*Affiliate links which means I might make a tiny amount of money if you click on the link and buy the item. 

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3 Beautiful Christmas Decorations You Can Make From Wallpaper!

If you've wallpapered your home in the last few years, the chances are, you'll have a few rolls left over - and its way too pretty to waste! Swedish photographer and stylist Malin Mörner (@poppyloveyou) and her daughter created these wonderful Christmas decorations using wallpaper from Boråstapeter. Think bunting, paper chains, and beautiful baubles that can be hung in the window or the branches of your Christmas tree! No wallpaper at home? Pick up some from Boråstapeter, vintage rolls*, or use heavyweight patterned paper instead! 

Bunting and paper chains

To make the bunting, gather wallpaper (Malin has used in Bloom 7203, Northern Stripes 6852, Graceful Stories 7274 and Northern stripes 6854 from Boråstapeter) scissors, string, paper, glue and clothes pegs - and then follow the step by step instructions here (in English!). 

For the paper chains you'll need wallpaper (as above), scissors, a stapler or sticky tape. The instructions can be found here. 

Paper baubles:

The kit required to make these baubles includes: wallpaper (these ones have been made using Thistle 7203, Harvest Stripe 6854, Rosenvinge 4501 and Dusk Green 7981 from Boråstapeter), wire, a hole punch, wire cutters, round-nose pliers, wooden beads, jute twine and scissors. Once gathered, hop over here to follow the step by step instructions (in English!).  

Aren't these pretty?!

I actually have a few rolls of wallpaper knocking about at home and might give these a whirl! Could be fun to do with the girls! 

Could you imagine making these?

See more pretty Christmas inspiration from Malin Mörner over on her instagram here - and check out the complete Boråstapeter wallpaper collection here. 

FYI this is not sponsored in anyway, I just loved the idea and thought you might feel inspired by it too! 

If you're in the mood for crafting, there are a load more Christmas decoration ideas here! 

Niki

Photography Malin Mörner for Boråstapeter

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