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Introducing 3 New Columns on MSH In 2021!


The year is finally coming to a close. I'd love to say that it has flown by - but er, nope, it hasn't! 

For my last post of the year, I thought I'd share some of my plans for My Scandinavian Home in 2021 and hear more about what you'd like me to cover in the coming year. 

As well as the usual posts (home tours, latest Scandinavian design, make-overs etc), I'm excited to introduce three shiny new monthly columns: 

1. Readers homes: I hear so much about your lovely homes in the comment section and my inbox, but I never get to see them. It's definitely time to change that, don't you think? In 2021 I'll be starting a new monthly column dedicated to the homes of My Scandinavian Home readers. 

2. How to: It's all very well showing beautiful Scandi-inspired home tours - but transforming what we see into our own home is the tricky part. I am no expert, in fact I learn something new every day,  but I have picked up a few tips and tricks over the years which I'd love to share with you. From perfect rug sizes to how to design a practical bedroom. I hope this monthly column will come in handy. Oh, and let me know if there is anything in particular you'd like to see! 

3. Our Tiny House: Per and I have been thinking of building a tiny house in the garden of his family's summer cottage for years. And the time has FINALLY come! JAAAA! We're so excited, and a little nervous too! In the coming months I'll be documenting our journey - from the architectural plans of our 30m2 cabin, to the trials and tribulations of decorating a teeny-weeny living space! I hope the column might help you solve some conundrums in your own home, or at the very least entertain you (I'm sure we'll make plenty of errors along the way!). 

I hope you like the sound of these! 

Is there anything you think is missing or you'd like to see more of on My Scandinavian Home? If so, please leave a comment below or send me a mail - I'm all ears! 

So, friends, it's time to head off and spend a little downtime with my family. 

Thank you SO much to everyone who has stopped by each day and made this little corner of the web such a positive place to be. 

I'm looking forward to kicking off the year here on My Scandinavian Home on 11th January. In the meantime, you'll find me over on Instagram at @myscandinavianhome. And you're always welcome to explore the My Scandinavian archives for inspiration! 

Here's to a bright 2021! Gott Nytt År (Happy new Year!).

Niki

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This Year's Cosy Christmas Touch: A 'Glögg' Bar!

Partnership*
The First Sunday of Advent is a big day in Scandinavia. It can get very dark in winter time and the eagerly awaited day provides a perfect opportunity to brighten up the darkness with candles, star lanterns and other julpynta (Christmas decorations). I have to confess though; I started a little earlier this year with the glögg (spiced mulled wine). My excuse? The chilly weather combined with a photoshoot for Danish brand Skovby and their beautiful handcrafted #135 Serving Trolley

Allow me to introduce my 'glögg bar'! 

For those of you not familiar with the word, Glögg is a Scandinavian spiced mulled wine, usually served with a spoonful of almonds and raisins as well as pepparkaka (gingerbread biscuits). Its best kept piping hot on the stove, in a thermos or in a pan over a candle. I love to serve it with blue cheese as the combination with pepparkaka is simply divine! 

My parents-in-law always have a glögg bar ready and waiting when we arrive at their cottage on Christmas Eve. It's a perfect way to thaw the hands after bracing the freezing temperatures outside! 

I decided to have my own this year, and this fine specimen of a trolley could not have made a finer glögg bar! The Skovby #135 Serving Trolley comes in a variety of finishes (check them out here) and I chose the black oak with a top in black nano laminate (specifically designed to cater for spillages - love that!). 


The trolley also has other awesome features such as hidden wheels, a wine rack and a compartment containing a small tray and chopping board (made from excess wood from the Skovby factories). Talk about a well-equipped bar! 

I also threw in some books and a cosy blanket for a little extra hygge! It is Danish, after all! 

Having sat at a Skovby desk in our home office for the best part of six months, the quality, design and functionality of the trolley is exactly what I've come to expect from the Danish furniture brand - which prides itself on sustainable and functional furniture. 


All there's left to do is get cosy and tuck in!

Once Jul is over the trolley would make a pretty cool display piece too, don't you think? Danish design at its finest! 

Curious to find out more? See #135 Serving Trolley for more details and find your nearest stockist here. 

I'm not sure if you've seen my previous posts about Skovby? If not, you might also like to see Per's home office (he's back at school now so I swiftly took over!) and the glass display cabinet in the corner of my open-plan dining room / sitting room area.  

Have you started decorating for the holidays yet? Despite the cheeky start, I'm waiting until this weekend and the First Sunday of Advent for the rest of my decorations (except for the tree, which we'll chop down sometime in mid December). 

A little cosiness and Christmas cheer is just what we all need this year, don't you agree?

Skål!

Niki

Photography Niki Brantmark / My Scandinavian home

*This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Skovby. However, all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too! Thank you for supporting the wonderful businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible. 

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Looking forward to Cosying Up Here!

A little note to wish you a lovely long weekend - and a spooky halloween! If you're hoping to hook up with friends or family, check out yesterdays post for inspiration on how to create an extra cosy outdoor space so you can catch-up safely, in style (and a little warmth!). Let's just hop the rain holds off. 

I'm leaving my parents' home today after a fortnight, safe in the knowledge that Dad's heading home from hospital tomorrow and the colour is back in his cheeks :) (FYI not COVID related!). I'm so looking forward to some down time with Per and the girls on this sofa before they head back to school on Monday. 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend! See you Monday!

Niki

PS more details about my sofa found here. The prints are all from The Poster Club*, the Shady wall lamp is by Zuiver and you can find more info about my rug here. 50 Arches sell similar handmade benches

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At Home With The Terra Collection From Georg Jensen

Paid partnership*:
In preparation for the long winter ahead, I've decided to go all out with the greenery and up my plant game at home. This has coincided nicely with the latest launch from Danish brand Georg Jensen. Created by the internationally renowned Norwegian design agency Snøhetta, The Terra Collection is Georg Jensen's first foray into indoor and outdoor home gardening. Inspired by the undulating waves and reflective flow of water and the contemplative organic forms found in nature, the nine-piece collection includes plant pots and watering utensils that combine earthy terracotta and cool stainless-steel. Needless to say, the accessories look equally beautiful on a terrace, balcony or in this case - my bedroom! Just what we need to bring out the gardener inside us this Autumn! 

 
The collection includes four stainless steel planters: the Terra Reversible Planter in small, Reversible Planter in medium (seen on my windowsill), and a Reversible Planter in large as well as a TERRA Pot & Saucer.

 
I love how the green leaves of the plants reflect in the metal, doubling their impact (you can never have too much greenery at home, right?!). The planters are also reversible, so you can combine them in different ways to create an interesting sculptural display.


 
I'm also a big fan of the TERRA Pot & Saucer (this is the large one and there's also a medium sized one or the option of the TERRA Tray & Set Of Three Pots). Suitable for outdoor and indoor use, the pot is made from terracotta with a touch of stainless steel and is gently tapered, giving the roots more space to grow. Clever! 

 
The collection also includes a sleek and elegant TERRA Watering Can made from mirror polished stainless steel which was inspired by the flow of water itself. True to its Scandinavian heritage, the watering can is a dream to use and would be sacrilege to hide away. A perfect reminder to water the plants! Look out for the TERRA Watering Globe too (sadly not pictured here... although it is my birthday coming up...). 

 
Norwegian design for a Danish brand in a Swedish bedroom. You can't get more Scandinavian than this, right?!

I think this collection might just be what we all need to help us let a little nature into our home and hearts this Autumn, what do you think?

Do any of the pieces stand out to you in particular?

Read more about The Terra Collection here.

Niki

Photography: My Scandinavian Home Styling: Helen Sturesson

*This is a paid partnership with Georg Jensen. All words and pictures are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too.

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My home: Say hello To My New Skovby Glass Cabinet!

Partnership*:
Are you a fan of the glass cabinet? I've always loved them; they're the one storage piece that will allow you to store and display your favourite things while keeping them dust free (anything that saves a little cleaning and I'm in, how about you?). I've had my eye on the Skovby  #452 display cabinet for a while. It's part of their #400 sideboard line which also includes 3 sideboards: #402#404, and #405. As you know, I've been a fan of the Danish furniture brand ever since I acquired a desk and chair for Per's home office (he's back at school now so I've crept in and taken over the space!). And now, I'm excited to have picked up a #452 glass cabinet for our open-plan living space!  

In 1933, cabinet maker Thorvald Rasmussen founded Skovby with a vision to create sustainable and functional furniture that would stand the test of time. And I have to say, this fine specimen truly encompasses this vision! Here it is filled with some of my most treasured pieces (as well as some practical bits and bobs for our dining room / creative corner!)...

The cabinet is available in several wood sorts and finishes. I chose the Black wengé lacquer version, as I felt it would make a nice contrast with my delicate glassware, ceramics, books, linen and other pieces I intended to store within it. 



We all know that when it comes to furniture, it's not all about appearance - although, naturally this is top of my list! Per in particular, was so happy with how practical the cabinet is. It's made according to the 'Golden Proportion' and has two soft closing glass doors, four glass shelves and two LED lights! The latter is going to come in handy when the light starts to fade and dare I say it - the clocks go forward (baaah!). Soooo not ready for that, are you?


Another nice detail: you can choose to stand it on a plinth or legs depending on the look you're after. I love the airy feel of the legs! 

I hope you like the latest addition to our home as much as we do! 

You can find out more information (including measurements, available finishes etc.) on the Skovby #452 display cabinet home page. The 100% Danish made cabinet is available in 19 countries worldwide (search for your nearest stockist here). 

Danish design at its finest! 

See you tomorrow for a very exciting home tour which might just include some armchair travel!

In the meantime, if anyone's looking for me, I'll be dipping into one of my books right here and preparing for my visit to Copenhagen tomorrow for 3 Days of Design. I haven't been to the Danish capital since February - so excited!

Niki

Photography Niki Brantmark / My Scandinavian home

*This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Skovby. However, all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too! Thank you for supporting the wonderful businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible. 

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Our Wood Floor Update: It's Finished!

You might recall back in the spring, Per and I realised that the wood floor in our open-plan living area had finally bitten the dust. No amount of sanding, waxing and glue could rescue it. I was so grateful to hear all your thoughts on which style of wood floor to go for (it's a minefield as the options are endless!). After A LOT of deliberation, we finally chose Cured Oak LYBY wide plank (28cm) with a rustic, white matte lacquer finish from Swedish brand Bjelin. The reason: most of all, we fell in love with this particular wood floor. But also, it's easy to install (see my post of us in action here), really hard-wearing (with a messy family of five this was essential!) and made of renewable raw materials.  

Originally, it was a toss up between parquet flooring and wide planks - I've always loved both styles but in the end, we opted for the wide planks since I knew they would fit with the contemporary feel of our home and bring an element of calm to the living space (trust me, an open-plan living space with three kids around can get pretty hectic!).  We also chose a light wood as it's a pretty dark room, especially in the winter and I have to say, the white lacquer finish has given the room an instant lift! 

We're so thrilled with it! The only problem is, that decorating always seems to have a knock-on effect: update one thing in your home and then other things beside it start to look dated! Do you find the same? Don't tell Per though - he's only just recovered from the installation!

I hope you like our new wood floor as much as we do! 

You can find more details about it here - and see how our room looked before the renovation here. In case you're curious about laying a wood floor yourself, read Per's best tips!

I'll be back tomorrow with a very exciting home tour - please do pop back as I'd hate for you to miss it. In the meantime, I'm sending sunny weather vibes from Sweden! 

Niki

Thank you so much to Bjelin for partnering with us in this project, it made the whole renovation so seamless. All words are my own and I only ever work with brands I absolutely love! 

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An Afternoon Tea In My Backyard - Fit For Royalty!

 Scandinavian brand story*:
An afternoon tea fit for royalty. That's how it felt in my little back yard a couple of weeks back. And I owe that to Georg Jensen. Last spring, the Danish brand announced an extension of one of its most recognisable tabletop collections designed by the Swedish designer Sigvard Bernadotte (1907 - 2002). And I couldn't be more excited! Formerly a Prince, the forward thinking and free spirited Sigvard Bernadotte, traded his aristocratic title to become part of Sweden's design royalty. His collaboration with Georg Jensen began in 1930 at the start of the functionalist movement and the bold simplicity of Bernadotte's silver designs were a huge over night success. In 2002, Georg Jensen reissued many of the items in stainless steel making them more accessible to the humble likes of you and I! Just add coffee, milk, and buns. OK, I did have a little prosecco later on in the day too...!

If this is a royal collection, then the Bernadotte Thermo jug is surely the queen - it's a true Scandinavian design icon. I love how it keeps your drinks hot (or cold) for up to six hours too - a perfect excuse to sit around all day! 

Another favorite: the Bernadotte dish on a stand. I used it for bread, but it also makes a beautiful fruit bowl! 

I was excited to see that in 2019, Georg Jensen added several new pieces to the line, including a series of vases, serving plates and platters, cutlery pieces and other small items - all of which respect the design heritage of the Bernadotte line. 

There's something wonderful about using milk jug (as oppose to just chucking the entire carton on the table we so often do at breakfast time) - and this stainless steel and mirror polished one is the crème de la crème (see what I did there?!). I love the shape and weight! It's also perfect for other things like salad dressings. 




What a wonderful afternoon! I'll be dreaming about this come winter!

If you love iconic Scandinavian design as much as I do and curious about the Bernadotte line and other Georg Jensen pieces I've used for my table setting, here's a quick guide: 
GET THE LOOK

1. Bernadotte Thermo Jug
2. Bernadotte Dish on A Stand
3. Bernadotte Creamer / Milk Jug
4. Bernadotte Bottle Opener
5. Bernadotte Etagère
6. Bernadotte Tea and Coffee Spoons
7. Cobra Lunch Plate
8. Cobra Porcelain Cup
9. Cobra Glass Set
10. Bernadotte Medium Vase

Do you have a favourite piece?

Wishing you a wonderful start to the week!

Niki

Photography: My Scandinavian Home
Styling: Helen Sturesson

PS I'll be back on Wednesday with an inspiring and beautiful Swedish home tour - never been seen before! See you then!

*This post is brought to you in partnership with Georg Jensen, who I am honoured to collaborate with. Thank you for supporting the wonderful businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible. 

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Before and After - My Swedish Home Makeover!

Last night I was clearing out a cupboard and came across the estate agent pamphlet for our house from when we bought it. I knew we'd made some changes over the 12 years but looking back at the pictures made me realise just how far we'd come! At the time, we were living in a small apartment just down the road and when the house came on the market, we knew it would be perfect for us, but it was over budget. And then we had a stroke of luck. No one wanted it!! Being a consistently 'hot' house market, this was incredibly unusual in Malmö, particularly in a popular area by the sea - where homes tend to sell within weeks, if not days. The estate agent explained that potential buyers had turned their noses up at it, saying it 'didn't have the right feeling'. 

When Per and I went to view the property, we understood what they meant. No one lived there (it was used as an occasional city bolthole by a businessman who had a permanent abode in the countryside) and the living space lacked soul. In addition, it featured some pretty questionable decor choices.... and the dark wood wall and floors made the entire space really dark. It felt gloomy and somewhat depressing - hardly a home to aspire to! The price dropped dramatically and became within reach (although still a stretch!). Despite the appearance, we could see its potential, and would be mainly cosmetic. Plus, it meant acquiring a house in the area we so loved! We jumped at it! 

I'll never forget finally getting the keys in our hands and our first night in the house. I simply couldn't believe it was ours! Twelve years, two children and multiple interior changes later, we're still just as happy in our home today.  

Here's how it has changed over time:

Kitchen / Dining  Before 

Kitchen / Dining After

The very first thing we did was give the entire house a lick of fresh white matt paint (with the help of parents Father and Stepmother!). It would serve as a blank canvas until we decided which way to go in terms of colour. Many of the walls remain white today, although we've added some deeper, earthy shades in some parts of the house. 

We also got someone in to sand down and whitewash the oak floors which immediately lightened up the entire living space. 

We loved the existing Marbodal kitchen units and backsplash - they've served us well over time. We kept them and instead focused our attention on installing better appliances such as an induction hob and new fridge and freezer. 


The kitchen lacked work surfaces, so we added a new kitchen island (there was one when we arrived but it was tiny - you can see a glimpse of it here). The unit is just from IKEA but one of those pieces that fell into place and felt like it had always been there!). It's become a popular gathering place (not only for people - but also the daily post, keys and even sports equipment as the kids fly in through the door - yes, it drives me insane!). But it DOES look lovely on the occasional times it's clear (or better still, has a G+T on it!).


Per has owned the wooden dining table for years. it's made of solid wood so can be sanded down and restored whenever the need arises. It's a really timeless piece and something I can imagine always having in our home. There's no marking on it sadly, so we're not sure of the brand. 

We transformed the corner into a reading nook, which has become one of the most popular places in the home - and means we can all relax in the same room, while doing our own thing! At Christmas the daybed is placed in the attic and replaced with a tree! Years back, we even had a bubble chair hanging in that corner

All the storage was in place when we moved in, and as a family of hoarders, we're still grateful for it. We're unsure what they had planned for the recess - maybe a TV? But it serves as a great, cosy dining seat nook today! 

Sitting Room Before





Sitting Room After


I'm not opposed to dark wood walls - they can look fab in a 50's style residence. But since the house is overshadowed by an apartment block, it can get really dark in the afternoons. Painting the wood white immediately lifted the entire living room area. 

For the first few years it looked like this - and then later we changed the sofa (the cover of which is constantly updated thanks to Bemz - you can check out the many transformations here and here) and added a gallery wall. 



 Open plan space on middle floor (before)

Open plan space on middle floor (after)

Confused?! As much as we'd loved to have had a second sitting room, we needed the extra bedroom. So, Per and a friend built a wall (on the opposite side of the wall from the pillow end of the bed are the stairs) - creating an extra bedroom for my teenage stepson. We removed the shelves to make room for the bed and painted the wall a cosy dark blue! See the complete make-over here

Second bedroom before

Second Bedroom After



Allie's bedroom has changed many times over the year - and will no doubt change countless times more as she grows! The original blue shade felt really cold in a North facing room. The first change we made was to paint them a fresh white (as seen here when the girls shared the room when they were small). We later painted the walls a more earthy, warm shade to add a cosy feel when Liv moved into her own room. I shared the DIY make-over here

Top floor sitting room before

That sofa! 

After

The top floor was originally a sitting room - and we kept it as such for the first few years. But slowly we realised no one was using it - which was a real waste as it's one of the most beautiful, light-filled rooms in the house. So, we transformed it into our master bedroom and home office. And never looked back! 

When we first moved up there the walls were white - as seen here

It's been various shades over the years. For now, we've settled on 'blushing peach' by Jotun Lady, which has a wonderful, calm and cosy feel.


We painted the wood floor 'strong white' by Farrow & Ball (which is actually more of a pale grey). Per designed and built the shelves using planks, wire and nuts and bolts from a local hardware store. 

I sometimes use the corner of the bedroom as my home office when I'm not at the studio (seen below). Today the wall is dark brown ('Norwegian Wood' by Jotun Lady) but it has also been white (you might recognise it from the front cover of interior book 'Everything In Its Place'!). 

We also transformed the nook (above) into a home office for Per during the pandemic - here's a glimpse

The entire room has become a real haven - and like a mini apartment within a house. We love it! 

I have to say, it's been so much fun to take this trip down memory lane, thank you for humouring me! 

When I have days when I wonder why the progress in our house is so slow (there's a reason I've never shown our bathrooms! - potential project for Autumn, perhaps? Don't tell Per just yet...!), I'll look back at these and see how far we've actually come! 

Our house buying decision also taught me an important lesson. At a viewing, take into account the basic bones of the property (the shape, the era etc.). Don't let the 'feeling' or 'soul' put you off. That's something you can add once you move in!   

If in doubt, check out the before and after archive, it's quite incredible how much you can change a property with a little vision, time, effort and money. And some homes, like mine - might just need a lick of paint! 

Don't believe me? Here are some of my favourite 'before and afters' of all time:


I'd love to hear the story about your home - how you found it, how it felt to finally get the keys in your hand (whether as a renter or homeowner), and any changes you've made! 

Niki

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