5 Ways To Add Texture To Your Home For A 'Hyggelig' Vibe

MSH partnership: 

What really makes a house a home? An abode is made up of a number of factors: ranging from furniture and personal items, to colour and textiles. But if you really want to create a cosy, warm and inviting living space, especially in a home with a muted colour scheme - it all boils down to texture! 

Natural materials, metals, and textiles all help to create visual interest as well as feel great to touch. They can also do wonders for sound. But more than that, items that bear the nicks and scratches from a past life also hold sentimental value that gives a home its soul. 

In other words, layer your home with furniture, soft furnishings, accessories and wall coverings that ooze texture, and you'll immediately add depth to a space while creating a wonderful, warm, calm and personal home. 

I'm sure your home is wonderfully cosy already - but just in case it could use a little help, I hope these ideas will come in handy, most of them can be incorporated on a shoe-string budget too! 

1. Walls and ceilings

Unless you live in a greenhouse (hey, don't knock, it, remember my greenhouse make-over?), walls and ceilings will make up the largest surface area in your home. Paint them with an even layer of paint and you'll need to work way harder with the rest of the room to make your space feel cosy. Which is why designers love to add a textured finish to the walls that plays with the light and adds immediate interest. 

Exposed materials

In an old house, you're likely blessed with a variety of good, solid building materials - sometimes lurking behind a plastered wall or 'dummy' ceiling. Raising the ceiling and leaving the beams exposed (or semi-exposed as per the whitewashed version in the Scanian farmhouse which features on the front cover of Relaxed Rustic) will add an immense beauty to the room. You can also see the wonderful patina from the wood panelled walls coming through too. With bones like this, you're off to an incredibly cosy start - just add books, a roaring fire and candlelight and you've set the scene for a perfect evening!

Textured walls

In modern houses like mine, you have to work that much harder to break up the clean lines. Adding subtle texture to the wall by using chalk paint (I like Kalklitir) will help to harness the natural light and highlight the nuances in the paint work. Apply with a thick brush or spatula and add as little or as much texture as you dare! It'll make a huge difference to the room - and looks especially beautiful under candlelight. Wallpaper, wood panelling and other coverings also help to create a cosy feel.  

2. Natural materials

Beautiful, raw materials add a subtle richness and depth to a room, plus they feel wonderful to touch and can smell nice too! The key is to add a variety of different textures such as wood, leather, glass, stone, and wool (or on-trend tweed, teddy and bouclé) - the imperfection of the natural fibres will give your home instant soul. 

Wood

What would a home be without wood? It's sturdy, malleable, long-lasting and can be used for a variety of items from the structure of the house itself to tables and chairs as well as chopping boards and butter knives. The beauty of using natural wood in the home, is that it's an easy way to draw nature indoors and enjoy all the healing benefits that come with it. I particularly love the patina in wood, and how it ages gracefully over time. Plus, when finished in a nice way, it can feel wonderful to touch and even smell divine!

Kitchens in particular, tend to be fairly clinical spaces - especially if you've opted for white. Leaving out a few chopping boards propped against the wall or wood spoons in a container next to the stove are a fast way to add a warm and inviting feel to the heart of the home (as seen in our summer cottage kitchen).  

Stone

Stone has always been around in the home in the form of worktops, and tiling. But lately, there's also been a rise in appreciation for handmade pottery (read my article about the rise of handcrafted items in the home in IMM Cologne magazine for more!). 

Due to it's hardy surface, stone is particularly popular in the kitchen (marble has been in for a while now, but also Italian Terrazzo with its playful flecks). but I also love to use stone around the house in the form of tables, lamps as well as grouping artisanal stoneware on shelves to make a pretty display. 

Glass

Another favourite, glass is a great way to help reflect the light in a room and add interest. Coloured glassware (as seen in my bedroom below), is hugely popular right now, but even clear glass vases and candleholders can really add texture to a room, while helping to maintain a clean, minimalist look.

Rattan

What better way to add a tropical vibe to the home than rattan! Holiday-feel aside, the woven surface does wonders with the light - allowing it to slip through and cast shadows on the wall. 

Metal

It feels like every year a different metal is thrown into the limelight and has it's time to shine! Brass, chrome, bronze, copper - metals help to reflect the light and add another layer to your home. Plus, if the item is high quality, it'll age beautifully too! 

3. Mix it up

Invest in a coffee table and side tables that match and the room is at risk of appearing lifeless. One of the beauties of opting for a muted, earthy palette is that you can throw in a whole load of different materials, and they'll all come together nicely while also giving your home a soul. Take your time to find the right pieces. In my mind, a home is never really 'finished' but an organic, fluid process made up of a load of eclectic pieces from different styles and eras. 

Vintage

I for one, am a huge fan of vintage! Not only is it a great sustainable option, but the items feel more meaningful and always tell a story. Plus, quite often, there'll be no one with the same piece! It can be time-consuming to scour flea markets and second-hand shops, but your patience will pay off. And if you bring something home that doesn't work  - put it back out there. After all, one man's trash is another man's treasure! 

4. Textiles

I see textiles as the final, yet essential layer of the home - the icing on the cake if you like! Curtains, cushions, sheepskins and blankets in a variety of soft, natural materials such as wool, linen and sheepskin are what makes a home feel cosy and comfortable. They can also help to dampen echo from within, and keep the hustle and bustle sounds of the city out - making your home a peaceful oasis! 

Curtains

Curtains serve a practical purpose depending on where in your home they are and how well insulated your property is. I personally love to use sheer / linen curtains since they still allow a soft pool of natural light through - and I love the rough surface and slight creases that are emphasised by the light - it helps to bring the room to life! 

Pillows / cushions

I love a cushion - they're perfect for bringing in subtle accents and a variety of materials - plus you can place them anywhere, even on a wide windowsill and create a wonderful place to relax! 

Sheepskin

Hugely popular in Scandinavia, sheepskin adds an abundance of texture to a space - plus it's incredibly hardwearing and has wonderful insulating qualities. Add it to hard seating, drape it over your sofa or even line your baby's pushchair with it - there is no end to its uses and it really comes into its own in wintertime! 

5. The floor

And last, but by no means least - the floor! Growing up in London, I was used to padding around on a wall-to-wall carpet, which I have to say felt lush underfoot. Wall-to-wall carpets are an absolute no-no in Scandinavia (they're considered unhygienic) - but there are plenty of other ways to add texture to the floor. 

Think wood flooring, stone tiles or brickwork rich with patina (preferably heated from beneath!), layered with cosy rugs (shagpile are particularly popular right now as are vintage styles) for a total treat for your feet! 

What a difference a little texture can be make a to space.

I've only included 5 ways here, but there are thousands more. Feel free to add your own tips and suggestions in the comments below. 

Our appreciation for earthy, organic textures has also extended towards a craving for handmade, artisanal items, where the perfection is in the imperfection. Read more about it my article 'Handmade Tale: The Rise of Handcrafted Items for the Home' in IMM Cologne online magazine.  

Niki

*This post is brought to you in paid collaboration with imm cologne - one of the most international furniture and interior fairs in the world. I can't wait to return again in January 2022. How I've missed fairs! All words and pictures are my own. 

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I love this Danish Dining Set In My Home!

Sponsored*

Last week I received an exciting delivery - this wonderful oak and white nano laminate table and four oak and leather dining chairs from Skovby. It was like Christmas, except sadly, these beauties are not here to stay, they're here for a shoot. But I might just keep them all the same - what do you reckon? I've always loved the incredible craftsmanship behind Skovby pieces, plus, we've been looking for a new extendable table for a while. Per is also completely taken with the oak and leather chairs - he says they're really comfy! I might just have to write to Skovby to ask if these beauties can hang around a while longer. Read on for more pics and to see if you agree! 

You'll likely recognise the brand Skovby since Helen Sturesson and I have done many photoshoots for them before (see also the #808 counter stool in my kitchen, the #131 home desk and #52 chair in Per's home office and the #452 display cabinet in the corner of my dining room. It's always an honour to collaborate with a Danish family business that spans three generations of cabinetmakers as well as recognised as a frontrunner within functional extension systems for tables. 

I chose the Skovby #119 dining table with an oak wooden under frame with a white nano laminate surface, but it's also available in eight other finishes. I love how the legs are slightly angled, giving the table a vivid and contemporary yet still timeless expression. 

The table is available in two different lengths: a 192 cm version (seen above) and a more compact 142 cm version for slightly smaller spaces. Best of all, they both extend! Beneath the tabletop, is a compartment for storing up to two extension leaves (available as additional purchases) so you can easily extend them another 45 cm to 90 cm! 

Below I extended it by 45 cm, which adds an extra two seats at the table - but for bigger parties, Christmas etc, I'm thinking the 90 cm extension would be perfect - you never know who might rock up - and with a table like this, the more the merrier! 

As mentioned, Per was particularly taken by the #825 chairs (I chose the oak and black leather version, but they are also available in 7 other versions). I have to say, the wood and leather was so lovely and smooth, plus the rounded backs and cushioned leather seat made them super comfy! 

The chair is inspired by mid-century furniture with a light, Scandinavian twist. I particularly love the grain in the wood - but if you prefer supreme comfort - you might like to go for the version with an upholstered back. 

We've always had a built-in sofa in our dining area (the cabinets give us a load of extra storage - the Brantmarks are a family of hoarders and hidden behind those cabinets is a load of stuff ranging from CDs and board games to my accounting and paper recycling, the latter two are not to be confused!). The cushions are all made from linen (a material I love since it adds texture and feels lovely to touch!) and the seating is actually a sunbed mattress from IKEA which I have covered in fabric! 

All in all, these pieces seem to fit our dining room like a glove, I love it when that happens! I hope you like this look too! 

If you're interested in these pieces, find your nearest store here (Skovby ship almost worldwide). 

Wishing you all a wonderful day! 

Niki

PS I've got such an exciting make-over to share with you tomorrow - I was bowled over by the creativity. I hope you have time to stop by! 

Photography: Niki Brantmark / My Scandinavian Home

Styling: Helen Sturesson 

*This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Skovby. 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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The Design Plans For Our Tiny Swedish Cabin (Komplementbostadshus / Attefallshus)

A while back I wrote that Per and I are planning on building an attefallshus (a small Swedish cabin usually measuring 25 m2 (269 sq.ft) - but in this case it's a 'komplementbostadshus' which is allowed to be 30 m2 / (322 sq.ft) in the garden of Per's family's summer cottage in South Sweden. We've been pouring over lovely cabins for ages as you know from this post! We were hoping to buy something ready-made but after assessing all the options we eventually decided to design it ourselves. Out-of-the-blue, I came across Anela Tahirovic - a really talented architect based just outside of Malmö, whose home I featured yesterday. Anela has been working with us to help realise our idea - while also adding some great ideas,  tips and tricks of her own. Ready to see the plan?!

Tadaaaa! This 3D drawing (by the fab Mahir at Studio Ark) gives an idea of the overall look and feel. We wanted to draw inspiration from the surrounding forest - and decided on brown wood panelling (see the inspiration below for a photo of the wood finish we are hoping to achieve). 

Since the living space is so small, we were also keen to draw in as much natural light as possible and create an indoor-outdoor living space. This is why the cabin has so many windows and doors - which we can throw open on warm summer days.

I am toying with the idea of swapping out the black frames in favour of slim brown ones for a softer look (as seen below in this lovely 'Hållbar' 40 m2 house by Woodworks. What do you think? 

Here are some drawings by Anela showing how the cabin will look from different directions:

Inside, there will be a tiny sitting room area, basic kitchenette (fridge and sink), double bed and bathroom on the lower level, and then an upper loft area (accessed by a ladder) for two more beds. In such a small space, storage is a struggle - so, not only do we need to live fairly minimalist (not easy for the Brantmarks!), but we will also need to find some smart storage solutions! Here is a sketch of the layout: 

I am looking forward to sharing more inspiration for the interior and the outdoor area with you soon. In the meantime, this past post might just give you some idea of the general design direction!

And good news, we have planning permission - WOOHOOOO! We were hoping to have started the build this spring, but all the local builders are crazy busy due to the pandemic, so now we're looking at September. Feeling excited but ever so slightly nervous too! 

I hope you like the plans so far! 

Wishing you all a lovely day, 

Niki

A huge thanks to Anela Tahirovic for the design sketches and Mahir from Studio Ark for the building and construction drawings as well as the 3D visualisations.

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A Glimpse Inside Our Summer Cottage Kitchen - Ready For The Season!

Tjena! Happy Friday friends! My family and I are enjoying the first long public holiday of the year up at the cottage - and I've been busy pepping up our little summer cottage kitchen. It's amazing what small touches can make (if you're curious about the bigger ones - I shared all the info about our renovation here - it was a true labour of love!). Many of the new pieces are from my fab long-term Danish partner Nordal who kindly sponsored this post, with the exception of an olive tree - my new pride and joy from a local garden centre (let's hope I can keep it alive!)! I hope you like the updates as much as I do - and that they give you a few ideas for your own kitchen! 

There's something dramatic about dark stoneware - it's especially popular in Swedish restaurants since it really makes the natural colours of food pop. These tea plates are part of the Nordal spring news and have a beautiful midnight blue sheen when they catch the light. I also couldn't resist the matching coffee cups!  The waffle tea towel is also new, but I've had the gold cutlery for years! 

One of the things I tend to never have enough of is tiny bowls, do you find that too? They're really handy for everything from salt, butter and nuts to storing items like this wooden scrubbing brush. This little stone Saisolo bowl is handmade so they are all unique - the beauty is in the imperfection! 

Since our kitchen is predominantly white and grey, I try to use wood and other natural materials to add warmth - hence why the chopping boards (including a new herringbone one) and utensils like wooden spoons are always on display - it's kind pf practical too: 'grab and go'! Lately I've been using vases for utensils (this is the Nago tall vase) - but I'm sure, come summer I'll be using it for fresh flowers instead! 

When I first put the curtains up in the doorway my Mother-in-Law (who's been enjoying the cottage ever since she was a small child) was a little uncertain. But now she has grown to love them. They are a lovely way to keep the draft out in the winter, shield the kitchen from the neighbours on warmer days, and they look so pretty fluttering in the breeze. 

The girls love having a stool in the kitchen (this NEN rattan one is also a Nordal piece) - cleaning the mud off new potatoes is a big Swedish summer pastime and can take copious amounts of time - so this is a perfect place for them to sit while they help out! 

One of the best things we did in the kitchen was put up this peg rail, it stores a never-ending array of utensils, textiles (like the LYNX tea towel and Mira pot holder) and banana fibre rope bag. 

I think that's all the updates for now, but who knows what we might find at 'loppis' flea markets come summer. 

I hope you like the new pieces, if you're ever passing by, please do stop by for a coffee and help christen the new cups! 

Oh, and if you have any questions about anything you see in these pictures, just give me a shout and I'll do my best to help!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Niki

This post is sponsored by Nordal. 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.

Styling: Helen Sturesson

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Tea For One In My Favourite Corner!

You can take a girl out of England, but you can't take England out of the girl, isn't that what they say? And no amount of delicious Swedish coffee can persuade me to drop my tea! Are you a tea drinker too? If so what type do you like best? For me, it depends on the occasion, but I never go a day without a mint tea, especially in the afternoon! My latest work for Bodum (along with Helen Sturesson) was therefore an absolute dream - and although I haven't been not sponsored to write about it here on the blog, I thought it would be nice to share a snapshot of your work and my favourite corner of my sitting room with you all the same! Plus, the teapot is really lovely too!  

As you know, we only have a teeny garden, but I still make space to grow mint. I'm planning on harvesting a whole batch to make tea leaves over the winter, but for now, I love putting a fresh sprig in my cup! I also noticed the garden centre had some 'mojito mint' which naturally caught my attention! Do you think I should go back and get some? I kind of regret that I didn't! 

It's rare for me to get this corner all to myself - it's everyone's favourite spot in the house! 

In case you're curious - we kitted it out an Ikea Söderhamn chaise longue (you can often pick these up for a song second-hand) which I added a Bemz loose fit linen cover in Pebble*. 

We've had this trusty blanket from H&M Home for years (I think they still sell similar ones) and the linen curtains were custom made by not PERFECTLINEN* (note the different options for finishes - mine are 'hem for clip rings'). 

The little wooden tray is from Nordal, and the beautiful Assam tea press with bamboo handle and Thermo mug (it's made from double glass so you can hold it comfortably!) are from Bodum. As part of the campaign, they're offering 10% off all tea-makers with code MSH - until this Sunday 15th May - so if you love the look of this teapot (or in need of a tea-maker!) now's the time! 

If anyone's looking for me, I'll be right here, sipping tea! And maybe someday soon, a mojito will be on the cards too. Skål!

Niki 

These pictures were taken for a recent Instagram collaboration with Bodum - however, this blog post is not part of the paid partnership, I simply thought you might like to see this little corner of my home, and hear about the discount code! 

The post does however, include a few affiliate links, marked with *

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Simple DIY: My Narrow Hallway Update

Do you have any pieces lying around that you haven't got round to putting up on the wall / fixing? I was gifted this beautiful Arles mirror by Made.com around a year ago. I originally ordered it for our landing but for some reason it didn't quite work - so it's been waiting for a new home ever since. And then the other day I had a lightbulb moment. Now, our house might have many great features, but the hallway is not one of them; it's fairly dark, has lots of doors and like Piccadilly Circus when all five of us are home (it doesn't help that our kids don't seem to have mastered the art of hanging up their coats). I have to admit, we haven't done anything to it since we moved in - until now! 

The hallway feeds into the kitchen (see above) and sitting room (last picture) and has a few in-built cupboards - which I've often contemplated painting (thoughts?). 

This wall has always been blank. I painted it in a Farrow & Ball shade many moons ago (could it be Down Pipe? I can't remember now!). I still love the colour, but it needed something more! 

And here's where the mirror came into the picture! Here's a step by step guide of my DIY project: 

1. The Arles mirror in brass is really heavy (tip: always check the weight of a mirror before you order it as some can be incredibly heavy - especially if the wall you'd like to put on is not that strong). I wanted to make sure it was hung in the right place from the start (I've made plenty of mistakes in the past!). I marked out the centre of the wall and made sure it was at eye height (the lower edge is 117 cm from the floor). 

2. I measured out exactly where I wanted the hooks to go beforehand, ensuring they were centred and also a good height from the floor for bags and jackets (102 cm from the underside of the rack to the floor). I also used a spirit level to ensure it was straight. 

The wooden pegs are from a local store - this coat rack* is similar. I've had this Ryobi drill for years and use it all the time - it's way more fun (and less work) than a manual screwdriver!  

3. And then all that was required was a good polish! 

I have to say the mirror instantly lit up the narrow space and together with the hooks, makes better use of the space. It's also handy to have a mirror near the entrance and extra hooks. 

The framed 'Twined 02' print is by Copenhagen-based design studio Moe Made It. And just peeping into the picture is a rubber plant, which Per calls 'Farfar' (Grandad) - since he inherited it from him just before he died over thirty years ago. Everyone in his family has a cutting - such a lovely way to remember someone! 

It's just a simple DIY but I thought I'd share it all the same - you never know, you might just have some empty wall space waiting for some TLC, in which case, I hope this inspires you.

I wonder how long our hallway will stay this tidy? I give it 5 minutes!! Oh well, life is designed to be a little messy, and it's a real sign of summer when balls, scooters, swim stuff and whatever else start to appear! 

Next stop, a new light - I haven't decided which yet, tips welcome! 

So, Friends, that's it from me this week. I hope you have a wonderful couple of days, see you Monday.

Trevlig helg! 

Niki

*this post includes affiliate links. 

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Liv's Bedroom - All Ready For a Lie-in (+ Get The 'Linen' Look!)

FREDAG (Friday!) - woooop! I don't know about you but I'm planning on a couple of lengthy lie-ins this weekend (I've never have been much of a morning person - how about you?)! Downstairs from us, Liv will no doubt be taking a lie-in too - right here, surrounded by luxury linen. Between you and me, I'm a little envious of her room since the make-over. Hmmm, maybe it's time for an update upstairs too? In the meantime, here are a few snapshots I took of her room with Helen Sturesson for a recent shoot for the wonderful small Swedish business Lovely Linen. 

I painted the wall in Moln 802 by Alcro - which is a really pale blue. Over time, I've appreciated it more and more - it feels really fresh and matches the rattan headboard (from Danish brand Nordal) really well. Adding a dusty blue pillow cover to the mix of linen also helped to emphasise the blue touch. 

For the rest of the bed linen, I used 2 x Misty Meadow pillow cases (50 x 60)  1 x pillowcase light grey (50 x 60), 1 x pillowcase in dusty blue (50 x 60).  a rustic overcast, 1 x sheet, 2 x Misty meadow duvet covers (single)  and 1 x bed skirt in natural beige (I probably would have gone for the off-white actually, but it was out of stock at the time). 

In the top picture you can catch a glimpse of a side table - which is from danish brand Wild Studio and made from 100% recycled plastic! It also doubles up as a stool. Love it!  

I hope I covered most of the pieces - but in case you're curious about anything else you see in the pictures which is not listed here or in today's post, just give me a shout in the comment section below and I'd be happy to help!

Soooo, that's it from this week. 

Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you have a wonderful, sunny weekend! See you Monday friends! 

Niki

This post contains press / PR items but has not been created as part of a paid partnership. 

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