A Serene White Swedish Home with Warm Touches of Wood

Come here for a breather today? You're in the right place! Decorated by Grey Deco in nuances of white and furnished with pieces in an array of natural material like wood, cane and linen, the living space is a total breath of fresh air and a wonderful oasis in the heart of Gothenburg. Although styled for sale, I can totally imagine stepping inside and filling it with my own personal touches, how about you? 

Note how the washing machine is in the bathroom. In Sweden this is very common in apartments. It's either that or a communal 'tvättstuga' (laundry room), where you book a time slot (the subject of numerous exasperated conversations - everyone has a 'tvättstuga' story - usually a note that has been left by another irate user! 

In the UK, washing machines tend to be in the kitchen (if you don't have a separate laundry room or mudroom). 

Where does the laundry tend to happen in your country? 

On a separate note, the subtle nuances in this apartment are so lovely. My guess is that they've used something like 'Classic white' on the ceiling (NCS S0500-N) and then Jotun Tidlös on the sitting room and bedroom wall.

Wishing you all a serene day!

Niki

PS I am so excited about the before and after home tour I have lined up for tomorrow - it's full of vintage finds! See you then! 

Greydeco for Alvhem

READ MORE...

21

Natalia's Malmö Home In Warm Earthy Tones

I finished off the year with a list of 20 wonderful things to do in Malmö in wintertime - so it makes sense to start the new year with a peek inside a local home, don't you think? This beautiful apartment belongs to Natalia Andersson, a landscape architect and owner of Atrium - one of my favourite haunts (which of course, I included in my guide!). Natalia, her partner Adrian and their three-year-old son Mateo used to live over Atrium before relocating across the street to this larger 96 meter square (1033 foot square) apartment dating back to 1909. Natalia and Adrian have invested a lot of time renovating the space, gradually transforming it into the lovely family home it is today. Ready to take a tour? 

Natalia is particularly happy with the bespoke kitchen - which was built with the help of a local carpenter.

A limestone countertop rests atop cabinets that have been built from scratch and painted in griege (4005-Y20R). 

The kitchen walls have been painted in Skimmingstone by Farrow & Ball, which gives the entire space a lovely warm feel. Lampe Gras provides task lighting. 

The rooms have been furnished with a blend of Swedish antiques and vintage finds as well as newer pieces by the likes of Scandinavian brands Artek, Norrgavel and Skovshoved Møbelfabrik. 

The sitting room walls have been painted in Jotun Sand.  

Tip: When you have high ceilings it's important to include items that help draw the eye upwards and accentuate the height in order to balance the feel of the room. In this case a beautiful rubber plant does the trick! 

I love the old wooden side table. 

A good rule of thumb, is to include at least one vintage or antique piece in every room. It will instantly add a unique touch and a wonderful feel to the space - it also serves as a great talking point as people are always curious about the story behind it! 

The bedroom wall has been given a lick or two of Nordsjö Deep Paris. 

Such a lovely home - it feels so balanced and full of harmony. 

This reminds me that I really should head to Natalia's wonderful Atrium cafe for a brunch as soon as possible, it's only a 5-minute cycle from my house, so no excuses! In case you missed my guide - here's a glimpse inside: 

A roaring fire and a good book. What else could you possibly need on a cold January morning? 

Would you like to take a peek around a few other Malmö homes today? 

Firstly of course, there's our townhouse by the sea - see the before and after - although those of you who know me well, know my home will never really be 'finished'! 

You might also like to see Sofie's vintage inspired home and this turn-of-the-century apartment. 

Har det så bra! 

Niki

Photography: Natalia Andersson

READ MORE...

8

Clever Small Space Solutions in a Cool Stockholm Apartment

This incredible apartment is for anyone living in small space, scratching their heads trying to figure out how on earthy they're going to fit everything in AND still achieve a minimalist aesthetic! Occupying a 19th century building overlooking Riddarfjärden, the easternmost bay of Lake Mälaren in central Stockholm, this 36 metre square (387 feet square) industrial style apartment is cool, funky, unique - and above all else practical. Trust the swedes! Scroll on down to get some ideas! 

In small living spaces using the full height of the room is key! These bespoke, built-in units make plenty of room for storage, and help to keep other areas free of clutter. 

Doubling up on space by adding a raised bed with storage underneath makes optimum use of every inch! At night, blackout blinds roll down from the ceiling creating a cosy zone and ensuring total darkness! 

Under-bed railing provides a perfect place for hanging clothes. 

To ensure a more minimalist look, group items and leaving plenty of 'blank space' around the display. 

Bespoke floor-to-ceiling pine shelving in the hallway paves the way for storage space and laundry, while a large mirror helps to visually enlarge the apartment and bounce light around. 

An internal window allows light to flow through to the windowless bathroom and let off some steam! 

I thought it would be interesting to share the floorplan too (courtesy of Historiska Hem) so you can clearly understand the footprint. It's in Swedish - säng = bed, kök = kitchen, rum = room, bad = bathroom.  

What do you think? Have you ever seen a space like this before? 

I absolutely love it! And would be half tempted to move in myself (it's for sale via Historiska Hem), not least for the views! How about you? 

More small space inspiration in this archive (if this pops up first, just scroll on past!). 

Have a great start to the week! 

Niki

PS come here looking for Scandinavian Christmas inspiration? Click here! Plus, I'm planning to share some beautiful ideas with you later on in the week! 

Photography courtesy of Historika Hem with thanks.

READ MORE...

12

A Small, Cosy Swedish Pad with Warm Tones

It's all very well showing incredible country houses with sweeping staircases or apartments made up of a myriad of large, spacious rooms - after all, I'm a firm believer that you can take inspiration from just about anywhere. BUT, if you are dealing with just one room to live in it can be a little tricker to achieve the look you're aiming for. Fear not, this delightful Swedish studio is proof that sometimes the best homes come in small packages. Designed by Emma Fischer, the Gothenburg living space is a sea of earthy, autumn tones and features an abundance of texture giving the home a lovely, relaxed look. Step this way for the tour!

After my post about round coffee tables last week, I've had many responses from readers saying how much they love theirs. In many ways they are so much practical than a square table: no corners to bang your shins on and they're great for entertaining - but also, from an aesthetic standpoint, the shape helps to soften the look of the room. 

Also, the fluffy rug makes the entire room feel real cosy. 

I love how this sofa has a built in shelf - multi-use furniture is always handy in a small space. 

I'm a huge fan of glass cabinets and this vintage one is a beauty, don't you think? It's important to keep clutter to a minimum in small spaces, and this cabinet helps to maintain a neat and tidy look. I am guessing there's a wardrobe on the hallway for clothes etc. And the bed skirt could also be hiding drawers. 

Book lovers would also need somewhere to store their tomes - I would suggest built in shelves above the sofa or over the bed. 

So pretty! 

I hope you felt inspired by this too! 

See a gazillion more small spaces in this archive. 

I haven't quite decided on the order of my posts this week - but I'm looking forward to sharing a cabin update and my first Christmas post of the year (yes, I know it's a tad early, but it's starting to get very Christmassy around here in Oslo, and it's got me in the mood for some 'Jul' inspiration!). 

Ha en fin dag! 

Niki 

Photo -Anders Bergstadt

Styling - Emma Fischer

READ MORE...

12

The Vintage-Inspired Stockholm Home of Elsa Billgren

If you love vintage, you'll love the home of Swedish TV presenter and interior / fashion blogger Elsa Billgren. Elsa lives with her family in Mosebacke, in the hip district of Söder in Stockholm. Despite being in the heart of the capital, Elsa's apartment is a picture of calm thanks to rustic furniture that wouldn't look out of place in a country home, plants around every corner, relaxed piles of books, art and plenty of cushions, sheepskins and blankets! Once into bright colours (see her previous Stockholm home), Elsa has toned down to a more earthy palette over the years - but look closely and you'll spot soft hues of red, green and blue. Ready for the tour? Put your feet up and enjoy! 

The dining area is a made of a blend of vintage pieces including a fabulous rustic farmhouse table with drawers. 

I'm really curious about this table, as I've passed up tables like this in the past due to the bars just above the floor and lower drawers. Maybe I should take another look and see if it's possible after all. Does anyone else have experience with using these types of tables as a dining table? 

Contemporary pieces like the modern art and Valerie Objet number 2 wall lamp make a nice contrast with the older vintage pieces - adding a cool, personal vibe. 

A rustic side bench* provides a perfect spot for plants, books and candles. 

I love the quirky touch with the blue architrave around the door. Notice how Elsa has also added blue cushions on the sofa to balance the look.  

How beautiful! It makes me want to scour the internet for antiques - do you feel the same? 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

Thank you to Idha Lindhag for the kind permission to share these images. If you'd like to see more of Elsa's home hop on over to instagram. She also has a book Elsas Husdröm 2021 and also a Podcast: Billgren Wood (both in Swedish). 

Have a great start to the week! 

I've just arrived in Oslo, Norway for a few days - very exciting to be out travelling again, even if it's for work! Follow my adventure on Instagram stories if you're curious to see what I get up to! I hope to write a guide here soon too! 

Niki

Photography: Idha Lindhag, shared with kind permission

*This post contains an affiliated link 

READ MORE...

12