A Christmassy Swedish Home / Rune's cosy Norwegian home

NOTE Did you come here looking for Rune's Christmassy Norwegian Home? If so - you can find it here! Sorry for the link error in my newsletter! 

Today I'm taking you on a journey to Vendelsö in the suburbs of Stockholm - and the lovely, warm home of interior stylist and set designer Elin Wallin. Long-time readers might recognise glimpses of this living space from a post I shared back in 2018. Since then, Elin, her live-in partner, and daughters Indra (13) and Edda (9) have continued to make this lovely, light and airy open-plan living space their home. 

Think warm brown tones, beautiful dark wood and pretty Christmas decorations as well as some clever room makeovers, vintage up cycling and amazing IKEA hacks - all of which have helped to transform the house into a home. 

The cabinet is a clever IKEA Hack. Elin picked up the Pax cupboard on Facebook marketplace and added the wood corner pieces before painting all the wood in the same tone. A simple twist which makes all the difference! Plus, it was no doubt a bargain to buy! 

I love the pink paper Christmas flower too! 

There's nothing like a roaring fire in wintertime, right?

Beside the fire is yet another IKEA second hand bargain - which Elin bought two for the price of one. They were already 'hacked' when she bought them (someone has stuck vertical strips of wood to the front and then painted the entire unit) for a designer look! Clever. 

Recently Elin replaced the coffee table for a marble one that she picked up second hand. But not without a DIY makeover of course! 

Before

After

It's quite incredible what you can do with someone else's cast offs,  a little vision and some great craftsmanship, don't you think? 

Walk-in-wardrobe before 

I recognise this scene from my own home not long ago (feel so much better now that I have a proper grown-up wardrobe!). Elin took matters into her own hands in her house too - and scoured online second hand sites for Nordli storage from IKEA - before piecing together the different units, lightly sanding them down and painting the same colour (Strand by Alcro). 

The result:

Is it even the same room? What a transformation - and all bought for a song too! 

In the master bedroom, Elin has placed a Fan Shaped rattan headboard against wallpaper from Sandberg and a pretty Table Tropez light. 

Simply lovely - and so inspiring too. Is anyone else dying to get their hands on a second hand IKEA piece now? I might just go on marketplace and see what I can find! 

See more of Elin's home and follow her instagram for all her latest projects. 

Would you like to see a few other ikea hacks today? 

5 Clever IKEA hacks to steal from a Danish home

A Swedish home with a clever ikea hack and small pink bedroom!

Our little cabin kitchen with an ikea hack

Come here for some Scandi Christmas inspiration? There are lots of lovely ideas in the Christmas archive (if this post pops up first just scroll past!). 

Wishing you all a great day! I'll be back on Friday with aa glimpse into the kitchen and dining area of our cabin with 'Jul' touches, hopefully see you then!

Niki

Photography: Elin Wallin, shared with kind permission

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A Calm and Earthy Danish Home with a Warm, Golden Touch

Tjena! How are you today? I'm a little bleary eyed from my work trip to Norway - it was only three days, but it felt like a week, I've been left with so many amazing impressions and my heart is full from all the lovely, smiley, friendly people I met. I've shared a few stories in my instagram highlights if you'd like to see more. ANYHOOO, on with today's tour! Kamilla Heick is a designer, visual merchandiser and a mother living in a house from the 1930s in Denmark. The lovely family home has been decorated in serene, earthy tones. Sheer curtains slip in soft, filtered light into the rooms, casting a warm glow on the mix of iconic Danish design and antiques. 

Look closely and you'll also notice 'curated groups' of items. This is a clever styling trickled in many Scandinavian home and involves grouping items in a display like way and then leaving an empty space before the next group of items. This helps to give a room an airy, pared back vibe, while still creating interest with items you love. Ready to take a peek? 

Lovely home! 

I'm sure many of you appreciated the messier touch in the sitting room! Real life happening right there. Honestly, you should see the state of my home today having come back after three days away. Total chaos!

Dud you notice the shelving in the sitting room? It's the same as the Elfa storage system I installed in Allie's room. It looks lovely in Kamilla's home!  

I also love the way curtains help to add softness and texture to the rooms - beautiful! 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

You can see more of Kamilla's Danish home and learn about some of the details here. 

If you have a little time this morning, why not delve through the danish home archive - so inspiring! 

Have a great start to the week! 

Niki

Photography: Kamilla Heick, shared with kind permission

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The Beautiful, Earthy Home of Swedish Illustrator Sara Bergman

Tjeeena! I hope you had a 'underbart' weekend! I seem to have come into my studio bursting with energy, extremely unusual for a Monday morning. But I think it could have something to do with the home tour I have lined up for you - it's so beautiful! Swedish illustrator Sara Bergman and her family have set up home in the picturesque village of Brunnby, not far from where my parents-in-law live here in Skåne county. Her beautiful home is testament to Sara's creativity. Look beyond the soothing earthy tones and you'll find one-off pieces, treasured items made by artist friends, beautiful pottery and layer upon layer of texture. Oh, and keep a look out for the well camouflaged TV and dozing family dog Kerstin (what would a Monday morning be without the latter?). 

Such a beautiful cabinet and cushions - but the star of the show has to be that marble bowl. I believe it's by Olsson & Jensen, but sadly couldn't find it available online. Let me know if you have more luck! 

Sara's home is full of beautiful sculptures. The one above is by Stockholm-based Elisabeth Ottebring. Sara also loves pieces by her talented friend Carola Kastman - and I have to say, I'm so excited to have discovered her art through Sara! If you have the time, check out her paintings and sculptures here. 

Can we all just take a moment's pause to admire this bedroom door?

The photo above Sara's desk is by Anna Malmberg, who recently packed up her Stockholm apartment and  moved to the South of France. 

What a beautiful way, in a perfectly imperfect way. I love how Sara has supported other local artists throughout her home. 

Is there anything that stood out to you?

Head on over to Sara's instagram to see a load more pictures from her home today. 

The entire Kullahalvön area (where Brunnby is located) is popular among artists and other creatives - it's also one of the few places in southern Sweden you can surf! I've featured several homes from the area, including: 

The home of Josephine Ekelund (which we also captured for my book The Scandinavian Home).

The unique and fabulous home of Maria Olsson Nylander 

And the fresh white home of Jenny Hultgren

I hope all this inspiration has put a spring indoor step!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Sara Bergman

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The Beautiful, Earthy Home of a Swedish Florist

This über cool early 20th century Malmö apartment popped up in my feed yesterday via real estate agent Bo-laget - and I've been wondering who lives there ever since. And now, I think I might just have figured it out, super sleuth that I am! Remember this cosy vintage-inspired apartment of a Malmö Florist? Well, since then Sofie has been busy turning this beautiful apartment in the Rörsjöstaden area of town into her new  home. At least, I think so, as many of the fabulous pieces of furniture, lighting fixtures and art photography remain the same. I'm a big fan of Sofie's unique style which oozes texture and a warm earthy touch - you should see the bouquets and floral displays she creates! Ready to see what she's done with this 122 m2 (1313 f2) apartment? 

I love this mix of open and closed storage. One of my Danish friends Caroline Birk Bahrenscheer has developed beautiful shelving for mugs which has totally taken off and would also look nice here. 

I'm so curious about this table and bench, I've never seen this design before. Can anyone shed any light on the brand? Or perhaps it's handmade? Maybe, I'll reach out to Sofie and ask her - I promise to come back to you if I find out! 

I love the casual look of the gallery wall and piled books - it adds a wonderfully relaxed feel to the dining space (dining rooms can feel so stiff and formal sometimes, don't you think?). 

You often see old brass candlestick holders like these in Swedish homes! I have one from Skultuna which has aged really nicely. But I can also recommend looking on Etsy for similar sets*. 

Textures galore!

If I had an old home like this, I'd definitely consider painting the doors, skirting boards and arbitraging in a dramatic colour, I think it looks awesome and adds so much drama and interest to a space. Are you a fan of this look too? 

How lovely! It's fun to see a space with such eclectic furniture. Sofie has clearly taken their time to search for unique pieces. 

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

I really do hope it is her home now, or I'll be so embarrassed! 

Take a peek inside other Malmö homes here - I'm so proud to live in such a creative city.

On a completely separate note, have you seen The Father with Olivia Coleman and Anthony Hopkins? Per and I went to see it at my favourite Art Deco cinema on Friday (i's called 'Spegeln' and has armchairs and a little bar in the actual saloon!). For the first half of the film, I sat mesmerised by the set - the apartment was just so beautifully decorated, and I was fascinated by how the decor played a central role in the storyline. 

The entire film was incredibly moving, and really struck a chord with me as my own beloved Father passed away a month ago after a year-long battle with brain cancer (Glioblastoma Multiforme GBM). This is the first time I've mentioned it here, I guess I just haven't really been ready to talk about it before. I have to say, it's been heart-breaking seeing someone so close and with such a brilliant mind - so clever, funny and kind, slowly decline. I do take some comfort that he is at peace now, even so I miss him every single day. In honour of my dad, this is probably the only time I'll mention it - he hated a fuss and loved to keep things upbeat, I think that's why he was such a huge fan of my blog and all my books! He's always been my number one fan! 

My heart goes out to anyone of you currently dealing with someone with ill health in your family or who have also suffered a loss. I hope this blog brings a little bubble of escape to you each day!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Bo-laget with thanks.

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