A Sprinkle of Colour in an Elegant Stockholm Home

February calls for a little brightness, don't you think? And that's exactly why this Swedish apartment caught my eye! It's sprinkled with colour in the form of art, patterns, furniture and books - yet still feels calm and elegant. Just what I needed to see on a Monday. I hope this lovely home brightens up the start of you week too! 

The Ligne Roset Togo Fireside chair is one to sink into!

Especially when you have a Swedish fireplace like this to sit beside. It's like a work of art! 

A big hallway lends itself to bookshelves and an antique bench! 

Faded kilims are the new favourite here in Scandinavia. But there's no need to do away with your monochrome Beni ourain - they make a cosy wall hanging or headboard! 

The wide windowsills also provide a perfect perch for books! 

To the left and right of the door you can see some wall pockets. Sourced from Norrgavel, these Påshyllor are hugely popular in Sweden as they are great for smaller accessories such as gloves, hats, scarves etc. 

Such a lovely apartment - fantastic bones too! 

It's going on the market this week via Historiska Hem - so keep an eye out for it if you're interested! 

Would you like to see a few other homes with touches of colour today? Check out: 

A fabulous Danish home in a plethora of colours

Lessons to learn from a colourful yet stylish Norwegian home

Home tour: how to add colour the danish way

Have a fabulous start to the week! 

Niki

Photography: Mia Borgelin

Styling: Thomas Lingsell

For: Historiska Hem

READ MORE...

6

A Swedish Apartment with a Mid-Century Vibe

It's so important to decorate your home in a way that feels just right for you (and your family). However, if you get stuck on something - like which dining chairs or overhead light to choose, it's helpful to look at the architecture and the period in which your dwelling was built. Case in point: my Mother lives in a house that was built in the 1960s and designed by a well-known architect and struggled to find a light to hang over the dining table. So I suggested the Gubi semi-pendant which was also designed in the 60s. And we were thrilled to find it worked perfectly! 

This Stockholm apartment is situated on the 3rd floor of a block that was originally built in the late 19th century. However, it went through a major renovation in 1939 - during the posgt first world war I 'funkis' period. A Swedish abbreviation for 'functionalism', 'funkis' architecture is designed purely for purpose and function.  The owners have stayed loyal to the funkis style and given the interior a mid-century vibe. The kitchen is also in the origional 'funkis' style (save for the range oven of course!). 

I love that this home is a little different from the ones I've been showing lately, I hope it fills you with inspiration! 

It's nice to see a children's desk with a monitor (usually this angle is skipped out!). It looks as though the entire desk set-up (tabletop, drawers and trolley) are all from IKEA. I love the box at the end of the bid which is used to store games. 

When was your home built and have you decorated it according to this period? Our house was built in 2001 so there wasn't so much to go on! 

See other funkis style homes here. 

Have a happy Friday and great weekend! 

Niki

PS written slightly in haste since I got almost zero hours sleep in the night, do you ever have nights like that? You feel like you're the only one in the world awake! Gaaaah! 

Photography courtesy of Historiska Hem with thanks. 

READ MORE...

3

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

READ MORE...

9

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

READ MORE...

13

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! 

READ MORE...

5