The Charming Swedish Home of a Plant and Flea Market Enthusiast

Malin Brostad loves gardening. In fact, she loves plants and flowers in general. The borders in the garden of her pretty, classic yellow and white house in Hässelby, Western Stockholm are bursting with fox gloves, ferns, roses and other species hardy enough to withstand the Northern climate. In the winter, more sensitive shrubs are brought inside and rest on shelving, vintage tables and credenzas alongside climbers, monstera and coleus as well as treasures picked up at flea markets. It's hard not to fall in love with Malin's charming home - which she shares with husband Markus and their children Ville (10) and Vidar (7). Välkommen in!

My parents-in-law have had a climber like this around their window for decades - and I appreciate it every time I visit. In Malin's home, it makes a feature of the window - and adds a green feel even when there are no leaves on the trees outside. (See my guide to indoor climbing plants if you're curious to do something similar!).

A classic danish Stoff candleholder* can be glimpsed amid the urban jungle atop a mid-century side table*.  I remember seeing the same candleholder in Karolina Modig's Stockholm home (another plant enthusiast!).

I cheated a little here and am sharing a photo which Malin took at another time (which explains why it's not the same arrangement seen in the photo above it!). I couldn't resist though, as I love the lions head and gallery wall and thought you might too! 

Kim Kardashian is not the only who can break the internet. The incredible coleus seen in the corner of the family dining area (and in Malin's arms below!) caused a stir on instagram in 2018! I can totally see why, how about you?!

In the winter, there's one geranium for every step! 

There's so much to love about Malin's bedroom - the A-frame ceilings, the vintage chair, the plants, the soft teal wall colour (by Jotun), the apricot linen duvet cover*. Isn't it pretty?!

Looking at the exterior of Malin's Swedish home - it's hard not to dream about moving to the suburbs of Stockholm, does anyone else feel the same?!

Failing that, this home has taught me that there's absolutely nothing stopping me from bringing more plants into my homes. I love how a coleus like Malin's adds a burst of colour to the room too - perfect! 

Is there anything that stands out to you? 

See more snaps of Malin's lovely home over on her instagram @malinbrostad - and other Swedish homes with pretty outdoor spaces here, here and here! 

I've just returned from a great weekend in Frankfurt where I attended Ambiente Fair. It was a bit of a flyby tour and I'm feeling sooooo tired this morning (cue - 'kids, can you fix your own breakfast today'?!) but it was super inspiring too! If you'd like to take a peek at the latest trends, I recorded this interview with the Ambiente Facebook Live (eeek!) team on Saturday.  

Have a wonderful start to the week!

Niki

Photography: Malin Brostad, shared with kind permission.

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A Cosy, Rural Swedish Country Home At Christmas

Fanny Lindén's IG @hostedbynature profile reads "mother of three, collecting dust & memories". But there's so much more to her wonderful Falu red home by the sea in rural Västerbotten, Sweden. As one half of the creative design duo BYN Collective and blogger behind The Waves We Make, Fanny documents their sustainable daily life on the former farm, surrounded by antiques, vintage finds, handmade items and pretty festive touches. Pour yourself a steaming cup of coffee, it's time to get cosy!

Scandinavian homes are often synonymous with a minimalist look and feel, but this is living proof that you can find cosy homes with surfaces bursting with ceramics, utensils, trays and other items!

Those curls - so adorable! 

A week doesn't go by without baking in the Lindén household - and the pantry is brimming with ingredients! 

A vent on the Swedish masonry oven is used to hang Christmas stars, wreaths and other items depending on the time of year.

I was going to talk about the decor and then I spotted the kittens...

(source a similar round jute rug here*).  

How pretty are these hand-dipped candles?!  

I found similar on Etsy here*.  Lovely! 

Cats always find the cosiest spot in the house, don't they? These felines have made themselves at home on pretty striped linen bedding* while the snow falls silently outside.

Oh so beautiful! This home has left me with a warm fuzzy glow.

Hands up if you could also spend the entire Christmas holiday here...

Check out Fanny's blog The Waves We Make and Instagram @hostedbynature for more snapshots - and BYN Collective to learn more about her creative services.

Here's a little more inspiration I think you might love today:

A Swedish country-style Christmas
Rustic Scandinavian Christmas inspiration
Ylva Skarp's Christmassy Home

I'm starting to feel a move to the Swedish countryside is in order, how about you?!

Have a great start to the week - we're nearly there friends, five days to go and counting!

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Niki

Photography by Fanny Lindén
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Snapshots From Ida's Charming, Vintage-Inspired Dalarna Home

Is it just me, or is it getting harder and harder to get up in the mornings? It doesn't help that it's pitch black and minus temperatures outside (and of course nothing to do with the glögg - honest!). But this gives us even more reason to make our homes as cosy as possible, right?! In my mind nothing adds cosiness like loppis (flea market) finds (candles aside obvs!) and Swedish photographer Ida Gustafsson has them in spades! Ida lives in her 1920's house in Ludvika, South Dalarna with her sambo (a great swedish word meaning 'live-in partner') Tom, and children Maja and Henry. The house has been decorated with patterned wallpapers, a wonderful eclectic mix of colour and the odd Swedish design classic (I see you Lilla Åland chairs!). Ready to take a peek inside?

The wall has been painted in Heart Wood by Nordsjö, Source a vintage architects chair here*. 

Pretty paper stars can be seen twinkling in the windows of homes across Scandinavia at this time of the year. Three alternatives I love include this flower*, a classic paper star* and this lovely snowflower lantern (seen in yesterday's home). 

I have a bit of a weakness for 'blossom' wallpaper by Mr Perswall - isn't it pretty?

In the guest room, Ida has applied traditional Tessin wallpaper. 

Baby, it's cold outside!

Oh so lovely! Such a personal, warm and inviting home, don't you think?

Check-out more pics from Ida's home here. 

And for more vintage inspired scandinavian homes: an idyllic summer cottage (and pink caravan!), a Danish home full of vintage treasures and an inviting Danish home with cosy touches. 

Have a cosy day! Stay warm!

Niki

Photography: Ida Gustafsson / Sullkullan

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A Dreamy Swedish Country Home

This summer photographer Anna Malmberg (owner of this lovely home) and Mari Strengheilm made their way out to the countryside near Nacka, Sweden to capture this charming rural house. Painted in traditional red and white, the 1920's house has wonderful high ceilings and large windows, which are thrown open ion warm evenings to welcome in the sweet scent of jasmine. A disused paddock on the grounds is used as a make-shift dining room for lunch and supper alfresco, even when the rain comes down. With a heavy heart, the owner has decided to put it on the market after twenty years - and now it's up for grabs! How unbelievable tempting is that?!

Bistro chair*, jute rug*

Rustic stool, Gotland sheepskin*

Wishbone chairs*

Wooden bench*, grey linen throw*

 I can feel the warmth from the pools of dappled sunlight from here, how about you?!

This lovely paddock / barn is perfect for parties (one of my friends had a wedding in a place like this a few years back and it was so romantic!). Imagine it all candlelit!

Isn't this place a complete dream?

I need to call the man and break the news that we're moving to Nacka.

Could you imagine living here too?

More country homes here. 

Ha det så fint!

Niki

Photography: Anna Malmberg. Styling Mari Strengheilm. For sale through Historiska Hem.

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