A few weeks back someone put in a request for something colourful on My Scandinavian Home -
gaaaaah *laughs*. With spring firmly in the air and summer just around the corner I agreed that this was a great idea. The trouble was finding something! And then I came across
Tropical Scandinavia. The cheerful Swedish brand designs fab rugs, cushion covers, blankets, jewellery and more bursting with bold colours and pattern! You can imagine my excitement when I also learned founders Emil and Johanna live just across town from me, near the hip neighbourhood of St Knut in Malmö. And they have a fabulous home. Just like their brand, the creative duo has decorated the living space with bold prints, topical patterns and colours that sing against a white-washed background. I reached out to find out more.
Where are you from?
Emil is originally from Helsingborg and Johanna is from a small village called Vomb (but spent part of her childhood living abroad in USA and Italy). We have lived in Malmö for many years now. Every year we try to escape the winter for a couple of months and go somewhere tropical to rest, gather energy and come up with new ideas.
Who lives in your home?
Emil (41), Johanna (31) and Viggo (4 months). Every now and again you'll find a dog here that we're babysitting. We love dogs!
What is your background?
Johanna has a background in graphic design and illustration (she studied in Copenhagen at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts) and Emil runs a movie production company but is also a painter (since forever!). We founded lifestyle / interior concept Tropical Scandinavia together a year ago.
Tell us more about your apartment
It was originally two apartments, now merged into one. We took down a wall when we bought it to turn it into a big open living space, we usually like to be all in the same room!
What inspired your tropical theme?
Every year, as summer gets closer, a tropical trend kicks in. But we love the tropics and lots of colour all year round! So, we thought it was a shame that it usually only lasts one season. That's where the idea of Tropical Scandinavia came from. It's also inspired by our travels of course! Most countries aren't nearly as afraid of using colour as Swedes! But to balance it out we do have a lot of white as well, which feels much needed during darker times.
Have you always been into bright colours?
Yes! But I think it really boomed when we started creating our home together and realised we really share a passion for bright colours and quirky things!
What is it about bright pops of colour and tropical motifs that you love?
Life constantly offers us so many choices, and we truly believe that it is possible to choose to live with an open heart, bright spirit and to make fun things! In some way, I think colour and a happy tropical theme symbolises that for us. It might sound a bit out there, but I really think it's true! Everything kind of blends together for us - life, work, interior, spiritual beliefs and love.
Have you got any tips for anyone who loves Scandinavian style but also wants to add colour?
Start with some details! Maybe you don't have to paint a whole room, start out with some colourful prints or a blanket. And don't think too much about everything matching, sometimes the odd things turn out to be the best!
Thank you so much Emil and Johanna!
***
This home put a great big smile on my face and a real spring in my step today. It's amazing what bright colours can do, don't you think?
My daughter Liv already has the Tropical Scandinavia
two birds one cat print in her bedroom, and now we've got our eye on a
blanket and a
rug - aren't they fabulous?!
I hope Emil and Johanna's home has inspired you as much as it has inspired me.
If you'd like to see a little more, check out their instagram feed
@tropicalscandinavia or better still, take a scroll through their wonderful
online store - and turn your home into a Tropical Scandinavian haven!
Other colourful homes to feel inspired by:
Have a fabulous day friends!
Niki
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