7 Spooky Yet Stylish Halloween Ideas

Out of all of the events on the calendar, Halloween has to be one of my favourites! Ever since I was little we've been trick-or-treating (I thought it was called 'trickle treating' up until the age of about 10!) dressed as ghosts, witches, pumpkins, mice and other suitably spooky kit (in the UK and Sweden the dress code is strictly scary, is it the same in your country?). In case you love Halloween as much as I do, we've rounded up 7 spooky (yet stylish!) recipes, drinks and decor to inspire you to make this Halloween an extra wicked affair!

(Credit: Robin Baron Design)

Group black candles in antique candle-holders to add a minimalist, yet smoking touch to the Halloween table!

Quench your vampire thirst with a mouth watering 'Black Widow Mezcal Cocktail' made from Mezcal, blackberries, lemon juice, rosemary and a touch of honey. 

In this part of the world trick or treating can be a bone-chilling affair thanks to the cold. This hearty pumpkin soup with a kick of earthy fresh tumeric & ginger is a sure fire way to warm the cockles.

(Credit: Lotta Agaton)

Serving the Halloween feast on a linen tablecloth darker than the night sky adds a touch of drama and looks pretty too! 

'Devils on horseback' or 'brain' paté' not for you? How about this cuter than cute layered chocolate and meringue ghost cake?!  Did someone say chocolate? Oooooo!

Credits: Caitlin and Manda of The Merrythought

If you're a little tired of pumpkin faces, how about Halloween star gazing with these DIY constellation pumpkins?

Credits: A Beautiful Mess

Round off the room with a ghost garland (super simple to make and massively kid friendly too), all instructions here.

Is there anything here that caught your eye?!

I've got my eye on that chocolate cake!

I'm so curious to know - do you celebrate Halloween? If so, which traditions do you have in your home?

I'll be back tomorrow with a FABULOUS Swedish home tour to round off week. See you then!

Niki

Thank you so much to Astrid, my wonderful new intern who helped to create this round-up!

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A Swedish Loft in a Former Shipyard Building

Hej hej! How are you today? Anyone else finding this one crazy week? It didn't help that there's also been a storm raging in Malmö these past few days (physically not metaphorically speaking!). And then all of a sudden it was gone, and in it's place: calm seas and brilliant sunshine. Things are looking up! This inspiring home is located on a former shipyard in Nacka, Stockholm. The listed building was originally a welding hall, and many of the original architectural features such as pillars, beams, high ceilings and windows have been carefully preserved and help to give the apartment an industrial New York loft feel (with a very strong Scandi twist if course!). I've been trying to figure out a little about the owners by looking at their (wonderful) possessions. I'm guessing they love to travel (potentially dividing their home between Stockholm and Hong Kong?) and also have an interest in photography, music, nature and strolling through vintage / antique markets. Let's take a peek...

Such a fantastic space - love the bones of the building. It would be so fun to live somewhere with such high ceilings too!

It is actually on the market through Fantastic Frank - so not an impossibility (!!) - could you imagine living here? 

What do you reckon about my guesses about the owner? Did you spot any clues?

Niki

Photography: Fantastic Frank - found via Pihkala with thanks

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A Light-Filled Upstate New York Barn Conversion With Fabulous Rugs!

Never underestimate the power of a rug (and two cute dogs!). That's the message I get from the beautiful upstate New York home of Kiana Underwood, Nate, their three teenagers Arasteh, Aram and Navid and furry friends Charlie and Atticus. The family moved from San Francisco to Upstate New York this summer following a 6-month barn conversion project. Kiana, owner of Tulipina - an internationally renowned floral design studio - had always dreamed of living in the countryside and growing her own flowers. Today the converted barn is filled with light and the white walls and light wood floors help to highlight antiques (some of which are local finds), the fine collection of Persian and Moroccan rugs, patterned tiles and floral displays.  Si from French By Design snapped these lovely pics on a recent visit.

That yellow front door is fabulous! It would be impossible not to smile every time you walk through it! As for the wonderful array of flowers and pumpkins up the steps - wow!

Is there anything that you love in particular about this home?

There's a ton more barn conversions to be found here - do you also harbour a dream to live in a house like this one day?

Thank you so much to Si for the kind permission to share these pictures. As I'm sure you can guess, Si also has a beautiful home (check it out here) and recently published an interior book How The French Live. If you don't already follow her blog, it's a must!

Have a lovely day!

Niki

Interior: Kiana Underwood
Photography: Si / French By Design

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Snapshots From a Cosy Home in Smögen, Sweden

Tjena! I hope you had a fabulous weekend?! I don't know about you, but what I really fancy doing this morning is chilling in this cosy space in one of my favourite parts of Sweden - the West coast! Almost every summer without fail we pay a visit to the Gothenburg archipelagos. Some of the islands are completely uninhabited, others have a sprinkling of pretty white wood board cottages and colourful waterfront fishing huts, and others are more lively affairs. Smögen spans several islands and is known for its long boardwalk lined with shops, seafood restaurants and bars - many of which play live music until the early hours (it's a great place!). The winter is a quieter affair, harsh winds buffet the coast and the scenery emits a raw beauty. Originally from Gothenburg, Interior stylist Sara Kjellemo has taken up year round residency in Smögen. As the summer sun starts to fade, her home becomes a cosy oasis, layered with fluffy rugs, cushions, candles and linen curtains all in subtle Autumnal tones. 

Sara is a talented artist too - her work includes this portrait in the kitchen and a white clay vase with black splashes  (seen on the coffee table).

Sara bought the art photography at Dear Sam.

Spruzzi jug / pitcher

So lovely, don't you think? The epitome of calm!

Is there anything that stands out to you about Sara's home?

See more pics here and for a little Monday escapism you might also like to take a peek at these Swedish island hide-aways.

The West coast islands are so beautiful at this time of the year, maybe I should start an annual winter trip? I'm curious: have you ever been to this part of the world? If so, I'd love to hear about your favourite places.

Have a wonderful start to the week - stay cosy!

Niki

Photography: Sara Kjellemo

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A Cosy Scandinavian-boho Family Home

Do you ever suffer from an interior style crisis? I love so many different looks that my home feels like a complete mishmash - each room a mirror of the style I love that week. Bah! I know I'm not alone, as one of my oldest friends says her home decorating has come to a complete standstill as she simply can't decide which direction to go! If you're anything like me, you'll see a home like yesterday's serene light coloured Danish home and have a light bulb moment, and then suddenly a cosy boho-style home like this one in Vendelsö, Sweden will crop up and you'll be like "oooooh, but this is pretty!"  The cosy home in question belongs to freelance interior stylist Elin Wallin of Studio Elwa (who I had the pleasure of meeting at an event a few weeks back), her partner Jonas and daughters Indra (9) and Edda (5). Elin describes her style as "a bit bohemian Scandinavian style and I'm kind of a more is more person - I just buy everything I like and this is how it has turned out!" As we move into Autumn, I can't help falling in love with the deep earthy greens, rust and light brown tones and the romantic wallpaper. Time to pour a coffee and get cosy....

The sitting room walls have been painted in Jotun Lady Minerals Varmgrå  which gives a cosy, textured feel.

Also seen: String shelving system   Rattan armchair   icelandic sheepskin*

I've got a total weakness for vintage drinks trolleys (and it helps that Friday night cocktails are on the radar too!) -  this rattan one is so pretty, don't you think? I found a few similar vintage ones here*. The wall has been painted in D2.15.55 from Nordsjö (apparently the shade looks slightly different from the picture which has a filter on it).

Yay - a 'real' kitchen. If you wake up on a Saturday and it looks like this, you know you've has a great night!

Love the use of a carpenter's bench as a breakfast bar, how about you? - Wonderful!

The kitchen cabinets have been painted in Intense le Havre from Nordsjö which looks perfect with the William Morris Pimpernel wallpaper.

Elin and Jonas' bedroom is painted in Anemon 656 from Beckers. The rattan headboard is from Teretta Living.

What a lovely bedroom for a sporty girl- this wall bar is similar. I also spy: a Dusty pink bed canopy, bunting and Minnen junior bed.

How's this for an idea if you have some left over wallpaper but not enough to cover an entire wall?! This one is the Ava from Sandberg & Friends.

The bunny wallpaper is from Photowall with a matching rabbit lamp. The vintage children's bed has been painted in D2.15.55 from Nordsjö. Check out the scalloped ceiling too - so pretty! And that mirrored cabinet - wow!

I must say, I'm feeling massively inspired by all the unique details in this home - how about you?!

Is there anything that stands out to you in particular or that you can imagine doing in your own home?

Check out more beautiful pictures from Elin's home here.

It's definitely got me in the mood for a cosy weekend - and I've got some blogger friends arriving soon in the shape of Trend Stefan, Agata Dimmich of Passion Shake, Elisabetta Rizzato of Italian Bark, Igor Josif (Happy Interior Blog) and Mette of Monster Circus - it's going to be a fun weekend in Malmö!

I hope you have a fabulous weekend ahead too!

Vi ses på Måndag!

Niki

PS Back to the 'interior style' crisis. One of the beauties of interior design is that you can do whatever you like - and tapping into the various styles you love will make it 'yours' - this is what I try to tell myself. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this too!

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