my scandinavian home: neutrals

A Light Filled Family Home in Berlin with a Nordic Touch

During the Easter school holidays, my daughters and I are heading to Berlin, Germany for a couple of days. It's somewhere I've been saving up for as I've always wanted to take them, it's an amazing city and only 6 hours drive from Malmö! While doing a little research for things to see and do (any tips would be wonderful!), I veered off course (as always), and ended up stumbling across the Berlin home of Judith Schenk - which I had to share it with you guys!

Judith describes her home as 'Nordic minimalism meets Berlin Altbau' - and the light-filled family apartment is made up of sleek finishes, Scandinavian design, plants and art. Read on to see more pictures and find out about some of the touches Judith has decided on.

The kitchen is made up of IKEA cabinets with Reform CPH fronts. The countertop is a solid Corian surface.

The lights are Flowerpot pendants in white.

'Case Study House #10' by Stephanie Kloss hangs over the dining table. A Gubi semi pendant hangs over the table.

The Model 2065 pendant light by Gino Sarfatti makes a statement in the sitting room. The sofa is from Bolia.

The plant-filled sun room is bathed in light - a perfect cure for the winter blues (have the leaves come out on the trees where you live yet? Here in Malmö, it's still just twigs - gaaaah!). A desert lounge chair can be glimpsed in the corner.

Double doors in the living room lead through to the lovely children's room.

A sofa by Karup Design pulls out into a double bed in the spare room.

Look at all those beautiful trees - *sigh*, there's nothing like a green view!

The serene bathroom reminds me a lot of the tones / look I have used in our little cabin bathroom - including brushed / antique brass. The tap is from Grohe.

The master bedroom is the epitome of calm with walls painted in Portlandstone Pale by Little Greene. Judith has used this shade throughout her apartment: "As we have a super open layout in our flat, this was my approach. Also the paint is so highly pigmented that it always appears different depending on the light and daytime," she says.

Judith has hung three prints over the bed, including Bleu by Lucrecia Rey Caro*. Arum lights an be seen either side of the bed.

Absolutely love this home. All the windows certainly help but also Judith has made everything look so effortless and struck the perfect balance between pared-back and personal.

Did you feel inspired by this tour too?

See more of Judith's apartment and follow her latest projects over at @kavalierchen.

Now I'm in Berlin mode, here are a few other tours from the German city:

A lovely relaxed artist's home full of plants (don't miss this one!)

A bohemian touch in a magnificent Berlin apartment (another favourite!)

The Berlin flat and country home of Nora and Laura

A serene family home in Berlin

And of course, if you're looking for more inspiration this weekend, make sure you look back t the tours I've shared this week, including a Gotland country home (I loved all the discussions about the tiny bath!) and a Stockholm flat worthy of an interior magazine feature - which is currently for sale!

Have a fabulous weekend friends!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Judith Schenk, shared with kind permission

Shades of White in a Swedish Country Home on Gotland

In need of a little escape today? Buckle up friends, we're off to a serene country home on the Swedish island of Gotland!

Julia Khouri lives in the North of the Baltic island with her husband and four children. Her home is a sea

of serenity with milky white shades throughout. "A light and simple look has always appealed to me and gives me a harmonious feeling at home," she explains.

Keep a look out for the mix of materials and texture which help to add interest and cosiness, the tiled masonry ovens and the blend of old and new (that bathroom cabinet!).

Have you noticed fee-standing range-style ovens creeping into Scandinavian homes more and more lately? This one is by Smeg.

The mix and match items - including a Little Petra armchair and antique table in the sitting room are lovely! I really appreciate a combination of old and new.

It's not always easy to throw objects of different styles and eras together, but it works really well here because they share similar tones.

You'll spot vintage glass cabinets throughout Julia's home. Not only do they look nice, but they also provide great storage. They are also hot property right now, but if you're prepared to get the paint brush out, you can still find one for a steal!

I don't feel like I show enough TVs in the home tours - so here is an example! I like it when they are more of a side show than a focal point, as seen here, do you agree?

The master bedroom is also on the ground floor. Notice how Julia has added lace inside the cabinet, which adds a soft, romantic touch and also helps to hide the items inside for a calmer look.

I really appreciate the way Julia has found furniture to fit all kinds of nooks in her home - seen here in the window (old Gotland homes often have deep walls like this), and also in the bathroom.

It's no easy feat when you are working with vintage / antique finds. If you're looking for an item in particular for your home, it's important to know the measurements in advance and carry a tape measure with you. Or you can do what I recently did, find something you absolutely love, buy it and THEN work out where to put it. After all, a coveted second-hand item of beauty is not always easy to find, so you have to seize the opportunity when it arrives (if you have the space to store it)!

The bathroom has been renovated in a classic, timeless way.

I have to say, out of all my years of blogging, I've never seen a bath this small in Scandinavia! I have been in one though - many years ago as a child on a visit to Morzine, France. I found it very relaxing - mainly because I didn't need to share it with my sister for once! It's a great idea if you'd love a bath but don't necessarily have the space.

I hope you enjoyed the tour of Julia's home as much as I have, and it has left you feeling inspired.

Is there anything that stood out to you?

See more country homes today - or if you're looking for urban inspiration, check out the Danish apartment archive - it's one of my favourites!

Kram!

Niki

Photography Julia Khouri, shared with kind permission

FILED UNDER: country style living neutrals swedish home White home

A Beautiful Swedish Country Home with Layers of Cosy Textures

Hej vänner! I hope you had a fabulous weekend! I have to confess, I'm feeling slightly worse for wear today after a conference in Ischgl, Austria! What a crazy place! So much fun. It was a lot of work, but it was great to get a little skiing in and enjoy the mountains too.

We landed back in Sweden late last night, and today I'm thinking I'd much rather be in the beautiful, serene home of Emily Slotte than at my desk!

If you don't already follow Emily on instagram, it's a must! The Swede shares daily snapshots from her beautiful home in the countryside near Norrtälje, Northeast of Stockholm. Think warm, off-white shades, a blend of texture including stone, wood and rattan and layers of textiles - from shag-pile rugs to sheer curtains for a cosy, soft touch. In the winter, the family gathers around a roaring fire in an upstairs living room, in summer, life moves outdoors!

Welcome to Emily's world!

Can you see why I'd rather be rocking about here this Monday morning? So lovely!

I particularly love the upstairs sitting room with its towering ceiling, cosy fire and TMBO lounge chair - but there are lots of other lovely, simple details too.

Is there anything that caught your eye?

See more of Emily's home here.

And for more Scandinavian country homes today have a delve in this archive - it's full of inspiring spaces including Magda's beautiful home which I shared on Friday!

I'm still really enjoying reading your comments about my attic make-over too - thank you for sharing your thoughts!

Have a great start to the week!

Niki

Credits: Emily Slotte, shared with kind permission.

FILED UNDER: country style living neutrals swedish home

A Dreamy Vintage-inspired Family Home on the French Riviera

Bonjour! Yes, you've guessed it, we're off to France today. Not IRL of course (although that would've been nice, don't you think?) - but right here on the blog. Jessica, her husband and their two children Cara and Maya live in a beautiful home on the French Riviera. Decorated in calming neutrals, the house is a sea of cool white and cream, punctuated with rattan and wood for warmth. Vintage furniture and art help to add a relaxed vibe throughout - and the perfect base from which to explore Cannes, St Tropez, Nice and Monaco. Bienvenue chez Jessica!