A Swedish Apartment Fit for a Princess!

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A little Monday morning dreaming for everyone today - and proof that you don't need to own an entire castle to live like a princess! This wonderful apartment in Djursholm, Stockholm county occupies the top two floors of a magnificent turn-of-the-century house. Think turret like rooms, incredible angles and architectural details as well as an incredible roof terrace looking out over the water. A dream indeed! 

What a peaceful terrace! I love that they have zoned it by including a dining area and also a pair of loungers. 

Note the rug - colourful, patterned kilim floor coverings* have made a major comeback recently and add so much warmth to a space. 

The dining area is a mix of styles with an antique table, vintage Thonet chairs* upholstered in Svenskt Tenn fabric, contemporary art photography and an iconic PH5 pendant lamp*. 

More Svenskt Tenn fabric designed by Josef Frank, can be seen on the sofa. And again a great mix of furniture from different eras can be seen in this downstairs sitting room. 

A rough stone wall finish and wood beams add a fairytale touch to the upper sitting room. Notice the art. So many, are afraid to put up pictures as they fear getting it 'wrong' but really there are no rules and it's way better to just whack something up that you love rather than have an empty wall!

The bedroom is bathed in light from two directions and is also blessed with a towering ceiling and wood beams. A larger mirror also reflects the light. 

I could live here in a heartbeat, how about you? I have a feeling it's a little out of our league budget-wise and also there's the small question of it being 600 km North from where we live, but hey, a girl can dream, right? See more pictures and find out more about this apartment over at Wrede. 

Would you like to see some other properties with sloped ceilings today? Take a a peek at: 

A small, relaxed boho apartment

A Swedish attic apartment with low sloped ceilings

A mini but mighty one room Swedish apartment

I also dealt with angled ceilings in our bedroom when creating a wardrobe and also in our attic space, it's not easy but there are lots of great solutions out there to help maximise space! 

I hope you have a fabulous start to the week! 

Niki 

Photography courtesy of Wrede, with thanks.

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Scandinavian Design Icons: CH07 Shell Chair

Sponsored by Carl Hansen & Søn, with thanks

One of the things I appreciate most about good Scandinavian design, is the dedication to making furniture that is both practical and aesthetic. Combine this with high quality natural materials and a timeless appeal and you have a masterpiece on your hands that can be loved for generations to come. 

Danish furniture designer Hans J.Wegner was one of the distinguished designers of all, and helped to put Danish design on the world map. His work is widely recognised for its organic functionality and with items such as the Wishbone chair, CH25 Lounge Chair and Elbow Chair part of his portfolio, it's little wonder he's known as the 'King of Chairs'! 

Today I'd like to pay homage to one of his finest designs: the iconic CH07 Shell Chair. 

The three-legged chair was designed in 1963, but despite positive reviews for it's avante-garde look and feel, it was only when Carl Hansen & Søn reintroduced the Shell Chair in 1998 that the general public appreciated its distinct expression. Twenty-five years on it's one of the most well-loved, iconic chairs of our time!  

The Shell chair is instantly recognised by it's wing-like seat and curved backrest which is supported by three arched legs. Its testimony to Wegner's mission to ensure a chair should be beautiful from every angle. 

The chair has been around for sixty years, and to celebrate the occasion Carl Hansen & Søn have launched this 60th anniversary edition of the Shell Chair in rosewood and oak (with the option of adding seat cushions) - available until December 31st 2023. A small brass plate with Hans J.Wegner's signature can be seen back making it a true collector's item! 

Imagine having a piece like this in your home? I've certainly loved looking after this masterpiece in our sitting room these past few days (sadly it's only on loan!). 

It looks mighty fine beside some of my favourite smaller items which include a vase by my dear artist friend Jennifer Idrizi in nearby Lund and two darling figurines by local Malmö artist Simon Vendin - the latter of whom keep a good eye on things when we're not home! 

I hope you enjoyed reading about the magnificent CH07 Shell Chair! If you're curious, read more about it over at Carl Hansen & Søn.

I have had the great privilege of capturing quite a few iconic danish design pieces in my home over the past few years - here are some of my favourites: 

Wishbone chairs in my dining room

The Plico chair in our cabin sitting room

The Windsor chair in our cabin dining room

Do you have a favourite item of furniture that you dream of owning one day? If so, do tell us more below! 

I hope you have a 'trevlig helg' (lovely weekend)! See you Monday!

Niki

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An Open-Plan Swedish Apartment with Golden Tones

Going for gold today, or at least a golden tone. And it looks so beautiful in the Autumn light. The timing feels apt as last night my daughter was telling me that her North facing room felt 'cold' and I was explaining the importance of using tones with a red undertone to add warmth. 

I am not sure which direction this lovely Stockholm apartment is facing, but the golden tone on the walls will help the day feel sunnier no matter what - and at night it will ensure a cosy warm glow. The fairly neutral shade also serves as a calm backdrop for lots of art, books, plants and mid-century pieces - some of which are true Swedish icons! 

Ready to feel inspired by this open-plan living space? Step this way! 

Poufs are fantastic for small spaces since they can easily be moved around and used for extra seating or a foot rest. My friends and I have found the perfect pouf in this one from H&M - it looks pretty, fits in with any style and is perfectly firm when used as seating. And no, this isn't sponsored - I just like a good purchase when I find one! 

A yellow rug on the floor compliments the warm 'desert' tone on the walls. 

The Lamino armchair in sheepskin is a real Swedish classic. It might not look that comfy from afar but it's ergonomically made in a way that perfectly fits your form, hence why it's so popular! 

I love this home office nook which harnesses natural light from the window. String pocket shelves on the wall to the right are another Swedish classic! 

The dark kitchen units add contrast and depth to the open plan living space, while a long rail offers storage in replacement of upper cabinets. 

Despite being a small bedroom, the owner has found space to store books flush against the wall - using the full height of the ceiling (small steps ensure they can reach the highest row!). 

I hope you enjoyed this warm Swedish open-plan apartment and that it's given you a few ideas for your own home! 

Did anything stand out to you in particular? 

Feeling the mid-week heat? Why not pull up a seat and indulge yourself by trawling through the My Scandinavian Home archives! Here are some favourites: 

Small spaces

Vintage inspired spaces

Bohemian style

Styling with plants

Happy Cinnamon Bun day! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of ESNY. Found Via Nordroom with thanks. 

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A Fairy-tale Summer House on the Swedish Baltic Island of Vaxholm

Are you ready for a little Swedish summer house dreaming today? This fairy-tale property is on the island of Vaxholm - a paradise for Stockholmers who flock here by boat in summertime. 

At first glance, I thought it was Hanna Östberg's home - as the pretty shades of green and turret have a similar feel (see also this cottage with a turret!). But alas, no, it's ANOTHER beautiful Swedish century-old property. Granted, the magnificent location with views out over the Baltic might mean the price-tag is a little (OK, a lot) out of reach for many of us mere mortals, there is still plenty of inspiration to be gleaned from the rooms. Here's what I discovered:

A fence with white tips? What a great detail! 

The Bumling light* (I can never truly get used to that name!) is a Swedish 1960s classic - and the perfect task lighting for over a table.. 

Since it's a summer house, it's fairly sparsely decorated (it could also have been cleared out for the sale), but the wall hangings more than make up for this - adding a decorative touch to the walls while also helping to reduce echo. I 'd love to know where this one is from; the tones are so warm and lovely! Any idea?

If you're looking for similar, Ferm Living sell some beautiful textiles that can double up as wall art, and my friend Helena recently bought this cactus one for her living room which looks awesome. To ensure your blanket / textile hangs properly, it's a good idea to get it professionally framed or sew on two wooden bars - on across the top and the other across the bottom before putting it up. 

Elfa shelving has been built up around the TV, creating space for an amplifier, a plant and other items. I can really imagine these shelves being laden with books - a perfect spot for my Njuta tome, just saying! 

Imagine waking up to views over the archipelago in all directions? Gaaah! I really like the classic blue tone on the wall combined with the warm hues in the bedspread. Decorative bedspreads are an ideal way to add an instant lift to a room. 

String lights on a balcony add a magical touch at dusk - and are a great way to lighten up the darkness when looking out come winter. 

Oh, how I love to dream on a Monday morning (this property is for sale!). 

I've actually never been to Vaxholm - one to add to my travel list! Have you seen my other Swedish travel guides? You might like the island hopping on Sweden's West coast, as well as the east coast islands. Inland, I'd recommend a trip to Malmö (of course) and Helsingborg up the road. There's so much to see and do in this beautiful country. 

After more home tours today? Take a look at hundreds of other Scandinavian summer cottages - from the very basic to blowout - all equally beautiful in their own way, in the archives. 

Have a great start to the week!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Sjönära Fastighetsmäklare, with thanks.

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A Cosy Cabin Where the Outdoor Space Takes Centre-stage

I've gone a little off piste this week. OK, majorly off-piste, with not one but TWO cabins Down Under. The first: a garden hideaway, was on Wednesday, and the second - today! But who can blame me when they exude relaxed charm? 

The Woods Ocean Grove is made up of two cosy cabins nestled in the woods in the Ballerine Peninsula, Wadawurring, Australia. With the roar of the ocean and calls from the bush forever present, the property has been designed to embrace the great outdoors with an al fresco dining area, kitchen, bathroom and fire pit. 

Living in Sweden, I understand the allure of embracing the great weather when it arrives - and love the idea of carving out zones in the garden (or even a little balcony). Don't miss the snapshots of the interiors too - full of easy vintage style as well as colours and materials inspired by the ocean and bush beyond, drawing the outside in. 

Lovely inspiration for a balcony. I really like how they've added bar stools and a bar for coffee... wine.... If your balcony is covered, a swinging chair is a great idea too! 

The tiles in this outdoor bathroom give the space a complete look and an air of permanency. And you can never go wrong with a clawfoot tub, right? 

Outdoor curtains add a whimsical, soft touch to spaces which could otherwise come across 'hard'. In this instance, it's a perfect way to ensure privacy in the bathroom too! 

Anyone for tennis?

I actually used to play college tennis (many moons ago)! My serve is so bad these days though I prefer Padel. But I'd be happy to pick up my racket for a swing on this court! 

Could you imagine staying at The Woods Ocean Grove too? Find out more here. 

How great is the outdoor space? I know we don't all have gardens as big as this - but it's still amazing what you can do with a balcony or even a windowseat - and by adding lots of blankets, cushions and oil lamps you can enjoy it long into Autumn, maybe even winter! 

I've also always loved the idea of using colours that reflect your surroundings. Granted that in a city this can be tricky - but there's nothing to stop you from bringing in chestnut browns, rust and burnt orange come autumn, and vibrant green shades in the spring, storing and brining out items is such a quick way to refresh the home and embrace each season - and means you'll appreciate what you have even more. Do you like to update your home for the season? 

Have a fabulous weekend! I'll be back on Monday with a Scandinavian home tour! 

Stor kram! 

Niki

Photography by Marnie Hawson, styling Belle Hemming Bright. Shared with kind permission. Last picture by Nikole Ramsay. 

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