An Art-Filled Industrial Apartment in Gothenburg

Finally Friday. The sun is shining and Malmö is a cacophony of horns, whistles, pumping music and students cheering as they graduate from high school, sailor hats perched proudly on their heads with their names emblazoned across the front. Do you have a similar tradition in your country?

Meanwhile, inside this wonderful apartment in one of Linnéstaden's oldest buildings in Gothenburg, a rather different atmosphere prevails. Once an industrial premises, the space is a beautiful blend of raw character and relaxed style. Exposed brickwork, hefty timber beams, original doors and soaring three-metre ceilings provide the backdrop, while a curated gallery wall, vintage furniture and splashes of cobalt blue add warmth and personality.

I love how the owners have embraced the building's history rather than trying to hide it. The result is a home with soul and full of character, creativity and charm. Welcome inside!

Such an inspiring home, don't you think?

Personally, I loved the play with scale, from the low shelving topped with oversized, bold artwork to the floor-to-ceiling gallery wall, as well as all the remnants of the property's industrial past. Wonderful!

Was there anything that caught your eye?

I feel this is the perfect excuse to share a few more fabulous homes with an industrial touch (it's been a while!):

Industrial meets cosy rustic in a Swedish home
The fabulous industrial style atelier of a creative
An artist's home in a former factory

And in case you missed it, I also shared a local guide to Malmö by the sea earlier this week, ideal if you're looking for vacation inspiration!

Wishing you all an underbar weekend!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Alvhem, with thanks.

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Breathing Room: A Beautiful Swedish Home

I was so happy to hear that so many of you loved the Norwegian home tour earlier this week - it certainly helped that we had such a handsome guide!

Today, I thought we’d go for something a little different. One of the things I’ve always loved about Scandinavian design is the calmness that comes with the “less is more” philosophy. Walking into a decluttered home, like the one you’re about to witness, makes me instantly take a deep exhale in and out. It’s instantly calming!

I also love how, when a home is pared back, you can see each carefully selected item in its entirety - the colour, the form, the material, the texture - everything.

So, this Swedish home is dedicated to anyone who needs a little calm, or some breathing room, to take with you into the weekend!

Granted, this is even more decluttered than usual since it’s for sale, but I still love the light and airy feel, along with the lovely choice of furniture and colour. Plus, I’ll always be a big fan of a wall rack for wine glasses - especially on a Friday!

Are you also a fan of the pared-back look?

I hope you’ve enjoyed the tours on the blog this week as much as I have. As always, thank you so much for stopping by and for all your comments, emails, and messages. I love this positive community! 

Have a fantastic weekend!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Stadshem, with thanks. 

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A Lovely Swedish Home in Bloom

It’s Friday, the sun is shining, and Per and I are trundling up the motorway to Gävle, just north of Stockholm, to cheer on Alice at a gymnastics competition. As we go, I notice the grass turning greener and the buds on the trees growing fuller. Soon the landscape will burst into life again, and there’s no greater sign of spring in Sweden than that first hint of colour after months of grey.

Indoors, though, touches of colour have been quietly appearing for a while in many homes. True to Scandinavian style, they show up in botanical patterns on walls, textiles and everyday details.

In this Swedish home, a simple white and grey backdrop acts as a canvas for a chequered rug, a blue and white tablecloth, and vibrant patternts by Josef Frank and Svenskt Tenn, from trays and wallpaper to even the blinds.

Elsewhere, spring makes its presence known too, with a lemon plant here, vibrant artwork there and fresh flowers, along with pieces that hint at faraway travels, bringing warmth and life to every corner.

All in all, this is such lovely home that puts a little spring in your step and sets the tone perfectly for the weekend. Va bra!

Josef Frank is a staple in Swedish homes, but it’s so fun to see a growing interest among younger generations, and even further afield beyond Sweden. Are you a fan of Josef Frank’s designs too?

Another major comeback we’ve been seeing for a while now is blue and white porcelain by the likes of Royal Copenhagen. Of course, it has never really gone out of style in Denmark or the UK. My mother has always had a collection on her Welsh dresser. But it’s lovely to see it being embraced by a younger generation as well. I’ve had my eye on these mugs with initials in particular for a while now, but they are a little steep budget-wise!

Did anything stand out to you about this lovely home? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Would you like to see some other homes with Josef Frank designs today? Take a deco at: 

A Copenhagen filled with design treasures
A Swedish apartment fit for a princess
Light, calm and oh-so Scandinavian in Malmö

Thank you so much for stopping by today – I hope this tour made the perfect breather out of your day! 

See you next week,

Niki

Photography courtesy of Oscars

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A Stockholm Home with a Very Pretty Hint of Blush

Are you up for a little blush today? It seems to be a popular colour of late, and I’m completely here for it.

Set within an Art Nouveau building dating back to 1905, this Stockholm apartment is a beautiful example of how to blend softness with character. A palette of green, blush, and warm neutrals runs throughout, with subtle touches of deeper rust tones adding just the right amount of contrast and depth.

The living area feels instantly inviting after a long day, thanks to the oversized neutral sofa, layered with textured cushions and a big chunky knit blanket. And I’m really loving the mix of materials here, boucle, woven fabrics, and wool, all working together to create that cosy, lived-in feel.

Just beyond, the kitchen introduces a gentle hit of blush through glossy tiled walls (so good!), which bounce light around the room beautifully. I like how it's been paired with muted green accents seen in the lighting and plants, as well as the window frames. Despite its modern feel, there’s also a lovely sense of tradition here (note the classic grey cabinetry and row of copper pans), which keeps everything in harmony with the building’s heritage.

Down the hall, you’ll find a master bedroom, guest room, and children’s room, all featuring some seriously fun paintwork. I’m so curious to hear your thoughts on the colour-drenched room — it’s not something I’d personally go for, but I love how bold and daring it is!! Sometimes it's fun to go all out, don't you think? 

Let’s take a little peek…

Some very cool use of colour here, don't you think? But to be honest, what i loved the most was the view of the sofa with the kitchen behind and the beautiful hallway with its soft arches and hint of colour seen through the bedroom doors.

I'd love to hear what stood out most to you about this Stockholm home! 

It's so interesting how pink has shown up in interiors over the years. Here are a few fun examples: 

2017 trend - pinks big comeback

A rose tinted Swedish home
A cool yet calm rose-tinted French home
Hygge and pops of colour (including pink) in a danish home

Are you a fan of pink? I've always been partial to a touch of pale pink here and there!

Have a happy mid-week!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Historiska Hem, with thanks.

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A Tour of a Lovely Gothenburg Flat (or Lägenhet!)

The other day I was scrolling through Instagram and someone had shared a carousel of four enormous homes, asking which one we’d choose if we won the lottery. I was pleased to see that many people in the comments felt the same as I did – none of them. They were all just far too big.

There’s something wonderfully cosy about a smaller home, and this Swedish space is furnished so thoughtfully. It may be compact  with the bedroom, dining area and kitchen all rolling into one, yet it still feels calm, considered and wonderfully lived-in.

What really draws me in here is the mix of pared-back Scandinavian simplicity with those softer, more personal layers. The clean-lined kitchen and whitewashed floors set a quiet backdrop, while warm wood furniture, woven textures and that lovely paper lantern bring in a gentle, relaxed warmth. I also love the open metal shelving (so popular right now) and that slightly eclectic mix of everyday objects – ceramics, books, plants.

It’s the little details that make it, too – the red wall lamp and the colourful rug breaking up the neutral palette, the trailing greenery, the blend of vintage and modern pieces sitting side by side. It all feels very effortless, but still intentional. 

Ready to take the tour? 

That desk chair is fascinating, don't you think? It reminds me of a set of panpipes! I tried a quick google image search but I couldn't find the source - do you know anything about it? if so, please do share away in the comments! 

Is there anything that stood out to you about this lovely flat? I was enjoying reading through the recent comments yesterday and came across one that mentioned the word “apartment” usually refers to a rental in the USA, so today I opted for “flat” :) – a nod to my London upbringing. In Swedish, it’s called a “lägenhet.”

Here are a few more "lägenheter" to tour today - and they all belong to talented people I know! 

My friend Igor's charming Berlin apartment
Alisan's serene Copenhagen apartment
The studio of Swedish furniture upholsterer Carina Grefmar

Thank you so much for dropping by, as always!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Stadshem, with thanks.

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