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A Lovely, Inviting Berlin Flat Decorated on a Small Budget

Tjena, hur är läget? Or perhaps I should say 'hallo, wie gehts?!' Since today I'm taking you on an apartment tour in one of my favourite cities: Berlin! Oh, how I love that German city - it's buzzing with creativity and has a really special vibe. This lovely apartment in the Prenzlauer Berg district belongs to 34-year-old fashion stylist Juliane who was born and raised in Berlin. Her flat occupies a building dating back to 1900 and is blessed with 3.5 metre ceilings and beautiful stucco. Juliane has been incredibly smart with her budget, sourcing many items on eBay or the high-street and loves to make regular updates. Here's a little more about Juliane's home, in her own words: 

Maison du Monde mirror, sofa from IKEA

What's your background?
I left home after I graduated in fashion design back in 2009. I lived in Rome, Italy between 2009-2010. After I came back, I worked as a fashion editor and then decided to work as a fashion stylist, and this is what I do today. 

Your fireplace is a real focal point - can you tell us more about it?
I always wanted a big fake fireplace and was looking for one on Amazon etc. But due to my small budget, especially at the beginning when I had just moved in, I bought a lot on eBay and a woman was giving away this fireplace for free! It's super big (130 cm x 130 cm) and wasn't painted. I used simple paint lacquer from hardware store Orb. Most people who visit my place think it's always been there. One of my friends wasn't convinced at the beginning and asked why I wanted something so big in my living room! But as soon as I added the colour and decorated it, she got the idea. It has also been green before, so who knows how long the blue will stay!

Fireplace before:
Fireplace in green:






"The green was also a simple mix from the hardware store. I love all the colour cards and it's actually quite cheap. Sure, I love Farrow & Ball but sometimes, cheap doesn't mean bad quality. And the good thing is you can match the lacquer with the exact same colour."

Fireplace today:


The wall has been painted in 'Hochzeitsblau' from the new heritage series by Schöner Wohnen 

Who do you live with?
I have no pets or anyone else living in my apartment. So, it's just me and exactly 19 plants. I'm always counting them when I water so I don't forget any of them!

A group of vases from H&M Home and Søstrene Grene make a lively display on the mantel piece. 

When did you move in?
I've lived in this flat since Summer 2018, it used to be my boss's apartment in fact. 



Are you inspired by a particular interior style?
It's hard to say what interior style I like the most, because for me, it's like fashion. I never wear the same outfit twice in a row. With my apartment it's the same. I love making changes: some new curtains here, and new pillows there. 


IKEA kitchen cabinets have been painted in Graphite chalk paint from Rustoleum

Where do you shop for items for your home?
I love going to fabric stores or markets. I also like to use things I bought for a different purpose. Last time I ended up using a curtain for a DIY project and gave my headboard a completely new look!

I'm not sure I've ever seen such a narrow bathroom! Did it present any decorating challenges? 
Hahaha, yes! It's actually quite typical for these old Berlin buildings. My parents tell me that back in the day, people didn't even have a shower - just a toilet and the shower was added later. In my old flat, the bathroom was bigger, but it had super ugly tiles in aubergine. So, I was glad at least, that this one is in simple white and beige. Where the shower is today used to be a little storage room with a connecting door to the kitchen.

When I first came to look at the bathroom, I knew it would be a real challenge and that I would have to act really smart. No super big wall cupboards etc. Pinterest helped me a lot. I decided to go for a simple mirror with a wooden shelf beneath which my dad built for me. When my four-year-old nephew first came to visit my flat one Christmas, he couldn't believe how narrow my bathroom is and whispered: "Your bathroom is super skinny! Santa won't fit in here."

Curtains from Zara Home, Storage from IKEA, side table found on Ebay. 

How is life in Berlin right now? 
Quarantine is a big word here at the moment. Today, some shops reopened but everyone has to wear a mask when we go to the supermarket etc. I do take some long walks outside or ride my bike, but I am very lucky to have a balcony with sun 24/7. 


Thank you so much for taking the time to tell us more about your home Juliane! Stay safe and well :)

****

I'm feeling really inspired by the fireplace idea. It just goes to show you don't need to spend an arm and a leg to create a fabulous focal point!

Is there anything that stood out to you?

If you're curious to see more pictures of Juliane's home, hop on over to her Instagram here: @ps_ihomeyou.

And how about peeking inside a few more Berlin homes today? Here are some of my all-time favourites:

The beautiful Berlin home and country retreat of Our Food Stories
Get the look from a serene family home in Berlin
A lovely understated, warm and inviting Berlin home

I can't wait to take my girls to this city, I've been planning it in my mind for years! Until then, I'll be taking inspiration from these lovely apartments and dreaming.

Have you ever visited Berlin?

Have a great start to the week friends!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Juliane / ps_ihomeyou

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Feeling the Hygge: A Toasty Guide To Wood Burning Stoves

 This is a sponsored post in partnership with Arada stoves. All opinions and words are my own. 


Who doesn't love the crackle of a log fire and that toasty feeling you get from being tucked up indoors as the rain lashes at the windows? Although summer is still in the air, Autumn is just around the corner (dare I say it!) - so if you're looking to get that hygge vibe down before the big chill arrives, now is the time to install a wood burning stove. But where to start? Here's my guide to get you started.


Let's get down to the nitty gritty.

Why a wood burning stove?
Those who own one will tell you they're so much more than a black steel box. As Arada puts it, a word burning stove is"a living breathing thing, sparking passion in those who own it. The rituals of feeding and caring for it become part of your day. The scent and sound of it become part of your home. The glow becomes your companion."

Oh, and they're also heat efficient, cosy and make a pretty cool focal point when not in action too!


What do I need to do to install one? 
If your house isn't listed and you have a working chimney or flue your gaff is all prepped for the installation of a wood burner. If not, you'll need planning permission for an external chimney (bit of a faff but sooo worth it!). Verified wood burning stove companies such as Arada will do the rest.   

But there are so many to choose from?!
Since the stove will become the heart of your home, it's important to pick a style to suit your lifestyle and setting.

Will I feel the heat?!
The whole point of the burner is obvs the heat. So, before we get carried away with the design (who, me?!), it's important to think about how much heat you're looking to get out of your stove. The insulation in our house is so good that a fireplace emitting too much heat would have us 'glowing' akin to a session at the local sauna. We'd therefore totally need something with a lower heat output. The London house I grew up in as a child, on the other hand, was so cold I used to sleep with a hat on (I kid you not!) and we could totally have done with a wood burner designed to heat an entire room (and more!). Read more about finding the right output for your space here.

OK, now for the fun part
The design. When it comes to stoves I love a bit of authenticity. Choose between freestanding classic, contemporary and hardworking heating stoves and designs that are ideal for an inglenook fireplace or for an empty hearth, inset stoves designed to slot into a traditional British fireplace and cassette stoves which can be recessed into the wall for a sleeker finish.


Does it have to be black?! 
It is possible to go for something a little bolder should your heart desire it (hey, you may have noticed I've been going down the root of colour lately, so who knows what might happen next! OK. Yes. I'd probably go for black!).  But for those of you a little less colour shy, Arada offers a choice of seven colours:

Gas or wood / solid fuel?
Tricky one. The beauty of gas is that it's hassle free, there's less cleaning involved, and your fire can reach the desired heat quickly - and be more easily regulated. Plus gas fires have come such a long way, they often look like the real deal too. Having said that, boy/girl scout types might be disappointed about the lack of required probing, the crackling sound and scent of burning wood. The decision is yours!


Keeping it clean! 
Fuel has come a long way since the days of coal (cue black smoke belching out of chimneys across London!), but there's still a lot we can do to keep our fireside read a little more eco-friendly. A new clean burning stove from Arada will produce 90% fewer emissions than an open fire and 84% less than that of a stove produced 10 years ago). And once our stove is installed we can also take other actions too. There's a great guide here

What do you reckon? Could this be the year you install a wood burning stove? I'm incredibly tempted...

Find out more about Arada stoves here and check out their FAQ's for any burning (sorry!) questions.

Here's to chilly summer evenings and a toasty Autumn!

Warm wishes,

Niki

Pictures 1 & 2  feature the i600 Slimline Freestanding stove
Pictures 3 feature the Ecoburn Plus 5 Widescreen
Pictures 4, 5, 6 feature the Farringdon Catalyst Eco Wood Burner

This post is is sponsored by Arada stoves. 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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Cosy rustic fireplace

I had an exciting post lined up for today and am just waiting for permission from the photographer (15 mins!). So in the meantime, pull up a seat by this lovely rustic fireplace and relax :)

via Wish you were here
My husband and I are seriously considering a wood burning stove for our sitting room, they're just so cosy and cool. Style Files put together this wonderful post on wood burning stoves, which even includes a photograph taken by yours truly! I took the image at a friend's home which is a renovated fisherman's cottage here in SkÃ¥ne, see the full home tour here.

Do you have a fireplace at home?

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Swedish fireplace inspiration

So many of the Swedish homes you see feature a fab Kakelugn (tiled stove) in the corner of the room. These date back to the 1880's neo-renaissance era (today's history lesson!). Many of them are not used for heating today but can still look pretty with lit candles. This home for sale through Alvhem is lucky enough to have one in the sitting room AND in the kitchen.





Alvhem
There is something very cool and cosy about having a fireplace in the kitchen don't you think?! In fact I'll add 'kitchen fireplace' to my dream home 'must have' check list right now!

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10 Super Stylish Ways to Display (or Hide!) Your TV



When I show home tours I'm often asked - "but where's the TV"?! I completely understand, after all, almost every household has one, and they don't often feature. Why is that?! Well, let's face it, a big black rectangle doesn't always make the prettiest shot. But that's what makes inspiration for ways to display our goggle boxes even more important. After all, the viewing position often means it needs to take pride of place in the room! So, here it is folks, a long-awaited blog post dedicated to the telly. I hope you find these 10 genius ways to artfully display - or hide  -  a TV in your home inspiring (feel free to add your own in the comment section below). Here's to binge watching Netflix in style!

Visible

Micaila Britton

1. The 'just another thing on the wall ' trick (top and above) - Helsingborg based Ruta Vitesson (top) and Chicago girl Macaila Britton (above) have both place their flat screens between two shelves, surrounding it with treasures such as art, books and plants for a cosy look and feel.







2. The gallery wall - concealing your TV as part of a gallery wall has never been easier thanks to the arrival of The Frame TV (seen above and below) which displays art instead of a black rectangle when your TV is not in use (genius!). Many modern TV's also allow you to showcase your own photography which can look equally lovely and even more personal!



Kate La Vie

3. Statement art - in a creative home, a TV that can be camouflaged as art makes a huge difference and even add to the space!



Katerina Dima

4. The vignette: help your telly to fit in by including it in a monochrome display which includes plants, candles and cushions. Ikea BestÃ¥ units provide the perfect platform and mean you can hide cables, remote controls and other unsightly things underneath. Perfect!




5. Tone on tone! Let's face it, the TV is never a problem when it's on since it's providing entertainment. The decorating issues arise when it's off! I love this idea of opting for a sleek black TV and mounting it on a matching black wall, it almost disappears!




6. Upstage the TV: place a bold piece of art on the wall beside the telly and your eye will be drawn to that instead of the black rectangle. Extra marks for a beautiful daybed like this so you can turn your back on the flat screen (literally) when not in use too!




7. Create balance: if your goggle box is the only black rectangle in the room, it'll be sure to stand out. Balance the look with other black items (especially if they're rectangular) and the look will be easier on the eye. I love the contemporary fireplace in this sitting room!









8. The raiseable TV: This super clever hidden TV solution first appeared in a home tour back in 2015, and I've never forgotten it! The bespoke unit has been designed to cover the radiators and conceal the TV when not in use. Genius!




9. The closet TV: At first glance it's hard to guess where the TV could possibly be in this cosy room. Look closer though, and you'll spot a set of barn doors above the fireplace!






10. Behind closed doors: Don't want to see it at all when it's off, but still looking for easy access? Why not stash it in a freestanding cabinet - whether built-in or an enviable unit like the one in Brady Tolbert's bedroom - you'll forget it's even there!

There are just so many clever solutions here, don't you think?

Do you have a favourite?

I mentioned the other day that I've also found a way to hide the TV in my sitting room - and it doesn't involve any of the solutions above. I really hope I get a chance to photograph it and share it with you soon (it's very simple, but often those solutions are the best, right?!).

Do you have any tips for displaying a TV that I haven't covered? If so, I'd love to hear about them!

Niki

PS I have been watching so many series lately (which I blame on the cold and darkness!). A few of my favourites include Big Little Lies, The Affair, The Handmaid's Tale, Killing Eve and Dr Foster. I need a new one now - guh! any tips?!

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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! 

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