A Charming & Relaxed Swedish Home In Blue And White

Hejsan! It's one of those weeks where I'm constantly on the back foot - anyone else experiencing that? I'd never leave you high and dry without some beautiful interior inspiration though - besides this lovely Swedish space has been the highlight of my day! The blue and white colour scheme and relaxed nature of the space caught my eye. There's also a load to love - including the mix and match furniture, books, plants and art  which give the place in Kungsladugård, Gothenburg it's soul! I hope you feel as inspired as I do by this lovely home! 

It's so hard to find lovely old tables - but a close-up of this one reveals it's been handmade (possibly using IKEA legs and a door or other reclaimed item). So clever - and actually not that difficult to cobble together if you fancy doing something similar. 

The sitting room reminds me a little of the beautiful Varberg home of Kristin Lagerkvist 8(you can see a glimpse of her living room here). 

There are a few lovely things at play in the space above - including a wooden cabinet which has been painted in the same colour as the wall, Elfa shelves lined with books and other treasures and a simple grey sheepskin* draped over a mid-century chair - all of which make it feel personal and cosy!

So charming, don't you think?

Is there anything that stood out to you?

I'm still thinking about the Elfa book shelves (not just in the sitting room, but also in the hallway) - and wondering where I might be able to fit more shelving in my own home (so many books, such little time... and space!).

The blue and white theme has me thinking about the subtle coastal tones in this danish cottage, a striking blue and white Swedish home full of contrast and the details in this striking Danish house. Blue will always be one of my favourite shades - are you a fan too?

Right, better get on, so much to do! Eeeek!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Kvarteret Mäkleri

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5

A Monochrome Swedish Home Where Creativity Shines Through

Maria Karlberg describes herself as a creative Mamma to her magical daughter, an interior designer and a furniture store salesperson. Looking at the wonderful monochrome apartment in Örebro, a few hours West of Stockholm, it's easy to appreciate this. Despite the pared-back nature of the space, Maria's home oozes creativity. Art, ceramics and sculptures appear on every wall and surface and there's something refreshing about the stacks of paper on the floor and desk. Keeping it real. Yay! Not tom mention making me feel way better about my own "filing system" or lack of! From now on, I'll be following Maria's instagram and blog - Studio Naya avidly. She has me sold! I hope you feel inspired by Maria's home too!

This is the second time this week we've seen a polished concrete floor (remember the fabulous Sydney home?!). I've always been a fan (if accompanied by under floor heating, especially in Sweden) - how about you?

Also spotted: a Marshall speaker*.

In Maria's home office candlestick holders, frames and sculptures (try Love Warriors) line a concrete worktop sourced from Conceptbetong. 

This is one of the stacks I was talking about! And guess what? It seems if you put a pretty vase of flowers on top, no one will notice it. Are you feeling as inspired as I am?!

Check out that candlestick holder to the right, too! It's available here. Just saying!

Cork boards are ideal for mood boards (Allie has one in her bedroom and loves it, and I've always been a little envious of it!) - try combining these tiles to create similar. 

I hope you feel inspired by Maria's home and have picked up lots of ideas! 

I'm so happy to have been reminded of the Swedish online shop Love Warriors. It's a PERFECT place to pick up art and sculptural pieces. It should come with a warning sign, if you're like me, you'll want everything in the shop! 

There are a load more pictures of Maria's home over on her instagram and blog (so worth a peek!). 

You might also like to take a peen at Anna Kvarnström's stunning home in the same Swedish city!

Have a lovely day!

Niki

PS I'm having so many problems with my blog comment section this week - GRRRRR! I can't seem to leave a comment, it just disappears, is anyone else finding this? If you have time to test it by leaving a comment and then send me a mail if it's not working, I'd be sooooo grateful. Anyhow, I just wanted to let you know that I'm enjoying reading your comments even if I can't respond!

Photography: Maria Karlberg shared with kind permission
*Affiliated links

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7

The Cosy Vintage-Inspired Home of a Swedish Artist

I love a home that feels truly personal. One of those cribs that has you marvelling at the details, a little like a (very relaxed) museum! I'm a firm believer that creating an entirely unique space takes years. Years of hunting for second hand pieces and offbeat furniture. Years of collecting art and little accessories that touch you in some way. It also takes a yearning to create a nest that's full of history and sometimes a certain artistic talent too. And that's when I stumbled across the home of Swedish artist Michaela Grut. Michaela lives in Lindingö, Stockholm with her two children and little kitten. Her style is very much about "decorating in a way that lasts" - opting for vintage furniture, interior details and art "that feels special, unique and a bit odd." The result is a rather eclectic home which blends colours, patterns and furniture from different moments in time to create a cosy family home in which to build new memories. Let's take a peek! 

A wood and marble vintage piece pops against Pomona wallpaper. 

When Michaela bought her first home she found it hard to find affordable art and began creating her own paintings and sculptures instead. her work immediately became popular among other and her online shop was born (I've just commissioned the sculpture in the above picture - I couldn't resist! Isn't it beautiful?!). 

Michaela's art is inspired by everything around her: "shapes, colours, structures... and the human body is a huge inspiration. I often exaggerate or understate the shapes to make it more interesting."

The children's room has been decorated in pretty Lilja wallpaper. Michaela designed the bunkbed herself and then got someone to build it. 

Take a closer at the 1940s kitchen (painted in Velvet 10246 by Jotun Lady) and you'll spot 'Staffan' a clay figure by Michaela casually perched on the open shelves! 

The sofa is in fact the IKEA Söderhamn wrapped beautifully in a loose fit Rosendal pure washed linen cover* from Bemz. The walls have been painted in Senses 2024 by Jotun lady. 

Both the artwork and clay bust are by Michaela and can be commissioned through her shop (particularly tempted by the bust, how about you?!). You can find all items in her shop or e-mail her directly to commission a piece (you can find her contact here and here). 

In fact, there are just SO many lovely pieces in this home. It makes me want to spend the whole of next weekend scouring flea markets and second hand shops for furniture and art, how about you? 

Other inspiring Scandinavian artist's homes to love today: 

The beautiful home of a Danish artist

The relaxed Oslo home of a Norwegian artist (I visited this home for my second book and still think about it today!).

Although not owned by an artist, this wonderful Copenhagen house is designed for an artist with its North facing windows (and lived in by an industrial designer) - that counts, right?! It's one of those places that never comes on the market, it's just passed down from generation to generation. 

This Stockholm home is also not own by an artist - but Karolina Modig is the author behind two art books so I think that totally counts - I love the way she's hung art really low in her home. 

Have a wonderful start to the week friends!

Niki

Photography: Michaela Grut - shared with kind permission.

*Affiliate links

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4

This Lovely 1930s Malmö Flat Could Be Yours!

I feel like I've been keeping very close to home lately on the blog - what with the beautiful house just over THE bridge in Copenhagen yesterday and another lovely Danish home just a short hop by sailboat on Friday. But today, I'm going even closer. This little number is situated right here in Malmö! In fact it's a stone's throw from my studio in the mysigt (cosy) Davidshall area. If I were to exchange my house for an apartment in the centre of town, this space could well be it (can you picture per getting nervous on the other side of town?!). It has everything on my list - from the 1930s period features, large windows, double doors leading from room to room, a beautiful parquet floor and a little balcony for morning coffees. Oh, and a load of little cafes, restaurants and boutiques just outside the door. What more could a girl want?! Ready to take a look around?

I think this cosy rug is from Tisca. I've actually ordered a similar one following my trip to Transylvania earlier this year (couldn't resist!). The classic shelves are by String (based right here in Malmö!).

These are the double 'spegeldörr' I was talking about - they are fairly common in old Swedish abodes and add such a wonderful element of grandeur to a space - don't you think?!

I'll never tire of dark blue walls - especially in the bedroom, how about you?! The Walton Ford print is from the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art (I actually went to that exhibition and it was pretty amazing. Kicking myself now for not picking up a poster in the shop! Guh! (FYI this museum has the best shop E.V.E.R!). The bench - which understandably seems to be popping up in homes everywhere - is the Stockholm 2017 coffee table from IKEA.

What do you reckon, could you imagine living here too?

If you snap it up, let me know as you'll be just around the corner and we can go for a Swedish fika!

I'm so proud of my adopted home city - and have showed many Malmö home tours in the past. A few of my favourites include this magnificent pad (those tiled fireplaces!), a stunning family home (our daughters go to gymnastics together and I am always bowled over when I stop by Malin's home!) and an atmospheric home in dark tones (also lovely!).

If you're planning a visit, you might find my local Malmö guide helpful (and of course, you can always give me a shout in the comment section or by email if you need any tips!).

It's a rare double post day today. I'll be stopping by later to share a film about natural light that I made with VELUX. I hope you are going to like it. It's my Swedish debut - eeeek (we filmed in Swedish but with English subtitles)!

Until then, friends...

Niki

Photography courtesy of Bo-laget with thanks

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10

This Stunning Stockholm Apartment Could Be Yours (If Only It Came With The Furniture!)

Remember the Stockholm home of Lovisa Häger? It's just come on the market. I'm not kidding! Oh, how I'd love to buy it along with EVERYTHING in it! Sadly, that's not going to be possible (from my side, at least). But I'm excited to see that the (beautiful) pictures taken for Nomad Mäkleri give us a sneak peek into a few more unseen corners. Think dark grey, soft pink and beige accents and autumnal touches against crazily high ceilings, beautiful period features and a 19th century wood floor. Let's just hope it comes with the design classics and all Lovisa's handmade pieces. See you in Vasastan, Stockholm?!

Could you imagine living here?!

Unfortunately, it's not that easy to just upticks and move to Stockholm - but there's no reason why we can't steal some ideas - like how to play with contrast and use texture to add depth to a monochrome space. 

You can see more of Lovisa's incredible home on her blog An Interior Affair and Instagram @an_interior_affair - I can't wait to see what she does next, how about you?! 

It's kind of apt that I've featured a Stockholm apartment as I'm on my way to Sweden's capital city for the day! I'm holding a talk about Swedish culture / Lagom - one of my favourite topics! Still, I can't help feeling a little nervous. Wish me luck!

I hope you have a fabulous start to the week!

Niki

Photography by Elisabeth Daly courtesy of Nomad Mäkleri. Design Lovisa Häger. 

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