A Striking Monochrome Home in Bergen, Norway

I hope you had a lovely weekend? Here in Sweden, we celebrated 'Valborg' (Walpurgis), a traditional spring celebration. Across the country, bonfires were lit at dusk and choirs sang out while children toasted marshmallows. For the young, it's also a big party night, so many were nursing sore heads yesterday! Do you celebrate Walpurgis night in your country too? 

Sadly, I have no pictures of Valborg to share with you today, but I do have a striking home tour from Bergen, Norway! Looking through the pictures took me straight back to the day when everyone was going for the monochrome look, and I was happy to find the interior of this house has survived the test of time. The property belongs to Nina Kristin Kristiansen, founder of Kamelone Design Studio and a restorative yoga instructor. Decorated almost entirely in black and white with a deep green accent, Nina's punchy graphical home is full of contrast. Look closely and you'll also spot iconic design pieces such as vintage Jielde lamps*, Eames chairs and a classic Stendig calendar. Welcome to the ground floor!   

How cool! And so different from other home tours I've shown of late. 

I especially like the timeless chequered floor in the hallway and all the plants (little envious of how healthy her lemon tree is looking; I might have to write to Nina for some tips!). 

Is there anything that stood out to you? Are you a fan of the monochrome aesthetic? 

See more black and white and monochrome homes. 

Have a great start to the week! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Nina Kristin Kristiansen, shared with kind permission. 

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Your New Year cabin hide-away?

As the Christmas holidays draw near I'm dreaming about getting away from it all for a few days at a little remote hide-away. Nothing fancy, just my family and I and a little wood burning stove - doesn't that sound wonderful?! This tiny Swedish cottage in Marie Emilsson's garden at Håkesgård, just outside Varberg on Sweden's west coast fits the bill perfectly. The traditional falun red cottage, which includes a kitchenette, bedroom and basic facilities has been newly renovated in classic green tones to match the surroundings. Oh and it has a hot tub too. Guh! How I'd love to spend my holidays here, how about you?!

Credits: Photography - Kristin Lagerqvist (blog here) - shared with kind permission. 

So pretty! And the surroundings? Beautiful!

Could you imagine spending a few days here?

Get the look from Marie's little cottage: Morris Willow Bough wallpaper, Farrow & Ball sells a selection of green paint like this, straw fedora (source vintage ones here), buy beautiful grey linen fabric by the yard here, L:A bruket soap, these traditional linen cushions /pillows are pretty.

You can see more pics of Marie's lovely cabin here. 

The second to last image of the wood burning stove is taken from the main house - and features a beautiful garland made with fir and other foliage gathered from the garden - more pictures and a great tutorial of how to make this garland here.

Although not currently for hire, word on the (blog) street is that Marie might start to make it available - watch this space! In the meantime, if you're in Varberg, Trip2garden is definitely worth a visit with it's garden, café, shop and gallery.

More beautiful homes captured by Kristin Lagerqvist include a vintage inspired Swedish home full of soul, the lovely home of Johanna Bradford and an idyllic allotment house. I have to say, this Scandi-boho style is one of my favourites.

And if I've got you dreaming about getting away from it all, you might also want to check out three of my favourite archives: swedish cottages, rural reteats and log cabins (just scroll passed if Marie's cottage comes up first). And relax!

Have a lovely day!

PS Thank you to everyone who entered the give-away to win two vases from Nordal - the winner has now been announced here.....drum roll....

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A charming boho dairy in the Swedish countryside

Do you ever feel like leading a simpler life in the country? I definitely do, especially when I look at homes like this. Johan and Rinas live in an old dairy outside Falkenberg on Sweden's west coast where they collect freshly laid eggs, forage for chanterelle and make homemade juice. 'Lis Mejeri' has been decorated using 'something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue' - including many things found around the house when they moved in. Johanna Bradford and Kristin Lagerqvist - were lucky enough to visit in person and took these lovely pictures. Let's take a peek...

Johanna Bradford / Kristin Lagerqvist  Lovely Life

This is definitely one to share with my family and say *guys, fancy living like this for a while?*....

Could you imagine living somewhere like this?

See more pics of the dairy here (and on their blog here). 

It reminds me a little of the beautiful Strömma Farmlodge. More boho homes not far from Lis Mejeri here.

Have a lovely day!

PS Malmö / Copenhagen friends Emily Katz popped me a note to say she is travelling from Portland, Oregon to Copenhagen to hold a modern macrame workshop this Saturday 5th September.  Thought you wouldn't want to miss it....

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The Cosy, Warm and Inviting Home of A Norwegian Artist

After a sharing a string of Scandinavian Christmas inspiration, I decided to take a break from the decorations today in favour of a very cosy, very lovely Norwegian home. The home in question is located in a beautiful 17th century building in Bergen and belongs to artist Marie Storaas, wife Ingis - a graphic designer, and their children Mille and Emil. Laid out over three floors, the unique living space combines Norwegian design with a hint of Italian and French countryside, giving it a wonderful warm and homely vibe. Photographer Gunn Kristin Monsen was there to snap these pictures. 

How beautiful! I absolutely love this home - such perfect feel-good inspiration with which to complete the blog week!

Is there anything that stood out to you?

Discover Marie's portfolio and keep a look out for her latest pieces on instagram. 

And discover other beautiful Norwegian homes: 

A simple, yet cosy cabin by a fjord

Lessons to learn from a colourful yet calm Norwegian home

An idyllic fjord-side cabin in Norway

Looking for some Scandinavian Christmas inspiration over the weekend? Check out the Christmas archive for tons of Scandi 'Jul' ideas! 

Wishing you all a great weekend, see you Monday! 

Niki

Photography: Gunn Kristin Monsen - shared with kind permission, recently featured in Rom123. 

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A Charming & Relaxed Swedish Home In Blue And White

Hejsan! It's one of those weeks where I'm constantly on the back foot - anyone else experiencing that? I'd never leave you high and dry without some beautiful interior inspiration though - besides this lovely Swedish space has been the highlight of my day! The blue and white colour scheme and relaxed nature of the space caught my eye. There's also a load to love - including the mix and match furniture, books, plants and art  which give the place in Kungsladugård, Gothenburg it's soul! I hope you feel as inspired as I do by this lovely home! 

It's so hard to find lovely old tables - but a close-up of this one reveals it's been handmade (possibly using IKEA legs and a door or other reclaimed item). So clever - and actually not that difficult to cobble together if you fancy doing something similar. 

The sitting room reminds me a little of the beautiful Varberg home of Kristin Lagerkvist 8(you can see a glimpse of her living room here). 

There are a few lovely things at play in the space above - including a wooden cabinet which has been painted in the same colour as the wall, Elfa shelves lined with books and other treasures and a simple grey sheepskin* draped over a mid-century chair - all of which make it feel personal and cosy!

So charming, don't you think?

Is there anything that stood out to you?

I'm still thinking about the Elfa book shelves (not just in the sitting room, but also in the hallway) - and wondering where I might be able to fit more shelving in my own home (so many books, such little time... and space!).

The blue and white theme has me thinking about the subtle coastal tones in this danish cottage, a striking blue and white Swedish home full of contrast and the details in this striking Danish house. Blue will always be one of my favourite shades - are you a fan too?

Right, better get on, so much to do! Eeeek!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Kvarteret Mäkleri

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