The Eclectic Home of Jewellery Designer Andrés Gallardo

Hands up who loves an eclectic home with splashes of colour, lots of plants, art and books? Well, you're in for a treat today! The relaxed bohemian home of designer Andrés Gallardo and his husband has all this and more. A creator of jewellery, handbags and porcelain objects, Andrés has decorated his home with an eclectic array of items from flea markets and secondhand shops as well as some high street finds. Surfaces are crammed with porcelain, glassware and other treasures, and climbing plants wind their way around works of art. Make sure you look through these pictures by Eduardo Boillos more than once - you'll spot a new detail every time! 

Andrés picked up the chairs at El Rastro, an area in Madrid known for its Sunday open air flea market and antique shops.

I love how he's opted for a vintage wall lamp instead of an overhead pendant light - and this one is beautiful, don't you think?

A 40s cabinet it used to store plates, bowls and other kitchen items. The floor has been covered with various rugs including a jute one* (under the dining table) and long mats not dissimilar from Swedish rag rugs*!

The walls are adorned with an eclectic array of art including everything from Mr Men prints, oil paintings, butterflies and porcelain plates. 

An Ikea Stockholm rug covers the floor in the sitting room. 

Uneven plaster walls add to the relaxed charm of the home.

Bunches of dried floor hang over the bed, while a vintage Verner Panton Flowerpot pendant light* adds a pop of colour. This exact late 60s one is currently available here* (you need to be quick - there's only one!). 

A little red chair sits atop a myriad of vintage rugs (the one in the hallway is from Ikea)

SNOOPY! *heart melts*

I used to play with Snoopy and Bella all the time when I was a child (once I tied long leaves to their feet with elastic bands and pretended they were skiing!). Did you have a Snoopy too?  

The rule books have been firmly ripped up with this vintage bureau, and art in the bathroom, and I love it!  

Climbing plants became extremely popular in 2018 (check out my feature / get the look here). I love the way ivy winds its way up over the pictures and the shower curtain. 

If you were worried about getting something 'wrong' in your home while decorating, I hope Andrés home has inspired you to think otherwise - and just follow your heart! 

The next time I'm in Madrid (I say that like I'm a regular visitor - but I've actually only been there once!) - I'm heading straight to El Rastro! While writing my book The Scandinavian Home I learnt that it's usually no problem to pick up larger pieces abroad - post offices are always happy to help ship. Although try telling that to your husband / wife / bf / gf.....!!

If you're feeling inspired by Andrés home, check out his fabulous jewellery, handbags and porcelain here. You might also like to see more pictures over at Revistaad.

I've featured several other homes belonging to jewellery designers - and they're always beautiful! Remember the home of Malia Grace Mao in Topanga Canyon? If you scroll to the bottom, you'll also get a glimpse of their Kauai surf shack. Take me there now! 

I also love the home of Danish jewellery and furniture designer Anders Forup! 

Have a fabulous day!

Niki

Photography: Eduardo Boillos shared with kind permission

Originally featured in Revistaad

*This post contains affiliate links (marked with an asterisk), which means I make a very small amount of money if you click on the link and buy something! Thank you for supporting My Scandinavian Home. 

READ MORE...

4

A Dreamy Holiday Rental in Daylesford With a Mini Warehouse Feel

Every single time a fabulous new holiday rental pops up in Australia it resurrects my desire to travel Down Under! Today is one of those days. Stylist extraordinaire Lynda Gardener recently added Room + Board to her wonderful repertoire of holiday rentals. The dreamy space has a mini warehouse feel which is part glass and part conservatory. Beautiful recycled schoolhouse windows flood the living space with light and help to highlight curated pieces, furniture, art and plants which have been individually sourced from personal collections and sustainable suppliers. Located in the heart of Daylesford - a town in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range of Victoria (also home to Lynda's fabulous The White Room and The Barn and The Estate Trentham holiday rentals) - the one bedroom property is waiting for its first guests. Form and orderly queue, please! 

This hand sewn burlap lamp* is similar. I have a cinnamon coloured cushion in my sitting room like this - you can pick it up here*.

Raffia net bag*, organic cotton net bag*, artisan brush

The beams! The pools of light! 

When you go for an entirely white washed space, the furnishings need to work harder to create a cosy feel (this comes from personal experience from the days when my bedroom was white!). Look closely at the above picture and you'll see a load of natural textures at play, all of which help to create a relaxed vibe. 

Rattan poof*, vintage pitcher*

Bemz sells similar linen headboard covers* like this, three legged wooden stool*

I'd love to know where the over-sized brown lamp is from - any tips? 

Could you imagine hanging out here for a few days? 

I'm totally in! 

Read more about the space and book your stay at Room + Board here. 

If you're visiting Melbourne, Lynda also has a property to rent in St Kilda (also on my radar!). 

Australia has been on the world's radar for other reasons lately - catastrophic bushfires. Rescue teams have been working tirelessly to help all those affected, including people who have lost their homes and livelihoods and all the beautiful animals. If you would like to offer your support, here are a few charities that welcome donations:

Koala crisis - bushfire recovery - a GoFundMe page created by photographer Kara Rosenlund (who's home I featured here) which set out to accrue $8000 of funding and current donations exceed $210,000 and counting! Incredible! 

WWF Bushfire emergency fund 

Australian Red cross

Please feel free to add charity suggestions in the comment section below - I know there are many, all of whom are doing what they can. 

Wishing you a wonderful start to the week! 

Niki

Photography: Marnie Hawson

Styling Lynda Gardner / @lynda.gardener

* This post contains affiliate links which means I will make a tiny amount of money if you click on the link and make a purchase. 

READ MORE...

1

My New Wall Sconce From Hudson Valley Lighting Group!

Paid partnership, all words are my own:

It's only since living through fifteen dark Scandinavian winters that I've realised the importance of lighting. On a practical level you need a lot more lights than you think. And the more variety the better. Not only do you need overhead and task lighting, you also need lower level lighting to help create the right ambience. In fact, I'd go as far as saying that lighting can totally make or break a room. I'm therefore always on the lookout for new lamps and was excited to discover Hudson Valley Lighting Group. The US based company (with an international site) stocks literally hundreds of lights in a diverse range of styles from chandeliers and pendants to flush mounts and wall sconces. Needless to say, there's something for everyone - whether you prefer historical pieces or something that's bang on trend (or a combination of the two!). There's one lamp in particular that caught my eye.

Meet my new Chloe wall sconce from Mitzi! Made from high quality marble and aged brass it was one of those pieces that instantly appealed. And when I brought it home it seemed to slot into my sitting room as if it had always been there. Don't you love it when that happens? 

The lamp is also available in polished nickel but I felt the brass was a better match with the earthy brown and golden touches I already have in my sitting room. 

I positioned it so that in the evenings it would add a soft glow to one of the darker corners of my home and light up a few treasured pieces such as a sculpture by a Swedish artist and dried flowers from last summer. 

Isn't it pretty?

One of the big interior trends of 2020 is to invest in high-quality pieces that will stand the test of time. This lamp perfectly fits the bill since it's beautifully made and would look great in many different corners of my home over time (I'm already considering having it next my bed!).

Are you looking for new lighting for your home? If so, here are a few others that caught my eye: 

10 Lamps I Love 

Get The Look

1. Troy Lighting Ace Lamp
2. Mitzi by Hudson Valley Lighting Stella Light
3. Corbett Lighting Socialite Light
4. Mitzi by Hudson Valley Lighting H120704-AGB-CE
5. Mitzi by Hudson Valley Lighting Angela Lamp
6. Hudson Valley Lighting Chandler Polished Nickle
7. Hudson Valley Lighting Chandler Brass
8. Mitzi by Hudson Valley Lighting Estee Lamp
9. Troy Lighting District Lamp
10. Troy Lighting Quantum Light

Did any stand out to you in particular?

If you're feeling curious, hop on over to Hudson Valley Lighting Group to check out the entire range.

Oh, and they ship worldwide too! Result! 

Niki

This post is brought to you in collaboration with Hudson Valley Lighting Group, however, all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too. Thank you for supporting the businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible. 

READ MORE...

2

10 ways To Transform Your Home Into a Sanctuary Like a Dane!

Yesterday I talked about one of the hot (or should I say cool?) colour trends of the year. And today I wanted to share another key trend that's been popping up - which centres around well-being. In my Lagom book I wrote about how, in an age where we're connected 24/7 and constantly feeling a little overwhelmed, it's become important to create a living space where you can find balance, switch off and relax. In essence the home has become our sanctuary. Not quite there with that spa-like feel yet? Don't worry, it's easier than you might thing! I was excited to discover the Danish home of Simone Østergaard which is a great example of how a family living space can be transformed into a calming oasis in 10 simple steps. Ready to dive in? 

1. Declutter: There's a big difference between having a minimalist home and one that is devoid of clutter. The essential aspect of creating a calming home is surrounding yourself with things you love and believe to be useful. Even if you have many! Everything else must go - they'll only make you feel disorganised and stressed. 

2. Texture: Keeping things clean doesn't mean boring. Simone has applied Kalkitir paint in powder form to her walls for a beautiful textured look. 

3. Plants and flowers: maybe a cliché but nature is like balm for the soul. Surrounding yourself with fresh or dried flowers and lots of greenery is an instant mood lifter! 

4. Sheer curtains: Sheer window dressings slip in soft, diffused light for instant calm. Source similar made-to-measure curtains here*. 

5. Candles: Where would a Scandinavian home be without candles?! Don't wait until night fall though - a naked flame in daylight hours is perfect for adding a spa-like feel! Add a beautiful scent to really get the senses going.

6. Natural textures: wood, rattan, sheepskin and other natural materials will instantly make a room feel cosier.

7. Calm bedroom: a bit of an obvious one, but for the best type of beauty sleep, your bedroom should be decluttered, calm and fairly cool. Since living in Scandinavia I've also become a real advocate for single duvets too - being able to choose your own down thickness and sticking a limb out in whichever direction you please are tantamount to a great night sleep! 

8. Cocoon: Children love to be cosy and feel safe. Creating a cocoon over their bed in the form of a canopy will sure to send them into a blissful slumber. 

N.B. make sure anything items you choose to place around a cot are child-safe! 

9. Fluffy towels and dressing gowns: Towels rolled up in a vintage wooden dough bowl* and a soft robe give the bathroom instant spa appeal! 

10. Contain your stuff! It's impossible not to have lots of bits and pieces in the bathroom (if you ask me!). Using trays and pretty containers for hair clips, cotton wool, moisturisers and other bits and bobs will help to create a calmer, more organised space and it'll look prettier too! Hay sells a similar marble tray*. 

I'm feeling more relaxed just looking at these pictures, how about you? 

Is there anything that stood out to you in particular - or anything you might implement in your home? 

The first thing I'd like to do is organise our bathroom so there are more containers for all our stuff! It's out of control right now - and I'd sooooo love it to look like Simone's. I have a feeling that if I rolled up towels like that in our bathroom my 11-year-old daughter would use them all in one afternoon though! Guh! 

You can see more calming snapshots of Simone's home on her blog and instagram. 

Other serene homes to feel inspired by: 

A calm, elegant Stockholm apartment

Get the look from a serene family home in Berlin

A delightful green and white swedish home with a pretty bed nook

Have a relaxing day friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Simone Østergaard with thanks

This post contains affiliate links which means I might make a tiny amount of money if you click through and buy an item from one of the links marked with *

READ MORE...

2

An Architect's Delightfully Calm Copenhagen Home (And It's On Airbnb Too!)

When you go on holiday do your prefer an airbnb or a hotel? - Or perhaps something in between? When travelling with the crazies I prefer an airbnb but when it's just Per and I - I'd more likely opt for a hotel (or a romantic B&B!) - mainly because I love a good breakfast buffet! But then I discover Airbnb apartments like this one in Copenhagen. Owned by an architect, the three-bedroom apartment is situated on one of the capital's most sought after streets and features beautiful sky-blue walls, light wood features and a blend of antique and new nordic design pieces. Who's to say you can't nip to the local bakery and pick up a fantastic wienerbrød (Danish pastry) and freshly brewed coffee to go in the morning?! The next time I'm in Denmark's capital city, I'm totally checking in here - and I might just never leave! Could you imagine staying here too? 

Mayor Aj5 sofa, Formakami pendant*

"Both architects, we transformed this historic apartment into a comfortable and calm home. With a focus on natural and luxurious materials, we have allowed the history of the place to inspire the design."

Circle pendant shade, Georg Jensen pitcher*

I love the backsplash. I spotted something similar in this magical Norwegian mountain cabin. You can create a similar one by treating a sheet of copper with acid for an aged look.  

"The apartments finished with a mixture of mid-century Scandinavian furniture, contemporary furniture, auction finds, and pieces from Justine's home in South Africa."

Copper clothes hanger* (similar)

Isn't it beautiful? I love the sky blue and copper touches in particular. 

If you're visiting Copenhagen and would like to hang out here for a while, the apartment is available through Airbnb right here.

Fancy exploring some other Airbnb options in Scandi-land? Here are a few I've got my eye on:

Two idyllic Danish cabins
A beautiful apartment in Bergen (love this!)
A hygge Danish log cabin near the sea
An off-the-grid getaway on an island in the Helsinki archipelagos
A romantic lakeside schoolhouse in Sweden

Quite a varied list, I must say! Which would you choose?

I've got to hurry home from there studio now as a local Malmö paper is coming to my house for a home story - so fun! God knows how the kids left it this morning but I'm pretty sure there's a lot of tidying up to be done. Gah! 

Have a lovely day!

Niki

Photographs courtesy of Airbnb found via Nordic Design with thanks

READ MORE...

2