A happy home in Malmö

Yesterday I showed the happy home of Elina Dahl and today I was really inspired to come across another happy home, here in Malmö (oh yes, this is turning into one happy week!). The amount of TLC that Klara Ripa has put into her former family home here in Malmö is quite incredible, there isn't a single item left untouched, she has put her personal stamp on everything. So inspiring!

Photography: Jenny Brandt of Dos Family 

This apartment is very different from the style I usually show on here but it really makes me smile. I love the kitchen with it's bright colours (yellow radiator and pipes? But of course!),the handmade paper garlands in the sitting room, the fantastic bold and bright children's room and also the little red chest of drawers with handmade beaded handles, it's made me look around my iwn home to see what I can do with what I have already.

I love the way it's been photographed by Dos Family too (you can see more pictures here).

What do you think?

PS if you feel inspired by the cute kids clothing here, check out the super cool children's clothes over at online shop Loja Dada  :) there's a sale on too!

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Snapshots from a beautiful Swedish family home

I always find it incredible just how many beautiful feeds there are on Instagram, don't you? One of my latest faves is Swedish lifestyle photographer Emily Slott - who shares the most beautiful images of her family and their home on Instagram and over on her blog at The Happy Hill (lovely name for a shop!). It's safe to say Emily has the most impeccable taste - plumping for simple earthy tones and soft, natural textures. Stonewashed linens, antique finds and in-season flowers play a central role in the happy and relaxed family home. Let's take a peek...

Photography / interior design: Emily Slott

That light! - And just how pretty is the traditional children's bedroom?

Is there anything that stands out to you?

Get the look: dining room - Z1 pendant light, Bentwood chairs. Sitting room - Bemz sells linen slipcovers for IKEA sofas (see mine here!). Source similar stonewashed linen cushions / pillows here. Kitchen: POLPO book, L:A Bruket hand & body wash. Children's bedroom: bed canopy (how pretty is the 'powder' one?!),  origami mobile, Jute floor mat, chunky knit blanket. 

You can also source some beautiful items with this look and feel over at The Happy Hill (in Swedish).

Oh and if you're planning a wedding - you must check out the pics of Emily's wedding which was set in the Swedish countryside - so magical?! I included a guide on how to create a Swedish style wedding (and hen /stag do) in my new book Lagom: The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life - (soon available in Portuguese, German, French and Czech! eeeeee!). I hope you find it helpful!


Have a lovely day!

PS I'm just packing for a three day Arctic sailing trip in Northern Norway with three girlfriends (including my sister Cas). Sooooo excited! Feels weird packing beanies, buffs and gloves at this time of the year, but feeling very intrepid! I'll be sharing updates over on Instagram stories if you're curious! In the meantime, I will of course be doing my best to bring you daily home tours (I've got some really exciting ones lined up!). Hejdå for now!

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Lisa's happy Parisien home

I'm in the mood for something bright and cheerful today, how about you?! Want to come with me to explore the happy Parisien home of Lisa, blogger behind Make My Lemonade, Creative director at Lemonade Studio and Wear lemonade? Addicted to yellow and sequins, Lisa lives by the philosophy: 'if life gives you lemons, make lemonade.' Love that! Her lovely apartment in the 10th arrondissement of Paris is full of quirky one off pieces and touches of pink, blue, green, and of course yellow! Bienvenue!

 Credit: InsideCloset shared with kind permission. 

This makes me want to go home and add splashes of yellow everywhere - how about you?! It's just such a happy colour!

A few items I know and love in Lisa's home: Petite Friture suspension vertigo (pink light) - also seen in this home, Eames side chairs, Eames rocker, sheepskin throw, source banana leaf fabric by the yard here (love this!). Pick up rattan sunburst mirrors here.

For equally cheerful style inspiration check out the full post on Inside Closet and Lisa's website Make My Lemonade. 

The colours and textures in this home remind me of some of the lovely homes from The Netherlands I've featured- don't you think? 

Have a happy day! 

PS There's a GREAT give-away over on instagram right now to win a print of your choice from Toi Art Gallery. It only takes a second to enter too!

PPS Back by popular demand, you can now subscribe to My Scandinavian Home and receive posts directly to your mail box once again (featured on the left here on the blog). Thank you!

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A Peek at the Lights in My home and Studio!

Sponsored by HVLG International. All words and pictures are my own.

Do you find that when it comes to decorating a home, there's always some items that are easier to buy than others? And it's so personal! While I might be less good at sourcing rugs, I have a huge passion for lighting and it's one area of our home that I have fully covered! Could it be the dark Swedish winter? Or perhaps that I see lighting like art? Or maybe it's the huge variation waiting to be discovered. Either way, I'm always on the hunt!

Last week, I added three beautiful new gems to my home and studio from Hudson Valley Lighting Group International. While this was purely an instagram collaboration, I'm so happy with them, I thought maybe you'd like to see the gems here on the blog too! 

At home

In the corner of our sitting room I added the Nora wall sconce by Mitzi. I was drawn to it because it's like a jewel, brightening up what can be a fairly dark corner. It's also not too big which is great, as behind that curtain is our flatscreen TV and my children wouldn't be very happy with me if something were to obscure their latest series! Oh, the decorating struggles! 

This is the brass version, but it also comes in nickel if you prefer a silvery finish! Oh, and it's also suitable for use in the bathroom. You might recognise the style as Liv has a matching Nora pendant in her room (take a peek here). 

In the studio

A few years ago I made the big move out of my home office to a studio in the centre of Malmö, and I've never looked back! It certainly helps that I share my studio with two lovely, talented ladies (so many laughs as well as support and words of encouragement). 

Last week, I set up this Curves No.1 table lamp on my desk, and I have to say there was a lot of excitement 'Oohing and Ahhing' as we gathered around to admire it. The brass, rattan and linen details are beautiful! It's not all only aesthetics though - the height is adjustable and the lamp swivels, so it's highly practical too! 

Here's a closer look at the fine brass base and details.

You might also be excited (I was) to discover this table lamp has a sister - the  Curves No.1 floor lamp. Which now stands proudly beside the studio sofa. 

I was so happy to discover that this lamp was equally easy to put together - it took seconds for it to be up and running (I'm not one for a major amount of fuss, are you?). 

The lamp features the same brass and rattan details. And I love that it combines traditional touches with a modern aesthetic. It could fit in anywhere and be moved around at whim! 

It also features a foot button to turn it on and off - big bonus in my eyes! 

I hope you like these lamps as much as I do - and have enjoyed a peek inside my home and studio today.

You can read discover more about them and see the full collection at Hudson Valley Lighting Group International (ships worldwide).

You can also see more of their lamps throughout my home and cabin here: 

A new wall sconce from HVLG International

3 new lamps at home from Hudson Valley Lighting

Lighting up at home with these lovely lights

Bright ideas: lighting up our cabin and my friends' bathroom

Feel free to ask about any other details you see in my home and studio and I'll be happy to help in the comments below! 

I'll be back on Friday with a beeeeeautiful home tour. See you then! 

Stor kram!

Niki

All words and photography my own ( Niki Brantmark / My Scandinavian Home) 

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The Best Of My Scandinavian Home 2019!

Another year has whizzed by (is it me, or does it feel like only yesterday I was writing best of 2018?!). Even so, I can't tell you how much I've loved being here each day, I hope you've felt the same! When I post, I always write about the things I love, but I can never be 100% sure that everyone else will love it too.  This makes creating the 'best of My Scandinavian Home 2019' so much fun! And I can safely say, there have been a few great surprises! Are you ready to discover the most popular My Scandinavian Home blog and instagram posts of 2019? Let's hear those drums....

Top blog posts of 2020

5. The home of Zoé De Las Cases

Everyone fell in love with this Parisian apartment where old meets new, and the sunshine pours in over the rooftops of Paris! Don't miss her country home too - it's charming in every way!

4. Dream Life on a Budget: A Tiny Cabin in the Woods

Natasha Lawyer and Brett Bashaw transformed a tiny homestead in Vermont to pursue their shared passion for pottery. They spent the winter transforming the small outhouses into a home, pottery studio and a coup for their chickens. And it stole our hearts! Check out the full tour here.

3. My summer cottage kitchen final reveal

I can't tell you how happy I am to see our summer cottage kitchen feature in the top 3 most popular blog posts of the year (does a little dance). Renovating our cottage kitchen was a true labour of love! Per and I really underestimated the amount of work it would take to turn a small, narrow 70s kitchen into a contemporary space - all by hand (with the help of YouTube!). We love it even more as a result! You can follow the entire series here. A big thanks to Bosch, without whom it wouldn't have been possible!

2. 16 Ways to Transform a Tiny Room Into a Dreamy Yet Practical Bedroom

Nearly all homes have a box room of some kind. The good news is that there's so much that can be done to transform a small, dark space into a beautiful, practical bedroom - and you don't always need to stick to the rules! I'm happy you felt inspired by this too!

1. Sweden's Big Christmas Trend - (And You Can Make It Yourself!)

When it comes to Christmas decorations, the Swedes have it down! Everything is so tasteful, pretty, warm and cosy - in a wonderful, simple way. I'm used to seeing paper stars and 7-arm candelabras in the window, but this year a new trend merged: the paper snow flower. I'm so happy you felt inspired by this. In case you missed it, you can read more about them and check out the DIY tutorials here.

Top 5 instagram posts of 2020
It's always fun looking back over the year and discovering what everyone enjoyed most on @myscandinavianhome. I have to say, this year the number one spot was a big surprise, and it put a big smile on my face. I hope it brightens up your day too! Here are my top 5 most popular instagram posts of 2020:

5. Books and neutral tones in the beautiful home of Simone Polk Dahl

Almost 200,000 people fell for the soothing light blue, caramel and brown colour scheme and books in the living room of Simone Polk Dahl. If you do one thing before the end of the year, it's to take a tour of her wonderful Copenhagen home!

4. Anne's Cosy Sitting Room

It's easy to see why the sitting room in Anne's enchanting Lille home caught everyone's eye. I mean, just look at that sofa - it's like a big warm hug! And as for that gallery wall....

3. Michelle Nielsen's Inspiring Danish Home

Aaaah, the wonderful Danish home of Michelle Nielsen. I'm so happy this featured in the top 3, it's full of books, art and lovely colours which makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!

2. Carla's small white and wood bathroom

Over 220,000 people felt truly inspired by how Carla Natalia Thompson decorated her small apartment. I love it when two styles collide - especially warm southern style with cool Scandinavian touches. Don't miss the full tour of her home here!

1. The Small Guest Bathroom!

1. Although I often have an idea, I can never truly predict what's going to be REALLY popular. And this picture of a small studio loo completely threw me! It was the first time I'd ever shown a 'throne' in my instagram squares! And guess what?! It inspired over 368,000 people. How brilliant is that?! Check out the full tour of Courtney's Byron Bay lovely home here.

So guys, what did you think? Do you agree? Any surprises? Do you have another favourite that's not on this list? If so, I'd love to hear about it!

I'll be nipping in with a final Christmas post on Monday, in the meantime I'd like to say a HUGE thank you for stopping by each day and bringing your positive energy, support and words of encouragement to My Scandinavian Home and making this blog what it is. I have loved reading your comments here on the blog as well as on instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

A big thank you also to all the photographers and creatives who generously shared their images and invited us into their homes this year!

And finally, thank you to all the wonderful sponsors who make My Scandinavian Home possible!

I hope your weekend sparkles!

Niki 

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