My Summer Cottage Kitchen Renovation: Floorplan and Design

In paid partnership with Bosch
Quite a lot has happened in the last three weeks with the summer cottage kitchen renovation. I have spent the last couple of weeks measuring and sketching and now I think I may have arrived at a design direction - hurrah! Thank you so much for all your input - it's been invaluable! As you know, our little cottage is located in a small fishing village on the West coast of Sweden. The sea is a gentle grey-blue and I'm keen for the kitchen to reflect this. I'm therefore thinking about a soft, muted light grey or pale green palette blended with white and warm wood.

CABINETS
I've narrowed my search down to IKEA VEDDINGE cabinets (seen in the picture above) since I like the sleekness  - they feel less fussy for a small space and easy to clean 8as one of you pointed out on Facebook - thank you!).

As with any room that employs light colours and a clean look, I'm aware I'll need to add plenty of warm touches. I'm thinking accents of natural wood (hooks, chopping boards, stool etc), stone and tarnished brass.

MOODBOARD

FLOOPLAN
I took my scribbled measurements and pictures of our L shaped kitchen along to the IKEA kitchen design centre (you just book online and then rock up at the given time slot) - and lo and behold the designer happened to be an old friend I hung out with when I was on maternity leave (Jess) - who also happens to have great taste! Malmö's a small place and sometimes it totally pays off! This is the floor plan we arrived at:

CABINET POSITIONING
I would love to do away with the upper cabinets for a really fresh, up-to-date look - but the kitchen is way too small and we have way too much stuff (even after a Marie Kondo style declutter!). Sadly, I'm not sure a lot of open shelving is an option either since we are not at the cottage enough and the items would just collect dust - what do you think? I've left wall space to the right of the sink just in case!
All of the lower cabinets are drawers since they can be fully extended which makes them a more practical option than cupboards.

APPLIANCES
One of the beauties of selecting an IKEA kitchen is that Bosch appliances are a seamless fit (I am keen to use these in the cottage kitchen as we've always had them at home and I'm a firm believer in opting for reliable, good quality appliances that last). The oven and induction hob will be placed under an integrated fan (I love 'open' fans' but need to capitalise on storage). The dishwasher will be seamlessly hidden behind 'number 6' in the layout and the fridge-freezer will be built-in behind the cabinet door in position 11.

I hope you like these ideas. The plan is only preliminary so please do weigh in if you have any thoughts / advice - I'm all ears!
Even though there's a whole load of work ahead, this renovation is starting to feel real now and I'm getting SO excited. Weeeeee! 

Niki

Photography credit for main picture: Mikael Lundblad. 

*This series is in paid collaboration with Bosch. However, all words and pictures are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too. 

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18

A Dated Home Becomes a Fresh, Modern Farmhouse

Ever since I stumbled across the portfolio of Pittsburgh based interior designer Leanne Ford and featured this incredible home, I've been a huge fan of her work! Leanne is currently the star, along with her brother and contractor Steve Ford, of Restored by the Fords on HGTV, which follows the siblings as they turn some of Pittsburgh's most dated buildings into magazine-worthy homes. Their latest project was to transform the Faraci family's pokey ground floor (made up of three rooms) into a fresh, open-plan space. I caught up with Leanne to find out more about the project...

What was the design brief?

I loved the Faraci family! They are so lovely and loving and their demands were rather simple! They wanted a simple and well designed home to be together as a family and to entertain in. The first floor of their house was separated by three walls when we got our hands on it. And of course, I removed them ALL. We wanted those in the kitchen to be able to see out the front window. And we wanted a more welcome communal living space for them.

What style were the family after and how did you achieve it? 

"They wanted a fresh and modern farmhouse style. We gave them all the classic fixings; subway tile, butcher block counters, classic white cabinets, open shelving, farm table down the center of the kitchen, simple design and decor. And I played with all of these features over the original and very beat up wooden floors. Though they started out as a kind of disaster to try to make them work, they ended up being my favorite feature of the home. Ain't that how it happens. The rough and vintage floor really adds life to the clean lines of the new kitchen." 

 Do you have a favourite feature from the make-over?  

That amazing modern "sculpture" of a stair case that Ed Zeiler from Wood N Wrench made us! We had to totally reconfigure where the staircase went after ripping walls out, so we played with the new "railing/wall" And made it a design feature.

 Did you experiment with anything new? 

"We did Board and Batton on the INSIDE of the home for a change. It was a simple and economical way to bring texture and character into this home. Over the coffee table you see a white chandelier that I TRIED to make... I would say this is one of those examples of letting art evolve...I certainly never set out to make the light look like that, but let's just say it really "wanted to" ;) The family made me feel better when they said it looks like something from the MOMA. I don't know about that, but... I'll take it!"

Photography: Alexandra Ribar

Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful make-over with us Leanne!

If you love this look and want to steal a few ideas (I certainly will be!) - here's a quick guide:

Get the look

1. Nuvo lighting, warehouse shade
2. Vintage chopping board
3. Glass cake stand
4. Natural linen napkins
5. L:A Bruket liquid soap
6. Drip Glaze 16-Piece Place Setting
7. Tour Eiffel brackets  
8. IKEA armchair with Bemz Loose Fit Country cover (get 15% off design covers for IKEA furniture at Bemz with code '15myscandinavianhome' until 11th Feb - ships worldwide!).
9. Woven basket pendant light
10. Sisal natural jute rug

Ahhh, so inspired by this space - the statement basket lamp, the asymmetry of the chairs and bench around the table, the open shelves. So much to love. I hope it's inspired you too!

Have a lovely day.

****

Complete Source list:

Kitchen: Cabinets / Miter Box (custom built),  Farmhouse 3018 sink in pearl / Native Trails, Trinsic kitchen faucet in champagne bronze / Delta, White subway tile / Jeffrey Court,  Butcher Block countertop / IKEA. Cutting boards / Whitney Jurgovan of Kinsey Vintage market, Small white rug in bleached jute ivory / world market*, Wooden shelving with Tour Eiffel brackets / Anthropologie*,  Napkins and Tea towels, Parachute home, Vintage Mirror / Garden Style Living, wooden kitchen table / Weisshouse, Woven Basket Pendant / World market. Wooden chairs / 1stdibs. 

Family room (with fireplace): Cloud sofa in beligan linen natural / RH Modern,  Sisal natural jute rug / World market. White linen armchair / Weisshouse. Blue Tin Washer // Kinsey Vintage Market, coffee table / weisshouse, Metal Locker Boxes // Urge Studio.

Living room: White rug in bleached ivory jute / World market, Burlap sofa / Weisshouse,
wooden coffee table / IKEA, Chandlier custom made by Leanne, Green credenza / Urge Studio.

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5

An airy Swedish Home With a Beautiful Kitchen

Tjena! This lovely Swedish kitchen stopped me in my tracks this morning. It's like a total breath of fresh air! The room occupies the lower floor of a maisonette in central Gothenburg designed by uber stylist Emma Fischer. A friend once described the kitchen as 'the engine room of the house' - and this couldn't be more evident than in this home! I love how a large table takes centre stage, creating a space to gather, study, work and eat! Note the art too, helping to blur the boundary between a highly functional kitchen and somewhere enjoyable and aesthetically pleasing to hang out. 

In recent years, it's become really popular to do away with the upper cabinets in favour of open shelving, or even a blank space. This has a wonderful 'airy' affect but it's not always practical if you require a lot of storage and / or don't enjoy dusting! 

A space under the stairs is used as a coffee station - important in a country which ranks 6th in the world for coffee consumption (never get in the way of a Swede and their fika!).

Note the small ledge which can be used for pictures, cookery books and other slim items. 

A calming green accent appears in the form of doors, shelving and plants  -  adding a wonderful harmonious feeling to the space. 

A simple bench provides a place to sit and relax by the window - bathed in natural sunlight. Sadly, the balcony won't be used for quite a few months yet (we're still hovering around 0 degrees Celsius in Sweden!). 

An entire wall in the living room has been dedicated to books (a 'library' seems to be the theme of the week - I loved the one in yesterday's home tour, how about you?). This shelving system is by Elfa - a popular swedish brand, which you'll have seen in many of the homes I've featured. Look closely and you'll spot a series of tracks which allow you to move shelves around according to your requirements. Funnily enough, we have a builder at home installing an Elfa wardrobe and shelving system this minute! I'm looking forward to sharing the results with you soon!

A tight corner has been transformed into a reading spot complete with chair, wall mounted shelf, lamp, magazine rack, a blanket and even a plant! So cosy, and such a great use of space!

If this was in my home, you wouldn't even see the chair for clothes! Do you have a 'chairobe' at home too? 

A lovely touch of pink in the bathroom. A curtain hung on a circular rail takes up way less space than shower doors in a small space. It's a balance though - you need to get rid of the water after you've showered, or you'll be looking at wet socks! In Sweden you'll usually find a squeegee device* in private and public bathrooms / changing rooms alike - to save each others socks, and leave the room exactly how you found it. 

All in all, a beautiful home full of nice ideas! 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

Har det så fint! 

Niki

PS My thoughts are never far from what is happening - as I'm sure is the case with you. To read my sentiments, please see yesterday's post. Sending love and hoping for peace. 

Credits: Jonas Berg / Emma Fischer for Stadshem.

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A 1930s Stockholm Apartment with 'Funkis' Charm and a blue kitchen

It’s Lillördag (Little Saturday) – as the Swedes like to call Wednesday – which basically gives everyone permission to sip a drink (or two) guilt free as if the weekend has already begun. And honestly, I could very happily see myself swanning around this Swedish apartment this evening, fully embracing the occasion!

Spread over two floors, this spacious home was designed and built in 1931, right at the dawn of Swedish functionalism’s golden age. Think clean lines, clever use of space, and efficient use materials. And you can absolutely feel that ethos here—an airy, efficient space in the heart of Stockholm, sprinkled with some lovely mid-century furniture and lighting.

Two standout features caught my eye. First, the kitchen, with its eye-catching sky-blue cabinets and open shelving suspended from the ceiling—a genius way to add extra storage in an open-plan setting. And second, the immense library wall stretching across the entire living and dining area. Imagine being surrounded by books while sipping your midweek *insert drink of choice*…?

I've even thrown in a floor plan so you can get a proper feel for the layout. Ready to step inside? Let’s go!

Ceiling shelving is widely available around the world (a quick google search is bound to show up something in your area). 

The original functionalist kitchen units are fabulous—definitely not something you'd want to rip out! That said, a simple lick of paint has completely transformed the look, turning the cabinets into a real focal point of the room. Given that kitchens can be a surprisingly hefty investment, more and more homeowners are opting for a budget-friendly refresh—grabbing a paintbrush or having their cabinets spray-painted for a brand-new look at a fraction of the cost!

Two Gubi Semi pendant lamps, designed in 1968, hang elegantly over the dining table. They're firm favorites of mine—not just because they look fantastic, but because they're wonderfully practical too. In fact, I even recommended them to my mother for her home, and she absolutely loves them. 

A set of 811 chairs by TON, designed in 1930, surround the table, seamlessly tying in with the era in which the apartment was built hence why their timeless design feels right at home here. 

A double curtain rail with softer sheer curtains and black out curtains add a softness to the cleaner lines of the room. 

Blue Swedish string shelves in the bathroom add a fabulous contemporary touch and an element of surprise! 

Glossary: Vån 1– first floor, Bottenvåning– ground floor. Sovrum–bedroom, Bad–bathroom, Vardagsrum–sitting room, Köl–kitchen, Bokhylla–book shelves. 

Some lovely ideas here. I've mentioned a few of my favourite things about this home - is there anything that stands out to you? 

You can see more corners over at Historiska Hem here. 

I hope you enjoyed the tour and have a happy lillördag! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Historiska Hem with thanks. 

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21

A White Swedish Home with an Angled Kitchen

Such is my work as a writer, that I'm sitting at my desk on a warm, summer's day - without a cloud in the sky - in Malmö writing an article about Christmas for a UK magazine. Needless to say, I don't think I've quite got into the festive spirit yet! Lost for yuletide words, I thought I'd take a break and share this bright and airy apartment in Södermalm, Stockholm with you instead. It's just the breather I needed! The 51 m2 / 548 f2 space is perfect inspiration for anyone dealing with awkward angles, an IKEA kitchen that needs a design facelift or a cramped bathroom. Read on to discover why! 

In the kitchen, an Ikea kitchen carcass hugs the angled wall, while Superfront cabinet doors add a design touch. 

Some of the lost upper cabinet space is replaced by metal shelving beneath the window (also from Ikea). 

Right now, it's all about combining different style and eras. I love how contemporary kitchen cabinets stand beside an early 20th century cabinet - part of the original kitchen. 

A second room doubles up as an open-plan dining room and sitting room, with an eclectic blend of furniture. 

Glass doors ensure a flow of light between the rooms - a vital factor come winter! 

A slim vintage filing cabinet doubles up as a cute bedside table in the bedroom. 

Some old Stockholm apartments were built without private bathrooms - with residents sharing communal ones instead. These days, residents have carved out whatever space they can to create a bathroom, often using a wardrobe. I am not sure if that is the case with this small, L-shaped room. Even so, a narrow basin and loo in the shower area have solved the issue here. The white tiles and patterned tiles ensure it feels light and airy and also stylish! 

I thought it might also be useful to share the floorplan: 

Sovrum - bedroom, Vardagsrum - sitting room, Kök - kitchen

Such a lovely apartment with some great solutions (it's available to buy here).  

I particularly like the kitchen and dining area! And of course, the floor! Is there anything that caught your eye?

I am expecting a flurry of thoughts about the loo / shower combination! For example - won't the loo roll get wet? It reminds me very much of our boat loo / shower (we need to remove pretty much everything in the bathroom before we use the shower!). I think I'd try to fit a circular shower curtain or fold in semi-circular shower wall here (if there's room for it!). Do you have any ideas on how to solve this? 

Discover more beautiful Stockholm home tours here. 

Trevlig helg!  Have a great weekend! See you Monday! 

Niki

Photography Elin Sylwan, Styling: Petra Yngfalk for Historiska Hem. 

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