Tour a Malmö Home Filled with Smart Scandinavian Style Ideas

Goddag, goddag! While there are lots of different looks across Scandinavia, I think what the region is most famous for worldwide is its love of a neutral palette—one that balances calm minimalism with a big dose of hygge (or “mysig” as the Swedes say). But what exactly makes the difference between a space that feels a little “meh” and one that feels unique, warm, and oh-so-cosy?

This Malmö home, which until recently belonged to Elin and Kristoffer (they’ve now moved on to restore a beautiful house in nearby Österlen), is full of clever yet simple decorating tricks that make all the difference.

Let's discover what's at play. 

The first clue: the furniture mix. Rather than sticking to one style, the home features a playful blend of modern-day finds, retro gems, and antiques. Everything is kept in earthy tones, but the mix of shapes and a few design classics keep the whole space feeling interesting rather than flat.

Next: texture, texture, texture. From sheepskin and leather to wood, cotton, linen, and wool—layering textures adds instant depth to a room. It’s what makes a home feel tactile and inviting, almost begging you to reach out and touch. Neutral colors on their own can risk looking bland, but bring in a variety of textures and suddenly the space feels warm and full of life.

Scale. This is one of my favourite tricks. In this home, smaller displays are balanced out with a few oversized pieces—especially the lighting. A large pendant or table lamp makes a bold statement, adds drama, and stops a pared-back space from looking too timid. It’s a little design “surprise” that gives the room personality. 

Finally, contrast: light and dark. This is another brilliant trick you’ll spot in Scandinavian homes. By pairing light walls and furniture with darker accents—whether it’s a dark wood floor, a deep blue sofa, or even just a moody cushion – you create depth and drama. The play of light against dark keeps a calm palette from looking flat and instead makes the room feel layered and full of character. Plus, it mirrors the Nordic landscape itself, where long dark nights meet endless bright days. 

I hope you feel inspired by this glimpse into Elin and Kristoffer’s home. It’s such a lovely reminder that cosy minimalism isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing the right little things that make all the difference.

I can't wait to see what they will do with their next home. If you'd like to follow their renovation journey check it out on @ohrepersson. 

Is there anything that you love in particular about the way they have decorated their Malmö home? 

Since I’m sitting at my desk in Malmö, I feel it’s only fair to spread a little love for Sweden’s third largest city. Here are some other homes you can tour:

Inside a cosy Malmö apartment where old meets new
An artist's atelier in a converted workshop
A peek inside my friend Rene Humphrey's evolving Malmö home

Happy mid-week friends!

Niki

Photography: Markus Linderoth

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A Charming Holiday Home in Österlen, Sweden’s Summer Escape

My younger sister and her family are currently island-hopping in Greece, and every now and again she FaceTimes me all excited, ready to give me a real-time video tour of her Airbnb. I absolutely love these virtual tours – not least because they transport me straight from my desk to the shores of the Ionian Sea – but also because they remind me how much it matters to find a holiday home you truly love. It can honestly make or break a trip, do you agree?

That’s why I hunt high and low before booking our own stays. And since I so often receive questions about where to stay in Sweden, I thought I’d share a gem with you today.

Österlen is an area in southeastern Skåne, in South Sweden, known for its rolling countryside, sandy beaches, whitewashed fishing villages, apple orchards, and rich cultural history. Long beloved by artists, it has a special light and creative atmosphere that draws painters, writers and makers year after year.

This particular holiday home, named Försammlingshemmet in Fågeltofta, is charming – with old beams, walls rich in patina, and interesting colours (think deep forest, raspberry and earthy tones). There’s a wonderfully comfy-looking four-poster bed, a pool to cool off in on warm days, and serene views across the Österlen landscape.

One to bookmark for next summer, perhaps?

Lovely!

I’ve also been reading a lot about Scandinavia being the new “coolcation” – the perfect antidote to increasingly hot summers in central Europe.

Summers here can indeed be wonderfully mild, usually around 18–25°C (68–77 °F) in July (the height of summer in Northern Europe). Of course, you can be a tad unlucky too – in which case we’re all dreaming of a last-minute trip south… or digging our knits back out of winter storage!

Have you been on holiday to Scandinavia? If so, I’d love to hear about where you went!

If you're planning on coming south, you can find this home on Airbnb here. 

I have also shared a ton of other beautiful Airbnb's in the past. 

Would you like to see some other homes in Österlen? Here are a few of my favourites: 

My friend Karen's lovely summer house 
Marianne's Swedish country escape
A 19th century cottage where past meets the present
The home of an architect

Have a wonderful start to the week! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Airbnb / Församlingshemmet, shared with thanks.

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A Tour of Jennifer's Beautiful Swedish House

It’s Friday, woohooo! And I can’t think of a better way to slide into the weekend than with a dose of home inspiration. Today, we’re stepping inside a Swedish villa in the charming town of Tranås, North of Småland—an old house with a fascinating past and a beautiful new chapter.

I had the pleasure of catching up with its owner, Jennifer, who shared how she and her family have turned this historic space into something truly special. From the moment you walk through the door, you can sense both the character of the past and the warmth of the present.

Ready to hear Jennifer share more about her home, her style, and the unique charm that makes this villa a one-of-a-kind family haven? Kööör vi!

Your house is so beautiful, can you tell us where it is and a little of the history? 

The house is located in Tranås and was built in 1909 by a widow, who later sold it to a local fur trader. The town is well known for its production industries, among them fur and leather. Although the house was initially built as a private residence, it later became both a guesthouse and a restaurant. In fact, it was used as a restaurant until it stood empty for about a year and a half, before we bought it in early 2022.

What type of work have you done on the house? 

When we got the keys, it only had a commercial kitchen, so we decided to relocate the kitchen to a more suitable spot in the house and designed a timeless, built-in version meant to last—perhaps even a hundred years. We also removed nearly all the floors and restored the original wooden planks. Two bathrooms, which were in very poor condition, were also renovated.

Can you describe the interior style? 

We went for a timeless style, with colours that are not afraid to take up space. We also mixed secondhand finds with modern design pieces. Both old and new art can be seen on the wall – some from galleries, others from flea markets. While the décor nods to the past, it was important to us that the rooms don't feel like pure period pieces. The atmosphere matters more than the objects themselves.

What do you love most about your house?

What truly distinguishes this house is its generous size, soaring ceilings, and the nine fireplaces. Many locals have celebrated special occasions here—weddings, christenings, or Christmas parties. When we bought the house, we were drawn not only to its character, but also to its potential as a large home where we could invite friends and host big gatherings. It feels as though the joy people once shared within these walls remains, adding a wonderful energy to the home. What I love most is the light and all the original details—they give the house such a beautiful soul.

Thank Thank you so much, Jennifer, for sharing this beautiful tour and all the insights into your home. I have to say, those soaring ceilings and period features are the stuff of dreams!

If you’d like to see more pictures — and even find the sources for some of the pieces — pop over to Jennifer’s Instagram @villaekdala. And of course, feel free to ask away in the comments below, I’ll do my best to help.

EDIT, thank you for your request for the colour codes, here they are: 

Kitchen and bedroom storage: NCS S 4502-Y

Front door: NCS S 6010-G50Y

***

Did you enjoy the tour? Was there anything that stood out to you about Jennifer’s home? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Shall we take a peek at a few more Scandinavian homes before the weekend? Why not? Grab a coffee, settle in, and enjoy:

Before and after: A Danish townhouse is transformed into a family home
A Norwegian house by a fjord
A dream Danish house by the sea

And finally, one little thought before I leave you to the weekend: does your family have a whistle? I’d never heard of it until a friend mentioned hers — they use a unique whistle to find each other in public. She says it works like a charm and that they use it all the time. So clever! Turns out, it’s more common than I realised. Maybe the Brantmarks should work on one too!

Wishing you a fabulous couple of days — may the sun shine and may you get all the R&R you need.

Niki

Photography courtesy of @villaekdala, shared with kind permission.

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Coastal Living, but Cooler: Inside an Artist’s Seafront Retreat

There’s something about houses on the coast that always gets me. Maybe it’s the light, maybe it’s the horizon, or maybe it’s just that I’ve always secretly wanted to live overlooking the sea. For now, I’ll happily live that dream through others, like this incredibly cool early 20th-century house in Littlestone, Kent.

On the surface, it’s a peaceful five-bedroom home. Step inside and it’s clear this is no ordinary seaside house. Flooded with natural light, it has that creative, subtly rebellious edge that only comes from being shaped by who I presume are artist owners.

Portrait paintings in oils, the predominant art of choice here and perhaps reflecting the hand of the owner, lend a personal touch to the interior. Look closely and you’ll also spot the coastal hints, a palette of blue and white to mirror the waters of Hythe Bay and textures that nod to driftwood and sand. Always just enough to echo the view beyond the windows, never enough to feel contrived. Add in those bay windows framing nothing but Littlestone beach, the water and horizon, and you’ve got coastal living, but cooler.

Such a cool home – and entirely unique. The art and the handpicked mix of antique and vintage finds help to make the space. I also love how the paint has been used selectively, with a blue on the stairs and door, and a grey on an accent gallery wall.

I've shown everything but the exterior - which I must share as it was so unexpected:

The architect reflects the Arts-and-Crafts-influenced style of early 1900s British seaside homes, practical, built to last and to enjoy the views. From the outside, it is not traditionally beautiful, and a passerby might walk past without giving it a second glance. But step inside and it tells a completely different story. In the hands of an artist, it has been transformed into something very cool, a home full of personality and creative spirit. And I simply love that element of surprise!

Is there anything that stands out to you about this Kent seaside home? 

Tempted to move? Check out the complete listing here on Inigo. 

Shall we look at other homes with a sea view today? 

Maria's stunning house by the water on the Swedish High Coast
A cosy Swedish cottage with stunning sea views
A dreamy cottage by the ocean filled with vintage finds

And also: 15 coastal living ideas to steal from a Danish cottage

Happy Wednesday! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Inigo, shared with thanks. 

 

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