A Soothing Colour Palette of Blues and Greys in a Swedish Home

Tjena! Lately Per and I have been thinking about moving house - mainly to get a bigger garden (from my side), I think he said something about a tool shed....(maybe he's resigned to the fact that he's the My Scandinavian Home DIY main man!). But, having taken a few months to look around the ruthless housing market that is Malmö right now, we're getting major cold feet and considering making changes to our house instead - have you been through this thought process too?! If we stay put, one of the first things I'd update is our kitchen and open plan living area (potential mood boards to follow!). I think this is why this Swedish apartment appealed so much to me this morning. Look at that blue / brown combination! I also love how they've painted the underside of the dining table to match. The rest of the apartment has been painted in subtle nuances of grey which complement the blue in a beautiful way and help bring the entire look together. All in all, a truly inspiring palette! 

The kitchen cabinets and brass knobs are both IKEA.

This soothing colour palette from Jotun Lady is similar to the one in the kitchen:

On trend brown and amber tones compliment the greys and blues and add warmth. 

The Little Petra armchair looks like a big bear hug! I could totally do with a cup of tea in that very spot right now, fancy joining me?!

The same tones are carried through to the bedroom.

This cushion is very similar to the one seen (it appears slightly darker in the picture but I have the same one on my sofa and it's actually lighter in real life). Source a pretty ruffled bed skirt here*.

We were at the summer cottage this weekend and every other person at the 'morgonbrygga' (morning swimming bridge) was wearing an old dressing gown and pair of clogs like the ones in this hallway. Another observation: if you truly want to fit in the next time you're in Sweden you're going to need a fairly battered pair! Sadly I don't have any either - but a quick search uncovered a treasure trove of vintage clogs and even a pair of wood and leather Scholls*! 

Vintage Swedish footwear aside (!), is there anything you love about this home? Could you imagine going for a colour scheme like this? 

Pull up a chair and drool over a load more Swedish homes in this archive! 

Have a wonderful start to the week! 

Niki

Credits: Entrance

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Peek Behind The Facade of a Beautiful Red Danish house From The 1920s

FREEEEEDAG! (FRIIIIIDAY!) people, WOOP! Do you have any fun plans for the weekend? I'm currently waiting to feel my mouth again after a visit to the dentist (don't you hate it when they give you an injection?!). I'm praying it'll wear off in time for tonight! Since I can't talk, I've been able to spend even more time than usual hunting for home tours and that's how I stumbled across this one (via Nordic Design). You can kind of guess that the owners of Danish brand Skagerak would have a beautiful home and a peek behind the facade of Jesper and Vibeke Panduro's red house in Aalborg is a real feast for the eyes! Think spacious rooms, walls painted in soft pastel hues, Danish design and beautiful original details from the 1920s. Let's go inside! 

The wishbone chairs around the dining table are over 50 years old and will continue to be a favourite for many generations to come. The terracotta bowls are from the Skagerak Edge collection. 

Swooning over that 1920s floor! Isn't it lovely?

The all-time classic Flag halyard armchair has been given a cosy touch with a simple brown sheepskin*. Check out the 1920s radiator and ceiling too! 

Loving the simplicity of the Massai bench - it was inspired by old stair handrails and industrial machinery. 

This giant cork board (made up of smaller cork boards) is awesome. I'd love something like this in my kitchen, how about you? (This cork board* is similar). The beautifully crafted Hven chair is from Skagerak. 

There's a load more about Jesper and Vibeke's home here. And look out for my post on pastels next week.... it'll sure to include some tips on the prettiest pastel paint shades. 

In the meantime, the Danish home archive is always worth a scroll (warning: you can get lost in that one for hours!). 

Right folks, it's time for the weekend. If only my mouth would feel like normal again (the drool is not a good look either!). 

I hope you have a fabulous weekend! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Skagerak

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A Bargain Hunter's Fabulous Antwerp Home

Feeling super excited about today's home tour, it's a real beauty! Allow me to introduce you to Paulien Riemis. Paulien describes herself as "a 27-year-old full time internet adventurer, part time model and eternal literature graduate based in Antwerp, Belgium." Looking at her home, I would add interior decorator extraordinaire and bargain hunter to the list too. Paulien's Antwerp apartment (which she shares with her boyfriend Dan and their very cute and very fluffy cat) has the most fabulous bones. But extraordinarily high 3.5 metre ceilings can present challenges too and mean you need to work extra hard to create a cosy vibe. Paulien has played with the vertical space to turn the loftiness into her advantage and sourced furniture with rounded edges to balance the look. Her love of rugs, vases, ceramics, plants, polaroids and books has also helped to add a relaxed feel. Welcome to Pualien's cosy and truly personal world! 

After a long search, Paulien picked up the Travertine dining table for a song online. The chairs were also a bargain  - €2 each from a second hand shop! The perspex chairs are from IKEA. 

Paulien describes her fridge as 'a badass, American-style design object'! 

The sustainable IKEA Kungsbacka kitchen cabinets in anthracite make full use of the height. I am guessing there's a ladder lurking somewhere to reach some of the higher cabinets too.  

In the living room, a second hand marble coffee table rests on a white kilim rug*. I'm thinking a big round mirror would look lovely over that fireplace - but since Paulien describes her home as a permanent work in progress, I've little doubt there's already something fabulous in place. 

The brass Faye floor lamp looks great next to the blue velvet Harper sofa.

The bedroom floor has been painted in Levis white floor paint which makes the room feel even bigger and brighter. The bed was salvaged from Dan's old house and spray painted in gold paint. 

Pick up a set of Binga baskets here*. 

Step inside Paulien's dressing room and you're quickly reminded that she works as a model - imagine playing dress-up in here?! All those colours and patterns! 

What a fabulous home! 

Is the your kind of vibe too?  Is there anything that stood out to you in particular?

In case you're curious, you can see before pictures from her home over on her blog - Polienne. I also love her outfits and travel tips. Oh, and don't miss Paulien's instagram feed here. 

Only just getting started with the interior inspiration today? You might also love: 

The relaxed Antwerp home of a creative duo

An Antwerp home with a beautiful flow of light

I'm starting to think a trip to Belgium might be in order, how about you?! 

Kram!

Niki

Photography courtesy of www.polienne.com and shared with kind permission

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In Sweden, Singing the Mid Blues In An Urban Apartment

I've been noticing mid blue is on the rise in homes in Scandinavia, and the good news is, its way easier to pull off than it's even darker cousins. This one-bedroom apartment in Gothenburg has been painted in Blåis by Jotun Lady, with touches of bright white for contrast, as well as subtle brown and beige accents. Look closely and you'll also spot many of the lovely original 1920s details, such as high ceilings, parquet flooring and a glass panel door. All in all, a truly lovely home, just waiting for someone to move in and make it their own! Gothenburg anyone?

The cabinet fronts have been spray painted in the same deep Blåis - Jotun Lady hue as the walls and for a cohesive, contemporary look.

Little Petra Armchair, Hay knot (sculpture), white linen curtains*

Try The Poster Club* for similar prints and frames (ships worldwide), Mirage blanket.

Hay Dot Cushion, Cooee Design Ball vase

What do you think? Tempted to go over to the dark side, even if it's just the one wall?! 

I love how this blue appears darker or lighter depending on how the light hits it. I actually thought each room was painted in a different colour at first glance, but Bon Interior assure me it's all one tone! 

In case you need a little more persuasion, here are some other lovely Scandinavian homes in dramatic, dark tones: 

Converted stables in dramatic tones, in Norway

A sophisticated Swedish homes in dark tones (love this one!)

A beautiful atmospheric Malmö home in dark tones

Or you could just snap up this apartment (it's for sale!). 

I'm off to take it easy after a very long day on set yesterday. It all went well though and I can't wait to share the results with you in October. Phew!

Do you have any fun plans for today? 

Niki

Photography: Alen Cordic

Styling: Bon Interior

For: Bjurfors

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Before & After: A Dated LA House Becomes A Light & Airy Family Home

Why, hello there! I'm in Landskrona today filming and its BAKING (by Sweden standards at least) - but since the film is about natural light, it's all good! I can't wait to share the result with you soon. In the meantime, I thought I'd stop by to share the beautiful home of Molly Madfis. A perfect blend of amber, caramel, cream and white, Molly's style appears completely effortless. But just one glance at the before pictures and you'll see how much effort has gone into making this beautiful home.  Originally from Massachusetts, Molly is a work-at-home Mum and lives in LA with her husband Gideon, son Arlo and their three cats Bodhi, Lucy and Rocky. Molly frequently shares pictures of their home on instagram and her blog Almost Makes Perfect, so called because she feels she's never been able to do anything perfectly. When you see her home though, I'm sure you'll beg to differ! Enjoy the tour!

Sitting Room BEFORE

I couldn't find all the 'before' pictures for this house, but the ones I did find are proof that this home has been given one major refresh! Here's what the sitting room and entrance looked like before the renovation: 

Sitting room AFTER

Check out how deep that sofa from Interior Define is! I'd climb on, curl up and stay there all week if I could, fancy joining me?! 

Also seen: round cushion*, coffee table from cb2

Molly created the artwork over the dining table, and sells a similar print in her shop. 

Playroom BEFORE

This before picture shows how much they had to strip back in order to turn the house into the lovely family home it is today.

Playroom AFTER

Look at Arlo's cheeky grin - *heart melts*.

Someone's very proud of his room (and for good reason, too!).

Ikea cot,  mobile by electric sun creatives.

There are so many lovely things in Molly and Gideon's bedroom - but that Moroccan flatweave rug by Sarah Sherman Samuel (there's also a cushion* to match) and Odara throw have to be my favourites! 

I also spot a Sunset Vibes* print by Loulou Avenue. 

Bathroom BEFORE

Kind of dated, right?! 

Bathroom AFTER

Look closely and you'll see the new waaaay fresher bathroom has the same bones / layout as the original bathroom, but boy does it look different. And so pretty too with the lighter wood and hints of pink, don't you think?

Wall sconce from Triple Seven Home, handmade taps from Watermark Designs, sinks from Nood

I couldn't resist sharing a few pictures of the garden too, mainly because of the children's playhouse. I've never seen one like this before, have you? DIY idea perhaps? 

It's unbelievable how much inspiration can be taken from one home!

I hope you've got some ideas for your own home from this tour. 

Right, better get on with the filming (I need to concentrate, it's in Swedish - gulp!). 

Ha det fint! 

Niki

Photography: Molly Madfis / Almost Makes Perfect shared with kind permission

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