Small Space Living: A Stockholm Home Full of Colour and Creativity

Hejsan hoppsan! The weekend whizzed by in a blur—am I the only one? Today in Malmö, the skies have darkened, and the lights are on. So when I stumbled across this fifth-floor apartment in Stockholm, with its cheerful colours, playful patterns, and fun accessories, I knew it was just the place to brighten up a grey day!

Measuring a fairly compact 35 m² (377 ft²), what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in personality. The apartment exudes a young and vibrant vibe, with light pink curtains, a sunny yellow parasol and cushions on the balcony, and a bedroom dressed in deep pink and ochre. Even the wardrobe and entrance have been given their very own bold hues, which add to the home’s sense of warmth and character.

Keep your eyes peeled for sculptural ceramics—everything from small details like cups, vases and items hung on the wall to larger pieces like a bedside table. Could there be a ceramicist living here? I’m willing to bet there is! Oh, and they sure do love plants too - even giving each one a very cool plinth (is that a ceramic shelf I see?). 

Välkommen, as they say in Sweden!

This is so much fun! The more you look, the more you discover—wavy mirrors, crocheted bags, funky lamps... every piece in the home feels like art in itself!

Did you spot something cool too?

I hope this apartment has brought a little sunshine to your day.

And in honour of this lovely home, I thought you might like to take a look at a few other homes with fun touches today - these ones are sure to raise a smile or two: 

12 playful designs in Sussi's Danish home (those pink stairs!)
A vibrant, light-filled loft with fun touches
Lisa's playful and relaxed Berlin home
Gen's playful summer cottage in Sweden

I hope you have a happy start to the week!

Niki

Credits: Styling - Lindholm, photography - Boukari, for Historiska Hem, found via Nordroom with thanks. 

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A Bromma Treasure: Touring a 1909 Lakeside Cottage

It’s funny how family and friends can take you to places you’d never normally get to. It might be something big, like someone marrying into another country and settling there, or small — like your child competing in a sporting event somewhere you’d never have thought to visit, but are glad you did.

That’s how I came to know Bromma, through my brother-in-law Johan, who lived here for many years. We’d often visit, and I came to love its setting: nestled by the water, with coastal forest trails winding along the cliffs, and dotted with pretty cottages — some tucked inland, others opening out to glorious views of Lake Mälaren.

One of those special houses is this gem from 1909, a rare survivor from Bromma’s early days as a summer retreat. Back then, families would arrive by steamboat, long before there were roads or trams, and build villas along the shoreline. Stepping inside, you can still feel that history in the tiled stoves, the open fireplace, and the craftsmanship that’s lasted over a century.

Today, thoughtful updates bring that charm into the present. I love the pretty botanical wallpaper, the classic checked floor (a pattern you so often find in old Swedish houses), as well as the smaller details: the vintage scales in the bathroom (fingers crossed the needle underestimates!) and the clever doormats lining each shelf of the hall’s shoe rack. What a great hack!

Ready to feel inspired? 

What a pretty house!

I’m not sure if it was initially meant as a summer house or a year-round home — but I, for one, could easily picture coming back here in the evenings after a day in the capital. So peaceful!

Could you imagine living in a charming old cottage like this, too? And did you spot that Kermit-the-Frog green in the sunroom? I loved it — so unexpected and cheerful. What details caught your eye?

Would you like to dream about more Scandinavian summer houses today? 

A Danish summer house by Lammefjorden
A charming summer house in the Finnish countryside
A fairytale summerhouse on the Swedish island of Vaxholm

And that, friends, is it from me this week! I hope you've enjoyed all the inspiration and that you have a fantastic weekend! 

Stor kram!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Mäklarhuset - where this property is currently listed for sale. 

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