Small spaces: A light-filled One Room Swedish Attic

Goddag, goddag! How was your weekend? This lovely home in Gothenburg, Sweden is dedicated to anyone who's feeling a little cooped up (err, I guess that's most of us then!), those of you who have been dreaming about knocking through the ceiling into the attic (do it!), if you're planning a loft conversion, or simply living in a small, one room studio and in need of some dreamy inspiration. Designed by Emma Fischer, the space measures a teeny 36.1 metre square (376 f2) and could feel pokey and dark had it not been for the vast ceiling height, skylights, light wood floor and whitewashed walls. I especially love the dark wood beams; they add so much character! To divide the space up a little, you could also add a curtain around the bed area and include under-the-bed storage for clothes. Another idea would be to add some shelves (or wardrobe) as a room divider between the sitting room and kitchen. In other words, the bones are there, the only limit is your imagination! I'd be quite happy to pootle around here all week, how about you?! 

I hope this has given you a little food for thought for your own home. I always think that there's something that can be taken away from every home tour (whether that's colour inspiration, furniture arrangements, or a lamp) even if the space bears little resemblance to your own living space.

Is there anything that stood out to you?

A little more small space inspiration for you today:

7 small space tricks to learn from a Stockholm home

Small spaces: a dreamy Stockholm pad

16 ways to transform a tiny room into a dreamy, practical bedroom

Do you remember 'the world's smallest luxury home' too? My nine-year-old would love to live somewhere like this, she loves it when we're altogether in a small space - and imagine the adventures you could have (someday soon)? 

Have a great start to the week friends, we're getting through this, one step at a time! 

Niki

Styling: Emma Fischer 

Photography: Annie Hyrefeldt

Alvhem

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A Tiny Danish Home That's Big On (Handmade) Design!

I was scratching around for something to post today. My criteria was to find something a little different from the other spaces I've shown this week. And since I went all white yesterday, I was thinking a pop or two of colour would be nice too. Little did I know my search would lead me to this beauty in the heart of Copenhagen! Measuring a tiny 44 m2 (474 f2), this little apartment in the Nørrebro neighbourhood serves as a pied-à-terre for Puk Sjelden, her husband Jake and their 17 year old twin daughters. The apartment is made up of two rooms: an open-plan kitchen / dining area and one double bedroom and has been renovated to incorporate clever design ideas, pops of colour and a series of fun DIY hacks.  Welcome to Puk's mini but mighty Danish world! 

The stripy stool is an IKEA DIY hack (check out the DIY highlights on Puk's instagram for the know-how) - and the built in bench and mattress are also handmade. The dining room wall has been painted in Sand from Jotun. 

Did you carry out the renovation yourselves? You seem very handy!
"We (or Jake!) are really handy and we do a lot of the minor details ourselves - like the blue shelves. However, we used a contractor for the larger renovations so that we didn't have to coordinate all the craftsmen. We were very involved in all the details throughout the process."

Puk and Jake have created two recessed shelves using electric blue paint ('Sadolin' code: U9.48.19) and light wood. 

How did you come up with the idea for the recessed shelving?  

There was a hole in the kitchen wall when we took over the apartment, so instead of covering it up we decided to turn it into a feature. The blue shelves came about because I wanted a change. They used to be a covered cabinet and I wanted to bring more dynamics to the room. The colour turned the shelving into more of an installation which I really like! It adds a bit of edge to the room. 

Print by danish artist Sini Salminen.

Can you tell me more about the pops of colour? 

It's funny because I used to be super afraid of colour! I always went for monochrome. But then a Danish design company inspired me to create the blue shelves - and now I can't get enough of colour! It can change the entire feeling of a room. 

What do you like most about your apartment?

I really enjoy the kitchen and the nook, it has a good feeling and it's so cosy hanging out here alone, together or with good friends. 

A Hay mega dot throw adds a sunshine feel to the bedroom. while simple crates provide as extra storage. A simple Pujo coat rack is perfect as a makeshift wardrobe! 

Isn't this space wonderful?

If you love this pad as much as I do you'll be excited to hear that it's also available to rent through Airbnb! Perfect little over nighter! I know where I'll be staying next time I'm in Copenhagen!

You can see more pictures here. 

Other small spaces to feel inspired by: 

A beautiful two room Swedish apartment

A mini but mighty Stockholm apartment

15 small space hacks to learn from a lovely Danish home

Anyone else dreaming of having a little pied-à-terre in town in which to hang out with friends and rent on airbnb? Such fun! 

Niki

Photography: Puk Sjelden / @poppelgade

A special thank you to my good friend Mette at @monstercircus for the tip!

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7 Small Space Tricks To Learn From A Light-Filled Stockholm Family Home

Unless you're completely minted, you usually need to compromise somewhere on a property - whether that's location, size, outdoor space, aesthetics or layout. For this family in Stockholm, living in the hippest neighbourhood in town - South of Folkungagatan, Söderhamn (SoFo), an area buzzing with independent shops, quirky cafes and lively restaurants - meant compromising on living space. But despite measuring 44 m2 (473 f2)  - the occupants have made maximum use of every inch - carving out a kitchen, dining room, sitting room, master bedroom, children's room and even a library! So how do you create a charming family home in a small space? Here are 7 great tricks: 

1. Use the height: In small spaces it's important to think vertically and use every inch. In this home, bookshelves have been mounted above the dining area creating a family dining space and library in one! And it looks super cosy too, don't you think?

2. Leave a little breathing space! The blank space between the dining table and chairs and the bookshelves makes the space feel less cluttered even though there's a lot going on. 

3. Go wall to wall: built-in benches in dining rooms, kitchens and sitting rooms are perfect for small spaces since they help to maximise space, eke out a little extra seating and provide extra storage. 

4. Let the light flow: small spaces can be starved of light - widening doorways between rooms helps natural light to flow into even the darkest of corners! 

5. Use curtains for privacy: Sometimes there simply aren't enough bedrooms to accommodate every member of the family. In this lovely home, the living room doubles up as a master bedroom. A curtain helps to carve out a separate sleeping zone while still allowing the light to flow from the window. 

6. Internal windows: The little kitchen in this Stockholm home wouldn't have received any natural light had it not been for the glass room divider. At night, a curtain can help to shield the children's bedroom from lighting (we all know how important it is not to wake the crazies!). 

7. Create storage wherever you can: In this tiny bathroom, the tank top doubles up as storage and an extra freestanding unit has been installed for shampoo bottles, shower gel etc. 

I had another look through the pictures to see if I could establish where they keep clothes - and there are two storage cupboards in the hallway (not featured) - I wonder if they've stashed items in other unseen places too, like under the bed? 

Either way, there are so a many great ideas to steal from this home, don't you think?

Other small spaces providing great inspiration:

10 small space tricks to learn from a Swedish apartment

Small spaces, a dreamy Swedish pad!

16 ways to transform a tiny room into a dreamy, practical bedroom

Is your home small? What do you find the hardest thing about living in a small space? Have you got any space-saving tips? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

I'm excited to be winding my way up to Stockholm by train today to visit the Stockholm Furniture Fair. This post has taken me way longer than usual to write as the snowy scenery flashing passed the train window is simply stunning! If you're curious to follow my journey / time in Stockholm I'll be sharing away on Instagram stories. 

Ha det fint! 

Niki

This home is for sale through Historiska Hem. Photography: Anna Malmberg

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A Dreamy Holiday Rental in Daylesford With a Mini Warehouse Feel

Every single time a fabulous new holiday rental pops up in Australia it resurrects my desire to travel Down Under! Today is one of those days. Stylist extraordinaire Lynda Gardener recently added Room + Board to her wonderful repertoire of holiday rentals. The dreamy space has a mini warehouse feel which is part glass and part conservatory. Beautiful recycled schoolhouse windows flood the living space with light and help to highlight curated pieces, furniture, art and plants which have been individually sourced from personal collections and sustainable suppliers. Located in the heart of Daylesford - a town in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range of Victoria (also home to Lynda's fabulous The White Room and The Barn and The Estate Trentham holiday rentals) - the one bedroom property is waiting for its first guests. Form and orderly queue, please! 

This hand sewn burlap lamp* is similar. I have a cinnamon coloured cushion in my sitting room like this - you can pick it up here*.

Raffia net bag*, organic cotton net bag*, artisan brush

The beams! The pools of light! 

When you go for an entirely white washed space, the furnishings need to work harder to create a cosy feel (this comes from personal experience from the days when my bedroom was white!). Look closely at the above picture and you'll see a load of natural textures at play, all of which help to create a relaxed vibe. 

Rattan poof*, vintage pitcher*

Bemz sells similar linen headboard covers* like this, three legged wooden stool*

I'd love to know where the over-sized brown lamp is from - any tips? 

Could you imagine hanging out here for a few days? 

I'm totally in! 

Read more about the space and book your stay at Room + Board here. 

If you're visiting Melbourne, Lynda also has a property to rent in St Kilda (also on my radar!). 

Australia has been on the world's radar for other reasons lately - catastrophic bushfires. Rescue teams have been working tirelessly to help all those affected, including people who have lost their homes and livelihoods and all the beautiful animals. If you would like to offer your support, here are a few charities that welcome donations:

Koala crisis - bushfire recovery - a GoFundMe page created by photographer Kara Rosenlund (who's home I featured here) which set out to accrue $8000 of funding and current donations exceed $210,000 and counting! Incredible! 

WWF Bushfire emergency fund 

Australian Red cross

Please feel free to add charity suggestions in the comment section below - I know there are many, all of whom are doing what they can. 

Wishing you a wonderful start to the week! 

Niki

Photography: Marnie Hawson

Styling Lynda Gardner / @lynda.gardener

* This post contains affiliate links which means I will make a tiny amount of money if you click on the link and make a purchase. 

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A Small Swedish Home Tucked Under A Gothenburg Rooftop!

Homes come in all different shapes and sizes - which is wonderful (how boring would life be if they didn't?!). It's just that some shapes and sizes are a little trickier to decorate than others. This little Swedish home is tucked under the rooftops of Gothenburg and measures 50 m2 (538 feet2) Even so, the owners have made full use of every inch - including dark corners under the sloping ceiling (check out the leaning radiator and clever shelving unit!). The result is a charming home that's practical and full of light. Step this way to take a tour! 

 Karin chair, Mantis BS3 table lamp*

From a distance, the shelves look like they have been made bespoke for the apartment. But look closer and you'll see that simple white planks have been attached to the original beam work to form the shelves. Very clever - and more affordable too! 

IKEA sofa with a Bemz urban loose fit linen* cover, print: Figure 04, BYCDESIGN Studio*

Print: Monday by Anna Johansson*

Slimmed down appliances and a narrow shelving unit have ensured that every centimetre of the small kitchen has been used. I think this kitchen is from IKEA. When I was planning my summer cottage I sought help from the kitchen planners at IKEA and they really knew how to make the most of small spaces. 

Series 7 Chairs*

They say that to get a good night's sleep, you need a calm environment  - and this room certainly hits the spot. Look closely at the skylight window and you'll also see a black out blind for total darkness!

The shelving in the last image is so clever - once again they've used the original beams. I can also see a mirror peeping in from the side of the shot - another great way to make a fairly pokey room feel light and airy!

Are there any ideas you might steal for your home?

These posts also might come in handy for anyone living in a small space (or looking to convert an attic):

I'm off to Copenhagen today (WOOHOOO!) to visit Georg Jensen. They've organised an exciting schedule for us which involves a home tour, boat ride and a preview of a brand new collection - sounds like my kind of day! I'll be sure to share away on instagram stories if you're curious. Being pretty much the one man band that I am, it's meant that I've been up since 5 am to write this post and get other bits done before I head off. GIMME COFFEE! 

I hope you have a great day! 

Niki

PS I'm so excited to share Gen's new home office with you tomorrow, it's absolutely BEAUTIFUL! Don't forget to stop by. 

Photography courtesy of Alvhem

*affiliate links

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