An Art-Filled Industrial Apartment in Gothenburg

Finally Friday. The sun is shining and Malmö is a cacophony of horns, whistles, pumping music and students cheering as they graduate from high school, sailor hats perched proudly on their heads with their names emblazoned across the front. Do you have a similar tradition in your country?

Meanwhile, inside this wonderful apartment in one of Linnéstaden's oldest buildings in Gothenburg, a rather different atmosphere prevails. Once an industrial premises, the space is a beautiful blend of raw character and relaxed style. Exposed brickwork, hefty timber beams, original doors and soaring three-metre ceilings provide the backdrop, while a curated gallery wall, vintage furniture and splashes of cobalt blue add warmth and personality.

I love how the owners have embraced the building's history rather than trying to hide it. The result is a home with soul and full of character, creativity and charm. Welcome inside!

Such an inspiring home, don't you think?

Personally, I loved the play with scale, from the low shelving topped with oversized, bold artwork to the floor-to-ceiling gallery wall, as well as all the remnants of the property's industrial past. Wonderful!

Was there anything that caught your eye?

I feel this is the perfect excuse to share a few more fabulous homes with an industrial touch (it's been a while!):

Industrial meets cosy rustic in a Swedish home
The fabulous industrial style atelier of a creative
An artist's home in a former factory

And in case you missed it, I also shared a local guide to Malmö by the sea earlier this week, ideal if you're looking for vacation inspiration!

Wishing you all an underbar weekend!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Alvhem, with thanks.

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Clever Small Space Solutions in a Cool Stockholm Apartment

This incredible apartment is for anyone living in small space, scratching their heads trying to figure out how on earthy they're going to fit everything in AND still achieve a minimalist aesthetic! Occupying a 19th century building overlooking Riddarfjärden, the easternmost bay of Lake Mälaren in central Stockholm, this 36 metre square (387 feet square) industrial style apartment is cool, funky, unique - and above all else practical. Trust the swedes! Scroll on down to get some ideas! 

In small living spaces using the full height of the room is key! These bespoke, built-in units make plenty of room for storage, and help to keep other areas free of clutter. 

Doubling up on space by adding a raised bed with storage underneath makes optimum use of every inch! At night, blackout blinds roll down from the ceiling creating a cosy zone and ensuring total darkness! 

Under-bed railing provides a perfect place for hanging clothes. 

To ensure a more minimalist look, group items and leaving plenty of 'blank space' around the display. 

Bespoke floor-to-ceiling pine shelving in the hallway paves the way for storage space and laundry, while a large mirror helps to visually enlarge the apartment and bounce light around. 

An internal window allows light to flow through to the windowless bathroom and let off some steam! 

I thought it would be interesting to share the floorplan too (courtesy of Historiska Hem) so you can clearly understand the footprint. It's in Swedish - säng = bed, kök = kitchen, rum = room, bad = bathroom.  

What do you think? Have you ever seen a space like this before? 

I absolutely love it! And would be half tempted to move in myself (it's for sale via Historiska Hem), not least for the views! How about you? 

More small space inspiration in this archive (if this pops up first, just scroll on past!). 

Have a great start to the week! 

Niki

PS come here looking for Scandinavian Christmas inspiration? Click here! Plus, I'm planning to share some beautiful ideas with you later on in the week! 

Photography courtesy of Historika Hem with thanks.

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San's Relaxed Hamburg Home With an Industrial Touch

Hejsan hoppsan! I loved reading all your comments on Liv's bedroom reveal post yesterday. I have to say, I'm so relieved many of you had the same terrible taste in 80's boy bands as me (except Morten Harket of course, that one still stands)! T

Today I wanted to stop by to share this lovely, relaxed home in Hamburg with you. In a normal world, Hamburg would be a mere 4.5 hours' drive from Southern Sweden, but it feels a world away right now (gaaaah, will this ever end?). Luckily, we have the internet - and lovely people like San Snova, who has invited us into her lovely, relaxed 56 sq metre apartment today. It's such a privilege to peek around others people's homes isn't it? San's flat is instantly recognisable thanks to its wonderful raw wall, fab kitchen tiles, plants, funky side tables and dramatically high ceiling. Enjoy the tour! 

I love these two coffee /side tables they add a cool edge to the room! Look closely at this picture and you'll also spot two of the biggest micro-trends right now: sculptured candles (this shell one is by Hebe) and 'wow' vases (the one on the desk is 'Kink' by Muuto*). 

Bang on trend colours in the bedroom I see: lavender bedlinen* combined with a beige bedspread - love that! Such a simple, yet lovely way to bring the latest spring trend into the home. 

See more of San's Hamburg home over at @sansnovazuhaus. 

It's been a while since we saw this 'raw' wall look - I'm a big fan as I think it adds contrast and a certain edginess. Are you a fan too? Before you decide, here are a couple of other homes with a similar look: 

A bohemian touch in a magnificent Berlin home

An edgy Berlin home full of contrast

It's half term here and things are getting kind of crazy around here! Time to take a little time out with my girls, I think! 

Wishing you a wonderful few days - see you Monday! 

Niki

Photography: San Snova - shared with kind permission

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A Charming Vintage-Industrial Inspired Home In Düsseldorf

Hejsan hoppsan! I hope you had a wonderful weekend? After a long couple of days working on the summer cottage kitchen I spent the evening looking out over the water towards Denmark to see if I could see the bonfires marking the summer solstice (any excuse for a glass of rosé by the sea! ha!). It's hard to imagine that it's going to get a little darker each day from now on - wah! But there's two things to feel happy about today a) we still have almost 24 hours of daylight and b) I discovered the most inspiring home on instagram yesterday which I had to share with you! This beautiful space belongs to Anne Peter, a graphic designer and food stylist based in Düsseldorf, Germany. Anne and her husband moved in over a year ago and have made their mark by creating the most stunning kitchen (check out the brick wall and beams!), designing their own lights and giving old furniture a whole new lease of life. Let's dive in! 

Black kitchens are huge right now. I'm a fan ever since seeing this one. Do you like the look too? In this space, the dilapidated brick work and old wood beams add character and offer a great contrast to the contemporary cabinets.  

Black scissor lamp*

Look closely and you'll see that two smaller tables have been used to create a larger table - a perfect solution when it can be so hard (and pricey!) to find a large vintage table - plus it creates a lovely relaxed vibe too! 

Loving the pop of pink in the sitting room - such a perfect shade too. I'll see if I can source the exact shade and report back! 

This swing arm sconce* is similar. 

Daybed from Sofa Company

This space has put a big smile on my face this morning. Has it brightened up your Monday morning too?

Take a peek at more pics of Anne's home over on instagram (@ammenmaerrchen). You might also like to check out a load of other beautiful Scandi-inspired German homes here. 

We're well into the school summer holidays here in Sweden and the crazies are tugging on my arm to go down to the sea for a swim, towels draped over their shoulders! 

As with every summer, I'll be posting Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until the end of July so I can spend some time with my family and soak up that much needed vitamin D! 

I hope you get the opportunity to kick back and enjoy a little sunshine with your family and friends too! 

See you Wednesday!

Niki

Photography: Anne Peters shared with kind permission
*Affiliate links

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Urban Pioneer: Interiors inspired by Industrial Design

I absolutely love receiving a new book in the post, don't you? The smell of the pages, the anticipation of settling down a little later with a coffee in hand. And today is one of those days. The new book Urban Pioneer: Interiors inspired by industrial design by Sara Emslie has just landed on my doormat. There's something about the rawness of large, spacious rooms and the rustic feel of ex-industrial spaces that is simply awe inspiring. And Sara's wonderful book is packed with industrial-design inspiration, beautiful images and styling tips from homes set in the most magnificent buildings including: a warehouse in London, a former dockworker canteen in Amsterdam and a converted feather factory in Brooklyn. Here's a sneak peek......

This is just a small example of some of the lovely spaces inside....

Now all I need is a conversion of my own. I've always quite fancied a windmill (or even a lighthouse!), how about you?

Sara is a stylist and writer based in London (actually not far from where I grew up). You may recognise the name from her best selling first book: Beautifully Small: Clever Ideas for Compact Spaces (which I reviewed here).

You can pick up a copy of Sara's new book through Amazon here or order one through local bookstore.
 
Have a lovely day!

PS there's a very exciting give-away right now here (would hate for you to miss out!).

Book Credits
Urban Pioneer by Sara Emslie (Ryland Peters & Small, £19.99) Photography by Benjamin Edwards © Ryland Peters & Small

Home-owner credits:  
Pg.12 – Next Door’s Space by Carin Scheve and Francesco Caramella (open-plan space with concrete support columns)

Pg.36 – The London home of Peter Win (dining table with wooden drinks cabinet)

Pg.6 – The home of Louise Miller, available to hire through www.millerstyle.co.uk (kitchen with wooden benches)

Pg.94 – The home of Thomas and Bibi de Haas (galley kitchen beneath a mezzanine)

Pg.62 – The residence and studio of Jennifer and Liam Maher (aka Energy Plan Creative) (book shelf & 2x mannequins)

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