A Stay Here with a Book?

Do you ever travel alone? I'm currently in Aarhus - Denmark's second largest city, for a few days by myself to write a guide. To my surprise, I'm enjoying it. Firstly, it helps that the city is beautiful and the sun is shining. Secondly I am free to do whatever I like, when I like - heaven! It's got me thinking about other places I could imagine travelling to alone, and Camellas Lloret is one of them. I featured this beautiful maison d'hôtes in the Languedoc region of France many moons again. They've since put in a small pool, so I felt it was time to revisit (any excuse as I dream of this place on a regular basis!). I hope you enjoy the pictures - perhaps we'll meet here one day! 

Can you see why I long to visit? 

In my mind I'm already sitting pool side with a book!

Find out more about Camilles Lloret here.

Right friends, I'd better head off and explore the city of Aarhus, an exciting day lies ahead! 

Stor kram! 

Niki

Photographs courtesy of Camellas Lloret

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A DIY headboard, Children's alcove and a log fire in the Bedroom!

Hejsan! Scrolling through my usual sites on a Monday morning (along with a Swedish extra strength coffee of course!) I stopped in my tracks when this Swedish home popped up. There were three things that really stood out to me: the soft yet contemporary pink bedroom, the ribbed headboard / half wall that also serves as a shelf and the children's alcove off the sitting room! Let's take a closer look! 

No doubt a former storage cupboard, the parents in this Swedish home have converted an alcove off the sitting room into a children's playroom. I particularly love the glass doors - which ensure some peace and quiet  - after all, we all know how noisy parents can be - not entirely conducive when you're trying to create a crayon masterpiece ;). The alcove is perfectly organised with a cosy place to curl up with a book, a desk and shelves for creating and some floor space for general play. 

Plus, if it gets messy (let's face it, it probably doesn't look as neat as this all the time!) there are always the curtains which can be drawn across! 

I love this pink shade in the hallway and master bedroom. It looks like Deco pink by Jotun Lady - a shade that goes equally well with grey (like in this home) or even zesty colours like neons and cherry red. Are you a fan too? 

These types of headboards and wardrobe coverings are extremely popular right now and make such a statement - even when painted the same colour as the walls! They are also very easy to create yourself. A large DIY store will stock everything you need to create the look. 

I didn't mention the 'kakelugn' (Swedish tiled masonry oven) in my list of three, but it's an absolute given! I mean, who doesn't want to fall asleep to the warm embers of a log fire in winter time? So cosy! 

I hope you felty inspired by these features too. Perhaps there is something else that stood out to you? If so, please do point out in the comments below! 

I am heading off to Jutland, Denmark today to attend Formland design fair tomorrow - very excited as it's such an inspiring place and where I find out the latest trends and news for Autumn. If you can't attend in person,  I'll be sharing my trip on Instagram in case you'd like to see what's happening! I'm then off to Aarhus - Denmark's second largest city to write a city guide for Simply Scandi magazine. I've never been before so very intrigued, I've heard many a good things! 

I hope you've got some fun plans for the week too, and that the sun is shining for you. 

See you Wednesday friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Alicia Edelman via The Nordroom. 

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A Calm Swedish Home With Smart Hall Shoe Storage!

So far this week, I've shared home tours from Lisbon and South of France - so today I thought return to Scandinavia, with a peek inside an apartment in Gothenburg, Sweden! Styled by Emma Fischer, it's a light filled space filled with designer touches in natural tones. I've done my best to point out a few of the pieces, just in case you fancy doing a little shopping this weekend! 

A second room doubles up as both a dining room and home office. Mix and match chairs include a Panton chair and Bertoia side chair. A Formikami light by &tradition hangs over the table and a safari daybed serves as a window seat. 

A giant rice paper lamp from Hay makes a statement in the sitting room and the Line No.8 print* by Rebecca Hein can be seen on the back wall. 

Etsy is a great source for vintage maps. 

Making the most of a split level by adding shoe storage under the steps is genius! I wish we had a solution like this in our house (even so, certain members of our household's trainers would still need to be kept outside!). Could you also use a system like this in your home? 

I am checking on the source with Emma for a few other items too - give me a shout in the comments section if there is anything you're wondering about and I'll do my best to help! 

All in all, a lovely, calm home with which to finish off the week, do you agree? 

Take a scroll through the Storage archive to feel inspired by other smart ideas this weekend. 

And that, friends, is all from me this week. Do you have any plans? In our house we'll be watching the woman's football (soccer!) world cup third and fourth place play-offs and final  -  the whole tournament has been amazing. I love how much the sport has grown in the past few years! Have you been following along too? 

Per and I also need to finish off a budget bathroom make-over we've been working on. I can't wait to share the results with you soon! 

Trevlig helg! 

Niki

Photography: Henrik Linden

Styling: Emma Fischer

For Alvhem

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Formland: Where I find Inspiration for Autumn

Paid partnership with Formland, all words are my own. 

Do you have any 'back to work' traditions (except crying at your desk!)? Every year, I kick-off Autumn with a trip to Formland in Denmark, and it really softens the blow! The design fair is a major hub for the Nordic interior industry and my go-to for meeting face to face with brands, discovering the latest design news, listening to interesting talks and getting a ton of colour, pattern and material trend inspiration. 

This year's styling event will focus on colour by Danske Dekoratører - and we all know from danish homes, just how good they are at colour. There'll also be a cleaning training session by sustainable danish brand Humdakin (I might need to take my entire family to this). And you'll also likely find me at the a tasting event involving classic summer drink trends held by Scandic Bar (skål!). 

The trend zone and Greenhouse are also a must! 

If you live nearby, I can highly recommend the trip to Herning between August 20 - 22 (tickets are available here).  Let me know if you'll be there and perhaps we can meet over a coffee! 

If not, I'll be reporting directly from the fair in my Instagram stories next Tuesday so you can pay a virtual visit through my lens!

Niki

PS back tomorrow with a very exciting home tour! 

Photography courtesy of Formland exhibitors: Marley bed linen by Night & Day, Hubsch and Shangies by Stilov.

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A Swede's Lovely Vintage-Inspired Home in the South of France

On Monday we took a peek inside the home of a Norwegian living in Portugal, today I thought I'd continue the 'scandi abroad' theme! 

Kristin Lagerqvist and her family divide their time between Varberg and Languedoc-Roussillon, South of France. You might recognise this already as I recently featured Kristin's French home. However, they have now moved to an even more beautiful home (if that was possible!). 

The story goes that Kristin was tasked with finding an Airbnb for one of her clients and stumbled across this townhouse. She instantly fell in love with it - telling her husband "if it ever comes on the market, we need to buy it". Sure enough, some time later, the property became available - and true to her word, they exchanged one week later. 

Remnants of the houses former life as a vineyard farmhouse are still evident from the barrels in the basement and the decorative floor tiles remain intact. Kristin and her husband have been careful to preserve the integrity of the house while making their own personal mark using vintage finds from nearby markets. Ready to take the tour? 

Bienvenue chez Lagerqvist! 

Kristin used what she could from the existing kitchen while giving it a lift with an IKEA worktop and units. 

The pair built this magnificent wall-mounted plate rack by hand before painting it in Kristin's signature blue. Get the know-how here. 

Perhaps my favourite room in the house - the sitting room is flooded with light from two directions and filled with lovely local finds. 

An accent wall with bare plaster adds a relaxed touch to the space. 

The house came with an orangery just off the kitchen - which will serve both as a sunroom and also a garden for herbs etc. 

Be still my beating heart! What a find! I can see why Kristin snapped it up, can you? 

Many swedes dream of having a winter home somewhere warmer and lighter in the winter - personally, I'd be happy to escape the cold and dark months of January, February and March and often mulling of where I'd rather be! Perhaps Mallorca? Or after seeing this, South of France could also be on the cards. Do you have a time of year in your country you'd be happy to escape from? 

You can see more pictures of Kristin's homes in Varberg (once featured on My Scandinavian Home here) and France over at @kricklin. 

Kristin also runs an online shop as well as workshops and is a real dab hand at gardening (I bought a copy of her book Livskraft Från Trädgård och Hav last Autumn and it's full of lovely ideas). 

Right folks, I'd better get going - I'm meeting my Australian friend to go and watch England V Australia in the women's world cup football (they're showing it on outdoor screens here in Malmö!). I've loved watching this world cup - have you been following too? 

Niki

Photographs: Kristin Lagerqvist, shared with kind permission.

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