Julie's Playful Yet Elegant Home Features Some of the Big Trends of 2024

Artist Julie Wittrup Pladsbjerg has moved home quite a few times - each time weaving her magic with her unique sense of style. I have featured all three of Julie's Danish homes - starting with her flat in Aarlborg when she was a student (it's hard to forget the purple bike, right?), followed by the flat on the ground floor which she shared with her partner Mads and daughter Vanilla. 

And today, I'm excited to feature the family's latest home which Julie and Mads have been transforming into their family 'forever' home with two children in tow.

It's so fun to see the transition over the years, and seeing her style develop and morph into a mature and elegant living space, yet still bearing the signature Julie trademarks: pops of colour, playful touches and an eye for detail. 

Let's take a look inside! 

In the kitchen, Julie has installed a Reform kitchen (expect to see a lot more dark wood in Scandinavian homes moving forwards) and a beautiful light from NUAD. 

One of the big trends I witnessed at the international fairs in Germany last week (Domotex and IMM Cologne) was the mix and matching of different wood. Dark, light, mid wood - combine any way you like! 

A popular Valerie Objects wall lamp adds a contemporary touch to the space. 

The pair have put in a tremendous amount of work to renovate the house. I couldn't resist sharing the picture below to show how the kitchen looked during the building project. 

Compared to how it looks now....

The L-shaped kitchen also includes a dining area. The walls have been decorated with a beige shade from the up and coming danish paint brand Color Stories and sheer pink curtains from curtain.dk. 

The table bears a checkered pattern - which has been a big trend in Scandinavia for a while now. 

A wicker bench provides a spot for magazine, books, flowers and some of Julie's art. 

How cute are the little glass doorknobs by Danish artist Nina Nørgaard? It's such a pretty way to upcycle and personalise a vintage piece! Loving all the handmade ceramic cups too! 

The hallway has been decorated with 'Sibylla' wallpaper from UK based company Living Quarters. Wallpaper has been making waves in Scandinavian homes for a while now which is an exciting development I think!

A nook just off the kitchen serves as a spot for Julie to create had upcycled or handknitted art. 

A large antique patchwork quilt from Daisy and Beulah fills ones of the walls in the kitchen. At the nordic fair Formland last summer I noticed a lot of patchwork and embroidery, and it's exciting to see it take shape in homes like Julie's - the embroidery in particular is central to Julie's own work. 

A fabulous Ekstrem chair by Terje Ekstrøm awaits on the landing. 

The brown / light blue colour combination is a big trend right now in the world of interiors - as is pops of green. 

A bed by Karup works with the dark wood floor in the master bedroom. 

A wall mounted Montana drawer unit and retro Tulip chair make perfect companions in the bedroom! 

If you love Julie's style, you'll love her upcycled or handknitted art - here's a glimpse of her studio and one or two of her pieces. All her latest work can be found here. 

Julie's home and art have really brightened up a grey snowy day here in Malmö, Sweden. I hope they have also put a spring in your step and got your week off to an inspiring start too! 

Is there anything that stood out to you in particular? If so, please do share in the comments below! 

Check out the Danish home archive for more Danish home tours today! 

Happy Monday friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Julie Wittrup Pladsbjerg, shared with kind permission. 

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Pia's Cosy Country Home in Snowy Finland

It's been a very long time since I visited beautiful Finland - both in person and on the blog! While I'd happily hop on a plane, train or boat to Helsinki today, sadly it's not possible. But the good news is, Pia has welcomed us all into her cosy home today - so we can all pay a virtual visit! 

Pia lives in the Finnish countryside with her young family and has decorated her home with antique finds and layers of texture in earthy tones. You'll notice a few Christmas decorations still   - in Scandinavia it's customary to keep decor up until 13th January (a scary prospect when it's considered bad luck past 6th Januaary in England). I've grown to like this tradition as the pretty star lights really help to brighten up the winter darkness and create a cosy feel. 

Keep a look out for the walls - many of which have been decorated with botanical-themed wallpaper (Boråstapater and Sandberg sell classic Scandinavian designs like these) - while exposed wood beams add a rustic touch here and there. I also love the 'kakelugn' (masonry stove oven) and how Pia has created a reading spot beside it. A perfect place to relax while the snow falls outside. 

(Fun fact: Finland has 187,888 lakes, that's a crazy amount of water!)

Tervetuloa (welcome)! 

So pretty! Did you spot the family's four legged friend peeking here and there? So cute! 

A perfect tour to complete the week, don't you think? Don't miss Pia's instagram @pienimaalaistalo for more inspiration. And if you'd like to see a few other Finnish homes today, check out: 

Step inside Maiju's delightful home in Vaasa, Finland

Take the tour of Kati's rustic Finnish log house

Feel inspired by Riika's waterside cabin in the eastern Gulf of Finland

I hope you've enjoyed this virtual trip to Finland today. 

I arrived in Hannover, Germany last night and will be holding a talk at Domotex floor fair today - do come along if you're in town! If you'd like to see the latest trends in the world of rugs, carpets and floor coverings follow along on my instagram stories today! 

Have a cosy weekend, see you Monday! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @pienimaalaistalo, shared with kind permission

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A Back-to-Basic Swedish Lakeside Cottage with a Wild Bathroom

While the snow falls here in Malmö, I am aware that those of you in the Southern hemisphere are basking in warm sunshine. So, today I'm pressing the pause button on my wintery posts and taking you on a journey to a little Swedish cottage by a lake in summertime. 

The little red and white cottage near Västerås, Sweden, truly embraces a back-to-basics lifestyle - and the great outdoors is as much a part of the living space as the indoors. Life here is all about switching off and enjoying a simple summer by the lake - just you, the trees, the occasional curious moose and a book by the water. 

Ready to dream? 

The main cottage measures a mere 20 m2 (215 ft2) and comprises a charming kitchen and sitting room area.

Remarkably simple, the cottage doesn't have any running water (you need to bring it with you - which is not unusual, I have a few friends that transport their own water to their cottages, some even located miles away on an island in the archipelago). It does however, have electricity! 

The charming kitchen has open shelving to display prettier items, which a chequered curtain covers the plumbing and pots and pans. An IKEA unit provides extra storage under the window. 

A placard behind the sink bears the words: 'For those who have good friends, the simple cottage becomes a castle'. Truer words were never spoken, do you agree? 

The cottage also has a fireplace for colder days (hey, this is Sweden - you never quite know what temperatures you're going to get come summer!). 

Notice how a curtain has also been used in lieu of a cupboard door - adding to the relaxed look of the space. 

A sunroom has been added to the front of the cottage, providing a perfect spot to entertain friends while looking out over the lake. An oil lamp overhead emits a warm glow at night. 

Blue and white is a classic theme for Swedish waterside summer cottages. Here a chair, runner and bowls draw the lake indoors.  

A stone's throw from the main cottage is a smaller one-room dwelling where you'll find the bedroom. A simple chair serves as a bedside table. 

The wild 'bathroom' comes in the form of a table, mirror nailed to a tree and the lake. There is also a compost loo nearby. 

To me, this picture embodies everything I love about the Swedish approach to summer, where even the most simple daily ritual becomes an event and brings you closer to nature. The perfect antidote to daily life in the city!

A lounge chair offers a place to relax and njuta* after a 'morgondopp' (morning dip) with a coffee.

Is this your kind of summer getaway? 

If so, perhaps this cottage is for you! Check out the listing here. 

Would you like to see a few other back-to-basic dwellings today? Feel inspired by:  

Before and after - a tiny off-grid swedish cabin in the woods

Anna and Martin's tiny hand-built floating cottage

An off-grid getaway in the Helsinki archipelagos

Happy Lillördag (little saturday)!

Niki

Photography courtesy of SvensktFastighetsförmedling, with thanks

*advert for my own work

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