Splashes of Colour in a Swedish Home that Combines Old and New

My sister came to visit me from sunny Mallorca in the Balearic Islands, Spain last month and she found the cold and darkness really refreshing (LOL!). She sent a picture of the landscape to her friends back home - and they assumed she had added a black and white filter to it. Nope, when there's snow on the ground and no leaves on the tree, the world is genuinely monochrome. The snow blizzard we are currently experiencing in Malmö is no different - my friend had to wear ski goggles on her bike to work wbich did actually add a rose tinted film to the world. And yes, the Swedes are still cycling!

It's in wintertime when I appreciate colour in the home the most. A pop of sunny yellow here, serene sky blue there. Maybe a splash of fuchsia pink and pea green won't go amiss either! In fact, this uplifting Swedish house has just the right amount of colour for me - and also boasts some lovely furniture too, much of which is vintage. 

Välkommen in! 

The pendant light is great, don't you think? It's the Filigrana light in Tobacco Canes by Sebastian Wrong. 

Kilim rugs with a hint of colour are becoming more and more popular. In fact, I was in a Kilim dream world at the Domotex floor fair last year! Try Etsy* for similar. 

Loving the layers of linen in the sitting room. If you have an IKEA sofa you can easily re-create this look by investing in a 'loose fit' slipcover in linen from Bemz*.

Most old houses in Sweden have a fairly steep roof (designed so that the snow falls off). The owners of this one has made use of the nooks and crannies to create cosy sleep zones for their little ones! 

Sky blue and pea green is a great, very 'now' combination! Are you a fan? 

Such a cute row of Fjällräven rucksacks too! 

This is one of those home tours which is worth going through several times - and each time you'll spot a new detail! 

For me, it's the mix of treasured second-hand finds or heirlooms with bang up to date, contemporary items that really stands out. The owners are clearly passionate about home decorating and spend time to source special pieces - some of which they have customised. 

Is there anything that stood out to you? Are you onboard with the wallpaper trend? I think it works best with older houses but who knows... we might see a revival in more modern homes too. After all, when I was growing up Laura Ashley wallpaper was EVERYWHERE - with lamps to match! 

Now, it's time for the owners to move on - and for someone else to take the reins of this beautiful house (see the listing here). 

Have a happy Wednesday vänner. Keep warm if you're here in the North - and cool if you're down in the South! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Historiska Hem, found via Nordroom with thanks. 

*affiliated link

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Sandra's Cosy Swedish House at Christmas

Hej hej! I hope you had a cosy weekend! Per and I have just returned from the Danish island of Bornholm where we drove through the snowy landscape and visited lots of Christmas markets. It was really magical! I've shared the stories in my highlights on instagram, but tempted to share the trip here, would that be of interest? 

Speaking of Christmas - I hunted high and low to find a cosy festive home this morning, and came across Swedish photographer Sandra Nilsson's house in a village in South Sweden. It's full of 'mysig' (cosy) touches including advent candles, wreaths, hyacinths and of course a tree! Not only that, but the interior is a dream for anyone who loves vintage and antique items - which can be seen everywhere from the kitchen to the dining room and bathroom, all of which bear the wonderful markings of a life well lived! 

Välkommen in! 

Beautiful! I can just imagine coming in from the cold and settling down with a book and a glögg (spiced mulled wine), how about you? 

Is there anything that stands out to you in particular? I am really inspired by Sandra's winter tablescape! 

For more snapshots of this home, head over to Sandra's instagram @vintagehouse. 

Would you like to start your week with more Scandinavian Christmas inspiration? Take a look at: 

A mysig swedish family home at Christmas

Simple Christmas touches in a Norwegian cabin by a fjord

Subtle Christmas touches in a Swedish country home

Have a cosy start to the week! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Sandra Nilsson

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A Charming Little Swedish Cottage in the Heart of Stockholm

In a city where space is limited, owning a cottage is like gold dust and an absolute dream. Even so, you need to ensure that it doesn't feel like a goldfish bowl. And I think this wonderful little abode in the heart of Stockholm offers some perfect privacy solutions - especially when it comes to the outdoor space. 

It also helps that the inside is charming - with an open-plan kitchen, dining area and sitting room downstairs and a cosy bedroom upstairs (look out for the window dressing - great inspiration for anyone dealing with awkward shaped windows!). Ready to take a look and dream of cosy cottage life in the capital? This little 61 sq.m (656 ft.sq) place has it all! 

Note the wood panelling with beading - a cohesive touch that matches the traditional cabinetry and style of the house. Corston is great for traditional antique brass knobs like these. 

The dining area set-up with sofa and chairs lends itself to both a relaxed spot for a cup of tea looking out over the garden, or as a more formal dining setting. 

The open spot at the top of the stairs is often referred to as an 'allrum' in Swedish - which lovely translates as 'family room' or 'space for everyone'. In this 'allure' the owners have added a cosy armchair and a home office space. 

I love the curtain solution in this dormer window! Something to steal if you're in the same conundrum? 

A covered terrace with plenty of climbers not only helps to extend the living space but also ensures you're not overlooked while enjoying your time outdoors! having some kind of canopy also adds a cosy feel to a space, don't you think? 

And finally, if you only have a small outdoor space, making the most of vertical space for plants is a great way to add greenery without cluttering with pots. In our little yard in Malmö we've gone for climbers such as roses, wisteria and clematis. 

Draping sheepskins over the back of chairs is a perfect way to add a little comfort to harder chairs. Sheepskin also has great insulating qualities so it will keep you warm for longer too! 

A small circular heater and a ring of candles amp up the cosiness after dark - and extend the outdoor season (it's pretty short in Sweden)! 

Plants on outdoor tables and shelves also shield the space from those on the same level as you. 

And just in case you need a little sunshine, this lovely cottage has an open area too! 

If you have a back yard that leads into a communal garden, an arch is a nice way to create a boundary / entrance without sealing your space off completely. We have an arch just like this one in our garden too and it looks so pretty when the clematis are in full bloom! 

Could you imagine living in a lovely cottage like this in the heart of the city? A rare find for sure! 

I'm going to take this opportunity to share other rare finds like this one with you! 

This Swedish allotment cottage is a true city oasis

A charming little cottage in the city

A cosy little cottage by the sea in Malmö

Pretty blues and greens in a house in Copenhagen

I hope you have a fabulous weekend and the sun shines for you wherever you are in the world! Here ins Sweden, we're looking forward to a cosy autumn weekend!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Tradition Mäkleri where this is currently for sale! 

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A Beautiful Swedish Home in Beige and Klein Blue!

Why, hello there! Thank you for all your positive comments on my Malmö guide which I posted on Friday, it's always so fun to photograph and writer about my city! Today on the blog, we're heading a little further North to Stockholm. 

The open-plan apartment uses beige as a canvas and then wonderful elements including classic designer furniture, fluffy rugs and fabulous lighting have been layered over to create oodles of interest. But what I like most of all, are the on-trend pops of colour seen in the cushions on the sofa (lavender, orange, sky blue, green) and bed (Klein blue and cinnamon). 

There's been a lot of chatter lately about the lack of clothing seen in these Scandinavian homes, so I was excited to see that this apartment has a nicely filled walk-in-wardrobe - or at least plenty of space for clothes! It also gives a hint to the type of person that lives here - quite cool by the looks of things! 

Let's crack on with the tour!

The wall between the kitchen and sitting room has been removed to create a sociable living space. An well placed island works as the in-between. 

The marble backsplash is fabulous! I love that it goes all the way up to the shelves, creating a dramatic effect! 

Floor to ceiling sheer curtains allow a calming diffused light to enter the space and add softness to the room. 

Here you can catch a glimpse of the wall hung flat screen (not often seen in these tours!) and the hallway which enters straight out into the sitting room. 

If you're colour shy but love to stay on-trend or dabble with bright tones - bedding is a perfect way to add vibrancy! The Klein blue linen bedding breaks away from the sea of beige and looks fabulous with the dark brown wall! 

This Etsy store sells a similar duvet cover* and flat sheet*. 

When adding colour in this way, balance the look by adding another item in the same colour (in this instance a glass candle holder!). 

How pretty is the antique bedside table? 

Long rails provide plenty of hanging space for clothes. I would love to see some shelves and drawers here too - perhaps they are in the cupboard? 

I absolutely love this chair (any idea of the name?) - it's so decadent and raises the status quo from ordinary wardrobe to luxurious walk-in-wardrobe! 

I hope you enjoyed the tour of this beautiful home in the Swedish capital! Is there anything that stood out to you? 

Would you like to see a few other homes today? Check out this archive! 

Have a fabulous start to the week friends! 

Niki

Photography: Mia Borgelin

Styling: Petra Yngfalk

For: Historiska Hem

*affiliated links

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