A Charming Glimpse into Sophia's Swedish Country Home

A couple of years ago, my family and I enjoyed a wonderful break in Saltsjöbaden, part of the stunning Stockholm archipelago. We have such happy memories from our trip, swimming in the Baltic, kayaking through calm waters and taking long, scenic walks (althogh Per and I probably enjoyed that last activity more than the kids!). So it feels extra special to revisit today, this time in the form of a house tour.

This charming home belongs to Sophia Schyman, who has lovingly restored it with a thoughtful, sustainable touch. The house’s beautiful bones have been enhanced by pretty patterned wallpaper, striped curtains, vintage furniture and elegant tiled floors.

Each room has such an easy charm. I love the warm wood panelling in the dining room and gingham tablecloth; it feels made for long, cosy meals. The bedroom is so calm and inviting, with soft linens and a lovely view of the garden. And even the bathroom has that timeless touch with its chequered floor. 

Ready to be inspired by a few corners of Sophie's charming Swedish country home?

This is just a little snapshot as Sophia continues to renovate the house, room by room. You can follow her projects here.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoyed the tour! Did anything in particular stand out to you?

Would you like to see a few more country homes today? 

A warm, rural Swedish home that combines old and new
From classroom to country retreat
The idyllic thatched cottage of a Danish artist

Wishing you a wonderful start to the week!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Sophia Schyman, shared with kind permission.

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Laid-Back Living in a London Terrace

I always feel a wave of nostalgia from my childhood in England at this time of year — those darker evenings, the cold, damp air, the rustle of leaves underfoot. It takes me straight back to my autumn school uniform, running out onto the hockey field in nothing but shorts and an airtex T-shirt, legs a mottled blue, and the promise of Guy Fawkes Night just around the corner. It’s funny how the seasons have a way of stirring up old memories. What time of year makes you feel nostalgic? Is it a scent, a sound, a shift in the light?

Anyway, that’s my very long-winded way of saying… today’s home tour feels wonderfully, unmistakably British. One of those classic terraced houses tucked away in West Norwood, built in the late Victorian era. The house itself is simple in structure, but full of character – a relaxed space layered with art, books, and collected treasures. The kitchen, with its stained glass windows, well-loved table by the window, and practical, unfussy design, feels lived in rather than styled. And in the living room, throws, checks, stripes, and textures create the kind of quiet warmth that makes a house feel like home. Oh, and keep an eye out for the playful wavy touch in the sitting room - it makes me wonder about the person who lives here. I'm guessing they work in the creative world somehow! 

All in all a simple home with plenty of heart – the very best kind, in my eyes. Welcome to the tour!

What I loved most about this home are all the thoughtful, personal touches that make it feel truly lived in. The checked throw in the living room add a playful layer of warmth, while the little alcove by the garden door — with its sofa bathed in natural light — offers the perfect reading spot. I also love the way old and new sit so comfortably together here: a mix of vintage wooden pieces with a clean, modern bathroom, and art in the kitchen that brings such character to an otherwise simple space. What details caught your eye? I’d love to hear.

Fancy pouring yourself a cup of tea and exploring a few more British homes today? How about a look at these: 

A breathtaking home in Edinburgh that celebrates slow living
Old meets new in a eclectic London townhouse
A dreamy Cornish escape

Thank you for indulging me and coming along on a little virtual trip to this lovely house in London today — I hope you enjoyed the tour as much as I did!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend,

Niki 

P.S. Thank you so much for all your kind comments. I absolutely love reading them — you do so much to create such a warm, positive community here and truly bring this blog to life. I’m looking forward to replying to them shortly!

Photography courtesy of Inigo with thanks. 

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Before and After: Angelina Dörfler’s Inspiring Home Makeover

Why hello there! You know I love a good before and after – nothing shows the possibilities of a home better, don’t you agree? There’s something so magical about seeing the bones of a space and then watching it completely transform with just the right touches. Ready for this one? Come on in!

When award-winning interior designer Angelina Dörfler started to rent her home in Vienna, she knew instantly that it had great potential. The high ceilings, herringbone wood floors, and period details whispered of charm – but it all felt a little tired and unloved: yellow walls, heavy finishes, and an outdated kitchen didn’t really do the space justice.

So, Angelina rolled up her sleeves and out went the old kitchen, and in came one that makes clever use of every inch of height in the small room. She introduced soft, muted hues to create a serene feeling throughout, and best of all, she reintroduced wall mouldings to bring back that turn-of-the-century elegance. 

And the interior? Light, neutral tones keep things calm and airy, while layers of texture – linen, wool, wood, stone – add depth and warmth. Sculptural lighting hangs like artwork, while fresh flowers and thoughtful little vignettes give the rooms life. Isn’t it amazing how just the right mix of details can completely shift the energy of a space?

I especially love how the natural light pours in through those big windows, softened with Roman blinds and flowing curtains. Step this way, scroll on, and enjoy the before-and-after pics – I hope they’ll leave you inspired!

Kitchen

Dining area

Sitting room

Bedroom

From tired walls to a calm, light-filled retreat — such a dreamy spot to wake up in, don’t you think? 

If you’d like to see more of Angelina’s beautiful home, head over to her Instagram, it’s full of inspiration.

And for more before-and-after tours to spark your imagination, check out: 

A dark house becomes a fresh and vibrant home
A Copenhagen townhouse becomes a fresh family home
A rundown property becomes a beautiful Swedish farmhouse

And so many more in the makeover archive! 

Thank you so much for stopping by today. Happy lillördag all! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Angelina Dörfler, shared with kind permission.

Ps Behind the scenes I've been working away on a feature about the cute new children's IKEA Sandlöpoare collection which includes a fun quiz (in case you'd like to show it to a little one in your life!).  

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Small-Space Calm in a Gothernburg home

It’s fascinating how people thrive in different environments – some love the peace and tranquility of the countryside, while others are comforted by the buzz of the city. The sound of distant heels and chatter on pavements outside, the odd car hurrying past – it can be strangely soothing. As a girl who grew up in London, I have always found this comforting, a reminder of being surrounded by life even when tucked away in my own quiet corner.

This 38 m2 (409 f2) Gothenburg apartment captures that same balance. Bathed in natural light, it feels like a soft exhale the moment you step inside. The creamy beige walls create a calm backdrop for layered textures, while the oversized paper lantern makes the living room feel airy yet grounded. Isn’t it amazing how something as simple as linen curtains, gently filtering daylight, can completely transform a space?

One of my favourite details is the window nook filled with cushions and greenery – a perfect little sanctuary for reading, sipping coffee, or just watching the world go by. And the kitchen, with its muted palette and brass accents, is modern but never cold, carrying just the right touch of warmth - I can imagine it looking nice with cookery books, something bubbling on the stove and other signs of action!

Ready to take a snoop?

This apartment has likely been staged to sell so it is fairly minimal, but there are some lovely opportunities for the news owners. For example. Bookshelves over the sofa would make a cosy touch and provide extra storage. 

Older buildings like this one, which was built in 1929, often have nice, wide window sills that can double up as a window seat. 

The front door opens straight into the sitting room (as is sometimes the case in smaller apartments) - if you look closely to the right of the door, you'll catch some shoes, and I'm wondering if there are some coat hooks hidden from view. Even so, I'd like to see a curtain that can be pulled across the door to block the view of the sitting room when the door opens, as well as to prevent drafts. Some extra storage to the left would also be great (I'm a big fan of these pockets from Norrgavel. 

These Scandinavian traditional woven baskets have had a huge revival in recent years, and not only do I think they're really pretty, they're useful too! 

In case you're wondering about the layout, here's the floor plan: 

Translation: kök - kitchen, vardagsrum - sitting room, sovrum - bedroom. 

If you had to choose one standout feature here – the calm kitchen, the layered living room, or that nice window seat (a perfect perch for people watching) – which would it be? 

Is there anything else that caught your eye? 

I must say, time has flown by today, and I need to dash - but if you'd like to explore a few more ideas, why not take a look at the small spaces archive? There are thousands of homes to discover!

Have a happy Monday! 

Niki

Photography and floor plan courtesy of Entrance, with thanks. 

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