Soothing Swedish Home with a Striking Dark Floor

Why, hello there! The Scandinavian school summer holidays start in a mere 6 weeks - eeeeek! How did that happen?  The thing is, my mind seems to think the long, gloriously slow days of summer have already arrived (it doesn't help that it's one of those diamond days with clear blue skies and the promise of an Aperol Spritz in the sunshine!). As a result I just don't seem to be getting anything done (do you ever feel like this too?!). This is where a maximalist home in a riot of colours might help jolt me back to reality. But nope, this soothing grey, white and neutral Swedish home fits my vibe in every way. I especially love the striking dark wood floor against the whites and pale greys. Come and dream with me (and perhaps pick up some ideas on the way!).

Going for a bolder colour in the bedroom is a fail safe way of injecting stronger tones into a home without going all out (and what a pretty colour it is too?!). I like how they've placed similar colours in the adjoining room (like the grey cabinet and rug) which help to create a cohesive look. 

The sitting room area is fairly awkward shape and yet the owners (designers?) have carved out a clever multipurpose space with a desk, social area and place to watch TV. I like the way the armchair (by Tine K Home) has been turned towards the sofa, taking the main focus away from the TV!

Rust, powder pink and amber accents are one of the key colour combinations of 2018 - I'm so happy about this I think there's something beautiful about these tones combined. The Poster Club sells similar abstract art and oak frames and you can pick up a pretty mustard throw here.

How clever is this little work space made up of a simple wall mounted desk and open shelving? The black chair is the Afteroom by Menu. Love how they've even added some greenery (perhaps they've been reading my lagom book?!).

The blue-grey hue in the bedroom creates an unbelievably calm feel. The hanging plant in the corner  (source a similar macrame planter here) adds some much needed height (an important thing to think about from a styling point of view - especially if you have high ceilings!). 

Look at all that natural light?!  Once again the dark wood floor adds a perfect amount of contrast to what is otherwise a very neutral space.

Photography Anders Bergstedt, Styling Nouvel Interior for Entrance.

Plants such as the fig tree and Rex Begonia seen on the balcony work equally well indoors or outdoors. In fact, I have a Rex Begonia in my office and they're practically impossible to kill (we like!). In fact they LOVE to dry out (and then you drench them before letting them dry out again - AKA my usual plant care routine!). Is it possible to have a plant as a best friend?!

Is there anything that stood out to you about this home?

If you'd like to see more homes with beautiful dark floors I can totally recommend having a whip round Si's lovely San Francisco Home, black floors in the home of a French stylist (possibly one of my favourite kitchens of all time!) and a striking dark and white swedish space.

Have a lovely day guys - I'm off to relax. No wait....

READ MORE...

2

Tile style: Three Living Rooms, Three Different Vibes

Considering floor tiles for your living space? My sister's Goldendoodle (google 'Goldendoodle puppies' and your heart will positively melt) put paid to their wooden floor. So, in their recent renovation they opted for tiles instead. Growing up in a home with wooden floors and wall-to-wall carpets, tiles are a bit of a new area for me. So, for fun, I decided to experiment with three tiles from the Gemini Tiles floor tile collection available through CTD Tiles to create three different living room vibes. The brand offers an extensive collection of handpicked wall and floor tiles which take inspiration from both traditional and contemporary styles so there were a whole load to choose from! In the end I opted for the Cuban Black Block tile, Buxy Gris floor Tile and Cuban Silver Sky tile. I can't wait to hear which one you like the most!




Be still my beating heart! How fabulous is this Cuban Black Block Tile? Inspired by traditional hot wax paintings, the tile comes in size 223 x 223 mm and is made from glazed porcelain with a matt finish. The intricate geometric look instantly took me back to an elegant, eclectic contemporary Parisian hotel I stayed at last November. Think gold, luxurious velvet in deep earthy blues and emerald greens and the infinite depth and nobility of black marble.  I might just be willing to forgo my pattern shyness and go all out in my own home with this one - how about you?

Get the look:

1. Vitra Suita Sofa Designers Choice
2. Twice Ceiling Light
3. The Lily Candleholder
4. Ferm Living Marble Table Black
5. Gubi Bat Lounge Chair High Back
6. Embroidered Velvet Star Cushion
7. Boule Vase
8. North Shelf
9. & Tradition FLY Chair SC1 Smoked Oak
10. Gubi BestLite BL1 Table Lamp Brass
11. Fishbowl Vase





If the industrial look is more your thing - I picked the Buxy Gris floor tile for its cool, contemporary urban style. Think New York loft living meets Scandi minimalism! The grey porcelain floor tile comes in 600 x 600 mm and a 600 x 300 mm size and looks pretty fabulous with a cognac, grey, white and black palette. Throw in furniture made from cool metals, wood, leather and wool to bring natural warmth to the space. I love the fresh, earthy look of this style, and it's timeless too! Could you imagine incorporating this look into your home?

Get the look:

1. Tribeca Series Franklin Chandelier
2. Anderssen & Voll strip back the sofa
3. The Art of Fabric Print 3 
4. Vitra Eames Hang It All - Walnut & Chocolate
5. Lína Swivel Chair
6. Metal Candlestick
7. The MANTIS - DCW BS5 SW Wall Lamp
8. Carl Hansen CH28 Chair
9. Magis Lem Round Table



And last, but by no means less - if you love to rock a boho look, you might be drawn to this fresh yet cosy contemporary Mallorcan finca vibe. Inspired by traditional encaustic tiles, I feel the subtle colour palette and intricate pattern of the glazed porcelain Cuban Silver Sky tile in size 223 x 223 mm gives a space a lovely, cool look and feel. I love the idea of pairing it with beautiful natural wood finishes, rattan furniture, glass, brass and linen to add character while keeping the look calm, and cosy yet bang up to date. If you don't want to go all out, this is the type of tile which would also look pretty in the hallway or bathroom, don't you think?!

Get the look:

1. Gervasoni Ghost Sofa
2. Dutchbone Brute Side Table Aluminium
3. Binga basket
4. NORR11 Nomad Lounge Chair Bamboo Cognac Leather
7. Colton Coffee Table
8. Large Glass Vase
9. Genuine Moroccan Ottoman
10. Silk Cashmere White Cover Lamp
11. Round Metal Tray

Did you have a favourite style?

I could quite easily envisage all three in my home but if I had to pick just one I'd go for the third.  Perhaps that's just because the sun is slowly fading in Sweden and I'm pining after the med! Plus I've always loved pretty patterned tiles!

Niki

This post was brought to you in collaboration with Gemini Tiles, all words and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting the wonderful, hand-picked brands that make My Scandinavian Home possible! 

READ MORE...

1

Old Meets New In A Charming Paris Home

Zoé de Las Cases deliberately sought a smaller apartment in central Paris so that she and her family could acquire a bolthole in the countryside. Exactly two years ago, her dream was realised when she stumbled upon this wonderful etage in the 2nd arrondissement, and an abandoned country house in Normandy. Zoé is a creative soul, and divides her time between working as a graphic designer for French stationary company Clairefontaine, an artist - her latest project includes a collection of colouring books which have been translated into more than twenty languages including Secret Paris, Secret New York and Secret Tokyo and an interior decorator - she is currently juggling seven houses and apartments between Paris and the South of France! And I thought I was busy...! Her creative philosophy is born from an art of living "that is a mix of decoration and style in a happy, playful and colourful universe." Laid out over two floors, the family's Paris apartment is a charming blend of old and new, resulting in a wonderfully relaxed home that's full of soul. Let's take a peek!

Zoé finds inspiration in "objects, books, nature, flea markets and everyday life" and shops for items for her home "everywhere in France".  The space is filled with pretty vintage finds, a result of weekly flea market visits with her children. "They love it too!!" The finds pop out against a sea of white creating an eclectic yet calm home, with influences from both France and Scandinavia. "I love mixing contemporary and older objects, I love the poetry of objects that tell a story."

Isn't this just such a pretty space? I love the blend between old and new, it gives the home such a warm vibe.

I particularly love Zoé and Benjamin's bedroom with those double doors leading out to a balcony and bathroom behind the glass room dividers.

Is there anything that stood out to you?

If you're curious to see more (I can't blame you!) - you can see more pictures on Zoé's instagram, and discover more about her latest projects and services here and take a peek at their charming country house here.

There are some incredible French homes in the archives if you fancy a delve. Some of my favourites include a pretty home with striking black floors (possibly one of my favourite kitchens of all time!), a charming French family home full of inspiring details and a light and airy Paris loft. 

Vive la France!

Have a wonderful weekend, see you Monday!

Niki

Photography: Zoé de La Cases, shared with kind permission

READ MORE...

8

A calm Swedish home in neutrals (and a fab fireplace)

Good morning Monday! The Swedish winters aren't always easy - and right now it's cooooold and dark. But occasionally the skies clear, the ground is blanketed with snow and everything sparkles like diamonds.  Yesterday was one of those magical days and we had such a wonderful day sledging and ice-skating on a frozen lake. Today is looking fab again but it's back to work for me - and a day at the IKEA headquarters - exciting! But first I wanted to share this Swedish apartment decorated in muted tones and for sale through Stadshem. I especially love the fireplace in the bedroom (imagine sleeping next to a roaring log fire - so romantic?!) and the reclaimed black wood floors in the kitchen and hallway - how beautiful?! Let's take a tour....

Photography: Jonas Berg. Stadshem.

What a perfect space. Is there anything that stands out to you in particular?

Get the look: kitchen - pendant light, Thonet chairs, Chemex glass coffee maker (I love these - perfect for slow mornings!). Sitting room - leaf light. Bedroom - Artek stool, source geometric cushions here (this one's especially lovely), white linen bedding, light grey throw. Hallway - black and walnut hang it all.

Other ideas from around the web today: 

This unusual brass vase is wonderful (I'll never tire of simple glass vases either). While on the subject, this picture is evidence that spring flowers look lovely against one of interiors hottest trends - dark blue walls.

 13 ways to re-think the foot of your bed I've been looking for a simple rustic bench for the foot of my bed for I don't know how long. Do you have anything at the end of your bed?

I'm such a big fan of cabins with a black exterior - we photographed several for my book, and I've been in awe ever since. In case you're undecided here are 30 houses in black. Or how about this A-frame house (the light)?

I'm on a mission to find the perfect pink / blush hue for my daughter's bedroom (loving the idea of a half/half wall like this). But so far I've been through 4 different test samples and it's still eluding me. Any tips?!

Do you have any of your own decorating conundrums right now? If so fire away in the comment section below, perhaps someone can help?

Have a great start to the week! 

READ MORE...

9

A fabulous black and white Swedish home

I do love to start the month (and week) with a fabulous home. And just look what I found.... I'm actually not sure where to start with what I love most about this space. The black floors? The cornicing? The designer / on trend pieces? Whatever it is about this home, it's for sale here in Sweden and I'm incredibly tempted, how about you?!

 

Stadshem via Coco Lapine

Could you live here?

I'll try not to go to town on the 'I spy', but here are a few pieces that caught my eye: Muuto dot clothes hooks, Gubi semi-pendant light, string shelving, moroccan poufs, Thonet 214 chair, Hay industrial light, IKEA 365 BRASA reading light and Carl Hansen CH24 wishbone chairs.

Other utterly incredible monochrome homes to brighten up a Monday found here, here and here....

Have a wonderful start to the week!

READ MORE...

14