A Swedish Home with Colour Pops and a Lovely Workspace

Heeeeej there friends! 

I'm writing this blog post from home this morning as later I'm be heading to Copenhagen for a meeting (it's a beautiful, sunny day so I can't wait!). I usually go into my studio to work these days, so sitting here at my desk got me thinking about how it needs a revamp (easily distracted, I know!). Which led me to the workspace in this Stockholm home. Funny how things can happen like that. 

Although a simple space, the spot exudes charm in a very Scandi way! I particularly love the way the owners have painted an old gate-leg table grey and then placed it perpendicular to the window (it's always great to have natural light when you're working, but never directly from behind your screen). And the fabulous little Hay Matin table lamp is the icing on the cake! All that's left is an ergonomic desk chair and you're good to go. Oh, maybe a coffee first. 

Oh, and of course I have thrown in the rest of the lovely Stockholm home too for you - after all, who doesn't love stacks of books, pops of colour, pretty spring-like wallpaper, and the odd dotty piece of furniture? 

Varsågoda! 

Very inspiring! 

Incidentally, the pockets in the hallway are from Swedish brand Norrgavel ('påshylla')- they make for great hallway storage and something I've had my eye on for a while. You never know, my children might just put their things in them rather than on the floor. I'm not so sure though!

Note the stools dotted around. They look like vintage Artek 60 stools, which have become truly iconic! 

Is there anything that stood out to you about this lovely Swedish family home? 

Here are a few other home workspaces to feel inspired by today. If you're in need of a nice looking ergonomic chair, I've had this one for years.

And in case you'd like to see more Scandi homes dotted with colours, I love these: 

Hygge and pops of colour in a Danish home

A tiny Danish home that's big on (handmade) design

12 simple ways to add colour to your home this spring, Danish style

Right, I'd better get myself ready for my trip over the bridge. If you're up for a virtual visit to the Danish capital in the sunshine today, I'll share some glimpses in my instagram stories!

Stor kram!

Niki

Photography: Therese Jahnsen, styling: Thomas Lingsell for Historiska Hem

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A White Swedish Apartment with Lovely Outdoor Lounge Area

The leaves are starting to unfurl in Sweden which means gardens and balconies have been a hive of activity: sweeping, pruning, scrubbing down furniture - you name it. While we know in our hearts of hearts that the temperatures could very well plummet later this week, there's an optimism in the air that lunches alfresco are just around the corner! 

That's is probably why this fresh white apartment in Gothenburg caught my eye. It has all the trappings of an ideal My Scandinavian Home contender: a lovely mix of old and new, Scandi design pieces (keep a look out for the vintage Dux chair and Frama stool) and plenty of plants. But also, the small garden has been converted into a charming outdoor sitting room - complete with sofa, coffee table and parasol, offering the perfect place to relax with a book on a sunny afternoon. 

Välkommen! 

Here's the floor plan in case you're curious: 

Glossary: Kök - kitchen, Sovrum - bedroom, Bad - bathroom, Vardagsrum - sitting room, klädkammare / förråd - wardrobe / wardrobe, and uteplats - outdoor space. 

Lovely! So fresh, yet with a touch of charm. 

I think the garden design is really clever, with a semi-circular bush shielding the space from the communal pathway. 

Is there anything that stood out to you about this Swedish home? 

See more white-themed home tours in this archive. 

Wishing you all a great start to the week! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Stadshem (currently for sale!). 

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Elsa's Beautiful Swedish Home is For Sale!

Hello dear friends! I hope you had a lovely weekend? I've got a beeeeeautiful home tour for you today which I think will put a spring in our step! 

I've been a fan of Elsa Billgren's work for many years. The Swedish TV presenter, fashion and interior stylist and author has such a lovely sense of style and anything that she turns her hand to turns to gold - in a way that's authentically Elsa. Hence why I have featured many of her homes in the past, including her Gotland summer cottage, previous colourful apartment - and even this one! 

And then this weekend, I discovered that Elsa has put her Stockholm home on the market! There are three great things about this: 1) we get to admire every nook and cranny once again, 2) we get to peek around corners we might not have seen before and 3) it's available to buy! 

Get ready to feel inspired by antique pieces, cosy texture and a Swedish style where tradition meets contemporary elegance. 

How lovely! Do you agree?

A wise friend (Holly Becker of Decor8 blog) once said to me that when you listen to a talk, no matter how familiar the topic, you usually learn at least one new thing. This has proven to be true time and time again. And I think the same goes for home tours! 

Per and I have been trying to find a way to cover the really ugly fuse box in the tiny hallway at the summer cottage. We were considering building a box around it - but the area is so tight and awkward. A curtain (like the one seen in Elsa's home) might just be the answer we've been looking for!! I love the floor too! 

Is there anything that stood out to you about Elsa's home today?

I can't wait to see what she does next!

Have a fabulous start to the week raringar! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Historiska Hem with thanks

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A Small Swedish Home With a Smart Room Divider

In small quarters, creating a calm, practical and comfortable living space that's also beautiful isn't always easy, but it's something the Swedes are especially good at! 

While this apartment might be blessed with a spacious kitchen, the living room needs to serve as a place to sit, relax and socialise as well as a bedroom. And if there's one thing us humans love, it's to sleep in a cosy space that provides privacy. But, with only one window in the room, the owners were faced with a conundrum. Do they close off the 'sleep zone' and cut off the natural light? Or do they keep it open-plan? 

Read on to discover the smart solution they arrived at and feel inspired by a soothing colour scheme and light-filled home in a compact, 37 sqm / 409 ft.sq space. 

Mirrored furniture is great for reflecting light into all corners of the home - and it's also a huge trend this season! 

Look closely at the window and you'll spot a black-out blind - ready to turn the room into a dark haven for a good night's sleep! 

And here friends, is the answer the owner found to creating a little privacy at nightfall. A pony wall that's high enough to separate the living room from the bedroom but low enough to ensure light flows through. 

There's no shortage of storage here! 

The layout: 

Glossary; rum: room, kök - kitchen, badrum - bathroom

What a lovely space, and a clever idea for a room divider to boot, do you agree?

Is there anything that stood out to you about this Swedish apartment? 

See more small spaces that offer beautiful solutions for angled ceilings, one room studios, storage and more in the small spaces archive. 

Glad Lillördag! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Alvhem with thanks

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