A Christmassy Swedish Home / Rune's cosy Norwegian home

NOTE Did you come here looking for Rune's Christmassy Norwegian Home? If so - you can find it here! Sorry for the link error in my newsletter! 

Today I'm taking you on a journey to Vendelsö in the suburbs of Stockholm - and the lovely, warm home of interior stylist and set designer Elin Wallin. Long-time readers might recognise glimpses of this living space from a post I shared back in 2018. Since then, Elin, her live-in partner, and daughters Indra (13) and Edda (9) have continued to make this lovely, light and airy open-plan living space their home. 

Think warm brown tones, beautiful dark wood and pretty Christmas decorations as well as some clever room makeovers, vintage up cycling and amazing IKEA hacks - all of which have helped to transform the house into a home. 

The cabinet is a clever IKEA Hack. Elin picked up the Pax cupboard on Facebook marketplace and added the wood corner pieces before painting all the wood in the same tone. A simple twist which makes all the difference! Plus, it was no doubt a bargain to buy! 

I love the pink paper Christmas flower too! 

There's nothing like a roaring fire in wintertime, right?

Beside the fire is yet another IKEA second hand bargain - which Elin bought two for the price of one. They were already 'hacked' when she bought them (someone has stuck vertical strips of wood to the front and then painted the entire unit) for a designer look! Clever. 

Recently Elin replaced the coffee table for a marble one that she picked up second hand. But not without a DIY makeover of course! 

Before

After

It's quite incredible what you can do with someone else's cast offs,  a little vision and some great craftsmanship, don't you think? 

Walk-in-wardrobe before 

I recognise this scene from my own home not long ago (feel so much better now that I have a proper grown-up wardrobe!). Elin took matters into her own hands in her house too - and scoured online second hand sites for Nordli storage from IKEA - before piecing together the different units, lightly sanding them down and painting the same colour (Strand by Alcro). 

The result:

Is it even the same room? What a transformation - and all bought for a song too! 

In the master bedroom, Elin has placed a Fan Shaped rattan headboard against wallpaper from Sandberg and a pretty Table Tropez light. 

Simply lovely - and so inspiring too. Is anyone else dying to get their hands on a second hand IKEA piece now? I might just go on marketplace and see what I can find! 

See more of Elin's home and follow her instagram for all her latest projects. 

Would you like to see a few other ikea hacks today? 

5 Clever IKEA hacks to steal from a Danish home

A Swedish home with a clever ikea hack and small pink bedroom!

Our little cabin kitchen with an ikea hack

Come here for some Scandi Christmas inspiration? There are lots of lovely ideas in the Christmas archive (if this post pops up first just scroll past!). 

Wishing you all a great day! I'll be back on Friday with aa glimpse into the kitchen and dining area of our cabin with 'Jul' touches, hopefully see you then!

Niki

Photography: Elin Wallin, shared with kind permission

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A Swedish House Where the Town and Forest Meet

On Monday someone wrote requisition to see more urban apartments. I hear you, I have been featuring a lot of rural homes lately. I promise to keep shaking it up and try to share a little of every Scandinavian style - watch this space! Today's property offers the best of both worlds, which I'm hoping will also tick the box! Located on the outskirts of Kungsbacka, it has the benefit of having the town's facilities in walking distance, yet backs onto woodland (which looks especially pretty at this time of year). 

But it's not the location that caught my eye (although if you'd like to buy it, this could be good to know!), it's the decor. Built in 1906, the house has been completely renovated in keeping with the age and style of the property. I especially love the wood panelling (ever since building our little cabin, I'm even more of a fan!), and the way doors, ceilings, skirting boards and architraves have been painted in a darker tone. The upstairs bedrooms have also been painted in deeper soothing tones, adding a cosy touch. Oh, and the owners also have impeccable taste when it comes to furniture and lamps too! Ready to take a look? 

Notice how the kitchen is painted in two subtle tones, which immediately adds difference. Although rather spartan in this picture, you can imagine how lovely it would look when the whole family gathers round! 

What a wonderful house! I could definitely see myself living here, how about you?

Whoever snaps it up is extremely lucky. Hmmm, maybe I should speak to Per, although it is a little out of our budget! In case you're curious, there's more info about it here. 

Love to see some Scandinavian apartments today? Here some goodies: 

Playful touches in Erik's calm Swedish home

A smallish Swedish home, that's big on character

A calm one room oasis in the heart of the city

Live small? Get inspiration here!

I'm off to take some photos of a lamp now - it's such a gloomy day, I think it will need to be switched on. I'm looking forward to showing you the results on Friday! 

Vi ses! 

Niki

Photography: Mika Ågren 

Styling: Epok Interior 

Listed Fastighetsmäkleri

Found via Planete Deco with thanks

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6

A Cosy Country Home in Snowy North Sweden

*This post contains affiliated links

Here in Malmö in southern of Sweden, it's been unseasonably mild - so much so that it's still considered to be summer meteorologically. But Sweden is one looooong country, and in the far North they've already had their first flurry of snow. 

Frida Lindgren shares snapshots from her everyday life in Tvärålund Northern Sweden - including glimpses inside her cosy country home, which she shares with her husband Anders, two sons Axel and Viktor as well as a host of pets! If you've been following my blog since 2018, you might recognise Frida's house - but as someone who loves to tinker with interior design, it's being constantly updated, so I felt it was time for a new feature! 

Think maximalist rather than minimalist, lots of pattern and prints, vintage finds and layers of texture to keep the cold at bay. Oh, and I love the swing and star lanterns - keep your eyes peeled! 

We had jars exactly like this in our kitchen growing up. I remember there was a really long one for spaghetti! They create such a nice display and are really practical too! 

According to reports, the more you have your food on display and can see what you have, the less you are likely to waste food. Do you organise your food into jars or keep it in its original packaging? We're kind of a mix but I'd love to be better! I love these labelled spice jars*. 

Side cabinets like these are massively popular right now. The good news is, you can easily find simple inexpensive ones second hand and then give them a new lease of life with a lick of paint! 

Checks and gingham patterns are also having a moment - and tablecloths* and bedding* are a perfect way to bring your home up to date. I'm really happy with my gingham ironing board cover too (something I never thought I'd hear myself say - although it still doesn't actually prompt me to do any ironing ). Since then, I've found a whole market out there for them like this one for autumn and one for spring - who knew? 

How pretty is this peacock chair? Such a great find! 

The sitting room area is layered with texture including a large rug, blankets and sheepskins for a cosy feel. 

Now that I've just updated my laundry room (thank you. so much for all your lovely comments non Friday!), I have a new found love for the room. Frida has gone for a traditional look with wallpaper, a chequered floor and plenty of baskets. 

The swing I was talking about. What a perfect way to sit and look out over the wintery landscape at the end of the day. 

Ever since moving to Sweden, I've loved these Christmas paper star lanterns* that hang in the windows, they look so pretty in the winter darkness. 

How cosy! And such beautiful surroundings too. It's really got me in the mood for winter and the holiday season ahead, how about you? 

See more of Frida's lovely home over at @froken.frida. 

Are you in the mood for more snowy pictures today? Grab a coffee and blanket and check these homes out: 

A lakeside Swedish log house in the snow

A stunning white farmhouse in the snow

Simple Christmas touches in a Norwegian by a snow-covered fjord

Have a cosy start to the week! 

Niki

Photography: Frida Lundgren / @froken.frida, shared with kind permission. 

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