A Clutter-free Finnish Home with the Loveliest Childrens' Rooms

I seem to be going through a contemporary Finnish phase right now: there's something about the light, minimalist style in particular that feels like a real mid-week breath of fresh air. Do you feel the same? If so you'll love one of my latest finds: the home of Melina, Niko, children Minea and Noah and French bulldog Pablo. The newly built open-plan house has been decorated in shades of white, light grey, tan and beige and is full of light and completely clutter-free (it's the kind of place that even the mess looks pretty) and yet feels family friendly too (the kids rooms rock!).  Ready to take a peek?

Faces No1 Poster, the cushion looks similar the Malmen velver chestnut one I have in my bedroom and you can just see a glimpse of the lovely Saxe lounge chair. Tips on sofa in the comment section welcome (it looks very much like the Bolia one I used to have).

Tom Dixon Fat Beat light and Tall light, Urban childran's chair. 

I love this combination of the black string shelving system against light wood - so striking! 

Nordström sell a canvas play tent like this one. 

What a dream bedroom?! From the gym equipment (from Suomen Voimistelurenkaat) to the rain drop wall stickers (these are fairly simple to make yourself but you can also pick up some just like these) and of course, the bed (made by Niko).

Photography: Melina / Mini Show

And there you have it, a contemporary, clutter-free home that's perfect for children.

Anyone else thinking of attacking their home with a black bin bag?!

See more pics of Melina's home over on her blog and instagram feed - where she also shares children's clothing finds, toys and recipes (yes, she also bakes a mean cake) -  it's in Finnish, but there's always good old google translate! And as always there are a load more wonderful Finnish homes to explore right here too.  

Hyvää päivän jatkoa! (I hope this means 'have a great day' in Finnish...).

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A simply beautiful Finnish home

Have you ever been to Finland? The Finns have a simply beautiful, natural sense of style - often pared-back and monochrome with a hint of colour. Nature also plays an important role. Today I decided to re-visit the lovely home of Maiju of indie days (formerly 'my second hand life'). I once showed her kitchen decked out for Christmas but never shots from the entire home. I think it's definitely about time don't you?! So here's a sneak peek into Maiju's lovely home full of inspiring details and new ideas. I could live here, could you?!

Maiju of Indie days, with kind permission.

Inspiring ideas to steal from Maiju's home:

Kitchen: black candles match the vintage industrial light fixtures to create balance, and a simple marimekko plate has been hung on the wall. Wooden birds add a touch of nature to the shelves. Mix and match Bertoia, Hay, Eames, and Thonet chairs. 

Sitting room: Muuto dots have been used throughout the home as decoration, a way to hang clothes and for lighting. A simple bench makes a great side board in the sitting room - I love how Maiju has stacked magazines underneath and plants, candles, prints etc are on display above.

Bedroom: I love the wallpaper (I am hoping to find out where this is from, so pop back later if you're interested) and DIY grey marble side table. The black top and vintage girls dresses emphasise the power of using clothes to decorate - so simple yet so striking (check out other ways to display clothes and shoes in the home).

Children's bedroom: I've never thought of placing a garland across the middle of a big window, what a great idea (maybe I should do this in the girls room?!). A black rug grounds an all white room. DIY bunting is a great way to spruce up plain white storage (check out this fab Finnish children's room for more inspiration). 

Anything that catches your eye?

If you're after a little more Finnish inspiration today there are some great homes to explore here, here and here. I think it's about time I got myself to Finland...?!

Have a lovely day! 

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Step inside the charming home of a Swede living in Italy

It's so much fun to see the home of a Scandinavian expat. Last week we took a tour of a Swede's colourful home in Brooklyn, New York. And today I thought we'd step inside the incredibly charming Italian home of Swede, Annemo. Based in a small village 30 minutes from Milan, Anemo works as an agent for Danish brand Tine K Home and shares her house with her Italian husband and three children. The family have decorated their home with beautiful, understated furniture and muted tones allowing the high ceilings, beautiful period features and huge windows to take centre-stage.  Subtle hints of bamboo, rattan and handwoven baskets add a hint of the med while linen gently floats in the afternoon breeze for a fresh, cool feel.

Production: Jonna Kivilahti / Mrs Jones blog. Photography: Krista Keltanen.

*Sigh*. Such a beautiful home! I love the muted tones and Scandinavian feel. I can really imagine how lovely and cool the space feels in the summer time - a perfect respite from the scorching sun. How about you?

Get the look: these Tine K Home bamboo furniture (I love the idyll home chair!) and round basket lamp (in kitchen).  This basket and bag are similar. Dining - Bistro dining chairs. Sitting room - Gervasoni ghost armchairs and sofa. Source made-to-measure light grey pure linen curtains / drapes here (Click here to see mine in white). Study - lamps by Tine K Home.

It'll come as no surpise that this lovely home has also featured in back issues of Elle Decoration country, Elle Decoration Sweden and Glorian koti in Finland. Great minds... :)

Thank you to Krista and Jonna for the kind permission to share these images. The Finnish duo are often capturing beautiful homes - previous tours I've shared include a lakeside cabin with a twist, a pared-back Finnish summer cottage and even Jonna's own summer cottage in the Inkoo archipelagos - Guh! Take me to the Finnish islands now!

Have a lovely day!

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Best of My Scandinavian Home 2023!

This post contains an advert for my own book. 

Hello friends! 

It feels like only yesterday I was summing up the blog year for 2022. But here it is - the best of My Scandinavian Home 2023! 

This blog is in it's 12th year, and I have to say, I am equally in love with this little corner of the web now as I was way back then! This is all thanks to you! I so appreciate you stopping by and I've loved reading your comments and emails.  

2023 has been quite a year, not least because I completed my fourth book Njuta - The Swedish Art of Savouring the Moment which launches on 26th December (available to order here among other places) - I'm excited and nervous in equal measure. I hope you enjoy reading Njuta as much as have writing it. It is set to launch in other languages too - more info to come in 2024! 

Over the past week I've been busy rounding up the most popular blog and instagram posts of the year and it's quite a selection! From a charming cottage overlooking a Norwegian fjord and a Swedish home in the South of France to Marianne's Stockholm apartment and a cabin in Latvia! Read on to discover more! 

Top blog posts of 2023 (starting with your most favourite!):

1. A charming rural cottage by a Norwegian fjord

2. A charming Swedish family home in the south of France

3. Marianne's art-filled apartment in SOFO, Stockholm

4. A dream cabin in Latvia becomes a reality

5. Before and after: A dated Danish house becomes a vibrant summer cottage

Top instagram posts on @myscandinavianhome in 2023

1. Kristin in her home in the south of France (found on instagram here) 

2. Carl Hansen & Søn nesting table collaboration 

3. My 'Day in the life' of Malmö reel 

4.  A Danish cabin featuring an outdoor terrace and bath - don't miss the complete before and after tour of the cabin. 

5. The before and after of our cabin bedroom nook was also a popular call! 

I loved all these too! 

But, perhaps you had other favourites - after all, I did share around 120 Scandinavian home tours this year! If so, let us all know which caught your eye below! 

If you'd like to pour over some Scandi inspiration over the holidays, here are some of my favourites archives: 

Christmas decorations and tours

Country home tours

Cabins and summer cottages

Tiny homes and small spaces

Swedish home

Danish home 

Norwegian home

Finnish home

Right folks, other than a quick 'Merry Christmas' post on Friday, I think this is pretty much it from me this year. Thank you so much again for stopping by, it really means so much to me! 

If I don't see you before the holidays, hope you have a really wonderful, relaxing break. I'll be back again on 8th January, 2024. In the meantime, you might like to subscribe to my newsletter so you don't miss any posts and you can also find me on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram! 

Stor kram! (big hug!) to you all! 

Niki

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Your 2020 Off-the-grid Getaway: Nolla Cabin In the Helsinki Archipelagos

Hello! Happy new year! I hope you had a wonderful, relaxing break? Is anyone else back at work today and feeling as slow as anything?! I'm on my third coffee and nothing seems to be happening (send more caffeine!)! All the same, I think 2020 is going to be a fabulous year, don't you? I thought I'd kick it off with a tour of the magnificent yet basic Nolla Cabin, a 20 minute boat ride from Helsinki. What fascinates me, is that it's a cabin of two halves. It's both tiny and big at the same time. Located on Vallisaari island and measuring 9m2, it offers views over the beautiful Helsinki archipelago which is home to over 1000 butterfly species! Finnish designer Robin Falck's intention was to inspire visitors to come and enjoy the Nolla (meaning zero) cabin while living with a minimal footprint. Read on to feel inspired!

The little cabin is equipped with two camping beds, along with a Wallas stove for cooking and heating (the stove runs on Neste MY Renewable Diesel provided by the host).  

The electricity is generated by solar panels on the roof (we're warned that supply might vary!) and has no wifi - but with views like that and an island to explore, I think we can all agree that it's hardly needed! 

Visitors are encouraged not to bring packaged foods and cosmetics in order to comply with the zero-waste ethos. 

Also, being off-the-grid, the cabin doesn't have running water BUT fresh water is available at the guest port 400 metres away and there's a dry loo on the island too - phew! 

What about a shower? With the beautiful waters of the Helsinki archipelago on your doorstep you have all the cleansing water you might need (depending on the time of year and quoting Per: 'it's OK once you're in - and great once you're out!'). Hmmm...

Up for the challenge in 2020? 

The Nolla Cabin is only 20 minutes boat ride from Helsinki. The best news of all? Finnish renewable energy company Neste is donating the rent to the The Ocean Cleanup, who develop advanced technologies to rid the world's oceans of plastic. 

You can book your stay here. 

While on the subject of Finland - I think it's pretty cool that the country has recently sworn in prime minister Sanna Marin. At 34 years of age, she is the world's youngest serving state leader. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe one of her first policies is to reduce the working week to four days and enjoying a six-hour workday. Which potentially means more time to spend at places like this! I think I need to have words with the Swedish PM!

Up for a little more Finish design today? I love:

Suvi's beautiful modern home on Finland's West Coast

An inspiring Finnish home with an element of surprise

Old meets new in a beautiful Finnish home

Have a lovely day friends, it feels good to be back! 

Niki

Photos courtesy of Airbnb

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