Welcome to Emely's Calming Swedish Sanctuary

Well, hello there friends. It's the start of a brand-new week, and although we haven't seen much sun lately (in Stockholm they haven't actually had one single hour of sunshine in a month - and Malmö's not that much better! Pfuh!), I have a feeling this is going to be a good week! Let's kick off with the beautiful home of Emely Crona Stenberg.  Why have I chosen this particular Swedish home? It has everything I love - an abundance of art, a blend of old and new, tactile natural materials, a traditional masonry oven and a wonderful sense of calm. But so much more than that besides. It's a place from where Emely runs the incredible Heja Livet female network with over 85000 members. And above all else, it's her sanctuary. Photographer Mikael Lundblad was there to capture it. 

The wooden kitchen cabinets: one of 2020's biggest trends and only set to rise in 2021. There's no denying how beautiful they are either! 

I spy products by ByRedo. A friend gave me the Bibliothèque fragrance candle as a present and it is absolutely divine! 

Did you notice Emely's dark wood floor? You don't see these so often right now, but it adds a wonderful richness to the entire space as well as a great contrast with the lighter shades on the wall. 

I also loved that big fluffy rug in the sitting room and the glass coffee table. My Mother has a glass coffee table like this - and they are perfect for coffee table books (but not so good for little fingerprints from the grandchildren!).

Is there anything else that stood out to you? 

See more of Emely's lovely world over at @emmecrona and read an inspiring interview in which she opens up about the loss of her parents, and how she copes with her anxiety. 

Come here looking for Scandinavian Christmas inspiration today? Check out the archive! And stop by tomorrow for a touch ion festive spirit! 

Wishing you all a wonderful start to the week! 

Niki

Photography: Mikael Lundblad, shared with kind permission.  

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A White Swedish Apartment in Stockholm In Winter Time

Not many cities are as beautiful as Stockholm in winter. And there to enjoy it is Marta Vargas, her fiancé Graeme and their English springer spaniel Summer. Located in Midsommarkransen (I love this name - it means 'Midsummer wreath'), the family of three (soon to be four!), live in a little apartment overlooking "a tiny forest, with deer, beautiful sunsets and many types of birds." Originally from Barcelona, Marta is a graphic designer, photographer and art director and combines her position in the design team at Spotify with other freelance endeavours. The one bedroom flat offers a pared-back yet warm and inviting base from which to explore the city and its surroundings. Here are some snapshots from Marta's wonderful snowy world in the Swedish capital! 

Marta and Graeme used their time during the pandemic to renovate their kitchen - investing in cabinets from Skandinaviska Shakerkök.  

Source a similar wooden clothes dryer* from River Bend Roes. 

A 'snöblomma' advent star* lights up the window, and you can catch a glimpse of the small forest beyond. 

A small space between the open-plan kitchen, dining and sitting room area provides the perfect spot for a Christmas tree, simply decorated in tones of off-white, gold and brown.

A cot from Baby Bay has been set up beside a Jotex headboard for the imminent arrival. 

How lovely! 

It makes me want to relocate to Stockholm, how about you? 

FYI the last picture is actually in Undersåker, 7 hours North of Stockholm. It was taken during a stay at a cottage overlooking a frozen lake for Marta's 30th birthday. Imagine! 

Feel inspired by more photos over at @imartavargas and www.martavargas.com today. 

And here are a few other lovely Stockholm homes: 

The fab Stockholm home of a designer hunter

A charming apartment in Stockholm where the past and present meet

A beautiful Stockholm pad in earthy green and grey tones

On another note, I mentioned that things have sort of piled up my end. I hope you don't mind that I skip tomorrow's post in order to catch up (and breath again!). I figured that Marta's lovely home and the landscape surrounding it offers enough dreamy Scandinavian inspiration to carry us through to Monday, what do you think?

If you're doing some final touches to your Christmas decorating (or just getting started), take a peek at the My Scandinavian Home Christmas archive - there are thousand of Scandi 'Jul' ideas in there! 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend! 

Niki

Photography: Marta Vargas, shared with kind permission.  

*This post contains affiliate links

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A Swedish Home In Soothing Shades of Blue and Green

Why hello there! We have a mid-week situation going on today and with that, I figured we could take a little break from Christmas decorations and focus on some vackert (beautiful) Swedish design. Up for that? If so, come and take a peek at this stunning Stockholm apartment. The living space is a lesson in earthy, blue, green and emerald jewel-like tones. Study the pictures carefully and you'll also spot ideas for a relaxed kitchen island, vertical bookshelves, how to arrange a small living room area, a 3D gallery wall, vignette styling and much, much more! Swedish photographer Jonas Ingerstedt was there to capture it...

Since the apartment has a dining room (which is fairly common in these turn-of-the-century Swedish homes), a raised breakfast bar in the kitchen serves as a spot to catch a quick bite to eat or simply sit and chat to the chef! The marble top transforms the simple bar (a great hack if you have an IKEA island) - and the mix and match stools help to give the kitchen a lovely, relaxed vibe. 

Many of us have rooms with multiple doors (in our landing we have no less than 5 doors plus a stairwell - gah!) - which can make furniture arranging really tricky. In the sitting room of this flat the two doors opposite each other creates a corridor that needs to be kept obstacles free. The owners have used rounded furniture, arranged in a compact, yet cosy way to carve out a lovely social area. 

A vertical bookshelf makes use of a corner (see - 11 ways to make use of an awkward corner). 

Notice how the owner has used the same tone of marble in the sitting room and kitchen, creating a 'rödtråd' (red thread) and connecting the rooms (see - 8 ways to create cohesion in your home, Danish style for more ideas). 

I love the vignette on the side table - made up of unique pieces such as art, an a-symmetric table lamp, ceramics, books and vases.  

The dining room doubles up as a formal dining setting and study. Stacks of coffee table books lay ready to be browsed, while a 3D gallery wall adds interest to the space. 

The bedroom has been painted in a soothing green - a colour symbolising nature and as sense of tranquillity.  Researchers have also found green can improve reading ability - something to think about if you're a bit of bookworm (or trying to get your children to read more!). 

Love the Series 7 chair by Arne Jacobsen as a home office piece! It's a favourite of mine, except I love the leather version. 

Such a lovely, calm apartment. 

I particularly love the green and blue tones and the art photography. Is there anything that stood out to you?

Are you ready for a little more festive inspiration tomorrow? Pop back to take a peek at the latest Christmas decorations from Georg Jensen (I particularly love the candleholders in Helen's little tree!). In the meantime, there's plenty of Scandinavian Jul inspiration in this archive.  

Happy lillördag (little Saturday). 

Niki

Photography: Jonas Ingerstedt, shared with kind permission. Found via Nordic Design with thanks.

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A Lovely, Light And Airy Swedish Apartment

Who's ready for a lie-in? If it meant chilling here, I'd be happy to take an entire duvet day and make my way through the last episodes of The Queen's Gambit (have you seen it? If not, it's a must!). This week on the blog, we've been on a tour of a charming Stockholm apartment, an edgy Berlin flat, and a tiny house on wheels, so today I thought we'd take a breather and admire this light and airy space, where the beauty lies in the simplicity. Think milky white hues, soft fabrics and a whole load of light! 

Although not featured, I kind of want to go in and put a Samsung Frame TV (with light wood frame) on the wall instead of the picture. It would make a perfect TV corner and that's the perfect TV (I'm not sponsored to say that, even if I did do a collaboration around it back in 2016! - I just love it!). But maybe, it's because I'm still thinking about that series....

Got to love a plinth! They make such great plant stands, don't you think? 

Just the breather I needed! 

Love the dark blue kitchen cabinets too - they helps to break up the white. 

Is there anything that stood out to you?

I'll be back tomorrow with a colourful danish home full of art - I think you're going to like it!

Vi ses imorgon! 

Niki

Photos courtesy of Alvhem

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A Charming Apartment In Stockholm Where Past And Present Meet

Why, hello there! I hope you had a great weekend! I thought we'd kick off the week with a charming Stockholm home that's full of character and lovely vintage touches (I especially love the loo roll holder!). The space has been captured by Historiska Hem - an estate agent which prides itself on selling homes with a past. And I can totally understand why this one fits the bill. The apartment is housed in the historic Nederland Mindre 9, a property best known as the former home and studio of Swedish artist and sculptor Christian Eriksson. Dating back to the late 17th century, the house has been converted into a series of beautiful apartments where past and present go hand in hand. What a perfect opportunity for anyone looking for their own little slice of history in the heart of Stockholm! Ready to peek inside? 

I love how a narrow wall in the kitchen has been put to good use with a built-in plate-rack, painted the same colour as the cabinets - perfect for extra storage and adding to the cosy feel of the home, don't you think?

Owning a home with a Kakelugn (tiled masonry oven) is a bit of a dream of mine. This one appears to be in great working condition too! The entire 'oven' heats up and emits heat for hours on end, even after the fire dies. Oh, and they're pretty too! 

The bathroom is made up of so many lovely details - including a vintage cabinet. copper pipes, pretty floor tiles and a vintage loo roll holder. 

Sidenote: I am especially taken by the loo roll holder for the simple reason that no one in my family except me, is capable of taking the cardboard roll off the holder once it's finished. They just put the new loo roll on top. I mean. Seriously! How hard can it be?  

I'm thinking if I had one of these bad boys with space for four, it wouldn't bother me so much! What do you reckon? 

While we're on the subject, my Mother-in-law has a vintage loo roll holder in her bathroom at the summer cottage. It has a little built-in drawer and I recently found out that in the olden days, it was used to store a match box.... make of that what you will! 

What a magnificent entrance! 

I love the outdoor space too. You see this outdoor furniture a lot in Sweden, it's made by a classic Swedish brand Grythyttan (just in case you're looking for new outdoor furniture this Autumn / winter). I shared a whole load of 'cosy' outdoor inspiration a few weeks ago (in case you missed it). 

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

Fancy taking a peek inside a few other Stockholm homes today? Here are a few of my faves: 

The incredible Stockholm home of Lovisa Häger

Get the look from the fab home of a design hunter

A beautiful Stockholm home in calming green and grey tones

Wishing you a fabulous start to the week friends!

Niki

Photography: Historiska Hem photo Lina Ostling styling Rymandshem

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