The home of an Australian stylist

Set on top of a hill in Brisbane, Australia, this beautiful home belongs to stylist Kara Rosenlund, her husband and flock of Pekin Bantam hens. Kara is a master at vintage finds which she then blends with contemporary pieces.  The space has such a summer time feel to it with it's soft hues, white pannelled walls and sunny veranda. Love this space!

Photography and styling Kara Rosenlund with kind permission. Via 79 ideas. 

I could live here, could you?!

I spotted a lot of beautiful round rugs like the one in the top picture on Etsy last night here.

This morning I'm preparing my home for  shoot. First stop IKEA! I do love a morning at IKEA, my Mum thinks I'm mad as the one in London is not really somwwhere you'd go to chill out.....but here in Southern Sweden it's totally different. I might just stop for a coffee and cinnamon bun in the cafe too!

Have a lovely day!

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My Scandinavian Home in Stylist magazine

Hello! This week My Scandinavian Home blog is featured in Stylist magazine UK (in store now!).  So exciting! You may recognise the main image as one from a post I wrote on Muuto here. It was taken by Swedish photographer Petra Bindel in my neighbour's beautiful home which I featured here.

I hope you like the piece.

Other exciting news is that I have started blogging once a week for Design Collectors (click 'Blog' to access). And of course, my nomination for the The Homies (vote here).

Oh no it's all ME, ME, ME today! Ha! I am just excited. Still I hope there's time to rescue myself - HOW ARE YOU TODAY?! And what Scandinavian designer piece would YOU choose?

Lovely day to YOU all! from....me (errr..)

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A light and relaxed Amsterdam home - and give-away winner!

I hope you're enjoying some down time this lovely Sunday?! I was so happy to finally meet interior stylist, writer and photographer Holly Marder a few weeks ago here in my home.  I was very honoured to be a part of her tour as she really does shoot some fabulous homes. Today I wanted to share with you the Amsterdam home of Jessica Peters (owner of Design Lemonade) and her husband Oliver Tardieu which Holly shot for her 'Homes with Heart' series on Decor8 blog. Jessica's love of Dutch design and Scandinavian decorating really shines through. I think this home has heart don't you? And just look at that beautiful baby bump!

Home: Jessica Peters of Design Lemonade. Stylist / photographer: Holly Marder (with kind permission). Decor8 blog. 

I spy the Eames DAW chair (15% discount with MYSCAN) and mini stacked shelves above the kitchen table, Children's room: Harlequin bedlinen set,  mini drops wall stickers and raindrops cushion by Ferm Living. Butterfly poster in the bedroom. 

Click here for the complete house tour and interview.  

And now for the all important announcement of the luxury t-shirt soft bed linen give-away from Beach House Company....and the winner is Freebird! We'll be in touch shortly. Thank you to everyone who entered and making it such a fun give-away! 

Have a lovely Sunday and see you tomorrow!

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My Scandinavian Home - Best of 2016

Well friends, this has been one crazy year. I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed blogging in 2016 - it's been a little oasis of calm each day (I hope you've felt the same).  I've absolutely loved reading all your thoughts and ideas on here, Facebook and Instagram (if I've missed your page please leave your link in the comment section below, I'd love to check it out!). It's been a wonderful year of home tours, styling updates and give-aways. Here's a round-up of the...

Top six My Scandinavian Home blog posts of 2016:

 1. Serene, small space living in Gothenburg. Photo Alan Cordic, styling Emma Fischer for Bjurfors.

2. My home at Christmas - photo - me with help from my little six year old), styling Genevieve Jorn.

 3. Six beautifully simple DIY Christmas decorations - credit: Marij Hessel for VT Wonen. 

 4. My bedroom tour - photo by me, styling Genevieve Jorn.

 5. Decorating my home with posters - photos / styling  by me

6. A romantic Swedish home with vintage touches - home-owner - Cattis sold through Entrance.

I've also developed a slight Instagram obsession (haven't we all?!) and am so happy to have amassed over 50,000 friends! It's a perfect place to share little snippets of Scandinavian life  - including rustic cabins and wonderful corners of Norway, Finland, Sweden and Denmark. Looking at the top five most popular instagram posts of the year it seems you share this passion too...yay! Here's a round-up of my...

Top 5 Instagram posts of 2016

 1. A canoe trip in Finland - Photography - Henrik Koskelo / @hentus (featuring Konsta Punkka)

2.  Christmas in a cosy Swedish home - photo Carina Olander stylist Anna Truelsen.

 3. A snapshot of Nyhavn, Copenhagen I captured on a visit to Denmark's capital city.

 4. Pink chair by a desk - Photograph - Anders Bergstedt for Kverteret Mäleri.

5. A charming Little red cabin - this little pic has been separated from it's owner- can anyone help?


And last, but not least - Pinterest!! Where mood boards come together and ideas come to life (if you can tear yourself away from the screen!). Here's a round-up of the My Scandinavian Home...

Top 5 Pins of 2016

1. This little pic I took of a corner of my home has had over 1.5 million impressions in the last month alone! It must be that little guy at the top?

 2.  Quite a few (million) of you like the idea of a bench at the end of the bed like in this Swedish home captured by one of my favourite duos photographer Carina Olander and stylist Anna Truelsen.

 3. Stonewashed linens have been everywhere this year - and these lovely ones in the home of Vintage Piken are possibly yours and my favourite!  Photo by Line Kay.

 4. On Pinterest it's all in the pink it seems, as the fourth most popular pin was this lovely picture of an Amsterdam bedroom captured by my talented friend Holly Marder.

 5. And finally, we do love a gallery wall - and Maaike Koster of My Deer certainly knows how to create one! See the rest of her wonderful home here.

I have to say, these are also my favourite posts and pins from 2016 too! But do you have an absolute favourite?

On a different note, back in the spring I was excited to launch my first interiors book - Modern Pastoral (exploring my passion for rural retreats, and sharing beautiful homes like Milkweed Barn in the Catskill Mountains below!) it was such an amazing feeling to finally get it in my hands and I'm so happy to see others around the world enjoying it too! Thank you!

Photography: James Gardiner from Modern Pastoral by Niki Brantmark, published by CICO Books.

This summer we photographed 10 more fabulous homes across Scandinavia for my second book The Scandinavian Home - which will be out in the shops next March - I am so incredibly excited as I know it will be right up your street! Creating the book was the most amazing experience, even when lost on a Norwegian mountain in the dark. I tell you, the site of that magical rustic ski cabin full of layers of sheepskin at the end of the dirt track at 1 am is one I'll never forget! But more on this in the new year....

Before I head off I'd also like to say a huge thank you to all the amazing photographers, interior designers and stylists out there who have filled us with inspiration this year - and also to my wonderful sponsors who make My Scandinavian Home possible. Many of them are small online shaops, and when you buy something an actual person does a little dance!

And finally - thank you to you all for all your wonderful support and words of encouragement this year, you're wonderful!

Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a *fabulous* new year!

PS If you feel like being horizontal this holiday (isn't that what they're for?!) but would still like to feel inspired, you can always explore my archives (full list to the left) - days of inspiration, I promise! And don't forget to enter the HUGE Houseology give-away to win an amazing gift voucher to spend on your home in 2017 (think all those Scandinavian design items you've always wanted!).

PPS see you on January 9th!
 

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The Stockholm Archipelago Home of a Swedish Stylist Could Be Yours!

Lately, I've become more and more intrigued about the large islands that surround Stockholm such as Ekerön and Färingsö but even slightly smaller ones such as Dalarö, in the Stockholm archipelago. The reason? You can enjoy all the peace and tranquillity of island life, yet you're still a short hop away from the capital. My interest was piqued years ago when I featured the dreamy home of Swedish stylist Mari Stengheilm. Old (it dates back to the 1800s), impeccably styled (of course!)and with a view over the islands  - it has just about everything a girl (or guy!) could wish for. The living space has changed a lot since then - moving with the times from a whiter, lighter touch to a muted, earthy palette - but the incredible bones remain the same! And guess what? It's for sale. Be still my beating heart! The catch? It's a little, OK, waaaay over my budget. But hey, a girl can dream - and I thought perhaps one of you might be interested...

Check out this floor! I love the addition of the hand painted flowers.  

The traditional kitchen has been given a lick of earthy green paint. A series of flat dishes / rattan baskets have been displayed on the wall giving the space a relaxed, homely vibe. 

Although muted, the sitting room is alive with textures such as leather, velvet, linen and wood. Mari has used mineral paint, which gives the walls a rich patina. 

Mari's home is full of vintage treasures and small treasures gathered from around the world. It's worth mentioning that when a home in Sweden is styled for sale, the owners are generally asked to clear away personal items including photos etc, so that the viewer is more easily able to imagine themselves in the living space. This is why it looks a little sparse. 

A clearing at the top of the stairs provides a perfect spot for a home office! The office chair is actually an  IKEA piece (I thought I'd share this since nice looking, ergonomic office chairs are hard to find!). 

The view! 

Naturally, I've shared the pictures of this house with Per  - even if it's 500 kilometres away and out of reach! You never know, right? 

Well. Actually I do know. It's not going to happen, but it's certainly given my Monday a lift . I hope it has yours too! 

Is there anything that stands out to you? 

You might be interested in taking a peek at Mari's home back in 2015 here (also captured by Lina Ostling).  

And dream away the morning with tours of other inspiring houses and cabins in the Stockholm archipelago: 

A beautiful Swedish estate by the sea

An idyllic hideaway on the island of Dalarö

A striking island retreat overlooking the sea

A relaxed, boho cabin by the sea

Gah! Whisk me away there now! 

Have a great start to the week! 

Niki

Photography by Lina Ostling courtesy of Alexander White.

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The striking, eclectic home of Malene Birger

When you go shopping do you find you have a handful of 'go to' brands / shops which you can almost guarantee will have something you'll love? One of mine is Danish brand By Malene Birger. Founder, Malene Birger sold her share in 2010, and left By Malene Birger in 2014. And now the designer and artist is relaunching her Interior and Design brand BIRGER1962 in January at Maison et Objet in Paris - oh yassss! To celebrate, Malene opened the doors of her flat in South Kensington, London to Danish photographer Birgitta Wolfgang and stylist Pernilla Vest. And what a treat! The space is decorated with finds from all over the world and expresses her unique and eclectic style beside her own art work. I remember reading once that Malene loves to move home often - and yet seeing this space tells me that she truly goes all out to make each house a home. Here's a peek inside her office and sitting room!

Photography Birgitta Wolfgang / Sisters Agency. Stylist Pernille Vest.

Such a striking apartment! I love that it has an entirely unique look and feel. It's the kind of place you could potter around for hours, studying all the objects. It makes me so excited to see what's in store for BIRGER 1962 - how about you?

Word on the street is that she's also opening a showroom in Copenhagen in April 2018 which will feature both her interior and design brand as well as her small clothing brand A JOURNEY London (designed, created and based on the idea of packing a suitcase and presenting two small collection per year just before the holiday season begins). A trip over the Öresund bridge is so on the cards for me April '18!!

If you'd like to get more inspiration from Malene, you might want to check out her interior books Life and Work 2010 and Move and Work 2014 published by teNeues as well as her instagram feeds - @malenebirgers_world and @ajourney_london.

Have a great day!

PS see more striking monochrome homes here.

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A beautiful Dutch stylists home ready for Christmas

I love to end the week with an amazing, awe inspiring home tour and this one is absolutely no exception! A former library in Nijkerk, Netherlands, this is the home of  101 woonideeen editor and stylist extroadinaire Kim van Rossenberg. The beautifully light Scandinavian style home is decorated in white with touches of black and is all decked out for Christmas using subtle wood stars, garlands, 'Gran' fabric and wallpaper and an unconventional tree. Even the logs for the fire have a Christmas touch! How fab?!

Home / stylist Kim van Rossenberg (Pinterest / Instagram). Photographer: Ernie Enkelaar. 101 Woonideeen. 

I'm not sure what I love most about this home, the entire space is simply fabulous don't you think?!

Get the look: I love this star garland. Source the 'Gran' fir tree cushions and wallpaper. And for added cosiness, throw a sheep skin rug over a Bertoia Knoll Diamond Armchair. The rest is down to paper scissors, pens and a little creativity!

I've a feeling there'll be a little Christmas shopping this weekend? If you're buying anything from one of my fabulous sponsors don't forget to use discount codes: 10% off with code SCANDI-HOME at Made in Design and 10% discount on Urban Trait watches with code MYSCANDIHOME + free international delivery (a guy friend of mine has this one, I love it!), and 15% discount with code MYSCAN at Design Collectors. Get beautiful gift wrapping here! And check out the other shops here for wonderful things!

Thank you so much to Kim for allowing me to share the images of her beautiful home today.

Have a lovely weekend!

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