Smart Compact Family Living On a Budget, Swedish Country Style!

Sometimes the best things come in small packages. And this home is a perfect example of this! Located in Uppsala, Sweden, the 43 square metre (463 square feet) apartment is home to digital creator Emma Boman Högmark, her husband and their three children: ten-year-old twins and a four-year-old. 

"The hallway, living room, bedroom and kitchen are all one room," Emma tells me. "Our bed is behind the curtain, behind the sofa. And the kids' bedroom is in a separate room. The closet has been changed into a bedroom for our youngest daughter - so compact living, yeah!"

Looking at the style, which Emma describes as "country design and second hand - full of harmony, ikea hacks and warm colours", you'd be forgiven for thinking this budget friendly pad is in the countryside - but it's actually in a 90's block, right in the heart of the city! 

Ready to feel inspired? Pull up a chair, and take the tour! 

At mealtimes, the table is pulled out from the window to create seating for the entire family. 

One of the beautiful things about this apartment, is that there is storage almost everywhere (look closely and you'll see open shelves and rows of hooks on almost every wall throughout the flat). And yet it still looks uncluttered, cosy and charming. 

Behind the dining table you can glimpse Emma and her husband's bed by the window. 

Sheer curtains are ideal for flexible small space living. During the day, they can be pulled back to flood the sitting room area with light. By night, the curtains can be drawn across to create privacy while still slipping in soft, filtered light to the other half of the room. 

The corner of the sitting room doubles up as a dressing room. 

Wall-to-wall storage made from a group of Ikea IVAR cabinets painted in an earthy green provide storage for clothes, toys and other items. 

Above it, family photos and a selection of art add a personal touch to the room. 

Despite the small space, the apartment is dotted with  beautiful pieces that create a unique and homely vibe.

The twins sleep in an Ikea MYDAL bunkbed which Emma stained brown for an aged look: "I mixed a whole load of wood stains - using everything I had at home, some of which were different colours!"

On the opposite side of the room, more slim ikea ivar cabinets are used for storage, while a wardrobe at the end of the bed provides hanging space and a vintage suitcase* offers a home for smaller items.  

While the youngest family member sleeps in a converted closet. This is how it looked before the make-over: 

To make it more 'liveable' Emma removed the door and painted the interior in cosy two-toned walls and added small details such as a mini shelf, hooks, and a canopy. 

Compact family living at its finest! 

And also, a perfect example of how you don't need to go contemporary just because you live in a modern apartment in the centre of town! 

Truly inspiring, don't you think? 

See more snapshots of Emma's home and follow her latest ikea hacks and other wonderful home DIY projects at @emmahogmark. 

Intrigued to take a look at some other small spaces today? Head on over to this archive - it's FILLED with amazing Scandi style compact living ideas. 

Har det så fint! 

Niki

Photography: @emmahogmark, shared with kind permission. 

*signifies an affiliated link 

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IMM Cologne 2020: 5 German Design Pieces Everyone Should Know About!

Paid press trip
Last Monday I was invited to the International furniture and interiors fair IMM Cologne by the Association of the German Furniture Industry. It's become an annual trip which I look forward to  - and the perfect place to find out about the latest trends, discover new brands, catch up with people from the industry - and of course, pop along to the odd party! One of this year's highlights was a design tour of Germany's leading furniture brands including Rolf Benz, Kettnaker, Interlubke, Raumplus, Freifrau, Tojo, Schönbuch as well as innovative start-up Floating Offices. Five pieces on the tour really caught my eye - and I had to share them with you today!

1. Interlübke - just cube

Winner of The German Design Award 2020, the innovative new just cube allows a variety of configurations so that you can shape your furniture according to your needs. It's unique, 'clean' and highly functional.

What I love most: Let's just say, we have a tough time keeping things in order at home (ahem) and this beauty would help us no end. Did I mention it comes in 24 colour ways too?

2. Tojo parallel bed

This multi award-winning piece of kit designed by Nora Große and Alisha Hauk is genius. It's a bed base made up of six wooden feet which are used to connect the slats - no screws required! And you can make it as narrow or as wide as you like!

What I love most: the winner of several green awards, the bed is made from raw beech wood and is reduced to its absolute minimum. Also, who doesn't want to sleep like a star fish from time to time?!

3. Schönbuch - Simetria cabinets

It's always a treat to meet the designers behind a product and Eva Marguerre and Marcel Besau of Studio Besau-Marguerre were so inspiring! The design duo collaborated with Schönbuch to create the new Simetria cabinets. Contemporary, colourful and playful, the wall-hung cabinets come in 26 different colours and 7 shapes and can be combined in whichever way you like!

What I love most: A storage solution that doubles up as colourful art, what's not to love?!

4. Rolf Benz ADDIT

Gone are the days when a sitting room was reserved for, just well, sitting! These days the sofa is at the heart of everyday life and is used for everything from eating, working, relaxing, gaming, watching Netflix to socialising and sleeping! This was the thinking behind the new award-winning Rolf Benz ADDIT sofa, which is designed to accommodate all of these activities and more. The modular design means it can fit just about any space and be adapted over time - and add-ons such as shelves, trays and storage make it truly versatile. Very cool!

What I love the most: I'm a big fan of lifetime purchases - and this high-quality piece can be adapted to any new situation, making it a great investment and aa more sustainable option.

5. Floating Office

Anyone who lives in a big city will agree - space can be a challenge. And studies have shown our dwellings are getting smaller and smaller. The design world has responded with a load of smart, space-saving solutions - and this has to be one of my latest favourites! Darmstadt start-up Floating Office has created a vertical furniture installation with Nolex. The desk not only looks pretty cool, it can be raised to the ceiling at the press of a button to clear up space when not in use.

What I love most: The desk is surprisingly sturdy  - and completely out of the way when not in use. Genius!

Thank you so much to the Association of the German Furniture Industry, for inviting me to IMM Cologne. I loved the tour, VIP dinner and the exhibition featuring the winning motives from the #Zuhausesein (#beingathome) global photo competition.

Curious to see a little more? View a film of our German design tour here.

Have a great weekend folks!

Niki

This post was brought to you as part of a paid press trip by the Association of the German Furniture Industry, however all words are my own and I only ever work with businesses and brands I love and think you will too.

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A serene space with a fab bed nook

It's the weekend!! woohooo! And the sun's come out - which, in Sweden in January is something of a rarity. Oh yes, this is going to be a good couple of days. But first, today's home tour. And what a home it is.  This space in Gothenburg, Sweden is a picture of calm and furnished with some fab pieces including Wishbone chairs, the AJ floor lamp and table lamp and Matchilda Clahr's leather straps. And just look at that bed nook (perfect inspiration for a bedroom area in an open plan living space don't you think?). It's like an updated version of this lovely traditional Swedish summer cottage bed nook.  I love the apartment's original period features and original wood floor too. Enjoy the tour…!

Entrance 

Anything that stands out to you in particular?

A popular trend I've noticed in Scandinavia and beyond is to add something over-sized  to a room- like the clock in this kitchen (try this one). Other examples include the very large bedside reading lamps in Lotta Agaton's apartment (for sale here, and previous post about her beautiful home here). In my friend Gen's home you can witness an over-sized angle-poise floor lamp, pendant light, cross print and Stendig calendar. Why? Well, my thoughts are that over-size items create a focal point, an element of surprise as well as incredibly cool and striking effect. What are your thoughts?

Do you have anything over-sized in your home?

Other homes previously shown on here from Entrance include this, this and this one. Do you have a favourite?

Have a really fab couple of days!

PS Don't forget to pop back tomorrow to enter my weekend give-away - I think you're going to be very happy when you see the prize…..oh the suspense!

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My (Sweet) Dream Bedroom Update!

Sponsored post (all words are my own): 

You might remember I went off in search of beauty sleep a few months back And guess what? I've finally got rid of my ancient bed (which was honestly about 25 years old!) and in it's place is Sandö bed from the wonderful Swedish brand Carpe Diem Beds. If you haven't seen me for a while it's because I can't get up in the morning. Ha! Just kidding. But every night I do feel like I'm sleeping on a big, fluffy cloud! Bliss!

Due to the low window, I don't have room for a headboard (a little annoying!), so I opted for headboard cushions in soft  Zaragoza Eggshell in sand to match the upholstery. My husband was slightly sceptical (he placed a ban on me buying any new cushions several years ago!!), but even he approves of these - they make for an uber comfy bedtime read!

I'm so pleased with how the sand colour goes with my Blushing Peach wall too, these things are important for a design lover, right?!

The other thing I love about my bed is that it's named after an island in the Gothenburg archipelago (my heartland - not just because it outstandingly beautiful - it's also where Per and I met!).

And what makes it so comfortable are its three unique interacting spring systems that raise your sleep and the Contour Pocket System which was inspired by the heather on the islands and designed to ensure every inch of your body's supported.

I chose oak legs to bring a natural touch to the space - the beauty is in the detail, after all!

I hope you enjoyed the tour!

If you're looking for me, I'll be right here sleeping like a star fish!

Niki

PS In case you're also in search of a blissful night's sleep, Carpe Diem Beds are available in over twenty countries. You can find your nearest retailer here.


Photography / styling: Niki Brantmark / My Scandinavian Home

I am a very proud ambassador for Carpe Diem Beds who sponsored this post. As always, all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too. Thank you for supporting the brands that make My Scandinavian Home possible.

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Clever small space style in Stockholm

Hello Monday! I hope you had a great weekend? I read recently that people's living spaces are getting smaller. People around the world are downsizing to save money, live greener and well....because they've realised that small can be beautiful too. And this home in Stockholm's Södermalm district is a prime example. Measuring a mere 29 metres square (312 square foot) it's comfortable and practical (double bed - check! Sitting room - check! reading corner, dining room, balcony for two - check, check, check! And, decorated throughout in grey-scale with the fainstest touch of pastels - and an eclectic mix of mid-century, new nordic and designer pieces - it looks beautiful too. 

Styling: Minna Engelmark / Ida Agemo at Wida design Photography: Johan Spinnell / Historiska Hem

Could you live here? I think it looks so calm and cosy - a little oasis in the heart of Sweden's capital city.But more importantly, could you sleep high up in that double bed?!

Get the look: seagrass basket, Hay tray table, Copenhague coffee table, I love this mid-century style sofa, dark grey bed linen, Berlin print, Thonet chairs (15% discount with code MYSCAN), white sheepskin throw.

If you're looking for more small space ideas I've got a week's worth of coffee break inspiration squirrelled away here!

Do you live in a small space - or perhaps looking to downsize?

Have a great start to the week! 

PS My family and I are going on holiday to Sri Lanka next month ( I can't wait! We didn't go anywhere last year since I was working on my book so we've been so looking forward to it!). I was wondering if you have any great tips on places to stay (we love small, relaxed, personal places as oppose to big hotels) and things to do? Thank you so much for any tips you may have!

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A Light Filled Family Home in Berlin with a Nordic Touch

During the Easter school holidays, my daughters and I are heading to Berlin, Germany for a couple of days. It's somewhere I've been saving up for as I've always wanted to take them, it's an amazing city and only 6 hours drive from Malmö! While doing a little research for things to see and do (any tips would be wonderful!), I veered off course (as always), and ended up stumbling across the Berlin home of Judith Schenk - which I had to share it with you guys! 

Judith describes her home as 'Nordic minimalism meets Berlin Altbau' - and the light-filled family apartment is made up of sleek finishes, Scandinavian design, plants and art. Read on to see more pictures and find out about some of the touches Judith has decided on. 

The kitchen is made up of IKEA cabinets with Reform CPH fronts. The countertop is a solid Corian surface. 

The lights are Flowerpot pendants in white.

'Case Study House #10' by Stephanie Kloss hangs over the dining table. A Gubi semi pendant hangs over the table. 

The Model 2065 pendant light by Gino Sarfatti makes a statement in the sitting room. The sofa is from Bolia. 

The plant-filled sun room is bathed in light - a perfect cure for the winter blues (have the leaves come out on the trees where you live yet? Here in Malmö, it's still just twigs - gaaaah!). A desert lounge chair can be glimpsed in the corner. 

Double doors in the living room lead through to the lovely children's room. 

A sofa by Karup Design pulls out into a double bed in the spare room. 

Look at all those beautiful trees - *sigh*, there's nothing like a green view! 

The serene bathroom reminds me a lot of the tones / look I have used in our little cabin bathroom - including brushed / antique brass. The tap is from Grohe. 

The master bedroom is the epitome of calm with walls painted in Portlandstone Pale by Little Greene. Judith has used this shade throughout her apartment: "As we have a super open layout in our flat, this was my approach. Also the paint is so highly pigmented that it always appears different depending on the light and daytime," she says. 

Judith has hung three prints over the bed, including Bleu by Lucrecia Rey Caro*. Arum lights an be seen either side of the bed. 

Absolutely love this home. All the windows certainly help but also Judith has made everything look so effortless and struck the perfect balance between pared-back and personal. 

Did you feel inspired by this tour too? 

See more of Judith's apartment and follow her latest projects over at @kavalierchen. 

Now I'm in Berlin mode, here are a few other tours from the German city: 

A lovely relaxed artist's home full of plants (don't miss this one!)

A bohemian touch in a magnificent Berlin apartment (another favourite!)

The Berlin flat and country home of Nora and Laura

A serene family home in Berlin

And of course, if you're looking for more inspiration this weekend, make sure you look back t the tours I've shared this week, including a Gotland country home (I loved all the discussions about the tiny bath!) and a Stockholm flat worthy of an interior magazine feature - which is currently for sale! 

Have a fabulous weekend friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Judith Schenk, shared with kind permission

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