A Swedish apartment in cool, calm, icy tones

I do love a Friday! But isn't it just so hard to concentrate?! It doesn't help that it's turning into a beautiful spring day outside and the birds are calling my name (I'm sure of it!). To get us in the mood for the weekend I've opted for an incredibly calm apartment in Gothenburg today. The space has been decorated in beautiful icy tones throughout resulting in a striking look reminiscent of trees silhouetted against a stark winter landscape in the North of Sweden. Enjoy!

Photography by Anders Bergstedt. Styling Ingela Berg. For sale through Entrance.

What lovely tones! I'm feeling all calm and ready for the weekend now, how about you?!

Get the look: Kitchen - Superfront cabinet fronts,  Unfold pendant light. Sitting room - keep an eye out for a vintage leather mid-century chair here. Dining area: Ant chair.

You can see more of this lovely apartment here (and even snap it up - yes, it's for sale!).

And finally, four links I thought you'd like:

Hair today art tomorrow. Brilliant! 

New trend alert: matching mother and daughter clothes. I might stop at a bunny ears hairband (but how cute for a small one?!).

Imagine spending the weekend at this cabin, though. 

Have a lovely day!

PS  Don't forget to stop by over the weekend, I've got an a-ma-zing exclusive offer for you which I think you're going to be super excited about! Watch this space!

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The Dream Swedish Country House of 'Our Food Stories' is For Sale!

If ever there was an opportunity to snap up a beautiful country home in Österlen, South Sweden this would be it. In fact, when Laura and Nora (of Our Food Stories / Design Tales) reached out to me this morning to tell me the news they were selling I nearly cried on their behalf. But all good things must come to an end, and it's time for this incredibly talented couple to focus on projects in their home country of Germany. Which means that this beautiful house from the 1800s in the tiny village of Södra Mellby is waiting for a new owner!

Since buying it in 2019, Laura and Nora have carried out extensive renovations all the while being careful to maintain the original charm. You might recognise the incredible oak DeVOL kitchen (I once featured it here) - but this is the first time I've shown the rest of the house. And true to their signature style, I was thrilled to see the entire space has been furnished with a wonderful blend of vintage and antique pieces as well as Scandinavian design items, against a calming earthy backdrop. Ready to take a tour? 

Gorgeous! 

Österlen is such a lovely part of Sweden. Home to many artists and musicians, the area is known for its relaxed vibe, rolling hills, stunning coastline, small boutiques and farm shops as well as countless ateliers and flea markets. It's also popular as a summer holiday destination, with many Stockholmers settling in for the month of July. 

The best thing about this house, is that whoever moves in wouldn't need to change a thing. It would be to just relax and enjoy the Österlen sunshine and maybe ride a bike down to the sea for a dip. Such a heavenly escape!

I need to speak to Per. 

Curious to hear more? The house is for sale through Mäklarhuset. 

If you loved Laura and Nora's Swedish home, you might also like:

Before and after: a derelict classroom becomes an incredible kitchen

The beautiful Berlin flat and country retreat of our food stories

Make-over: a fabulous Berlin Studio

Oak and a cosy roaring fire in a Swedish kitchen

Needless to say, the creative duo has amassed over 1 million followers on instagram. Check out Our Food Stories and Design Tales for more inspiration. 

Kram! 

Niki

Photography: Our Food Stories / Design Tales, shared with kind permission

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A Charming Little Swedish Cottage in the Heart of Stockholm

In a city where space is limited, owning a cottage is like gold dust and an absolute dream. Even so, you need to ensure that it doesn't feel like a goldfish bowl. And I think this wonderful little abode in the heart of Stockholm offers some perfect privacy solutions - especially when it comes to the outdoor space. 

It also helps that the inside is charming - with an open-plan kitchen, dining area and sitting room downstairs and a cosy bedroom upstairs (look out for the window dressing - great inspiration for anyone dealing with awkward shaped windows!). Ready to take a look and dream of cosy cottage life in the capital? This little 61 sq.m (656 ft.sq) place has it all! 

Note the wood panelling with beading - a cohesive touch that matches the traditional cabinetry and style of the house. Corston is great for traditional antique brass knobs like these. 

The dining area set-up with sofa and chairs lends itself to both a relaxed spot for a cup of tea looking out over the garden, or as a more formal dining setting. 

The open spot at the top of the stairs is often referred to as an 'allrum' in Swedish - which lovely translates as 'family room' or 'space for everyone'. In this 'allure' the owners have added a cosy armchair and a home office space. 

I love the curtain solution in this dormer window! Something to steal if you're in the same conundrum? 

A covered terrace with plenty of climbers not only helps to extend the living space but also ensures you're not overlooked while enjoying your time outdoors! having some kind of canopy also adds a cosy feel to a space, don't you think? 

And finally, if you only have a small outdoor space, making the most of vertical space for plants is a great way to add greenery without cluttering with pots. In our little yard in Malmö we've gone for climbers such as roses, wisteria and clematis. 

Draping sheepskins over the back of chairs is a perfect way to add a little comfort to harder chairs. Sheepskin also has great insulating qualities so it will keep you warm for longer too! 

A small circular heater and a ring of candles amp up the cosiness after dark - and extend the outdoor season (it's pretty short in Sweden)! 

Plants on outdoor tables and shelves also shield the space from those on the same level as you. 

And just in case you need a little sunshine, this lovely cottage has an open area too! 

If you have a back yard that leads into a communal garden, an arch is a nice way to create a boundary / entrance without sealing your space off completely. We have an arch just like this one in our garden too and it looks so pretty when the clematis are in full bloom! 

Could you imagine living in a lovely cottage like this in the heart of the city? A rare find for sure! 

I'm going to take this opportunity to share other rare finds like this one with you! 

This Swedish allotment cottage is a true city oasis

A charming little cottage in the city

A cosy little cottage by the sea in Malmö

Pretty blues and greens in a house in Copenhagen

I hope you have a fabulous weekend and the sun shines for you wherever you are in the world! Here ins Sweden, we're looking forward to a cosy autumn weekend!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Tradition Mäkleri where this is currently for sale! 

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Inspiration from a Swedish Attic Apartment with Low Angled Ceilings

Good morning friends, how are you today? I'm stopping by to share this Swedish apartment which has some perfect inspiration for tight, angled spaces and how to fill darker homes with light! 

Nestled under the roof on the top floor of beautiful house dating back to 1913, the owners of this apartment have worked around the angled ceilings to ensure a truly lovely living space. Let's take a closer look at some of the elements at play. 

The kitchen units have a staggered height, and where no units would fit, a shelf has been used instead to ensure every inch of space can be used. 

Two skylights have been installed to ensure natural light. Try Velux for similar. 

Dormer windows are a perfect solution to draw in lots of light and carving out standing space. 

There are solutions available for every shape and sized space these days. A made-to-measure glass door and windows help to ensure a flow of light between the rooms to capitalise on any natural sunlight that enters the home, while a curtain can be pulled across for privacy and a cosy feel in the bedroom. 

The doors open right out for a light and airy feel. 

Low art in the bedroom adds a decorative touch while the bed is tucked under the ceiling and a dormer window. 

A closet can be seen tucked in behind the glass door above. 

In Sweden, it's common to find washing machines in the bathroom (another popular alternative for apartments is a communal washing room in the basement). In England, it's popular to have washing machines in the kitchen. Where do you tend to have your machines? 

I have always loved the idea of art in the bathroom, it adds such a cosy, personal touch. 

A window seat in the stairwell capitalised on natural light from the window. 

Such a pretty house - I love the garden with a communal outdoor dining area! 

It's very common for Swedish apartments to have an inner garden where you'll find a shared dining area, barbecue and children's play area. Some even have herb gardens! 

Working with awkward angles takes some extra thought and problem solving, but I think this home is a great example of how you can find a solution for every shape and size today! 

I particularly liked the glass wall and door designed to fit the sloped ceiling - this could be a perfect solution for our top floor! 

I hope you found some nice ideas for your own home here today!

Speaking of dark spaces, I'll be working on our windowless downstairs loo today. Per and I have been doing a budget make-over using a splash of tile paint as well as a few other touches. I am hoping to share the makeover with you on Friday, but we'll see how we get on, DIY updates always takes longer (and creates way more mess) than you think, right? 

Wishing you all a great Wednesday! 

Niki

Styling: Copparstad. Photography: Boukari. For sale via Historiska Hem. Found via Nordroom with thanks. 

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