A Cheerful Swedish Home With a 'Tropical Scandinavia' Theme!

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:

A fabulous Danish home in a plethora of colour! 

A Delightful family home decorated in beautiful, bold colours!

The happy vibrant home off a Finnish designer

Have a fabulous day friends!

Niki

Photography: Tropical Scandinavia / Jenny Brandt Grönberg

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A Beautiful Rustic Swedish Home Where Old Meets New

Why, hello there friends! How are you today? The sun is still shining in Southern Sweden, which is just what we need right now! I thought I'd kick off the week with a beautiful home tour which could have easily have hopped straight out of the pages of The World Of Interiors. It's got this wonderful, old school, rustic, romantic feel about it. Located in central Umeå, East Sweden the house belongs to Soraya Forsberg, a Mother to six children (yes, SIX!) and the founder of Byn Collective - a creative design studio in North Sweden. Soraya is unsure when the house was built since the records were destroyed in a fire, but it's thought to date back to 1800. The living space has been decorated and furnished with a wonderful nod to both the past and present. Look out for textured walls, bare wood ceilings and a wealth of vintage and antique pieces! 

I've looked back through these images a few times and every time I spot something new. It's full of wonderful details! Make sure you take your time to linger on each image, there's so much to feel inspired by!

Did anything stand out to you in particular?

You can see more lovely pics of Soraya's home over on her instagram here.

I've searched archives for similar home tours - so if you're loving this vibe, pour yourself a coffee, put your feet up and enjoy a cosy country home in rural north sweden (the picture of Nicole watching salmon jump in the river from her atelier is etched in my mind - so beautiful!) and a Rustic mill on the shores of lake Rinnen, Sweden.

Have a great start to the week!

Niki

Photography: Soraya Forsberg, shared with kind permission

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A Swedish Home Full of Prints, Patterns, Plants and One Very Pretty Kitty!

Men tjeeeena! I hope you had a lovely Easter weekend. Ours was different of course, but we tried out best to make the most of it anyway. During my days off I was searching online for Scandinavian craft ideas and stumbled across Jenny Johansson's blog. Jenny lives in Umeå, North east of Stockholm with her husband and twin son and daughter as well as their very mischievous Siberian cat (keep a look out for him throughout the tour!). Jenny is a florist with a passion for interior design and spends her spare time crafting, gardening and baking - evidence of which can be found throughout her delightful Instagram feed! Welcome to Jenny's world - full of prints, plants and bold patterns! 

I love the mix of pattern in this black and white corner of the kitchen, but the real eye-catcher is the 'Bored' print* by Fine Little Day! 

I spy a true Scandinavian classic: Iittala tea light holders* in various colours. They look so pretty in the evening when the candles are lit. But  the kitty totally steals the show! Prrrrr! 

A scene familiar to many right now - making the most of cosy days at home to do all those activities you might not have had the time to do otherwise. I'm very curious to find out what Jenny's knitting, aren't you?! 

I love the Berså tea cup and saucer set on the table behind Jenny. Designed by Stig Lindberg in the 60s, the series is a well-loved classic and still in production today but you can also pick up original vintage Berså porcelain here. 

Jenny's sitting room is made extra cosy with a Söderhamn corner sofa, colourful cushions and lots of plants. The black and white Kompisarna print is by Swedish artist Anna Grundberg. 

Jenny's home is full of prints! This fab gallery wall in the hallway is made up of a load of different pieces by Scandinavian artist. The Poster Club* sells similar! 

 Jenny has created a wonderful outdoor oasis. It's still a little chilly here in Sweden - it actually snowed in Malmö yesterday, can you believe that? I bet Jenny and her family can't wait to move life outside, it looks so cosy! 

Oooooh so lovely. 

It's nice to see a trampoline peeping into the side of the picture in the garden! Our girls have been on theirs ALL weekend making up various TikTok routines - but I'm not sure it would ever feature on My Scandinavian Home!! I wonder if anyone has ever thought about creating a 'design' version? Maybe with a flower design?!

All in all, a lovely, cosy and personal family home!

Is there anything that stood out to you?

You can see more pictures from Jenny's home and get some DIY / Craft ideas on her blog and instagram. 

Other Swedish family homes to love today: 

A Swedish family home with the world's cutest kitten!

A lovely, light-filled Swedish family home

A charming danish family home with a pink bathroom

Wishing you a lovely day, stay safe friends. 

Niki

Photography: Jenny Johansson, shared with kind permission

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A Beautiful Swedish Home With Touches of Sunny Yellow (& Soft Pinks and Browns)

Following on from yesterday's post about how to maximise your outdoor space - I thought this lovely Swedish home in Gothenburg might serve as perfect inspiration for how to bring the sunshine in - even on a rainy day! The colour: yellow! It might be obvious, but it's amazing what a lift the sunny yellow cushions and flowers give to the entire living space, don't you think? The golden tone works beautifully with earthy browns, pinks and cream too. So, why not pull up a chair, put your feet up and stay a while - there are lots more details to love too! 

Lovely!!

Do you have the colour yellow in your home? 

Thinking my home needs some daffodils! 

The tones in the bedroom look very like the ones I've used in mine! I'm thinking they've used the same wall colour (Blushing Peach by Jotun Lady) - one of my favourite tones of all time, it looks equally pretty morning, noon and night. 

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

By the way - I've got such a lovely home tour lined up for tomorrow's post - it's full of warm pools of sunlight, a cat would be in his element! Don't forget to pop back to take a peek! 

Sending sunshine and a stor kram (big hug) your way! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Alvhem (found via Style Files with thanks). 

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A Soothing Swedish family Home With the World's Cutest Kitten!

How are you all doing? Ups and downs? I hear you. But hopefully I have something that can really lift all our spirits! Pull up a chair, put your feet up and stay for a while, this Swedish home will have you dreaming about calm spaces and fairy-tale children's bedrooms. Oh, and it even includes a cute dog and fluffy kitten for good measure! Welcome to the home of Anna-Maria Blomqvist. Anna-Maria lives in the pretty town of Sigtuna, just North of Stockholm. It's a lively little place known for its traditional wooden houses and having the oldest main street in Sweden. Anna-Maria, her partner and their children live in an old croft house which they've lovingly restored into a family home. The house is a sea of earthy greys, deep blues and forest greens, reflecting the lake and forests of the surroundings. Look out for the pretty wallpaper too! 

Since moving to Sweden, a blanket on the sofa has become an essential item (we actual have several these days otherwise there are actual fights!). This chunky knit* one sold online is similar. 

The family hound has found a perfect spot to snooze beside a Josef Davidssons wood burning stove. Oh, to be him today! 

Love this dining setting. But, gaaah, I've seen this star pendant light so many times and can't for the life of me remember the name - can anyone help? It would be great to provide the details.  Also, can I get a slice of that cake, please?

This seems to be the week for vintage glass cabinets (did you see the one in yesterday's Finnish home tour?) - beautiful! I love this one in the children's bedroom too, how about you?

The wall has been finished with Kalkitir chalk paint from Iceland. We painted one of our kitchen walls with this recently. It arrives in powder form and you mix it with water. It's surprisingly easy to apply, organic and gives a beautiful texture. Home DIY project perhaps? If there's enough interest, I might be able to organise a discount. Give me a shout if you're interested!

The wonderful Graylag goose mobile is designed in Sweden by Wonderforest Co. 

What a cosy bed, made even prettier by the Boråstapeter Nocturne wallpaper and bed canopy. And the best news of all for parents - with a bed like this, the children will have no need to turn the sofa into a den! Hallelujah!  

 And finally.....

Because who doesn't feel joy from a picture of the world's fluffiest kitten? Isn't she a Darling? Wonder what she thinks of the flying goose mobile?! 

I spotted this last picture in Anna-Maria's Instagram feed. Not only does it show a glimpse of Sigtuna's pretty Main Street, it also gave me a chance to tell you about a Swedish easter tradition you might not know about! 

On Skärtorsdagan (Maundy Thursday) children across Sweden dress up as påskkäringor (Easter hags) wearing brightly coloured head scarves and faces painted with rosy cheeks and freckles - as seen above! They then wander from door to door asking for sweets. I was so taken aback when I opened the door my first Easter in sweden. They look as cute as a button, but still, being British I was a bit baffled and not terribly well stocked up on godis (sweets)! It's one of the main signs that Swedish Påsk (easter) predates Christianity. It was said that on Maundy Thursday, witches flew to consort with the devil at Mount Blåkulla (a tiny island off Sweden's east coast), some swedes (particularly in the western part of the country) light bonfires to ward off the evil spirits - although these days more so on April 30th (Walpurgis Night). 

Do you have unusual Easter / spring holiday traditions in your country? If so, I'd love to hear about them! 

Back to the home tour. Is there anything in particular that stood out to you? I love the wood burning stove! It's a really beautiful one and adds so much warmth to the home. 

Check out more snapshots from Anna-Maria's home over on her instagram @annamaria.blomqvist.  

Other homes I love with a similar vibe include Anna Kubel's beautiful abode, the soothing Swedish home of Frida Andersson and a charming home on Sweden's West coast.  

I hope this lovely tour (and sharing the unusual Swedish Easter traditions!) has given you a little respite today! Do share your thoughts in the comment section below, I'd love to hear from you!

Niki

Photography: Anna-Maria Blomqvist

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