The Apartment. Copenhagen

Hello and happy Friday!! Especially happy for me as I'm still on my holidays - Yaaaay! Even still, I just had to pop into the blog world to show you this absolutely stunning concept space called 'The Apartment' in Christianshavn, a beautiful, central district of Copenhagen. The Apartment has been lovingly restored by Tina Seidenfaden Busck and Pernille Hornhaver and represents a 'new universe of design objects, furniture, antiques and art'.

' We hope that The Apartment will become more interesting as time passes. That we establish a place for beautiful design and art that surprises each and every visitor - somewhere people come back to again and again for inspiration for exciting design' - Tina & Pernille, The Apartment.

The Apartment with permission. 

If you find yourself in or around Copenhagen why not stop by and see this wonderful concept apartment? I know I will! For more information about the concept, art and furniture featured in these images and how to visit check out The Apartment website here.

Have a lovely weekend!

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The Eclectic Home of a Danish Treasure Hunter

 

It's Friday friends, FriYAY!! Woooop! Any fun plans for the weekend? I for one, am looking forward to kicking off with a lie-in, it's been one looong old week. Thankfully, just as I was fading (fast), this pretty Danish apartment popped up and filled me with energy. The bright, playful home belongs to Luna Signe Hørdum Nielsen  - a writer, project manager, concept developer, founder of Moro Moro studio and one of Denmark's rising stars of the interior world (Luna is currently nominated for the esteemed Bolig magazine's stylist of the year award). I chatted with Luna to find out more about her beautiful, eclectic home in Copenhagen and new business initiative. 

Who do you live with?
I live with my boyfriend Jeppe, who is an IT engineer and sound nerd!

Saint ceiling light* (love these!), Fritz Hansen Egg chair*


How old is your apartment and where is it located? 
We live in a beautiful old apartment dating back to 1902 in the old Østerbro district of Copenhagen, near to nature and the water.

Can you tell us a little more about the layout?
It's 95 square metres (1022 square feet) and divided into six rooms: a kitchen, dining room, living room, office, bedroom and small bathroom. The apartment has high classical panels, stucco and rosettes, herringbone wood floors and three metre high ceilings.

Gubi TS coffee table

Wow - what a find! How did you acquire it?
It's Jeppe's grandparent's old apartment which Jeppe has renovated so the old decor and smell of smoke has gone - but the original details are still intact!

I love the energetic feel of your apartment - can you describe your approach to the interior?

The style of our home is really mixed. I blend colours, warm materials and crazy travel treasures with Nordic design, heirlooms,  flea market curiosities, gold from the trash, classic furniture, modern design and budget-friendly items.

Portrait of Hanne Wilhelm Hansen by Vilhelm Lundstrøm, Cat by Any Warhol,  Hay masks, the wall is painted in colour code NCS S 6020-B.

As a collector, how do you make sure the space doesn't become cluttered?

I have gathered items for many years, and occasionally I have to sell stuff so that Jeppe doesn't get tired of me!

 Luna made the art above the bed herself using circular mirrors and blue and purple paint to create a "space / heaven / sky kind of feeling." 

Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration in shapes, colours and materials as well as moods, people, crooked details, art and poetry. It's not important whether or not it all fits together. For me, it's important that my home inspires me, feels cosy, tells stories and hold memories.  

 Tell us more about Moro Moro Studio

It's a new Copenhagen-based creative studio specialising in vintage design, interior details and local crafts which have been hand-picked from around the globe. We also represent contemporary international designers and are always seeking new collaborations.

Aaaah, I SO enjoyed chatting to Luna and noseying around her beautiful living space . Isn't it inspiring?!

I can't wait for Moro Moro Studio to open, I'll be there with bells on!

So friends, that's it from me this week! if you'd like to see a few more pics from Luna's apartment over the weekend, check out her instagram - and for more Danish homes - try this archive (one of my favourites!!). 

I hope your weekend sparkles (there is no angry way to say 'bubbles' after all!). 

See you Monday!

Niki

Photograhy: Luna Signe Hørdum Nielsen with kind permission

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A Calm One Room Swedish Oasis In The Heart the City

On Friday, I promised to move out of summer mode and start to embrace autumn city life once again (cue, a break from all the pretty red and white Swedish country abodes - but I can't promise they won't pop up pretty soon again!). Today's home tour is for everyone who is looking for a solution for a home where the sitting room also doubles up as the bedroom and a home office. In fact, one of the things I think Swedes are masters at is creating rooms within a room. 

This so called 'one room apartment' (which in Swedish estate agent terms means that it's made up of one room plus and kitchen and a bathroom), measures 36 m2 / 388 f2 and occupies a section of a beautiful old apartment block dating back to 1927. The living space is relatively simply decorated, and no doubt styled for sale, even so it shows the power of calming off white walls, fluffy rugs and lots of greenery! Welcome to a flat that encompasses small space living in the heart of Gothenburg. 

In the far corner you can catch a glimpse of the wardrobe / closet. 

There's still lots of space for books and other belongings in this room. I'd have put floor to ceiling shelving  at the end of the bed - and then it could double up as a place for novels etc as well as home office files and folders. 

An ochre wall makes all the difference the kitchen, which could have otherwise looked vary standard.

The floor has been given a lick or two of white paint which helps to brighten up the hallway / entrance. 

In Swedish apartment blocks it's not unusual to find various communal spaces in the basement. For example, they'll usually have a communal laundry room which are a total law unto their own and the subject of many community discussions! Take it from me, you need to book your slot well in advance if you don't want to do your laundry at 7am on a Saturday! 

When I first moved to Sweden, we also lived in an apartment block which had access to a sauna. It was simple and understated and also subject to the same booking system. We loved it! Some apartment blocks also have access to a small apartment / bedroom for guests. And in the post WWII apartments you'll often find a bunker too! 

Do you have something like this in your country? 

Would you like to see a few other small spaces today? Here are some truly inspiring homes: 

Smart compact family living on a budget, Swedish country style

A small-ish city flat with a clever room divider 

A small cosy swedish pad with warm tones

Also: 

7 small space tricks to learn from a light-filled Stockholm family home

15 small space hacks to learn from a beautiful Danish home

10 clever small space tricks to learn from a lovely Swedish apartment

Have a great start to the week friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Kvarteret

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A Striking Blue and White Swedish Home Full of Contrast

This beauty of a home oozes elegance. So, when I found out the owners, Felicia Alm and her partner Viktor are in their early to mid-twenties, I couldn't believe it! When I was 24, I lived with a flat mate (Beth) in a tiny flat in Earls Court. It was a massively fun time, but our accommodation was nowhere near as sophisticated and mature as this beautiful space (to put it into perspective, we were once burgled and didn't notice for days!!). Located just up the coast in Landskrona, this 72 m2 (775 foot square) apartment is in a building dating back to 1890 and blessed with 'spegeldörr' (traditional panel doors), a tiled masonry stove, herringbone floors and stucco ceilings. I chatted to Felicia to find out more about the renovation, her sustainable mindset and shopping for secondhand finds.

Galaxy ceiling light

 

The side cabinet was sourced at an antique shop in Rydebäck (a great tip for locals!)

Do you and Viktor work in the design world?
I have a bachelor degree in architecture and visual communication and at the moment dream about working with interior design full time. As a hobby, I also create posters and offer freelance graphic design. Viktor works for his family business in the healthcare sector - but we both have a great interest in architecture and real estate. 

 

 

Hay Polygon quilt, blue velvet cushion*

Is this the first time you have carried out a renovation project?
Over the past 3 years we have lived in three different apartments that we bought, renovated and then sold. Now it feels like we have found home, or at least for the moment haha! You can either call us two restless souls or real estate lovers.

 
Did the apartment need an extensive amount of work?
When we moved into our current apartment in April 2017, it was in need of a total renovation. So we spent the whole summer of 2017 renovating it. We tried to do as much as we could ourselves. We felt it was important to try to keep the different spatial features of the apartment while making it modern and personal.

 

What do you love most about your apartment?
Our blue bedroom is my favorite room in the apartment. In my opinion, the blue colour contributes to a calm, relaxing and harmonious vibe. The colour is Kvällshimmel (evening sky) from Jotun LADY. I really love to decorate with color and contrast.

Felicia picked up the fabulous chaise longue secondhand on Blocket.

 

How do you approach home decorating?
I have always had a great passion for architecture, interior design and graphic design. My interior style is quite varied and I like to mix old and new. I am someone who likes things to happen in my environment, therefore our home is constantly changing. When it comes to my home, I can be kind of impulsive. So, if I get a good idea I will probably execute it the next day, haha!

 

Where do you buy items for your home?
Because I like to change and refresh our home regularly, I think it's important to think sustainably. I therefore try to shop at Blocket (Sweden's version of Ebay) or antique stores - which are also cheaper. You can find really unique things out there. 

The sitting room / dining area is painted in Silverpil 10 by Alcro - and picture shelves from IKEA have been painted in the same tone.

 

What are your go-to interior shops?
Blocket, H&M Home and Ellos.

IKEA Sevedal kitchen cabinets with Eneryda handles.

Thank you so much for inviting us into your beautiful home Felicia!

Did you spy her cute dog Ester? She's kind of hard to spot but looks so at home!

See more of Felicia's elegant apartment over on her blog and instagram - or if you're now in the mood for blue - take a scroll through these fabulous spaces!

It's the Swedish half-term next week and we're heading off to Spain (you're so welcome to follow along on Instagram stories!). Since I'm the worse screen time offender in the family (I blame it on my job!) - I'm going to try to set a good example and step away my phone / computer as much as possible. This means a reduced number of posts. However, if you can always pop into my Home Viewing Exhibition over at the Swedish Design Museum where I'm constantly adding new Swedish homes - including a summer cottage on its very own island and a 'funkis' bungalow!

I hope you have a FABULOUS weekend!

Niki


Credits: Felicia Alm

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