Quirky Touches in a 19th Century Brick House in South Sweden

The other day, someone asked me "I am moving to Sweden and looking for somewhere in the South, with beautiful countryside, beaches and lots of culture, but also that's not far from a village or town." Luckily two different areas popped up in my head - one was Kullaberg - where my parents-in-law live, and a place I covered extensively in this travel guide. And the other was Österlen. 

Famous for its light, Österlen has been a popular destination for artist for hundreds of years and the countryside is absolutely beautiful. This pretty cottage, in Löderup is fairly near Sandhammaren beach, known for it's incredible white sands and clear waters. The quirky interior is testimony to the creative scene you so often find in the area, and yet it also has a serene feel to it thanks to the soft shades not dissimilar from the tones seen in the sand, shells and sea of the nearby beach. 

A few weeks ago we had the pleasure of Beppe taking us around his Swedish family home and today I'll hand over to Snowy (*not his actual name, to be honest, I'm not sure what it is, but he sure is cute) for the tour! 

Thank you so much for the tour Snowy! You've certainly sold it to me.  

I love the quirky touches and the incredible view from the outdoor dining area. Naturally, I couldn't resist looking more into the property, and it's only a 15-minute cycle ride to the beach. Perfect! 

Is there anything that stood out to you about this lovely Swedish house? 

perhaps you'd like to be reminded of some other beautiful homes I've shown from Österlen in the past? Who could forget: 

Karen's charming summer house in the Skåne countryside

A 19th century Swedish cottage where the past meets the present

The dreamy country home of Laura and Nora of Our food Stories (the kitchen!)

Marianne's beautiful country home (you can also find her Stockholm city home here)

We're experiencing a very late summer heatwave here, and aware that it could be the last heat we have for a very long time, everyone is heading outside at every opportunity - myself included! 

I hope it's sunny where you are too! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Bo-laget, shared with thanks. 

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A Cosy Swedish Family Home Filled with Books

Why, hej! How was your weekend? Ours was a mix of dips in the sea, thunderstorms (not at the same time, thankfully), work (too much on at the mo, and not at all 'lagom' - but thankfully only short term) and life in between (like arguing about who is going to empty the dishwasher). I hope yours was suitably varied, and lovely and relaxing.

So, let's kick off the week with something inspiring, shall we? Like a cosy Stockholm apartment. This home is dedicated to anyone who loves colour, pattern and likes to be surrounded by books (show of hands please?). It's also inspiring for anyone looking for cute ideas for a small space with young children (love the cot in the master bedroom and children's bedroom solution). 

Ready for a nosey? 

Note the climber in the kitchen window - with autumn closing in, it's a great way to create a 'green effect' while the trees lie dormant and create those nature-inducing feel good vibes. 

We're seeing so many statement-painted doors right now and I find them so inspiring. Would you consider painting a door a different colour in your home? 

FYI stripes continue to be a strong trend this autumn and tablecloths and cushions are a great way to add them to the home. 

The colour, the pattern, the warmth - the everything! 

A home for book and LP lovers, so great to see, don't you think? 

Notice how the owners have added pictures, bunting and other small touches to carve out a corner exclusively for the littlest member of the family, while the rest of the room still has a mature feel. 

There's always room for more books!

When space is limited, a desk and raised bed solution is a great way to ensure there is a zone for everything. 

I love this home as the owner's personality shines through. Plus, it's so well kitted out to display and store all their belongings and treasured items. 

I'd love to hear your thoughts and observations below. 

Wishing you an 'underbart' start to the week! 

Niki

Photography Boukari, Styling by Copparstad Interior for Historiska Hem, shared with thanks. 

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Iconic Design, Art and Vintage Treasures in a Beautiful Danish Home

Warning: this incredible Danish home will make you want to get the paint brush out this weekend. Whether that's to paint the walls or a vintage find remains to be seen, but the subtle (and at times, bold) use of colour in interior stylist Eva-Marie Wilken's home sure is inspiring. 

But it's not only the use of tones - the combination of pattern, art, sculpture, iconic design pieces and small accessories make her home truly unique - and while there's a lot going on, the calming tones and minimalist look ensures plenty of visual breathing space. 

So, buckle up friends, and get ready for an inspirational joy ride! 

I love how Eva-marie dares to be bold. This cobalt blue desk was a simple off-white colour when she first discovered it and has been turned into a statement piece with an unexpected splash of paint. See below for the 'before'. 

These large openings from room to room are a common feature in Copenhagen turn-of-the-century buildings and allow the light to flow through the space. I love this glimpse into the sitting room where sculptures have been wall mounted beside art. 

Notice the stainless-steel dining chairs (seen more clearly in the lead picture) - a big trend in the world of interiors right now. 

Playful touches can be seen in many corners of Eva-marie's home giving the space a whimsical touch. Notice how she has played with shape - for example in the image above three round items have been grouped together to create balance. 

Fortune favours the brave, as they say, and this recently painted yellow door makes a wonderful focal point in the kitchen. 

Eva-marie's love for different mediums also shines in the pale pink master bedroom where art, sculpture and decorative lamps have been grouped together. Notice how she also uses 'negative space' (i.e. areas of the room left blank) to train the eye and create a sense of calm. 

Dark brown and mustard hues work beautifully with the pink and create contrast. 

There's something wonderfully decadent about the bathroom - and yet it also has an old school feel about it at the same time. It's fun to see the use of wallpaper! Note that while it looks like a wall-to-wall carpet in the image above, it's a stone floor, so no one need panic! 

Wow, I so enjoyed this tour, it spoke to me in so many ways. I loved all the design elements (every item was unique and while it served a purpose it also added interest from a visual perspective). 

I also loved the use of subtle tones and the art. 

Is there anything that stood out to you about Eva-marie's wonderful Danish home?

You can see more pictures and get some Danish fashion / styling ideas over on instagram at @evamariewilken.

Thank you so much for stopping by My Scandinavian Home today, I hope you have a wonderful weekend and leave feeling full of new ideas! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @evamariewilken

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