A Small Stockholm Space with a Playful Twist

I am always drawn to the opposite. Mention a documentary about climbing Mount Everest or another daring adventure and I’ve hit play before they’ve even put on their crampons – from the safety and warmth of my sofa, of course. And here on MSH, there’s always room for a big old house in a remote country setting – even if many of us live right in the middle of the city.

That said, some of the most inspiring homes are often the smallest ones. Spaces that rely on clever planning, flexible living solutions and smart storage – and prove that you don’t need endless square metres to create something full of personality.

And that’s exactly what this bright little Stockholm apartment does so well.

Measuring 36 m² (388 ft²), the one-bedroom apartment is full of lively prints, small pops of colour set against a soft, neutral backdrop (note the distinct lack of white), and a joyful collection of playful details that gently nudge a smile as you move from room to room.

Even though we haven’t seen the sun for some time, these cheerful touches make the flat feel bright whatever the weather. And isn’t that part of the magic of a thoughtfully put-together home? A flower-shaped bath mat underfoot. A botanical shower curtain that turns everyday routines into something a little more joyful. Cherry-themed glasses catching the light. A tablecloth dotted with tiny lemons, quietly reminding you not to take life too seriously. None of it shouts – it simply delights.

It’s a lovely reminder of how small, inexpensive details can completely transform a space – great news for renters and homeowners alike. Which playful touch would you borrow for your own home? And do you lean more towards calm and neutral, or do you enjoy adding cheerful little surprises like these?

Let’s take the tour!

Notice the Aarke carbonator again (told you it was popular here in Scandinavia!) – and I also spy a Sjöstrand Coffee machine, which we have at our cottage. Lovely appliances!

Have you noticed how popular blue and white ceramics have become lately? A true classic that perfectly suits the nostalgic phase we’re in.

How cute is this table cloth embroidered with lemons (from Swedish brand Midnatt)?

Another popular piece right now - the blue and white Klippan blanket. 

Tables attached to the balcony are perfect for saving space on a small balcony. And the chess set is lovely too! 

Cobalt blue is set to continue as a key colour this year (and hopefully forever once we've invested in it, after all, we don't need to stick to trends, just what we love!) - and this Siesta bedding from Midnatt is so vibrant! Word of caution if you buy Swedish bedding - their sizes are quite different, for example the pillows are almost square shaped (50 cm x 60 cm!), it's very strange! 

It's clever how they've created a thread of cobalt blue throughout the flat - look back and you'll spot small details everywhere - it really helps to tie the space together. 

Oh, so fun! 

I loved looking at all the details in this apartment, so fabulous! 

Did anything stand out to you? 

I think I might treat myself to the lemon tablecloth, it would be so pretty on our garden table at our summer cabin! 

Here are some more homes with a wonderful, playful touch: 

12 playful details in Sussie's Danish home (pink stairwell anyone?)

A Stockholm home full of colour and creativity

A vibrant loft with splashes of colour and playful art

I hope this home tour has filled with you ideas or at the very least brightened up your day. 

Thank you so much for dropping by! 

Niki

PS I have just written a piece for IKEA on how to update your bedroom for spring if you'd like to take a peek :) 

Credits: Historiska Hem, shared with thanks

 

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A Warm Swedish Home with Built-In Bookshelves

Bookshelves. That was a question in the comments this week. And if January is known for one thing, it’s reading. Some love to read from their iPad or a Kindle, others prefer audiobooks, and of course, there’s the beauty of a physical book too. Either way, seeing tomes in a home automatically makes it look more lived-in and cosy. Hence one of the reasons why I picked this Swedish home (among other reasons, of course)! I mean, just look at those built-in shelves! I love how they blend with the wall colour too (Ginseng by Jotun).

In fact, there’s plenty to admire in this home. From the open-plan kitchen with its green cabinets (fronts from Picky Living, who make designs that can be mounted on an IKEA frame) and the kitchen island (topped with Jura stone) that doubles as a room divider, to the multifunctional way the sitting room can be a cosy spot for two to put their feet up — or use the chaise longues and pouf for extra seating when socialising. And why not add a spotty chair in the corner of your bedroom? A fun, slightly quirky touch — and I’m expecting to see more bespoke armchairs upholstered in cool patterns this year too.

Speaking of the bedroom, the large wardrobe is also a treat (made by Deco Form). Do you think if you had somewhere this big to store your clothes, you’d still let them spill over to a ‘chairdrobe’? Knowing me, probably!

Anyway, I digress — it’s time to let you get on with the tour! Put your feet up, friends, this is a goodie.

I did enjoy this tour, I must say. A couple of details caught my eye: when it comes to kitchens, I am a firm believer that you can save a little on the skeleton (like they have here, using IKEA as a base) and then use a company like Superfront or Picky Living to spruce it up. Not only that, but I also love how smart appliances can really give your kitchen a lift. I’ve been patiently waiting for some of ours to break down just so I could replace them with favourites — and three great ones that I’ve invested in lately are an Aarke carbonator (also seen in this home), a Dualit toaster, and a Bodum kettle (none of which are sponsored - they simply have caught my eye!).

Do you have appliances in your kitchen that you love, too?

The other thing to note is the splashes of primary colour — a dot of red, a hint of blue… it goes a long way in adding to the relaxed feel of the space.

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

Would you like to see a few more tours today? How about: 

A white Swedish home in Stockholm in winter time
A cosy Danish loft full of plants
Interior designer Sasa's Stockholm apartment

Before I head off today, I wanted to say a huge thank you for all your comments on Monday’s post — I was so grateful for all your support about going down to two posts a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays), and also for all your positive thoughts about the blog posts and this community — such a great way to start the year! I am just nipping down the road to buy some chocolate — hey, it’s a dark January day, a girl needs a lift, right? And then I’m going to settle down and reply to each and every one of them.

See you back here on Tuesday!

Niki

Credits: Historiska Hem

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Rustic Meets Industrial: A Unique Airbnb Escape in Skåne

I'm not going to lie, it’s Monday and I’m already daydreaming about the weekend. I recently stumbled across this Airbnb — a rugged, industrial hideaway that somehow still feels warm and totally inviting. Think wood, greenery, soft textiles… and a sauna with a view over an old Swedish quarry. 

The place is run by Martin and Andrew, who discovered the quarry by accident on a summer road trip and instantly fell in love. They eventually transformed the old manager’s house and the surrounding buildings into a peaceful little escape tucked into the Skåne countryside. Now they live in the main house and rent out the guest spaces — and it looks like the perfect spot to disappear for a few days, breathe, and soak up some nature.

If you’re craving a quiet escape with a bit of character (and a lot of charm), this quarry retreat might just be the weekend break you didn’t know you needed. Ready to take a look?

Very industrial and different! And such a fun place to escape to! 

There are quite a lot of unique touches in this home - I love how different it is. 

Could you imagine heading off here for the weekend? 

In case you're visiting this neck of the woods sometime soon, you might also like to dream about these stays: 

A Swedish lakeside cabin retreat
A charming holiday home in Österlen

Have a great start to the week! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of The Quarry Compound, with thanks.

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Step Inside This Charming Cottage in Limhamn, Sweden

One day, when the children have flown the nest (sniff sniff), I can imagine us downsizing to a little cottage that’s just big enough for Per and me. A cosy place with lovely old features and a fireplace, not far from the sea.

And that’s exactly how I ended up sending Per a link to this little gem yesterday while he was at work (subject line: “priority,” of course!). Needless to say, he agreed that this charming home in the old Limhamn part of Malmö would be the perfect little nest for us.

Maybe it was the hand-made bricks, the exposed beams, or the elegant ceiling rosettes. Or perhaps the solid joinery, mullioned window arches, lofty ceiling height, vintage kitchen, classic stove, and mirrored doors. All the charming details of yesteryear have been beautifully preserved in this semi-detached house from the turn of the century.

Equally lovely are the newer touches that blend seamlessly with the old, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere throughout.

Either way, it’s a little too small for our family right now — but whoever snaps up this cottage is very lucky. Could it be you? I hope you enjoy the tour!

I love the idea of a garden bedroom for guests, too - or maybe it could be converted into an atelier? 

Is there anything that stood out to you about this southern Sweden semi? Could you imagine living in a house like this? 

I once shared another little cottage in Limhamn here - also charming! 

On another note, I completely forgot to share Monday’s post in the newsletter — sorry about that! It’s been a bit of a whirlwind this week as I’m in the middle of a really exciting interior design project here in town.

You might remember that I offered an interior design service a while back — and recently, I decided to bring it back to life. It’s something I truly love doing, and I’m thrilled to be working with more people to create homes that feel just right for them.

If you’re feeling a bit stuck with a corner of your home (or the whole thing!) and could use a friendly helping hand, just drop me an email. My (very lovely) team and I are happy to help — no matter where you are or how big or small your project may be.

Wishing you a happy mid-week! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Bjurfors, with thanks. 

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