Golden Light and Design Pieces in a Swedish Apartment

Well, well, well — another week has rolled around, and it’s really starting to feel like spring here (it’s amazing how 7°C can feel positively balmy!). With that comes the arrival of pastel colours in the shops, which is always my sign that the long winter is finally nearing its end. Yay!

This 100-square-metre (1000 square foot) turn-of-the-century apartment sits on the top floor of an Art Nouveau building, and while the living spaces are kept fairly calm and neutral, there’s a joyful burst of colour waiting in the bedroom. The 3.4-metre-high ceilings allow light to pour in, but what truly caught my eye was the mix of furniture and lighting – a beautiful blend of designer pieces and vintage finds, some perfectly in tune with the era of the architecture itself. And then there’s the balcony, dressed with a chintzy parasol and hues reminiscent of a glowing sunset.

Other details worth lingering over are the wood panelling (something I’m seriously considering for the cottage right now) and the soft green shade framing the kitchen window. I’d love to try something similar in our home in Malmö, but since it dates from 2001 and lacks period features, I think I’ll simply admire this modern touch from afar — at least for now. What do you say?

Spotted: Gubi semi-pendant, Flowerpot pendants, Rugvista rug. 

I spy: Flos Viscontea pendant light, Gubi floor lamp (we put this in one of our interior design project homes recently, and it looked so nice!), &tradition Little Petra chair. 

Love this vintage Cassina 675 Maralunga armchair designed by Vico Magistretti.

Possibly one of my favourite lamps right now: the green Snoopy (yes, it's inspired by the cartoon character)!

Big fan of this a-symmetric Gubi wall mirror and Lilla wall sconce. 

This vintage Italian Murano glass light is sooooo cool. Are you a fan too? 

I am not entirely sure where this parasol is from, but it reminds me a little of the vintage-style parasol designed by the Swede Maria Olsson Nylander for HK Living.

Imagine being greeted by that front door each day — quite an entrance!

I hope this Swedish apartment has given you a few ideas for your own home and that the links were helpful (even if we aren’t blessed with 3.5-metre-high ceilings!).

Were there any lamps or pieces of furniture you were particularly fond of? Perhaps you have a favourite piece at home? I’m often asked that in interviews, and I used to say this vintage trolley (remember it? Such a blast from the past!). These days, it’s my Plico armchair (even though I don’t get to sit in it very often, as it’s so popular with everyone in the family!).

Before I shoot off, perhaps you’d like to see a few more homes today?

How about a Danish family home with a warm golden touch and the home of a danish interior design consultant? 

In other news, do you remember the beautiful home of Jennie-Anne? I noticed that it has just been listed for sale. Quite the find! Maybe this is your cue to move to Sweden (or enjoy your summers here)?

Niki

Photography: Vova Sowsonov styling Clason Gahm, for Historiska Hem. 

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Autumn at the Cabin: Cosy Moments with a Danish Classic

Sponsored by Carl Hansen & Søn, thank you for supporting the brands who make My Scandinavian Home possible. 

This weekend we headed up to our cottage for a cosy autumn escape. It felt like the very last call of the season before the leaves give in to the wintery winds. Even with the cold coastal breeze whistling past, we felt really toasty thanks to our fire and warming bowls of soup!

While we were there, I finally had the pleasure of trying the Ole Wanscher OW149 Colonial Chair and OW149F Colonial footstool from Carl Hansen & Søn — and as someone who has a real soft spot for Danish design, this felt like such a treat. There’s something about Danish icons that gets me every time: the craftsmanship, the quiet elegance, the way they feel both deeply rooted in tradition and effortlessly modern.

Here’s a closer look, along with a few more snapshots from our weekend retreat.Autumn at our cabin is the final 

Designed in 1959, the Colonial Chair is a perfect example of Danish design. Made from hand-crafted wood with a cane seat, it’s incredibly refined yet surprisingly sturdy. The slender frame, the gentle rise and fall of the armrests, the rounded legs that subtly splay out for stability — all those thoughtful details that make Danish design so special are right there. 

It also comes with your choice of cushions which are available in fabric or leather (these are the Terra Leather in Marble by Norm Architects) - there are a load of variants to choose from - and you can even provide your own material!  

Sitting in it, you can really feel the balance Ole Wanscher was so known for: classic influences, modern simplicity, and a quality that truly lasts. No wonder Politiken once wrote that owning a Wanscher chair is “an adventure every day, even hundreds of years later.”

A perfect spot for a cosy autumn afternoon in the cabin!

It was such a lovely weekend up there. The next time we go, it will no doubt be wintertime (the temperatures have already plummeted to around 0 degrees Celsius (32 fahrenheit), and the cabin will take on an entirely different feel. Nothing that a fire, a warming bowl of soup, and an iconic Danish armchair can't fix!

You can read more about this iconic chair and footstool here, and other beautiful design items from Carl Hansen and Søn in the blog design archives. 

Have a happy Wednesday, wrap up well and stay warm if it's chilly where you are too! 

Niki

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Less Is More: A Malmö Apartment That Lets the Details Speak

An exciting new week lies ahead! It’ll be a short one for me as I’m off to London on Wednesday to visit my family — I can’t wait! In the meantime, the sun is shining here in Malmö, and I couldn’t resist sharing this beautiful apartment that’s just come on the market, not far from my studio.

With its high ceilings and large windows, it already has incredible bones, but what really captures my heart in this turn-of-the-century one-bedroom are the details. Read on to discover the little touches that make this home feel so special and full of character.

Note the string shelving on the kitchen wall — a true Swedish classic, and especially beloved in Malmö, since this is where the company is based and where architect Nils Strinning first designed the system back in 1949.

Unlike in some countries, windows in Swedish homes usually open outwards, which frees up the windowsill as a perfect display area — often decorated with plants, lamps (like this Senigallia one), and other small treasures.

Can you believe this orange chair? It feels like a piece of art while adding a bold pop of colour — and yet it’s from IKEA! The design is called SKOLBODA.

The incredible Louisiana Museum in Denmark is only about an hour from Malmö by train. If you’re in the area, it’s well worth a visit — and don’t forget to pick up a memento, like a beautiful print, to take home with you.

Just like me, the apartment owners seem to have a real passion for lighting — I love their choice of the iconic Snoopy lamp alongside a Bauhaus-inspired donut table and wall lamp.

Who needs a bedside table when you can just use a Marshall speaker? We have three in our house, so it's given me an idea! Note the curtains in front of the wardrobe - a simple and soft way to maintain a calm feel in the bedroom while also adding texture.

A bedroom that feels both practical and decorative — simple white chests of drawers and shelving provide plenty of storage while blending into the background, allowing treasured items to take centre stage. I especially like the electric guitar on its stand in the corner; it adds a personal, creative touch and hints at the owner’s love of music.

I love how this home isn’t afraid to mix designer pieces with high street finds — in the hallway, a vintage black-and-chrome Bauhaus chair sits perfectly beside classic IVAR storage from IKEA.

It’s no surprise that the owners of this apartment also have great taste in clothes — the suede loafers by the door are a clear clue, and very much this autumn’s must-have!

I hope you enjoyed the tour! I was struck by how the neutral backdrop — from the white floors to the beige walls — allows the carefully chosen pieces to stand out, showing that with fewer things, the items you do have can be appreciated even more.

I’ve shared my observations, but I’d love to hear yours too — what details caught your eye?

If you’re in the mood for more Scandinavian home inspiration today, why not take a peek at these other beautiful homes:

Take the tour of Malmö upholsterer Carina Grefmar 
A charming Copenhagen loft full of mid-century classics
A dreamy scandi-inspired beach house

Have an 'underbart' start to the week!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Bo-laget, with thanks.

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Scandinavian Design Icons: CH07 Shell Chair

Sponsored by Carl Hansen & Søn, with thanks

One of the things I appreciate most about good Scandinavian design, is the dedication to making furniture that is both practical and aesthetic. Combine this with high quality natural materials and a timeless appeal and you have a masterpiece on your hands that can be loved for generations to come. 

Danish furniture designer Hans J.Wegner was one of the distinguished designers of all, and helped to put Danish design on the world map. His work is widely recognised for its organic functionality and with items such as the Wishbone chair, CH25 Lounge Chair and Elbow Chair part of his portfolio, it's little wonder he's known as the 'King of Chairs'! 

Today I'd like to pay homage to one of his finest designs: the iconic CH07 Shell Chair. 

The three-legged chair was designed in 1963, but despite positive reviews for it's avante-garde look and feel, it was only when Carl Hansen & Søn reintroduced the Shell Chair in 1998 that the general public appreciated its distinct expression. Twenty-five years on it's one of the most well-loved, iconic chairs of our time!  

The Shell chair is instantly recognised by it's wing-like seat and curved backrest which is supported by three arched legs. Its testimony to Wegner's mission to ensure a chair should be beautiful from every angle. 

The chair has been around for sixty years, and to celebrate the occasion Carl Hansen & Søn have launched this 60th anniversary edition of the Shell Chair in rosewood and oak (with the option of adding seat cushions) - available until December 31st 2023. A small brass plate with Hans J.Wegner's signature can be seen back making it a true collector's item! 

Imagine having a piece like this in your home? I've certainly loved looking after this masterpiece in our sitting room these past few days (sadly it's only on loan!). 

It looks mighty fine beside some of my favourite smaller items which include a vase by my dear artist friend Jennifer Idrizi in nearby Lund and two darling figurines by local Malmö artist Simon Vendin - the latter of whom keep a good eye on things when we're not home! 

I hope you enjoyed reading about the magnificent CH07 Shell Chair! If you're curious, read more about it over at Carl Hansen & Søn.

I have had the great privilege of capturing quite a few iconic danish design pieces in my home over the past few years - here are some of my favourites: 

Wishbone chairs in my dining room

The Plico chair in our cabin sitting room

The Windsor chair in our cabin dining room

Do you have a favourite item of furniture that you dream of owning one day? If so, do tell us more below! 

I hope you have a 'trevlig helg' (lovely weekend)! See you Monday!

Niki

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