In Denmark, A Cosy And Eclectic Home Full of Art

A few moments ago, about a month's worth of rain came down in five minutes. I kid you not. Luckily, I'm working from home, all cosy and dry - and wondering if I've left a window open somewhere. In Denmark, another home was getting a soaking: det lille grå hus (the little grey house). Despite the weather and (pretty) grey facade, Helle's living space in Silkeborg is far from grey. The Dane is driven by "a love for beautiful things and fine materials" rather than designer pieces. Despite this, some classics have snuck in by way of flea market finds, family heirlooms "or simply because a chair is so beautiful it's hard to resist, despite being by Børge Mogensen". The eclectic interior also includes pieces from IKEA and Ilva as well as DIY solutions and lots and lots of wonderful art. Welcome inside the cosy Danish home of Helle, husband Kurt and their children Eve and Herman! 

Pink stairs print, kitchen from IKEA, tiles from Bauhaus

Sulten Geisha print 

PH 5-4 pendant light* & LC Shutters pendant* both Louis Poulsen

Pouf from Sofa Company

Hang-it-all hooks*

What a pretty home! 

I love how Helle has simply followed her heart and chosen pieces for their aesthetics rather than who they're made by, it's given the space so much soul.

Is there anything you love in particular about this home?

You can see more of Helle's home on her homepage and instagram @detlillegraahus and a load of other beautiful Danish homes in this archive. 

Got to love Danish style! 

Niki

Photography: Det Lille Grå Hus shared with kind permission 

*affiliate links

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Layering Up My Bedroom For a Super Cosy Autumn!

Sponsored:

Borta bra, hemma bäst. I'm not sure if you're familiar with this Swedish saying which means 'away is good but home is best' (or 'there's no place like home'). And I have to admit it was soooo nice to be home again after the summer holidays. Don't get me wrong, I loved our little family adventure, but it was BLISS to be back in my own bed! Do you find this too? Admittedly, it helped that I've also given our bedroom a heavenly revamp with the new Granit premium collection. I'd never want to will away the rest of summer, BUT the collection is an absolute DREAM and perfect for Autumn! It's made up of layers of super soft bedsheets, blankets, pillows and curtains in five muted, earthy tones inspired by nature: sand, shell, clay, stone and soil. I also love that every piece been made using super soft, high quality materials including 100% organic cotton dyed with OEKO-TEX certified colours and 100% European Flax Linen, velvet and corduroy. And the collection is designed to work harmoniously together to create a restful and relaxing space. Bring on the chill! 

Our bed is layered with duvet covers in clay and soil and a mountain of cosy pillows in clay, soil and cotton rib stone. 

This corner of our bedroom is a little like a mini living room - and one of the few places you can actually escape the rest of the clan - needless to say, it's one of my favourite spots in the house! I added linen curtains in shell which slip in a soft light for a really calm feel. 

I've always had a bit of a thing for velvet, especially with - dare I say it - the weather starting to turn colder! These three pillows are in soil, clay and shell tones. 

And finally, this is the cotton rib blanket I was talking about.  I chose the sand which I really love as it goes with absolutely everything in our home - and I do love to move blankets around depending on where we're cosying up!

What do you think? 

I was particularly excited that the collection matched the existing colours in my bedroom so perfectly  - I love it when a plan comes together! But since the tones are earthy, they'd seriously look good in any space. 

Granit's first ever premium collection will be available throughout Europe online at granit.com from 15th August and in selected stores including Münster; Germany, Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö and Helsinki from 22nd August. Note, the bedding will be available in Scandinavian measurements only. If you're a Granit community member, you can look forward to a pre-launch in the next few days! 

Oh yes, in addition to the textiles, Granit has developed an indoor paint in collaboration with Byggfabriken that will be available in five organic colours that directly match the new premium collection! The Auro paint is completely organic, plastic-free and non-toxic. The paint will be available at Byggfabriken in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö, and you'll be able to pick up colour samples in Granit stores. Auro in Germany can also mix the colours upon request. 

I can't wait to pick up the samples - I'm thinking of revamp Liv's bedroom. Don't tell Per, he's still recovering from the kitchen renovation....    

In the meantime, if anyone's looking for my entire family, we'll no doubt be right here feeling restful and relaxed in my newly revamped bedroom! 

Niki

This is a paid partnership with Granit, however all words and pictures are my own and I only ever work with brands that I love and think you will too! 

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California Meets Scandinavia In A Cosy LA Home

We did it friends, it's POETS day! Yay! Friday calls for something pretty fabulous right?! And I'm thinking the home of Sophie Carpenter would be an absolutely perfect way to round off the week! Built in 1928, Sophie's 'sepia' LA home is a feast for the eyes. Think brown, brass, beige, cream and milky white tones in a living space that flows beautifully from one room to the next (let's not ignore that rather fabulous arch!). Look closely and you'll see Scandinavian design pieces beside funky pieces picked up in LA - as well as lots of arty details. Sophie, who works with production accounting on TV shows, describes her style as 'Scandifornian' - a totally new term to me, and I'm absolutely loving it. Welcome to her bright, comfortable and super cosy LA home! 

Another day, another rug! The Sarah Sherman Samuel Iconic Stripe Rug to be precise (little surprise that this fabulous rug is already sold out - but they are taking pre-orders for the next batch!), I also love the Santa Barbara Pendant Light and Wishbone chairs

That's Sophie's dog 'Rascal' flying in through the door. Insert your own caption in the comments below! It's definitely either dinner or walkies, what do you reckon? 

Triangular shelving from Spaulding Company, Sven sofa from Article

Absolutely love the bathroom! After a quick snoop on Sophie's instagram I discovered the wall sconces are from Cedar & Moss, the mirror is from Rejuvenation and the cabinets are Spaulding Company. Total perfection! 

Oh wow! This tour really put a smile on my face, how about you?! Rascal, of course, stole the show by sweeping into the kitchen, all four paws off the ground! But once I got passed him, I couldn't help noticing all the details (and the fabulous rugs!). What a wonderful haven!

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

See more pictures of Sophie's lovely home on her instagram and home page. 

Here are a few more 'Scandifornian' homes to enjoy from the archives (I've got a feeling I'll be using that term a lot moving forwards!): 

An inspiring home in Napa Valley

Relaxed, Boho style in Orange County

A Jewel in the Suburbs of LA

A Beautiful Spanish-Style House in California

Kind of wish I was spending the weekend there - but I do have a fun one planned all the same here in Sweden as my sister Cas is coming over from London with my little nieces (who are 1 and 3) - I CAN'T WAIT!!! 

What are you up to this weekend?

I hope you have a brilliant couple of days, see you Monday!

Niki

Photography: Sophie Carpenter / bathroom shot with mirror: Lily Glass for Glitter Guide

*Affiliate links

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The Calm, Earthy Home of A Danish Design Collector

Tjena! Hur är läget (how's it going?!)? I'm nearing the end of my first week back in the studio after the holidays and slowly cranking into action - but it's sort of painful! Know the feeling?  It's also distracting when the sun's shining and it feels like the rest of Scandinavia are still on holiday - including Danish photographer and stylist Marianne Jacobsen. Judging by her (pretty wonderful) instagram feed, Marianne is currently chugging through Europe by train. It's trips like these, as well as nature, Scandinavian design, minimalist spaces, light, art and architecture which inspire Marianne's daily work and the way she decorates her home in Aarhus, Denmark. Designed by famous architects Friis & Moltke in 1969, her house is full of timeless Danish design pieces as well as other collector's items in calming, earthy tones. I caught up with Marianne to find out more about her minimalist style and what's next on her wish list!

How would you describe your style?

My style is Scandinavian, minimalistic, delicate, eclectic and with a cosy / warm atmosphere (Danish!). I'm also very conscious about choosing a style that fits perfectly with my home. My house was designed by the famous Danish architect Friis & Moltke in 1969 and the architecture is inspired by Le Corbusier. I prefer to live with natural materials like wool, wood, stone, marble and leather. 

Le Klint lights

Alma light, Poet sofa*, The Poster Club* sells prints like this one (and ships worldwide)

How do you choose pieces for your home?

I love to live with carefully selected, beautiful Danish classic furniture and also timeless design pieces from other countries. I love Italian design like Cassina, but I do primarily opt for Danish design, since I love the deep roots we have in beautiful craftsmanship.

Montana Show shelves in 'latte' (I love this Danish storage - and have used the same brand in Allie's room).

Do you have a favourite possession? 

My absolute favourite is my Poet sofa* with sheepskin from House of Finn Juhl - such a beyond beautiful and timeless iconic piece. Likewise, I love my CH07 by Hans J. Wegner in walnut with leather seat and my Show shelves in latte from Montana!

Moebe shelves / desk, Series 7 chair, Gubi wall light*

What do you have your eye on next?

I'm dreaming about the Tabouret Méribel & Berger by Charlotte Perriand (Cassina) and the PK61 by Poul Kjærholm (Fritz Hansen).

Auping bed, VV Cinquanta Wall light

They million dollar question for us hoarders, how do you keep your home so clean and decluttered? 

I just love to live minimalistic and with calm, earthy tones. It's just the way I am since I'm an organised soul that loves to live with few, very beautiful and significant pieces in my home. My mantra is 'less is more'. It's natural for me to declutter my home, but not too much since I like my home to feel cosy. 

Thank you so much for taking time out from your holiday to tell us about your lovely home Marianne!

If you'd like to see more pictures of Marianne's home and latest photography / styling projects hop on over to her instagram or homepage. They are a feast for the eyes!

There's also a load more beautiful Danish homes to drool over in this archive (just saying!).

Anyone else a huge fan of Danish design? I noticed the other day, almost my entire wardrobe is made up of Danish design - with some of my favourite go-to brands being Day, Birger et Mikkelsen, By Marlene Birger and Stella Nova.

Eeeek. Suddenly feeling a trip over the Öresund bridge (AKA 'The Bridge') to Copenhagen is in order... the Swedish crown is so weak right now though, I might have to keep the trip under wraps - not sure how popular it would be with Per!!!

Have a happy Thursday guys - nearly POETS day - WOOHOO!

Niki

Photography and styling: Marianne Jacobsen

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