The happy Brooklyn home of a Swedish expat

We step inside Swedish homes almost on a daily basis here on My Scandinavian Home blog - but what about when a Swede lives abroad? It would be hard to live in a new environment and not be influenced by the world around you (just like I've found with my own home). And it appears Livia Moore, the Tictail community manager feels the same. Livia moved to her small yet incredibly charming, Brownstone apartment in Brooklyn, New York from Stockholm, Sweden two years ago and it already feels very much like home. She told My Domaine: 'It has so much character. The entire building feels lived in, with memories and decades of family history'. Livia's home is a fabulous blend of mid-century, classics, vintage finds from all over the world and items by emerging designers who sell through Tictail. Textiles and large sash windows add an injection of colour and light to complete the happy vibe. Let's take a peek....

Photos courtesy of Tictail. 

I love this space - all the textiles, plants, lovely nick nacks... it makes me happy just looking at it, how about you?!

Get the look from Livia's home: Kilim rug, source similar cushions here, the throw on the bed is by Slowdown Studio. Pick up a macrame wall hanging here.

You can see the full tour and interview over at My Domaine here. And keep up to date with Livia's latest projects on Instagram here.

I've been a huge fan of Brooklyn since staying there for a few days while writing my first book in 2015 and I've featured so many gorgeous homes from the area - including the home of a do it yourselfer, a cool monochrome space and the fab Brooklyn home and studio of a creative couple
- all beautiful and unique in their own way, don't you think?

Have a wonderful day!

PS Thank you to Houseology for including me in a list of 'best interior designers Pinterest 2017' ...I do love my pinning!

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A calm grey Swedish space with a hint of blue

Hej heeej! How are you today? Did you have a nice weekend? I'm feeling super relaxed after a visit to Ystad Saltsjöbad spa (with an overnight stay at Villa Strandvägen). If you're coming this way I can totally recommend it (dip in the sea optional - BRRRRR!) - the Swedish South coast is beautiful! But today we're heading to the West coast. Gothenburg to be precise - and this beautiful apartment. I think what really drew me to this space in the heart of the city was the blue-green sofa among a sea of grey. I love that it breaks off from the rest of the apartment, adding an element of surprise. The entire space also has a super calm feel - what a great way to kick off the week!

This apartment is for sale through Bosthlm. See more info here.

Blue-green, grey, white and black - what a beautiful colour combination, don't you think?

The MOBIL light in the sitting room is one of my favourites right now - it's by Gothenburg based designer Monika Mulder and you can find it here. I'm trying to figure out if I have the ceiling height for it in the sitting room (it could look so nice over our coffee table). What do you reckon?

N.B. low ceiling heights don't usually stop me - just look at my bedroom!! 

Elsewhere in the apartment: the rattan poufs are from IKEA. Pick up fab fashion prints here (15% discount with myscandinavianhome15 right now - love that!). Gloria candleholder by Klong.

Right-ho. Just pulling into the IKEA headquarters in Älmhult - must say it's feeling €%&/" freezing for what's meant to be the first official day of spring! When will I ever stop dressing like a Brit and more, er, weather-appropriate like the Swedes?!

Have a wonderful start to the week.

 PS Looking for lovely bedding? I've fallen in love with the stonewashed natural linen from Piglet in Bed after my Saturday morning lie-in. Heaven!

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Get 15% off at THE POSTER CLUB!

Heads up! There's a new print in town. Two actually! Following up on the great success with their latest collections of art prints, Copenhagen-based design studio Atelier CPH has launched two new abstract art prints. Abstract construction and Abstract cubism will be available as part of new 'THE POSTER CLUB collection' - a series of art prints made exclusively for THE POSTER CLUB by various designers, artists and photographers - and come in 30 cm x 40 cm and 50 cm x 70 cm. Love to have one in your own home? Exciting news! The prints are available worldwide and you can get 15% off by simply typing in code myscandinavianhome15 at checkout until 31st March! In fact, this code applies to all posters in the online store- time to snap up a print by Coco Lapine, Playtype and Silke Bonde too?!

 Photography by Morten Bentzon. 

How fab! I particularly like the Abstract Construction (in a light wood frame). Do you have a favourite? Any others you have your eye on?

You can find out more about the collaboration here and shop posters until your hearts content here.

Have a wonderful weekend!

This post was brought to you in collaboration with THE POSTER CLUB - who do indeed sell some of the finest posters out there (and that, as with all other words in this post, comes from my heart!). Thank you for supporting the brands that make My Scandinavian Home blog possible.

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The idyllic Swedish summer cottage

When it comes to March and the first real warm days of the year, I dare to dream of long, carefree summer days. Freshly baked bread (by my man - after all, the secrets out - I'm the world's worst baker!!), the dewy grass under my feet and our children dashing around the garden screaming with laughter. In fact, the setting is not unlike that of the summer cottage of photographer Carina Olander in Dalarna, Sweden. Dating back to the 1800's, the charming cottage had no warm water and was in desperate need of renovation when the family first acquired it. Today, white washed walls serve as a simple back drop for a mix of antiques and vintage finds. The door is idly thrown open to the garden - which takes centre-stage all summer long. What an idyllic setting, don't you think?

Photography / home-owner: Carina Olander, shared with kind permission.

Oh how I'd love to be enjoying 'fika' under the boughs of that tree right now, fancy joining me?!

Get the look from Carina's lovely cottage: kitchen / dining room - Bialetti coffee maker, keep an eye out for a pair of industrial pendant lamps here, Moroccan woven shopping bag. Second dining space: bamboo lounge table and sofa bench from Tine K Home (I also like this folding table in bamboo for smaller spaces), set of linen cushions.

You might also like to take a peek inside more dreamy scandinavian summer cottages in this archive, and a whole host of idyllic Swedish cottages here (if this comes up first just scroll passed it). There really is something extremely special about a Scandinavian summer cottage, don't you think?

What does your 'summer dream' look like?

Have a wonderful weekend!

PS You probably recognise Carina's name as I'm often sharing her beautiful photography here on the blog - including the home of a collector, a country home at Christmas and a beautiful Gotland home in soothing grey.  Oh so lovely?!

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The 'Green Home Book': inspiration for plant lovers

One of the trends I love right now is 'urban jungle' or the idea of filling your home with plants. Greenery is said to have many positive benefits including providing cleaner air, boosting your mood and even enhancing concentration and memory (yes, really! I discovered many other benefits too here). But above all else, they do look lovely, don't they?! I mean, what would a home be without plants and flowers? That's why I was so happy to discover the 'Green Home Book'. The tome was created as result of a collaboration between Finnish creatives Riikka Kantinkoski (I once featured her beautiful home here) and Susanna Vento and includes beautiful photography taken in homes across Finland as well as simple tips on how to care for plants. Here's a sneak peek....

Photos from 'Green Home Book' by Riikka Kantinkoski and Susanna Vento.

Ah so inspiring. I must pick up a copy as soon as possible!

Doesn't it look lovely?

If you're a bit of a plant lover you'll also love these snapshots from the beautiful home of Jeska Hearne, the Brownstone of the owner of plant interior design company, and the bohemian home of a florist.

Oh, and I love this DIY idea - how fab? 

Have a lovely day!

PS I think the reason I'm thinking about books today is because I'm sitting at the library researching a new project (more to follow soon!). It's actually the perfect place to sit and work as it's super quiet and overlooks the park. The only problem is my typing is so LOUD!! I think I might need to sellotape cotton wool to my finger tips next time!

PPS I have such an exciting Swedish summer cottage to share with you tomorrow - it will have us all dreaming of balmy summer days!  

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A Swedish oasis with a warm and inviting touch

Minimalism, they say, ' is not the lack of something, but the perfect amount of something.' Even so, it requires a magic touch to evoke that warm and inviting touch.  And the answer is often found in texture. In this lovely Gothenburg apartment, furniture has been kept to a minimum, and a vintage shag pile rug, creased linens, and gracefully aged wood (including a dining table with all it's wonderful nicks and scratches) add just the right amount of warmth. Combine this with a calm grey, black and white palette with light brown and green accents,  and the result is a wonderful little oasis from the hustle and bustle of the busy street life below. Could you imagine padding around here?

Credits: photography: Anders Bergstedt. For sale through Entrance.  

 .... I certainly could, it looks so peaceful!

A quick guide to some of the items: sitting room - source a beni ourain rug here, dark pink and white linen by the metre. This wall lamp is similar. Kitchen -  ant chairs, side cabinet from IKEA. Bedroom - light blue linen duvet cover and pillow cases.

I'm often asked how Swedes can sleep when the curtains are either non-existent or of the sheer variety - but look closely and you'll see tightly rolled black out blinds waiting to be unleashed (as seen in the sitting room here) or blinds between white window panes (we had these in our last apartment). Swedes may love natural light, but they also love their slumber! 

Before I head off for the day,  I thought you might like this little round-up of mid-week link love:

Design mistakes almost everyone makes...

A vintage dining setting against a giant cheese plant!

Ways to fold a napkin.

A pretty easter DIY idea.

Natural shade.

Pella Hedeby's seasonal bedroom update.

Have a lovely day!

PS heads up - it's the final day to take advantage of a 15% discount off a timepiece at Abbott & Mosley - simply use the code 'mshspring15' at check-out!

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An inspiring small studio full of contrast

Well hello there! I hope you had a fab weekend? We woke up to a clear blue sky and plus temperatures here in Southern Sweden - oh how long we'd been waiting for that moment! All along the boardwalk faces were angled up towards the sun, soaking up the warm rays. This morning it's as though everyone has a new spring in their step! And I have another reason to feel happy -  call me a total home geek but I do love clever use of a small space. And when it comes to interior designer Joakim Walles studio apartment in Stockholm, it seems that the best things really can come in small packages! Looking at the apartment, it's hard to believe it's a mere 44 metres square (473 foot square - I hope I got that right?! I've been known to get it wildly wrong.....!), Joakim has completely renovated the space - adding in open shelving by Porro and bespoke kitchen and bathroom cabinets. To top it off, the space has been furnished throughout using a perfect blend of industrial, vintage, and designer pieces. The result is a home full of natural light, contrast, wonderful art and a lovely lived in feel. Oh, and it's for sale!

Interior design: Joakim Walles, Photos - Adam Helbaoui /Kronfoto for sale through Alexander White.

Stockholm anyone?! 

Such a clever use of space, don't you think? I especially love the open shelving used as a division between the sitting room / kitchen area and bedroom. Not only does it create some privacy, it also allow light to slip through, and provides a perfect place to display favourite books, ceramics and artwork.  Got to love that!

Is there anything that stands out to you? 

A couple of items I know and love in Joakim's apartment: Taccia lamp by Flos, source vintage industrial pendants here, the Series 7 arm chair. These wonderful mobiles I posted about recently here are similar.

Have a wonderful start to the week!

PS Don't forget to make the most of your 15% discount at Abbott & Mosley! To claim simply type in mshspring15 at checkout. Find out more here.

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