Snapshots From A Charming Swedish Family Home

Hallå! It's been an early start for Per and I today as we needed to come up to the cottage to take some measurements for the kitchen renovation. It feels like the rest of Sweden are still asleep after yesterday's Valborg celebrations (more about this at the end of yesterday's post)! Perhaps we should all tread lightly in today's home tour, just in case?! The pretty home belongs to Emma Johansson, a freelance writer and photographer and the creative behind @whatdecoratesmyday, her sambo (live in partner) and two young children. Located in central Stockholm, the living space is a beautiful mix of vintage classics, antiques and contemporary items - and plants and flowers are never far away. Välkommen in!

A Söderhamn sofa from IKEA has been covered in a Bemz loose fit white linen cover for a relaxed touch. I know many panic at the thought of a white cover with children around, but the beauty of removable covers is that they can just be thrown in the wash. I bet that fluffy brown rug feels so cosy under foot too, don't you?! 

Love the climbing plant, it really adds to the space (see my guide here) -mind you with those windows to play with..... 

I wish I had a bigger picture of Emma's room as it looks so pretty! But just from this snapshot you can at least get an idea of the details - which include a Natalia rattan headboard, little antique side table  (customised with a concrete surface) and a cosy dark grey wall. 

The children's room is equally charming - from the vintage cast iron bed* and moroccan carpet (this is a great source*) to the wallpaper (by Hanna Wendelbo) and little alcove. How I would have loved this room as a child, how about you?!

Although these are all slightly more 'pulled-in' images, I hope you can still get a sense of the beauty of Emma's home - and get some ideas for your own home! 

If you'd like to see a little more, it's worth checking out Emma's lovely instagram and blog. 

Right (*slaps thighs*), I'd better get on with that kitchen measuring - in the meantime, I'll love you and leave you with these beautiful homes:

The boho home and atelier of a Swedish artist and florist

A charming Gothenburg Home with a Hint of English Style

A vintage style Swedish home full of soul

Oh so lovely, don't you think?

Ha det så fint!

Niki

Photography: Emma Johansson

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Where Raw and Refined Meet In The Middle - Danish Style

In the interior world you hear a lot about people choosing to renovate rather than relocate. Not this sassy lady. I've featured both of Julie Wittrup Pladsbjerg's past homes (here and here) - and last summer she upped sticks again and moved to a new gaff fifty metres down the road. Located in the Danish city of Aalborg, the move was down to her passion for her business Another Studio - a creative content and product development business which she co-founded with Mikkel Dahlstrøm. The apartment features towering ceilings, period features and original parquet flooring. Combine this with her fab, eclectic style, love of vintage classics, plants, books and art and it's hard not to do a twirl in delight (like one happy, little girl in these pictures AKA Julie's daughter Vanilla!).

J39 chair

Art by Rikke Jacobsen and Line Højmann (among others!)

Formakami pendant light

Art by Line Højmann, shelve02 white left, camel velvet pillow / cushion*

How fabulous! 

There's something special about following Julie's style updates over the years, her new apartment feels distinctly grown up, albeit with a touch of that edginess that we so love!

Do you find this home inspiring too?

If you'd like to see more pictures of Julie's apartment hop on over to instagram.

Have a dejlige day!

Niki

Photography: Julie Wittrup Pladsbjerg, shared with kind permission

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The Eclectic Home of a Danish Treasure Hunter

 

It's Friday friends, FriYAY!! Woooop! Any fun plans for the weekend? I for one, am looking forward to kicking off with a lie-in, it's been one looong old week. Thankfully, just as I was fading (fast), this pretty Danish apartment popped up and filled me with energy. The bright, playful home belongs to Luna Signe Hørdum Nielsen  - a writer, project manager, concept developer, founder of Moro Moro studio and one of Denmark's rising stars of the interior world (Luna is currently nominated for the esteemed Bolig magazine's stylist of the year award). I chatted with Luna to find out more about her beautiful, eclectic home in Copenhagen and new business initiative. 

Who do you live with?
I live with my boyfriend Jeppe, who is an IT engineer and sound nerd!

Saint ceiling light* (love these!), Fritz Hansen Egg chair*


How old is your apartment and where is it located? 
We live in a beautiful old apartment dating back to 1902 in the old Østerbro district of Copenhagen, near to nature and the water.

Can you tell us a little more about the layout?
It's 95 square metres (1022 square feet) and divided into six rooms: a kitchen, dining room, living room, office, bedroom and small bathroom. The apartment has high classical panels, stucco and rosettes, herringbone wood floors and three metre high ceilings.

Gubi TS coffee table

Wow - what a find! How did you acquire it?
It's Jeppe's grandparent's old apartment which Jeppe has renovated so the old decor and smell of smoke has gone - but the original details are still intact!

I love the energetic feel of your apartment - can you describe your approach to the interior?

The style of our home is really mixed. I blend colours, warm materials and crazy travel treasures with Nordic design, heirlooms,  flea market curiosities, gold from the trash, classic furniture, modern design and budget-friendly items.

Portrait of Hanne Wilhelm Hansen by Vilhelm Lundstrøm, Cat by Any Warhol,  Hay masks, the wall is painted in colour code NCS S 6020-B.

As a collector, how do you make sure the space doesn't become cluttered?

I have gathered items for many years, and occasionally I have to sell stuff so that Jeppe doesn't get tired of me!

 Luna made the art above the bed herself using circular mirrors and blue and purple paint to create a "space / heaven / sky kind of feeling." 

Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration in shapes, colours and materials as well as moods, people, crooked details, art and poetry. It's not important whether or not it all fits together. For me, it's important that my home inspires me, feels cosy, tells stories and hold memories.  

 Tell us more about Moro Moro Studio

It's a new Copenhagen-based creative studio specialising in vintage design, interior details and local crafts which have been hand-picked from around the globe. We also represent contemporary international designers and are always seeking new collaborations.

Aaaah, I SO enjoyed chatting to Luna and noseying around her beautiful living space . Isn't it inspiring?!

I can't wait for Moro Moro Studio to open, I'll be there with bells on!

So friends, that's it from me this week! if you'd like to see a few more pics from Luna's apartment over the weekend, check out her instagram - and for more Danish homes - try this archive (one of my favourites!!). 

I hope your weekend sparkles (there is no angry way to say 'bubbles' after all!). 

See you Monday!

Niki

Photograhy: Luna Signe Hørdum Nielsen with kind permission

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An Eclectic 19th Century Swedish House

Jennie Moraeus, Jon and their children Olle (5) and Esther (3) moved into their dream house in Örnskoldsvik (try pronouncing that!) on Sweden's North West Baltic coast six years ago. Over time, they've painstakingly renovated 'Elfvinggården' to transform it into the warm and inviting family home is is today. But acquiring the 1850 house wasn't without it's pitfalls. It was a chance meeting on a cross-country ski track that led them to obtaining the keys! I caught up with Jennie to hear more about the move, her love for DIY and how the family restored the space on a tight budget to become the beautiful home it is today. 

How did you find the house?

"Actually, the house was in an area we weren't very interested in, but we met the estate agent out on a cross-country ski track and she told us we must come and look at a house that was coming out on the market a few days later. When we were at the viewing I mostly went around swearing!! We put in a bid way under the asking price (but the maximum we could afford), never expecting to get it. So when the estate agent called to say it was ours, we simply couldn't believe it! The seller chose us over the higher bidder!

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William Morris Pimpernel wallpaper

Did you have a strong vision of how you wanted to decorate it?

After the bidding, we went on honeymoon and I lay on a sun lounger dreaming about the house. Built in the 1850, it was full of light and felt cosy and welcoming even though the rooms were large. When we arrived home we got the keys which was one of the happiest days of my life!

Print by LisaLov, Beni Ourain rug*,  Amelia sofa, Octopus candleholder*

What kind of improvements have you made?

Over the last six years, we've made a series of small and bigger changes. We've mostly carried them out ourselves, with a little help from our parents - and always on a low budget. We didn't actually plan this in advance - it was more that we were careful to ensure each project cost as little as possible. Often you don't need to do re-do everything to make a big change, colour is a great way to transform a room!

How would you describe your style?

I have quite a varied style: a little vintage, a little bohemian, nordic, art deco - all in a crazy, eclectic mix! I still think that the aesthetic is fairly swedish: it's quite common to mix new and second hand pieces to create a cosy living space. 

The wallpaper in Jennie's bedroom was a flea-market find. Etsy is a great source for vintage wallpaper. 

I note from your Elfvinggården blog and instagram that you're a bit of a dab hand at DIY, have you always been creative?

I love DIY! We have loads of furniture such as armchairs and sofas which I've pimped up with the help of new legs. I'm always collecting old pieces even if they're in need of restoring. I feel it's in my blood as my grandmother was also a collector - I believe everything can be given a new lease of life!

Molntuss wallpaper, floor painted in Bright Calais by Nordsjö

What do you love the most about your home?

It's difficult to put my finger on it, I love so many things about it! That it's old, the handblown glass windows, the big light-filled stairway that allows space for my beloved carpenter's bench, the mature garden  - everything works together to give the house a wonderful feel!

What's next on your list of projects?
Right now we're building a chicken coop (we were hoping to have it ready in time for summer but never mind!). We're also dreaming about building a terrace and greenhouse!

And finally, do you have any favourite Swedish blogs you can recommend?

I wish I had more time to read blogs, but Krickelin, Elsa Billgren and Mokkasin are some of my favourites! 

Loving this hallway floor, it's so striking and relatively easy to create!

Thank you so much for inviting us into your lovely home Jennie!

For more pictures check-out Jennie's inspiring Elfvinggården blog and instagram where she documents her latest home improvements.

Is anyone else dreaming about a similar renovation project - or simple acquiring one of these incredible 19th century Swedish manor houses? Imagine!

Just in case - you might also like to take a peek at this 19th century house on Gotland, an old Swedish house with an outdoor oasis and a beautiful home in Malmö. 

Have a lovely day! 

Niki

PS We're still in holiday mode here in Sweden (currently on the stunning Danish island of Anholt in the middle of the Kattegatt sea) - I hope you don't mind that I will continue to blog every other day during the holidays in order to spend a little more time with the man and our crazies!I hope you're enjoying some down time too!

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