my scandinavian home

"Show me your friends, and I'll tell you who you are," so the proverb goes. I think the same can be said about a home—or at least, it should be. After all, it’s the one place in your environment where you and your cohabitants have true autonomy.

That’s what struck me about this London townhouse. While we might not know exactly who lives here, the space offers plenty of clues about their interests, passions, and perhaps even their story. The eclectic mix of art, ceramics, textiles, and treasures from around the world suggests a deep love of travel—or perhaps a personal connection to different cultures, maybe even roots in places like Africa or Asia. What’s clear is that these aren’t just decorative objects, but items that feel meaningful. You could easily imagine one of the inhabitants running a small business sourcing and sharing beautiful, handcrafted pieces discovered on their journeys.

I love how these carefully chosen details pop against a crisp white backdrop, giving the home an almost gallery-like appeal. It keeps the space feeling bright, warm, and inviting.

Let’s take a peek through the keyhole and see what other clues we can uncover.

Wow, there are just so many details in this London house. It’s a real treasure trove—every item feels like it tells a story. I especially love the blend of pieces from all over the world, yet it still feels undeniably English, with its wall-to-wall carpets upstairs, Windsor chairs, and classic upholstery.

Did anything in particular catch your eye?

Do you think someone could walk into your home and tell who you are? If someone walked into ours today, I think they’d probably say, “Woah, this is one messy family!” Eeeek!

Fancy peeking into a few more English homes today? You might just fall in love with these:

Step into a cosy collector's house
Stay in this beautiful Victorian house in Nottinghamshire
A cosy cliff hideaway on the North Devon coast

On another note, I recently wrote a piece for IKEA about how sofa beds are no longer confined to the guest room, but have become a central element to the urban home - you can find my article here if you fancy a read!

Happy Wednesday, friends!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Inigo, with thanks.

FILED UNDER: International homes

Ciao! I got back from Rome late last night after a really fabulous few days. I absolutely love that city — it feels like living inside a museum. Just incredible. Have you ever been?

One thing I really noticed this time was just how hot it was though. After living in Sweden for 22 years, I’m definitely not as heat-resistant as I once was — and 36°C (that’s about 97°F!) had us clinging to the nearest gelato boutique at every turn!

On the way home, I was reading about how Scandinavia is becoming a hot summer destination for a so-called “coolcation” — and I totally get it. The air is fresh, and you can do things without melting (even if you do need a raincoat or maybe even a hat and gloves, depending on what the Norse weather gods decide!). So, what do you think about your very own Swedish summer cottage?

There's one currently for sale that looks just perfect — nestled among lilac bushes and forest, with a cool lake nearby for swimming when the thermometer starts creeping up. I personally love the look of the verandah; I can already imagine myself in the wicker chair, soaking up the birdsong. The interior feels like a step back in time — a deep green kitchen, charming vintage wallpaper (even on the cupboard doors!), and sweet little touches of Swedish folk style in every corner, no doubt passed down through the family for generations.

A summer filled with card games, foraging, good food, and complete relaxation? That sounds like bliss to me, I hope you feel inspired too!